Raiders 26 Browns 24

The following are my thoughts on the Browns frustrating loss Sunday in Oakland:

1. Derek Anderson didn't have a great game but after a shaky start did some very good things in the second half. He should be lauded for giving his team a chance to win. Especially impressive was how he led the team down the field with less than 2 minutes and no timeouts.
2. Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow had great efforts in this game. Was really good to see Braylon put two solid efforts in a row. This is a sign of maturity in his game. It has come out later in the week that he played with a separated shoulder. Which is more impressive that he had such a good game with a bum shoulder.
3. Once again the defense was bad. When is Todd Grantham going to get criticism from the media. This guy is Teflon in the local media. I'm not saying it is all his fault but he is in charge of the unit.
4. Ive heard numerous people blame the defensive line. While breaking down the tape they aren't getting pushed around, their just not athletic. With this being said it is up to the linebackers to fill the gaps and make some plays.
5. Scott Player punted well in subbing for an injured Dave Zastudil. I like that he punts to the sideline and does a good job of allowing his coverage team to make a play. I love the guy's look, finally a punter who looks like a hard ass.
6. Josh Cribbs had another stellar game and really gave the team a lift and changed the momentum in the game. When will the national media start talking about him in the same company as a Devin Hester.

Browns 51 Bengals 45

The following are my thoughts on Sunday's thrilling win over Cincinnati:

1. Derek Anderson had a phenomenal game in his first start of the year. I thought it was the best single game performance by a Browns quarterback since Kelly Holcomb in the playoff game with Pittsburgh. The only difference he found a way to win the game. I don't mind that he takes chances when throwing the ball since he always seems to give his receiver a chance to make a play.


2. Outstanding game plan and play calling my Coach Chud. I criticized him last week for going away from the run, but today he managed to be very aggressive while never going away from the run. Finally it was nice to see an offensive coordinator not be predictable. The most predictable call he made was Vickers on the dive on 4th and 1. Romeo also deserves a lot of credit for keeping the team focus on the Bengals and not let the national media's opinion of this team be a distraction.


3. Kellen Winslow had a great game and I really feel like he is becoming a leader on offense. Braylon Edwards probably had the best game of his career on Sunday as well, but the big challenge for him will be stringing good performances on a week to week basis and becoming the complete #1 receiver everyone expected him to be when we picked him as the #2 pick.


4. Jamal Lewis had a vintage day and it was good to see him look like the Jamal Lewis of old. I think the game will do wonders for his confidence. Also, it should definitely be noted how well the offensive line played. I might be going out on a limb here but I think it is the best performance by a Cleveland Browns offensive line since the rebirth in 1999.


5. The defense did give up 45 points, but when we needed stops we did get them. The most disappointing part of the defense's performance was their poor tackling. Numerous times we had Rudy Johnson stopped behind the line and we missed tackles. Also distressing was the lack of pass rush again against Cincinnati.


6. The crowd was phenomenal and did us proud in pouring beer on Chad Johnson.

My game balls go to:

1. Derek Anderson


2. Offensive Line


3. Edwards, Jurevicius, Winslow


4. Jamal Lewis


5. Coach Chud

My goat horns go to:

1. Todd Grantham


2. Fans in the Dawg Pound hugging Chad Johnson


3. National Media Pundits who still refuse to give Browns any credit on win.

Steelers 34 Browns 7

The following are my thoughts on today's opening game debacle:

1. Charlie Frye looked like he had never played a game in his life. He must be the only quarterback who doesnt understand the concept of throwing the ball away. I mean Rex Grossman at least knows how to throw a ball out of bounds. So much for all that he learned this summer with Donvan McNabb. I think it is a good chance that today was his last action he sees as quarterback of this franchise.


2. Derrick Anderson was ok and at least he looked like he knew what to do when he was in there. I ripped him in the preseason for looking lost but he gives us a much better chance to win until the powers that be see fit to let Brady Quinn put down the damn clipboard.


3. I wont rip Coach Chud's playcalling, but with having a trio of young quarterbacks, it is imperative to not go away from the running game down 17 in the second quarter.


4. I really thought the offensive line was solid today. Frye basically sacked himself today numerous times. I didnt expect a totally cohesive unit out there but I expect it to improve as the year goes on and especially after week 4 when Ryan Tucker comes back.


5. The defensive as a whole was ok, we did give up our share of big plays but the offense did them no favors. I thought we did a good job of getting pressure on the quarterback but still have plenty of room for improvement.


6. Did Romeo Crennel move at all during the game, all I saw from him was his arms folded and looking puzzled. You would think a guy who has his job on the line would show a little bit of intensity. That is why I liked the fire that Todd Grantham showed and if becomes the next coach I dont think many of us would be upset.


7. Living in Reading, PA I was forced to go to a sportsbar littered with Steeler Fans to watch the game today. But I must give a shout out to the three fellow Browns fans who sat with me today. As one of these Dawgs pointed out the two words you will never hear when describing a Steeler fan are classy and sophisticated.


8. My last thought is that if Paul Ernster is on the roster come Monday something is wrong. I'm not blaming him for the loss but his bonehead play of dropping a punt started the ball rolling down the slippery slope today.

My 3 gameballs go to

1. Kellen Winslow- Played a good game today and really seemed to try and get something started on offense. I loved how he told Vickers to stop with the dance down 17. Shows that he wants to take on a leadership role.


2. Joe Thomas- For his first game I thought he was solid. I like the aggression he plays with.


3. Derek Anderson- Came into a tought situation and played admirably and if your not going to play Quinn right now he deserves the start. I dont think he set the world on fire but he at least gave the team a chance.

My 3 goathorns go to

1. Paul Ernster- As mentioned above got the season off to a rocky start. Im praying Zastudil's back gets a lot better quickly.


2. Charlie Frye- Played easily his worse game as a Brown. Hopefully sometime soon Brady will pass him the damn clipboard.


3. Lawrence Vickers- Made a complete ass of himself out there dancing after scoring a touchdown as mentioned above. Was just glad to see someone call him out on it.

If anyone has anything they disagree with me on I would love to hear from you. Folks hopefully things get better next week.