Trending
By RICH GIBSON, Times Leader Sports Writer
CLEVELAND -- First things first. No one here is suggesting the Browns are potential playoff qualifiers this season.
Realistically, this has all the makings of a break-even campaign. Perhaps, even 9-7 is within the realm, considering their remaining schedule includes the likes of St. Louis, Houston, Arizona, Buffalo, San Francisco and the Jets -- each and every one a winnable proposition.
The Browns reached their bye week at 3-3 following Sunday's 41-31 wipeout of winless Miami. One of their other two triumphs came in a 51-45 track meet over the defenseless Bungles.
For head coach Romeo Crennel, his situation remains status quo, at least for the foreseeable future.
While it is refreshing to watch 24-year-old Derek Anderson continue to mature and generate positive yardage, Cleveland's erratic defense remains highly suspect.
It still looks much the same as the one Pittsburgh so badly exploited on opening day. Thus, there's more in store of what we witnessed Sunday.
The Browns will have to win a majority of their games outscoring the opposition -- a task, however, not nearly as daunting as in past years.
For my money, the highlight of Sunday's outcome came 30-or-so minutes after the final gun.
That's when third-year wideout Braylon Edwards entered the interview room and made this opening declaration: "Go Tribe!"
A sharp contrast to the last time we encountered the former Michigan all-American in front of his locker following a decisive loss.
On that occasion, Edwards was reading the riot act to a bewildered female reporter whose inquiry he apparently deemed irresponsible.
Of course, three touchdown receptions will do wonders for one's current state of well-being and Edwards sounded quite the philosopher on this day. "We're winning and I'm happy," he reported. "I've had to learn some things the hard way (the past two seasons) but now, it's all getting better."
After unexpectedly dumping former starter Charlie Frye prior to week two, Crennel made a sound decision, inserting Anderson as No. 1 quarterback despite various howls from the pound, many of whom demanded rookie Brady Quinn get the nod.
Whether Anderson, a third-year pro from Oregon State, ever rises to elite status, may not be determined for several seasons. But with each snap, he gains experience and hopefully, the consistent command necessary to carry on.
"When (we) see the look of confidence in his (Anderson's) eyes, we feed off it," Edwards proclaimed. "He's growing as a quarterback and playing within himself. With every game, Derek's giving us a chance to win, and that's what you ask for."
Anderson acknowledged a lockerroom full of good vibes. "I'm happy my teammates are rallying around me," he related. "I feel I'm managing the game much better and in control of the huddle."
Miami made much of this possible Sunday. The Dolphins' secondary couldn't catch a cold, much less the fleet Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow. It's imperative Cleveland's braintrust continue to make maximum use of its two potential all-pros.
Unfortunately the Browns' defense seems destined to be this team's undoing. They yielded 356 yards Sunday, allowing the Dolphins and back-up quarterback Cleo Lemon to average 5.2 yards per play and achieve 24 first downs.
Devoid anything resembling a lockdown defense, Cleveland appears to have no postseason potential in its immediate future.
The Brownies seem destined to both win and lose their fair share. In the end, though, that doesn't figure to get them past December.
EXTRA POINTS
IN THE Dolphins' postgame lockerroom, long, disgruntled faces ruled the day. It's impossible to put a happy face on a 0-6 start and ex-Steeler Joey Porter didn't try.
"All we can do is go home, look at the film and figure out where we went wrong….again!" Porter exclaimed. "This is a humbling experience for me. It's not what I came here for and not what I expected. I haven't been in a situation like this for a long, long time. It's just very disappointing and frustrating…"
Porter made four tackles and missed about 14 others Sunday. "We (defense) didn't want to become the scapegoat, but that's the reality right now," he stressed…
MIAMI rookie Ted Ginn, Jr. was also besieged by the media. But the ex-Buckeye sensation and Cleveland native could offer but little encouragement.
"I'm feeling more comfortable with each passing game. But it's hard to get real excited when you're not winning," Ginn disclosed. "Winning is something I've been used to my whole life. We just have to work our way out of this thing…."
Ginn returned the second half kickoff 96 yards to the house but the play was wiped out by a holding penalty….Ginn also made one reception for 32 yards….
THE good news: Miami returns to south Florida. The bad news: The Dolphins host unbeaten New England next Sunday. In two weeks, the Dolphins travel overseas, playing the New York Giants in London, England on the 28th….
WHILE the Indians and Red Sox play the first of three games this week in Jacobs Field beginning tonight, Colorado's incredible Rockies are on the verge of sweeping Arizona following Sunday night's 4-1 victory in chilly Coors Field.
Area fans were thrilled to see Beallsville's Dustin Nippert take the hill for the D-Backs and pitch one-and-a-third innings of scoreless relief Sunday night. Nippert also worked a scoreless frame in game one….
The Rockies, meanwhile, continue to write one of the most amazing postseason stories in baseball history….