First, I want to thank the Cleveland Browns organization for putting a great product on the field for us to enjoy.  It seems that management has handled this team properly so we can enjoy it again next year.

With that said, let’s get to the game.  I have to admit, I thought Derek Anderson would bounce back after his atrocious performance against the Bengals.  He didn’t.  DA finished with only 152 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.  He was off target most of the day and was lucky that at least one more wasn’t picked off.  He also left the game for a series with an injured pinky.

There was a huge cheer as Brady Quinn took the field.  Quinn’s numbers don’t show it, but he did well in his debut.  Had it not been for a few dropped balls, he would have scored his first NFL touchdown pass.  Winslow and Edwards both dropped balls in the endzone.  Winslow’s was right on the numbers.  Quinn finished 3 of 8 for 45 yards.

Joshua Cribbs had another huge day.  He returned a punt for a 76 yard touchdown in the first quarter.   This came after a 53 yard punt return.  After halftime, he returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown that was called back for holding.  That is sooooo typical!  Cribbs made some great tackles on special teams and had a 10 yard direct snap rush called back by a penalty in the second quarter.

Jamal Lewis owned this game as predicted.  He ran for 128 yards on 26 carries.  The Browns had better sign him to another contract for 2008.  His intensity, ability to keep drives going (keeping the Browns D off the field), blocking for DA, and making the opposing defense respect the ground game, has kept the Browns in games time and time again.

The offense, as a unit, did a great job overall.  The O allowed only 1 sack, rolled up 358 yards of total offense, kept the defense on their toes by mixing up the plays (28 passes, 36 rushes), and were 7 of 15 on 3^rd down conversions.

The defense played a good game against a horrible offense.  The key to the game was to stop Frank Gore.  Gore finished with 23 carries for 94 yards and 2 receptions for 21 yards.  Not fantastic, but they kept him out of the endzone.  They also found their pass rush.  Former Heisman Trophy winner, Chris Weinke, found himself on his butt five times.  Leon Washington and Willie McGinest had 2 sacks each!  The Browns did not get any turnovers, but had a couple of chances for interceptions.

The Browns were in control most of the game and the stats reflect that.  There are a couple of items that need to be addressed.  Both of them require concentration.  The receivers need to focus on catching the ball.  There are simply too many dropped balls to expect this team to compete with the likes of the New England or Indianapolis.  The second item is penalties.  Too many penalties are calling back huge plays.  When JC is up for a contract negotiation, he should bring his diary to show how many times his TD return was called back!

Did you notice that I haven’t told you the final score?  It didn’t matter.

What about the Colts, Tom?  What Colts?!  The Colts sucked in every form of the game.  I am keeping all of the donations that were received for Tony Dungy this week.  I think I will buy a brown paper bag with it.  I have plenty of dog “stuff” in the backyard to fill the bag.  Then, I’ll soak it in lighter fluid, sneak up to the Dungy porch, get my lighter…

The Colts pulled their starters halfway through the 2^nd quarter and proceeded to suck after that.  If it weren’t for a LenDale White fumble in Tennessee territory, the Colts would have finished the game with only a field goal. 

Jim Sorgi sucked!  You could create a drinking game with this article.  Every time I use the word or form of the word, “suck”, you have to drink.  Sorgi managed only 68 yards passing in two and a half quarters!!  They should consider bringing Paul McDonald out of retirement as a backup.  I don’t want to take anything away from the Tennessee defense, but 68 yards on 24 attempts!

Let’s not take out our frustration on Jim Sorgi…when we have Tony Dungy to beat on as well.  Before the game, he had said that they play every game to win, whether the backups are playing or the starters.  I’d like to call “you know what” on Tony Dungy.  He did not play that game to win.  Sorgi sucks (gulp, gulp, gulp), but Dungy set him up.  The Colts ran the ball 4 times in the last two and a half quarters.  Gee, do you think the Titans D could just pin their ears back and blitz the quarterback??!!!  In the 4^th quarter, the Colts high powered offense managed 16 yards, 1 first down, and two 3 and outs!

The very last play of the game proved that Dungy had no intentions of trying to win.  He finished the game with one timeout in his pocket that could have forced the Titans to at least run a 4^th down play.  You never know what can happen!!!  Dungy sucks (gulp, gulp, gulp).

To make a long story short, the Browns season is over.  There is some pain in knowing that the team won 10 games and did not make the playoffs.  I am a Browns fan which means I have thick skin.  I’m used to the coarseness that the sands of time bring.  It gives me a chance to repeat the old Cleveland mantra, “maybe next year.”

By the way, if I didn’t mention it, “Colts suck!”  (gulp, gulp, gulp)

Browns won 20-7.  Happy New Year!

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