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Nose tackle makes nine solo tackles and fourth sack of season in win
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Oct 27, 2008
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.: When the game had finally ended after a pressure-packed defensive stand by the Browns, nose tackle Shaun Rogers had to take a knee.
''I was tired as all get-out,'' he said.
Acquired in an offseason trade with the Detroit Lions, the two-time Pro Bowler had plenty to show for his relentless effort in the Browns' 23-17 victory Sunday over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He made nine solo tackles, one for a loss, three quarterback hurries and his team-leading fourth sack of the season. None of those plays was bigger than his block of Josh Scobee's 38-yard field-goal attempt with 12:49 remaining.
''That's what we got him for,'' Browns General Manager Phil Savage said of Rogers. ''We thought he had that kind of potential. When he plays like that, we've got a pretty good chance to be good on defense. I'm awfully proud of Shaun. He's played well on the field and been a real plus off the field, as well.''
Rogers was at his most dominant on back-to-back plays early in the fourth quarter, with the Browns leading 17-14.
On third-and-3 from the Browns 20, Rogers stopped Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew for no gain, despite losing his helmet in the process. Rogers thumped his chest to celebrate.
Then Rogers blocked Scobee's attempt and recovered it, giving the Browns the ball on their 41. It was the 12th blocked kick of Rogers' eight-year career.
Asked how he did it, Rogers said, ''It's a collective effort. Guys around me getting good push and I just happened to be the one to get the paw up.''
Savage said: ''I don't know if there's a secret. When you're 6-5 and 360 pounds, you just bust in there and reach as high as you can.''
The Browns failed to capitalize on Rogers' block, going three and out. On the Jaguars' next possession, Rogers was called for roughing the passer after a 20-yard completion to receiver Matt Jones, the extra 15 yards setting up the Jaguars at the Browns 39. Four plays later, Scobee kicked a team-record 53-yard field goal to tie the game.
Acquired to help shore up the Browns' run defense, Rogers was a major reason they held the Jaguars' talented running back tandem of Fred Taylor and Jones-Drew to 53 combined yards on 20 carries. Quarterback David Garrard was the Jaguars' leading rusher with 59 yards on seven carries.
A second-round pick in the 2001 draft, Rogers saw the Lions basically give up on him March 1, when they sent him to Cleveland for a third-round pick and cornerback Leigh Bodden. The Browns quickly signed him to a six-year, $42 million contract.
Asked whether he felt rejuvenated, Rogers said: ''I always go back to the statement, 'I never thought I played bad football.' So if that's the case, it is what it is. I'm happy to be here. There's a lot of guys here working hard. You had a great team here last year. We can't live off last year, but things did happen and we've got talent and we're going to try to utilize that talent and make the most of it.''
With defensive end Robaire Smith lost for the year with a ruptured Achilles and end Shaun Smith sidelined after hand surgery, Rogers might be playing more than he expected. He appreciates that coach Romeo Crennel keeps his workload light during the week so he'll have something left for game day.
''They do a good job of spelling me and trying to let me get rest,'' he said. ''I'm just flattered to be a guy they want in the game in crucial times. We try to handle it during the week so when Sunday gets here, I can leave it all on the field.''
Offensive explosion
The Browns' 327 net yards were their second-most of the season, trailing the 454 put up against the New York Giants. They had more points at halftime (17) than they had scored in four of their six previous games. They also had their first touchdown in the first quarter all season.
''I don't think the second half was awful. It just wasn't as good as the first half,'' quarterback Derek Anderson said.
Anderson has completed 105 consecutive passes without an interception, a career-best that began in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. He had a string of 92 last November.
Bold move
Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, whose play calling was questioned by receiver Braylon Edwards last week, made one of his gutsiest calls of the season in the second quarter.
On fourth-and-1 from the Browns 47, Anderson faked a handoff to fullback Charles Ali and lofted the ball downfield to wide open tight end Steve Heiden. He turned around at about the 25 to look for defenders before being tackled at the 2 after a 51-yard gain.
''Jacksonville played the run. I'm sure they had someone assigned to me, but I don't know who it was. It was a good design by the coaches,'' Heiden said. ''I needed a little more speed and maybe I would have scored.
''We run a lot of things up the middle on that type of fourth-and-1. It was just a great call.''
It was Heiden's longest reception since Sept. 18, 2005, when he scored on a 62-yarder against the Green Bay Packers.
''You know how those fourth-and-1's go. When they work, they're great plays, and when they don't work, you look bad for calling them,'' Crennel said.
''Sometimes you just get a gut feel about when you need to take a chance.''
Tough to handle
Jaguars receiver Matt Jones, facing a felony drug charge, is appealing a three-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. The Jaguars could learn the decision this week.
If it was Jones' last game for a while, he made the most of it with eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Jones, 6-foot-6 and 218 pounds, proved to be a tough matchup, especially for 5-foot-10 cornerback Brandon McDonald. He seemed to be the man responsible on Jones' 8-yard touchdown that cut the Browns' lead to 17-14 with 10:27 left in the third quarter.
Breakthrough
Receiver Donte' Stallworth, who joined the Browns this season as a free agent from the New England Patriots, scored his first touchdown for the Browns with 2:08 left in the first quarter. Anderson found him wide open for a 3-yard strike to give the Browns a 7-0 lead.
Familiar face
Receiver/returner Dennis Northcutt, who spent 2000-06 with the Browns, started out strong against his former team. He caught three passes for 32 yards in the first half and finished with five for 49 yards. He came into the game with eight receptions this season.
Brownies . . .
Punter Dave Zastudil nailed his final boot of the first half out of bounds at the 1. . . . Fullback Lawrence Vickers suffered an ankle injury but returned in the third quarter. . . . Joshua Cribbs made a 38-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.: When the game had finally ended after a pressure-packed defensive stand by the Browns, nose tackle Shaun Rogers had to take a knee.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 08:51 AM, 10/27/2008
A great game by Rodgers and now Phil can't pat himself on the back enough.
Posted 08:55 AM, 10/27/2008
I have to give Rogers credit. He has played very well this year.
Port Saint Lucie, Fl
Posted 06:21 PM, 10/27/2008
Simple game:Block,Tackle,and Know your Assignments.That's all.
