The first quarter of the Browns’ season is in the books. A downright dismal debut. A triumphant track meet. Dismay by the Bay. And now, the rise to respectability.
By accomplishing the two things they set out to do — start fast on offense and settle down on D — the Browns caged the blackbirds from Baltimore for what may prove to be the signature win of the Romeo Crennel era.
Is that hyperbole? No. Besides the fact that the Browns were underdogs at home to a hated division rival, then controlled the game right from Josh Cribbs’ 41-yard opening kickoff return, consider this: what if they had lost?
What if the Browns did not rebound from the Oakland stinker, disappointed the home folks in some new twist on a familiar theme, and then staggered into the Patriots’ place at 1-3? The pre-written script calling for Crennel’s ouster would be writ large in every area newspaper and on the web, radio, TV …
It doesn’t take much imagination.
The fat lady has sung: you’ve met your match, Romeo… Pull the trigger now, Randy… We’ve had our fill of Phil too… Put in Quinn… Woe is us, and our high first-rounder is already traded away.
Thankfully, the team’s own talk of trust and talent proved more than bluster and bravado.
By late in the game, with McNair and McGahee piling up yardage by the dozen, the contest became more of an exercise in keeping the clock running and not letting momentum shift with a big scoring play. The absence of that negative was proof positive that this Browns team has arrived. It can close out a game. Playing not to lose is a lot easier when you’re up by three touchdowns, a margin nearly as wide as Ray Lewis’ gaping maw.
But let’s not overlook what got us to that unfamiliar point, because those elements form the crucible where the success of this squad is forged:
- Cribbs’ impact as part of the very effective kick return and kick coverage units.
- A confident and competent opening drive with no penalties and three third-down conversions.
- Joe Jurevicius as a handy weapon in the end zone. He’s like the neighbor who stays out of your business but is always quick to lend you whatever tool you need at the moment.
- A sure-handed Wheelie, now featuring plenty of YAC for RAC.
- Derek Anderson whistling the ball anywhere on the field, with his sole poor decision greatly outnumbered by the prudent and productive.
- The Detroit Diva reprising his breakout performance against the Bengals with two more solid games. Third year’s the charm for this rising star, now shining much more constantly.
- An offensive line rock solid in pass protection against one of the league’s more fearsome units, also showing the occasional ability to spring a runner for a good chunk of real estate.
- Forcing turnovers, tricks turned twice yesterday, keys to keeping the defense rested and ready to resist.
- Decent team defense. They made the Ravens travel 32 yards per point scored, too far to play catch-up, twice stopping them on downs. The young secondary surrendered just one pass play of over 20 yards, that to a running back.
- A touch of luck. Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap left injured. Matt Stover missed two field goals, something he hasn’t done for at least six years, probably longer.
This all leaves the team headed to New England not with a sense of foreboding, but with a genuine opportunity. If Romeo and a game Willie McGinest can return to the scene of past glories and help pull a mighty upset from the league’s top-ranked team, the Browns will be the talk of the NFL. But more importantly, they’ll emerge as legitimate playoff contenders for just the second time in 13 years.
Even a loss would leave them in position for a winning record, as the struggling Miami and St. Louis clubs follow. But who knows? Maybe the Pats, coming off a short week, will be tired from running all over the Bengals tonight.
