Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

[osugrad21]

Canton

Dawson will savor winner
Monday, December 4, 2006
By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

CLEVELAND - This hasn't been a year to remember for Phil Dawson. Cleveland's veteran kicker has missed field goals. He's watched the only NFL team he's ever known play through another miserable, losing season.
And then a day like Sunday comes along.
Dawson drilled a 33-yard field goal in overtime to give the Browns a 31-28 win over the Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium. It was the eighth time in his career Dawson hit the game-winner, and fourth time on the last play of the game.
Dawson said he never thought about the fact that it was the game-winner for a team coming off its worst week of the season.
"I had so much to think about," Dawson said. "I was worried about getting the proper spot ... figuring out the proper depth ... whether or not there was a hole out there. ...
"Then I looked at the flags and picked a target. I wasn't thinking about our record, or how bad we needed it, or how bad I personally needed it. That will come later when I'm eating dinner with my wife."
Kicking in Browns Stadium on Sunday was a task, but the wind wasn't what concerned Dawson. Most afternoons, kicking into the Dawg Pound end of the stadium is the tougher kick.
"I'm sweating extra points down there," Dawson said.
But the footing on the opposite end of the field makes kicking field goals more of a task. Dawson said his plant foot has slipped on the sod more than usual at that end of the field.
"Right now, this sure does feel good," said Dawson, who has missed four field goals this year. "It just feels good to win for winning's sake. That's why you do this. When you lose, there is not a lower feeling. Football is not a game that's fun unless you win."

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

BROWNS NOTES
Monday, December 4, 2006


Frye broken wrist? The Browns wouldn't say if QB Charlie Frye's wrist is broken. Frye played much of the first half with some kind of injury to the wrist, then watched in the second half as backup Derek Anderson rallied the team.
The Associated Press reported that tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. blurted out that Frye's wrist was broken, but later backtracked on his claim.
"I tried to fight it off for a while," Frye said. "At halftime, the trainer pulled the plug on it. I should know (today) just how serious it is."
Frye wore a brace on the wrist while watching the second half. Anderson won the game with a long completion to Winslow and a 33-yard scramble, setting up a field goal.

Pound party
Cleveland native Joe Jurevicius was one of the first Browns to sprint to the Dawg Pound after Phil Dawson won the game with an OT field goal.
Head Coach Romeo Crennel showed the team a video featuring Browns fans on stadium screens during a walk-through practice.
Jurevicius didn't need to be educated on the history of Cleveland fans.
"All they want is effort,'' said Jurevicius, who posted season highs for catches (six) and yards (75). "All we can give is effort.
"That atmosphere today, us playing like that, yhat's what we in Cleveland as a Browns team and as Browns fans need to get used to."

Worth quoting
n Quarterback Charlie Frye had a dream. "I told Romeo (Crennel) we were going to beat Kansas City,'' he said.
n Running back Jason Wright after producing 95 rushing-receiving yards: "We really wanted to win for Romeo. I've never had a more professional and organized coach.''
n Crennel: "I appreciate the fans who have hung in with us. We know they've been hurting.''
n "The kid played a good game," Chiefs Head Coach Herman Edwards said of Browns backup QB Derek Anderson. "I don't know much about the guy. I know he made plays he needed to make."

Reuben sighting
Reuben Droughns looked as good as he has all year in rushing for 70 yards (5.0 average) and catching five passes for 48 yards.
Look for Droughns and Jason Wright to be a tag team the rest of the season, which leaves rookie Round 5 pick Jerome Harrison as an odd man out.
The Browns got good production out of their tight ends. The surprise was that five of the six tight end catches (for 53 yards) came from Steve Heiden, who scored two TDs.

Extra points
n Bobby Martin, a former Dayton high school football player born without legs, spent much of the weekend with the Browns. He visited the team's training facility, worked out with some players Saturday, and was with them during warmups. "I taught them everything I could," he joked.
n Tony Gonzalez had two touchdown catches, giving him 61 for his career. Shannon Sharpe has the NFL record for tight ends with 62.
n The Browns are 2-14 at home in December since 1999.

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Direct snap to Cribbs boosts Browns? rally
Monday, December 4, 2006
By STEVE DOERSCHUK

CLEVELAND How did the Browns make the Grand Canyon leap from dull despair to Sunday's wild overtime win over the Chiefs?
They were most of the way across when Joshua Cribbs took his first NFL snap at quarterback.
"I went out thinkin' 'Let's do it now,' " Cribbs said. "I could see it in their eyes ... like, 'What's goin' on? What's goin' on?' "
The Browns trailed, 28-21, with five minutes left in regulation with the ball on the Cleveland 30. Quarterback Derek Anderson lined up at receiver. Cribbs took the snap and ran to a hole. He saw a 70-yard touchdown.
"They were gettin' me just as I was turnin' the jets on," he said. "They got me ... barely."
His 9-yard gain ignited a touchdown drive capped by Anderson's pass to Steve Heiden with 35 seconds left. Phil Dawson's weird kickoff landed in no-man's land. The Browns' Brodney Pool nearly came up with the ball in field goal range.
"I tried to put my hands on top of it instead of under it," Pool said. "I gotta get some new gloves."
The Chiefs kept the ball but lost it with 20 seconds left when Trent Green stepped up in the pocket with the ball exposed. Did this make defensive end Simon Fraser wide-eyed?
"I think my eyes were closed, to be honest," Fraser said. "They got real big after I knocked the ball out."
Willie McGinest recovered for Cleveland, but Anderson threw an interception that led to overtime.
"I thought that gave us the momentum going into overtime," Chiefs Head Coach Herman Edwards said.
Once there, the Chiefs didn't see Cribbs at quarterback, but they didn't see Charlie Frye, either. Anderson kept them off-balance, and drove the Browns down for the win.
Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]
repository BOB ROSSITER
IT WAS A SNAP Joshua Cribbs took his first snap as an NFL quarterback in the fourth quarter Sunday, when he lined up in the QB's spot and Derek Anderson moved out to line up at wide receiver. Kansas City's defense was fooled, and Cribbs took the snap and ran for 9 yards on the Browns' drive for the tying touchdown.

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

BROWNS 31 CHIEFS 28, OT
Untested backup QB engineers comeback
Monday, December 04, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

ED SUBA JR . AKRON BEACON JOURNAL Browns quarterback Derek Anderson scrambles past the Chiefs? Kawika Mitchell for a 33-yard gain in overtime.

MARK DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Phil Dawson (4), aided by the hold of Dave Zastudil, converted the eighth winning field goal of his career.
CLEVELAND ? The Browns added a thrilling home victory to their 2006 resume yesterday, but they might have lost their starting quarterback in the process.
Second-year quarterback Charlie Frye suffered a significant right wrist injury during an otherwise landmark day as the Browns pulled out a 31-28 overtime win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Backup quarterback Derek Anderson played well in Frye?s absence and threw for 171 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. With the Browns (4-8) trailing by 14 points, Anderson showed poise and led the team to three scoring drives ? two in the fourth quarter and one in overtime ? to seal the victory.
But there was jubilation in the locker room mixed with angst as the team awaited word on Frye.
Teammate Kellen Winslow Jr. said after the game that Frye?s wrist is broken, but the team would not confirm the extent of the injury.
Frye said X-rays were taken at the stadium during the game, but he did not want to divulge the result until he gets a second opinion.
His apprehension led to speculation that it could be serious. A fractured wrist likely would keep Frye out for the remainder of the season.
"I don?t know a lot about it," Frye said. "But I should find out (today) how serious it is."
Anderson, who hadn?t thrown a pass in an NFL game until yesterday, stepped in and played like a wily veteran. The 6-foot-6 quarterback from Oregon State displayed his big arm as the offense was able to gain a season-high 438 yards.
But Anderson?s most important yards came with his legs during a 33-yard scramble in overtime that put the Browns in field-goal range. He found a seam up the right sideline on a broken play and awkwardly dodged a few tackles along the way, which set up a 33-yard field goal by Phil Dawson on the final play.
"That?s by far the longest run I?ve had since high school," Anderson said, laughing. "Everybody is going to give me a hard time about it. I know it. I was just going until somebody knocked me down."
After entering the game with no touchdowns by the offense in the past 10 quarters, the Browns suddenly found their stride and put together their highest point total of the year.
Both quarterbacks had little trouble passing against Kansas City (7-5). Frye completed 11 of 13 attempts for 122 yards and a touchdown in the first half, and Anderson was 12 of 21 in the second half. The pair combined for a 111.5 passer rating.
The Chiefs broke a 14-14 tie at the half with a 6-yard touchdown reception by Kris Wilson in the third quarter. Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez (nine catches, 105 yards) followed with a 23-yard touchdown catch with 12:19 left in the fourth quarter to give the Chiefs a 28-14 lead.
At that point, Anderson began to click and led touchdown drives of 81 and 70 yards that ended with throws to tight end Steve Heiden.
Cleveland?s final scoring drive went for 63 yards, highlighted by Anderson?s run and capped by Dawson?s kick, which was the eighth winning field goal of his career.
"He?s a money kicker and we knew he was going to make it," Browns safety Brian Russell said.
Cleveland, which has not won two in a row since the 2003 season, will have little time to savor its win. It plays Thursday night against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
Frye likely is out for that game, and with the uncertainty of his status for the immediate future, Anderson said he?s going into the week with the mentality as the starter.
"I have to," Anderson said. "Regardless of what (injury) he?s got, I got to go into it that way.
"I finished the game."

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Droughns, Wright provide 1-2 punch
Monday, December 04, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

CLEVELAND ? Browns running back Reuben Droughns kept a starter?s mentality even after he was benched upon his return from a foot injury last week.
Yesterday, his hard work paid off as he earned his way back into the starting lineup and rushed for 70 yards on 14 caries and a touchdown in a 31-28 overtime victory.
Droughns showed flashes of the back that produced more than 1,200 yards last year. His longest gain was 19 yards, and his 1-yard touchdown run was a rare red-zone score on the ground for Cleveland (4-8). Droughns added five receptions for 48 yards.
Backup Jason Wright also played well off the bench and made plays when called upon. He finished with 25 yards rushing and 70 yards receiving and provided a solid one-two punch for Cleveland.
"That?s what we plan to do is play both guys," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "Hopefully, they got an equal amount of playing time because that?s what we?d hoped for." Hard hat
Browns veteran receiver Joe Jurevicius was one of the first players to say it was time to quickly turn the page and develop a workmanlike attitude after Cleveland?s 30-0 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last week.
The team responded with Jurevicius leading the way on offense. He had his best game as a Brown with six receptions for 75 yards.
"I have that blue-collar attitude that I was brought up with," Jurevicius said after the game. "I wore my Carhartt sweatshirt and drove my pickup (truck to the stadium)."
Up comes Fraser

Browns second-year defensive end and former Buckeye Simon Fraser made the first start of his NFL career yesterday. He replaced the injured Orpheus Roye and had his fourth sack of the season and forced a fumble by Trent Green in the fourth quarter.
Fraser was informed that he would be the starter yesterday morning.
"It?s truly a blessing," Fraser said. "It?s been a long road and it?s been a dream of mine. It was a mix of emotions (Sunday) morning when I woke up, and the first snap out there I got all the jitters out and played football."
Going Gonzo

Kellen Winslow Jr. was correct when he claimed that all tight ends, including himself, are playing catch-up to Tony Gonzalez of the Chiefs.
Gonzalez proved why he is widely considered the best player at his position. He torched the Browns for a gamehigh nine receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
His two touchdown receptions put him at 61 for his career, which is second all time among NFL tight ends. Brownie points
Cleveland?s run defense did a decent job of slowing Chiefs Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson, who finished with 110 yards on 28 carries. ? Browns cornerback Leigh Bodden returned from an ankle injury after missing the past three games and had four tackles. ? The overtime game was the Browns? first since Oct. 24, 2004, against the Philadelphia Eagles and their first extraperiod victory since Sept. 22, 2002, against the Tennessee Titans.

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Browns show signs of life in win
Monday, December 04, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

ED SUBA JR . AKRON BEACON JOURNAL Browns backup quarterback Derek Anderson, who threw two TD passes in the fourth quarter, acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field after a 31-28 overtime victory.
CLEVELAND ? Many wondered whether the Browns were to the point of quitting last week after their 30-0 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Instead, the Browns (4-8) proved yesterday that they still have some fight left. They overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half on the way to a 31-28 overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. They did it with backup quarterback Derek Anderson directing the comeback with two fourthquarter touchdown passes to tight end Steve Heiden and a critical 33-yard run.
Kansas City (7-5) had won five of its past six games. But the Browns played hard and prevailed, damaging the Chiefs? playoff hopes.
The victory was especially meaningful to Cleveland, which was coming off an embarrassing loss that had sparked in-fighting between players and speculation that coach Romeo Crennel?s job was in jeopardy. The difficult week ended with one of the most exciting victories of the Crennel era.
"I said last week that these guys are competitors and they?re going to bounce back, and that?s what they did," Crennel said. "Sometimes things don?t work out the way you want them to work and things don?t match up right ? so the score was 30-0. But I know that we got guys on this team with ability, and we got guys on this team that will hang in and will fight."
Browns receiver Braylon Edwards was in the middle of the controversy for his fighting on the sideline with teammates last week. Yesterday, he just played football and had three catches for 36 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown on the opening drive that ended a 10-quarter touchdown drought for Cleveland?s offense.
"This shows the kind of football team that we have," Edwards said. "When we play on all cylinders and don?t get caught up in everything else, we can play. We just played our game today and didn?t worry about anything else."
Winning helps everything in the NFL, and the Browns feel better about themselves going into the final month of the season. They need two victories in their last four games to tie their 2005 win total.
If they put forth the same effort as they did yesterday, they have a chance.
"That?s the way we have to play the rest of the year," Crennel said. "As we are trying to build this program, this is what we are trying to get to. If we can do this week in and week out, then we have arrived."

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Monday, December 04, 2006

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Injured Frye doubtful to face Steelers

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

BEREA - Initial X-rays were negative on Browns quarterback Charlie Frye's right wrist, but he had so much pain doctors feared that there were broken bones that did not show on the X-ray.
Frye spent Monday at the Cleveland Clinic undergoing more detailed tests. The concern was that X-rays might not pick up breaks in the smaller bones of the wrist.
Frye most certainly will not play in the game Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coach Romeo Crennel would not rule Frye out until he got final medical results, but those close to Frye consider it virtually impossible for him to play.
Which means Derek Anderson will get to follow up his strong performance Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs by facing the Steelers.
Anderson led the Browns to two fourth-quarter touchdowns and an overtime field goal, and he left his teammates impressed.
``He had his composure,'' tackle Kevin Shaffer said. ``He had a great attitude. He was up. You could tell he wasn't nervous at all.``He felt like, `It's my chance; it's my time to do it.' ''
``He was poised,'' guard Cosey Coleman said. ``That one word sums it up.''
``He was confident,'' Crennel said. ``He was really confident. I think he was excited about having the opportunity to play. Then being able to make plays, that just helped his confidence.''
Anderson will see a different defense Thursday night. The Chiefs blitzed infrequently, but the Steelers make their living off of confusing blitzes.
Getting him ready in a short week won't be easy.
``It will be a challenge, but I think having Charlie will help him because he went through it last year.'' Crennel said. ``He can explain to him about what to look for and some keys to their coverage schemes.``He probably won't be perfect, but he might have a little advantage because of Charlie.''
Both quarterbacks had strong games against a Chiefs defense that played a careful Cover-2 defense. The Chiefs protected against the big play, gave up short throws and rarely blitzed.
Frye was 11-of-13 for 122 yards with a touchdown (to receiver Braylon Edwards). His first-half passer rating was 131.4, but he could not play in the second half.
Anderson finished 12-of-21 for 171 yards with two touchdowns, a rating of 95.5, sterling numbers for a guy who never had thrown a pass in a regular season game before Sunday.
``In preseason when (Anderson) got into the game he moved this team pretty good,'' Crennel said. ``But that's preseason. Preseason is different from a regular season.
``Sometimes you don't know how guys are going to react when he gets into a real game, when it counts and when everybody else is depending on him and he has to perform.''
For one game, Anderson reacted well.
The Steelers will present a whole new challenge.
For the fans
Crennel echoed the feelings of some of his players that the victory Sunday was for the fans, who showed up and were amazingly supportive in a difficult season.
On one Sunday, the atmosphere at the stadium was revived.
``They have been suffering most of the year with us,'' Crennel said. ``They were loud, enthusiastic. They were cheering us on, and it helps.
``I'm glad that we were able to win for them.''
Backing it up
Crennel had high praise for his two running backs, Reuben Droughns and Jason Wright.
Droughns started, had 70 yards rushing and also caught some key passes. His game came after he barely played against the Cincinnati Bengals.
``To go through some of the things that he's gone through, to hustle, play special teams and be a productive runner for us... that helped,'' Crennel said.
Wright had two key receptions that set up touchdowns, including a 54-yard catch and run on a shovel pass.
``He had some key plays in the game that helped us change field position and helped us move the ball down the field,'' Crennel said.
Brownies . . .
The game Thursday means the Browns met to discuss the Steelers on Monday night. They will spend today on the practice field and travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday.... Linebacker Willie McGinest had a strong effort, especially against the run.... Crennel on why the Browns were so down against the Bengals and so up to play the Chiefs. ``(It's) human nature,'' he said. ``When you look around the league, you see it happening every time. To get out and play at a maximum level is tough to do.''

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Frye will start Thursday if OK
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
By STEVE DOERSCHUK

BEREA Why not make it easy? Why not decide now to go with Derek Anderson?s hot hand and put battered Charlie Frye?s on ice for at least a week? ?Because Charlie is the starter,? Head Coach Romeo Crennel said Monday.
But wasn?t Frye?s throwing wrist hurt while he took his latest shots Sunday? Didn?t his legs seem shaky? Didn?t Anderson turn a 28-14 Chiefs lead into a a 31-28 Browns overtime win?
?I?m not ruling out anything, ... Charlie is a tough guy,? Crennel said, if only to make the Steelers prepare for two quarterbacks before the teams play Thursday in Pittsburgh.
Crennel said X-rays on Frye?s wrist were negative, and further tests were being done. Crennel said the wrist is ?a little sore,? and suggested Frye won?t practice today but might Wednesday.
Expect Crennel to keep the public, and Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher, in the dark until Thursday night.
Frye left not because he wasn?t playing well, but because his wrist was hurting too much.
Aren?t there benefits in recharging Frye?s battery with a week off, even if the wrist is sound enough to play?
?Some people could see it that way,? Crennel said, ?but I?m gonna wait and see how the week goes before I decide.?
That leaves common sense as the main indication Anderson will make his first NFL start against the Steelers.
Crennel couldn?t conceal his pleasure over Anderson?s 12-of-21, 171-yard, win-producing relief job.
?This Derek Anderson guy ... I don?t know where he came from, but he showed up,? Crennel said with a big grin.
Frye is 4-8 as the starter. Anderson is 1-0 as the closer.
Amid the buzz, there are assorted concerns about Anderson. Among them:
n The Ravens drafted him in last year?s sixth round but weren?t impressed enough to give him a 2005 roster spot. Their plans to put him on the practice squad were wrecked when Phil Savage claimed him off waivers.
n The difference between Anderson?s fastball and Frye?s was immediately evident Sunday, but control is an issue. Three of Anderson?s passes were tipped. Two of them popped dangerously into the air and could have produced game-wrecking turnovers.
n Late in regulation, Anderson made a bad read and zipped an easy interception to Kawika Mitchell, almost giving the Chiefs a chance for a game-ending field goal.
n Anderson?s biggest play was a simple shovel pass that turned into a 54-yard gain. Aside from that, he was 11-of-20 for 117 yards.
Nonetheless, Anderson did more than enough to add a huge new element of intrigue to the Browns? remaining four games.
His first two NFL passes, both in the second quarter before Frye came back for a series, were laser-shot completions to Braylon Edwards and Darnell Dinkins.
Throw out the interception late in regulation, and Anderson?s series after halftime produced:
n 42 yards prior to a punt.
n 81 yards and a touchdown.
n 70 yards and a touchdown.
n 63 yards and a game-winning field goal.
Anderson says he has been 6-foot-6 and worn size 17 shoes since he was in sixth grade. Sunday represents his biggest growth spurt since he was a little kid. He might need to grow more to win at Pittsburgh, which unlike the Chiefs, can focus on exploiting his weaknesses.
?Young quarterbacks haven?t seen as much,? Crennel said. ?They?ll probably show him quite a bit to see how he reacts.?
Frye had a decent game against the Steelers on Nov. 19 in a 24-20 loss, going 17-of-27 for 224 yards but not producing a touchdown drive.
The Steelers ruined another second-year pro in a recent game. Oakland?s Andrew Walter, a former PAC-10 rival of Anderson?s, was 5-of-14 for 51 yards with six sacks Oct. 29.
If Anderson plays Thursday and fares well, it could be a huge lift for the Browns, even if Frye is still viewed as the likelier longterm starter.
?That is good for the confidence of the team and the organization,? Crennel said. ?You have a guy that you feel reasonably sure can do something in the game.
?Really, up until yesterday, we didn?t know. We knew we had a young quarterback with a strong arm.?
Anderson had a strong enough preseason to beat out Ken Dorsey for the No. 2 job behind Frye, but he retreated into the shadows before emerging Sunday.
Crennel was with the Patriots in 2001 when second-year pro Tom Brady, a sixth-round pick the year before, replaced Drew Bledsoe.
?Nobody had an idea of what (Brady) was other than what you saw in practice,? Crennel said. ?He went in and was able to perform and make some plays. His confidence grew and the confidence in him grew.?
No one is comparing Anderson to Brady.
Comparing the perception of Anderson on Saturday to the perception of him today, though, is night and day.
Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail; [email protected]

Browns at Steelers
8 p.m. Thursday
Heinz Field
TV WJW,
NFL Network

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Summer school for Anderson
Tuesday, December 5, 2006


A look at how quarterback Derek Anderson performed during preseason games with the Cleveland Browns earlier this season:
Aug. 10 at Philadelphia
Played only two series in the third quarter because the team wanted to assess Lang Campbell. Went 3-of-4 for 21 yards and fumbled following a sack.
Aug. 18 vs. Lions
Lit up Detroit during second half, leading a nine-play, 78-yard drive capped by Jerome Harrison?s 31-yard catch. Finished 7-of-9 for 83 yards.
Aug. 26 at Buffalo
Capped a 75-yard drive with a 27-yard TD pass to Joshua Cribbs, then drove the Browns 64 yards to a field goal as time expired. Went 4-of-7 for 83 yards.
Aug. 31 vs. Bears
Led a 53-yard TD drive as No. 2 QB to end the first half, completing two passes each to Darnell Dinkins and Frisman Jackson. Went 11-of-22 for 96 yards, one pick.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

TheMorningJournal

D'Qwell the key to D
JEFF SCHUDEL, Morning Journal Writer
12/05/2006


BEREA -- It is no coincidence the Browns' run defense and rookie linebacker D'Qwell Jackson are getting better at the same time.


Jackson was credited with 13 tackles Sunday when the Browns beat Kansas City 31-28 in overtime. He made 16 tackles the week before, but they went virtually unnoticed because the Browns were clobbered by Cincinnati 30-0.


''D'Qwell is playing great,'' middle linebacker Andra Davis said. ''He's making my job a lot easier.''

Inside linebackers Davis and Jackson are 1-2 in tackles for the Browns, as it should be in a 3-4 defense. Davis leads with 117 tackles and Jackson has 104.

Chiefs running back Larry Johnson rushed for 110 yards, and though a team never wants to give up 100 yards, Johnson entered the game as the NFL's leading rusher with 1,202 yards. He needed 28 carries to gain his 110 yards, a 3.9 average. He was averaging 4.3 yards before facing the Browns and rushed for 150 yards or more in four of his last six games.

''I'm trying to get to the point where I know what everybody on the field is doing,'' Jackson said. ''Any guy can come in and know what he is supposed to do, but if you understand the concept you can react differently in certain situations. You put yourself in a better situation to make plays.''

Jackson has quieted critics who say at 228 pounds he is to small to play inside linebacker. His assignment Thursday in Pittsburgh will be to slow Willie Parker. The Steelers running back was held to 46 yards when they beat the Browns, 24-20 last month. Jackson made only three tackles in that game.

''I have a lot more football in me,'' Jackson said. ''I haven't even scratched the surface.''

Jackson was Browns' second-round pick last April. He has started all 12 games.

Banged up Browns

No major injuries other than Charlie Frye's mysterious wrist ailment came out of the Kansas City game. Several players are sore, and with the next game Thursday in Pittsburgh, they do not have much time to heal.

Chaun Thompson was kicked in the ankle but returned to play on kick coverage teams. The Browns are being cautious with Kellen Winslow's chronically sore right knee.

Linebacker Willie McGinest is playing with a pectoral injury. Cornerback Leigh Bodden is sore after playing for the first time following three games he missed because of a sprained ankle.

Praise for Jurevicius

Coach Romeo Crennel on Monday had high praise for the way Jurevicius played Sunday. Jurevicius caught six passes for 75 yards. It was his most productive day as a Brown.

''Joe made some really good catches yesterday and he was productive,'' Crennel said. ''Joe came back (to Cleveland) so he would have an opportunity to perform in front of the home fans like he did yesterday. I was happy to see that.''

Jurevicius essentially replaced Antonio Bryant in the Browns' lineup. Bryant had 1,006 receiving yards last year, but he did that in a lineup that was minus Winslow and, for much of the season, Braylon Edwards. Winslow and Edwards returned from their injuries and have not missed a game.

Crennel and general manager Phil Savage knew Bryant would not match his 2005 totals. They wanted a team player who would never complain about not getting the ball. Jurevicius was their man. He signed a four-year contract as a free agent after playing in Seattle last year. The Lake Catholic graduate had only 18 catches in 11 games before his explosion Sunday.

''I said from Day One I was going to come here to help this team win,'' Jurevicius said. ''Statistically I might not have eye-popping numbers, but I'm doing my job. (Sunday) I showed I want to help this team win.

''This win ranks up there. To come home and play come from behind, the fans were awesome. It was cold outside. I forgot how cold it gets back here. I came here to adopt the blue-collar mentality I grew up with. It's all I ever wanted to do.''

Fancy feast

The Browns used two flea-flickers and two shovel passes Sunday. They weren't the most exotic plays ever, but for the Browns they were pretty fancy. More might be in store if the situation is right.

''It depends on what the game plan is and the opponent that we're facing,'' Crennel said. ''If they give us some things that we can do, we might do it.

''The flea-flicker is in the playbook. It worked this time and we've had it in other game plans when it didn't get called. We were able to get it called it and it worked so we called it twice.''

One flea-flicker that went from Frye to Reuben Droughns and back to Frye resulted in a completion for 11 yards to Jurevicius. One in the third quarter involving Derek Anderson, Droughns and Jurevicius gained 12 yards.

[email protected]


?The Morning Journal 2006

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

TheMorningJournal

Start will be short notice
JEFF SCHUDEL, Morning Journal Writer
12/05/2006


BEREA -- There is little doubt Derek Anderson will start at quarterback against the Steelers Thursday because of Charlie Frye's injured right wrist. The bigger question that might be answered today is whether Frye will be out for the rest of the season.


Yesterday morning coach Romeo Crennel said X-rays taken of Frye's wrist during the first half of the Browns 31-28 overtime upset of the Chiefs Sunday were negative. More tests were conducted yesterday, but Crennel is withholding the results from the media until his press conference today.

''I'm not ruling anything out,'' Crennel said when asked about Frye playing against the Steelers. ''Charlie is a tough guy. If he can take a snap and throw the ball, he'll want to go. It will depend on how much pain he can endure and how effectively he can throw the ball. I think that's what it will come down to.''

Normally players are off today, but since the Browns play Thursday in Pittsburgh their only intense practice for the Steelers will be today.

Crennel said he did not even learn X-rays of Frye's wrist were negative until yesterday morning when he met with team doctors. Various players, including Frye's close friend Kellen Winslow Jr., said Frye's wrist is broken. Crennel disputed the claim by ?Dr. Winslow,' as Crennel put it.

''It's not true to my knowledge,'' Crennel said.

Frye was injured on the opening drive when he tried to brace himself as he fell when he was knocked down after throwing a pass. He threw a touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards at the end of the drive, played one more series, went in for X-rays while Anderson played and then returned for the final series before halftime. Frye was 5-for-6 passing on the drive that ended with Reuben Droughns scoring from the 1.

Another set of X-rays were taken at halftime and doctors decided Frye should not continue. Frye emerged from the locker room without shoulder pads, wearing a soft brace to immobilize his right wrist.

Anderson took over and threw two touchdown passes to Steve Heiden in the fourth quarter and then led a drive on the Browns first overtime possession that ended with Phil Dawson kicking a 33-yard field goal.

Anderson had his success against a Chiefs team hesitant to blitz and content to sit back, give up the short pass and wait for the opponent to make a mistake. The strategy backfired; Frye and Anderson had a combined passer rating of 111.5

Crennel said Anderson can expect to see an entirely different defense from the Steelers.

''I think they'll show him quite a bit to see how he reacts,'' Crennel said. ''He'll see the Pittsburgh-style defense. They are a blitz zone team. They are not going to change that because of who the quarterback is. They might do more of it considering who the quarterback is.''

For Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher, the dilemma is this: Does he get his team ready for Frye, a mobile, rollout scrambling quarterback who in eight quarters against Pittsburgh has not taken the offense across the goal line once, and whom the Steelers have sacked 13 times in two games. Or does he get ready for Anderson, a second-year quarterback from Oregon State who who threw his first NFL pass Sunday?

It was suggested to Crennel that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady got his start the way Anderson is getting his. Brady threw only three passes as a rookie in 2000, then in 2001 he entered the second game when Drew Bledsoe was knocked out with an injury. Brady started the third game and never went back to the bench. The Patriots won the Super Bowl that year and twice more. Coincidentally, Brady and Anderson were both sixth-round draft picks. The Patriots took Brady from Michigan in 2000 and the Ravens took Anderson from Oregon State in 2005. The Ravens waived Anderson in September of 2005 and the Browns claimed him.

''This is true,'' said Crennel, the Patriots defensive coordinator from 2001-2004. ''Nobody had an idea of what (Brady) was other than what you saw in practice. The number one got hurt so the number two had to go in. He went in and was able to perform and make some plays. His confidence grew as the confidence in him grew.''

Crennel said Frye could be a big help to Anderson if Anderson does start. Anderson was third behind Trent Dilfer and Frye in 2005. He began the 2006 training camp third behind Frye and Ken Dorsey. Anderson, 6-foot-6, 229 pounds, has the strongest arm among the quarterbacks, but he lacks Frye's mobility.

''It will be a challenge, but I think having Charlie will help him because he went through it last year,'' Crennel said. ''Charlie can explain to him about what to look for and some keys to their coverage schemes. Derek probably won't be perfect, but he might have a little advantage because of Charlie.''

Frye has made 17 straight starts dating back to the 11th game of 2005.

[email protected]

?The Morning Journal 2006

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

Bodden no passing fancy
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
BROWNS NOTEBOOK STEVE DOERSCHUK

BEREA The Browns gave Pittsburgh a scare Nov. 19 partly because Charlie Frye threw for 224 yards.

The Steelers gave Cleveland a 24-20 loss mostly because Ben Roethlisberger threw for 224 yards in the fourth quarter.
Cornerback Leigh Bodden watched in street clothes because he had a high ankle sprain.
?He might have helped a little bit,? Head Coach Romeo Crennel said coyly.
In Thursday?s rematch, Bodden might help a lot.
Bodden came back from his injury ? he had missed five of seven games ? to start and finish Sunday?s 31-28 overtime win over the Chiefs.
Bodden opened the season as a threat to be the Browns? top cornerback, but ankle problems have stalled his first full year as a starter.
He wasn?t on top of his game against the Chiefs after missing three straight games.
?I had a little bit of rust,? Bodden said. ?I got some balls caught on me, which is uncharacteristic.?
The first play of the third quarter was a pass deep over the middle to Eddie Kennison. Bodden could not break up a 39-yard gain. Kennison wound up with a seven-catch, 117-yard day.
Bodden looked at his comeback game philosophically.
?I can?t expect to make every play with the little layoff I had,? he said. ?It got me back in the groove. Hopefully, the next game it will be a lot better.?
Any game in Pittsburgh fires up Bodden, who played college football there for Duquesne.
The fourth-year pro said the Browns should play it cool about beating Kansas City.
?Winning is good,? he said. ?We can?t get too high on emotions right now. I mean, we come right back and play Thursday. We?ve gotta focus on Pittsburgh.?
ACHING STEELERS
The Steelers faced Tampa Bay without injured starters Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward and lost starters Cedrick Wilson and Ryan Clark during the game.
?We?re going down like flies,? Tyrone Carter told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Carter is a 5-foot-8 journeyman who plays strong safety when Polamalu can?t.
The normal starting wideouts, Ward and Wilson, would be replaced by Nate Washington, a second-year pro out of Tiffin, and Santonio Holmes, a rookie first-round pick out of Ohio State.
The replacements fared alright Nov. 19 at Cleveland. Holmes caught a 20-yard touchdown pass to shrink a Browns lead to 13-10 in the fourth quarter. Washington had two catches for 23 yards on the last-minute TD drive that gave Pittsburgh a 24-20 win.
RUDE REVIEW
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Bob Smizek insulted two teams with one stone Monday:
?It?s sad but true ? the Steelers are bottom-feeders in the AFC. Three wins out of four hasn?t changed that. Dreamers might suspect that the Steelers can win out and at least be in consideration for a playoff bid.
?But after a game Thursday against Cleveland, there are no more Tampa Bays on the schedule. There are real football teams: Carolina, Baltimore and Cincinnati, all with winning records. All, by almost every indicator, better than the Steelers.?
Smizek dismissed a 20-3 win over the Bucs with the phrase ?stench of as ugly a win as you might ever see.?
Extra points
n Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 20 interceptions, the most by a Steeler quarterback since Cliff Stoudt?s 21 in 1983. Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw threw at least 20 interceptions in five different seasons, topping out at 25 in 1979.
n Tampa Bay was on the verge of becoming the Steelers? first shutout victim since Christmas Eve, when they won 41-0 at Cleveland. The Bucs kicked a field goal on Sunday?s final play to make it a 20-3 final. ?I?m sure I?ll be criticized for that,? Tampa Bay Head Coach Jon Gruden said. ?I just wanted our quarterback to leave Pittsburgh with something. We left Pittsburgh with a field goal.?
n Johnnie Bettis, father of retired Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, will be buried today in Detroit. Many Steelers players flew in for the funeral.
n Both the Steelers and Browns rebounded from miserable shutout losses, Pittsburgh?s having come at Baltimore, 27-0. The Browns lost 30-0 to the Bengals.
n Roethlisberger was sacked just once by Tampa Bay after getting dumped nine times by the Ravens.

Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail:
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

NFL
Browns hold off showing their hand at quarterback

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




BEREA, Ohio ? The Cleveland Browns know the status of Charlie Frye?s right wrist after a magnetic resonance imaging exam yesterday, but they are not making any statements about their starting quarterback until today.
Depending on the test results, coach Romeo Crennel could have a choice to make for Thursday?s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers: his struggling, banged-up starter or an inexperienced backup who turned a 14-point deficit into an overtime victory Sunday.
Team officials typically play injuries close to the vest, and Crennel shed little light on Frye?s situation yesterday.
"Charlie is the starter ? but I?m going to wait and see how the week goes before I say who the starter is," he said.
The Browns will likely give backup Derek Anderson, who replaced Frye briefly in the second quarter and for good in the second half Sunday, his first NFL start. If Frye were healthy enough to play, he probably would have said so Sunday after the game.
With Anderson under center, the Browns went downfield more than in any game this season, gaining 438 net yards and their highest point total of the season in a 31-28 victory.
The offensive line appeared more in sync with Anderson, too. Anderson, who is 6 feet 6, is typically a pocket passer. His height gives him an advantage in seeing the field. The 6-4 Frye scrambles often and occasionally runs his way into sacks.
Frye suffered the wrist injury on the Browns? first possession when he braced himself on a fall. He played one more series and produced some of the best statistics of his season. He finished 11 of 13 for 122 yards and a touchdown.
Even if he is recovering, he would have little-to-no practice time on a short week.
Crennel could have no choice but to turn to Anderson, who threw for 171 yards with two touchdowns and one interception Sunday.
"I?m going in there to have fun with it," Anderson said of the possible opportunity. "We got four games left, and we?ll try to get it rolling these last four games."
The Steelers play a very different defense than the Chiefs, who are not a blitzing team and did not exploit one of the Browns? biggest weaknesses, which is pass protection.
Both Frye and Anderson took advantage of the extra time in the pocket, and the Browns gave up just one sack, on a cornerback blitz from the right side.
Expect blitzes from every angle Thursday against the Steelers (5-7), who have a penchant for confusing young quarterbacks.
Pittsburgh has totaled 13 sacks against Cleveland in its past two games.
"They are a blitz-zone team," Crennel said. "They are not going to change that because of who the quarterback is. They might do more of it considering who the quarterback is." [email protected]

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

BROWNS REPORT
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
STEVE DOERSCHUK

BROWNS REPORT Jawin? Joey
Never at a loss for words, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter weighed in on a few topics during a Tuesday conference call:
? On how the Steelers perceive the Browns who lost to Pittsburgh 24-20 compared to the ones who lost 41-0 on Christmas Eve: ?It?s not about earning my respect. They have to figure that out for themselves. The last two times we?ve played, we?ve come out on top. That is how we feel going into the game, we are the better team, and we are going to play like it.?
? On verbal sparring with tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. when the teams collided three Sundays ago: ?He was saying how he was going to be the difference-maker, how he had never played us, and it wasn?t going to be the same as when we played them before. I like that before the game. It gets me fired up. I?m looking forward to it Thursday.?
? On the Browns-Steelers rivalry: ?Some of the hatred is there, but I can?t put it up there with Baltimore and Cincinnati.?
? On trailing the Browns 20-10 before rallying: ?We weren?t playing well that day and still won. We only gave up two field goals. The points came off of a tipped interception and a return. You take that out of the game, they didn?t really do anything.?

Injury update
One reason Trent Green got on a major roll Sunday (four long TDs within five series) was the absence of the Browns? best defensive lineman, Orpheus Roye. Roye figures to be idle again because of a knee problem and is listed as doubtful. Simon Fraser and Nick Eason will rotate at end.
Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. didn?t practice Tuesday because of a sore knee that has bothered him all year. ?We have to try to manage that as best we can,? Crennel said. Expect Winslow to play at Pittsburgh.

Extra points
? Bill Cowher said prospects for safety Troy Polamaalu and wideout Hines Ward playing Thursday are ?probably not real good.? Cowher didn?t rule them out.
? Cowher said he expects ?the element of surprise? based on some of the Browns? recent offensive actions. ?They put Joshua Cribbs back there at quarterback. They used the shovel pass. They emptied the backfield against us the last game.?
? Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions at Cleveland before throwing for 224 yards in the fourth quarter of a 24-20 win. ?He made some well-timed throws,? Cowher said. ?He improvised, and sometimes, that is when he is at his best. Sometimes the best plays you have are the ones the players make on the field.?