What I saw - Game 8

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

Gotta keep this brief due to forum issues. I'll add on later.


- I saw a coaching staff absolutely dominate the opposing highly regarded coaching staff for the second game in a a row.

- I saw the players rally around the head coach, from the Gator-aid bath to hugs all around.

- I saw and inspired and intelligent Brian Daboll getting the most out of an offense low on talent.

- I saw a fearless Colt McCoy put a strangle hold on the starting QB job. Ever since Colt has entered the picture, Dabolls play-calling has magically improved. Amazing what an intelligent, accurate QB ...who has balls, will do for ya.

- I saw Peyton Hillis dominate the field, and in true franchise back form, run out the clock for us in the 2nd half. Next year when Hardesty gets back, our back-field will be scary.

- I saw a team very close to being a threat to go to the big show. We're a WR and RT away on offense, and a MLB and DE away on defense. (could user another CB too) Amazing how quickly Mangini has gotten this thing turned around. A M A Z I N G.


I saw a lot more, that I can't get to right now. What did you see?

[hiwaygal]

I saw a big W in our column!! lol

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns didn't just beat New England, 34-14. They dominated the Patriots. They tricked the Patriots. They physically dominated the Patriots.
Think about the score for a moment: Browns 34, New England 14.
Can you believe it?
Browns 34, New England 14?
The Browns having a 10-0 lead before New England's future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady even touched the ball? The Browns scoring a touchdown on an 11-yard run by slot receiver Chansi Stuckey ... who lined up as a fullback? And who took a handoff from Joshua Cribbs, who was in the wildcat?
Did anyone see that coming?
Certainly no one in New England red, white and blue.
Or how about that first-quarter play where it was fourth-and-1 on the Browns' 36-yard line?
First, it was a major gamble to skip the punt. Then the Browns did some shifting around, and finally quarterback Colt McCoy had no backs behind him -- yet ran for a first down.
This is the second game in a row where the Browns owned a Super Bowl-contending team by playing boldly -- trick plays, aggressive defense, nearly mistake-free offense.
Take a moment to consider that in their past two games, the Browns thumped New Orleans, 30-17, followed by this 34-14 drubbing of New England. You can say the Browns still are a 3-5 team. I can say that no one wants to play them right now.
No one.
Just ask Bill Belichick, who had to feel helpless watching Peyton Hillis bulldoze his defense. Hillis ran over, around (jumping) and through New England for 184 yards.
That's right, 184 yards.
When the Browns needed to control the ball, they gave it to Hillis ... over and over and over again.
Let's take a moment to consider Mr. Hillis, who has 644 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games. He has run for 184 yards against New England, 144 against Baltimore, 102 against Cincinnati. In the second half, Hillis had 111 yards on 18 carries when New England knew he was getting the ball.
Knew it, but couldn't stop it.
Hillis is more than a bullish back. He has speed, as he showed on 35-yard sweep for a touchdown. He has quickness and reliable receiving hands as he demonstrated on a 29-yard catch.
And how about McCoy? He threw 19 passes, and only missed on five of them. Give the rookie 14-of-19 passing for 174 yards. Give him a 101.6 rating. Come on, give him the quarterback job for the rest of this season.
On the season, McCoy has completed 46-of-68 passes, 66 percent. He had two interceptions at Pittsburgh in his opener, and none since.
He is the first rookie quarterback ever to face Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks (Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees and Brady) in his first three starts -- and he's 2-1.
There are eight games left. Things can change. But McCoy has done nothing but gain more confidence (in himself, and confidence from his teammates and fans) with these games.
I watched part of the game with former Browns receiver Reggie Rucker in the press box, and he raved about McCoy throwing "a catchable" ball. It is soft. It is well-placed. It is delivered so the receiver can make the catch while in stride, rather than having to stop and reach behind.
Team President Mike Holmgren wanted to see more balls thrown to the receivers. Well, McCoy had a bye week to work on that, and he threw four passes to Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie.
And what about the defense?
I will repeat, what about the defense?
The defense that held Brady and New England to 14 points. The defense that held Drew Brees and the Saints to 17 points. The defense that wanders around like 11 guys looking at the ground for a pair of lost contact lenses right before the snap -- and then runs to just the right spots.
Fans are seeing why coach Eric Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan are committed to the 3-4 defense ... because it's not a regular 3-4, it's almost anything they want it to be. Two linemen. No linemen. Six linebackers. Five linebackers, six defensive backs. Two linebackers pretending to be linemen. Quarterbacks looking over the line of scrimmage and wondering what the Browns are doing.
While the national media made much of the Belichick-Eric Mangini rivalry, this game was bigger than how these guys don't like each other and their lame handshakes. It's about how the Browns are taking steps to be a legitimate team worthy of the respect of the fans.
"This is how I envision Browns football," Mangini said. "First, you learn how to compete. Then you learn how to win. Then you learn how to win consistently. It's great to see the guys rewarded with victories."

[Sez.EJ]

This was BY FAR..the best and most complete game I have seen since the Browns returned A++.. Dabs knew he was on the hotseat with Holmgren's presser and met the challence head on.. Good for him. What a great game.. I could go on and on..

[Thaid_Up]

What I saw today was a bunch of marathoners at my job so please pleeeeeease someone tell me where I can catch a replay of this game other than the NFL network. Everyone thought I was cheering the runners but it was those glorious updates from my blackberry. Smile broadly tonight, Browns' fans!!

[BrownieBornAndRaised]

Hell yeah. I didnt just see i win. I saw us whoop the Patriots asses. Mangini and the coaching staff out coached the genius BB. Colt played mistake free football as a leader (no sacks and no ints.) I also saw a Pro bowl type bruiser running back in Peyton Hillis run for 184 yards and two touchdowns, most of that coming in the second half when they knew he was gonna get the ball. They just couldnt stop him.

If we can continue to play like we have the last two games their isn't a team in the NFL we cant beat. Great win today. Bring on the J-E-T-S!

[DawgFan]

I saw MoMass play with heart and get open
I saw Cribbs lay it all out for his QB
I saw Robiskie make a catch he drops 3 weeks ago
I saw Hillis run like a man possessed
I saw E.Wright play like he did last season
I saw Ward continue to dominate
I saw Elam play his best game this season
I saw Rubin/Rogers own the line

and I saw a QB that knew when to go for it, when to throw it away, and when to take off and run (not to mention when to throw ON the run).

This was a total and complete team effort that shows to me that the Browns are NOT a 3-5 team any more.

When you go 2-1 with a rookie at QB against Pitt/NO/NE, you have a pretty damn good team.

[Franchise]

Can't forget cribbs nice block!

[DannyD]

I did not get to see the game. No one has mentioned the o-line. I am gonna assume ( becuase of hillis's numbers ) that they again did a good job. It is really nice to have an organization that believes in investing heavely in this area. It's where it all starts.

[Inspecta]

Originally Posted by Franchise

Can't forget cribbs nice block!

Dude that block was freakin' E P I C

One of the best I've seen all year....

[OzDawg]

I saw Eric and his boys whoopass on Bill and his boys.
I saw The OC/DC and ..(wow) even the HC have fun!
I saw a "team" effort again.
I saw said "team" get behind the rook and play their asses off for him and accept him as their leader.
I saw Bill look mad and Eric smirk

[BrownieBornAndRaised]

Originally Posted by Franchise

Can't forget cribbs nice block!

I just saw the block on that play, didnt notice it during the game was too busy watching Colt scramble, but that was a devastating block by Cribbs.