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Browns have a chance to even their record
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published on Monday, Oct 27, 2008
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.: Clearly we have found the secret to the Browns' success: turmoil.
When turmoil is at its height, this team plays its best.
This past week there was no focus on football and a lot on tight end Kellen Winslow's suspension that was, then wasn't, but still should have been.
What happens?
The Browns go on the road to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17. Just like two weeks ago, when they followed a bye week of talk about how bad they were and beat the Giants.
Clearly we have a common denominator here.
When things are at their highest level of unrest, the Browns play their best. Whether that is because the turmoil fosters a bond, or because the turmoil takes away pressure, or because the turmoil relieves tension is unknown. It just produces positive results.
So the Browns need to find someone to suspend this week. It might be best if it's someone who's going to be inactive. Perhaps Ryan Tucker could be the sacrificial lamb.
Suspend him, start a media firestorm, let the team practice and then reinstate him the night before the game.
It's a sure formula for victory.
Of course, it helps when certain players show up, too.
Like Shaun Rogers, who turned in a Defensive Player of the Week-type of game against the Jaguars, a game in which he made a key stop on third and 3, then blocked a field goal and recovered the ball. Rogers was a constant presence in the middle of the line, as the Browns shut down two very good running backs.
Or like Willie McGinest, whose effort never wavered.
Or Syndric Steptoe, who caught a 53-yard pass. Or Donte Stallworth, who scored his first touchdown as a Browns receiver. Or Derek Anderson, who had bad moments but also threw for 246 yards and no interceptions. Or Jamal Lewis, who ran well and hard. Or Braylon Edwards, who caught the first pass thrown to him (a key to his success) and then caught a long one.
The Browns had to hang on in this game, right to the last play.
But that's what happens in this stadium. One season it goes down to a last-minute Daylon McCutcheon interception, another it's a Hail Mary pass to Quincy Morgan.
This season, it's a pass that bounces off the hands of Matt Jones and is knocked away by Nick Sorensen's helmet.
The win, combined with the Steelers' loss, makes the picture a little less bleak, especially if the Browns follow up against the Baltimore Ravens.
Imagine that. Win and they're .500 at the midpoint of the season.
Clearly turmoil gets old, and suggesting that more of it would help the Browns probably isn't the wisest approach.
But sometimes external noise helps a team focus on doing its job. One could make the case that the same thing happened a year ago, when the Browns traded Charlie Frye after the opening game and beat the Cincinnati Bengals the following Sunday.
Players dismiss it, saying that when it's the fourth quarter of a tough game, nothing else matters but doing their jobs.
Lewis phrased it this way:
''It's just play football, man. It's, 'Come to work every day and try to get better.' That's what it's all about. . . . It seems like everybody did the same thing this week. They came to work to get better because they knew what was at stake.
''We've got a great coaching staff that keeps us in line, and a head coach that keeps us in line.''
The head coach has been much-targeted this season, but his call to go for it on fourth and 1 in the first half led to a 51-yard pass to Steve Heiden. If Crennel's players didn't believe in him, they would not bond the way they did Sunday.
As for suspensions, Lewis said they have nothing to do with him unless he's the one suspended.
He then summed up the way things should be for this group:
''It's all about a team. This is a team. This is what teams do. Teams come together, work together to win. And that's what we did.''
The Browns lost three in a row to start the season.
They have won 3-of-4, two over very good teams they were not supposed to beat.
The offense has looked better in the last two wins but still needs consistency.
The defense finally is starting to look like the group Phil Savage built in the offseason, one that could stop the run — Rogers has been quite a force in the middle — and would defend the pass with an eye on minimizing the big play.
It's far from perfect.
Even Crennel admitted this game, this win, was critical.
The next game, against the Ravens, a team one game ahead of the Browns in the AFC North? Critical as well.
''And that's the way it's going to be the rest of this season,'' Crennel said. ''But if my guys can come to play the way they played today, then we're going to be in it and we're going to have a chance.''
At long last, the season has reached a point where Crennel's statement can be taken as fact.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mcmanamon/.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.: Clearly we have found the secret to the Browns' success: turmoil.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:13 AM, 10/27/2008
Still in 3rd place and 2 games behind my STEELERS. This just shows on any given weekend, anyone can win.
Naples, FL
Posted 07:21 AM, 10/27/2008
And anyone (Stoolers) can lose, right OldManGrump?LOL
Akron, OH
Posted 08:04 AM, 10/27/2008
Want some more turmoil? Fire the coach. That would be a double-benefit.
Posted 08:09 AM, 10/27/2008
Gotta love what Heiden is doing as the starter.
2-0 without Winslow... hmmmmm... Anderson is still shaky, but what the hell, no turnovers in 3 games. 3-4 with the very beatable ravens coming up. The Defense has been very good this year in respect to not giving up points... they bend, but they don't break, now let's just hope the offense can be consistent and the Browns can make a push. The AFC is wide freakin' open and 9 wins may be all it takes.
Posted 08:46 AM, 10/27/2008
How about suspending Crennel for a game? Maybe then a 1st and goal from the friggin 1/2 yd line could be turned into a touchdown. Please don't give him props for going for it on 4th and 1. He knew his enormous arse was on the line. Imagine now if the Browns had a decent QB.
Posted 08:56 AM, 10/27/2008
We do have one... He's on the bench. LOL!!! Brownies are gonna rip off 5 straight!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, GO BROWNS!!!!
Just trying to stay positive.
Posted 09:13 AM, 10/27/2008
I am tired of people saying the Browns are a better team without Winslow! I find it hard to believe that we are better without a pro bowl caliber player. Heiden is a good player but not better than Winslow, look at that big catch he made, he should of scored but he is too slow. Clearly not as fast as Winslow!!!
So you dumb people who hear this one more time.... THE BROWNS ARE NOT A BETTER TEAM WITHOUT WINSLOW!!
Posted 09:53 AM, 10/27/2008
2 and 0 without that whiner Winslow. Heiden and Dinkens are TEAM players and do more to help us win than that self centered baby Winslow.
Plus, Heiden and Dinkens both caught passed and did NOT pound thier chests and flex and get penalties like that immature 'soldier'
Posted 09:54 AM, 10/27/2008
To borrow a Parcells line "In the NFL, you are what you are." Fact is with Winslow we are 1-4 and without Winslow we are 2-0. Just the FACTS. We are better without the DISTRACTION that is K2.
Port Saint Lucie, Fl
Posted 09:55 AM, 10/27/2008
Browns should have won 31-17.Get to the 1yd.line and 1ft.line and end up with field goals?Who's more inept in that situation;Mr.Chud?The QB?Frustrating!
Posted 10:05 AM, 10/27/2008
To Adam,
Winslow might be faster than Heiden, but Winslow would have NEVER made it off the line on that play. If you notice, Winslow has been INVISIBLE the second half of each game he plays (when he plays!) because he gest stuffed at the line and would rather whine than work to get open. And don't give the excuse cause he is doubled teamed, Hines Ward, TO, Randy Moss are ALL doubled team and FIND ways to get open.
Posted 10:23 AM, 10/27/2008
It was two games! Two Games come on you are going to seriously tell me that we don't need Winslow? We still have another half of the season and heiden can't run after the first hit, Winslow can break tackles and get more yards.
Posted 10:27 AM, 10/27/2008
WHEN he gets open. Winslow is a better athlete and faster, but he DOESN't block and CAN'T get off the line clean. He is a good reciever in the open field, but he is a liablilty in blocking and getting off the line to make himself a TARGET for DA.
So no matter how athletic this self center player is, we need a TEAM player who does ALL the functions of a tight end and not just catch the ball.
Posted 10:30 AM, 10/27/2008
And Adam, Heiden would have gotten into the endzone against Washington if he had caught the same pass as Winslow. Winslow has no power due to all his knee injuries and he got stuffed at the one yard line. Heiden knows how to finish a play and would have bulled his way in.
Plus Winslow was probably thinking of how he was going to pound his chest and flex his arms after he scored.
Posted 10:38 AM, 10/27/2008
OK how long ave we had Heiden? Since 2002 right? He has never been a player that can lift a team and e never made the pro bowl. Winslow is the starter and will be the starter! Heiden will be a decent back up. :0)
Posted 10:40 AM, 10/27/2008
WINSLOW IS THE STARTER GET OVER IT!!
Posted 10:45 AM, 10/27/2008
He is also a whiner and only concerned about his own stats so GET OVER THAT
Posted 10:49 AM, 10/27/2008
I see a firey player who plays trough pain and alot of emotion, something this team needs.
Posted 10:58 AM, 10/27/2008
big deal, ALL NFL players play in pain and give it their all. This guy is whining cause he had one good year and wants a new contract. But when he was out for his first 2 years, you didn't see the Browns make him give his signing bonus back for going against his contract of 'dangerous conduct'. The Browns actually reworked it THEN so Winslow would not lose money. NOW Winslow is saying the mean old Browns don't appreciate him. The reason he is getting all this negative postings is because the fans KNOW the Browns have been fair to him but he is ONLY concerned about himself.
Posted 11:56 AM, 10/27/2008
The next time Winslow makes a good block will be the first time. That's why I feel the team is better off with Heiden. Some people forget that the TE's #1 responsibility is blocking.
Posted 12:08 PM, 10/27/2008
I am very happy to see the browns win and had picked them in my league simply because they were playing against the 23rd best defense in the NFL. Next week we play the 2nd best (after the Squellers) to whom we lost 28 to 10 a few weeks ago. I'll be picking the Ravens this week or I'll make the game my least fav pick. We should not have problems the following week because the broncos are ranked 30th.
Posted 01:40 PM, 10/27/2008
Who knows what team will show up? That's why Romeo needs to go!!!!
Posted 02:05 PM, 10/27/2008
Old Man Dump and the rest of the Steelers fans - after you lose in Washington next Monday and the Browns do to the Ravens what they should done to them in Baltimore, your swagger will fade away and will be replaced by nervousness.
Posted 10:58 AM, 10/28/2008
Ok everybody it's this simple. Hieden is good at what he does best and Winslow is good at what he does best. They are 2 completely different players who happen to line up at the same position. Winslow is a mismatch machine and can't play the everyday TE role. Hieden play the traditional TE role; block first, find holes in the defense, catch passes.
Adam, you're arguement that Hieden was too slow to score shouldn't matter if you knew what you were talking about. HE'S A TE, SPEED ISN'T A PRIORITY!
Winslow would've never been open on that play because the defense would've keyed on him. That's why Hieden is very valuable. Defenses don't automatically know if he'll block or release to a route. WINSLOW NEVER BLOCKS AND ALWAYS RELEASES TO A ROUTE!
Winslow is just a very large slot WR who sometimes lines up in a 3-point stance. We have a role for him on the team, but he needs to understand that he can't get the ball all the time. Chud needs to use him as a decor more so the defense doesn't constantly cheat his routes and eliminate his 1 on 1 situations that makes him so valuable.
Posted 11:50 AM, 10/28/2008
And... How long have we had Winslow? How many times has he scored? How many times has he "lifted" this team to victory? For the money and the distractions, Winslow has grossly underachieved... I barely notice when he is in the game, yet in two starts, Heiden is hard not to notice. I like Winslow, I think he is an outstanding talent, but Heiden gets more out of his ability than Winslow has. It is very frustrating, and until Winslow makes a huge play or helps this team win... I'm on the Heiden wagon.
Posted 11:52 AM, 10/28/2008
Hell... Just imagine if everyone showed up every week!!! We'd be undefeated!!! lol... Go Browns!!!
SLIPPERY ROCK, PA
Posted 03:07 PM, 10/29/2008
I love it!! The Steelers lose and the Browns win and the fans here in Pittsburgh are so quiet!
How come when a player leaves Pittsburgh and does well the city of Pittsburgh can't admit it.
How come Holmes gets busted with pot and the city of Pittsburgh fans say "awe he shouldn't be suspended", but when other players do the same they should be banned!
One more thing Rooney gave the muslem Obama some sort of donation so that's all the more reason to vote for McCain.
SLIPPERY ROCK, PA
Posted 03:54 PM, 10/29/2008
WINSLOW 2 YEAR TOTAL - OVER 180 CATCHES 2,000 YDS AND 7 TD'S!!
I'LL TAKE HIM OVER ANY TE IN THE LEAGUE!
HE'S THE TOUGHEST TE OUT THERE AND HE'S ONLY 75% HEALTHY. PLAYS THROUGH PAIN EVERY WEEK AND DOESN'T SMOKE POT LIKE THE THUG HOLMES!!
