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Cleveland Browns vs Miami Dolphins

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OSUBasketballJunkie

OSUBasketballJunkie

Never Forget 31-0
yahoo.com

11/17/05


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560>Miami (3-6) at Cleveland (3-6)

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Miami (3-6) at Cleveland (3-6)</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=ysptblclbg3 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2 height=5><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD> Game Info: 1:00 pm EST Sun Nov 20, 2005
TV: CBS </TD><TD noWrap align=right>Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2 colSpan=2 height=1><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR><TR class=yspwhitebg><TD colSpan=2 height=15><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Chris Chambers is having trouble catching. Braylon Edwards is having trouble catching on.


After Chambers struggled in a key divisional game last weekend, the Miami Dolphins look to bounce back when they take on a struggling Cleveland Browns team with a rookie pining for more playing time.

For the second week in a row, with a game on the line, the Dolphins chose to throw and lost.

With a first down at the 5-yard line and 58 seconds left, Gus Frerotte threw four consecutive times. The last pass glanced off Chambers' hands in the end zone, giving the New England Patriots a 23-16 win last Sunday.
Chambers earlier dropped three passes in the game.

"We still have all the confidence in him," Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael said of Chambers. "He's our No. 1 guy, and we're going to continue to go to him."


Against Atlanta on Nov. 6, with the running game clicking, Frerotte threw at the 8-yard line on the Dolphins' final play and was intercepted, costing them a chance to force overtime in a 17-10 loss.

"We should be able to get it in there," Miami coach Nick Saban said. "I don't care who you are playing, you have to take advantage of your opportunities."

The play-calling last week was easier to defend because Frerotte riddled New England's injury-plagued secondary for 360 yards, his highest total since 2000. The Dolphins totaled a season-high 437 yards, but lost for the fifth time in six games.
Frerotte was unable to throw in practice Wednesday because of a sprained right index finger and is questionable for Sunday's game. If he can't play, Sage Rosenfels will start for the second time in his five-year NFL career.

"It's basically taking a day off and letting it feel a little bit better," Frerotte said. "I've played long enough in this league that missing one day is not a big deal. Today is not Sunday, so we'll see."

Frerotte was able to grip a ball Wednesday, but Rosenfels took most of the snaps in practice.

"The swelling is the issue," Saban said. "When that comes out, we'll know what he can and can't do."

The Browns could have used some big plays by anyone during Sunday night's 34-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Edwards insists he can provide Cleveland with a spark.

The Browns have brought Edwards along slowly in his first season. They've been reluctant to anoint their first-round draft choice -- No. 3 overall -- as anything more than what he is: a highly touted rookie who still has a lot to learn.

But Edwards, who caught two passes for 64 yards against Pittsburgh, feels the team should be utilizing his playmaking skills more.

"It's time for me to make plays," Edwards said. "That's what it's time for."

For weeks, Edwards has stayed silent while he has split playing time in Cleveland's first-team offense with Dennis Northcutt.

"That's what I do. That's what I was drafted for," Edwards said. "I was drafted to make plays, and it gets to a point where you have to give it to the guy who is here to make plays."

Browns cornerback Daylon McCutcheon's status is uncertain for this contest after he sustained an abdominal injury when Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward inadvertently slammed his knee into his mid-section while the two battled for a pass in the end zone.

An MRI taken on McCutcheon on Monday was negative.

"I've had the wind knocked out of me before," McCutcheon said. "This was way worse than that." Not having the six-year veteran would be another major blow for the Browns, who have already lost cornerback Gary Baxter to a season-ending injury. Also, starting offensive guard Joe Andruzzi (knee, calf) and kick returner Joshua Cribbs (neck stinger) are hurt.
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11/17/05


Frerotte’s status uncertain for Sunday’s Browns game
Thursday, November 17, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer [/FONT]

DAVIE, Fla. - Perennial reserve Sage Rosenfels found himself surrounded in the locker room by notebooks and TV cameras, which could only mean one thing: The Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback is hurt.

Rosenfels took most of the snaps in practice Wednesday because Gus Frerotte is nursing a sprained right index finger and is listed as questionable — 50-50 — for Sunday’s game at Cleveland.

The situation is familiar for Rosenfels, even though he has started only one NFL game.

“This is my fourth year here,” he said, “and I’ve been in this position 20 times probably where the starter isn’t 100 percent healthy.”

Frerotte hurt his finger when it hit the helmet of a blitzing linebacker in the first half of last Sunday’s loss to New England. He received an injection at halftime, threw 30 times in the second half and finished with 360 yards passing, his highest total in five years.

Despite the performance, Miami (3-6) lost for the fifth time in six games. Fans have clamored during the skid for Rosenfels to replace Frerotte, who ranks 28th in the NFL in passing. Despite the travails of quarterbacks Jay Fiedler, A.J. Feeley and Brian Griese in recent years, former Dolphins Coach Dave Wannstedt never gave Rosenfels a crack at No. 1.
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scout.com

11/18/05

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Backups May Face Chambers

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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By NFL Scout

Date: Nov 18, 2005

If Cutch can't go, Browns backup CBs will have to stop the dangerous Miami receiver...
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Coach Romeo Crennel is mending his secondary with Ray Mickens and Michael Lehan while left cornerback Daylon McCutcheon recovers from a bruised abdomen. McCutcheon was hurt in the first quarter in the game against the Steelers last week and was taken from the field on a backboard.
McCutcheon practiced Wednesday. He hopes to play against the Dolphins, but the Browns are prepared in case he cannot. On Wednesday they signed cornerback James Thornton to the practice squad as insurance.
Mickens had been the nickel back. Lehan didn't play much in the secondary until injuries piled up.
Whoever lines up at left corner will be matched against Miami's Chris Chambers, who leads the Dolphins with 36 catches and five touchdowns. Chambers is 5-foot-11. Mickens is 5-foot-8 and McCutcheon 5-foot-10, so size won't be a major issue. Lehan is the tallest of the bunch at 6 feet.
Mickens played nine seasons with the Jets. They released him in training camp after signing Ty Law. The Browns signed Mickens on Aug. 18, when they started running short on healthy cornerbacks. Mickens knows the Dolphins better than any player on the Browns roster, having played in the same division as Miami for nine seasons.
"If Daylon can't go, then we'll roll," Mickens said Wednesday. "We'll be all right. We have some talent here. People are going to get hurt. You have to make adjustments and be prepared.
"Right now we're just looking to get better and play our best game of the season against Miami."
The Browns have been relatively healthy this season, but cornerback has been hit hard. McCutcheon missed most of training camp because of headaches. Starting right cornerback Gary Baxter is already on injured reserve recovering from pectoral surgery. Leigh Bodden started the last three games at right corner and will start against the Dolphins.
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11/20/05

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Browns-Dolphins: Game Preview

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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Greg Hensley

Date: Nov 19, 2005

Greg Hensley returns with another look ahead to this week's game, examining how the Browns and Dolphins match up on offense and defense. Get a peek at what the Browns will face in CBS this weekend.
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Miami Offense
Miami is similar to the Browns in that they are undecided upon being a running team or a passing team. They have the backs to pound the ball repeatedly when they choose to do so but they also possess talented receiving threats, which can spread out opposing defenses. So far this season they are more of a throw to set up the run type of offense but that will likely change after these last 2 weeks of losing games in the final minute because they tried to throw the ball in goal line situations.
Offensive Line
The Dolphins offensive line is not the same line that was struggling earlier in the year. Hudson Houck, in my opinion, is the best offensive line coach in the business. All he has managed to do is once again turn a very suspect line into an exceptionally cohesive unit. Individually the talent is somewhat lacking but Houck understands how to coach and teach. The Dolphins have not given up a sack in the last two weeks and they are opening up running lanes for Ricky and Ronnie despite the right side having two very inexperienced players manning the guard and tackle positions.
Tackle Vernon Carey and guard Rex Hadnot are a young but talented tandem on the right side. Both are second year players. Rex was a sixth round selection and Carey a first. At right tackle, the emergence of Vernon Carey has been a blessing for the Dolphins. Vernon is very mobile, likes to get out into the secondary, and continues to block until the whistle is blown. He is the blocker that Ronnie Brown likes to get behind and follow up the field. Rex plays with a very low center of gravity and has a knack for planting his feet, getting low and just driving into the defender. This is the strength of the line despite the inexperience.
RB
Many refer to the Dolphins as the Ricky and Ronnie show but Ricky Williams has only been a shadow of himself since his year away from football. Ronnie Brown on the other hand is the leading candidate for rookie of the year. Ronnie is a big powerful back that can wear you down but he also posses that speed and balance to leave defenders grasping at shoestrings. He possesses excellent hands receiving the ball. If both backs can find their groove over these final seven games, the Dolphins may just find themselves back in the AFC East title hunt.
QB
Mistakes at the quarterback position have been the issue for the Dolphins since Dan Marino traded in his helmet for a microphone. This has not changed with Gus Frerotte at the helm. He has had his moments and put up incredible numbers at times but mistakes at key moments is one of the reasons this talented Miami team is struggling. It is not the pressure that rattles Gus but the mixing up of zone coverage. Keep him guessing and he will make mistakes but continue to show the same defense and he will shred it. Gus remains questionable for Sunday's game with an injury to a finger on his throwing hand. If Gus does not go, look for Sage Rosenfels to get the nod.
Receivers
Miami has five legitimate threats receiving the football. Receivers Chris Chambers, Wes Welker, and Marty Booker along with tight end Randy McMichael and running back Ronnie Brown all bring different threats in the passing game. They like to use multiple receiving threats to isolate the one on one match up against the linebacker while spreading out opposing defenses.
Chris Chambers is the go to guy in this offence but he must show more consistency to be regarded as that true #1 receiver. He has good speed and he will go up and fight for the ball. He is also Gus’s favorite red zone target.
Randy McMichael is only one reception and one touch down behind Chambers. He will go across the middle proving that big target, and is willing to take the big hit just to move the chains. He is another favorite goal line target, which usually consists of blocking and then sliding out into the secondary once the defense has committed.
Wes Welker is a threat the moment he walks out of the locker room. If I had to pick a Dolphins MVP at this point in the season, it would be Wes Welker. Wes is a dynamic athlete that is always finding a way to be involved whether its returning punts, returning kicks or out in the slot. Wes has speed and that balance which is a nightmare for opposing defensive backs. The best way to slow him down is off the snap. When Wes enters the slot, jam him hard at the line and make him fight his way up field.

Miami Defense
Defensively the Dolphins play a base 4-3 scheme but they will also move into the 3-4. Their scheme is dependant upon pressure from the outside with defensive ends Jason Taylor and Kevin Carter while allowing the defensive tackles to play the run and eat up blockers. This allows Zach Thomas the luxury of sliding into the gaps and stopping the run or getting pressure upon the quarterback when need be.
When they move into the 3-4, Jason Taylor will often drop back into the outside linebacker role. This is to prevent the wear and tear upon his body. This team still has not fully grasped the 3-4 scheme and is struggling at times when they make the switch to this alignment.
Defensive Line
This is the most experienced unit in all of football. Kevin Carter, Keith Traylor, Vonnie Holiday and Jason Taylor combine for 43 years of NFL experience between them. No other team comes close to that kind of experience. The front four will make very few mistakes. Carter and Taylor can bring the heat off the edge, while Traylor and Holiday are good at not only stuffing the run but also opening lanes for Zach Thomas to come in and make plays. To defeat that kind experience and pressure, you have to wear them down by pounding the ball right between the tackles.
Linebackers
This unit is arguably the best LB core in football from sideline to sideline. Junior Seau is not the same player that once dominated the game but you cannot overlook anyone with 16 years of experience. That experience is a tremendous benefit for rookie Channing Crowder. Crowder is having a superb year and once he masters this Nick Saban defense, he could be the next star on this very good Dolphins defense. Zach Thomas solidifies the interior of the line. Zach struggles when Miami switches to their 3-4 but you would not know it by going on stats alone, as Zach is leading the NFL in tackles.
Secondary
The Miami secondary is the weakest unit on this team. Travis Daniels has talent but he is a rookie and with any rookie corner there is that 3-year learning curve. On the opposite side, Sam Madison is one of those vet corners that simply understands the position. He is not one of those ball-hawking corners but he makes very few mental mistakes. The safety position remains a glaring issue as neither safety has ever seen a play action fake that they did not love. This leaves them extremely vulnerable on the deep pass.
Browns Battle Plan
Offensively
The Browns are going to run at Zach Thomas play after play. Reuben Droughns may get 35 rushing attempts this game as the Browns look to wear down the aged defensive line and the smaller inside backer, Zach Thomas. Zach is not as good when the back is coming directly at him. He prefers angles due to his lack of size and he does not like going head to head against the bigger backs. Also, look for center Jeff Faine to attack Zach early and often.
The Browns will also look to throw over the safeties and test the rookie corner Travis Daniels. Braylon Edwards has been extremely vocal about his opportunities within this offense and he just might get his wish this week against Daniels.
Defensively
Ronnie Brown is a nightmare for any defense and when you consider the Browns have struggled against the speed backs, this game will not be easy. Safeties Chris Crocker and Brian Russell must show more willingness to come up in run support. Another effort like the one they had in Pittsburgh will produce the same results that we saw last week. The Browns may look to have Andra Davis follow Ronnie Brown wherever he goes, as he is a double threat in this offense.
The Browns need Daylon McCutheon to get healthy. Last week Daylon was hampered by an ankle injury, which resulted in his being picked apart by Charlie Batch and Hines Ward, until, he left the game due to injury. His replacement Ray Mickens looked like a rookie corner making his first start. The Browns will need to jam the Dolphins receivers at the line and slow them down. Mickens covering Wes Welker is not something that I am looking forward to seeing and it might be a good time to introduce Michael Lehan to the nickel package.
Bottom Line
If the Browns are to win this game, they must establish their offense early. In the first quarter, the Dolphins have been outscored 47-23.
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yahoo.com

11/20/05


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560>Cleveland 22, Miami 0

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Cleveland 22, Miami 0</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
November 20, 2005
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Once Reuben Droughns got loose, the Cleveland Browns simply ran away from the Miami Dolphins.

Droughns, showing all his moves, scored on a 75-yard run on Cleveland's first play and finished with 166 yards as the Browns put together their most complete game this season, roughing up the Miami Dolphins 22-0 on Sunday.
Frustrated at their inability to make big plays, the Browns (4-6) made more than a handful on both sides of the ball while getting their second shutout in 107 games since returning to the NFL in 1999.

Cleveland's defense held Miami to 67 yards passing and forced Dolphins coach Nick Saban to use an injured Gus Frerotte.


Trent Dilfer finished 11-of-18 for 137 yards and threw a 6-yard TD pass in the third quarter to Terrelle Smith as the Browns ended a six-game losing streak against Miami.

Rookie wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who earlier in the week vented his frustration at not getting more chances to make plays, had a season-high six catches for 90 yards. Edwards also hooked up a couple times with rookie quarterback Charlie Frye, who got his first action this season and went 6-of-11 for 58 yards.

In their sixth loss in seven games, the Dolphins (3-7) also lost linebacker Zach Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowl selection. He injured his right shoulder late in the first half, leaving Miami without its leading tackler.

The Dolphins also have issues at quarterback. Sage Rosenfels was benched in the second half of his second career start after going just 5-of-10 for 14 yards and two interceptions. Rosenfels started in place of Frerotte (sprained his right index finger), but Frerotte came in and was only 4-of-18 for 53 yards.

Ricky Williams, looking better than he has all season, had 83 yards on 13 carries.
Droughns, closing in on becoming Cleveland's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1985, turned the Browns' first play from scrimmage into one of the team's most memorable plays in years.

Running right, Droughns spun back and cut across the field. He didn't have to make another move until 50 yards later, when he stopped near the sideline to avoid cornerback Sam Madison, picked up a nice block from tight end Steve Heiden and put the Browns up 6-0. The extra point failed.

Rosenfels' first pass was intercepted by linebacker Matt Stewart when Rosenfels was hit as he threw by blitzing linebacker Andra Davis and the ball floated for an easy pick.

The Browns settled for Phil Dawson's 23-yard field goal that made it 9-0.
Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who has been promising for weeks Frye would get his chance, put the third-round pick in with 5:58 left in the first quarter. Cleveland fans greeted Frye with a standing ovation and he completed three passes, including a 15-yarder to Edwards, to help set up a 40-yard field goal by Dawson on the last play of the half. Following a 37-yard punt return by Dennis Northcutt in the third quarter, Dilfer rolled right and hit Smith, his first TD reception since 2001, giving Cleveland a 19-0 lead. Dawson's 24-yard field goal made it 22-0.
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