Browns D Blows Quinn's Debut, 34-30

Brady Quinn was gunning to be the first Cleveland Browns quarterback to win his first NFL start since Eric Zeier in 1995. Unfortunately, the Browns accomplished a different kind of first in franchise history. They blew 13 point leads in consecutive games for the first time in franchise history, falling 34-30 to the Denver Broncos.

Quinn was impressive in his debut going 23 of 35 for 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns while looking cool, calm and collected all night long. He was outdone by Broncos QB Jay Cutler who put up a gaudy line of 24 of 42 for 447 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. It was the seventh 400 yard passing game in Broncos history.

After Denver jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a Ryan Torain touchdown Quinn led the Browns on three consecutive scoring drives. He sandwiched a pair of touchdown passes to Kellen Winslow around a Phil Dawson field goal. Quinn benefited from some big runs by Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison while he seemed to pick apart the Broncos’ defense hitting Winslow at will. It culminated in a 17-7 Browns lead after the second touchdown strike to Winslow.

Matt Prater and Dawson traded field goals to end the first half with a 20-10 advantage. Denver who had already put running backs Michael Pittman and Andre Hall injured reserve lost Torain and Selvin Young in the first half and were forced to turn to rookie fullback Patrick Hillis. It looked to be an advantage for the Browns, but it turned out to be anything but.

After Prater and Dawson again traded field goals, this time to start the second half, to make the score 23-13 Winslow’s night started to take a turn for the worse. On Third and Six from the Denver 41, Quinn hit Braylon Edwards on an out route for the first down but the play was nullified by an offensive pass interference call on Winslow.

The Browns were forced to punt and Dave Zastudil pinned the Broncos at their own seven. Cutler responded by hitting Eddie Royal for a 93 yard touchdown on a slant and go route at the expense of Brandon McDonald, who was picked on all night long. Suddenly, the Browns lead had shrunk to 23-20.

On the ensuing possession, Quinn hit Winslow to convert a Third and Five but Winslow fumbled the ball away to the Broncos at the 45. McDonald attempted to one up Winslow as he dropped a surefire interception on the second play of Denver’s drive. Cutler shook it off and kept feeding Royal as the Broncos effortlessly drove down the field. On Third and 11 on the Browns’ 28 Cutler hit Daniel Graham who brushed off tackles by D’Qwell Jackson and Mike Adams to stroll into the endzone for a 27-23 lead.

Quinn seemed up to the task as he utilized an end around to Josh Cribbs and a 30 yard strike to Winslow to put the Browns in scoring position. A dump off to Lewis put the ball on the six yard line. Lewis pounded the ball across the goal line on Third and Goal to give the Browns a 30-27 lead with just under five minutes remaining.

Five minutes in an eternity in a football game and it seems like more than that with the Browns defense. Hillis set the tone on the drive by bowling over Kamerion Wimbley for ten yards. Cutler then started picking apart the defense, especially McDonald, and hit Brandon Stokley to set up a Fourth and One on their own 45. Sean Jones hit Hillis in the backfield but was carried forward for the first down.

Cutler then turned to his legs, scrambling to a first down on Third and One at the Browns’ 35 and running for 11 to get to the 11 with less than two minutes to go. Culter then victimized McDonald one final time hitting Brandon Marshall for a 34-30 Broncos lead.

Brady Quinn took over at his own 33 with 1:10 left in the game and faced a Forth and One of his own, this one from his own 42. He threw right between the arms of an open Winslow, and the ball sailed right between them. Game, set, match Broncos.

A tough pill for Winslow to swallow as he arguable had his best game as a professional, catching ten balls for 111 yards and the two touchdowns. But his stat line will be overshadowed by his crucial penalty, fumble and drop.

McDonald and the defense had more of the blame to shoulder as Cutler and the Broncos shredded the defense for 564 yards, 441 via the air, most of it looking effortless. Torain averaged 5.7 yards per rush before he got hurt and Royal ended with six receptions for 163 yards (27.3 yards per catch). Tight End Tony Sheffler, who had an injured groin, averaged 23 yards a catch as well.

While the Browns may have found the quarterback of their future their present says they still have a plethora of holes, especially on defense, to fill. Those holes were exposed but a Broncos team that had loss three games in a row. The Browns now sit at 3-6 and face an 11 day layoff before facing the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. For now all they can do is wonder how they blew a two touchdown lead… in consecutive games… at home. A long 11 day it will be.

The Browns Table: Dropping the Ball Versus Baltimore

Welcome to The Browns Table, a season-long look at the 2008 season for the Cleveland Browns from the point of view of the Browns fans here on Bleacher Report.

This discussion is not just meant for the contributing Browns fans. Please feel free to comment on any of the questions or any of our answers below.

We welcome any comments and an open discussion about the Browns below. If you would like a seat at the table leave me a note on my profile and we will try and get you in the rotation.

As always thanks to Browns fans Samantha Bunten, Dawgfather Robert Cobb and Scott Miles for their contributions this week.

The guys and gals debate the come from ahead loss to the Ravens, the performance of the defense, Derek Anderson and the Browns play-off hopes.

Without further ado, let’s talk Browns football…

The Browns turned a 27-13 late third quarter lead into a 37-27 loss. What do you feel was the turning point of the game?

Samantha Bunten:
Braylon Edwards dropping that critical pass at the beginning of the 4th quarter ended the game and probably the season for the Browns. Edwards has the proverbial 'hands of a bricklayer's son' on passes in critical situations. While I wouldn't pin the blame for the game or the season on Edwards alone, this play was likely the last nail in the coffin for both.

Though the dropped pass sealed our fate, I actually think the turning point came earlier, during the Ravens last possession in the 3rd quarter. Even before they scored the touchdown, their efficient march down the field seemed to visibly deflate our defense.

Dawgfather:
I feel the turning point was when they had the Ravens’ backed up deep on a 3rd and 16, and they converted I felt that the momentum shifted back to them for good at that point.

Scott Miles:
For as long as I can remember, the Browns have been one of the worst teams defending against third downs. Two yards to go, 20 yards to go - it doesn't matter; I had no confidence that our defense would stop them.

So it was no surprise that, after taking that two touchdown lead and forcing the Ravens into a third-and-15, we give up a 20-yard completion. First down, touchdown, game over. Ugggggh.

Jeff Smirnoff:
There were two. After the Browns scored to go up 27-13, on the ensuing drive the Ravens faced a 3rd and 16. The Browns only rushed 3 and Joe Flacco had plenty of time and found Derrick Mason for 20. From that point on, Flacco looked like a QB who was determined to win the game.

The other play was Braylon Edwards' drop after the Ravens scored to tie it at 27. Whether Edwards would have scored or not is irrelevant, but Derek Anderson looked to lose his confidence from that point forward and it showed on offense.

The defense has been overachieving all season before the Ravens dropped 37 on them. What did Baltimore do that the Browns were unable to defend?

Samantha Bunten:
It wasn't so much what Baltimore did, but what the Browns didn't do. Once again, the Browns failed to deliver in big situations. The offense deserves some of the blame (2 for 12 in 3rd down conversions, for example), but this week most of the onus is on the defense, which seemed to have retreated into the black hole where the Browns offense frequently hides on Sundays.

As per usual, the Browns D couldn't defend against the run, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. I can't bring myself to give Baltimore credit for doing something the Browns were unable to defend. Our defense gave this one away and they should be embarrassed.

This game wasn't as close as it looked. Baltimore dominated us, and their offense is just not good enough for this to have happened. For example, Flacco is a forgettable rookie who doesn't look like he any future potential except when playing the Browns. Rice, also a rookie, has just 339 yards on the season but picked up more than a third of those Sunday against our inept defense. The Browns D made these players and the rest of Baltimore's unimpressive offense look like stars, and they should be ashamed.

Dawgfather:
They kept the Browns defense honest by running the ball very well which enabled Flacco to set up and throw and their OL did a good job of keeping Rogers at bay, they were more aggressive in attacking the young secondary of Wright and McDonald

Scott Miles:
Well, outside of Shaun Rogers, the defensive ends were inconsistent. The Browns have been unable to get a pass rush with three or four players, like the Steelers and Ravens can with their 3-4 defenses. So we either have to rush six defenders to try to pressure the QB and leave the secondary exposed, or we rush three, get absolutely no pressure and (again) leave the secondary exposed.

I think Mel Tucker has done an admirable job putting together this patchwork defense, but I think he would be best served to study the blitz packages of some of our division rivals and trying to figure out a way to get pressure on the passer without having to send the house.

Jeff Smirnoff:
There was no one thing, the Ravens just made plays when they needed to while the Browns defense did not. If the Ravens needed 5 they got 6. If they needed 16 they got 20. The Browns did not seem to be aggressive on defense with their play calling as they have been previously. They seemed to be caught in bad coverages on a routine basis. The tackled very poorly, especially in the second half, and it cost them. To blow a 14 point lead, at home, to a bad offense with a rookie QB is unacceptable.

Derek Anderson was not the reason the Browns lost but once again he proved to go from hot to cold and back in a matter of a few series. What are your thoughts of DA's performance as a whole at the mid-point of the season?

Samantha Bunten:
Anderson just isn't a good quarterback, and he never will be. The fact that it has to be pointed out when he actually isn't the reason for a loss is telling.

He's near the bottom of the heap in almost every statistical category, most notably completion percentage, where he ranks a dismal 33rd among eligible passers.The stats are bad enough, but the intangibles are far worse. Anderson doesn't have the drive, leadership skills, or mental toughness to succeed in the NFL.

That said, Anderson is not the reason the Browns have had such a disappointing season. We all knew going in that DA wouldn't be our hero. We had a team that showed potential to win in spite of him, not because of him. Anderson played exactly as I thought he would; it has been others who have failed to live up to expectations.

Dawgfather:
Very erratic and inconsistent, and although he was not the main reason he has to take that "next step" by being more consistent and spreading the ball around, He is the victim of drops by Edwards, bad game plan and questionable and conservative play-calling.

Scott Miles:
In the interest of full disclosure, I am answering this after the decision to bench DA and start Brady Quinn.

But look, this has just been a frustrating season all around. Any Browns fan who thinks DA is the lone reason we're struggling is an idiot. DA has not dropped a single pass this season, several of which would have resulted in touchdowns. He hasn't had Kellen Winslow for a couple of games, Joe Jurevicius for the entire season. His play calling hasn't been inconsistent.

What I haven't been impressed with is his lack of confidence. Frankly, he has bad body language, and your quarterback can't have that. It just seems that every drop, every incompletion, every three-and-out, just wears on him. That's frustrating for me, because he's a captain and a leader. It is for that reason that I think a change needed to be made.

Jeff Smirnoff:
There is no way to sugarcoat it. It has been bad, plain and simple. He is completing less than 50% of his passes when most serviceable NFL QBs complete at least 60%. His inconsistency is maddening. The worst part of his play this year is that when they need him to make a play in a big situation he routinely fails, often in excruciating fashion. Have injuries and the dropsies of the receivers impacted his play? Yes. But he has not passes the "eye test" this season. He just doesn't look like a competent NFL QB right now.

The Browns are now 3-5. They are 1-3 in the AFC North. Do they still have a shot at the play-offs?

Samantha Bunten:
My rational side has completely given up on the Browns and started a countdown to spring training, but there is still some part of me that hasn't lost hope. After all, we're from Cleveland, and we have a reputation to uphold as fans who believe until the bitter end.

Obviously, we won't be getting to the playoffs by winning the division. The Browns would have to play like they did vs. the Giants and the Jags every game for the rest of the season. I can't imagine this happening, and if by some miracle they did win out, they would still need a lot of help. Pittsburgh has a lot of potentially tough games left to play (Washington, Indianapolis, San Diego, New England, Dallas, and Tennessee), but they could easily win all of those and could even afford to drop a few of them and still stay ahead of the Browns. Winning the AFC North is definitely not in the cards.

However, all is not yet lost: embarrassingly enough for the rest of the AFC, the Browns, at 3-5, are still very much in the wild card hunt.

Dawgfather:
They need help! All the teams ahead of them have not only a better overall record but also a better division record, what the Browns need to happen is go no worse than 6-2 and win both games vs Pittsburgh and Cincinnati to finish at 3-3 in the North and hope some of the teams above them lose a few games, by as it stands the browns are one the outside looking in.

Scott Miles:
Shockingly, we're two games out of the wild card right now. Upcoming games with Denver, Buffalo, Houston and Indy all have playoff implications. And maybe with the change at quarterback, we can win them all - three of the four are at home - and have a shot at this thing. Nine wins will probably get you a wild card spot in the AFC this season.

So yes, it is an extremely long shot, but call me an optimist right now. I don't know why, but I think they could do it.

Jeff Smirnoff:
If you assume that they need a minimum of 9 wins to get into the play-offs and factor in that they are 3-5 that means they need to go 6-2 in the second half of the season. If you look at their schedule and add in their inconsistency I do not see a 6-2 second half occurring. They are D-O-N-E, done.

The Browns play Denver at home in 4 days on Thursday night. Does either team have an advantage and what do you expect to see on Thursday?

Samantha Bunten:
Denver has a lot of talent, but I think they are a team the Browns can beat for several reasons. The Browns inability to stop the run won't be as much of a problem as usual, as the Broncos have an abysmal ground game. Last week vs. Miami they posted a grand total of 14 rushing yards. Their running game was also further weakened when Michael Pittman aggravated a neck injury Sunday.

Denver's biggest strength is the Cutler to Marshall hookup, but Cleveland's secondary has the talent to stop them if they can defend the deep ball. Cutler had 2 TDs and 3 INTs last week. Football's version of Nuke LaLouche, he's got a cannon arm but he's also got very serious control problems. The Browns D should be looking for pickoffs - taking advantage of turnovers could be the key to a win on Thursday.

Denver's defense has a lot of holes. They are still shuffling the secondary to find something that works. Their run defense is decent but is usually hit for big runs about once per game. Their pass rush has improved with their new 3-4 package, but it isn't giving any QB nightmares just yet.

If the Browns take advantage of these 3 things Thursday, I fully expect them to emerge victorious.

Dawgfather:
I would call this a push, and neither team has the edge but I would give a slight edge to Cutler because he is the better QB with WRs who don't drop the ball, but their pass defense is the fifth worst in the league right now. What I expect from the Browns is to come out fired up and more aggressive because with DA's job on the line he will look to repeat his MNF performance. Early Pick : Browns 24, Broncos 20.

Scott Miles:
Denver should have a huge advantage. The Browns are reeling off of a stunning loss to a division rival, and they have essentially a rookie quarterback starting with one full day of practice. Plus it doesn't seem like we have ever beat the Broncos, ever.

But hey, that's why they play the game, right? We beat the Giants with similar odds stacked against us. It'll be an intriguing match up with Brady getting his first start, against a pretty poor defense. I think he'll have a good game, as will Jamal Lewis, and the Browns will pull out a tight win.

Jeff Smirnoff:
The Browns have a small advantage as they played a 1 PM home game versus the Broncos 4 PM game in Denver. Other than that, both teams are bipolar on offense and have weak defenses. That leads me to expect a 1980s style shoot-out on the shores of Lake Erie, but with the way the season has unfolded to date maybe we should expect a defensive struggle?

Edwards, Browns Drop to 3-5 in Falling to Ravens, 37-27

The Baltimore Ravens got a good push from up the middle. Derek Anderson side-stepped to the right and looked downfield. Braylon Edwards had a step on Ravens’ defensive back Corey Ivy. Anderson reset, reared back and launched the football down the field. It arched perfectly over Edwards’ head and landed right into his hands.

But when the ball fell to the ground on Edwards’ league leading 12th drop of the season the Browns fell apart and fell to the Ravens, 37-27. The loss puts the Browns at 3-5 on the season with a 1-3 record in the AFC North. If the Browns had any hopes of making a play-off push in the second half of the season they may have left it on the field with Edwards’ missed touchdown.

The Jeckel and Hyde Browns reared their ugly heads once again to the dismay of the Cleveland faithful, spotting the Ravens a 10-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to field position and a turnover.

Dave Zastudil shanked a 20 yard punt to give the Ravens their opening possession of the game on the Browns’ 42. The Ravens managed a Matt Stover field goal for a 3-0 lead. Syndric Steptoe turned the ball over on the ensuing possession and the Ravens started on the Browns’ 47. Two plays later it was 10-0 after Joe Flacco hit Mark Clayton on a 47 yard post route.

Josh Cribbs appeared as healthy as he has been all year as he took Stover’s kick and rumbled 92 yards for his fifth career return touchdown. It was a must needed spark as the Browns offense could only manage 32 yards on their first three drives of the ballgame.

The Browns offense showed some signs of life as they drove 74 yards in 11 plays to add a Phil Dawson field goal and make the score 10-10. The Ravens and Browns then trade field goals at the end of the half to go into the locker room tied at 13.

The first half featured two Ravens rookies, Flacco and Ray Rice, having their way with the Browns defense. Flacco seemingly was picking apart the defensive backfield hitting Clayton and wily veteran Derrick Mason at will while Rice seemed to get five yards a pop each time he took the hand-off.

The second half started off all Browns as the Ravens went three and out and Cribbs returned the resulting punt to the Baltimore 28. Anderson immediately hit Edwards in the corner of the endzone for a 20-13 Browns lead.

The defense responded by forcing another Baltimore three and out. The Browns took over on their own 28 and Anderson began to heat up. Aided by a Ray Lewis pass interference penalty, the Browns drove 72 yards which culminated in a touchdown when Anderson hit Jason Wright on a swing pass for seven yards at a 27-13 lead.

However, as quickly as the offense and defense appeared out of nowhere, they disappeared even faster. Utilizing the no huddle, Flacco led Baltimore 79 yards to answer the Browns’ two touchdowns by continuing to find Mason wide open and letting Rice run wild. When Le’Ron McClain bowled over Sean Jones at the one yard line for a touchdown, momentum had definitely shifted.

The Ravens next possession again started in Cleveland territory, on the 41, and in three short plays the game was tied at 27 as Flacco found Mason isolated on Eric Wright, who whiffed on the tackle, and Mason walked into the endzone 28 years later.

On the next possession is when the Browns’ season just may have ended. On third and seven from their own 24, Anderson wiggled his way away from the Ravens aggressive pass rush and saw Edwards breaking open. The drop resulted in a second consecutive three and out and the Browns flaccid offense added three more on their next three possessions.

Meanwhile the Ravens kept pounding Ray Rice at will and he eventually busted a 60 yard run off of right tackle to take the ball to the Browns 2. Somehow the reeling Cleveland defense managed to stiffen and hold the Ravens to a third Stover field goal and a 30-27 score.

The Browns and Ravens traded three and outs on their ensuing possessions and the Browns were staring down a sixth consecutive three and out with just under three minutes left in the game. The Browns would have loved a three and out but instead got a Terrell Suggs “Pick Six” when Anderson threw a screen pass right into Suggs hands and he raced 42 yards for a 37-27 Baltimore victory.

It was uglier that the final score indicated as the Browns failed to gain a first down from 6:07 in the third quarter to 2:25 remaining in the game. Take away Cribbs’ kickoff return and the numbers become even more skewed. The Browns’ yielded 429 yards, including 193 on the ground, to a Baltimore offense that doesn’t invoke fear in anyone.

That coupled with the Browns offense disappearing in the first quarter and last 25 minutes of the game spelled doom for Cleveland on this day. And it just may have spelled doom for their 2008 season.

The Browns Table: A Jacksonville Victory and Ratbird Revenge

Welcome to The Browns Table, a season-long look at the 2008 season for the Cleveland Browns from the point of view of the Browns fans here on Bleacher Report.

This discussion is not just meant for the contributing Browns fans. Please feel free to comment on any of the questions or any of our answers below.

We welcome any comments and an open discussion about the Browns below. If you would like a seat at the table leave me a note on my profile and we will try and get you in the rotation.

As always thanks to Browns fans The Coop and Eric Lawhead and Michael Taylor for their contributions this week.

The guys and gals give their thoughts on the Kellen Winslow Saga, the Browns win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, an off-season acquisition and the upcoming showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

Without further ado, let’s talk Browns football…

The Kellen Winslow situation... What are your thoughts? Who do you feel is to blame? Where do he and the Browns go from here?

The Coop:
When the story first broke, I was one of the few people defending the organization. Winslow's comments to the media were completely inappropriate. Regardless of whether Winslow was right in expressing his concern for problems with staph, publicly criticizing the organization is never the right thing to do. (Incidentally, Winslow later stated that his illness had nothing to do with football.) I applauded Phil Savage for his swift decision to suspend Winslow, based solely on his comments.

Now that all of the details have come out and we know that a PR-staffer told Winslow to keep the staph infection quiet, my anger towards Winslow has softened. In light of the obvious error in judgment by the PR group, I was very impressed to hear that Randy Lerner and the rest of the organization took the heat and rescinded the suspension. This was the best resolution to a messy situation, and I do believe Winslow when he says he's "ready to move on."

With the Browns 2-0 without him, Kellen Winslow clearly needs the Browns more than they need him. It will be interesting to see how his contract situation is handled, especially given that he and Braylon Edwards will become free agents at around the same time. I've always thought the Browns would sign Winslow and let Edwards walk, but now that might not be option given the hurt feelings that will probably still linger for years to come.

Eric Lawhead:
I believe that Winslow was wrong for "airing the Browns dirty laundry." I do feel that the Browns were to blame in the feelings that Winslow felt in regards to how the Browns management handled the situation. I would expect my boss, like me or not, to call or visit me in the hospital. The Browns and Winslow need to really sit down, some how without the virus, Winslow calls an agent, and really figure out what is going to happen. The Browns have the upper hand here, they still sign the paychecks. If Winslow wants the big money he feels he deserves with either the Browns or any other team for that matter, he needs to still play and produce and if he keeps getting suspended for running his mouth that isn't going to happen.

Jeff Smirnoff:
The Browns organization as a whole and both parties themselves handled the situation horrible. The Browns come off badly because it appears that they were trying to hide the staph issue when it has been common knowledge for some time that they have had a recent history of infections. If someone in fact asked Kellen Winslow to keep it undisclosed, that is totally unprofessional.

Phil Savage did an awful job of addressing the issue by coming off as defensive and abrasive. He hung Romeo Crennel out to dry by not having a press conference and overreacted by handing out a punishment that did not fit the crime. He deserve a fine but not a game suspension.

Winslow was unprofessional in not attempting to have a sit down with either Savage or Crennel in house. Instead he chose to publicly bash the organization, its leaders and the team (indirectly). He should know by now that this is a business and that no matter how good you are most teams will not baby you.

Michael Taylor:
My mind has been spinning over this whole mess. The more I thought about it, I am madder at the Browns and how they can let this problem grow into such a distraction. I mean, the man had staph and because it has been rampant in the Browns locker room they want to conceal the problem? I understand that Winslow should have came out with this in a better manner, but at the heart of it, I am concerned for why it had to be concealed in the first place. This is a growing problem. Move on, play football, and find a way to fix it.

The Browns topped the Jaguars, 23-17, despite being outgained in almost every offensive category. What did you think of the offense's performance?

The Coop:
They managed the game, and sometimes that's all you need. They played the field position game pretty well. Having no turnovers and no offensive penalties also usually makes up for being outgained by the other team. Anderson looked comfortable in the pocket, distributed the ball well using many different receivers, and Jamal Lewis continues to be a beast.

Still, the Browns need to develop a killer-instinct on offense. Settling for two field goals in the 4th quarter when they had a fantastic opportunity to finish off Jacksonville is good but not great, and they will not get away with this most weeks. Both the play-calling and play-making need to have a sense of urgency that says, "This game is over." Every game they win going forward is going to be a tight one. They've got to learn to put teams away.

Eric Lawhead:
They were playing a very tough defense, and we all knew that going into the game. No matter what the stats are, a win is a win. At the beginning of the season, I had this and the Giants game as losses. It's a great win, against a tough team. Maybe this will spring board them going forward.

Jeff Smirnoff:
The Jaguars don’t look to be as good as they were last year but they are still a quality ball club. Any road win in the NFL is a good one. The offense sputtered a bit in the second half but they were in a groove and efficient in the first half and were able to hold on for a win. A very good effort, but it would have been nice for them to put the game away earlier when they had the chance.

Michael Taylor:
I unfortunately was unable to see the game due to a family function, so I cannot comment on the efficiency of the offense. Looking at the stats, it looks like DA again had some problems with his accuracy, but he did not turn the ball over giving the Browns a chance to win a tight game. I still would like to see J-Lew get a few more carries a game.

It seems like every time the Browns face a big game with expectations they come out flat and scattered. It seems when they have nothing to lose they come out and just play good football. What do you attribute this to?

The Coop:
They managed the game, and sometimes that's all you need. They played the field position game pretty well. Having no turnovers and no offensive penalties also usually makes up for being outgained by the other team. Anderson looked comfortable in the pocket, distributed the ball well using many different receivers, and Jamal Lewis continues to be a beast.

Still, the Browns need to develop a killer-instinct on offense. Settling for two field goals in the 4th quarter when they had a fantastic opportunity to finish off Jacksonville is good but not great, and they will not get away with this most weeks. Both the play-calling and play-making need to have a sense of urgency that says, "This game is over." Every game they win going forward is going to be a tight one. They've got to learn to put teams away.

Eric Lawhead:
It's just like most people. When your back is against the wall and everything is stressing you out, a majority of the time you will falter. They need to be able to come into games loose and with little to think about. They weren't picked to win that game nor the Giants game. They played loose and took them down.

Jeff Smirnoff:
Coaching. This is the big issue that I have with the Browns. They have a decent amount of talent. It is the coaching staff’s job to have this team ready to place from the opening kick every week. The defense has overachieved (kudos Mel Tucker) and the offense has been impacted by injuries but every NFL team goes through that. The Browns have enough talent to hang with any team in the league but it is the coaching staff’s failure to have them ready to go each week.

Michael Taylor:
I think that they have played pretty good football since the bye week, even in Washington. That was one of those games that happen, and they played a very tough team. They have rallied after that embarrassing start to the season to prove that they are still competitive. The test will now be if they can bring this momentum home against Baltimore and win to get back to .500.

Shaun Rogers had 9 tackles (all solo), a sack and a blocked field goal versus Jacksonville. He came from Detroit with some baggage and was rewarded with a nice new contract. What are your thoughts on his play to date?

The Coop:
The guy is a monster and a difference-maker. Phil Savage needs to be commended on this acquisition. People thought the Browns were giving up too much to get him, but Leigh Bodden has done nothing for Detroit and he's playing far-better than you could expect a third-round draft pick to play as a rookie (which is also what they gave up to get him).

I don't think it's a reach to say that he is the team's defensive MVP so far this year. He is a major reason why the defense has played better than any of us expected. Sure, they give up big yards, but he's only one (okay, more than one) man, and he makes big plays when the Browns need them. He brings a phyiscality and nastiness that the Browns just haven't had.

And, with his play and good attitude, he has completely erased any concerns about that "baggage." He deserves a lot of credit as professional, but I believe the organization and specifically Romeo Crennel deserve credit for getting 110% out of him every week.

Eric Lawhead:
He's a big man. He does help clog some holes on the defensive line. It's taken some getting used to for him early, but he will continue to grow and help us out a lot. I expect him to make big plays down the stretch and carry that D-Line.

Jeff Smirnoff:
Exceeding expectations. Yes, he is a past Pro Bowl selection but he has been playing without Robarie Smith and Shaun Smith. Corey Williams is still picking up the system. He is doing it with Louis Leonard and Santonio Thomas playing along side with him. Maybe just getting out of Detroit, which is one of the few franchises that has been worth than the Browns, gave him a new lease on his career. He has been motivated and playing hard all season long.

Michael Taylor:
He is a beast! He may be the best acquisition by the Browns since rejoining the league. I can't remember any Brown charging through the line as consistently as he has done.I hated to lose Leigh Bodden, but Rogers is totally worth it.

The Browns screwed the pooch in Baltimore in Week 3. What do they have to do in Week 9 to come out with a win and even their record at 4-4?

The Coop:
Offensively, the Ravens can be thrown on. DA is going to have to step up and make the throws, and the receivers are going to have to catch it. They need to use the pass to set up the run and effectively manage the game. But they must also mix-in some gadgets and wrinkles that keeps Baltimore off balance. I want to see Joshua Cribbs very active in the shotgun, under center, on reverses, whatever, many times. Chud has got to open up the playbook once again.

Defensively, they've got to pressure Flacco. Baltimore's running backs are good, but they are nothing like the RBs the Browns have faced over the last 3 weeks (Brandon Jacobs, Clinton Portis, Fred Taylor / Maurice Jones-Drew). They can give up yards in the run game if they constantly harass Flacco, bringing him to the ground and giving him no throwing lanes.

But more than anything else, they need to realize that even with all the adversity they've faced - injuries, inconsistency, people calling for the head coach to be fired, the QB to be benched - the prospects for this season significantly change with a win. At 4-4 they will be tied with the Ravens for 2nd in the AFC North, potentially just 1 game behind Pittsburgh with a Steeler loss at Washington this Monday.

Baltimore is not a better team than the Browns. The Browns need to go out, truly KNOW that they are going to win, and refuse to lose, period.

Eric Lawhead:
Stop the run and hit Joe Flacco. They don't need 50 sacks. They just need to knock him down, or put a hand on his chest every time he drops back to throw. Make him know they are always around him. Make him feel uncomfortable in the pocket and try and get him to make some mistakes. Willis McGahee could gain some yards but they need to limit his yards. They should be fine. After this win, I've got great confidence in the defense and the Anderson, yes Anderson, led offense is starting to come around. Browns 24-10.

Jeff Smirnoff:
Stop the Ravens’ three headed monster on the ground of Willis McGahee, Ray Rice and Le’Ron McClain and make Joe Flacco beat them. Flacco has been better than average for a rookie but his play on the road has been much worse than at home. Baltimore passed way too much in the first meeting and they won’t make that mistake again unless the Browns force their hand.

On offense they have to play their game. Creative play-calling with some shots down the field is key. It is tough to run against the Ravens but Jamal Lewis is always motivated against his former team. If the Browns can get a decent lead at some point it will be difficult for the Ravens to keep pace with them.

Michael Taylor:
I believe that if they come back out with the passion and desire in their eyes that they have of late, that the Browns will win this game. Baltimore as we all know has a stout defense, but the Browns' 'D' has improved since the last meeting and I believe that a big day by Jamal Lewis is in order against that tough run defense. Lewis had a good game averaging 4.7 yards per carry the first meeting, but only had 14 attempts as the Browns had to pass coming from behind.

Browns Jack Jaguars, 23-17

If you were going to use the movie “Major League” to paraphrase the Cleveland Browns last two performances last week versus the Washington Redskins would have used the quote, “These guys ain’t too (expletive) good.” But with the way the Browns’ season has been going, is it any surprise that this week versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, “Who the (expletive) are these guys,” was more fitting as the Browns looked like a major league football team in defeating the Jaguars, 23-17, to improve to 3-4.

It was interesting to see how the game would unfold after the tumultuous week for the Browns as they dealt with the Kellen Winslow saga that unfolded after last week’s loss. Winslow ripped the team for asking him to not disclose that he had a staph infection that occurred during the Browns’ bye week and kept him out of the Week Six game versus the New York Giants.

The Browns suspended him without pay for a week for conduct detrimental to the team, saying that they were only following Winslow’s request for privacy and that he unprofessionally went out of his way to bad mouth the organization.

However, late Saturday night the Browns’ lifted the suspension, but enforced a $25,000 fine for Winslow’s comments, when it was discovered that someone in the Browns’ Public Relation Department has texted him asking to not disclose his illness. But with Winslow in San Diego and unable to practice all week, he was inactive for Sunday’s game.

On their first series, it appeared that the Browns that have been around in most of their losses this season were making another appearance. On 3rd and 1 from their own 34, Derek Anderson ran into Lawrence Vickers while handing off and Vickers was stuffed for no gain and the Browns were forced to punt.

Jacksonville faced a 3rd and 9 from their own 12 yard line on their first series on the game and an old friend reared his ugly head. Dennis Northcutt, former Brown and noted scissors-hands, converted the third down on a 13 yard catch out of the hand from David Garrard. The Jaguars converted another third down when Maurice Jones-Drew swept the right side for three yards on 3rd and 2. But the Browns’ defense stiffened and forced a Jacksonville punt.

With the ball back in their hands, the Browns offense awoke as Anderson took control and drove the team down the field. The Browns got creative as Vickers rumbled with a flat pass for 13 yards. Jamal Lewis then burst up the middle for 19 yards and Vickers followed up with a 10 yard run of his own. Anderson then hit Braylon Edwards and Steve Heiden, starting for Winslow, to put the ball on the Jaguars’ 5 yard line. On third and goal, Anderson found Donte Stallworth in the endzone for a 7-0 advantage.

Jacksonville answered on the very next series behind the legs of Garrard and the hands of Matt Jones. On a 3rd and 10 from the Jaguars’ 37, Garrard busted the pocket for a 24 yard scramble after D’Qwell Jackson whiffed on an easy sack. This after Garrard had already converted a 3rd and 2 earlier in the drive. Jones caught two passes on the drive and would end the afternoon with eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. That put Garrard into position to find Reggie Williams in the endzone for the tying score after a 13 play, 74 yard drive.

But the Browns would not roll over and showed some intestinal fortitude. After being stopped short on 3rd and 2 from their own 46, the Browns faced a 4th and 1. Romeo Crennel roll the dice and won, as Derek Anderson faked an hand off and rolled right and found a wide open Heiden. Heiden rumbled 51 yards down to the Jaguars’ 2 yard line when Jamal Lewis rammed the ball in for a touchdown and 14-7 Browns lead.

The Jaguars faced a 4th and 1 of their on the ensuing possession, but Shaun Rogers (9 tackles, all solo, 1 sack, one blocked FG) stuffed Greg Jones and the Browns took possession at their own 37. Anderson hit Edwards for 43 yards but the drive stalled and Cleveland had to settle for a Phil Dawson 32 yard field goal and a 17-7 halftime lead.

Garrard and the Jaguars wasted no time in the second half as they passed the ball effortlessly on the opening drive. Williams, Matt Jones and Mercedes Lewis all got in on the action as Jacksovilee drove to the Brwons’ 10 when they faced a 4th and 1. Jones-Drew took the pitch swept right and converted as he outran the Cleveland Defense. Garrard hit Jones from eight yards out on the next play to cut the margin to 17-14.

Jacksonville looked poised to tie the score at 17 when Josh Scobee trotted out to attempt a 38 yard chip shot field goal. But Rodgers busted through the line, blocked the kick and recovered the football keep the Browns lead at 3. But it was short-lived as on their next possession, Scobee connected on a 53 yard field goal to knot the game at 17.

The Browns then pounded Jamal Lewis four straight times for two first downs but faced a 3rd and 7 from their own 46 yard line. Anderson hit Syndric Steptoe on a perfectly timed crossing pattern and it was off to the races. With the help of a Braylon Edwards block, Steptoe jetted 53 yard down the sideline only to be forced out at the 1 by Reggie Nelson.

It looked as if the Browns’ lost a golden opportunity as they were unable to score a touchdown and had to settle for a 20 yard Dawson field goal and a 20-17 lead. But on the ensuing kickoff, rookie Beau Bell forced Brian Witherspoon to fumble and Josh Cribbs recovered on the Jacksonville 25. But the Browns were unable to gain a single yard on the drive. Dawson added a 42 yard field goal to push the lead to six, 23-17.

Both teams then traded three and outs before the Jaguars took over at their own 30 with 1:51 remaining with no timeouts. Garrard hit Northcutt for 12 yards but Browns’ safety Brodney Pool answered with a sack on the next play. Jacksonville converted a 4th and 3 with 27 seconds left but was pushed back 15 yards after a late hit by tackle Tony Pashos.

Matt Jones hauled it a pass in the middle of the field in Jaguars territory but broke a tackle and ran 35 yards, dragging two Cleveland defenders with him, and got out of bounds at the Browns’ 26 with 16 seconds left. Garrard misfired to Jerry Porter before lofting a pass to Matt Jones in the back, left corner of the endzone.

It bounced off his hands twice and Nick Sorenson came in to apply the hit and the ball bounced off his helmet incomplete with one second remaining. One second and one incompletion later, the Browns found themselves sitting at 3-4 with a 23-17 victory.

The Browns won for the third time in the last four games and did not commit a turnover for the third consecutive game. Add to that the fact that they only had one accepted penalty for 15 yards and held Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor to 29 and 24 yards, respectively, and there were a lot of positives to take from the game.

Jacksonville outgained the Browns, 380 to 327, and also held the ball for 35:05 to the Browns’ 24:55. The Jaguars ran 71 plays to the Browns 51, had 23 first downs to the Browns’ 15 and they converted 11-20 third downs compared to 3-12 for Cleveland. But in the end, the Browns led 23-17 on the scoreboard and that is all that matters.

The Browns head home for a stretch of four homes games in five weeks. The start that off with a rematch with the hated Baltimore Ravens (4-3), fresh off a 29-10 thumping of the hapless Oakland Raiders. It is a prime opportunity for Cleveland to make up some ground in the AFC North as the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) fell to the New York Giants today.

The Ravens beat the Browns, 28-10, in Week Three at Baltimore and the Browns would love nothing more than to even the score. But with the way this Browns season continues to unfold, who knows what to expect next Sunday on the shore of Lake Erie.

The Browns Table: Capital Punishment

Welcome to The Browns Table, a season-long look at the 2008 season for the Cleveland Browns from the point of view of the Browns fans here on Bleacher Report.

This discussion is not just meant for the contributing Browns fans. Please feel free to comment on any of the questions or any of our answers below.

We welcome any comments and an open discussion about the Browns below. If you would like a seat at the table leave me a note on my profile and we will try and get you in the rotation.

As always thanks to Browns fans Dustin Haley, Eric Lawhead and Michael Taylor for their contributions this week.

The Browns followed up their Monday night beatdown of the defending champs by laying a giant egg in the Nation’s Capital. The guys examine play-calling, quarterback play, coaching, the defensive performance and look ahead to Week 8 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Alright gentlemen, let’s talk Browns football…

The Browns lost a nail-biter to the Washington Redskins, 14-11. The offense didn't seem to get into any sort of rhythm until the 4th Quarter. What did you think offensive play-calling and game plan?

Dustin Haley:
I didn't notice anything particularly wrong with the offensive strategy. I felt Chud called a pretty consistent game based on our strengths; he stuck to what usually is his winning formula, if you will.

I felt he called all our running plays at good times, as we never took any negative yardage in the run game. The receiver’s had been getting open and getting into positions to make plays, unfortunately they were looked over. We didn't see as much of Josh Cribbs and Jerome Harrison as we might have wanted to see, but the over use of them will also lower their effectiveness.

All in all the strategy used gave us the most probable chance to win.

Eric Lawhead:
No matter the play calling, when you have a quarterback who goes 14-37, nothing can help. I'm not saying Romeo's standard lackluster game plan doesn't hold some of the blame but come on. 236 total yards in a game against a much smaller, less physical defense than the team you just dropped 35 on the week prior.

Jeff Smirnoff:
I thought it was awful. No creativity, no chances taken and no shots downfield like versus the Giants. The Redskins are a good, not great, team. They had injuries in their secondary. They had not generated an inordinate amount of pressure on QBs all year. So we come out with a ton of short passes with a quarterback who struggles with accuracy and take ZERO changes downfield all game. The red zone calls were the worst. First and Goal on the 1 on two separate occasions and one time we don't score and the other time it takes us three times and we burn precious time. There was no focus or approach to the Browns' offensive game plan. What were they trying to establish or exploit against the Redskins defense? There is no answer to that question.

Michael Taylor:
I actually wasn't that upset by the offensive game plan. This was a tough defense to go up against, and if the Browns would have been able to execute, they had this game won. But they just couldn't do it. Maybe it was the short week, maybe it was an emotional letdown.

Bad Derek Anderson showed up on the road, again. He looked great on Monday night but when you go 3-14 for 17 yards in the first half, and look bad in the third quarter, shouldn't you be pulled? Do you think DA should have been pulled and do you think there are any reasons why this regime seems to resist putting Brady Quinn into the game?

Dustin Haley:
I feel the inconsistent play by Derek Anderson is having the largest negative effect on the offense as a whole. He made some really bad throws, and I mean REALLY BAD. I understand that bad throws are going to happen, but with DA, it’s happening a lot and it’s affecting everyone.

The Browns feel they have a team they should win with; inserting Quinn doesn’t guarantee anything and may do more bad than good. Assigning a new starting QB is a process that has many elements. Main thing is, you don’t want any unnecessary pressure or hype on the young player. Ideally you want him to be comfortable and attempt to ease him in. Doing so in the first half of a bad season adds unnecessary pressure and is disruptive to offensive timing and consistency; therefore it is unlikely that a new QB is going to save a season. (I know, our offense is already disrupted, but it could get worse.)

Keeping DA as the starter has nothing to do with his market value, or the perceived notions that Anderson is Crennel’s “guy” he won’t come off of, and everything to do with timing. The Brady Quinn era is quickly approaching, but it’s not going to happen this year as long as there is still a chance to save the season with DA.

Eric Lawhead:
This is Anderson's team. DA showed last week why we paid that man his money. Sure this year he has been bad more than good, but it's not "Brady Time" just yet. With the schedule they have this season, it's Anderson's to lose. Putting Brady in this year or this early will only inhibit him from progressing as a passer and a great quarterback. He will get his shot, probably this season, but let Anderson take the lumps now and wait until we're completely out of it to let Quinn take the reigns. For now, let him drink his Myoplex, and eat Subway with Jared.

Jeff Smirnoff:
He absolutely should have been pulled. It's not just the numbers the team looked lifeless and completely off. Sometimes you need a change-up to kick start things. The Redskins were struggling too and maybe a change earlier by the Browns would have gotten them going sooner. There weren't a ton of penalties, there wasn't a ton of pressure in Anderson's face and he just looked out of sync. Just like it the Cincinnati game, if you aren’t going to go to your back-up QB then, when are you?

I honestly think that the Browns think if they pull DA during a game for Brady Quinn that there is no going back to DA ever. I disagree, Quinn is an unproven commodity. You paid a high price for him but he is still the back-up. Back-up QBs are paid to be ready to play; you can make the move during a game and go back to DA if you see fit or if Quinn struggles. It isn’t an ultimatum on Anderson's career.

Michael Taylor:
I am ready to pull what little hair I have on my head out. I am usually the last one to start clamoring for the backup Quarterback, but it was obvious Sunday that DA just didn't have it. Even last week I was upset early in the game when he was still throwing behind receivers, and that was his supposed breakout week. One more week coach Crennel. We lose that one and there is no reason why the Browns should not start the Quinn era and get rid of this cloud of doubt that hangs over the organization. There needs to be a direction set now.

They didn't have a lot of procedural penalties this time but the Browns came out flat and lifeless. This team continues to fail to have any consistency. What does this coaching staff need to do to change this?

Dustin Haley:
Consistency can be preached, but is it really a coachable area of the game? Consistency and concentration go hand in hand. Other than the handful of concentration drills that exist for players, I suppose the only thing that a coach can do is remain consistent in the manner in which they coach, teach, and practice. That’s a tough area to improve, especially mid season.

Eric Lawhead:
Well for starters get the lifeless blob off the sidelines. Someone should get the poison out for Romeo, because it's time to end it. Romeo is done at the end of this season. The Brown's are not going to make the playoffs. He has done nothing to progress a young star in the making in Anderson. He will leave, they need to hire a young fireball and start a new mindset in Cleveland. The team will not get up against a Redskins team on Sunday afternoon. They may get up for their two remaining Monday games, but consider this team as pumped as their blob of a coach.

Jeff Smirnoff:
I don't know. If that is a cop out so be it. Ultimately, it is Romeo Crennel's job to have this team ready to play every week, which he has failed to do. It is Rob Chudzinski's job to ensure that he has a game plan in place that gets the team off to a fast start and he has not done that on a consistent basis. I have been impressed with what Mel Tucker has done on defense with injuries on the line, a poor linebacking corps and only two decent cornerbacks.

Bottom line, it's been almost four years and this continues to plague the Browns. If they haven't figured it out yet, I don't know if they will.

Michael Taylor:
Hell, maybe we should have more procedure penalties, at least then the lineman were eager to get after it and make some blocks. Seriously though, I don't know. These guys are professional players who should know how to give their all each week. I have no way to explain Braylon dropping balls, or DA's inaccurate arm, or the O-line's inconsistent play, other than it is a lack of focus. How to change that with this coaching regime? It has yet to happen and likely won't.

The defense held the Redskins to 14 points and once again came up with a crucial turnover but they did get gashed for almost 200 yards rushing. What do they Browns need to do to stop the run on regular basis?

Dustin Haley:
I wouldn’t expect the run defense to improve much, this year. Mel Tucker has a sort of give-take defense; we will give you some running room in order to shorten your passing game. This is obvious by how little the linebackers press the line of scrimmage and attack the run (i.e. filling run gaps, run blitzes). Instead the defense is allowing the play to develop in front of them and then react to the play. It is a good strategy to have to keep the “big play” from happening.

In my opinion, our opponents rushing attacks have looked good in the box score, but have been anything but impressive. As long as we remain at the top of the league in the points against statistic, I don’t see any reason to drastically change our defensive strategy against the run.

Eric Lawhead:
Draft better. So they've taken the draft picks to get good on offense, and we've all seen what they can do when they're at their best. They never really took a look at good defensive linemen or linebackers. You can't just think that getting guys other teams don't want is going to work. Football is not a game where taking another team's trash will make your treasure. Take this next draft and draft defense, defense, defense. It's really the only way you're going to get better. There isn't the cap room so much anymore to buy talent, so Savage has to make some.

Jeff Smirnoff:
Get better linebackers. Our linebackers are horrible. The defensive line is fighting and playing hard despite the loss of Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith being out a few games. Shaun Rogers has been a beast at nose tackle. This leaves the linebackers to make plays at or behind the line of scrimmage, which they can not. D'Qwell Jackson is quick and plays hard but is too small. Andra Davis is smart but is too slow. Leon Williams seems to be a specialty player. Willie McGinest is D-O-N-E, done. Kamerion Wimbley has not evolved. Alex Hall has a lot of potential but is raw. Injuries have nullified Beau Bell's season. Until the Browns have the playmaking linebackers that the Steelers, Ravens and Patriots have they will continue to struggle.

Michael Taylor:
Get better players. Shaun Rogers can only do so much, and I am sick of watching Kamerion Wimbley running behind a play and piling on a tackle at the end of the play. I swear every time I look up Wimbley is chasing a ball carrier and jumps on the pile after the fact. I know that the Browns have invested a lot in him, but the time is passing to call him a big bust.

The Browns face another tough road test, heading to Jacksonville to face of the Jaguars. The Jags are coming off their bye and feature a monster running attack and tenacious defense. What do you expect from the Browns and Jaguars in Week 8?

Dustin Haley:
It’s going to be a hard fought game for both teams. The Jags will find success on the ground with Taylor and Jones-Drew rushing and Garrard creating plays on the run. Mel Tucker is going to have to dial up some nice blitzes to attack Garrard were he’s most comfortable, scrambling. If we don’t let Garrard get comfortable, we will be able to control this offense.

If the Browns offense doesn’t get going early, it will be a long day against the balanced defense of the Jaguars. I suspect the Browns offensive woes will continue, Jags win 21-17.

Eric Lawhead:
I would like to think that the offense just got a wake up call. They know they can beat a good defense, because they did it in the Monday Night game against the Giants. They just need to open up the playbook a little bit and let Anderson throw more down field. It will open up the running game for the guy who could win us the game in Lewis. They need a real nice 120 rushing game from him if they want to have any chance of winning. Their defense will give up some yards. They have one of the best dual back, backfields in the NFL in Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor (if he is alright after leaving last weeks game against Denver with a head injury). They need to contain the pass and just slow down the run. It's one of those times where you won't just be able to stop it, just slow it down. My heart says Browns 24-21 my brain says Jags 24-10. I would like to believe my heart.

Jeff Smirnoff:
This does not look good on paper. Jacksonville is coming off a bye and will be healthy. Jack Del Rio will commit, and stay committed to, the run so we will get a steady dose of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. Their tall receivers may present a little bit of our problem for our corners. The game is on the road versus a physical, aggressive defense and that does not bode well for Derek Anderson. The Browns will have to play an efficient, disciplined game to stay in the game and have a chance to win. That is a daunting task for them.

Michael Taylor:
Same old story Jeff, same old story. The Browns never match up well against teams like this, just look at our "rivalry" against Pittsburgh. It will be a long day of Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. Their defense is actually ranked down a bit this year, allowing 340 yards per game, but we should know better. The Jags will control the clock and the game.