|
Cowboys start season in style, dominate Browns
Sunday 09-07-2008 8:51pm ET
Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- T.O. and his talented teammates were way too much for the Browns.
Terrell Owens caught a 35-yard touchdown pass, Tony Romo effortlessly picked apart Cleveland's secondary, Marion Barber scored on a pair of 1-yard runs and the Dallas Cowboys opened a season they expect to end with a Super Bowl title by overwhelming the Browns 28-10 on Sunday.
Coming off a 13-win season, which ended with a bitterly disappointing playoff loss at home to the New York Giants, the Cowboys lived up to all their preseason hype with a solid all-around performance. They're the team to beat in the NFC, and after one game, it's hard to argue there's any better.
With Romo completing 24 of 32 passes for 320 yards, Dallas' offense controlled the clock and strung together four long touchdown drives. The defense held one of the AFC's most potent offenses in check, and except for some silly penalties, the star-studded Cowboys had a dazzling debut.
Owner Jerry Jones was all smiles as was LeBron James, Cleveland's NBA superstar and longtime Dallas fan who spent part of the pregame hugging Jones and Owens and can't seem to find it in his heart to root for the other local teams.
Owens had five catches for 87 yards, Jason Witten six for 96 and Barber rushed for 80 yards and 16 carries before leaving in the third quarter with bruised ribs.
The Cowboys also got their first look at Adam "Pacman" Jones, the cornerback/punt returner who was recently reinstated after serving a 17-month suspension and played his first game since Dec. 31, 2006, for Tennessee. Starting at corner for the injured Terence Newman, Jones was called for interference in the end zone to set up Cleveland's only TD.
The Browns, saddled with enormous expectations, fell flat in their opener again.
Cleveland is just 1-9 in Week 1 since returning to the league in 1999. The Browns began last season by being trounced 34-7 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will visit next Sunday night in a nationally televised game -- the first of five on Cleveland's rugged schedule.
Browns general manager Phil Savage said Dallas would be a good measuring stick for his up-and-coming team. He probably didn't imagine the Cowboys would look this much better.
Cleveland's only touchdown came on Derek Anderson's 2-yard pass to Kellen Winslow in the second. Anderson went 11-of-24 for 114 yards but never got into a rhythm with wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who had only two catches and dropped at least two, including one in the first quarter on what would have been a sure TD.
Jamal Lewis had 62 yards on 13 attempts, but the Browns had to play from behind and couldn't count on their workhorse.
For a long stretch, Romo moved the Cowboys with such ease it was as if they were working against the scout team during training camp.
The Cowboys, who led 21-7 at halftime, had touchdown drives of 80, 69, 69 and 86 yards, the final one capped by an 11-yard TD run by rookie Felix Jones on his first regular-season carry. He finished with 62 yards.
Barber, being counted on as Dallas' primary back after splitting time last season with Julius Jones, plowed through a huge opening for his second short TD as the Cowboys opened a 21-7 lead with 26 seconds left before halftime.
Earlier in the quarter, Owens blew past safety Brandon McDonald and hauled in his TD pass from Romo to give the Cowboys a 14-7 lead. One of the league's most celebrated end zone showmen, Owens placed the ball near the goal line, shook each leg as if he was getting ready to get into the starting blocks and take on Olympic blur Usain Bolt in the 100 meters.
It was his 130th career TD, tying him with Cris Carter for second on the career list behind Jerry Rice (197).
Romo went 5-for-5 for 66 yards -- 49 of them to Witten -- as the Cowboys drove from their own 20 the first time they had the ball, taking a 7-0 lead on Barber's 1-yard dive. Cleveland's safeties not only couldn't handle Witten, they couldn't seem to find the 6-foot-5, 262-pounder who was wide open on three catches.
The Browns responded with an impressive, 16-play, 78-yard drive helped by three Dallas penalties to tie it 7-all on Anderson's toss to Winslow.
Two plays before the score, Pacman Jones was called for interference when he tackled Edwards in the end zone after being beaten on an inside cut by Cleveland's wideout.
Sanders up, Hubbard down
Saturday 09-06-2008 10:12pm ET
BROWNS WAIVE WR PAUL HUBBARD AND SIGN WR STEVE SANDERS TO THE ACTIVE ROSTER
The Cleveland Browns have waived WR Paul Hubbard and have signed WR Steve Sanders to the active 53-man roster from the practice squad, the club announced today.
Friday's Practice Notes
Friday 09-05-2008 1:34pm ET
- Browns coach let the media know this morning that only Martin Rucker (leg) and Kris Griffin (elbow) are officially out of Sunday’s game vs. the Cowboys. - The lists of interesting names are the names of the game time decisions. They read like this: Josh Cribbs (ankle), Jamal Lewis (hamstring) Brodney Pool (concussion), Ryan Tucker (hip), and Rex Hadnot (knee). - Many had thought that both Hadnot and Tucker were out this week. Crennel said that he is a bit thin at the line positions and that he told Hadnot “if I need you……I need you.” - If Mike Adams must start in place of Pool, look for Terry Cousin to play the slot in the nickel and dime defense. - Crennel said that Harrison and Wright will carry the load if Jamal Lewis can’t go. - This comes after GM Phil Savage said this Saturday that if Lewis were to miss a game that Harrison would be used more as a starter with Wright continuing his 3rd down responsibilities. Browns Notes from Practice
Thursday 09-04-2008 1:59pm ET
- The Browns received their first tough injury of the season as Antwan Peek blew out his knee during practice on Wednesday. - Peek ruptured his patella in his knee; this is the same injury that shut down former Brown Gary Baxter. This injury is even tougher for Peek who was trying to bounce back from a knee scope early in camp. - With Peek out for the season the team signed Shantee Orr who was a surprise cut on Saturday. Orr will help on special teams and with his versatility as an outside and inside linebacker. - The real pressure now falls on the lap of 7th round draft pick Alex Hall. The team at one time was willing to go slow with the young pup. Now don’t be surprised if Hall isn’t out there with the nickel and dime defenses come Sunday. - Kamerion Wimbley will now have the pressure of being the main pass rush threat on passing downs, this could mean more blitzes from Mel Tucker’s defense. - Kris Griffin, Rex Hadnot, and Martin Rucker all sat out practice on Thursday - Josh Cribbs, Jamal Lewis, Brodney Pool, and Ryan Tucker are all still in the evaluation period with the team. Coach Crennel would not say if all these guys will play or not as he wants to see them all practice another day. - Crennel was asked about Ryan Tucker and he said that Tucker wants to work into playing and not just jump in with both feet. So don’t look for Tucker to jump into the starting line up. BROWNS GM PHIL SAVAGE WITH WILLS AND SNYDER 9-4-08
Thursday 09-04-2008 8:09am ET
  Click Here and listen to BROWNS GM PHIL SAVAGE Preview GM 1 vs Cowboys @ 7:50AM with Bill-Mike. 9-4-08.Browns Practice Notes
Wednesday 09-03-2008 2:48pm ET
- The Browns named team captains today voted on by the players. Two guys per unit were chosen. The special team guys are Josh Cribbs and Phil Dawson, offensive captains are Derek Anderson and Hank Fraley. On the defensive side the team voted for Willie McGinest and Andra Davis. - The team only had two guys miss practice on Wednesday, Rex Hadnot and Kris Griffin. Hadnot will be out this week’s game with a knee injury, while Griffin has an elbow that blew up on him after practice on Monday. The team did not say whether Griffin will play or not. - Jamal Lewis returned to practice today after sitting out since the team’s pre season contest against the Giants. He was limited in practice with his hamstring. But it’s a good sign that he was able to practice. - Brodney Pool also returned to practice but is still a delicate situation with him dealing with his 3rd concussion in 4 years. - Romeo Crennel said that it is hard to find a weakness with the Cowboys. He went on to praise the Cowboys by position. Could this be Crennel trying to get his players in the right mind set? - After I was asked Cowboys coach Wade Phillips if Pacman Jones may play offense he chuckled and said “we aren’t telling.” My take on that is that at some point and time on Sunday Jones will line up on offense for the Cowboys. Final word today goes to Crennel who said his team has got to play one of there best games everBrowns Notes From Practice
Monday 09-01-2008 1:39pm ET
- Romeo Crennel started his press conference this morning telling the media that he told his team that the season is here and it’s about winning right now. - This statement says a lot about how this Browns organization has changed over the past year. - Crennel stated that 5 guys would stay inside and not practice today. The list included Josh Cribbs, Jamal Lewis, Brodney Pool, Martin Rucker, and Rex Hadnot. - Cribbs though did come out for the beginning of practice and watched the teams go through it’s early special teams, after the team stretch he walked off the field with a trainer. - Ryan Tucker came out with the team and lined up with the second team at right guard. No one has stated if Tucker can/will play this week. But with Hadnot down this week the return of Tucker could be huge. - Beau Bell returned to practice along with Braylon Edwards who looked to be fine as he glided through his practice drills. - It’s Labor Day and we are just 6 days away from the Browns opener. You can feel the excitement building in the locker room amongst the players. - When Crennel was asked if he is worried that J Lewis could miss the game, he said he will not be worried until a guy doesn’t practice on Wednesday. - I almost forgot Derek Anderson was out with the first team taking the snaps and looks to be a go for Sunday. But the Crennel quote above tells you all you need to know about the injury list. We will know more on Wednesday. Browns name practice squad
Monday 09-01-2008 10:58am ET
BROWNS AWARDED OL SCOTT YOUNG VIA WAIVERS FROM PHILADELPHIA Browns sign seven players to the practice squad
The Cleveland Browns have been awarded OL Scott Young via waivers from Philadelphia and have waived OL Nathan Bennett, the club announced today. The Browns also signed the following seven players to the practice squad: LB Titus Brown, RB Omar Cuff, OL Christian Gaddis, S Travis Key, WR Lance Leggett, DL Melila Purcell and WR Steve Sanders.
Young, 6-4 and 312 lbs., spent the last three years with the Philadelphia Eagles as a backup guard and appeared in 13 career games. He was originally a fifth round draft choice of the Eagles in 2005 out of Brigham Young. Young played in a career-high 12 games and two postseason contests with the Eagles in 2006.
Four of the club’s seven practice squad players signed today were with the Browns during training camp, including Leggett, Key, Purcell and Sanders.
Brown, 6-3 and 245 lbs., was an undrafted rookie free agent out of Mississippi State who spent training camp with the Miami Dolphins. Brown was a four-year letterman at Mississippi State with 170 career tackles and 18.5 sacks.
Cuff, 5-10 and 195 lbs., was an undrafted rookie free agent out of Delaware who spent training camp with Tennessee. Cuff ran for 4,364 yards and 65 touchdowns during his collegiate career at Delaware.
Gaddis, 6-4 and 300 lbs., spent last season with the Buffalo Bills and appeared in one contest. Gaddis was originally an undrafted rookie free agent with Buffalo in 2007 out of Villanova. He spent ten weeks on the Bills practice squad before being signed to the active roster on Nov. 14, 2007.
Browns Roster
Saturday 08-30-2008 10:57am ET
BROWNS ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES
The Cleveland Browns announced the following roster moves today in order to get down to the NFL mandated 53-man roster.
Reserve-Injured OL Lennie Friedman
Waived TE Brad Cieslak DB A.J. Davis WR Efrem Hill TE Kolomona Kapanui DB Travis Key OL James Lee WR Lance Leggett LB David McMillan DB Brandon Mitchell LB Chase Ortiz OL Jonathan Palmer DB Jereme Perry DL Melila Purcell K Jason Reda WR Steve Sanders WR Travis Wilson
Terminated-Vested Veteran LB Shantee Orr
Waived-Injured OL Derrick Morse OL Marvin Philip DL Chase Pittman RB Travis Thomas
|
vs New York Jets
@ New York Giants
@ Detroit Lions
vs Chicago Bears
vs Dallas Cowboys
vs Pittsburgh Steelers
@ Baltimore Ravens
@ Cincinnati Bengals
@ Washington Redskins
@ Jacksonville Jaguars
vs Denver Broncos
@ Buffalo Bills
vs Houston Texans
vs Indianapolis Colts
@ Tennessee Titans
@ Philadelphia Eagles
Check out these Browns in the Pro Football Hall of Fame!
© 2008