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Fans cheer after Anderson is hurt
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Dec 01, 2008
CLEVELAND: It's too bad the ''Season from Hell'' moniker is already taken.
In many ways, the pain seems the same as that disastrous year of 1990, which followed the Browns' last appearance in the AFC Championship and ended with Jim Shofner taking over for the fired Bud Carson. Especially if the 2008 Browns had an assistant deemed capable of serving in the interim role.
Still fighting for embattled coach Romeo Crennel, Cleveland's defense played its most inspired game in months. But the Browns' downward spiral continued Sunday with a 10-6 home loss to Indianapolis, a defeat that dropped them to 4-8 and probably spelled the end of quarterback Derek Anderson's season.
Anderson said he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee when he was sacked by defensive end Robert Mathis with 1:07 to play. Mathis bull-rushed right tackle Kevin Shaffer and took Anderson down by his left leg, with Shaffer's helmet hitting Anderson's knee.
''I just felt a burn, the pain,'' Anderson said Sunday. ''I'll go get evaluated tomorrow and see exactly how bad it is. It doesn't feel very good.''
Anderson suffered a mild MCL sprain in his senior year at Oregon State during an Insight Bowl victory over Notre Dame.
''From experience and seeing how a guy reacts, it didn't look good,'' Crennel said.
Special teams ace Joshua Cribbs was upset by Anderson's injury and what he heard as Anderson was being helped from the field.
''I heard people cheering when he was hurt, and that was very disappointing,'' Cribbs said. ''We love our fans and we're thankful for our fans, but we don't need that.''
With quarterback Brady Quinn placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a fractured right index finger that also has tendon damage, the Browns will start Ken Dorsey Sunday at the Tennessee Titans. Their third quarterback in the past three games, Dorsey went 2-8 as a starter in San Francisco in 2003-05.
''I'm just going to do my best,'' Dorsey said. ''I'm going to work, I know these guys are going to work. I'm confident we're going to put something together that the guys in this locker room, the coaching staff and the city can be proud of.''
Another bull-rush resulted in the Colts' lone touchdown, which came on a 37-yard fumble return by defensive end Robert Mathis with 9:45 remaining. Defensive end Dwight Freeney overpowered left tackle Joe Thomas and sacked Anderson, knocking the ball out, and Mathis scooped it up.
''The guy hit me when I was throwing, and it comes out,'' Anderson said. ''Of course, I'm trying to hold onto it. I'm not trying to drop balls and trying to lose games for us; I know you guys think that sometimes. I'm obviously frustrated, I'm probably going to be sick about it tonight. We had an opportunity to beat the Colts, a guy like Peyton Manning, a guy I've watched and admire. It didn't happen.''
Coming close to the Colts (8-4), winners of five consecutive games, was no consolation for Cribbs.
''We can't hang our heads on 'We almost did it,' '' Cribbs said. ''Almost did it is not going to get us to the next level, to get us in the win column. They don't have an almost column.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
CLEVELAND: It's too bad the ''Season from Hell'' moniker is already taken.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 04:22 AM, 12/01/2008
Josh Cribbs needs to warm up his throwing arm, and they actually might have to also get a free agent for a few games.
Maybe West Griffins B Team has a guy they can take a look at.
Posted 07:17 AM, 12/01/2008
With Dorsey the Browns might win one. Who am I kidding...
Posted 08:06 AM, 12/01/2008
Time to pull the plug! It's amazing that the Steelers and Baltimore seem to field competitive teams year after year. Why can't the Browns do the same thing? The obvious answer is you've got to hire quality personnel. The Browns do not need somebody's defensive coordinator, backfield coach, offensive coordinator, a college coach, or a cousin of Bill Parcell's, or somebody's waterboy. Hire an experienced and successful NFL coach. I believe the Browns have some good players, but need a serious makeover. Obviously the offensive line is lacking, and we need serious help at the linebacker position. I don't know who they need to replace the player personnel people, but a makeover there is an obvious need. Let's move now!
Posted 08:14 AM, 12/01/2008
Nobody will have a chance to succeed here if the fans continue to act the way they have over the last few years. We run everybody out of town at the first sign of trouble. I hate to say it, but look at Pittsburgh - they stick by their guys, even when things go bad. Bill Cowher wasn't always a Super Bowl Champ - he went through some pretty bad seasons - but they stuck with him and gave it time to turn around. I don't know if that's the answer here, but cheering when DA goes down is embarassing.
Posted 08:32 AM, 12/01/2008
I agree with Kevin on all counts,but I would like to see a more dynamic head coach. We need more players on defense especially. Now is the time to see Josh Cribbs on the field for all the offensive plays and more of Harrison as well.
akron, oh
Posted 08:34 AM, 12/01/2008
That's Cleveland for you they cheer when you do good and boo when you do bad. It was embarassing when they did cheer when DA went down. But they should be booing the coaching staff. Its not all DA fault, but Cleveland spends alot of money on the games. They are tired of seeing them lose week after week. You can't blame them for that.
They spend 20.00 to park their car, 40-50.00 a ticket, not including the hotdogs,beer, and whatever else they buy. They are tired of spending all that money on a team who don't care.
When you do great, oh yah they will cheer. But when you do something stupid they will boo. Stop messing things up and you won't get booed anymore.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 08:47 AM, 12/01/2008
How about those STEELERS. 9-3 with the best defense in the AFC. GO STEELERS !!!
Posted 08:52 AM, 12/01/2008
The Titans have the best defense in the AFC.
Posted 08:59 AM, 12/01/2008
The cheering at Andrson's injury is too much. The clowns are a joke. Why would any decent coach or players want to come here?
Akron, OH
Posted 09:07 AM, 12/01/2008
OldManGrump, I know you are a steelers fan, but keep your steeler comments to yourself!! J/K, I was cheering for them yesterday... The steelers had our back when we didn't have a team so I'll always cheer for the steelers too, except when we get competitive and can finally beat them!! Go Brownies!!
Posted 09:21 AM, 12/01/2008
Let JOSH know... I was there @ the colts game with thousands of other fans when Derrick went down. All the fans around me (including myself)NEVER want to see a player get hurt. EVERYONE on my earshot were cheering when he was able to get up and walk off (with assistance)...Remember this was a game several colts went down (one needed the cart) and we cheered with support when the played left to get medical attention. We need all of NE ohio'ans (including the Athletes and Coaches) to see the positive in our area. let Josh know we are able to support the person while NOT appricating the results they are producing on the field. We have heart and passion for NE Ohio. Comments and Proformance On and OFF the field reflect upon the community and their residents. Please give us some credit for being decent Neighbors...
from a fan behind the bench.
P.S let the KING know about this prospective from a fan as well.
Posted 09:21 AM, 12/01/2008
The Browns are having a rough season. I think the fans etc., should support this team, or the owner may decide to move the team elsewhere. The fans etc. begged for NFL to bring back a football team to Cleveland, and they did. So lets support our Browns win or lose.
Posted 09:24 AM, 12/01/2008
I think browns fans are crappy and dont deserve a good football team you dont boo when your starting qb gets hurt I dont care how bad he has been playing no class at all browns fans should be ashamed!!! On another note I would play cribs at qb for the rest of the year what do you have to loose?
Posted 09:26 AM, 12/01/2008
Thats exactly why lebron will be out of here on the first thing smoking cleveland doesnt deserve any star players.
Posted 09:27 AM, 12/01/2008
I agree move the team again and watch the fans cry like little babies!!!
Posted 09:28 AM, 12/01/2008
If I was lebron I would start packing now!!!
barberton, oh
Posted 09:59 AM, 12/01/2008
U don't Boo a guy that's hurt. What group of low rent fans they R. DA duz the best he can with the O line he has, and they Suck. Other than the O line, they have excellant talent on that team. Don't B suprised 2 see Cribbs under center, He's the best player on that squad, period !! U can put that man anywhere, he's a play maker.The team as a whole should try as hard as him.....
Posted 10:04 AM, 12/01/2008
Remember when the Browns left town and fans in Pittsburgh were going to wear black arm bands as a sign of solidarity with Cleveland fans when the Browns played there toward the end of that season? Do you remember who told them not to wear black arm bands, and said that "real" Steeler fans would never do such a thing?
Bill Cowher.
Posted 10:48 AM, 12/01/2008
Cribbs at QB? ARe you kidding. Gimmicks don't work in the NFL, and Cribbs wasn't even a good passing QB in the MAC.
akron, oh
Posted 11:06 AM, 12/01/2008
i agree with Kevin. and you wonder why WE have a losiing home recored since we came back. i hope this year is bad enough to get you people out of there who bought PSl's because you could. BROWNS staidum is meant for guys who wear thier carharts they wear to work, not ones they bought for the game. and cheering an injury get out
Posted 11:12 AM, 12/01/2008
That may be so, Mark.
If it were Crennel in Cowher's shoes then, Romeo likely would have said something like "It is what it is. The Browns are a great rivalry and we should support their fans. They always play us tough, despite our winning over 80% of the games between us over the past 4 decades.
Cowher gets it! You don't seem to. You should support your employer, not your competitor.
Do you work at Ford? Do you drive a Honda? I thought not.
akron, oh
Posted 11:26 AM, 12/01/2008
dude 80% in 40 years why stop there oh wait
Posted 01:02 PM, 12/01/2008
Ray, I agree that the Browns need some new coaches or front office people. I am not happy that they are always filling a position (head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, GM) with guys who have never held that position.
But when you compare the Browns to the Steelers or Ravens you need to acknowledge that they have done well in hiring new coaches. Tomlin was a defensive coordinator with the Vikings, and never had head coaching experience (at least not in the NFL). Same goes for John Harbaugh the Ravens HC, he was not an NFL head coach before.
There are only so many successful NFL head coaches, finding one that is out of work is not easy. And many would say that those who are out of work and don't have jobs are no good (e.g. Mary Shottenheimer). Others like Bill Cowher may noy be possible because of the money he wants or the control.
The Browns do need to do something, but is not as easy as many fans think it is.
Posted 01:09 PM, 12/01/2008
A true Browns fan will never cheer for the Steelers unless that game somehow impacts the Browns team (like getting into the playoffs). So whoever is cheering for the Steelers because "they had our back when the Browns moved" is not a real fan. You don't cheer for your biggest rival.
PS Cowher was right. And that doesn't make him any less or more qualified to be the Browns coach.
Posted 03:18 PM, 12/01/2008
I am a Brown's fan and I would not cheer when one of the players on either team got hurt. D.A. was doing the best he could. Remeber Brady lost his first game as a starter. It all comes down to coaching. Did any of you cheer when Chris Spielman was carted off the field on a stretcher?
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 05:22 PM, 12/01/2008
OH WELL..when the browns were MIA,when Modell took em from us,I rooted for the Steelers,the BUS and COWHER...same old skit so guess Im back to rooting Roadrashburger again too...hey Mr.Lerner-put the crack pipe down!
Posted 05:40 PM, 12/01/2008
COWHER, COWHER, COWHER!!!!
Posted 06:03 PM, 12/01/2008
I understand that it is difficult to hire a good experienced coach. However those organizations that have hired below that are endowed with a good organization that is able give that coach the material to mold a good team. RC is lost on the sidelines; he is obviouslhy not the answer. He benefited from an easy schedule last year. I don't root for the Steelers unless it benefits the Browns, however, I admire them from afar as to how they can consistently field a very competitive team. For those of you who want to accept continual losing and a substandard product, that's fine. However, fans should expect a good return on their dollar. For those that booed DA's injury, please grow up.
