This game cemented the status of the 2007 Browns as a decent, mid-level team. Traveling into the Foxboro den of iniquity, Cleveland performed just about as expected: losing decidedly but not terribly to perhaps the league’s best team.
It is thin consolation that the Patriots scored as few points as they had in any of their other four games when that number is 34. The Browns’ 17 hard-earned points, none aided by turnovers, is a higher total than any previous Pats’ patsy put up.
The unit of the game, from the Browns’ point of view, was the secondary. Stellar? No. Rapidly improving? Yes. Despite absolutely no help from the pass rush, they limited Tom Brady to 58% passing, dominant Randy Moss to 46 yards on three catches, and dangerous Wes Welker to nothing longer than seven yards. New England was just two-for-12 on third down, one-for-two on fourth, and one-for-four once they had goal to go. Pool, Bodden, and Wright all got hurt at least briefly, and there were a few missed tackled and beaten coverages. Still, there is hope that this young unit will develop enough confidence in themselves and the coaching staff to permit more blitzing, the only hope for generating pressure on the QB.
It was a game without much razzle-dazzle or subterfuge. The Browns were what they are: hit-and-miss at QB, Braylon or bust at WR, decent but not dominant O-line and backs, very weak and leaky on the D-line (Robaire Smith excepted), LBs who are easily neutralized, a game but green secondary.
The Patriots were what they are too: contained, sustained aggression on both sides of the ball, full of weapons who will push the limits until the other team or the officials or the league stops them. I hope someone does, and then keeps the evidence.
Willie McGinest must’ve had a lump in his throat seeing the guy wearing his old 55 across the field, even older than him, snaring two interceptions, waving the ball midfield like a sandlot hotshot. McGinest was in on just two assists and, frankly, is lucky to be back on the field at all after late summer back surgery.
More to say, but life calls…
