Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

Injured players continue to derail Browns

Saturday, October 28, 2006

By STEVE DOERSCHUK


BEREA - Regime survival could come down to where the healthy players Phil Savage picked go from here.
"Here" is a deep hole - the Browns are 7-15 under Savage and Romeo Crennel - partly due to a gridiron health hell, details of which Savage tackled Friday.
LeCharles Bentley, a $36 million free agent center, is doing "well" in his recovery from patellar tendon surgery, Savage said, while confirming reports Bentley had to overcome a staph infection before resuming rehabilitation.
Savage also revealed that safety Brian Russell, who has spent weeks on the injury report, has been treated for an infected elbow.
Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., who battled a staph infection in the offseason, said Friday, "There's something going on around here. A lot of people have it. They need to do something."
Savage said doctors from the team hospital, The Cleveland Clinic, have inspected the Browns complex and the Clinic.
"We wanted a full review," Savage said. "They have since come back to us and informed us that any of the cases we have had are unrelated."
OTHER INJURIES
Savage didn't clear up the mystery of right tackle Ryan Tucker's "undisclosed medical illness." Savage indicated Kelly Butler, who started 16 games for the Lions last year, will replace Tucker on Sunday against the Jets.
"I would ask you guys to give Ryan his right to privacy," Savage said. "I think you are not going to hear much from us over the subject. We're not at liberty to discuss it and with some of this stuff, you start breaking laws when discussing medical situations."
Cornerback Gary Baxter's freak injury - blowing out patellar tendons in both knees in one play against the Broncos - hit Savage hard on a level aside from the $30 million contract Baxter signed in 2005. They're friends who were together for four years in Baltimore.
"His mom has taken a leave of absence to be with him," Savage said. "It's going to be a long road, something that has probably not been done before.
"It can be an inspirational story if he can (come back). Wendell Davis had a similar situation in 1993. That was 13 years ago. There have been some medical upgrades and some new techniques."
The cornerback position has gotten pummeled. Daylon McCutcheon will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Leigh Bodden has missed recent action with a high ankle sprain.
"When you are hanging on with the back end," Savage said, "that doesn't allow you to do some of the other things you would like to do. Overall, when you look at the guys who have played back there, they have done an adequate job."
PRESERVING CHARLIE
Charlie Frye is in his first week under new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, having gone 3-8 as a starter under departed Mo Carthon.
"We were going to try to promote Charlie, protect him and preserve him," Savage said. "I think we've done one of the three.
"We promoted him and put him out there. Have we protected him? Not the way we have hoped to. Have we preserved him? Not like we've expected to. I don't want to lay it all on Mo's feet.
"We have guys dropping balls, guys who miss blocks ... all sorts of issues. I hope Jeff can get this thing together so there will be more cohesion between protecting the passer and running the ball.
"Based on the last couple of practices, there are signs of life there. We tend to practice well, but when we get to the games, it doesn't go so well. I don't think this is a team you can gauge by practice."
Frye's blind side is being protected by left tackle Kevin Shaffer, who left the Falcons for a $36 million deal in Cleveland.
"If you poll our personnel staff to ask why are we losing, I don't think anyone would say it's because of Kevin Shaffer," Savage said.
HIT THE RESET BUTTON
Will the exit of the unpopular Carthon cause a positive ripple effect among the players?
"We're kind of hitting the reset button on a video game and starting over ... with a fresher approach," Savage said.
The defense is ranked 22nd in the NFL in yards allowed.
"Defensively, we've been solid overall," Savage said. "I don't think we've stopped the run as well as we were expecting to."
Beating the Jets at home would count for something.
"You can talk about the technical parts of our offense," Savage said, "but between plays, the stadium (atmosphere), the lack of confidence and belief in what we were doing, all of those things are noticeable.
"We are backed into a corner at 1-5, but I think our team will respond. I really do. I think they are going to come out here and give us the best football we've seen."
Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail:

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

They want Browns fans to be patient! Unbelievable.

MorningJournal

Savage asks fans for patience

JEFF SCHUDEL, Morning Journal Writer

10/28/2006

BEREA -- For eight years, coaches and general managers have asked fans to be patient while the Browns were being built, stripped down, rebuilt, stripped down again and rebuilt once more.


Eight years, and all fans have for their patience and loyalty is one playoff team in 2002. Now the Browns are 1-5, their worst record after six games since they were 0-6 in 1999, and general manager Phil Savage is asking for a little more time.

''We've got all the resources here to win,'' Savage said yesterday at the team's training complex. ''We just have to plant the seeds, water them, and let them grow. The problem with the Browns since 1999 is every time seeds get planted, there's no chance for them to grow. They get washed away and you're starting over again.

''This is a long-term situation. Long term in the NFL is three to five years. When you go from 1999 to 2003 and have virtually nothing to show for it -- our team, maturity-wise, we feel like we're just starting to go up. When you have Kamerion Wimbley, a D'Qwell Jackson, a Braylon Edwards and a Kellen Winslow you should have a brighter future.''

Thirty-eight of the 53 players on the roster were not on the team until Savage and coach Romeo Crennel moved in last year. Fourteen of 22 starters are from the Savage-Crennel era.

''I think Randy (Lerner) realizes it's going to take time to turn around a hulking ship,'' Savage said. ''That's where we are. My message to the fans would be, ?Don't give up on us. Not quite yet. Don't give up on the Cleveland Browns yet.' Our players need the support.''

Savage touched on a variety of other subjects during a press conference that lasted almost an hour.

Savage confirmed center LeCharles Bentley was hospitalized in August with a staph infection following surgery a month earlier to repair Bentley's torn patellar tendon.

Savage said he could not predict when Ryan Tucker might play again. He would say only that Tucker has an ?undisclosed medical illness' and said Tucker has earned his right to privacy.

Tucker has not been with the team this week. All Savage would say is Kelly Butler will start at right tackle against the Jets tomorrow.

Cornerback Gary Baxter will be immobilized six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on both patellar tendons. Baxter's mother will tend to him during the recovery process.

Savage declined to detail conversations he might have had with Crennel concerning departed offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon. All Savage would say is that he was in the locker room Monday night when Crennel walked in and told him Carthon resigned.

Circumstances have made evaluating Charlie Frye difficult, Savage said. He said he expects Frye be protected better now that offensive line coach Jeff Davidson is calling plays.

''I said in camp we wanted to promote, protect and preserve Charlie Frye,'' Savage said. ''I think we've done one of the three. We've promoted Charlie Frye. Have we protected him? Not the way you'd hope to. Have we preserved him from a mental standpoint? Probably not like we expected to.

''I'm hopeful with what's taken place this week -- not to lay it all at Mo's feet, because we've had guys dropping balls and missing blocks -- but I'm hopeful Jeff can knit this thing together so there will be more cohesion between protecting the passer and running the ball. That's the bottom line. If we run the ball and protect the passer -- it's as simple as that.''

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

By Terry Pluto

Here's why it's so crucial that Jeff Davidson be the right guy for the Browns: Romeo Crennel's specialty is defense. Most head coaches lean in one direction, often toward offense. They then try to hire the best defensive coordinator available to take care of that side of the ball while they concentrate on offense. With Crennel, it's the defense that he knows best -- putting even more of a burden on Davidson.
? That's also why it was a gamble to hire Maurice Carthon as coordinator. He had never called plays before. He was known for having a demanding personality. That sometimes works well on defense (or coaching fullbacks), but the offense is more cerebral. Motivating people to hustle and hit hard is hardly enough, and that's a major element of Carthon's personality. He also was sensitive to criticism, and an offensive coordinator has to get used to being second-guessed. Most fans and media members think it can't be that hard to call the plays.
? Just a theory: Crennel knew how long it took for him to become a coordinator. It was Chris Palmer who first gave Crennel a shot, with the Browns in 2000. Then Bill Belichick hired Crennel for the same job in New England. He thought Carthon deserved a chance. He also wanted to make sure Carthon had every opportunity to succeed.
? When Crennel was hired by the Browns before the 2005 season, he was the hot assistant being considered for other head coaching jobs. He came from winning two consecutive Super Bowls in New England under Belichick. He understandably wanted the freedom to hire his own assistants, especially coordinators. He had a long relationship with Carthon, and believed Carthon could do it.
? Carthon was the wrong guy for the job, and there was a real sense of that by the end of last season. But GM Phil Savage does not like to interfere with his head coach when it comes to selecting assistants. Crennel believed Carthon would improve. The head coach was wrong, and it has cost him dearly.
? No matter what you hear, it's obvious the front office pushed the change of offensive coordinators. Down deep, Crennel also had to know Carthon was lacking. Crennel waited too long to press the issue. The team really could have used the two weeks before the Denver game to let Davidson settle into his new job.
? Let's hope that Savage also learned that as GM there may be times when he has to impose his will on the head coach concerning assistants. The stakes are too high, the season is too short, the sense of getting things going in the right direction is too pressing to stay with a guy who obviously can't do the job.
? The Browns hope Davidson, as the offensive line coach, can mesh the line with the rest of the play calling. Forget being on the same page: There were points in games where the offense wasn't even in the same book.
? Davidson worked in New England from 1997 to 2004. He mostly coached tight ends and was assistant offensive line coach. He was not directly involved in game-day preparation or play calling. He's highly regarded but inexperienced in this area. These next 10 games can determine if he has a future as a coordinator.
? Most fans would agree that Todd Grantham has done a solid job as defensive coordinator. He never had that job until coming to the Browns last year. Some guys just need an opportunity. Can Davidson succeed? No one really knows because he has no real track record.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

SCOUTING REPORT

Jets at Browns
Kickoff: 4:15 today.
Records: Jets are 4-3; Browns are 1-5.
Broadcast: TV -- WOIO (Channel 19); Radio -- WHBC 1480-AM, WAKR 1590-AM, WQKT 104.5-FM),WMMS (100.7-FM)
Injury report: Browns -- CB Gary Baxter (knees) was placed on injured reserve. OT Ryan Tucker (illness) is out. CB Leigh Bodden (ankle), S Justin Hamilton (ankle), WR Dennis Northcutt (ribs), S Brian Russell (ankle), S Brodney Pool (ankle), TE Kellen Winslow (knee) and FB Lawrence Vickers (elbow) are questionable. Jets -- FB B.J. Askew (foot), CB David Barrett (hip), WR Laveranues Coles (calf), WR Tim Dwight (thigh), RB Cedric Houston (knee), OL Trey Teague (ankle) are questionable. Thirteen other players listed as probable.
Roster moves: The Browns waived DB Antonio Perkins on Saturday and signed G Fred Matua off the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.
Key stat: 142 -- the average number of yards the Jets have allowed rushing per game. Is this the week the Browns actually commit to the run?
Matchup to watch: Browns offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson vs. Jets coach Eric Mangini. Two coaches? Yep, with Davidson calling his first game, he'll have to go against the coach who almost was hired as Browns defensive coordinator a year ago. Can a play caller revive an offense?
The Browns win if: They find a way to get 300 yards in offense. That would almost double last week's total, and show that the offense can take advantage of a weaker defense and perhaps even (gasp) score points.
McManamon's pick: The Jets are not as good as their 4-3 record would indicate, but that being said, the Browns have played to every bit of their 1-5 mark. Rarely has so much hope been entrusted to one play caller. Browns 24, Jets 16.

-- Patrick McManamon​

​

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Davidson wins over those in the know
Browns coordinator well liked since days at Westerville North

Sunday, October 29, 2006

James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Former Ohio State offensive lineman Jeff Davidson takes over a Browns offense ranked last in the NFL.


BEREA, Ohio ? It is said that a person?s character can be judged by what others say.
If that?s the case, former Ohio State player and new Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson passes every test.
"He?s one of those guys that you can never say anything bad about," said former Ohio State assistant Bill Conley, who recruited Davidson out of Westerville North High School. "He immediately lights up the room when he walks in. People respond to him."
Davidson?s former high school coach agrees.
"The first thing is, he?s just a terrific person," Ron Balconi said. "I don?t think there?s anybody that didn?t think the world of him."
Browns guard Joe Andruzzi said, "Jeff?s a great guy."
Those who know Davidson have no doubts that he will be a good offensive coordinator. Since he was a teenager, he had a passion for engineering. He took a keen interest in fixing things, putting them together, and seeing how they worked.
Perhaps Davidson has stumbled onto his most difficult project to date. Today will mark his first attempt at resurrecting Cleveland?s 32 nd-ranked offense when the Browns (1-5) play the New York Jets (4-3).
"I don?t know if fixing many ditches or building many roads (will help Davidson), but obviously he?s doing something that he likes to do and he?s good at it," said Earle Bruce, who coached Davidson at Ohio State for two seasons. "He must communicate well with players, and he is building something, there?s no doubt about that."
Browns policy doesn?t allow assistant coaches to speak with the media during the season.
Davidson, 39, was named offensive coordinator Monday night when Maurice Carthon resigned.
Former coaches describe Davidson as intelligent and a student of the game. He played well at OSU for four seasons (1986-89) and spent four years in the NFL with Denver and New Orleans before a shoulder injury ended his career.
That?s when Davidson turned to coaching. He spent two years with New Orleans, eight with New England and the last two on Romeo Crennel?s staff in Cleveland.
"He learned the game," Balconi said. "He has all the tools and potential and the dedication."
Davidson quickly gained the respect of Browns players and upper management. When the Jets looked into Davidson?s availability this past offseason, Crennel promoted him with the title of assistant head coach.
The move put Davidson in position to replace Carthon if things went awry, which was the case in the first six games.
The offensive linemen were the happiest with Davidson?s promotion. Many disagreed with Carthon?s play-calling and style of coaching. Now, their guy is in charge.
The offense has been in disarray and hasn?t thrown or run the football with any consistency. At the very least, players say, Davidson will bring some organization and attempt to develop an identity.
"He?s one of the big reasons why I came here," Andruzzi said. "Romeo is a defensive guy, and Jeff and I?ve worked (together) for six years. He?s been in the room with (former Patriots coordinator) Charlie Weis working on game plans. He has a good understanding of what type of offense we want to run, how to get things flowing for the right guys. For Jeff, it?s a well overdue job for him."
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ABJ

COORDINATED EFFORT

Solid offense, stout defense equates first home victory

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - Brodney Pool summed things up in two little words.
``About time,'' he said with a smile Sunday.
About time the Browns won a game, and about time they got a call to go their way at the end of a game.
Bottom line: The Browns got a much-needed win when they beat the New York Jets 20-13 at Browns Stadium. In doing so, they validated the switch to Jeff Davidson as offensive coordinator and (lo and behold) moved into a third-place tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, both with 2-5 records.
``This is a victory we needed,'' coach Romeo Crennel said, again greatly understating things.
The Browns had been a demoralized group coming off bad losses to the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers and season-long questionable play-calling under former offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon.
But this past week they switched to Davidson, who turned to a three-tight end set and ran the ball on a Jets defense that had been giving up a ton of yards on the ground.
Reuben Droughns had a season high in carries (33) and yards (125) as the Browns took a 20-3 lead.
But the Jets returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, then cut the deficit to seven on a fourth-quarter field goal. On their last possession, they had fourth-and-4 at the Browns 24.
They blitzed Chad Pennington, who ducked a leaping Sean Jones and lofted a throw to tight end Chris Baker in the end zone.
Baker jumped between two Browns and made a one-handed catch. As he fell, Browns safety Brodney Pool hit Baker and he landed out of bounds.
Touchdown or no?
Slow-motion replays made it seem as if Baker had a chance to land inbounds, and side judge Tom Fincken originally wanted to rule a touchdown.
But field judge Buddy Horton said Baker landed out of bounds, referee Mike Carey said.
``The ruling was that the ball was caught out of bounds,'' Carey said. ``There was not a force out on the play.''
The replay official upstairs in the booth never signaled for a review -- even though the Jets called timeout to give him more time to look at the play.
``The force out part of that is not reviewable,'' Carey said. ``Whether he caught the ball inbounds or out is (reviewable), but there was clearly no body part that landed inbounds. There was nothing to review.'' ``I thought the guy was out of bounds,'' Crennel said. ``I thought he definitely would have come down out of bounds anyway. That's the way the official ruled, and I saw it the same way he saw it.''
Crennel then smiled and the media guffawed.
The Jets, naturally, did not see it the same way.
``I knew I was going to get hit, but I felt I was going to come down in bounds,'' Baker said.
``I felt like he would have been in bounds,'' receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. ``But we did not get the call.''
``When you're on the road, you can't let the referees decide the game,'' Pennington said.
That's probably the truest statement of all. The Jets only would have tied the score had the catch been allowed. Pennington threw for 51 yards on the game-opening, 16-play drive but threw for 57 the rest of the game.
The Browns' defense gave up just 193 yards in offense (83 on that first drive) and two field goals.
``The defense, they've been solid all year,'' Crennel said. ``They are a feisty group.''
The offensive line was the happiest group, as their coach finally allowed them to do what lines love to do -- block for the run.
Davidson (also the team's line coach) used tight ends Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins more than they had been used all year, and the three tight-end set (with Kellen Winslow) seemed to be on the field half the time.
Crennel said this was a package that the Browns had in the playbook all season. It just wasn't used much.
In one sense, this was no stroke of genius.
The Jets started the game ranked 28th in the league in run defense, and the Browns ran for 147 yards.
They did not waver from their commitment to run -- even late in the game when the Jets were bringing nine to the line to stop them.
``I felt like the weight was put on our shoulders,'' guard Cosey Coleman said. ``We feel good. Reuben had 100-plus rushing and we got the W. We're excited about the start of a 'new' season.''
``In the past, we weren't very committed to the run,'' Droughns said. ``You'd see the run wasn't working and we'd fall away from it. Today we stuck with it and guys got more and more confident.''
Was it the move from Carthon to Davidson, who was given a game ball by Frye?
``There was a different vibe this week,'' said Winslow, who caught a 30-yard touchdown from Frye.
``I'm sure J.D. will come up with different packages every week,'' Droughns said.
``Bottom line, we needed a spark offensively,'' Coleman said. ``Hopefully the coordinator change will be the spark.
``So far, so good.''

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Browns keep plan simple, and then simply succeed

By Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND - The Browns did more than beat the New York Jets 20-13, they looked like a team with a clue on offense.
Not every play worked, but at least the team knew what plays it planned to run -- and where guys should stand.
It's amazing you have to mention something so basic about a pro team, but these are the Browns. You've seen 12 men in the huddle, guys lining up offside and receivers running left, passes going right.
We won't even talk about the blocking assignments missed, the timeouts wasted because no one was sure what was happening on the field.
But Sunday was different, starting with the fact that the Browns actually won their first home game.
``It was a smooth operation out there,'' quarterback Charlie Frye said.
When was the last time you heard that about the Browns this season?
There's a reason the Browns are 2-5, and it's not because of their defense.
The Browns' defense won this game. The Jets' only touchdown came on a kickoff return. They held the Jets to only 88 yards rushing, a dozen first downs and intercepted two passes.
In the fourth quarter, they brought pressure on the Jets' usually composed quarterback, Chad Pennington, forcing him to rush some throws and seem uncertain of what he wanted to do.
Pennington was 2-of-10 passing for 23 yards in that final quarter.
For that, rookie Kamerion Wimbley (seven tackles), Sean Jones (two interceptions), Leigh Bodden (three passes broken up), Nick Eason (four tackles in the middle of the line) and the rest of the defense deserve enormous credit.
But something else happened on the windy Sunday afternoon in late October: The offense didn't lose the game.
There were no fourth-quarter interceptions, a first this season.
There were no fumbles lost.
There were no fullbacks throwing passes and other wacky blasts from offensive coordinators past.
The offense wasn't great, but it was sane and solid.
Right now, most fans will gladly take sane and solid, especially since the Browns entered the day with the lowest ranked offense in the NFL. They would probably join the rest of the Browns offense, which awarded new coordinator Jeff Davidson a game ball for simply keeping things simple -- a new concept on offense this season.
Taking over for Maurice Carthon on Tuesday morning, Davidson was the man with a plan. More important, he stuck to it.
``We knew we could run the ball,'' Frye said. ``Other teams had against them.''
The Jets are a terrible team against the run, ranking 28th and giving up 142 yards per game on the ground.
Davidson remembered that Reuben Droughns gained more than 1,200 yards in each of the past two seasons and said, ``Hey, maybe we should give Reuben the ball.''
Which they did, Droughns taking it 33 times for 125 yards.
He kept the blocking schemes matched up with the plays. He also serves as offensive line coach, and he was missing two starters as tackle Ryan Tucker (undisclosed illness) and guard Joe Andruzzi (knee injury) were replaced by guard Lennie Friedman and tackle Kelly Butler.
You really didn't notice the changes, an indication that there was organization and preparation.
In fact, Davidson wasn't booed until the fourth quarter, when he went conservative. With the Browns leading 20-13, he kept the ball on the ground -- not risking an interception. The Browns had only one first down in the final quarter. They trusted punter David Zastudil (48.4 average) and the defense to keep the Jets out of the end zone.
This game is just that -- one game.
Yes, the Jets were 4-3, but their victories are against teams with a 5-22 record heading into Sunday. Frye was sacked three times but didn't seem to be as banged up as on most Sundays. But the Jets don't rush the quarterback well, coming into the game with 10 sacks.
The Jets' defense is mediocre, and the Browns' offense hardly dominated.
But they did enough to win. They gave the fans reason to cheer, the players an opportunity to talk about ``starting over'' and salvaging something from this season.
Next week, they play at the San Diego Chargers, who have the NFL's top ranked defense. So that will be a real test. But at least, they passed this week's pop quiz -- and that's why Browns fans and players should be smiling this morning.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Notebook

Frye, Winslow praise offensive coordinator

Players say they could feel difference all week

By Marla Ridenour

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - Giving new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson all the credit for the Browns' 20-13 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday might be going too far.
But quarterback Charlie Frye and tight end Kellen Winslow knew how much Davidson cared about them. They could see it in his bloodshot eyes.
``He put in a lot of work this week,'' Frye said of the former offensive line coach who was promoted Monday night.
``He said he only got a couple hours of sleep every night,'' Winslow said of Davidson. ``He wasn't nervous, he was just excited for us. He wanted us to play our butts off for each other.''
Frye and Winslow said they could feel a difference in the air after unpopular play-caller Maurice Carthon resigned.
``I think you heard a little extra buzz in the locker room, especially today,'' Frye said. ``Guys seemed relaxed. I think that has to do with the personality of Jeff. He has confidence, he explains things, guys are on the same page, just go out there and play.
``It's been an emotional week for everybody here. We made that change and there were a lot of distractions. We were able to put all that stuff aside. That just makes it that much better. You don't get too many chances to have a second chance. Jeff taking over gives us that second chance.''
Winslow thought the Browns ``looked totally different.''
``Nothing against Coach Carthon, but guys were excited out there today. It was a different feeling this whole week,'' Winslow said.
Asked if players were afraid under Carthon, Winslow said, ``We've never been afraid to make mistakes. I think last week we were pressing too much. There was no energy. There was no flow to the game. Guys just weren't believing in each other. J.D. led us out there. He was excited, he was excited for us.''
Frye gave Davidson the offense's game ball, and Winslow praised the game he called.
``I loved it,'' Winslow said. ``I smiled at a couple calls because they called our number. They called my number, Joe (Jurevicius'), Braylon (Edwards'), and we made plays. We knew what he was going to call so we were ready for it. There was one miscommunication when Charlie had to call the timeout, but things were crisp out there.''
Even though the starting offensive line included Kelly Butler replacing inactive Ryan Tucker (undisclosed illness) and Lennie Friedman, who took over in the second quarter when left guard Joe Andruzzi hurt his right knee, Frye praised the men in front of him.
``The offensive line, there was something special about them this week,'' Frye said. ``Their position coach got promoted. There was something special in the air going on in their room. When they're playing with that much confidence, it makes the rest of us feel real confident, too.''
Injury update
Three starters left the field with injuries. Besides Andruzzi, defensive end Orpheus Roye departed with a hamstring problem in the first quarter, which meant more playing time for Simon Fraser and Nick Eason. Outside linebacker Willie McGinest injured his right ankle in the fourth quarter, with Matt Stewart taking over on run downs and Chaun Thompson on passing downs.
Browns coach Romeo Crennel said he had not been told that Andruzzi needed surgery. Crennel said Andruzzi was sore and had some swelling, but came back to the sideline in the second half.
Nearly a disaster
Punt returner Joshua Cribbs appeared to fumble a punt return with the Browns leading 17-3 in the third quarter, but the referee ruled that Cribbs missed the ball on his attempt to catch it. Jets coach Eric Mangini challenged the call, but the decision on the field stood and the Browns took over at their 17.
``They ruled that I did not touch the ball,'' Cribbs said. ``I'm an honest person and I believe in what the ref spoke today.''
Legends honored
The Browns Legends class of Walt Michaels, Jim Houston, Doug Dieken and Earnest Byner was honored in a pregame ceremony.
Byner, a running back from 1984-88 and 1994-95, now coaches that position for the Washington Redskins. He felt fortunate they had a bye week so he wouldn't miss the weekend's festivities. He said he received a warm welcome from fans from the minute he stepped off the plane.
``It was about the relationship with the fans for me,'' Byner said. ``At the airport and as soon as I got to the hotel they were like, `How are you doing? How have you been? Are you ready to play?' I feel proud to be part of this organization.''
Michaels, a linebacker from 1952-61, won back-to-back championships with the Browns in 1954-55, but was wearing a Super Bowl ring from the Jets. He said the first time Browns coach Paul Brown let the players choose a ring for themselves or their wives and he chose the latter. The second time, Brown gave the players watches.
``Yesterday the Browns gave me a Rolex watch,'' Michaels said. ``What else do you need?' ''

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

MorningJournal

Jones lives up to Savage's praise
JEFF SCHUDEL, Morning Journal Writer
10/30/2006


CLEVELAND -- Sean Jones can officially turn the page on the dropped interception that was so costly in the 15-14 loss to Baltimore last month.


Jones swiped two passes yesterday. The first, tipped by Leigh Bodden, led to a touchdown by Reuben Droughns in the second quarter. The second was off a floater from Jets quarterback Chad Pennington and slammed the door on a New York drive at the Browns 33 with 7:51 to play and the Browns leading 20-13.

''As a defense, we work as a group,'' Jones said. ''I was in the right place at the right time when Leigh tipped the first one. We had group pressure up front. He floated the second one and I went over and picked it.''

On Friday, general manager Phil Savage said Jones has been the most consistent player on defense. One year ago, Jones was one of the most obscure players on defense.

Jones was a second-round draft choice by Butch Davis in 2004. He missed his rookie season recovering from knee surgery. He was a non-factor last year when Chris Crocker beat him out for the starting job at strong safety. This year Jones beat out Brodney Pool, the second-round pick by Savage in 2005.

Even when we wasn't playing, Jones said confidently he could be one of the best safeties in the NFL and compared himself to Troy Polamalu of the Steelers and Ed Reed of the Ravens.

''I just keep pushing and trying to be one of the best,'' Jones said. ''It all comes from being a team. There's a change around here. If we all keep working together I think we'll be all right.''

Jones also deflected a pass in the fourth quarter and put pressure on Pennington on the fourth-down pass that was ruled incomplete late in the game. Jones tried to hit Pennington high and ended up leaping over him. That gave Kamerion Wimbley time to close on Pennington as Pennington threw the pass that officials ruled Chris Baker caught out of bounds with 1:06 left.

Roye sidelined

Defensive end Orpheus Roye left the game with a hamstring injury in the first quarter and did not return. Simon Fraser replaced him initially. Nick Eason replaced Fraser because he is better against the run.

Eason stripped the ball from Jets tailback Leon Washington midway through the third quarter. Wimbley recovered. The Browns converted the takeaway into a field goal.

Andruzzi out

No player on the offensive line was more excited than Joe Andruzzi to see Jeff Davidson take over play-calling from Maurice Carthon. Andruzzi did not enjoy the game long, however. He was knocked out of the game with a knee injury and did not return.

Lennie Friedman replaced him. There was no immediate word as to how long Andruzzi would be out.

The Browns were already playing with Kelly Butler as a backup at right tackle. Butler played because Ryan Tucker is out with an undisclosed illness.

Get well, Northcutt

Josh Cribbs is an electrifying kick returner, but he is shaky as a punt returner. He was within inches yesterday of muffing a punt for the second week in a row. The punt died in the wind just as Cribbs was reaching for it.

The Jets' Drew Coleman fell on the ball at the Browns 17, thinking Cribbs touched it. The Browns were ahead, 17-3. The official ruled the ball belonged to the Browns and that Cribbs did not touch it.

It was close enough that Jets coach Eric Mangini challenged the ruling. The review went in the Browns favor.

Last week Cribbs muffed a punt and the Broncos recovered, although they got no points from the takeaway.

Cribbs returned punts the last two weeks because Dennis Northcutt is out with a rib injury. If Cribbs has to return punts when the Browns return to Cleveland Browns Stadium Nov. 19 against the Steelers, it might be a good idea to have him field punts at the stadium instead of Berea throughout the week.

Kings for a day

Walt Michaels, a linebacker who played for the Browns from 1952-61; Jim Houston, a linebacker who played from 1960-72; Doug Dieken, the left tackle from 1971-84 and running back Earnest Byner, who played for the Browns from 1984-88 and 1994-95, were inducted into the Legends Club yesterday.

The Legends Club honorees are selected in a vote of the fans and the Legends panel.

Winslow lights up

Kellen Winslow Jr. had another huge day. The tight end caught seven passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. He has 40 catches after seven games, the most among tight ends in the NFL.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

Staff problem solved with Carthon ousted
Monday, October 30, 2006
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT TODD PORTER

CLEVELAND - When the Cleveland Clinic inspected the Browns? locker room for the cause of staph infection, they probably didn?t look at the team?s offensive playbook. They would have found mold on the section new Offensive Coordinator Jeff Davidson broke out Sunday evening.

They would have found tattered pages and doodle marks along the edges. They would have found yellowed pages ready for the Smithsonian.
The Browns don?t have a problem with staph infection as much as they did a staff infection.
The plays that work were right there all along, in the chapter labeled ?Common Sense.? It was the section with three tight ends, an unbalanced line and Reuben Droughns? name highlighted throughout.
?It?s something we had in the playbook,? Head Coach Romeo Crennel said. ?We had it all along, we just used it more this week.?
Davidson got no more than three hours of sleep each night since being named coordinator late Monday night. It was a move some players lobbied for publicly and others privately.
Departed coordinator Maurice Carthon lost his players. He lost the offensive line back in the first quarter of the first game. They didn?t believe in him when the season started. Could you blame them?
Davidson did in one week what Carthon couldn?t do in two seasons: Adjust. Swallow some pride. Use common sense.
This was an offensive line without Ryan Tucker for the whole game and Joe Andruzzi for most of it. It was a line that had Kelly Butler making his first start and Lennie Friedman playing for Andruzzi.
And it was an offensive line that opened holes for Droughns to the tune of 125 yards rushing.
When the Browns were finished with a 20-13 win over the New York Jets, quarterback Charlie Frye rose before the team and used more common sense.
He handed the game ball to Davidson. It was his first win as a coordinator.
?I told him we expect a lot of more (wins),? Frye said. ?He was hugging everybody. He was excited. It?s been an emotional week for everybody. We made a change. There was a lost of distractions. We were able to put that aside and go out and win. That makes it that much better. That means a lot.
?He put in a lot of hours this week. You could see it in his eyes.?
The company line is that Carthon handed in his resignation Monday night. This is a guy who refused to give his overmatched offensive line help with a three-tight end set. You think he?s going to voluntarily hand in a resignation?
Too bad the thought didn?t cross his mind sooner. The Browns might not be in a 2-5 hole.
?I knew it was a change,? Droughns said of the game plan. ?Some people want to stick with their system. We got a new guy ... a new way of doing things. It was successful today, and I believe it?s going to be successful in the future.?
Davidson used tight ends Kellen Winslow Jr., Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins. He used an unbalanced line at times. It forced the Jets to pick a side of the offense to overload and defend.
If New York chose to shift to the left, Frye had the freedom to change the play to the right.
Was everything perfect Sunday? No.
Davidson?s honeymoon with Browns fans last all of three quarters. On Cleveland?s last two possessions, he called six straight running plays with eight or nine defenders in the box. It led to two three-and-outs.
And it was the right call.
The Browns had a 7-point lead. This was a game they needed to win. They couldn?t afford another Frye interception in the fourth quarter. That would have shattered his fragile psyche.
The boos were loud and proud. Welcome to the world of being an offensive coordinator, Mr. Davidson.
?I think you will be seeing more and more changes as the season goes on,? Frye said.
The Browns looked energized. They looked crisp. They looked ? gasp ? like a football team.
?I think the efficiency of the offense had more to do with the crispness overall,? Crennel said. ?The defense has always been a pretty crisp unit. Today, the offensive guys were hopeful and it played out good because we were able to run the football.?
It?s the ABCs of football. The Browns played to their strength for the first time all season. Frye managed a game. They believed in the plan, and now they believe in themselves now.
The mold has been scraped off the playbook. The staff infection is cured. Reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail: [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

BROWNS 20 JETS 13
Browns offense shows some life
Late call by referees foils Jets? comeback attempt

Monday, October 30, 2006

James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

ED SUBA JR . AKRON BEACON JOURNAL Browns defensive back Daven Holly breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Jets receiver Laveranues Coles.

MARK DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Browns defensive back Brodney Pool (21) knocks Jets tight end Chris Baker (86) out of bounds. The officials ruled Baker did not score, sealing Cleveland?s win.


CLEVELAND ? In a matter of five days, playing offense became fun again for the Browns. New formations, smart play-calling and positive yardage put points on the board and smiles on the players? faces.
Sparked by new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, the Browns? 32 nd-ranked offense rose from the dead yesterday to take a 20-13 victory over the New York Jets.
The Browns (2-5) are 1-0 under Davidson. Offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon resigned Oct. 23, and with less than a week to prepare under a new leader, the Browns offense produced the second-most points it had all season.
"With Jeff taking over here, that is our second chance," said quarterback Charlie Frye, who gave the game ball to Davidson. "The coaches talked about hitting the reset button all week, and from that point on we have a 10-game season. What happened in the past happened in the past."
Davidson?s plan was simple but effective.
The Browns used a lot of two ? and sometimes three ? tight-end sets and ran the football effectively. Tailback Reuben Droughns had season highs with 125 yards rushing on 33 carries. His 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Browns a 10-3 lead they never relinquished.
When the Browns threw the football, they did it efficiently. Frye completed 15 of 22 attempts with one touchdown and one interception. Nearly half of his completions went to the team?s best playmaker, tight Kellen Winslow Jr., who had a game-high seven catches for 76 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown.
"The play-calling was awesome, totally different," said Winslow, who had criticized Carthon. "I think guys were just excited to go out there and make plays. It was a different vibe this week."
Cleveland?s defense remained solid. The unit held an opponent to 20 or fewer points for the fourth time this season.
The Jets offense could string together only six points and 193 yards. New York (4-4) scored its only touchdown on a 99-yard kickoff return by Justin Miller in the second half.
But nothing has come easily for the Browns this season, even in victory. New York remained in striking distance down to the final play.
On fourth down, Jets quarterback Chad Pennington threw to tight end Chris Baker in the end zone. Baker made a tough one-handed catch and was knocked out of bounds by Browns safety Brodney Pool before he could get his feet down.
The field judge ruled Baker out of bounds, and as a judgment call, the play was not reviewable.
The Browns finally caught a break.
"I thought he definitely would have come down out of bounds anyway, and that?s what the official ruled." Browns coach Romeo Crennel said with a grin. "I saw it the same way he saw it."
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

BROWNS NOTEBOOK
New game plan results in busy day for Droughns

Monday, October 30, 2006

James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

TONY DEJAK ASSOCIATED PRESS Browns running back Reuben Droughns (34) attempts to elude a tackle attempt by Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma.


CLEVELAND ? Browns running back Reuben Droughns waited patiently for his chance to shine this season. But under former offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, he rarely got the chance.
In the first game of the Jeff Davidson era, Droughns became the centerpiece of the offense in a victory over the New York Jets.
Droughns single-handedly controlled the pace of the game with 125 yards rushing on 33 carries, both season highs. He also had a second-quarter touchdown on his way to his 11 th career 100-yard rushing game and second of the season.
The Browns have been criticized for giving up on the run too early, especially when they have trailed. Yesterday, the team stayed committed, even though he averaged 3.8 yards per rush.
"You always think with the game plan going in you?re going to get the ball more than 20 times," Droughns said. "You never think you?re going to get the ball 11 or 12 times in a game as a running back. So right now it?s a new start for us and we?re excited about running the ball."
Cleveland jumped out to 20-3 lead and as the game wore on Droughns was given more and more carries. Droughns? 33 attempts yesterday were his highest total since joining the Browns before the 2005 season.
"I?m a little sore, but I?ll be all right," Droughns said. "It?s a good soreness."
Jones very busy

Despite a solid start to the season, third-year safety Sean Jones has flown under the radar this year.
That may no longer be the case after yesterday. Jones put together the best game of his career, logging five tackles, two interceptions and three pass defenses.
Jones wreaked havoc on the Jets offense, which only mustered six points in the game. Jones caught his two interceptions on a tipped ball in the first half and another on a floating pass from Jets quarterback Chad Pennington after he was beaten in coverage in the second half.
Jones also had a key tip on third down that helped seal the game on New York?s final drive. His stellar play is coming off the heels of two lackluster seasons.
"I had a rough first two years of my career," Jones said. "I was hurt my first year and last year I didn?t play at all. Basically, I just try to keep that in the back of my head and that kind of motivates me to become the best in the league."
Big return

Justin Miller?s 99-yard return in the third quarter was the first kickoff return for a touchdown the Browns allowed since Dec. 5, 2004 against New England.
Extra points

Offensive lineman Doug Dieken, linebacker Jim Houston, defensive end Walt Michaels and running back Earnest Byner were inducted into the Browns Legends Club. ? Starting guard Joe Andruzzi hurt a knee in the first quarter and didn?t return. ? . Phil Dawson converted 2 of 3 field goal attempts but missed a 26-yarder.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

On an Ozzie-like pace
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
By STEVE DOERSCHUK

BEREA - Make it a serious election, and Kellen Winslow probably would be voted best pass-catching tight end in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thus, it was a mouthful when, before the 2004 draft, assorted scouts said Kellen Winslow Jr. could be better than his father.

Now, coming off the double knockout punch of serious injuries to both legs in '04 and '05, the younger Winslow is straining to catch up to dad.
Along the way, he is flashing shades of another Hall of Famer, Ozzie Newsome.
With seven catches Sunday in the Browns' 20-13 win over the Jets, Winslow pushed his total to 40 - best in the NFL among tight ends.
The third-year pro is on course for 91 catches, which would break Newsome's Cleveland record of 89 set in 1983 and matched in 1984.
It's not as if quarterback Charlie Frye is going to start looking somewhere else.
"He can break tackles," Frye said. "He can carry guys for first downs."
Frye and Winslow were clicking to some extent even before Offensive Coordinator Mo Carthon stepped out.
"Charlie makes stuff happen," Winslow said. "I ride with him."
Winslow's third pro season is shaping up like Newsome's third year of 1983. That year, Newsome caught 89 passes for 970 yards and six touchdowns. Winslow is on pace to catch 91 passes for 864 yards and seven TDs.
The trick becomes to revive Braylon Edwards, who has followed up a three-game stretch in which he produced 301 receiving yards with a three-game run yielding just 54.
Edwards seems to be taking his lull like a good sport.
Asked after Sunday's game if he takes his recent decline drop as a sign of anything, he said, "I take it as a sign of, we won."
Seeing Winslow emerge from the showers, Edwards smiled and told a few writers, "Your boy is over there. Go talk to him. He had a heckuva game."
In his first game under new coordinator Jeff Davidson, Winslow had seven catches for 76 yards. He kept showing up in key situations.
On the Browns' first touchdown drive, he made a 15-yard catch and run to advance the ball to the Jets' 25.
After the Browns opened the second half by running Reuben Droughns five times in six plays, Winslow capitalized against single coverage and caught a 30-yard touchdown pass off play action.
Trying to expand a 17-3 lead on third-and-goal, Winslow got open in the back of the end zone, but Frye overshot him.
Needing to buy time and field position with the score at 20-13 in the fourth quarter, Winslow produced two 8-yard catches, one for a first down.
The Browns will hit the road Sunday for a game against the Chargers - for what it's worth, that was Kellen Winslow Sr.'s team.
Opponents are struggling to cover Winslow with linebackers, safeties and in some cases, as on Sunday's touchdown pass, cornerbacks.
"The only way they can take him away is to double-team him," Head Coach Romeo Crennel said. "Do that, and it opens things up for Braylon and (Joe) Jurevicius."
Winslow no doubt will start to get league-wide attention if the Browns start winning.
The overall performance against the Jets reminded him of a near-upset early in the season.
"It felt like the Ravens game," said Winslow, who had a seven-catch, 92-yard day against Baltimore.
This time, he had seven catches in a win. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail [email protected].

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

Trying to toe the line Droughns OK, but OL is another story
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
By STEVE DOERSCHUK

BEREA - Reuben Droughns is back, but the offensive line is all over the place as the Browns brace themselves for a road trip.

Droughns ground out 125 yards on 33 carries, both season highs. His success was tempered by the fact he managed just 14 yards on his last nine carries, when the Browns got away with sitting on a 20-13 lead while having to punt three times.
"Reuben ran hard and gained good yards," Crennel said.
Alluding to Droughns' tone-setting 23 yards on his first two carries, "That makes it easier to call plays."
"By being able to run and mix in play action, the defense has to think before they pin those ears back," Crennel said.
The Browns finished in their familiar expansion-era mode with a makeshift offensive line.
Hank Fraley made his seventh start as the 2006 replacement for LeCharles Bentley, mostly helping before getting nailed for a 15-yard roughness penalty in the dicey fourth quarter.
Third-year pro Kelly Butler got his first start in place of Ryan Tucker, who also is likely to miss the San Diego game with an undisclosed illness.
Undersized veteran Lennie Friedman played the second half at left guard after Joe Andruzzi left with a knee injury.
Turns out it was fortunate Crennel used the previous game to get Friedman his first serious work of 2006, rotating in at center and guard.
Results of an MRI test on Andruzzi were unavailable. Crennel said Tucker was in "decent spirits" when they talked Saturday, but it sounds as if the line that finished the Jets game is the one that will take off at San Diego.
Asked if the revised line might be in place for a while, Crennel said, "It probably will be."
"We have to work around it," Crennel said. "Lennie's been around. He knows something about how to play the game.
"Butler held his own. He got movement down by the goal line. He was fired up about the opportunity."
Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail [email protected]

BROWNS REPORT
Special report
The Browns were allowing 19.1 yards per kick return before Sunday, when they got blown up for a 99-yarder from Justin Miller. "That's not like us," Head Coach Romeo Crennel said. "We were in pretty good shape (leading 20-3) until that."
Special teams had its worst day. Phil Dawson missed a 26-yard field goal. Joshua Cribbs almost made a disastrous touch while whiffing in trying to catch a punt. He later bobbled a kickoff.
"Josh has been struggling a little bit with ball possession," Crennel said. "We can't afford that."
Crennel said he has seen it before. A young guy makes a few good returns, then forgets he has to catch the ball before making his next big play.
Dennis Northcutt figures to get his punt returning job back when his ribs heal.
"Hopefully," Crennel said, "Dennis will make progress. If he can come back, I think that'll help."
Cribbs would remain as the kick returner.

Extra points
n The status of key defenders Orpheus Roye (hamstring) and Willie McGinest (ankle) is up in the air. Their status for the San Diego game won't be revealed until Wednesday. The playing loads of Nick Eason and Chaun Thompson increased after Roye and McGinest left.
n Crennel will have none of questions about whether he waited to long to part ways with former offensive coordinator Mo Carthon. "Maurice resigned. When he did that, I accepted his resignation. That is what it was and now we are going forward," Crennel said. STEVE DOERSCHUK

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Crennel singing new tune

Victory against Jets comes by sticking with formula for success: running the ball, playing solid defense

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

BEREA - The Browns won a game Sunday, and in winning, they played the way they had been expected to play all year.
Run the ball.
Play good defense.
Limit mistakes.
``Hopefully we've developed a formula to help us feel good,'' coach Romeo Crennel said Monday.
Crennel went to a bag of tricks before the game Sunday and sang a tune in the locker room.
Though Crennel didn't specify the song, he apparently did his best Whitney Houston by singing I Believe in You and Me.
Crennel thought that the team needed to be loosened up, and because the Browns won, the warbling became significant. The Browns will take the song and win, but they'll take it in perspective.
The New York Jets have not played good defense. Before the game Monday night, the Jets ranked 29th in total defense and 29th in rushing defense. It would have been discouraging had the Browns not run well.
Crennel conceded that the team's plan was part commitment to the run, part the defense that they were facing.
``It's always a combination,'' Crennel said. ``You look at the opponent and try to pinpoint the things that they're struggling with. Then when you call the game, your success on those plays makes a lot of difference.''
Running back Reuben Droughns' first two runs gained 10 and 11 yards. He finished with a season high in yards (125) and more carries than he has had in any other game in his two seasons with the Browns (33).
Crennel was peppered with questions about whether he waited to relieve Maurice Carthon as offensive coordinator. His answer: Carthon didn't resign before last week.
Crennel said he couldn't be sure if the long-term progress of the offense was interrupted by waiting six games into this season to make the move.
``You learn something all the time when you play,'' he said. ``I don't know that it's been interrupted. That's one of those things that maybe only time will tell. One of those hypotheticals.''
Translated: See how the Browns play the next nine games, starting with Sunday in San Diego when the Browns will face the league's second-ranked defense in the Chargers.
And the Browns probably will do it without guard Joe Andruzzi and tackle Ryan Tucker.
Andruzzi had an MRI on his injured right knee Monday. Tucker remains week to week with an unspecified medical problem.
Crennel said it looks like the line will include Lennie Friedman at guard and Kelly Butler at tackle for the near future. He said both players performed fairly well Sunday, but the challenge gets tougher playing the Chargers and the Atlanta Falcons on the road the next two weeks.
After the bye week, Crennel said he couldn't ``restart'' the season because he couldn't erase the first five games.
A change in offensive coordinators has prompted him and General Manager Phil Savage to rethink that point of view.
Savage talked to the team Friday about a ``reset'' and giving fans ``the best 600 minutes of football'' since the team returned in 1999.
Monday, Crennel joined that thinking.
He said, ``The first part of the season is still there, but for the 10-game stretch, your mentality can be, `We've got 10 games to show what we can do.' ''
Brownies . . .
? Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who had three sacks Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, probably will not face the Browns. Merriman had planned to appeal his four-game suspension for alleged steroid use Nov. 7 but reportedly will drop the appeal and start the suspension this weekend.
? Crennel said Andruzzi and linebacker Willie McGinest (ankle) both needed MRIs. He did not have results at his news conference.
? The defense gave up 83 yards on the Jets' game-opening drive and only 110 the rest of the day. What changed? ``I think the defense got used to the tempo,'' Crennel said of the Jets' no-huddle offense.
? The presence of cornerback Leigh Bodden did not change the defensive game plan, Crennel said. ``We did the same things we were going to do; we just did them better.''
? Crennel on the official's ruling that Jets tight end Chris Baker was out of bounds on their last-chance drive: ``I agreed with the official on that call.''
? Deion Sanders said on a national radio show that cornerback Gary Baxter will be in the hospital for two months and a wheelchair for six months after surgery to repair torn patellar tendons in both knees.
? Players were given the day off Monday after the win.