More bad publicity

So I was watching all the cable news channels last night, flipping around to get all the perspectives (I admit, I'm somewhat addicted during election season even though I can't wait for it to just all be over). On CNN I noticed something to this effect scroll across the bottom of the screen: "Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow to appeal his one-game suspension - AP."

Now I know going into this season the Browns were expecting lots of attention. With five prime time games on the schedule the team was hoping that all of the media focus would be based on what was happening on the field. Somewhere I'm sure Phil Savage was just shaking his head at the latest embarrassment for this franchise yesterday. Now everyone knows that not only have the 2008 Cleveland Browns underachieved, they've also managed to get caught up in a PR mess that doesn't figure to disappear anytime soon.

Good luck trying to cheer us up this year Phil

I defended K2 yesterday, but upon hearing that he is now appealing his one-game suspension I'm done defending him. It looks to me like this is all a ploy to keep his game check ($235K) that he is scheduled to miss during his suspension. I gave him the benefit of the doubt yesterday, assuming that he spoke out in frustration. But given that his agent is the one-and-only Drew Rosenhaus, Winslow's history of injuries that have likely shortened his career, and his longing for a new contract, this whole scenario just screams 'Pay me or I'll make a mess for you.' And if that's the case it is despicable, embarrassing, and completely unacceptable.

"As a grown man, if you make your bed, you have to lay in it. I'm not Kellen Winslow. I don't really understand what's going on with him and the team. I'm sure he felt he did what he needed to do." - Darnell Dinkins

Winning usually cures most ills for a team but I'm not sure even that (as unlikely as it seems with these up-and-down Browns) would help with K2. The Browns are nearing a crossroads with him and it just might be time to cut ties and rid the team of yet another distraction that they just don't need.

Other Browns Notes: Steve Heiden is hurting, but still expects to play Sunday vs. the Jags... And speaking of tight ends (that seems to be all we're talking about today), rookie Martin Rucker may be activated for Sunday's game. Yet another indication that K2 is expendable? I guess we'll have to see how he does, but we already know we have two decent stop-gaps in Heiden and Dinkins, so the more the merrier... I'll give my fearless prediction for Sunday right here tomorrow and you just might be surprised.

Cavs Update: The Cavaliers sleepwalked their way to a 97-79 loss to the Pistons last night in their almost-preseason-finale. Not exactly the best way to debut themselves to basketball-starved fans on Fox Sports Ohio's only preseason telecast. But when you take into account that #23 was a DNP for the night, I think we can all agree that this game doesn't mean jack$hit. They will finally end their marathon of a preseason tomorrow night on ESPN against the Wizards... The Cavs are expected to make their final roster announcement today so we'll see if Jawad Williams or Ronald Dupree will be the last man standing... I always like to read Brian Windhorst's take on these preseason games, so here you go if you didn't already see it... Dan Labbe put together a nice piece today on how the Cavs stack up to Cleveland's other pro teams... And finally, Bob Finnan reports that LeBron James was already crowned the league's MVP in a preseason NBA poll of general managers. Way to go out on a limb there guys!

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008-09 MVP

Week 7: Browns @ Redskins

Sunday, October 19
4:15pm, CBS-HD
FedExField, Landover, MD

Here we are, already moving into Week 7 of the NFL season. The Browns have won two straight after their dismal 0-3 start and have sucked many doubters right back into their typically frustrating roller coaster style of play. They will face the Redskins in another late Sunday start, this time at 4:15. With a short week to prepare after the Monday night game this week, what should we expect? As always, your guess is as good as mine.

Keys to the game:

• Establish an early lead. The Browns were able to do that against the Giants and it allowed them to keep their offense balanced, instead of abandoning the running game.
• Stick to the plan. The offense had a banner day on Monday night with a lot of plays that seemed to surprise the Giants. Chud surely has more of those plays up his sleeve and it's time to showcase all of them with this offense.
• Put pressure on the quarterback. Jason Campbell is still fairly inexperienced. To me, he's more of a 'game manager' than a 'game changer.' But if the Browns can find a way to keep utilizing some of the blitzes they showed on Monday, them might be able to force Campbell to make some throws he's not comfortable making.
• Stay focused. The Browns need to avoid all the false starts, illegal shifts, and illegal formation penalties that have seemed to plague them all year. They were able to get away with that at home, but I'm not so sure it's a good idea to start pulling that crap on the road.
• Play like the underdog. We all know the Browns have a hard time dealing with success. They are better when expectations are low. I hope they won't be puffing their chests too much after the MNF win. There is plenty of business left to be handled and simply getting back to .500 needs to be an immediate goal.

With all that said, I'm awfully worried about this game. I just don't see the Browns being able to stay as focused as they were coming out of the bye week. I can envision a close game, coming down to the wire with the Browns in their frazzled, clock-wasting version of the 2-minute offense. That will spell trouble in the road. I'm going with Redskins 24, Browns 17. I hope I'm wrong.

Other Browns Notes: K2 looks to be practicing today, and wants to play on Sunday... If he is unavailable against the Redskins, Tony Grossi wonders if Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins can have the same impact in this game... At least Braylon Edwards and DA have found their 'freaky rhythm'... And the Redskins are a little banged up this week, so maybe we are catching them at a good time.

Cavs Update: The Cavs dropped their fourth straight preseason game last night at the Q, 91-70 to the Spurs. I'd like to say I'm not at all worried because it's just the preseason... but I think I said the same thing about the Browns. It looks like it was just a bad shooting night all around for the team. Delonte I can understand because he's been out of camp. Mo's 3-for-14 on the other hand... yikes.

Where the hell has Pop been hiding all summer?
I think he scared some small children out of the Q last night.

Brian Windhorst says not to worry, and he is the expert so I'll go with him. BW also had a nice video chat yesterday that's worth a look and listen. 11 days until the real season starts...

Thursday thoughts

A few thoughts this Thursday that I wanted to throw out randomly...

• It's chilly in Cleveland today after being almost uncomfortably muggy yesterday. It looks like fall is really here and soon winter will be too. Ugh.
• I still can't believe how the Browns completely dismantled the Giants on Monday night. Reflecting on it after a couple days, I honestly think it was the best Browns game I've ever been to in person (keeping in mind that the only real competition for that crown was the win over Atlanta in the season finale in 2002 and I didn't regularly start attending games until the reincarnation of the franchise in 1999).

This pretty much sums up Eli's night on Monday

• These have been some lean years for us Browns fans, with makes the first Monday night win since 1993(!) against the Super Bowl champs that much sweeter. I rather enjoyed the game replay last night on NFL Network HD and of course DVR'd it for future viewing pleasure.
• I have my doubts whether the Browns can have an encore performance this Sunday on the road after a short week of preparation for the Redskins. But it seems like the Browns are at their best when little is expected of them. So I will keep my expectations low for the foreseeable future in hopes that it will magically propel them to victories.
• I hope the 'Flash Package' and other Chud gadgets are used more on offense in the coming weeks. The Giants looked totally confused every time Cribbs lined up at quarterback, and the double reverse play to Harrison was a thing of beauty. And the NFL Films replays really showed how the Giants over-pursued the play from the start.
• I want Kellen Winslow to completely recover from whatever undisclosed illness is bothering him. First, I don't want him needlessly rushed back if he's not healthy yet (and you know it's just killing him to not be on the field). And second, the offense really clicked with Heiden and Dinkins. No need to mess with that unless K2 is 100% - or as close as he can be after all the leg injuries he has sustained.
• The Browns just might be onto something with their young secondary. Brodney Pool, Brandon McDonald, and Eric Wright all had key interceptions on Monday night (none bigger than Wright's beautiful 94-yard TD return to seal it). All off-season there were calls to shore up the secondary with a veteran cornerback, but Phil Savage resisted the urge to overpay an aging veteran and stick with the youngsters. So far they have played pretty well this season. And that's not even mentioning Sean Jones who is still recovering from a knee scop, but expected to play this Sunday.
• Only 12 days left until the Cavs begin their season. Yes, I'm sick of the countdown too. I just want the season to start now. They have another meaningless preseason game tonight against the Spurs at the Q. I'd like to go, but I know I'd be regretting it by the third quarter when the NBDLers are running around out there.
• Delonte West finally returned to camp yesterday. Maybe it is a good thing that we still have a few more preseason games to play. I want him ready to go to start the year. And it's nice to hear that Ben and Sasha also returned to full practice. Now let's just keep these guys healthy.

“He’s a big part of our team. It’s good to have him back. It’s good to see him high-spirited and concentrating on the game of basketball.” -
LeBron James on Delonte West's return

Did that really happen???

Wow. All I can say is wow. We actually do have an NFL team again. What a great win last night. I don't think I would have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes inside the Stadium. The Browns dismantled the Giants, outplaying them in every way possible en route to a huge 35-14 win that just may have saved their season (very fun highlights here).

Eric Wright seals it with his 96-yard interception return for a TD

Where has this offense been in the first four games? I know Ryan Tucker was finally back from his hip injury - does he really make the line that much better? DA seemed to have all day to throw on his way to 18-of-29 for 310 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs. And I have to say that Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins stepped up in a big way in the absence of Kellen Winslow, combining for 6 catches, 81 yards, and a touchdown. And Braylon Edwards finally had his breakout game with 5 catches for 154 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion. He beat Aaron Ross like a drum all game long.

The Browns even mixed it up offensively with the run, gaining another 144 yards on the ground. When was the last time you saw this team go an entire game without a punt? Savor last night's rare feat because that may not happen again for a long time. Their signature drive started with 8:11 left in the third quarter and ended 87 yards later (112 if you count a bunch of silly penalties) with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Edwards.

And the Browns came up equally huge on defense forcing 3 Eli Manning interceptions, including the game clinching 96-yard touchdown return by Eric Wright. We can forgive him for dropping an earlier interception after watching that play unfold. And I love Jim Donovan's call of that play starting around the 3:25 mark in the highlights above. Goosebump-inducing, reminiscent of his "Run William, run!" call back in 2002.

So where do the Browns go from here? Your guess is as good as mine. I expected a 34-13 Giants loss last night and got a 35-14 win. What do I expect this Sunday when the Browns travel to Washington to face the Redskins? I'll let you know later in the week. For now, let's bask in the warm glow of a big victory on national TV. It's been a long time coming for this team and it feels good to have a little pride restored in these guys.

Other Browns Notes: Terry Pluto gives his post-game scribbles from the big victory... Braylon Edwards was finally able to quiet some critics after his big game... James Walker talks about how the Browns kept their season alive... And don't forget Tony Grossi's podcast today. I'm sure he'll be just as shocked as the rest of us.