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Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

Link

Crennel decision isn't so simple
Les Levine, [email protected]
11/18/2007

http://www.news-herald.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=1698&dept_id=21848&newsid=19035585

Column

Two major questions faced the Browns as they prepared for the 2007 season: When will Brady Quinn take over as the starting quarterback? And what will Romeo Crennel have to do to keep his job as head coach?
After the potentially disastrous decision to name Charlie Frye the starting QB, Derek Anderson has come along to put the first question on hold, at least until the offseason evaluations.
The question involving the head coach doesn't have such an easy answer.
There were two schools of thought for those who pondered the future of Crennel in Cleveland.

Continued.....
 
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From Vinny the "Insider"...

By Vinny the Fly
Six-Legged Scoopster
Posted Nov 17, 2007


The very latest news that you're not really supposed to know from inside the halls in Berea. Here's the scoop on what's happening with Brady Quinn's progress, the moves with LeCharles Bentley, the situation at linebacker, and more... only on the OBR!

We six-legged critters aren't as fond of the fall and early winter as some of you out there: namely NBA fans, skiiers, and Santa Claus impersonators. You all love winter. We flies aren't quite as fond.

Fortunately, I've made myself a home here in the Browns warm building here in Berea, and I'm compensated by the occasional box of jelly doughnuts by my friends at the OBR. I like that they aren't all that picky about the species the work with, as long as we provide the scoops. Look at how they've kept Rich Passan on staff. There you go.

Frankly, the OBR knows they need to keep me happy. The Plain Dealer offered me a stale waffle last week, but I'm sticking with the guys at the OBR, because they've always stood by me. Plus, they know their doughnuts.

Anyhow, time to live up to my side of the bargain. Here's the latest I've heard while flying around offices and conference rooms in the Browns heavily-secured compound in Berea, Ohio:

* Hidden behind those closed practices that Crennel prefers has been the development of rookie quarterback Brady Quinn. Talking to more than a handful of interested observers within the walls in Berea, we are told the rookie is handling himself quite well. Quinn takes his regular turns with the offense and at times runs the scout team, all to keep him getting a fresh look at the starting defense. More so than not, Quinn prepares weekly just as Derek Anderson does in the event of injury. Players are coaches are pleased with the progress of Quinn and there is no reservation about him seeing the playing field, if the situation dictates such.

* Quarterback Derek Anderson has exceeded expectations and is quickly becoming a known (and desired) commodity in league circles. The Browns have not been inclined to open up the pocketbook and get an extended deal done with the third-year quarterback. As of now, they want to let the season play out and see where the chips fall. If the quarterback continues to demonstrate the ability he has displayed this season, the Browns will certainly tender him at the highest rate.

* Running back Jamal Lewis has become a hot topic - and not due to his underwhelming play. Lewis, despite being as healthy as he has been since early season, has not displayed the ability to hit the hole quick enough. He has not had the vision and patience to read the right hole. The Browns coaching staff believes Lewis has enough in the tank to help this team as the season progresses, but Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison could begin to see more playing time if the rushing efforts are not improved.

* All eyes have been focused toward San Diego Chargers running back Michael Turner as a potential replacement for Jamal Lewis when he becomes a free agent following the season. While Turner is an option for the Browns, remember the name Chester Taylor, currently of the Minnesota Vikings.

* In the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, the Browns did not see anything that they hadn?t viewed on film coming from the AFC rival. In a nutshell, Anderson became too concerned about making the big mistake and taking unnecessary sacks. Meanwhile, the offensive line played very well and the play-calling remained aggressive. The staff was far from pleased with the efforts of the running game when called upon and the apprehension displayed in the passing game in the last two-plus quarters of the game.

* The rush defense has been improving and in no small part due to the improvement of the defensive line in regards to their gap responsibilities and more physical play. Also, with the insertion of Leon Williams into the starting lineup and switching positions with Andra Davis on occasion, the inside linebackers are doing a far greater job of getting into position and off blocks. The play of the two in pass coverage is another story, unfortunately. The duo needs to pick it up to become average.

* Injuries to outside linebackers Willie McGinest and Antwaan Peek have slowed the pass rush and ability to consistently maintain zone responsibility. McGinest is a coach on the field and often is getting the defense lined up. Isn?t this the responsibility if the defensive coordinator? This Cleveland defense is far from being the worst in the game talent-wise, which only leads back to the questioning of the performance of DC Todd Grantham. Of course, this has been noted in a couple previous columns here at the Orange and Brown Report, so it won't be a surprise.

* Placing center LeCharles Bentley on the Injured Reserve list did not come as a surprise to anyone associated with the team following his significant knee injury and infection issues. What was surprising is the extent of the rehab in which Bentley has performed and the amazing improvement in strength in the knee region. The team does not plan on attempting to reach an injury settlement with the local Cleveland native, as some in the media have speculated. He'll get his shot.

That's it for now. Buzzing off!

- Vinny


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DDN

Dawson Kicks Browns Past Ravens in OT

By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE ? The Baltimore Ravens ran off the field, celebrating a comeback victory. While their fans gleefully headed toward the exits, many of the Cleveland Browns shrugged on their way toward the tunnel.
No one could have imagined Cleveland would end up winning 33-30 in overtime Sunday.



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ABJ

BROWNS BOUNCE BACK Dawson gets kicks in Baltimore
By Patrick McManamon
Published on Monday, Nov 19, 2007

BALTIMORE: Time for someone else to gnash their teeth and wail like a banshee.
The Browns inexplicably won a game in overtime over the Baltimore Ravens after officials reviewed or changed or discussed Phil Dawson's last-play field-goal attempt in regulation.
Dawson's kick originally was signaled no good.
Referee Pete Morelli said officials changed the call after ''discussion.''
Right. That's what they did.
They changed their minds after 10 minutes of ''discussion.''
Okee-dokee.



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ABJ

Kick gives new meaning to bar-hopping Dawson boot, bounces a first for veteran NFL watchers
By Marla Ridenour Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Monday, Nov 19, 2007
BALTIMORE: From now on, the curved metal that connects the crossbar to the support pole might be known as ''the Dawson.''
But as Browns kicker Phil Dawson said after Sunday's game, ''I don't want to be named after bars, that's for sure.''
In 27 years in the NFL, Browns coach Romeo Crennel had never seen a field goal do what Dawson's 51-yard attempt did as time expired in regulation at Baltimore. The ball hit the left upright, then bounced onto the curvature before coming out the front side of the goal post.


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CPD
Cleveland Browns defeat Baltimore Ravens

Dawson's 51-yard pinball, Cribbs' returns lead Browns
Monday, November 19, 2007Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter
Baltimore -- The Browns' 33-30 overtime win Sunday was proof the ball is now bouncing their way.
A crushing, heartbreaking defeat to the rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday was averted when a controversial, game-tying field goal by Phil Dawson at the end of regulation took a crazy bounce.
The 51-yard kick into the wind glanced off the left upright and bounced off a metal support behind the crossbar. The ball then was ejected forward through the goalposts.
It looked like a blocked shot in basketball.




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CPD

Right bounces have Browns standing upright, Bud Shaw says



Monday, November 19, 2007 Bud Shaw

Plain Dealer Columnist
Baltimore
- Stepping to ward a waiting elevator, Rob Chudzinski looked back over his shoulder.
"The Kardiac Kids' little brother," the Browns offensive coordinator said.
After the palpitations produced against Oakland, Seattle, Pittsburgh and now Baltimore, the 2007 Browns look sprung from that improbable and beloved time in team history.
Son of Kardiac Kids?
We'll know that for sure if the playoffs are an inheritance for this team. It's a long way from six wins to a new "Twelve Days of Christmas" jingle.
But "Son of" titles suggest a healthy dose of horror, so, yeah, that seems most fitting for now.




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CPD
DAWSON'S RICOCHET EFFECT
A bumper-car kick on roller-coaster day


Monday, November 19, 2007Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter
Baltimore- Players from both teams already had gathered at midfield and said a postgame prayer.
Ravens coach Brian Billick already was in his office, contemplating his team's victory.
Most Ravens players were in the locker room, ripping off their jerseys and trainer's tape.
Half the fans had walked out of M&T Bank Stadium, high-fiving and cheering.
Quarterback Derek Anderson was standing on the field, talking to his old friend Kyle Boller and lamenting the Browns' loss.
Leigh Bodden was stuck to the Browns' bench, clinging to a shred of hope. And Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was sitting at his locker when a teammate approached him and said, "Hey, man, I think we have to go back out on the field." Lewis replied: "Uh-uh. Game's over. We won."




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CPD

Cleveland Browns' Josh Cribbs kick-starts team once again



Monday, November 19, 2007 Terry Pluto

Plain Dealer Columnist
Baltimore- Who says Josh Cribbs doesn't play offense?
"I'm the 12th man on offense," he said. "J-Lew told me so."
Now here's what the Browns' superb return man was talking about after his team's 33-30 victory in Baltimore. Only 11 guys play at a time on offense, and Cribbs rarely is on the field when the Browns are running or passing
"But I get to start it off," Cribbs said. "I can get us to midfield, maybe more. That's why J-Lew said that."
J-Lew is Jamal Lewis, the Browns' bull of a running back who knows how important Cribbs is to the team and wants the former Kent State quarterback to feel appreciated. After all, Cribbs has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, a third for 90 yards this season.




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CPD

Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis gains 92 yards against old team, Baltimore Ravens


Monday, November 19, 2007Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter
Baltimore -- Browns running back Jamal Lewis rushed for almost 100 yards against his former teammates, something that's almost never done in Baltimore.
He also rushed for a touchdown, something that's also rarely done there.
Lewis fell just 8 yards shy of becoming just the third player in the past 36 games in Baltimore to rush for 100 yards. In addition, the Ravens have allowed only seven rushing TDs in their past 66 home games and three in their past 21.
"It was very emotional," said Lewis, who averaged 4.2 yards per carry against the NFL's second-ranked run defense. "Coming into my old stadium, against my old team, I just knew they were going to be fired up and ready, because that's my mentality. I had to kind of match their tempo."




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CPD

Phil Dawson in the clutch



Monday, November 19, 2007

This was the 10th game-winning kick of Phil Dawson's career and second of the season. He kicked a 25-yarder to beat Seattle, 33-30, in overtime on Nov. 4.
Dawson is the fourth-most accurate kicker in NFL history, converting 173 of 210 attempts for an 82.4 percent success rate.




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CPD

SCRIBBLES IN MY NOTEBOOK
Terry Pluto writes scribbles in his notebook at the Cleveland Browns' game


Monday, November 19, 2007








SCRIBBLES IN MY NOTEBOOK
What's that word for what this is? Oh, yeah: fun
Baltimore
-- If the Browns make the playoffs, remember Sunday's 33-30 victory at Baltimore. Remember how this was the first time since the end of the 2003 season they had won a road game in the AFC North, breaking a 10-game losing streak. Remember how Phil Dawson's 51-yard field goal bounced around like a pinball, off the left upright and the bar holding up the goal posts. Remember how the Browns seemed to have this game won and lost a couple of times -- but prevailed. Remember how when they needed big plays from the offense, Josh Cribbs and Derek Anderson delivered. It's been so long since the Browns had a team like this, it's hard to remember how much fun it can be.




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Canton

Reversal of fortune
[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Wild finish: Browns lose ... then force OT ... then win[/FONT]
Monday, November 19, 2007
By Steve Doerschuk
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

BALTIMORE Red Right 88. The Drive. The Fumble. The Move.

Wasn?t it time after all these years? For ...

The Kick. The Ricochet. The Baltimore Bounce. The Reprieve.

Phil Dawson?s 51-yard field goal that propelled the Browns into overtime and an eventual 33-30 win against the former Browns was all of that.

But can a team get it all back on one day of epic poetic justice?

Probably not.


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Canton

Cribbs burns Baltimore again and again
Monday, November 19, 2007
By Steve Doerschuk
Repository sports writer

BALTIMORE Those dirty birds were laying for Cleveland return ace Joshua Cribbs.

Ex-Raven Jamal Lewis, the Browns? new running back, told him so.

?They were all over me,? Cribbs said. ?I heard from J. Lewis that they were gunnin? for me ... they were gonna try to make it hard throughout the game.

?And it worked.?

Up to a point.

Cribbs worked over the Ravens for a franchise-record 306 kickoff and punt return yards, a fair encore to his 90- and 100-yard kickoff returns at Pittsburgh a week ago.

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