It's funny how a win makes you forget about the blunders the Browns committed Sunday against the Ravens. The euphoria is awesome to say the least, but I want to do my small part to make sure (as if it will really help) these things are corrected.
The heroics of Cribbs, Anderson, Lewis, Edwards, JJ, Winslow and Dawson in those final two possessions pulled out the game for us. But that only became necessary because of changes in our defensive philosophy in the Ravens 2nd and 3rd last possessions of the game.
The Browns, inexcusably stopped blitzing! They played safe. We didn't go for the jugular. Our front line rush combined with the blitzing secondary and linebackers gave Boller fits. Why did we stop? I can make an educated guess Crennel told Grantham to dial up his defense sans the extra rushers. Romeo is the head coach. He makes that call. He is not an innocent bystander. For this game we used the defensive scheme that beat Boller and the Ravens in the season finale from '05. Remember the game saving pick by Brian Russell? By rushing only four men Boller had just enough time to get downfield with the ball.
On the Ravens final possession we blitzed when we had no choice but to--when Baltimore was in field goal range. At that point I yelled at the TV--"thanks Romeo, it is a little too late for that now." And it was, as Stover kicked what could have been the all too familiar game winning field goal.
Bottom line--coach without fear, play to win in all cases and usually you will.
This fear thing underlines the biggest problem the Browns now have. Playing with the lead, playing as a favorite. It is an unfamiliar role in these parts. Well, we better learn how to do it, cause we are good enough now to be in the lead, to be a favorite. Do you agree? And eliminating this "fear thing" starts and ends with the coaching staff and ultimately the head coach. Come on Romeo, for a guy who acts so cavalier all the time you'd think you wouldn't have any problem coaching with some guts!!!
The defense isn't the only unit guilty of this. Early in the season when we were an unknown commodity and searching for an identity we went for the jugular on offense. It seemed everytime we came up with a turnover in the opponents half of the field we threw one in the end zone. Where was that attempt when Wimbley sacked Boller and McGinnest recovered the fumble? We did the same thing in Pittsburgh last week after a turnover.
Why am I writing this after such an exciting win? Because we don't have to win every game like this. Once we build a two score lead, let's ice the game, lest we loose again. We were not lucky to win this. The field goal at the end was good, we went down and scored in OT, and besides, we are the better team.
One final thought...what was up with that no call by the officials on Ray Lewis' tackle of Jason Wright in overtime. He not only grabbed Wright's face mask, but he committed a horse collar tackle on the same play!!! And he did it in space where a blind person could see it. The refs were not calling anything on Baltimore and it was disgusting--unlike the holding call late on the punt return last week against Pittsburgh.
Go Browns