Cleveland Browns (2008 Season)

[osugrad21]

Canton

Inside the game
Monday, September 29, 2008


THEY WON IT HERE

Rookie Alex Hall showed up ? both good and bad ? but his strip sack of Cincinnati QB Ryan Fitzpatrick with 2:10 left in the game broke the Bengals' spirit and chances. On Cincy's previous drive the Bengals moved down the field in eight plays and scored. Cleveland was holding on to a 17-12 lead when Hall beat his man around the left end and stripped Fitzpatrick of the ball and Corey Williams recovered at Cincinnati's 36. The Browns turned it into a field goal and sealed the game. Hall was also whistled for two offside penalties ? two of the four offsides the Browns' defense had.

THEY SAID IT

"We got the monkey off our back, so to speak, in that we have won a game now, and we're not out of the division race. We don't know what will happen down the road, but we know it's not going to be easy."

Head Coach Romeo Crennel,on his first win this season

"Yeah. It has. Since December. That is forever."

Browns QB Derek Anderson on the team winningtheir first game since last December

"Every time we lose, I'm tired of saying what I have to say. I'd rather come in here and say a lot less by winning."

Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis on his fourth loss in as many games this seasonPLAYER OFTHE GAME

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[osugrad21]

Blade

Article published Monday, September 29, 2008
UGLY, BUT IT STILL COUNTS
Anderson saves job; Browns get by Bengals
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CINCINNATI - Three quarters, three points. Cleveland's offense was having another meltdown day, and Derek Anderson was running out of chances to keep his job. The quarterback's one good moment was enough to save his job - and the Browns' season too. With Brady Quinn on the sideline ready to take over at any time yesterday, the embattled Anderson threw a touchdown pass and rallied the Browns to a 20-12 victory over a winless Cincinnati Bengals team missing its starting quarterback. "I decided to give him another chance," said coach Romeo Crennel, who considered replacing Anderson. "He went ahead and took advantage of it and finished on a good note." Anderson threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards that put the Browns (1-3) ahead to stay in the fourth quarter, his best play on an afternoon that had few of them. Even that moment came with an asterisk: A Bengals penalty wiped out a potential interception on the drive. Anderson wore a green T-shirt, tan cargo shorts, brown flip-flops, and a big grin to his postgame news conference. He cut off the first mention of losing his job. "Nope, don't go there," said Anderson, who went 15-of-24 for 138 yards with an interception. "I stayed in the game. You're not going to score every single down." He had help from the down-and-out Bengals. Carson Palmer rested a sore passing elbow that forced him to miss a game for the first time since 2004, a huge setback for a struggling offense. Cincinnati couldn't do much behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, who hadn't completed a pass in a regular-season game in three years. Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions and finished the game as Cincinnati's leading rusher with 41 yards on four scrambles, underscoring the Bengals' futility. They're 0-4 for the first time since 2002, when they went a franchise-worst 2-12 that got coach Dick LeBeau fired.
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[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Browns 20, Bengals 12
No lipstick for this pig
Browns post first win in ugly outing by both teams
Monday, September 29, 2008 3:10 AM
By Scott Priestle


The Columbus Dispatch

David Kohl | Associated Press
Browns quarterback Derek Anderson stretches for extra yardage while being brought down at the 1-yard line by Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers.




CINCINNATI -- On a perfect afternoon for football, 65,541 chose instead to watch the Bengals and Cleveland Browns. They endured the Cincinnati debut of Ryan Fitzpatrick, sat through another frustrating performance by Derek Anderson and saw little to suggest either team is headed for better things. The Browns were a little less bad and emerged with a 20-12 win, but neither team deserved the blue skies and cool breeze that kissed Paul Brown Stadium.
They combined for five offside penalties and another that was declined. They burned three timeouts because they had the wrong defensive players on the field -- two by the Bengals, who could have used the timeouts in the final minutes.
The teams traded turnovers on one play in the second quarter -- the Bengals gained 6 yards and a first down on the exchange. They had matching fumbles in the fourth quarter. The Browns recovered both and turned them into seven points, which essentially decided the game.
"It's becoming the same thing over and over," Bengals cornerback Leon Hall said.
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[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Bob Hunter commentary: Bye week is the perfect time to say hello to Quinn

Monday, September 29, 2008 3:08 AM
By bob hunter





CINCINNATI - A reporter was bearing down on Derek Anderson. He had seen the way the Cleveland quarterback had played in a three-point Browns' first half -- the word lousy leaps to mind -- and the beginning of the second half had started no better. Derek, you had the pick to start the second half and a three-and-out after that, and then you had a nice touchdown drive. How important was that series? Did you know that if things didn't go well on that third series, that you
"Nope," Anderson said.
I'm sorry, what's that?
"Nope," Anderson said. "Don't go there."
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[osugrad21]

DDN

GM resists taking drastic measures

By Tom Withers
Associated Press

Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BEREA ? Browns general manager Phil Savage could have taken the easy way out and done something radical after Cleveland's disappointing 0-3 start.
He could have fired coach Romeo Crennel and/or dismissed the rest of Cleveland's staff. He could have traded embattled starting quarterback Derek Anderson. He could have quit.
Instead, while others were clamoring for major changes, Savage decided to dig in.
"I've talked to people around the league, people who have been in this business for a long time, coaches, front-office types, and you don't go blowing things up after a couple games," Savage said Monday, Sept. 29. "We've had a dry spell for those first couple weeks, you're not going to be successful in this league doing that."
One day after the Browns (1-3) finally got their first win, 20-12 over the short-handed and equally inept Cincinnati Bengals, Savage discussed the state of his struggling team.
Savage didn't offer excuses for the Browns, who have been ravaged by injuries since training camp. And although Crennel indicated that the club contemplated benching Anderson for Brady Quinn ? last week and again on Sunday ? Savage said the team has confidence Anderson, a Pro Bowler last season, will work his way through an early season slump.
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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Savage declining drastic changes Anderson and Crennel have support of GM, even as fans complain
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008
BEREA: On Monday morning, a worker on East Fourth Street in downtown Cleveland was still incensed that coach Romeo Crennel stuck with Derek Anderson when he struggled through the first three quarters Sunday at Cincinnati.
''He went with a lousy quarterback in a must-win game,'' he said, not caring that the Browns prevailed 20-12.
That young man will be no happier today.
General Manager Phil Savage threw his support behind both Anderson and Crennel on Monday, saying now was not the time to make drastic changes. The injury-plagued Browns are 1-3 with a bye this weekend before hosting the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants on Monday Night Football on Oct. 13.
Savage denied the team seriously considered a switch to backup Brady Quinn, which seemed to contradict Crennel and executive adviser Jim Brown, the latter on a national radio show.
''I've talked to people around the league, people who have been in this business for a

long time, and you don't go blowing things up after a couple games,'' Savage said. ''You're not going to be successful in this league doing that.
''It's not been any thought of changing quarterbacks, changing the coach, or any of that. That's not the thing to do at this juncture of the season. You've got to give the people a chance to pull themselves out of the situation. We all put ourselves in this spot and we're the ones who have got to pull us out of it.''
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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Good timing for Stallworth Injured receiver says he'll be ready to play against Giants after bye week
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008
BEREA: Receiver Donte' Stallworth could be the biggest beneficiary of the bye week.
Yet to play after pulling his right quadriceps in pregame warmups for the opener Sept. 7, Stallworth felt he was ''pretty close'' to being ready for Sunday's victory at Cincinnati, but ''it just wasn't quite there.''
The Browns are off until a Monday Night Football appearance Oct. 13 at home against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
''I didn't feel like I was really ready to beat anyone,'' Stallworth said. ''I can run straight ahead fine, but the cutting and [getting] in and out of my breaks wasn't quite there yet. My biggest thing was trying to be smart and not become a liability out there or injure myself further. Now with this bye week, I get another two weeks and I'll be ready to roll this game.
''I'm excited to take my cheerleading outfit off and put on a Cleveland Browns uniform.''
Playing for his fourth team in four years, seven-year veteran Stallworth came from the New England Patriots in March. General Manager Phil Savage said when Stallworth was hurt that the medical staff said he would miss two to four weeks.
Stallworth said he's felt ''terrible'' being inactive.
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[osugrad21]

CPD

Fact is, Browns need to play better

by Terry Pluto Monday September 29, 2008, 9:32 PM


Tony Dejak, Associated PressFiring Romeo Crennel is not the answer right now for the Browns, but the coach needs to fix the many problems on his team.
It's the quarter pole of the NFL season and the Browns are 1-3, with a sense of disappointment and underachievement hanging over them. It's also a team that does have the talent to get back to .500 this season, a team that should play better over the next dozen games. But it's also a team that won't improve unless there are some significant changes.
Myth: All the Browns need to do is change coaches.
Fact: It's too late or too early for that. You don't change coaches in the middle of the season unless you have a long-term replacement available. And Bill Cowher is too smart to take over any team at midseason when he can't hire his own staff and put his own system in place.
So it's up to Romeo Crennel and his assistants to fix what they can, and that starts with in-game coaching.
There can't be any more strange field-goal attempts, and somehow, the Browns need to be smoother when it comes to clock management. Near halftime of the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati games, Crennel and his staff appeared uncertain about how to use their timeouts and seconds ticked away.
Phil Savage said it's up to Romeo Crennel "and the people in the building" to turn the season around. He said he was not going to "blow up" the team, meaning the coach or quarterback -- unless Crennel was strongly in favor of a quarterback change.
After mentioning injuries and other problems, the general manager admitted that some of the criticism about Crennel "was brought on himself." The general manager didn't say it, but the message is clear -- this stuff sticks to the coaches because it can be avoided.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Browns insider

by Mary Kay Cabot Monday September 29, 2008, 9:09 PM


The bye week comes at an opportune time for receiver Donte' Stallworth, who said Monday he'll be ready to make his Browns debut against the Giants in the big Monday night game Oct. 13.
"I was pretty close to being ready [Sunday], but it just wasn't quite there," he said. "My biggest thing is I didn't want to become a liability, so I feel like now with this bye week, it gives me an extra week to be ready and try to strengthen everything. I'm excited to take my cheerleading outfit off and put on a Cleveland Browns uniform."
He said he thinks his experience can be a factor.

"It can definitely help out some of the younger guys, as far as being able to go out and hopefully make some plays," Stallworth said.
He said he suffered no setbacks last week despite the fact he practiced midweek and then sat out Friday.
"No, but on a personal level, I didn't feel like I was really ready to beat anyone," he said. "I can run straight ahead fine, but the cutting -- obviously what I do playing receiver and in and out of my breaks -- wasn't quite there yet."
The Browns' biggest off-season acquisition on offense, Stallworth said he felt terrible being out the whole first quarter of the season.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Savage shows support for Anderson, Crennel

by [email protected] Monday September 29, 2008, 8:18 PM


Browns General Manager Phil Savage pledged his unswerving support Monday for embattled quarterback Derek Anderson and coach Romeo Crennel.
"Derek deserves the right to build off what was done last year," Savage said in his bye-week news conference. "We feel like we have enough good players, enough people around [Anderson] and that he's a good enough talent with his ability that we're going to pull out of this and have our best football out in front of us here with him as the quarterback."
He said the Browns have two good quarterbacks with a future in the NFL and that it's a delicate balance to handle.
"But in our minds, D.A. still gives us our best chance to win," Savage said. "I think he deserves the right to continue to try to fight and help our offense move the football. That's where we are right now."
As for Crennel, who's guided the team to a 1-3 record in his fourth season, Savage said: "It's a heck of a struggle when you start off 0-3 and people are pulling at you in a lot of different directions. It's important to have a head coach who's going to stand in there and who quite frankly is man enough to take some of the criticism. Some of them, he's brought on himself, there's no doubt about that. You have to have a head coach who's strong enough to take it. Romeo does that. I think the players know that, and they appreciate it. As long as they play hard for him, I don't think we have any issues at that position."

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Upon Further Review: Short-handed Bengals just what doctor ordered for Browns

by Dennis Manoloff Monday September 29, 2008, 10:59 AM

JOSHUA GUNTER / THE PLAIN DEALERBrowns cornerback Brandon McDonald is congratulated by teammates after a big tackle during the Browns' 20-12 win Sunday in Cincinnati.
Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff watched the CBS Sports game tape of the Browns' 20-12 victory at Cincinnati. Here are some of his observations:
FIRST QUARTER
* Shaun Rogers appeared to force the center into tangling feet with Ryan Fitzpatrick, who tripped for a 5-yard loss.
*Rex Hadnot and Lawrence Vickers helped spring Jamal Lewis for 18 yards at 13:00.
* On the next play, Vickers and Joe Thomas helped Lewis gain 8.
* Steve Heiden and Vickers provided a hole for Jason Wright to gain 9 at 11:17.
* Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski called one too many running plays on Browns' first drive, which ended with Phil Dawson's 25-yard field goal.
* Rogers continued to win his one-on-one battles.
* Eric Wright made a good play to knock the ball away from Chad Johnson at 8:03.
* On third-and-5 from the Cleveland 46 with 5:05 left, Derek Anderson was on target to Syndric Steptoe for 7. Anderson's throw went where only Steptoe could catch it.
* Vickers sprung Jerome Harrison for 10 yards around left end at 4:21.
* At 1:30, Brandon McDonald blitzed off the right side and dumped Chris Perry for a 4-yard loss. McDonald seemed to know the second-and-2 play was coming.

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[osugrad21]

Canton

Savage: Win was just a relief
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BY STEVE DOERSCHUK
[email protected]

BEREA What would Phil Savage have said about his quarterback and head coach had his team lost Sunday?

He appreciated not having to go there.

"When you're 0-3 and get your first win," Savage said Monday, "there's not much joy. It's just relief to be honest with you."

The Browns' general manager went on the offensive in a state-of-the-team talk, indicating there are no plans to relieve quarterback Derek Anderson or Head Coach Romeo Crennel of their duties.

"We have spent three-plus years trying to put this team together, get our best players onto the field," Savage said in a patient, solemn tone. "I know for a fact, 1,000 percent ... I have talked to people around the league, people who have been in this business a long time, coaches, front office types ... and you don't go blowing this (up) after a couple games.

"You are not going to do it and be successful in this league doing that."

Before Sunday's 20-12 win at Cincinnati ? and to a lesser extent after a tense victory against an 0-4 team ? Anderson and Crennel were focal points of fan anger.

"There has not been any thought of really changing quarterbacks, changing the coach or anything like that," Savage said, "because that is not the thing to do at this juncture in the season. You just don't do that. You have got to give the people a chance to pull themselves out of the situation."

The Browns are heading into a bye week, then host the Giants in a Monday night game.

More from Savage as the Browns take a break at the quarter pole of the season.

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[osugrad21]

Canton

Sports spotlight: It's not time to judge Browns without all their parts
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BY TODD PORTER
[email protected]

BEREA The steady face, the boyish looks and the even-temperment make Phil Savage the perfect general manager for a football team that is 1-3 a quarter of the way through the season. Savage made the Browns' one win in four games during a year when much more was expected almost palatable.

The Browns, frankly, don't belong on the same field with the Cowboys. Dallas is a Super Bowl contender. Cleveland is hoping to win one more game than the last team that doesn't make the playoffs.

Savage is correct that the offense has been handicapped with quarterback Derek Anderson, wide receiver Braylon Edwards and running back Jamal Lewis all missing significant playing time in the preseason. Dont? Stallworth's quadricep pull is hurting the team as much as the training camp time missed by the other three combined.

Would some of us have yanked Romeo Crennel and Anderson by now? Probably, but those are the same people who would change quarterbacks and a head coach sooner than they would change underwear.

"There has not been any thought of really changing quarterbacks, changing the coach or anything of the like because that is not the thing to do at this juncture in the season," Savage said.

A move at either position is akin to pushing the button on the season and blowing it up.

Have the Browns underachieved? Yes. Is it Crennel's fault? Anderson's? Not part and parcel.

Judge them after the bye week when Stallworth is back, and Anderson, Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis and Kellen Winslow Jr. have their timing down.

Comparing scores from one week to another isn't a great matrix to work, but it's the only one we have until the game is played. The Giants needed overtime at home to beat the Bengals with Carson Palmer. Did anyone think Ryan Fitzpatrick was going to beat the Browns at home Sunday?
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[LitlBuck]

Quinn versus Anderson

I watched a Cleveland Browns show last night on TV and it was very interesting that Tony Grossi pointed out the fact that Anderson wore playcalling bands on both wrists. I have never seen a QB wearing bands on both wrists and neither has TG. I guess it brings up the fact that he could still be suffering a little from his concussion but I seriously doubt if they would play him if there was any indication of that but then why the two bands. Just doesn't make sense. Plus, he couldn't even throw the ball into the end zone from the 50 yard line and arm strength is supposed to be one of his biggest assets.

Also, I just don't understand what the Browns are going to do with Quinn and Anderson. If Brady was going to get a shot, it certainly would have been at the beginning of the second half this past Sunday. I would think that they really need to see what he brings to the table before the season comes to a close. I know there are 12 games remaining below both Romeo and Savage are stuck on Anderson. One of those guys will have to be traded at the end of the season because you could only have that type of situation for so long before things really start to get ugly with players taking sides. Granted, winning solves a lot of things but something still will need to be done with one of these two guys at the end of the season.

 

[Crashcup]

NFB, Is it too soon to declare that the World Series is again safe from the Browns crashing their party?

The weight this team places on my shoulders each year is unbearable.

I think I can, I am a fan, I think I am