Month: September 2006 (Page 4 of 15)

After building a 14-3 lead at the end of the first half, things were looking bright for the winless Browns as it looked like they might come out of Cleveland Browns Stadium with their first win of the season. However, as the Browns were driving at the end of the fourth quarter, a key turnover in the end zone gave the Ravens life and enabled them to comeback and win 15-14 on a Matt Stover field goal. The Browns were able to get some big plays in the first half. Braylon Edwards hauled in a 58-yard touchdown pass and Charlie Frye had his third consecutive running touchdown for the Browns’ two scores. That would be it for the Browns’ offense as it stalled in the second half until the second to last drive.

The Browns had the ball and a slim lead within the Ravens’ 5-yard line with the fourth quarter ticking away. With a decent running game, they could have took time off the clock and just pound it in the endzone but were forced to throw it and an interception cost them a chance at putting the game out of reach.

The Browns had a chance to draft run-stuffer Haloti Ngata with the 12th pick in this year’s draft. They didn’t, and allowed the Baltimore Ravens to take him after a trade. While Kamerion Wimbley may be a good player in the future, Ngata is already paying dividends for the brick wall that is the Ravens defense. The rookie out of Oregon is doing for the Ravens what Ted Washington should be doing for the Browns – stopping the run. On draft day, the Browns felt their need for a pass-rusher was greater than their desire for a nose tackle who could clog up the middle and stop the run. So far, unfortunately, neither aspect has shown any improvement for the Browns defense.

All the talk about the Ravens defense is legitimate and the Browns will have their hands full offensively trying to move the ball. The stout defense is tops in the league in turnovers and has allowed only six points through the first two weeks. The Browns have struggled mightily offensively. They are averaging only 71 yards per game on the ground and may be without their starting back, Reuben Droughns. Droughns isn’t the only key Brown who might miss action Sunday. Gary Baxter, Willie McGinest, Orpheus Roye, Brian Russell, and Joe Jurevicius are questionable at best because of various injuries. The Browns have defeated the Ravens each of the past two seasons on their home turf and will try to do the same on Sunday.

To accomplish such a task, the Browns will have to somehow find a way to put points up on the board. It will be critical for the offense to hold on the football, something that has eluded them thus far. The aggressive and swarming Ravens D will be all over the field and will pose a difficult challenge for Charlie Frye and the offense.

Defensively, the Browns are going to be forced to play several reserves as a result of injuries to Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon. However, if they can limit Jamal Lewis, the Browns may be able to keep themselves in the game. Lewis may pose the biggest threat for the Browns defense. The Ravens actually average less yards through the air and have a lower completion percentage than the Browns. If the defense can contain Lewis (which is a tall task) and force McNair to beat them with his arm, then the Browns may be able to hold the Ravens to a low number on the scoreboard.