TERRY'S TALKIN' SPORTS

Cleveland Sports Blog by Terry Pluto

Terry Pluto: Scribbles about the Cleveland Browns

by Terry Pluto/Plain Dealer Columnist

Monday December 01, 2008, 4:11 PM

BEREA -- Some things about the Browns as I listened to Romeo Crennel's news conference ...

1. I've had issues with Crennel and strongly believe the Browns need a new head coach in 2009, but I admire that he will come to work and not complain and will finish out this lost season. There won't be a Butch Davis panic attack/early exit episode as in 2004 when Davis quit with five games left.

2. I wish the players who pledge loyalty to Crennel did a better job of paying attention and executing the game plan. They actually played very well on defense in the 10-6 loss to the Colts, a strong overall effort. Crennel rarely addresses emotional issues, but he said the public support of the players means they "respect" him -- and he considered that the ultimate compliment. He also said the support makes it easier to come to work.

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Terry Pluto: Cleveland Browns fans were wrong to cheer when Anderson was injured

by Terry Pluto/Plain Dealer Columnist

Monday December 01, 2008, 3:26 PM

BEREA -- Yes, some Browns fans did cheer when quarterback Derek Anderson was sacked -- and obviously was hurt -- late in Sunday's 10-6 loss to Indianapolis.

Was it a thousand? A few hundred? Maybe 10 behind the bench?

One is too many.

Fans buy tickets, I don't. They can boo just about anything, and this 4-8 season has been alarmingly frustrating. But don't boo a guy who is hurt, even if Anderson's struggles have come to symbolize the underachieving group in orange helmets to many paying customers.

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Pluto's scribbles after another Browns loss

by Terry Pluto/Plain Dealer Columnist

Sunday November 30, 2008, 6:27 PM

CLEVELAND -- Since the Browns have returned in 1999, this may be the worst, most frustrating season for the fans. They came into the season with reasonable expectations of watching a playoff contender. That wasn't only a local prayer, but a prediction from the NFL and TV networks which gave them five prime-time games. Instead, the 10-6 loss to the Colts dropped the Browns to 1-6 at home. In three of those seven games, the Browns have not scored a touchdown. While coach Romeo Crennel said "the team played their hearts out," it also was a rather boring game, despite what Crennel called "a valiant effort."

It's boring because the offensive game plan was designed so Derek Anderson would not take many chances, the hope being to avoid interceptions. They wanted to keep the ball on the ground, a good idea against a Colts defense vulnerable to the run. But 24 carries to Jamal Lewis, when he averaged only 3.2 yards for 77 yards and obviously was not in good form? Two carries for Jerome Harrison, none in the second half? One carry for Joshua Cribbs? The temptation is to say Lewis complained about not getting the ball last week, so they reacted by forcing the action with him. How about a few sweeps to Harrison and Cribbs? Couldn't they see Lewis struggling, when that was obvious to the fans?

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Damp, miserable, uncomfortable --- it's not the weather, it's the Browns, says Terry Pluto

by Terry Pluto/Plain Dealer Columnist

Sunday November 30, 2008, 4:31 PM

Suppose someone had told you before the game that the Browns would hold Peyton Manning and Indianapolis to 10 points.

You'd think they'd win ... maybe?

Not this lost season, where the Browns aren't just 4-8 after Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Colts.

They are 1-6 at home.

It wasn't just the dishwater gray skies, the dismal drizzle and about 20,000 empty orange seats that led to the general gloom hanging over the franchise. It's that the fans can't even watch Brady Quinn (broken finger), who is out for the season, while Derek Anderson went down with a knee injury with 1:07 left in the game.

"It didn't look good, I'm not encouraged," said coach Romeo Crennel.

Suddenly, we're in the Ken Dorsey Era? Crennel said he may be starting next week at Tennessee.

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Terry Pluto's halftime scribbles from Browns-Colts

by Terry Pluto/Plain Dealer Columnist

Sunday November 30, 2008, 2:22 PM

The Colts had the ball on the Browns' 2-yard line, took two shots and the end zone and didn't get into the end zone, turning it over on fourth down. It may have been the Browns' best defensive stand of the year. The Browns also got away with soft coverage on the receivers, wanting to stay away from the big play. That strategy could hurt them in the second half. D'Qwell Jackson had a solid first half at linebacker, and he's been the only linebacker all season who could even be considered slightly above average.

I just don't think the way to avoid those offensive pass interference calls is for Kellen Winslow to complain to the media about them, especially when one of his moves is to make contact with a defender -- then use his strength to shove off and get open. Winslow was not flagged in the first half, and did catch three passes for 15 yards.

Let's see, the Browns had the ball Indianapolis 20. It was third-and-8. If you plan to pass, you throw for a touchdown, or at least for a first down. Instead, they called a quick pass -- a sideways pass to ... Jason Wright? It went for three yards, and the Browns had to kick a field goal. Wright is supposed to be used mostly as a blocker on pass coverage. He is not a playmaker. You want to run that play, throw it to Jerome Harrison who may break a tackle.

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Terry Pluto's Talkin' . . . about Browns' quarterbacks, LeBron in 2010 and Indians' roster

by Terry Pluto/Plain Dealer Reporter

Saturday November 29, 2008, 9:08 PM

Browns Quarterbacks . . .

I'm pulling hard for Derek Anderson to finish strong with the Browns for several reasons, starting with him being a class act after being benched in favor of Brady Quinn. It's easy for players -- especially quarterbacks on losing teams -- to make excuses and blame others when things go wrong. But he never said a word about Braylon Edwards dropping balls, about Kellen Winslow not being 100 percent, or even the sense that most fans wanted Quinn to start. He kept his mouth shut, stayed ready and supported Quinn.

• One theory about Anderson is that he could play well in the next five games because he is under little pressure and knows the job is his for the rest of the season. Quinn is done for the year with a finger injury. The fans will -- or at least should -- cheer for Anderson because he is the only option at quarterback. It is a situation like the second game of 2007, when he took over after Charlie Frye was traded.

• OK, Romeo Crennel named Quinn the starter for next year, but since it's doubtful he'll return as coach -- it means little. The truth is the front office wanted to see more than 11 quarters to make up their minds about Quinn for 2009. The injury is damaging in so many ways because Quinn doesn't get the experience he needs, and the front office doesn't get a chance to evaluate him in games such as today against Indianapolis, or on the road at Tennessee and Pittsburgh.

• If Anderson shows some of his 2007 form, it will greatly enhance his trade value -- assuming the Browns do commit to Quinn in 2009. Several teams will be looking for quarterbacks, starting with Detroit, Minnesota, Kansas City and possibly Chicago or Buffalo. Anderson throwing 29 touchdown passes and being a Pro Bowl pick in 2007 still would make him attractive, even with his struggles in 2008. But if he produces now, the Browns would be in tremendous trading position with Quinn and Anderson.

• In his brief exposure, Quinn controlled the huddle, had the team organized at the line and crisply ran plays. But he played one game in good weather with a healthy finger (Denver). He played in miserable weather at Buffalo, where he also injured his right index finger. Then there was the Houston game, where he was not 100 percent and was pulled after throwing two interceptions. Just wish we could have had a longer look at the kid from Notre Dame.

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History and memories made all afternoon at state football championships

by Terry Pluto

Saturday November 29, 2008, 5:17 PM

CANTON - They all had smiles on their faces, a few had tears in their eyes. Each one raised a single finger in the air as they posed for pictures, the state championship trophy at their feet.

Every Aurora football player will never forgot this sunny Saturday afternoon at Fawcett Stadium where the Greenmen defeated Columbus Eastmoor Academy, 21-10, to win the Division III state championship.

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