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Cornerback makes 4 solo tackles in return from scary car accident
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Oct 26, 2009
CLEVELAND: After rolling and totaling his Mercedes early Friday morning, Browns cornerback Eric Wright arrived at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday with a new appreciation for the game.
A 31-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers dampened his spirits. But he hadn't been sure he would play after hurting his shoulder in the accident on a wet Interstate-490 ramp on his way home from a Jay-Z concert.
''It felt different to me because I almost died a couple of days ago,'' Wright said. ''It was a blessing to be back in this building and get a chance to go out and play in front of the fans because they enjoy the game, and I enjoy being here as much as they love coming.
''More than anything, I wanted to play with my teammates, the guys that I work closely with. I know the type of time and effort we put into it. It's just unfortunate that we couldn't get a win. It was a struggle to get back. I was ready to do it and it was just like a new life.''
Listed as questionable, Wright said he did a lot of rehab and treatment on the shoulder. He finished with four solo tackles but also had the last shot at receiver Donald Driver on a 71-yard, second-quarter touchdown that gave the Packers a 14-3 lead. Wright caught Driver at the Browns' 22 and tried to knock the ball loose but ended up on his back at the 5.
''I feel like I'm pretty fast, so I wanted to try to save the touchdown, run down there and hustle and make a play, but it just didn't work out for me,'' Wright said.
Wright said the impact of the loss felt different.
''It's a lot different,'' he said. ''You never accept defeat and I'm definitely not accepting losing. But my parents are here, my fiancee is here and I get a chance to go home and see them and come back tomorrow and get back to work.''
Dirty play?
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers accused the Browns of dirty play on his first-quarter quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 that was stopped for no gain.
''I got my helmet ripped off on the first drive and kind of punched in the face, as well,'' Rodgers said. When he left the podium, he identified the offender as No. 96, Browns linebacker David Bowens.
Bowens said he apologized to Rodgers after the game but didn't think that he had done anything wrong. There was no flag thrown. As Rodgers went to retrieve his helmet, he jawed with linebacker Eric Barton.
''We were trying to get a stop, that's all. I apologized to him,'' Bowens said. ''He can call it what he wants to call it. The refs didn't call it.
''He's a ball carrier, he's on a run play. I'd treat him different if he was passing the ball. But if he's running the ball, he's a running back. It's called football.''
Deja vu
That play resulted in a measurement, which brought back memories for the Browns' defense. The Packers came up a few inches short, which was what the Browns thought had happened on a sneak by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter of a 27-14 loss last week. That one was ruled a first down.
This time after the measurement, Packers coach Mike McCarthy challenged the spot and lost.
''It looked about the same as last week,'' Browns defensive end Robaire Smith said.
Gaines a keeper?
An emergency search for a healthy tight end might have panned gold.
Six-year veteran Michael Gaines, released by the Chicago Bears on Oct. 17 and picked up by the Browns on Wednesday, caught two passes for 30 yards, including a 21-yarder to the Packers' 1 late in the third quarter.
Gaines was disappointed he didn't get into the end zone, especially after the Browns failed to score on four tries.
''After I looked up, I didn't know I was that close to the touchdown, so I was kind of upset I didn't get in,'' Gaines said.
When it was remarked that it was a tough catch, Gaines said, ''It was, wasn't it?''
As for the tight coverage by linebacker Brandon Chillar, Gaines said, ''I thank God I reached my hands out there and it stuck.''
Gaines has also played for the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. The Browns found themselves short-handed last week with Robert Royal battling hamstring and finger injuries and suffering from the flu and Steve Heiden missing practice with a knee injury. Both were inactive Sunday, Heiden for the second consecutive game. He appears to have had a setback after undergoing right knee surgery last December.
The injuries left the Browns with Gaines, Greg Estandia, picked up off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 22, and guard Hank Fraley, who started as a blocking tight end.
Maiava starts
Rookie Kaluka Maiava, a fourth-round pick from USC, started in place of inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who underwent season-ending pectoral surgery on Wednesday.
Early in the second half, Maiava was called for a personal foul for unnecessary roughness, hitting receiver Greg Jennings in the head after an 8-yard catch. Maiava finished with five solo tackles.
Why no replay?
Browns coach Eric Mangini couldn't throw the challenge flag on Ryan Grant's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:56 left in the second quarter, even though the ball came out on Grant's second-effort surge toward the goal line. Plays in the final two minutes of each half are handled by the replay booth upstairs.
Mangini could have used a timeout to give the replay official more time to consider a review. Grant's touchdown gave the Packers a 21-3 lead.
''There seemed like there was a lot of time for them to take a look at it,'' Mangini said.
Brownies
Browns rookie receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie were thrown 13 passes and they caught only one. Massaquoi was 1-of-8, Robiskie 0-for-5. . . . The Packers lost second-year tight end Jermichael Finley on the fifth play of the game with a sprained knee after a 16-yard catch. Wright dragged Finley down from behind by the ankle. . . . Smith suffered a stinger on the Packers' first possession but missed only a few plays. He recorded a game- and season-high 12 tackles, one short of his career best. . . . The Browns' Mike Furrey was again used at receiver and defensive back, seeing extensive action in the nickel. . . . Former Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk was in on only nine plays last week for the Packers but led them in tackles against the Browns with eight (seven solos) and three tackles for losses. . . . Mangini wasn't happy that Billy Cundiff's 22-yard field goal for the Browns' only points hit the left upright. . . . Browns punter Dave Zastudil put all four of his boots inside the 20, giving him 25 for the season. In the past four games, 14 of his 18 have been inside the 20.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com.
CLEVELAND: After rolling and totaling his Mercedes early Friday morning, Browns cornerback Eric Wright arrived at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday with a new appreciation for the game.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Cleveland, Oh
Posted 09:43 AM, 10/26/2009
Eric may have a greater appreciation for the game, but he still sucks. He tackles like my grandmother. This must be at least the fourth time this season he got burned because he couldnt tackle.
akron, oh
Posted 10:17 PM, 10/26/2009
OMG! Gaines couldn't make the roster on some of the other awful team! NOW HE'S GOLD? He looks good to the Browns because they are worse than the dregs of the league!
