For those Browns’ fans willing to give Eric Mangini an extra year after beating a mediocre Pittsburgh team last Thursday night must be building statues in the coach’s likeness today after the Browns won their second straight game, beating Kansas City, 41-34 at Arrowhead Stadium.
It took a pair of record setting performances by Josh Cribbs and Jerome Harrison to put this one in the win column.
Cribbs ran two kickoffs back for touchdowns in the first half to keep the Browns in the game while the offense sputtered. The TD’s were the former Kent State quarterbacks seventh and eighth of his career, breaking an NFL career mark of six that Cribbs had tied. Among those who were tied with Cribbs were Hall of Fame runners Gale Sayers and Ollie Matson.
Harrison broke Jim Brown’s Cleveland record of 237 yards rushing, set in 1961, by running for 286 yards and three touchdowns, including a 28 yard run which put Cleveland ahead to stay. He also broke a 71-yarder to give the Browns the lead in the third quarter.
Cleveland didn’t play good defense, especially early in the game as the Chiefs second 24 first half points, but enough adjustments were made in the second half, and that, along with KC’s inability to catch the ball, allowed the Browns to win this one.
Really, when you rush for 351 yards as a team, it shouldn’t be much of a game. However, Kansas City gained 491 yards of total offense compared to the Browns’ 417, because Mangini and Brian Daboll have Brady Quinn simply managing the game and because the defense allowed 323 yards through the air. Perhaps somebody might tell Cleveland secondary to guard Bedford’s Chris Chambers, who caught 5 balls for 114 yards.
Add secondary help to the list of needs that have to be addressed in the off-season. If defensive coordinator Rob Ryan can’t get to the quarterback with his variety of blitzes, teams can pass on the Browns all day long. If not for all the drops, Matt Cassel would have thrown for over 400 yards easily.
Now back to Harrison’s performance. Instead of putting the coach on a pedestal, let’s wonder why Harrison virtually disappeared following his fine game against Cincinnati in week four, when he totaled over 100 yards rushing. Yes, the running back is not perfect, for example, he has problems in pass protection, but he is a playmaker. Yesterday’s game showed that he can make big plays when he has the opportunity. However, he was among the missing for most of this dreadful season.
Also, Cribbs has shown that he deserves a new contract. He should go to the Pro Bowl as the return man. No questions asked. He and Joe Thomas are the best players on this football team. It was nice to see offensive coordinator Brian Daboll let him throw the ball yesterday. There really wasn’t a big need for the wildcat formation yesterday because of Harrison’s success, but Daboll showed it occasionally to keep the KC defense off balance.
Brady Quinn didn’t have a big passing day, and threw two interceptions, but he managed the game well, and made some big plays with his legs. He’s not putting up great numbers, but he is moving the ball better than Derek Anderson. It was an event when the Browns got a first down the past few games Anderson was playing.
With the Raiders coming in next week, the Browns have a chance to win three straight. However, even if they do, remember they are beating other horrible teams, which is nothing to get excited about.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 