The Cleveland Browns ended the 2006 season with a yawn, losing a 14-6 decision to the Houston Texans in a game as boring as the score indicates. The biggest surprise of the game was that Romeo Crennel started Charlie Frye at quarterback instead of Ken Dorsey who the organization said would start all week. That should tell you how impressive Dorsey looked in practice this week.
The best three drives the Browns had all day ended in turnovers, two by Frye (interception and fumble) and another fumble by Reuben Droughns after a nice run. Cleveland had the second worst turnover differential in the NFL, ahead of only the Raiders, just one more reason they couldn’t put many points on the scoreboard. The only good thing for the offense was TE Kellen Winslow, who tied Ozzie Newsome’s club record for the most receptions at that position in one season. Winslow caught 11 balls from Frye today.
On defense, rookie Kamerion Wimbley had another sack to add to his team leading total, and another rookie, Leon Williams deflected a pass that was picked off by cornerback Davin Holly. The Texans really only had one decent drive all game, as their other TD came off of Frye’s fumble in the third quarter.
So, the Browns will pick in the top five in the NFL draft once again, and hopefully they get it right this time. The main reason this franchise is in the state it is in is the poor picks made this high in the draft. Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, and Braylon Edwards are not making anyone’s lists of the best pick in draft history. Phil Savage, assuming he still is the GM, cannot screw this up. With Brady Quinn going to the Raiders as the first pick, Cleveland will be able to pick either T Joe Thomas from Wisconsin or RB Adrian Peterson from Oklahoma. If LSU QB JaMarcus Russell enters the draft, Detroit will pick him at the second spot.
That would leave Savage with Thomas or Peterson. The preference here would be the runner. Although Peterson has had some nagging injuries, an impact runner would most certainly have the biggest impact on the offense.
Also, here hoping owner Randy Lerner stays the course and lets Romeo Crennel and Savage keep their jobs, with Crennel making changes to his staff. The last thing this team needs is more change. Chris Palmer had two years, Butch Davis bought four years because of a playoff appearance in his 2nd season, and now Crennel has had two years. That’s a lack of continuity. The only constant in these eight seasons in the ownership of the Lerner family. Give the current regime another year to make progress. The Browns don’t need another change in philosophy, schemes, and planning. Savage has added some talent in guys like Wimbley, Williams, D’Qwell Jackson, and Brodney Pool.
A new voice and direction isn’t the answer. Getting better players and assistant coaches who can develop them are.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 