There
was no drama in the Cleveland Browns’ 34-7 week one blowout loss to the
Steelers. It was a game of total dominance where it looked like
Charlie Frye’s career in Cleveland was over and Brady Quinn’s was soon
to start. There in hence lies the beginning of one dramatic and
exciting season. After the massacre, where it looked like Romeo
Crennel was rushing to the unemployment line, the Browns traded Frye,
and announced Derek Anderson as the starter. You know, the
starter until Brady Quinn was ready to play. I mean, Brady is the
future, and this was going to be a loss season anyway, so why not let
Quinn experience all the growing pains this year. However, unlike
all great dramas, the story did not go as expected.
Derek
Anderson led the
Browns to a 45-51 upset against the offensive
juggernaut Cincinnati Bengals, many experts favorite to win the
division. But, what was to come to these Browns in the next
weeks was
far more dramatic and exciting than this offensive shootout in week
two. During the course of the season, the Browns would experience
stranger than strange endings. These are the endings:
September 23, 2007, at Oakland. The Mike Shanahan timeout gimmick
is
responsible for this game. In the last few seconds, Phil Dawson
assumed he kicked the winning field goal. However, Lane Kiffin
seeking
revenge from the week before called a timeout scratching the last kick.
The next kick was blocked, game over. Browns lose 24-26. |
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November 4, 2007, vs. Seattle. Trailing, 21-6 at half, the Browns
looked doomed. The Browns made a surge and Jamal Lewis was able
to tie it up with 2:17 to go in the 4th quarter. In overtime,
Seattle got the ball first and it looked like they made a first down on
third down, but the spot was overturned. The Seahawks went for it
on 4th down, Maurice Morris was stopped (play reviewed again) and the
Browns got the ball. Browns drive down where Phil Dawson was able
to kick a game winning 25 yard field goal. Browns win 33-30.
November 11, 2007, at Pittsburgh. Seeking revenge from their
early season massacre, the Browns looked like they were going to have
it leading 21-6 in the first half. However, Ben Roethlisberger
was able to rally the Steelers late in the 4th quarter to take a 3
point lead. Phil Dawson had a chance to send the game to overtime
with a 52 yard field goal, but it was short. Browns lose, 28-31.
November 18, 2007, at Baltimore. Maybe the most exciting ending
of this millennium. Everyone by now knows what happened.
Phil Dawson attempted a 51 yard field goal hoping to send the game into
overtime. The ball hit the left upright and then it was
thought that the ball hit the crossbar before bouncing out. Field
goal is no good, Ravens win. Fans started leaving, the Ravens
started to go into the locker room to celebrate. What happened
next is truly drama at its best. The referees decided that the
ball actually hit the extension of the goal post, which then would make
the kick good. The game goes into overtime and the game came down
to the foot of Phil Dawson’s foot again. Dawson makes the field
goal far less dramatically this time. The Browns win 33-30.
December 2, 2007, at Arizona. This game did not come down to the
foot of Phil Dawson, but rather the feet of Kellen Winslow. In
the closing seconds, trailing by 6, the Browns had the ball at the
Cardinals’ 37 and time for one more play. On the final play,
Anderson threw the ball to Winslow in the endzone, in which he caught,
however out of bounds. It looked as if Winslow would have been
able to catch the ball in bounds if he was not pushed out by the
Arizona defender. In the NFL, if a player would have caught the
ball in bounds, if not pushed out, it is a catch. The refs
believed it was not a push out, and the play is not reviewable.
Game over. Browns lose 21-27.
December 16, 2007, vs. Buffalo. There was not much drama in this
game in relative to outcome of the game in the final seconds.
But, playing in the snow made this dramatic to watch. In any game
that ends in 8-0 score is special. Browns win.
The Cleveland Browns have kept not only their fans, but all NFL fans on
their edge of their seats this season. They have been sure
exciting to watch. Ironically, the upcoming game against the
49ers will have no drama whatsoever. The Browns’ outcome in their
game is meaningless. They win, they could make the playoffs, they
may not. If they lose, they could make the playoffs, they may
not. It all depends on the Titans. A Titans’ defeat against
the Colts lifts the Browns into the playoffs. A Titans’ victory
ends a season full of memories. To add to the situation, the
Colts are expecting to field their junior varsity team. You know
that team that is led by Jim Sorgi. With the Browns’ fans in the
hands of Jim Sorgi, what hope do they have? Shouldn’t they just
admit the season is over?
What hope do these Browns have? How about the same hope experts gave
them for contending for the playoffs and Romeo Crennel not being
fired. If the Browns have taught us anything, it is that don’t
assume anything. Jim Sorgi leading the Colts to victory sounds
like a long shot. But few expected much out of Derek
Anderson. Tennesee fans, don’t assume you are going to the
playoffs just yet. I’m hoping this Cleveland Brown’s story has
another chapter.
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