Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

osugrad21 · Dec 6, 2006

Canton

Browns looking for a payback
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
By Steve Doerschuk REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

BEREA The Browns practiced indoors Tuesday, with roasting chestnuts nowhere in sight. The heat was off. A big garage door was wide open to let in a 25-degree chill.
?Gonna be cold in Pittsburgh,? center Lennie Friedman said.
Randy Lerner came out in an overcoat. The owner gave a big hug to Romeo Crennel while players stretched. As the coach spoke to the boss, their breath came out in white puffs.
Crennel has been a different man the last several days ? not radically different, because he is nothing if not unflappable.
Crennel?s mood brightened last week on the day General Manager Phil Savage went public with a vote of confidence. Privately, Lerner is emphatic in his support of Crennel.
Obviously, Crennel took satisfaction in Sunday?s game against Kansas City. His players looked like dogs in a 30-0 loss to Cincinnati, but didn?t lay down like dogs.
At least, that seemed a viable theory, given a 31-28 overtime win against the Chiefs. The mood could foul quickly if the Browns bomb at Pittsburgh.
For now, the team can draw some self-respect from being 4-8 with four games left in a 10-game season. The team is 3-3 since Jeff Davidson replaced Maurice Carthon as offensive coordinator. Wins have been over the Jets, Falcons and Chiefs, playoff contenders with a combined 20-13 record against teams other than Cleveland.
Oddly, this year?s games against Pittsburgh will have been sandwiched by a pitiful loss (Bengals) and one of the expansion era?s better wins (Chiefs).
?It?s hard to get up every week,? Crennel said. ?In our situation, we put a lot into that first Pittsburgh game.
?To end up losing that game took something out of us. You play a (Bengals) team that matches up better against you and they start rolling and you can?t stop them.
?That is a demoralizing loss. But the guys on this team are hard workers. They have pride. I didn?t think they were going to ... lay another egg.?
As Crennel?s team practiced Tuesday, a few media types began speculating on what Thursday?s game at Pittsburgh might look like. The consensus, such as it was: They?re up; they?re down; who knows?
Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk

osugrad21 · Dec 6, 2006

Morning Journal

Winslow, Porter excited to renew rivalry
JEFF SCHUDEL, Morning Journal Writer
12/06/2006

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CLEVELAND -- Charlie Frye's wrist is not broken and neither are his spirits, but unless he heals quicker than expected, he will be on the sideline tomorrow night in Pittsburgh, watching Derek Anderson try to do what Frye was unable to do in two tries against the Steelers.

Frye was in sweats yesterday and unable to practice. He is wearing a soft brace stiffened by a metal splint for the purpose of immobilizing his right wrist. Coach Romeo Crennel said an MRI done Monday shows Frye's wrist bone is bruised, but not broken, as Kellen Winslow Jr. and other teammates said it was.

''It's sore,'' Frye said in the locker room before practice. ''I'm trying to do everything I can to get ready to play. This is definitely a game I had circled after what happened a couple weeks ago. They came here and basically stole a victory from us. As much as I want to play, it's up to Doc.''

Frye has faced the Steelers twice and lost both times. The Steelers shut the Browns out, 41-0 on Christmas Eve last year and beat them 24-20 Nov. 19. The offense did not score in either game.

The challenge facing Anderson is huge. The second-year quarterback from Oregon State would be making his first NFL start in Heinz Field on national television (NFL Network) against a team that has beaten the Browns 12 times in the last 13 games.

On top of those normal obstacles is the challenge of getting ready to play a divisional game with only one day of practice. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger also had only yesterday for a full practice, but he isn't making his first start, he does not have to travel and he will be playing at home.

''It's a little bit different,'' Anderson said. ''You always want as much time as you can get. We'll have to spend some extra time here after practice and we did that.''

Anderson might be a little naive after the success he had last week. He threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and broke out on a 33-yard run to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime for a 31-28 shocker over the Chiefs.

Asked whether he will include in his film study the 41-0 Christmas Eve massacre, in which Frye was sacked eight times, he shrugged.

''They're doing different things than they did last year,'' he said. ''But I don't know, I'll probably take a look at it.''

The Steelers sacked Frye five times in the game last month. They jumped on Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski five times last week while winning 20-3. Anderson did not throw his first pass until he played against the Chiefs.

Gradkowski, playing in place of injured Chris Simms, started eight games before being mauled in Pittsburgh.

''You have to know they're going to bring pressure,'' Anderson said. ''We're going to deal with it. I have to get the ball out of my hands quickly. They're going to hit me. That's part of the game. You have to step into your throws and put them on point.''

Crennel has not ruled out starting Frye. He said he will wait to see if Frye can take a snap and throw the ball today. Crennel will meet with team doctors and might wait until game time to make a decision.

''I don't think Pittsburgh cares (who starts), to tell you the truth,'' Crennel said. ''I think they have confidence in what they're doing. They've done it and they have a history of doing it.''

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter said virtually the same thing in a conference call at about the time Crennel was spelling out the quarterback situation. Porter said in so many words Anderson will not do to the Steelers what he did to the Chiefs.

''We look forward to playing any rookie,'' Porter said. ''We don't care if he likes to run or not. We know that if we're playing a rookie, with our defensive schemes and how we come after quarterbacks, we can frustrate him. We want to stop the run and put all this pressure on the young guy. If the young guy beats us, then it was supposed to happen.''

Anderson could catch a break. Strong safety Troy Polamalu, a nemesis of the Browns over the years, is out with a knee injury. Free safety Ryan Clark is out with a groin injury. Clark is tied for second among the Steelers with 69 tackles. Polamalu is tied for fourth with 66 tackles.

Polamalu missed the Tampa Bay game and the Steelers still manhandled the Buccaneers.

OSUBasketballJunkie · Dec 6, 2006

ABJ

Steelers relish QB change

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

BEREA - Joey Porter never has been one to run from reality.
So the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker didn't run from the reality that backup Derek Anderson probably will make his first start at quarterback for the Browns on Thursday night at Heinz Field.
``I don't think three days is enough for him to get ready to play our defense,'' Porter said Wednesday.
So be it.
With Charlie Frye not practicing because of a bone bruise in his right wrist, Anderson has one day of practice to get ready for the Steelers' array of blitzes and pressure.
It's a scheme that confuses veterans, let alone second-year players such as Anderson, whose experience consists of one good half of playing time.
Anderson actually called this ``another week of preparation,'' and he might be trying to convince himself of that.
Clearly, it's not.
Even the Steelers understand that -- though Porter was a bit confused about Anderson's experience level.
``We look forward to playing any rookie,'' Porter said. ``It doesn't matter if he likes to run or what. We just know that if we play a rookie with our defensive schemes and how we come after quarterbacks... it's frustrating. We want to stop the run and put all the pressure on the young guy.''
To see how it worked, look back to the Christmas Eve rout last season, when Frye said he was unprepared for what the Steelers did. He looked that way, too.
``That's just our game plan,'' Porter said. ``Take away the run and it's tough for any quarterback to go out and beat us single-handedly, let alone when it's a rookie and he hasn't seen our defense before.''
Frye played a little better in the game earlier this season against the Steelers, but the offense still scored no touchdowns.
On Tuesday, Frye had a splint on his sore wrist. He will not try to take a snap until today, and coach Romeo Crennel said he would decide whether Frye would play once he sees him take a snap and throw.
``If he cannot play, Derek Anderson will start,'' Crennel said. ``But until I can see what he can do, I don't know.''
That seems to point to Anderson as the starter -- though Frye will not abandon hopes of playing until Thursday night.
``There's always going to be a shot in my mind,'' he said. ``Maybe not in the doctors' minds or trainers' minds, but in my mind there's always a shot. If there's a shot, then I've still got hope.''
Anderson played well in the second half and overtime in the victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, but they did not play an aggressive defense.
``Kansas City played not to give up the big play, and they pressured occasionally,'' Crennel said. ``Pittsburgh pressures more often and they mix it up.''
The Steelers like to make a quarterback guess where the rush is coming from. They might blitz a linebacker and drop a lineman in coverage, or they might bring linebackers and safeties or corners along with the defensive front.
A quarterback has to recognize where the blitz is coming from, then throw to the area the blitzer vacated.
It's far from easy, and Crennel is as candid as Porter in admitting that he doesn't know how Anderson will handle things.
``That's one of the things that we're going to have to find out,'' Crennel said. ``He hasn't been playing and he hasn't been pressured much in the preseason.''
Crennel said he sees no advantage to keeping the identity of the quarterback under wraps.
``I don't think Pittsburgh cares,'' he said. ``I think they have confidence in what they're doing, and they're going to do what they do.''
So what's the key for Anderson?
``I've got to get the ball out of my hands,'' he said.
He meant get rid of it quickly. One could envision the Browns running a lot of three-step drops, with Anderson unloading the ball in a hurry.
Tight end Kellen Winslow, who could catch 10 passes if the Browns go to a quick passing game, said the key will be to run the ball.
``We ran the football good early on them (in the first game),'' he said.
Fullback Terrelle Smith said Anderson would be fine, in part because the Steelers aren't blitzing as much and because All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu will not play.
``You can't do what he does,'' Smith said. ``The other guy back there, he can't duplicate what (Polamalu) does. That's something that's particular to him. And that's where they bring a lot of pressure from because he can line up at any position and he can do whatever it takes to disrupt the offense.
``If he's not playing, that's a real plus for us.''
It would be naive to think the Steelers will not try to confuse Anderson. They are eighth in the league in rushing defense, so if they can limit Reuben Droughns and Jason Wright, it would be natural for them to tee off on Anderson.
Said Porter: ``It's a big game, a game we have to have, so we're going to find out if he's ready or not when we play on Thursday.''

OSUBasketballJunkie · Dec 6, 2006

ABJ

Browns notebook

Winslow, Steelers' Porter have words

You get pregame jawing, post-game respect and in-between admiration

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

BEREA - The first time the Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers played this season, Joey Porter and Kellen Winslow spent part of pregame yapping at each other.
Wednesday, they were members of the Mutual Admiration Society.
``You recognize a ballplayer when you see a ballplayer,'' Porter said on a conference call with the local media. ``He's a good ballplayer. We talked before the game to get ourselves going. You still respect his game afterward.
``There's no bitterness.''
``Ditto,'' Winslow said. ``I love Porter. I love going against guys like that. He's a great player and that makes the game fun.''
The pair's admiration got to the point that they said they liked the pregame jawing.
``I respect him for being in that mind-set,'' Porter said. ``I feel that's the mind-set you have to have. You have to have the mind-set that `I don't care who you are, I'm going to let you know you're not going to intimidate anybody before the game.' That's what he was trying to do.
``And I respect his game for that because that's what I'm trying to do. After the game, if you want to come to me and talk and say good job, I'm fine with that, too.
``Before the game, you have to try to send a message on how the day's going to go.''
That being said, Porter said he'd look for Winslow before the game.
``I'm going to need that in a short week to get going,'' Porter said. ``I'm going to be ready anyway, but any little extra from him will definitely get me fired up. I know he'll be fired up. He got a stiff arm on me that I know he was excited about.
``At the same time, we won the game. And that's what it's all about.''
Injury report
Quarterback Charlie Frye was listed as questionable for Thursday after MRI exams showed no broken bones in his right wrist. He wore a splint on the wrist and did not practice. Odds seem long that he'll play.
Defensive end Orpheus Roye is doubtful with a knee injury.
Others on the injury report are linebacker Chaun Thompson (ankle), cornerback Leigh Bodden (ankle), linebacker Mason Unck (groin) and Winslow (knee).
Winslow missed practice, as he has all season. It will be tougher for him to play on only three days' rest, but he vowed he'll be there.
``More cold tub,'' Winslow said. ``More hot tub. More treatment. Stuff like that just to get ready for the game.''
The Steelers will be without four starters -- wide receiver Hines Ward and safety Troy Polamalu, both because of knee injuries, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson (ankle) and safety Ryan Clark (groin).
Of Polamalu's absence, Browns coach Romeo Crennel said: ``It changes the play-making ability. They are still going to call the same plays that they call all of the time.''
Brownies. . .
Steelers coach Bill Cowher did not sound thrilled that the teams will play on Thursday night after a Sunday game. He said the coaches are ``consoled'' on the games in a short week, but not consulted.... The Browns have a chance to end a streak of 54 games when they have not won two in a row. The last time that happened was also the last time they beat the Steelers, with Tim Couch playing quarterback in Heinz Field in October 2003.... The Steelers had so much success with the no-huddle, spread offense in the fourth quarter that Crennel said he wouldn't be surprised if they opened the game in that formation.... The Browns will continue to rotate Reuben Droughns and Jason Wright at running back.

osugrad21 · Dec 7, 2006

DDN

Browns-Steelers once was an actual rivalry

By Sean McClelland
Staff Writer

Thursday, December 07, 2006
There was a time, believe it or not, when Browns-Steelers was an actual rivalry, one even the players on both teams recognized as such.
OK, maybe Dallas-Washington was bigger, but never by much.
If you grew up in Cleveland in the '70s, it was fun to hate the Steelers even as you envied their success. I remember even doing a school project on how good they were.
But the truth hurts, and when Steelers linebacker Joey Porter came out this week and said the Browns are barely on their AFC North rivalry radar, I had to admit he was right.
The series resumes tonight at Heinz Field. Of course, you can't see it unless you get the NFL Network or visit your favorite sports bar, but it finds the Browns seeking to snap a six-game losing streak against the Steelers, who have beaten them 12 out of 13.
That's not a rivalry, it's a mauling.
I liked it better back in the day, when the Browns had a chance. Sure, the Steelers beat them consistently back then, too, but at least they stumbled once in a while in Cleveland Stadium, and not just because the grass was uneven.
Browns fans of a certain age fondly recall 1976, for example. Cleveland 18, Pittsburgh 16. The home win is best known as the game when defensive end Joe "Turkey" Jones lifted Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw off the ground and slammed him on his head.
Imagine if Jones had performed that move today on a quarterback. He'd be in front of a jury.
It was wrong on so many levels, but when you've lost so frequently to your supposed archrival, such moments are the ones you are forced to cherish.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408
or [email protected].

osugrad21 · Dec 7, 2006

DDN

Winslow, Porter fuel Browns-Steelers rivalry

Cleveland's tight end looking 'forward to the matchup' tonight on the NFL Network.

By Sean McClelland
Staff Writer

Thursday, December 07, 2006

PITTSBURGH ? Browns tight end Kellen Winslow's knee aches, but his mouth is in fine shape.
That's important when you're trying to juice up a rivalry that's been so one-sided lately as to not even resemble one.
Winslow and veteran Steelers linebacker Joey Porter have picked up where they left off last month, jawing in advance of tonight's NFL Network-televised rematch at Heinz Field.
"I'm not scared of him or the Steelers," proclaimed Winslow, who leads all at his position with 67 catches. "Now that I know about the rivalry, I look forward to the matchup."
On Nov. 19 in Cleveland, Winslow shouted at Porter during warmups about how things would be different now. It was Winslow's first game against the Steelers after sitting out nearly two full seasons with injuries.
Things weren't that different. The Steelers won, 24-20. They have beaten the Browns six straight and 12 of 13.
"He was just talking and stuff," Porter said. "I like that before the game. It gets me fired up. I'm looking forward to it (tonight)."
Winslow also delivered a stiff-arm that Porter hasn't forgotten.
Tonight's other drama finds Browns backup quarterback Derek Anderson likely making his first NFL start in place of the injured Charlie Frye.
Cleveland last won Oct. 5, 2003, crushing the Steelers, 33-13, in an ESPN Sunday night game with Tim Couch filling in at quarterback for an injured Kelly Holcomb. Seems like ages ago.
Said Porter: "We're the better team, and we're going to play like it."

osugrad21 · Dec 7, 2006

ABJ

Steelers rivalry losing luster

Joey Porter says game isn't as big in Pittsburgh as it seems in Cleveland

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

BEREA - The Browns readily admit they put nine months of work, effort and concentration into beating the Pittsburgh Steelers.
They lost.
For the sixth time in a row.
``Right now,'' said Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, ``that's the last rivalry we think about.''
It's rare that an opponent can speak eloquently about another team, and it may not be appropriate.
But Porter's analysis of the situation between the Browns and Steelers accurately reflects the situation between the two teams as they get ready to play at 8 tonight in Heinz Field.
``They're in our conference,'' Porter said. ``We want to win that game, but we don't buy into the rivalry like it used to be back before I got here.''
The Baltimore Ravens?
``They're different,'' Porter said.
The Cincinnati Bengals?
``With them up and coming, being a good team like they are and beating us a few times, you have to respect it,'' he said. ``You have to respect it and you have to get yourself ready to play that game.''
Porter was asked: Do the Browns have your respect?
``Cleveland?'' he said. ``They want to get up and beat us no matter what. I think they buy into it harder than we do. We know it's a game we feel like we have to try to win and we fight hard.
``But we don't buy into the hard-fought rivalry like they do. I think they hold it on a whole different level than we do.''
Porter has every right to say that. The Steelers not only own the Browns, but they've been a good team for years -- and they are the Super Bowl champions.
The Browns have been on a trek to respectability that seems to have taken them over the Himalayas and across Antarctica.
They took a step toward gaining some respect with an impressive win over the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday, but they're still a 4-8 team that has not won two games in a row in three years.
They strive to beat the Steelers and had a chance last month... but come crunch time they folded.
``Any given Sunday, you can go out there and not play well and lose,'' Porter said. ``We weren't playing well that day and still won. We only gave up two field goals. Their points came off a tipped interception and a (kickoff) return. If you take that out of the game, they really didn't do anything.
``You know, it is what it is. It was a close game and we pulled it out.''
How do the Browns feel?
``This is a rivalry,'' Kellen Winslow said. ``We're going to get up for it.''
``The Browns, they make it a rivalry,'' Porter said, ``but at the same time, like anybody would say in a rivalry, you have to win some to make it a rivalry.''
And the Browns have not beaten the Steelers in three years.
``See what I'm saying,'' Porter said. ``To be a rivalry, it has to go back and forth. That's what rivalries are about.''
The Steelers are not having a great season by any means. Their 5-7 record is only one game better than the Browns, and, if the Browns pull this win out, the two teams would be tied in the AFC North.
The task will not be easy.
Derek Anderson probably will be making his first start after leading the Browns to the second-half comeback Sunday.
The Browns will either go with Anderson -- who worked with the starters on the only day of practice this week -- or Charlie Frye, who has a badly bruised wrist.
But when the Steelers see a young quarterback, they turn into kings at a medieval banquet. Rip off a leg here, dive into a pig there, throw the scraps on the floor and stomp out of the hall.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Bruce Gradkowski made the ninth start of his rookie season Sunday, and the Steelers sacked him five times and intercepted him three. Oakland Raiders quarterback Andrew Walter was sacked six times and intercepted once.
Last season, Frye looked like a kid playing backyard football against the Steelers.
``That's just our game plan,'' Porter said. ``Take away the run and it's tough for any quarterback to go out and beat us singlehandedly, let alone when it's a rookie and he hasn't seen our defense before, he hasn't played against us.''
Anderson is in his second year, but he might as well be a rookie.
Which might be a good thing, because being oblivious to what's happened in the past with the Steelers might be the best way to handle the situation.

osugrad21 · Dec 7, 2006

Canton

Victory against Steelers could make Browns' otherwise sorry season
Thursday, December 7, 2006
By Steve Doerschuk REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

BROWNS AT STEELERS Tonight, 8
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
TV NFL Network, Channel 8

PITTSBURGH 'Tis the end of the season.
The Browns' loss to Cincinnati was a 30-ton lump of coal.
Beating the Chiefs in overtime was a candy cane. Whipping the Steelers here today would be Santa on steroids.
Anything decent against the Ravens, Bucs and Texans would be gravy.
That's one read on what beating the arch-rival in prime time - with young quarterback Derek Anderson possibly getting his first NFL start - could mean to these Browns.
Even the rookies get that.
"Even though we're not going to the playoffs," second-round pick D'Qwell Jackson said, "we want to finish out the season with a bang.
"We're playing to win. We're playing for pride and ... it's the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Enough said. And too much to handle for the Browns lately.
A 24-20 win at Cleveland on Nov. 19 gave Pittsburgh its second six-game winning streak against the Browns this decade. They're like two giant loaves sandwiched around a thin slice of meat, Cleveland's 33-13 Sunday night win at Pittsburgh in 2003.
Back when Iron City vs. P.O.C. was a brewing rivalry, the Steelers got their lunch from Cleveland. In the first 20 years of the series, the Browns won 31 of 40 games, scoring 30 or more points 18 times.
Browns players-turned-Steelers coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher have double-handedly done to Cleveland what had been done to Pittsburgh. If the Steelers win today, the series will be tied at 55, including two Pittsburgh playoff wins.
"That's a big deal," Steelers owner Dan Rooney told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this week. "They've been our big rivalry, and that will pick up again the same way."
Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter doesn't see it that way.
"The Browns, they make it a rivalry, but like anyone would say in a rivalry, you have to win some," Porter said. "Right now, it's like the last rivalry we think about."
It was all Browns General Manager Phil Savage talked about early this year, in the wake of a 41-0 Christmas Eve loss to the Steelers.
Some players already understood, in their own ways, what the Pittsburgh game means to Cleveland.
"It's like Ohio State-Michigan ... Akron and Kent," quarterback Charlie Frye said. "Those certain games, guys go out there and leave it all on the field."
Frye has started the Browns' last 17 games but is questionable with a wrist injury.
The hierarchy has tried to educate other players. Former Florida star Andra Davis, in his fifth year with the Browns, has learned.
Coming off the Nov. 19 game, in which the Browns lost a 20-10 fourth-quarter lead, Davis said, "We're not the same Cleveland Browns. We know that. They know that. It's a rivalry again."
It's a dubious national attraction. The 4-8 Browns can clinch their seventh losing record in eight expansion-era seasons.
The Pirates are likelier to win the 2007 World Series than the Steelers, at 5-7, are to repeat as Super Bowl champs.
Leave it to Cowher to treat the Browns like contenders, with phrases like: "They proved it against Kansas City ... they get better each week ... very sound and well-coached ... two bookend linebackers ... a good secondary ... we'll have our work cut out for us."
Cowher will try to work over Anderson with blitzes if he replaces Frye. Frye was in his fourth NFL start on Dec. 24 when he lost 60 yards on eight sacks in a 41-0 loss.
Four days ago, Anderson threw for 150 yards after halftime against the Chiefs, rallying the Browns from a 28-14 deficit to a 31-28 overtime win.
He was sacked once by the Chiefs, whose pass rush is nothing like the Steelers'.
"Pittsburgh brings a lot of pressure," Anderson said.
How's this for pressure?
The kid can make the Browns' season if he beats Pittsburgh.

osugrad21 · Dec 7, 2006

Canton

Browns-Steelers matchups
Thursday, December 7, 2006
STEVE DOERSCHUK

QUARTERBACKS The players Charlie Frye might not play. His 224-yard passing game on Nov. 19 minimally stung the Steelers, who didn't allow an offensive TD. The element of surprise helped Derek Anderson ruin Kansas City. Now he must handle a road game against a blitzing team that has prepared for him. On Nov. 19 in Cleveland, Ben Roethlisberger looked like Danny DeVito (three interceptions) while falling behind 20-10, and like Dan Marino (224 fourth-quarter passing yards) in pulling out a 24-20 win.
The edge Steelers ... If Anderson builds on the buzz and the Browns win, Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel will have lots to talk about.
RUNNING BACKS
The players Last year, "Fast Willie.'' Lately, "Where's Willie?'' After rushing 1,202 yards at 4.7 per carry in 2005, Willie Parker has run 48 times for 129 yards (2.7 average) over the last three games. The Steelers had a 34-year rushing low (21 yards) against Baltimore. Parker followed that up with a mundane 22-carry, 61-yard game against the Bucs. They miss "The Bus.'' Cleveand's Reuben Droughns looked frisky for a change against Kansas City.
The edge: Steelers ... Droughns and Jason Wright heaped 213 rushing-receiving yards on the Chiefs, but in a 45-7 win against K.C. on Oct. 15, Parker and Najeh Davenport racked up 259.
RECEIVERS
The players The Steelers wouldn't have won at Cleveland without Hines Ward, but they'll play without him today (knee injury). Ward had five catches for 68 yards during a fourth-quarter storm on Nov. 19. In that rally, ex-Buckeye Santonio Holmes caught a 20-yard TD pass early, then set up a TD with two key catches late. Braylon Edwards hurt the Steelers with seven catches for 137 yards.
The edge Browns ... Turns out they had some dude named Joe Jurevicius on the roster (six catches for 75 yards against K.C.; five catches for 39 yards over the previous three games).
OFFENSIVE LINE
The players Left guard Alan Faneca and left tackle Marvel Smith lead a unit that dominates certain defenses (467 yards vs. Saints) but is handled by others (172 yards, nine sacks allowed at Baltimore). The right side is suspect with guard Kendall Simmons and tackle Max Starks. The Browns produced a season-high 438 yards last Sunday despite losing right tackle Ryan Tucker for the season. Hank Fraley has grown into the center position.
The edge Steelers ... This isn't the kind of group that has taken Bill Cowher to 21 playoff games since 1992; aging Pro Bowl center Jeff Hartings has had an injury-plagued year.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The players Ends Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel each had a sack against Tampa Bay. Cadillac Williams managed just 11 carries for 27 yards against nose tackle Casey Hampton and Co. On the flip side, Browns RB Jason Wright had a breakthrough game (74 yards) against this front. The Browns couldn't get a rush on Ben Roethlisberger three Sundays ago when their best lineman, Orpheus Roye, was playing. Now, Roye is doubtful with a knee problem.
The edge Steelers ... Hampton was drafted 16 spots lower than Gerard Warren but is having a better career; the Steelers miss departed free agent Kimo von Oelhoffen.
LINEBACKERS
The players The blitzing Steelers sacked Tampa Bay QB Bruce Gradkowski five times. The linebackers thought they saw fear in the rookie's eyes when no one was open. This group can make big plays in bunches, as evidenced against Tampa Bay. Joey Porter sacked Gradkowski twice. Larry Foote set up a TD with an interception. James Farrior forced a fumble and had 12 tackles. Clint Kriewaldt had an interception.
The edge Browns ... Willie McGinest was Romeo Crennel's best friend coming off a 30-0 loss to the Bengals; against K.C., he made big plays late and had 12 tackles in the game.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The players State-of-the-art safety Troy Polamalu (ankle) is out. How big is that? With the Browns protecting a late fourth-quarter lead, Polamalu sacked Charlie Frye on first down, tackled Jason Wright on second down, and covered Kellen Winslow Jr. on a third-down incompletion ... punt. Earlier, he ran down Braylon Edwards to hold a would-be TD to 63 yards. Free safety Ryan Clark also is out, forcing Hubbard native Anthony Smith in.
The edge Browns ... They didn't have injured Leigh Bodden while Roethlisberger piled up pinball numbers in the fourth quarter Nov. 19; now they do.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The players Jeff Reed kicked a 50-yard field goal Sunday, the longest in six years at Heinz Field, but he also missed a 32-yarder. Butch Davis thought Chris Gardocki was on his last legs in 2003, but the old left-footer is in his third year with the Steelers (1,161 career punts without a block). Cleveland's Dave Zastudil ranks third in the league with a 38.8 net punting average; Gardocki ranks 19th at 36.4.
The edge Browns ... Hey, Chidi Iwuoma, buy a round for Joshua Cribbs. Cribbs returned a kick for a TD Nov. 19 against the Steelers, who since re-signed former kick coverage ace Iwuoma.
STRATEGY
The coaches Browns Offensive Coordinator Jeff Davidson was creative and effective in a 400-yard day against the Chiefs.
The edge Steelers ... Bill Cowher could be headed for his third losing season in eight years, but he'd have 10 job offers within 20 minutes if the Steelers said sayonara.

osugrad21 · Dec 7, 2006

Canton

Browns report
Thursday, December 7, 2006
STEVE DOERSCHUK

Fade pattern Kellen Winslow Jr. might be running out of gas. In Jeff Davidson's first three games as offensive coordinator, the 23-year-old tight end had 23 catches for 244 yards. In three subsequent games, he has 11 receptions for 114 yards.
He deals with a knee that will require arthroscopic surgery after the season. Another factor is the way defenses have been shading coverage. Another: Charlie Frye has been advised not to focus too much on Winslow.
This has opened up other things, such as a couple of dig routes by Joe Jurevicius that produced completions. The other tight end, Steve Heiden, has caught 18 passes in the six games since Davidson has been calling plays. Heiden had 10 catches in Mo Carthon's six games as coordinator.

What's the rush?
It's not New England circa 2004, but Romeo Crennel's pass rush has made a detectable move.
With four games left, the Browns have 23 sacks. They had 23 in all of 2005. Their top three sack men last year (Alvin McKinley, Chaun Thompson, Orpheus Roye) totaled 13. Their top three so far this year (Kamerion Wimbley, Willie McGinest, Simon Fraser) have combined for 15.5.

OSUBasketballJunkie · Dec 7, 2006

Dispatch

Mettle test vs. Steelers
Browns haven?t had much success recently vs. rival
Thursday, December 07, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

BEREA, Ohio ? Are the Cleveland Browns ready for prime time?
Better yet, are they ready to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers?
In their only nationally televised game of the season, the Browns aim to have an impressive showing on the NFL Network tonight.
The Steelers (5-7) have owned the Browns (4-8) of late, winning six straight in the series and 12 of the past 13 games. Cleveland hasn?t beaten Pittsburgh since 2003, and there would be no better time than tonight to slay its nemesis with the Steelers still clinging to faint playoff hopes.
"I think that we need to be up because it?s Pittsburgh, and that?s a reason to get up and play, even on a short week," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "Plus, it?s an NFL Network game and everybody?s going to be watching that ? everybody that gets the package, anyway."
It took the Browns two weeks to recover from their most recent game against the Steelers on Nov. 19. They blew 10-point leads in the fourth quarter before allowing Pittsburgh to steal a 24-20 victory.
After an embarrassing 41-0 defeat last year, the Browns put much effort and preparation into proving that they have closed the gap with Pittsburgh. After the Nov. 19 loss, the Browns were devastated and played their worst game the following week in a 30-0 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals.
With an infusion of young players such as rookie linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., the Browns are trying to turn Cleveland-Pittsburgh into a competitive and heated rivalry again.
Edwards said before the first meeting "to hell with the Steelers" and that the Browns were coming for them.
Not to be outdone, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter nearly got into a scuffle with Winslow as the two jawed during warmups and had to be separated by officials.
"Sometimes you?ve got to face the bully," Winslow said. "I was just letting him know that we?re not scared of him and we?re not scared of the Steelers."
The Browns do have something to be afraid of tonight. With starting quarterback Charlie Frye questionable because of a wrist injury, they?ll likely give backup quarterback Derek Anderson his first career start on the road against one of the NFL?s most aggressive defenses. Pittsburgh has 13 sacks in its past two games against Cleveland. Anderson played a good half last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, but playing a full game against Pittsburgh?s defense will provide a better gauge of where he stands.

osugrad21 · Dec 8, 2006

ABJ

LEFT OUT IN THE COLD

Another embarrassing loss for Browns against Steelers

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

PITTSBURGH - Well... at least the Browns are consistent.
Put them on the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they find a way to embarrass themselves.
Warm weather, cold weather. Starting quarterback, backup quarterback. Home, away. Regular season, playoffs. Might be early in the game, might be late.
But at some point, the Browns will look like high schoolers against the team with the black jerseys.
The latest score was 27-7.
Cleveland (4-9) has lost 13 out of 14 to Pittsburgh, and seven in a row.
Little wonder that the Steelers (6-7) no longer consider the Browns game a rivalry. It's just too one-sided.
Thursday's weather was bitterly cold and windy, but the Steelers somehow found a way to stay warm when they had the ball.
Their receivers came up with big catches when they were needed -- and running back Willie Parker had a huge night.
Parker ran through holes wider than the Allegheny River, and finished with 223 yards on 32 carries.
That total set a Steelers record, as Parker broke Frenchy Fuqua's mark that had stood for 36 years.
The only reason Parker didn't challenge an NFL record was that coach Bill Cowher took him out early in the fourth quarter. No matter, the Steelers just kept on running.
The Steelers ran 52 times for 303 yards. The Browns ran 11 times all night.
Parker had 219 yards after three quarters. He gave way to Najeh Davenport, who barreled right over Brodney Pool on a third-down run en route to 62 yards. Somebody named John Kuhn got the last carry, and he gained 16 yards.
When Parker and the Steelers weren't running, Pittsburgh's receivers -- both backups -- were making needed catches.
With Hines Ward and Cedrick Wilson out, Nate Washington caught a 49-yard touchdown pass. In the third quarter, Santonio Holmes went up to snag a third-down throw from Ben Roethlisberger, who continues to torture the Browns.
For the game, Roethlisberger passed for 225 yards, and Parker ran for 223.
Talk about balance.
Meanwhile, the Browns' offense faced a Pittsburgh secondary that was without Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu and starting cornerback Ike Taylor.
They didn't score a point until Braylon Edwards turned a short catch into a 45-yard touchdown with 5:20 left.
That ended a streak of 11 quarters in which the Browns had not scored an offensive touchdown against Pittsburgh.
And the weirdest thing was the loss wasn't a matter of backup quarterback Derek Anderson playing poorly in his first start.
Anderson acquitted himself well, completing 21-of-37 passes for 276 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Anderson hardly seemed rattled by the Steelers' rush, and he stood in the pocket well.
But the Browns' receivers not named Joe Jurevicius left their hands on the bus.
Cleveland's receivers and backs dropped at least six passes, and had three more that appeared to be catchable. Edwards dropped two, Dennis Northcutt three and Terrelle Smith one.
Yes, the night was cold.
But the Steelers' hands weren't frozen.
And Anderson had no help from his running game. The Browns' total in the running game: 11 carries for 18 yards.
Reuben Droughns had 6 yards on five carries, Jason Wright 2 yards on two carries.
The Browns' pass-run ratio would be bonkers had the Browns run the ball successfully. But they didn't.
So offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson had Anderson keep on throwing. The one problem: The Browns could not score.
Their longest drive in the first half was on the two-minute drill, and ended when the half ran down at Pittsburgh's 22.
But Phil Dawson was wide left on a 40-yard field goal, the Browns trailed 10-0 at halftime and didn't score until the game was well past over. Cleveland's offense never got inside the Steelers' 20-yard line.
This ``national television'' game was reminiscent of last season's Christmas Eve massacre. Pittsburgh completely dominated. The Steelers ran 73 plays, gained 528 yards, and averaged 7.2 yards every time they lined up. The Steelers had the ball for 22 minutes of the second half.
And this Browns effort followed a win over the Kansas City Chiefs that could have been a springboard.
Instead, the Browns again failed to win consecutive games.
The last time they did that was in 2003, making the streak 55 games that the Browns have not won two games in a row.
Hey, they have three more chances to end the streak this season.
Brownies . . .
Charlie Frye's bruised right wrist did not allow him to play. Frye was the Browns' third quarterback.... Guard Joe Andruzzi left the game in the first half with a knee injury. He was replaced by Lennie Friedman.

osugrad21 · Dec 8, 2006

CPD

Steelers 27, Browns 7

12/8/2006, 12:22 a.m. ETBy ALAN ROBINSON
The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) ? Pittsburgh Steelers running backs are supposed to be big and strong, rugged and durable, perfect symbols like Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris of a tough-as-it-gets franchise. Willie Parker is much different, and he finds himself in their record book because of it.
Parker, a speed back in an offense built around power, broke the Steelers' single-game rushing record with 223 yards, and Pittsburgh excelled as usual in cold weather by roughing up the Cleveland Browns 27-7 Thursday night.
Parker, the first player in Steelers history to have two 200-yard games in a season, broke John "Frenchy" Fuqua's record of 218 yards against Philadelphia in 1970, two years before Fuqua was the intended receiver on Harris' famous Immaculate Reception against Oakland."I don't know too much about him, though coach (Dick) Hoak has told me all about him," said Parker, referring to the running backs coach who coached both backs. "This (record) was nice, but all those accolades come ? and then they go. The best thing was the win."
Parker, the first Steelers running back since Bettis in 2000-01 with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, broke Fuqua's record early in the fourth quarter and might have approached 300 yards if the game had been closer.
Parker wasn't drafted out of North Carolina in 2004 and originally thought he'd be a special teams player with Pittsburgh.
"They've never had a speed back, they've always had power backs so I thought I'd have to make a niche on special teams," Parker said. "Then I said, `Naw, I'm going to keep going at it, keep hard at it and be a running back, just be that every down back.'"
The Steelers ran the ball so well, tackle Marvel Smith said, the Browns' defensive players were yelling at each other in the huddle.
"There's no better feeling than that, when they know you're going to run it and they still can't stop it," Smith said. "We rammed it down their throats."
The Steelers (6-7) withstood temperatures in the teens, a wind chill that was below zero in the second half and occasional snow to win their seventh in a row against their Rust Belt rival, following up a 41-0 rout last December and a 24-20 comeback victory last month ? both in Cleveland. Pittsburgh is one of the NFL's best clubs when the weather gets bad and the games usually are more important, going 21-6 past Dec. 1 since 2001.
For the Browns (4-9), this time of the year simply is a case of going from bad to worse. Assured now of their fourth consecutive losing season, they are 2-11 in December the last three seasons.
"It was cold, but both teams have to play in it ? and they caught and ran the ball fine," Browns tight end Steve Heiden said.
Parker went over the 1,000-yard mark for the second season in a row on Pittsburgh's opening drive and kept on going, following up his 213-yard game against New Orleans on Nov. 12. He had been limited to 129 yards in his last three games, but there was no stopping him Thursday night as he helped lead the Steelers' two longest drives of the season.Parker ran for 26 yards on five carries during a 97-yard drive ended by Ben Roethlisberger's 49-yard TD pass to Nate Washington that made it 7-0 in the first quarter. Washington started for the injured Hines Ward, who sat out a second straight game following knee surgery.
Later, Roethlisberger (11-of-21, 225 yards) finished off a 91-yard drive with a 2-yard bootleg, crossing up a Browns defense that was expecting Parker to get the ball.
Cleveland never did find a way to slow down a Steelers running game that only two weeks ago was limited to 21 yards in a 27-0 loss to Baltimore. Pittsburgh gained 304 yards on the ground, the Browns just 18.
"You can't stop it and you can't move it, you get beat," coach Romeo Crennel said. "They ran inside, ran outside, and we couldn't tackle him."
Parker also had a 3-yard TD run on a 74-yard drive during the third quarter as the Steelers, despite playing without four injured starters, continued to wear down the Browns.
Cleveland appeared to be headed toward its second shutout loss in three weeks until Derek Anderson, making his first NFL start for the injured Charlie Frye, threw a 45-yard TD pass to Braylon Edwards with 5:20 remaining. Anderson couldn't replicate his dramatic debut Sunday when he threw two TD passes to lead a 31-28 overtime win over Kansas City.
Until then, the Steelers hadn't allowed a touchdown on defense in nine quarters. Pittsburgh beat Tampa Bay and its inexperienced quarterback, Bruce Gradkowski, 20-3 on Sunday.
The only trouble with this latest Steelers late-season surge is it apparently comes too late to save a season that was all but over after the Super Bowl champions lost six of their first eight.
"We're going to win the next three, then see where 9-7 gets us," linebacker Joey Porter said.
Notes:@ The announced crowd of 55,246 was about 10,000 below Heinz Field's capacity, and there weren't nearly that many fans around even by the third quarter. ... Browns S Brian Russell sat out with an elbow injury. He had a staph infection in the same elbow earlier this season. ... The Steelers evened the series 55-55, counting playoff games, for the first time since it began in 1950. ... Pittsburgh has won four of five.

osugrad21 · Dec 8, 2006

CPD

Steelers' Porter ridicules Winslow, Browns

12/8/2006, 1:52 a.m. ETBy ALAN ROBINSON
The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) ? Steelers linebacker Joey Porter ridiculed the Browns following Pittsburgh's win Thursday night, calling tight end Kellen Winslow a derogatory name and saying the team is too soft to be a true rival to the Super Bowl champions.
With Willie Parker running for a franchise-record 223 yards, the Steelers outrushed the Browns 303-18 during a 27-7 victory Thursday night that was nearly as one-sided as Pittsburgh's 41-0 decision in Cleveland last December. The Steelers have won six in a row and 13 of 14 from their AFC North rivals.
"They kicked our rear ends," Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius said.Porter couldn't have agreed more.
"They knew we were going to run the ball and they couldn't stop us," Porter said. "They want to be on our level and call it a rivalry, but I don't see it."
Porter said the Steelers (6-7) will continue to dominate the Browns (4-9) until they toughen up. Cleveland is 10-18 over the last two seasons and 14-30 over the last three, getting swept by Pittsburgh each season.
Porter was especially critical of Winslow, with whom he jawed for several minutes during the pregame warmups before Pittsburgh's 24-20 victory in Cleveland on Nov. 19. Later, Winslow and Porter both said they respected each other, but Porter repeatedly made fun of Winslow and called him names following Thursday's game.
Porter appeared to be upset by what he felt was a late block by Winslow against Steelers linebacker James Farrior during the second half, which prompted Porter to get into Winslow's face and yell at him.
"He came up and tried to shake my hand before the game, but he doesn't know me," Porter said. "You're not my friend, why are you trying to talk to me? He talks too much and doesn't do anything. He's weak, he's soft. He should move to wide receiver because he doesn't want to block anybody, he doesn't want to be a tight end."
Winslow, through a Browns spokesman, declined to comment on Porter's remarks. However, several Browns players also seemed upset by the team's play against Pittsburgh.
Last month, wide receiver Braylon Edwards said the Browns were coming after Pittsburgh to get back for last season's one-sided game in Cleveland. After this game, Edwards didn't sound as confident.
"We fight hard. It's just that there are a lot of other things that are bothering us, everybody in this whole organization," he said. "There's not one thing you can point at and say, 'You know, what if we can do this better, we'll win; if we can get this together, we'll win.' There are other things that are going on that I won't comment on that are affecting us."
Edwards recently threw a tantrum during the third quarter of a 30-0 loss to Cincinnati. He blamed losing his temper on his "passion for the game" and said some of his teammates don't display the same desire to win as he does.
After Thursday's game, he said, "It's typical Cleveland football right now. Sooner or later, we are going to have to come together."

Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

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