Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers (Preseason Game)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Under the Microscope: Carolina Panthers

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QB Jake Delhomme

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Tom Casale
Date: Aug 26, 2005

What to expect tonight as John Fox's team comes to town...
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The streaking Cleveland Browns, winners of two straight preseason games by a combined 11 points, look to continue their winning ways Friday night when they host the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have split their two preseason games this year.

The Panthers lost to the Giants last week, 27-21, ending a ten game preseason winning streak. Carolina out gained the Giants in total yards, 417-290, but six costly turnovers led to the Panthers demise. Head coach John Fox was not pleased with his team’s sloppy performance. “There aren’t too many times in this league when you’re going to beat anybody when you’re minus four in the turnover ratio,� Fox told the media after the Panthers’ loss.

Other than the turnovers, the Panthers’ first-team unit was impressive against the Giants. Starting quarterback Jake Delhomme completed 15 of 19 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown pass to tight end Mike Seidman. Delhomme did throw two interceptions that killed scoring drives to offset his otherwise strong showing. Delhomme is expected to play into the third quarter Friday night against the Browns.

The Panthers’ backup quarterbacks did not fair well last week. Chris Weinke and rookie Stefan LeFors went a combined 12 of 27 for 103 yards and two interceptions. LeFors did toss a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter but the Panthers ended the night with a combined quarterback rating of 51.8. Look for Weinke, the projected backup for the Panthers, to get a lot of action Friday night once Delhomme leaves the game.

The Panthers’ power rushing attack will be a big test for the Browns’ re-vamped defense. The Panthers had a good night running the ball against the Giants, pilling up 171 yards on the ground and averaging 5.2 yards per carry. They did all that without Stephen Davis. The big news out of Panthers’ camp this week is that Davis has been working with the first-team offense. The veteran is recovering from microfracture surgery that cost him the entire 2004 season. Even though he has been practicing with the first-team offense, Browns’ fans shouldn’t expect to see Davis this week. The team plans to bring him back slowly so DeShaun Foster will continue to be the Panthers’ starting tailback. Nick Goings, Jamal Robertson and rookie Eric Shelton will see plenty of action at running back as well.

The Browns will be facing one of the NFL’s better offensive lines, particularly when running the ball. Third-year tackle Jordan Gross has returned to the right side of the line, a position he excelled at as a rookie. Gross is becoming one of the most dominant offensive tackles in the game. Left guard Mike Wahle was signed this offseason from the Packers to help solidify the left side of the line. The Panthers’ offensive line doesn’t have a lot of big name players but they are a very good run blocking unit that will provide a good test for the Cleveland defensive front. The Browns’ defense may be up to the task though. Crennel’s defense intercepted three passes and forced four fumbles against the Lions. The new look Browns’ D has only given up 27 points in two games this preseason so they won’t be intimidated by the Panthers.

The Panthers’ receivers could cause problems for an injury-riddled Browns’ secondary. Star wide receiver Steve Smith is back from a broken leg and according to the Panthers’ coaching staff, second-year receiver Keary Colbert has had a great training camp. The team has also added former Redskin Rod Gardner into the mix but he may miss this game because of an injured shin.

The Browns’ offense played much better in their second preseason game against the Lions but this week they will face a much different animal in the Panthers defensive unit. The Panthers have one of the top defenses in the NFL and arguably the best defensive line in the league. Julius Peppers is a monster. The increasingly dominant lineman showed off his athletic ability against the Giants by blowing past offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie, stripping the football from Eli Manning and then scooping up the ball and trotting 29-yards for a score.

The Browns do get a break this week as Peppers is unlikely to play because of a foot injury. Brenston Buckner, Mike Rucker and Chris Jenkins make up the rest of the defensive line. The return of Jenkins, who missed 12 games last year with a shoulder injury, is a big boost for the Panthers’ defense. The 300-pounder usually ties up two blockers at a time, allowing Peppers and others to take advantage of one-on-one matchups.

If the Browns’ offensive line can give Trent Dilfer time to throw the ball, the best matchup of the night could be the Browns’ receivers against the Panthers’ corners. Second-year man Chris Gamble and former Seahawk Ken Lucas form a strong duo for Carolina. Ricky Manning is the third corner and those three will try and stop the Browns’ trio of Antonio Bryant, Dennis Northcutt and Braylon Edwards. That battle should be fun to watch all game long.

The Panthers’ defense played well against the Giants but too many missed tackles proved costly. Carolina held Tiki Barber and company to only 90 yards rushing and Manning was only 3 for 9 but those three competitions went for 150 yards. Four missed tackles on a 10-yard pass resulted in a 90 yard touchdown reception for David Tyree. Browns’ fans can expect more overall intensity from the Panthers’ defense this Friday night.

The Browns first two preseason opponents, the Giants and Lions, are potential playoff contenders in the NFC. The Panthers, on the other hand, are one of the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Don’t pay attention to Carolina’s 7-9 record last season. Despite injuries to 14 different starters, this team still had a shot to make the playoffs in the final week of the season. The 2005 Panthers, if healthy, could be more talented than the team that went to the Super Bowl two years ago.

Since this is the third preseason game both teams should play their starters into the third quarter. This game will give Romeo Crennel a good barometer to see how the Browns measure up against one of the better teams in the league. It may only be the preseason but don’t miss this one - it should be a lot of fun.

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[exhawg]

I'm looking forward to this one. I have Carolina's D on my fantasy team. I will be interested to see how the Browns OL looks against the Panthers great DL. We also get to see Gamble and Carter.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Fred Greetham
Date: Aug 27, 2005

It's a sports cliché, but we're sports guys, so we'll say it: Sultan McCullough went from hero to goat in just a matter of minutes on Friday night. Shortly after running in a seemingly game-winning touchdown against the Panthers, Sultan McCullough lost the ball and gave the Panthers a chance to win...
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Cleveland – Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse.

That’s what it was like for running back Sultan McCullough as he scored a touchdown to give the Browns a 20-16 lead with just over five minutes to play.

However, McCullough fumbled the next time he touched the ball at the Browns’ 43 and the Panthers made the Browns pay for the miscue.

Efrem Hill scored a 21-yard touchdown on a pass from Chris Weinke with 45 seconds to play to give the Carolina Panthers a 23-20 win over the Browns. The Panthers went 43 yards in six plays for the score.

A touchdown by McCullough with 5:32 looked like it would be enough to get the Browns their third win of the preseason. However, the loss makes the Browns 2-1 as they prepare for their final preseason game at Chicago next Thursday.

Rookie quarterback Charlie Frye was at the helm on the drive that was aided by two personal foul penalties against the Panthers that kept the Browns drive alive.

There was some good news and there was some not so good news as the teams played they’re starters into the final five minutes of the third quarter. In the match up of first teams, the Panthers had a 16-10 advantage. The Browns starting units played the first two series of the second half.

Coach Romeo Crennel was encouraged by the defense’s play in the first half.

“I thought the defense stood out—the whole defense,� Romeo Crennel said. “They did a nice job.

“Overall, I thought the defense played a reasonable game, considering some of the situations they were in,� he said. “They had to go out in tough field position and were able to hold them to field goals, so I felt good about that.�

The first team defense forced the Panthers to punt twice on their first two possessions after the intermission.

Crennel wasn’t as pleased with the offense and special teams’ play in the first half.

“I need more consistency from the offense,� Crennel said. “And I need smarter play on the special teams, particularly in two-minute situations.�

The Browns offense scored one touchdown during their time in the game. They also converted one field goal from Phil Dawson, while Dawson missed a 35-yard attempt on the second series of the third quarter.

Quarterback Trent Dilfer was 15-of-23 for 168 yards. He was sacked once and he threw one interception on a deflection. Dilfer’s longest throw was a 39-yard toss to Dennis Northcutt down the sideline to set up the Browns’ first touchdown.

William Green continued his quest to win the starting running back job by scoring a touchdown on a four-yard run. He finished with 30 yards on seven carries and caught two passes for five yards.

The Browns Panthers moved the ball but the Browns defense stiffened and held them to two field goals on their first two possessions. The second drive was just 17 yards and ended with a 45-yard field goal by Kasay. The second field goal was set up by a 24 yard punt by Richardson. Kasay kicked his third field goal of the first half from 34 yards out to give the Panthers a 9-0 lead.

The Browns first got on the board on a Dawson 26-yard field goal after linebacker Ben Taylor recovered a fumble at the Panthers’ 16 to make it 9-3.

The Browns went 53 yards on five plays in 2:38 to take the lead at 10-9 with 36 seconds to play in the first half on a four-yard run by William Green. The big play of the drive was when Dennis Northcutt got behind Ken Lucas and Trent Dilfer hit him for a 39-yard pass to the Panthers’ nine. Green had a five yard rush followed by the touchdown.

The Browns 10-9 lead was short-lived as the Panthers answered with a 30-yard touchdown pass form Delhomme to Steve Smith. The Panthers went 53 yards in just three plays to take a 16-10 lead at the half.

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Game Notes: Browns - Panthers

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Mr. Lang and Mr. Delhomme

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Fred Greetham
Date: Aug 27, 2005

Notes from the Browns 23-20 pre-season loss to the Carolina Panthers
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Notes from the Browns 23-20 pre-season loss to the Carolina Panthers:

Running Back Battle: Rueben Droughns got his first start in place of RB Lee Suggs and had 10 carries for 28 yards (2.8 avg.). He also caught a 34-yard pass reception on a short pass in the flat from QB Trent Dilfer and he took it up the sidelines. William Green spelled Droughns in the second quarter and had seven carries for 30 yards (4.3 avg.), including a touchdown. His longest run was 11 yards. He also caught two passes for five yards.

QB Derby: Doug Johnson followed Dilfer in the rotation and was not very impressive in his two series. He was 2–of-5 for 17 yards and had a couple of passes deflected. He also was sacked. The crowd was chanting for rookie Charlie Frye during Johnson’s second series. Frye entered in the fourth quarter with 10:22 to play. He threw to fellow rookie WR Braylon Edwards on the first two plays. Edwards dropped the first pass and then caught the second one for no gain. Frye was blind sided by CB Dante Wesley for a 12-yard loss, but Wesley was called for a personal foul for hitting Frye in the head to give the Browns a first down. Frye hit tight end Paul Irons for a 23-yard gain on the next play to take the ball down to the Panthers’ 31. He then scrambled for an 18-yard gain to the Panthers’ 11. He finished just 3–of-8 for 26 yards. He rushed twice for 22 yards. Frye led the Browns on an 11 play touchdown drive on his first series to give the Browns the lead. On the first play of his second series,

Getting Personal: S Marlon McCree was flagged for hitting Edwards in the helmet in the end zone and causing Edwards to drop the ball. The penalty gave the Browns a first down inside the 10 and two plays later, RB Sultan McCullough scampered in from two yards out for the score. Earlier on the drive, CB Dante Wesley was called for a personal foul when he hit Frye in the head on a third down sack.

Romeo’s Drill Paid Off: Romeo Crennel closed practice last week with a drill for about 10 minutes where he tried to get the players to jump offsides. It paid off as the Panthers tried to get the Browns to jump off side on a fourth-and-1 with 7:55 to play in the third quarter.

Cutter: WR Dennis Northcutt had four catches in the first half for 58 yards, including a 39-yarder that set up the Browns first touchdown. Northcutt also had a four-yard punt return.

Less Flags: The Browns accomplished one of their goals as they cut down on the number of penalties. The starting unit had just six for 40 yards. In the first two games the Browns had double digit penalties. They had just four in the first half, but a costly holding call on CB Ray Mickens gave the Panthers a first down after the Browns stopped the Panthers on third down and 15.

Crying Foul: OL Melvin Fowler played left guard for Joe Andruzzi for most of the second quarter. Fowler is listed as the backup center and played some guard in Andruzzi was given a rest.

Fumbling: LB Justin Kurpeikis recovered a fumble caused by Ethan Kelley on the Panthers’ 32 with 12 minutes to play in the fourth quarter and the Browns turned it into a 47-yard field goal by Dawson to cut the Panthers’ lead to 16-13. Dawson missed a 35-yard attempt a few moments before. DL Alvin McKinley stripped RB DeShuan Foster of the ball in the second quarter at the Panthers’ 15 and LB Ben Taylor recovered to set up the Browns first score, a 28-yard field goal by Dawson.

Sack Men: LB Kenard Lang picked up his first sack after being converted from a defensive lineman. He sacked QB Jake Delhomme for a yard loss. Later in the second quarter CB Ray Mickens sacked Delhomme.

Punting Duel: P Kyle Richardson shanked his first punt of the game as the ball went just 24 yards. His second punt went 46 yards and was out of bounds at the 12. His third punt was for 55 yards and went out of bounds at the Panthers’ six. Derrick Frost’s first punt went 44 yards.

Walking Wounded: CB Gary Baxter (concussion), CB Daylon McCutcheon (headaches), CB Michael Lehan (hamstring), RB Lee Suggs (ankle), OL Jonathan Dunn (ankle) and DL Amon Gordon were all inactive. RB Stephen Davis, LB Brandon Short and DE Julius Peppers were inactive for Carolina. RB Reuben Droughns started in place of Suggs, while Ray Mickens and Leigh Bodden started in place of Baxter and Lehan.

On the opening kickoff, LB Renauld Williams suffered a hip flexor and did not return. It marked the second-straight home game that a player was injured on the opening kickoff. S Brodney Pool suffered a concussion on the opening play against the Giants. DB Antwan Harris was injured in the fourth quarter, but it appeared to not be serious.

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