Big W In Baltimore

The Difference Maker
The Browns won today’s game against the Ravens because they had the best player on the field -– Josh Cribbs. That’s right, a special teams’ performer was the difference-maker again today.

Time and time again, Cribbs gave the Browns’ offense outstanding field position. It was on clear display on Baltimore’s kick off just after going up three with well under a minute remaining. Cribbs had another terrific return, carrying tacklers for extra yardage. As it turned out, the Browns needed every inch of that second effort to get the game-tying field goal.

At this point in the season, I would say he’s this team’s MVP. It’s not even close. He’s having a Pro-Bowl year and then some.

Jamaal Stood Tall
He looked 25 again against his old mates today. That’s about as good a rushing performance I have seen for a back that didn’t finish with 100 yards or more. Lewis looked like he was running downhill all day long – muscling Raven defenders time and time again.

14 Point Swing
The Browns starting safeties have played better in recent weeks. Today, Sean Jones and Rodney Poole combined on the game’s biggest play – a quarterback hurry, forced by a blitzing Jones, and turned into a 100 yard interception return by Jones.

Offensive Line
I have been lauding their performance all year long. However, just prior to halftime, they had a horrid series – combining for several holding and early starts penalties that looked both comical and sad at the same time. They re-grouped nicely in the second half. DA wasn’t hurried all day again, with the exception of a couple sacks late in the fourth quarter. Even on those sacks, it was more of a result of DA stumbling and panicking than his linemen getting beat off the ball.

DA
Speaking of Anderson, his best completion of the season came on the pass to K2 prior to Dawson’s dramatic field goal make just before overtime. On that play, Anderson delivered a nice ball under a heavy rush. Until that play, he was well on his way to a sub-par performance against a solid NFL defense.

We credit him with making a couple nice throws late, but after watching him against the Steelers and Ravens, we feel stronger than ever we have it right when it comes to evaluating his talent level. Quinn has a much higher ceiling and anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong.

Anderson reminds me of that hitter who gets fat off mediocre pitching but struggles against good stuff. There is nothing wrong with that. In baseball, you bat that guy seventh or lower in the order. Unfortunately, this is football, and having that kind of guy pulling the trigger on every play usually leads to trouble against quality opponents.

If I am right, DA will start lighting it up again now that the schedule softens.

Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde
I still believe he’ll be in Hawaii come February, but now he officially has more drops than touchdowns this year after today’s performance. I realize I have to live with the drops. I covered that in a previous entry. That’s what good NFL receivers do these days on a regular basis. But please, let’s at least hold on after the catch. And no – I’m not bringing back his nickname. He’s progressed enough where we can let that one rest.

K2
Did you see K2 tell the Browns’ bench to throw him the football prior to the completion that set up the game-tying field goal? My wife actually mentioned that to me just before the ball was snapped. Who said women don’t pay attention when they watch football?

6-4 & Cupcakes Ahead
The screen flashed the Browns’ remaining six-week schedule and it illustrated what we pointed out over a month ago. Cleveland has the easiest schedule in the NFL down the stretch. The win over the Ravens makes the playoffs a real possibility. We said a split with the Steelers and the Ravens puts this team in the driver’s seat for post-season, and now that becomes abundantly clear.

The question is – is this team mature enough and do they have enough leadership (coaches & players) to take advantage of it?