Saturday, August 26, 2006
Browns at Bills - Recap
By John Chandler
Back to back wins in the preseason? While the rest of you prepare the ticker-tape parade down Euclid Avenue, I'll simply say, "Great. Now do it again." The preseason tends to be a little like thinking you've hit the jackpot, only to discover by October that you had the numbers backwards.
Be that as it may... there was plenty to like in Saturday's 20-17 win in Buffalo. I'll lay it now for you now, at no extra charge.
FIRST QUARTER
The Good: The Browns exploded out of the gate on their first offensive series, appearing crisp and pass-happy. It was a very un-Browns thing to do. No wonder it looked so impressive. Charlie Frye hit Dennis Northcutt over the middle on 3rd and 4 for a 22 yard gain, then followed up with a strike to Joe Jurevicius for 12 yards. On 3rd and 5 from the 11 yard line, Frye found Braylon Edwards over the middle for the first time in a game since last December. Edwards flashed his hands on a relatively difficult catch, then muscled his way to the 2 yard line carrying a few Bills defenders. Frye capped the drive with a touchdown pass to a wide open Steve Heiden in the left corner of the end zone.
The Bad: Starting at cornerback because of injuries, Ralph Brown was badly beat by Peerless Price on a 54 yard score from J.P. Losman. In fairness to Brown, he had to stick with Price for a few extra seconds while Losman avoided Matt Stewart on a rush. Still, the type of big play the Browns defense can't afford to allow.
Welcome Back Willie: Linebacker Willie McGinest suited up (finally) and quickly answered any questions about his rust. Number 55 made the first two tackles on defense, wrapping up Willis McGahee
On Edwards: So much for just getting his feet wet. Braylon Edwards saw a considerable amount of playing time, into the second quarter in fact. He was supposed to only play a series or two. OK, this debate has two strong sides to it. On one hand, allowing Edwards the chance to ease his way back into live game action in a preseason game certainly makes more sense than throwing him out cold in game one on September 10th. But on the other hand, when he attempted to drag half the Bills defense into the end zone, how many of you thought: C'mon, dude... this is the preseason... just go down. You know you did. I wonder if Romeo Crennel did, too?
SECOND QUARTER
The Good: Safety Sean Jones had the edge for the starting strong safety spot. Through 2 quarters, he might've sealed it. Solid play. At linebacker, Chaun Thompson flashed a little potential (it's about time) and Andra Davis stuffed Losman for a sack midway through the quarter.
The Bad: The Browns allowed Buffalo to march downfield with 1:51 to play. The J.P. Losman-to-Lee Evans (Bedford, OH) connection appeared unstoppable. No disrespect to either, but I'm pretty sure they should not. A Losman scramble for a score was wiped out by a penalty.
On The Block: Braylon Edwards blew up Glenville/Ohio State product Donte Whitner on a toss left by Reuben Droughns. Two players later, Edwards rolled the Bills' Terrence McGee. Again, love to see it. But save it for the regular season. Please? However, with that in mind, the Browns wide receivers are showing excellent downfield blocking. Joe Jurevicius and Edwards each led that charge.
THIRD QUARTER
The Good: Kamerion Wimbley exploded off the left edge to swat the ball out of the hands of Bills QB Craig Nall. Ralph Brown blanketed Evans on a sideline route, then stepped in front of him to intercept Losman's pass. Ralph giveth, then taketh, I guess.
The Bad: Anybody have a little stick-um to lend Frisman Jackson? The wide receiver came down with another case of the dropsies on a perfectly thrown third down pass from Charlie Frye.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Good: Derek Anderson found Frisman Jackson down the sideline for a 23 yard gain. Four plays later, he tossed a strike to Josh Cribbs, who lunged across the goalline for a 28 yard touchdown. Anderson may have
The Bad: Defense appeared thin late in the 4th, allowing Bills receivers to find open pockets in coverage and tie the game on a Lionel Gates touchdown run. Center Alonzo Ephraim's snap past Anderson in the final minute was brutal.
Harrison's Hot: Jerome Harrison starred on the game's final drive. He shot up the middle like a pinball on a crucial 15 yard run. Then, on first and 10 from the Bills 38, he appeared corralled for a loss, until he went Marcus Allen (OK, perhaps a tad overstated...) and reversed his tracks to pick up 11 yards. He finished with 9 carries, 70 yards, and the unofficial set of keys to the backup running back job.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Whether it is in the trainer's room or on the field, Braylon Edwards showed he has only one speed: full go. He rolled the dice by returning to the field. The Browns are just thankful he didn't roll his surgically repaired knee. Charlie Frye will have weapons to work with - that's obvious. And, judging by the emergence of rookie Jerome Harrison, he may have more than he thought. But will he have time to get them the ball? Bottom line: win this game in October and we'll talk.
Browns Nation, be sure to chime in with your thoughts for the Alltel Sound Off, then watch for them on The Toyota Sports Sunday at 11:32 on NewsChannel 5.
Back to back wins in the preseason? While the rest of you prepare the ticker-tape parade down Euclid Avenue, I'll simply say, "Great. Now do it again." The preseason tends to be a little like thinking you've hit the jackpot, only to discover by October that you had the numbers backwards.
Be that as it may... there was plenty to like in Saturday's 20-17 win in Buffalo. I'll lay it now for you now, at no extra charge.
FIRST QUARTER
The Good: The Browns exploded out of the gate on their first offensive series, appearing crisp and pass-happy. It was a very un-Browns thing to do. No wonder it looked so impressive. Charlie Frye hit Dennis Northcutt over the middle on 3rd and 4 for a 22 yard gain, then followed up with a strike to Joe Jurevicius for 12 yards. On 3rd and 5 from the 11 yard line, Frye found Braylon Edwards over the middle for the first time in a game since last December. Edwards flashed his hands on a relatively difficult catch, then muscled his way to the 2 yard line carrying a few Bills defenders. Frye capped the drive with a touchdown pass to a wide open Steve Heiden in the left corner of the end zone.
The Bad: Starting at cornerback because of injuries, Ralph Brown was badly beat by Peerless Price on a 54 yard score from J.P. Losman. In fairness to Brown, he had to stick with Price for a few extra seconds while Losman avoided Matt Stewart on a rush. Still, the type of big play the Browns defense can't afford to allow.
Welcome Back Willie: Linebacker Willie McGinest suited up (finally) and quickly answered any questions about his rust. Number 55 made the first two tackles on defense, wrapping up Willis McGahee
On Edwards: So much for just getting his feet wet. Braylon Edwards saw a considerable amount of playing time, into the second quarter in fact. He was supposed to only play a series or two. OK, this debate has two strong sides to it. On one hand, allowing Edwards the chance to ease his way back into live game action in a preseason game certainly makes more sense than throwing him out cold in game one on September 10th. But on the other hand, when he attempted to drag half the Bills defense into the end zone, how many of you thought: C'mon, dude... this is the preseason... just go down. You know you did. I wonder if Romeo Crennel did, too?
SECOND QUARTER
The Good: Safety Sean Jones had the edge for the starting strong safety spot. Through 2 quarters, he might've sealed it. Solid play. At linebacker, Chaun Thompson flashed a little potential (it's about time) and Andra Davis stuffed Losman for a sack midway through the quarter.
The Bad: The Browns allowed Buffalo to march downfield with 1:51 to play. The J.P. Losman-to-Lee Evans (Bedford, OH) connection appeared unstoppable. No disrespect to either, but I'm pretty sure they should not. A Losman scramble for a score was wiped out by a penalty.
On The Block: Braylon Edwards blew up Glenville/Ohio State product Donte Whitner on a toss left by Reuben Droughns. Two players later, Edwards rolled the Bills' Terrence McGee. Again, love to see it. But save it for the regular season. Please? However, with that in mind, the Browns wide receivers are showing excellent downfield blocking. Joe Jurevicius and Edwards each led that charge.
THIRD QUARTER
The Good: Kamerion Wimbley exploded off the left edge to swat the ball out of the hands of Bills QB Craig Nall. Ralph Brown blanketed Evans on a sideline route, then stepped in front of him to intercept Losman's pass. Ralph giveth, then taketh, I guess.
The Bad: Anybody have a little stick-um to lend Frisman Jackson? The wide receiver came down with another case of the dropsies on a perfectly thrown third down pass from Charlie Frye.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Good: Derek Anderson found Frisman Jackson down the sideline for a 23 yard gain. Four plays later, he tossed a strike to Josh Cribbs, who lunged across the goalline for a 28 yard touchdown. Anderson may have
The Bad: Defense appeared thin late in the 4th, allowing Bills receivers to find open pockets in coverage and tie the game on a Lionel Gates touchdown run. Center Alonzo Ephraim's snap past Anderson in the final minute was brutal.
Harrison's Hot: Jerome Harrison starred on the game's final drive. He shot up the middle like a pinball on a crucial 15 yard run. Then, on first and 10 from the Bills 38, he appeared corralled for a loss, until he went Marcus Allen (OK, perhaps a tad overstated...) and reversed his tracks to pick up 11 yards. He finished with 9 carries, 70 yards, and the unofficial set of keys to the backup running back job.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Whether it is in the trainer's room or on the field, Braylon Edwards showed he has only one speed: full go. He rolled the dice by returning to the field. The Browns are just thankful he didn't roll his surgically repaired knee. Charlie Frye will have weapons to work with - that's obvious. And, judging by the emergence of rookie Jerome Harrison, he may have more than he thought. But will he have time to get them the ball? Bottom line: win this game in October and we'll talk.
Browns Nation, be sure to chime in with your thoughts for the Alltel Sound Off, then watch for them on The Toyota Sports Sunday at 11:32 on NewsChannel 5.
Posted at 3:38 PM
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