The Cleveland Browns put forth a valiant effort yesterday, but it wasn’t enough as they dropped a 15-14 contest to the Baltimore Ravens at CBS. The Browns came into the game bruised and battered as Reuben Droughns and Orpheous Roye couldn’t go, but the team displayed the fight and grit that was missing from the first two games and almost pulled off the upset.
With the Ravens playing the "46" defense, Cleveland attacked them the correct way, by throwing the ball on the early downs. After the first two possessions, Charlie Frye came out throwing early and often and the Browns did whatever they wanted on offense in the second quarter. They even had a couple of decent runs with Baltimore geared to stop the passing game. The team got the ball to its playmakers. Braylon Edwards burned the Ravens for a 58 yard TD catch, and Kellen Winslow made a leaping catch on a scrambling pass from Frye to put the Browns in scoring position. In all, Edwards (5) and Winslow (7) accounted for 12 of Frye’s 21 completions.
Cleveland was better on third down as well, both offensively and defensively. They converted 6 of 14 third down conversions after being terrible in that area the first two games. Many of these big plays especially in the fourth quarter came on passes to Winslow, who wasn’t on the field in those situations in the game against the Bengals. The defense was able to get itself off the field, stopping the Ravens on 10 of 17 third downs. The D did a good job on Jamal Lewis, holding him to 4.1 yards per carry, and then they blitzed Steve McNair (who was statue-like in the pocket), who had trouble making accurate throws under pressure in the first three quarters.
The loss of LeCharles Bentley was more noticeable yesterday as 1-1/2 of Baltimore’s sacks came from NT Kelly Gregg, a good player but not known for his ability to put pressure on the QB. The offensive line was saved by quick throws, but allowing your quarterback to get sacked 7 times, and hit after throws 19 times is not acceptable. They must do a better job protecting Frye, or Ken Dorsey will be the signal caller before you know it.
Gary Baxter’s continued injuries also leave the secondary exposed. Davin Holly was picked on repeatedly by McNair in the second half and Ralph Brown is no better. Where is 2005 4th round pick Antonio Perkins? It appears Phil Savage whiffed on this pick. However, DE Simon Fraser played well. The former Buckeye has a sack, and ran down a screen pass to stop the Ravens short of a first down. First round pick Kamerion Wimbley put pressure on McNair when he was in. He continues to look like a good one.
No problem here on the interception from the Ravens’ 4 yard line in the 4th quarter. In fact, the Browns should have thrown it on first down. There is nothing wrong with going for the jugular, especially when you are the underdog. If Frye hadn’t been hit as he threw, the result would have been different, either a touchdown or sailing over Edwards head incomplete. The problem is after the running play on first down, the Ravens knew a pass was coming. That’s why they should have thrown on first down.
The Browns are still 0-3, and they have a must win next week against the Raiders. It’s not a must win for a possible spot in the playoffs, it is because the Raiders are clearly a worse football team than Cleveland. If they can’t beat Oakland, it might be a while before the Browns get in the win column.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 