Browns Win, Still No Playoffs

 

The Cleveland Browns closed out the regular season with its seventh consecutive home win, a 20-7 triumph over the San Francisco 49ers.  It was a workmanlike performance by the brown and orange, as the game didn’t seem at all in doubt after Derek Anderson’s 45 yard TD pass to Braylon Edwards midway through the second quarter.  It was on that play that Anderson hurt his hand and wrist slightly, giving the crowd an opportunity to see Brady Quinn’s NFL debut.  Unfortunately, the Colts didn’t hold up their end of the bargain losing to Tennessee 16-10, thus eliminating the Brownies from the playoffs.

 

Quinn shook off jitters on his first two passes to lead a drive which resulted in a Phil Dawson field goal to increase the Cleveland lead to 17-7 going into halftime.  He certainly gave the fans an idea of what he can do when he gets a chance.  Of course, after Anderson’s first pass was picked off following his four interception game last week, the crowd wanted Quinn to make his debut the next time the Browns got the football.  DA didn’t play his best game, making several poor throws, including a couple more that could have been picked off.  He finished 11 of 20 for 152 yards, as the Browns played ball control with Jamal Lewis.

 

Although he has a few miles on him, it would be difficult to imagine Phil Savage not working out some kind of new contract with Lewis, who had another 100 yard day, picking up 128 in 26 carries.  It was #31’s fourth game over the century mark in the last six, and the Browns lost the two games in which he did not reach 100 yards.  It has been reported that Savage is trying to work out a new deal with Lewis, who certainly showed he still has plenty of gas in the tank.

 

Defensively, the 49ers were hesitant to throw the ball because they were playing their 4th quarterback of the season in Chris Weinke, the former Heisman Trophy winner.  The Browns held Frank Gore under 100 yards in controlling the ground game, and put pressure on Weinke in recording five sacks.  It would not be a surprise if Willie McGinest was playing his last regular season game, and if he did, he went out in style, recording two sacks.  LB Leon Williams also recorded two sacks, as Todd Grantham’s much maligned crew held its third straight opponent under 20 points.

 

How can you forget the way Josh Cribbs dominated this game if you can do that on special teams.  The Pro Bowler returned two punts more than 50 yards, including a 76 yard return for a TD.  He also took two kickoffs back for an average of 28.5 yards, and had another touchdown if not for a very questionable holding call on Lenny Friedman, who appeared to be simply blocking his man.  He also made a great open field tackle on a punt return.  You really have to wonder why coaches continue to kick the ball anywhere near Cribbs.

 

It was a great turn around for a franchise with one winning season since 1994.  A playoff spot would have been nice, but the Browns really aren’t good enough defensively to be a factor in the post-season.  With an estimated $30 million under the salary cap going into the 2008 season, Savage should be able to upgrade that side of the ball, although he won’t have a first round draft choice.  A tougher schedule is not next year’s slate so improvement will be needed to match this year’s 10-6 record.  If nothing else, this year’s Browns made the team relevant again, not the joke they had been since 1999.

 

JD