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CLEVELAND – The year of the Browns.
At least, that’s the perception many of us had when the National Football League released its 2008 schedule.
Wow! Suddenly, Cleveland was high-profile. There the Brownies were, slotted for no fewer than five national TV network games in prime time.
And why not? Romeo Crennel guided them to a 10-6 mark a year ago as they barely missed the playoffs. The Browns displayed sufficient evidence they were one of the NFL’s rising teams – perhaps even on the verge of greatness.
Well, we’re not gonna let one little el-stinko of a season opener dispel those notions, are we?
Browns fans arrived early Sunday, staging hundreds of pre-game tailgates in anticipation of watching their heroes take it to America’s Team.
Midway through the third quarter, however, grim reality had set in. So dominant was Dallas, it became beat-the-traffic time.
“Not a lot of things went right out there,” Crennel theorized during subdued postgame comments to the media. “We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
Perhaps Sunday’s performance will fire-up the Browns who must face bitter rival Pittsburgh this Sunday night in the first of their aforementioned after hours kickoffs.
“I know we’re (offense) better than 10 points a game,” said discouraged quarterback Derek Anderson following a perfectly awful 11-of-24 outing. “It’s going to have to get better in a hurry.”
So sorry were the Browns, there had to be some semblence of humor in the proceedings. “The battery (in my headset was out),” Anderson offered. “That’s why we had problems getting in a couple plays.”
Truth be told, it makes no difference how Cleveland’s potentially capable offense operates if the Browns’ defense continue as no-shows.
Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo was rarely bothered Sunday, throwing for 320 yards and a score. Running backs Marion Barber and backup Felix Jones teamed for 167on the ground, resulting in 487 yards permitted by Cleveland.
“We know Dallas is one of the league’s best teams,” acknowledged Browns’ linebacker Willie McGinest. “But there’s no excuse for us not making more plays. I’m sure that’s going to be addressed (Monday at practice).”
After Romo drove Dallas 80 yards for the game’s opening score, Anderson countered, marching Cleveland 78 yards via 16 snaps in a game-evening drive which consumed 8:57 of clock time.
“The sideline was upbeat,” said Anderson who hit tight end Kellen Winslow on a short TD toss. “We just couldn’t sustain anything after that.”
Dallas needed just four plays to drive for the go-ahead points. Romo hit streaking Terrell Owens on a 35-yard scoring strke. The Cowboys’ 34-year-old wideout easily blew by Browns’ cornerback Brandon McDonald.
McDonald and the remainder of Cleveland’s secondary was burned almost beyond recognition by Owens, fellow wideout Patrick Crayton and tight end
Jason Witten. The trio totaled 17 catches for 265 yards.
“We (receivers) like to think we can beat any team in one-on-one coverage,” Witten explained. Added Romo, “It was exciting seeing how well we executed in week one.”
Take note all-pro Braylon Edwards who landed two receptions for 14 yards before pulling a Houdini. “Nobody’s gonna declare our season over (after one week),” Edwards glared at his locker. “That wasn’t Browns football out there. It was no one player or coaches’ fault. It was all of us. Now, let’s see how we respond. I think I know how that will be.”
McGinist, the 15-year veteran, was in agreement. “We need to take (this loss) personal,” he advised. “We got our butts kicked today in our own house. I’ll be surprised if (you) don’t see a different (Browns) team out there next week.”
EXTRA POINTS
THE Browns dropped to 1-9 in home openers since the franchise returned here 10 years ago. Their lone week one win, a 20-7 victory over Baltimore in 2004…
COWBOYS’ owner Jerry Jones was all smiles in the postgame lockerroom. “I can’t tell you how concerned I was about coming (up here) to open the season,” he insisted. “We just had a great game plan and executed it almost flawlessly today…..”
THE Browns are now 27-29 all-time in season openers. They dropped to 15-11 in the all-time series vs. Dallas. The Cowboys played on the lakefront for the first time since 1991…
FIRST-year Browns’ receiver Donte’ Stallworth suffered a groin injury during pregame workouts and was not available. “It definitely factored in on our passing game,” reported Anderson. Rookie Steve Sanders, not listed on the gameday roster, was inserted and made one catch for 18 yards….
IN ADDITION to this Sunday night’s game vs. Pittsburgh, the Browns have national TV games scheduled against the New York Giants, (Monday, Oct. 13); Denver, (Thursday, Nov. 6); at Buffalo, (Monday, Nov. 17); and at Philadelphia (Monday, Dec. 15)….
OHIO State University’s marching band performed the National Anthem and also entertained at halftime of Sunday’s game….