Getty Images / Greg Shamus
Boy do I feel thankful today. How can you not be at least somewhat thankful the morning after a seven point win over a hated rival that no longer considers games against you a rivalry matchup? How can you not be thankful knowing how many of those Steelers fans infiltrated Cleveland Browns stadium in order to wave their snot rags and watch their team win again? Being a Browns fan is tough every year of late, but a victory over the Steelers raises the season a tiny notch no matter what.
I know a lot of you are already lamenting this victory for a variety of reasons. Some are annoyed that the Browns are actually ruining their draft position. I don’t get this one at all. I know it is nice to have first choice in theory because you get exactly who you want. Well, unless you are the San Diego Chargers and you wanted Eli Manning, but that is neither here nor there. I don’t buy into that logic anyway. First, it is cumbersome to have the most expensive pick in the NFL draft, especially in the year before the whole rookie wage scale might change forever. Second, if you do want to trade down, you can do so successfully after the first pick, but not usually with the first pick. My real point is that I don’t care about the draft right now. The draft is a complex sport in and of itself and the Browns will have plenty of opportunity to react and maneuver no matter where they are in that top five at the end of the season. Beating the Steelers is much better than protecting a higher draft pick for me.
I know some others are lamenting the Browns win because of the potential Mangini implications. I know a lot of people were thinking that this game was one that would have Mangini coaching for his future employment. So, I think many of you think this win will guarantee Mangini gets another year. It makes for a nice storyline so people care to watch the game, but ultimately, I don’t think it matters that much. It does help Mangini’s case a tiny bit, but when we truly look back on this game we will see a hobbled Steelers team in the midst of a horrendous streak. The Browns should be proud of themselves today, but they didn’t beat the same team that won the Super Bowl last year. Ultimately (hopefully) whoever gets hired to run the show in Berea will be able to make an educated decision on Mangini and his coordinators for himself.
As for the game itself, the highlights of the night were almost exclusively provided by the Browns’ defense. Eric Wright had a monster game. He blew up receiver screens. He stuck with guys in coverage. Corey Williams had a monster game with two sacks. Some guy named Brian Schaefering had a monster game with 1.5 sacks. Marcus Benard had a great game with two sacks. I won’t say he had a great game, but Hank Poteat even got a QB sack last night. In all, the Browns amassed eight quarterback sacks last night. Of course the Steelers offensive line had a bad game, but the Browns and Rob Ryan’s scheming took advantage of it all night long. It was beautiful to watch the Browns drag Roethlisberger down time after time after time.
Brady Quinn didn’t have a good game, but he kept his nose clean by not committing any turnovers. Quinn was only 6 – 19 on the night passing. When you consider the kinds of catches that Mohamed Massoquai and Evan Moore made on two of those passes, it could have been even worse. To Quinn’s credit though, he ran the no-huddle effectively, didn’t commit a turnover. His two big hookups exploited the defense. Massaquoi’s 37 yard reception was on a much maligned Ike Taylor. Evan Moore’s reception was on a linebacking corps that hasn’t had to respect a Brown threat in the middle since Kellen Winslow and Joe Jurevicius.
Chris Jennings had a very solid game. It would be easy to call this a great game based on comparisons to Browns’ running performances in the past few years. Chris Jennings carried the ball 20 times for 73 yards and he tight-roped the sidelines for a Browns rushing touchdown by a running back so stupid announces can stop talking about streaks of ineptitude. I try not to be the “I told you so!” guy very often, but I feel so ridiculously vindicated in my Jamal Lewis opinion right now. Jerome Harrison appeared to be running pretty well too, but he was reportedly quite sick and didn’t play much in the second half.
Did I mention that Chris Jennings had a rushing touchdown? Of course Matt Millen seemed to think that it wouldn’t count because the ball crossed the plane out of bounds even though Jennings’ feet touched the dirt in the endzone before ever hitting out of bounds. I know people have seemed impressed with Matt Millen this year, but I was not. If he told us one more time that “this is the time where a champion has to act like a champion.” We get it Matt. Did you write that for yourself in the hotel room and just assume it was pure gold? OOF.
What, did you think I forgot about Josh Cribbs? Of course not. I was saving the best for last. Josh Cribbs is easily and clearly the MVP of this game. Cribbs’ returns were key. The big one was a 55 yard punt return that set up a Browns field goal. Cribbs’ wildcat runs were also giant. His longest, a 37 yarder, set up the Chris Jennings touchdown run. In all, Cribbs had 87 yards on 8 carries out of the wildcat. Cribbs had one catch for 9 yards. He had two punt returns for 61 yards and two kick returns for 43 yards. The way he ran through tackles and got outside on the Steelers defense was fabulous to watch.
Speaking of which I need to take a second to talk about John St. Clair. I couldn’t have been harsher than I was early on this year at the play of Browns right tackle John St. Clair. Credit where credit is due. St. Clair has kept his name out of these articles for a very very long time, hasn’t he? There was one play in particular that I have to bring up. On Josh Cribbs’ longest run that set up the Jennings touchdown, St. Clair was in the picture five yards in front of Cribbs PANCAKING a Pittsburgh Steeler at least 40 yards down field.
Plays like that told the story of the night to me. This Browns team didn’t play their best game on offense, but they were alright and avoided the big mistake. The special teams and defense played possessed. There was a sense watching every phase of the game that the Browns were truly battling though. They played with intensity and played over their heads for a night of great team football. The fact that we could see this team come out so geeked to play at 1-11 speaks to each and every one of those players who could have easily packed it in. It speaks to Rob Ryan and Bryan Cox for whipping those inexperienced boys into shape. And unfortunately for a lot of you it speaks to Eric Mangini. This team hasn’t quit on him. In fact it is the exact opposite. And for a night it gave us Browns fans quite a spectacle to watch on TV.
A victory over the Steelers in 2009. Reset the clock, boys and girls. If the Browns can win the next one, it might start to resemble a rivalry again. Maybe someday the stands at Heinz field will be peppered in orange and brown. That thought makes me happy.
Author: CraigLyndall
Craig Lyndall has been writing about all the Cleveland sports teams at WaitingForNextYear since September 2008. When he isn't, you can find him selling insurance or playing music. Follow WFNYCraig on Twitter.Craig Lyndall has written 433 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
WOO-HOOOOO! GREAT WIN!!! WE DON’T NEED NO STINKIN’ CZAR! CONTRACT EXTENSIONS ALL AROUND!!!
Oops, sorry, got a little carried away there.
Fantastic gut check for our Brownies. They did themselves and us proud!
I’m not sure what happened last night. It looked like the Browns fielded a competent team. How is this possible?
I really like Deion Sanders halftime analysis that started with ‘give Cribbs some more money’. I couldn’t agree more.
Beautiful. I was in the camp of people that a Browns loss may have been better long term, but seeing the faces of the Steelers and knowing that their playoff run was over…priceless. It was awesome seeing the Browns and especially Cribbs playing with so much pride.
I was also happy for my Dad who is a long-suffering Browns fan who went up to the stadium for the game. He deserved to see in person the end of the drought. At midnight I received a text saying he over-tailgated and slept through the entirety of the game. Oh well.
Last nights game had the type of effort I had hoped we would see more of with our Browns. They beat the steelers at their own game by running the ball and playing good defense. Thank you Browns for the early Christmas present !
I was at the game and this was one of the coolest things I’ve seen in Cleveland sports – right up there with a few of the Indians playoff wins I’ve been to. There were Steelers fans, but I’d say by the time the Stadium filled up a few minutes into the game it was only about 15% piss yellow. And by the 4th quarter many of the Stiller fans around me were finding their way home. The crowd’s reaction afterwards was priceless – cheering all the way home on the rapid.
To say the least, it made me proud to be a Browns fan knowing that 50-60,000 thousand of us could come out and give it our all in sub-zero temps for a 1-11 team. Just think what it could be like when we beat the Steelers with something on the line for us.
The tradition hasn’t died – Go Browns!
Having a great day because of last night
4-12? We all ready lost the 1st pick let’s win some games!
Awesome Wolverine pose by Corey Williams. Go Browns!
so happy
i was at a bar in nyc last night, the only 3 browns fans in the place (i dont like going to blondies) and we were going NUTS. Absoloutely insane, fantastic win, makes the season 500x better.
now i hope we lose out
Great article, and “It speaks to Rob Ryan and Bryan Cox for whipping those inexperienced boys into shape. And unfortunately for a lot of you it speaks to Eric Mangini. This team hasn’t quit on him. In fact it is the exact opposite” means more to me than one win.
The fans haven’t quit on the Browns, and the above quote may be the reason why.
It was great to see them play hard. I would much rather they play hard for a coach I hate then mail it in for a coach I love.
Craig, Thank you for pointing out Millen…ugh, everytime he opened his mouth it killed me… “see what the browns did here was they brought 4 guys while Pittsburgh only had 3…that’s one more guy…” really??
Rob Ryan called a great game – one Offensive request though…I wish Daboll would do a little more play action…seemed like Pittsburgh bit on the run everytime, and maybe some play action would have freed up the WRs a bit?
BQ is now 1-0 as a starter vs the Steelers!!!!!
To quote KGB from Rounders:
“Pay that man hees money”
Millen was awful. It’s bad when you watching the game and wishing that Kosar was handling the commentary because you want someone that sounds intelligent.
I definately agree with the play action comment. Every first down, we’d run up the middle. How vanilla can you get, about the 9th or 10th time it would have been awesome to see a play action. Oh well, a guy can dream. That game was awesome, I came into work this morning and hung Browns pictures all over this dude’s steeler’s crap. He didn’t even say anything, he just left it there. Priceless.
Given the choice between losing for the first pick and beating the Steelers to end their playoff hopes for the season, I take beating the Steelers 100% of the time.
Cribbs was HUGE last night. Definitely time for him to get paid.
Quinn missed long on a couple of passes that could have extended some drives, but he generally didn’t miss by much and kept it out of Steeler hands so I’m not going to complain too much. I think he still gets rid of it too quickly under pressure, but hopefully he’ll learn to deal with that soon enough (or he’ll at least have an o-line that he can learn to trust).
Rob Ryan has been one of my favorite Browns all year and even in our many losses (with the exception of the Detroit game) he’s been able to wring more out of this defense than I thought possible.
I agree with Craig the win was great and I don’t care about the draft at this point. Beating the Steelers makes me happy and I hope that we are able to trade down and avoid spending big money on a top five pick.
Oh, also agree on Millen. Could have made an Austin Carr-esque drinking game based on how many times he said “this is when champions play like champions” and when he advised it was “time to start taking this personally”.
I will never lament, in any way, a win over the Steelers. It was so nice to watch an enjoyable Browns game for once.
Great job, as usual.
Am I the only one anticipating the Mangini 5-year contract extension post from Frowns?
“Beating the Steelers is much better than protecting a higher draft pick for me.”
I’m 100% in agreement with you, Craig. I cannot believe there are people masquerading as Browns fans who want them to tank against the Steelers for a better draft pick.
On another note, Can we also get an entire post about how bad the NFL network announcing is? Matt Millen speaking about playoff football would be like me speaking about quantum mechanics. They didn’t know who was running the ball a few times ( Calling Mewelde Moore Mendenhall and vice versa ) and even though a team just scored, they couldn’t get it right. It was altogether painful to listen to.
I posted this earlier and apologize for redundancy…
The idea of losing to gain favorable draft position is akin to the player that “gets his numbers” while the team loses, in my opinion. Real competitors play to win. As fans, so should we. Let’s win, realizing that you cannot take any win for granted…
Do you think that any successful team is leery of a win? Most teams that win invariably have players that soon after wish to be paid more. One could argue that because of winning, player salary demands increase and players leave for money, “so let’s not win and keep costs down” would be an insane view. This is no different…
Win was obviously great and I wish that someone took a series of photographs of all the d-bag Steeler fans who were at the game and put them in a slide show.
As for draft picks, the #1 pick is a curse more than anything else and I’m hoping this win is enough to get us out of it. I’d like to have Suh anchoring the middle with Rogers, but the last thing a team with so many holes needs is one player(who may or may not pan out) getting a huge guaranteed contract. A 2-4 pick will be a hot commodity and can easily be turned into a mid first/second rounder, we land a dynamic offensive player like Spiller and maybe the 2010 version of Maualuga who slips (and should’ve been taken of B. Robiskie).
The Brownies were happier than schoolgirls last night. Seeing them so happy made me laugh my butt off. Feels good.
Cannot agree with you more. We have been at or near the top of the draft most years since 1999. Where has it gottten us. Some busts yes, but also a lot of bad management as well. At some point, the Cleveland Browns organization must change the culture from one of constant losing to one of expecting to win. Until they do that, top draft picks every year (e.g. Detroit) is not going to change our fortunes.
Yes, I would like to have Suh. But this team has tons of needs. But I would argue that the biggest need by far is a reformation to a winning mentality.
Last night’s game while meaningless in the standings for 2009, is a good start IMO.
St. Clair still sucks Craig … though he didn’t play awful last night and only had one play where I noticably was asking what the F he was doing… Football Outsiders while charting the Browns-Chargers game attributed at least 4 QB hurries or losses to him
This is so great. Im so happy still today about this win. It makes it better there were a bunch of Steeler fans in there too.
I have season tickets and didnt go to the game last night, and Im sick about it. My logic was cold/wont win anyway/ have to work in the morning/living in south columbus. But I wish more than anything I would have went even if it was by myself. Oh well, hopefully there will be more to come. GO BROWNS!!!!!!!
St. Clair also gave up that huge loss by that Polamalu wannabe.
Given that, when’s the parade????
And HUGE respect to all the Browns fans who went down to the stadium and braved the cold last night. Game balls to all of you!
Posted this last night, but comments on the open thread seem to be fubared:
I feel like Ralphie Parker finally reaching his breaking point and taking out all his frustrations (I’ll shoot my eye out?!) in the form of a barrage of fists laid upon Scut Farkus. (Watch starting at 6:28) Take that, you yellow-eyed yinzers! This lost season just got a whole lot more bearable.
And now it’s time for me to curl up with my Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Thanks for the early Christmas present, Brownies!
…..
I heard that Ward and Tomlin cried after the game, is this true? Anyone have a video link? I missed it.
Love the Mike Adams quote on ruining the Steelers’ playoff hopes: “If we aren’t going, then they aren’t going.”
Good article. But there is one thing that you said that I would like to comment on ” when we truly look back on this game we will see a hobbled Steelers team in the midst of a horrendous streak”. First, what about the hobbled Browns? Our team is basically rookies and practice squad players with a few vets mixed in because of injuries. Not to mention the trades and Stallworth not here. I’m not saying I miss or want any of those last 3 back, but my point is that the Steelers may not have been at “Full” strength, but I would argue that the Browns are MUCH worse off then they are in that department. Second, what about the Browns’ horrendus streaks? 12 straight losses to the Steelers? 7 straight losses overall? This was one of the most enjoyable games to watch in the past few years. This wasn’t a case of the Steelers beating the Steelers, or the Browns getting lucky. The Steelers had to be favored on both sides of the ball. Cleveland probalby had the advantage in special teams (maybe). This was simply the Browns BEATING the Steelers……..MAN THAT FEALT GOOD, I’m gonna say it again……THE BROWNS BEATING THE STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I said something after the San Diego game that I’m OK with the Browns keeping Mangini-the-coach if they replace Mangini-the-personnel-guy. Last night is precisely why.
To many of us, he seems like an arrogant, incompetent jerk. And he may very well be that. But, he clearly does something that gets the majority of his players to play hard. There’s a reason so many former Jets speak highly of him as a coach, and were willing to come here (I know a lot of them came in trades, but he also signed a lot of them as FA). Regardless of whether or not they’re talented, they were willing to hitch their career-wagons to this guy.
I was always a “you have to give him two years” guy, but wouldn’t have been upset if he’d gotten canned. I can still say that now. He may very well get fired, but I won’t be gnashing my teeth if he’s still the coach next year. The team is showing improvement–however marginal–and at 1-11 did not quit in a game that the other team simply HAD to have. That speaks about the coach.
Now, just hire someone else to use all of those draft picks. Preferably someone who knows what the heck they’re doing.
The problem with play action is that it opens the door to a possible turnover. You can tell that the Browns had zero interest in creating a turnover when their defense is playing as well as it is.
The conservatism could have hurt us but the D stayed strong. Also, all those runs ate up the clock (since we actually got some first downs)
I won’t say he had a great game, but Hank Poteat even got a QB sack last night.
If that muffed punt hadn’t been overturned by penalty, though… woo, I was yelling at him when that happened.
@ Anthony – you can tell in Tomlin’s interview, I can’t find the link though. His lip was shaking and his eyes were all red. I would attribute his red eyes to the weather if his lip wasn’t shaking.
Anyone see Florio making a big deal over Cribbs’ post game comments? Come on guy…..
@DP – Well said and I completely agree. Heard Tony Sparano on Mike and Mike this morning and he said something that really stood out to me. He said that is more important to have “the right 53″ players than having “the best 53″ players. In other words, you need people who buy into the system, our team guys, and will lay it all on the line for the team. Certainly, on the Brows, Josh Cribbs comes immediately to mind.
I think this speaks to your point about players who really want to play for him. These guys have previously bought in and seen it work.
Last night’s game is a great example. You had a team with very few recognizable names who all came together and played together. All parts working for the other. Very nice to see and gives me a bit of hope going forward.
im convinced millen has got something on somebody big. he was easily the worst GM yet held the position for years and now he is almost ubiquitous in his booth appearances even though he is pretty much bush league. am i alone in feeling that i shouldnt be getting analysis from proven failures? matt millen? herm edwards? what did we do to deserve analysis from you?
i cant go a week without seeing millen’s mug, and dont get me started on “millin’ with millen”.
“It means everything,” Browns do-it-all wide receiver Josh Cribbs said. “There are a lot of Steelers fans around the city so I hope people go to work and kick those Steelers fans.”
if lebron is the king of cleveland, josh cribbs is the prince.
I had been hoping for a Browns loss (for Mangini-related reasons) but couldn’t root against them. Feels great to finally take one from those guys, as depleted and lousy as they were last night.
Good for Deion Sanders for calling out Cribbs. His unaddressed contract remains one of the many emblems of the dysfunctional Mangini regime.
DP – I am pretty much with you. I would not lose any sleep over one more year of Mangini IF there is a different front office structure/GM/football czar etc. I would like to think if that were the case the Anderson starting/Diabol hire/draft trades would have worked out differently. If the same basic structure remains with Mangini making the trades and draft choices, well, then we’ll have a problem.
But you are right, it is encouraging to see these guys play so hard while being 1-11.
Any given Thursday!
Have a good friend who lives in Pittsburgh and knows some of the players. It has been said that Tomlin may have lost the team.
I can’t exactly remember what he said, but what was Matt Millen’s quote at halftime that the other guy was like, “Where do you come up with these?”
@Brendon
I remember that a bit too. I remember that he answered the question with something like “Who knows where they come from? They just show up, like the Browns have shown up tonight.”
The biggest thing to me… we were dominant on defense with a TON of no-name players. I mean, who are these guys? The Steelers should feel extra embarrassed at letting guys named Schaefering and Benard dominate them. I loved this win. Loved it. I also love Ndamukong Suh and think he’s the clear-cut best player in the draft. We probably won’t get him now, but I don’t care… I love beating the Steelers.
Matt Millen = fail. I just thought I’d get that out of the way right from the beginning.
As far as the game absolutely happy that they won; I could care less about falling in the draft order I will take a win over Pittsburgh any day of the week. It’s been a very long time coming and I am trying to think of the last time our defense looked so dominant over a 60 minute game.. what a sight to see.
I’ve been reserving judgement on Mangini all season and giving him a chance but you have to admit some of these “no-name” pickups (Moore, Jennings, Roth) are REALLY playing well right now. I think at this point depending on how they finish the season (not necessarily wins but “competitive football”) that you have to seriously consider giving Mangini another year to see what we can do.. but it is imperative to get the FO situation straightened out.
@Joseph – those pickups aren’t just Mangini, they are mostly the pro player personnel office led by Steve Sabo (he’s been there since 1999). The darkest clouds have lifted from Mangini but I can almost guarantee that he will create more controversy in the last stretch of the season
Never underestimate a rivalry game!
I think we can all agree it’s time to pay Mr. Cribbs, especially after his comments after the game on NFLN, basically saying “the fans don’t want to hear someone complaining about money for a 2-11 football team. When we get some wins, the money will come.” What a classy guy.
2 Millen gaffes:
On the 4th down play late in the game, “That should have been an interception,” which would have cost us 15-20 yards of field position.
On the ensuing Browns first down to run out the clock, “Let’s see, that should just about do it. 35, 75, 80, they should be able to run out the clock.” Really, math? Bad math? Did it take anyone more that half a second to figure out they needed a first down or would have to punt?
At least college is over so we don’t have to hear him 3 times a week anymore.
The Cleveland Cribbs
I looked at the actual number and laughed out loud. That late, time-consuming drive has to be a record of some sort: 5:18 for a 9-play drive that goes a total of 26 yards.
I agree with so many things in the article and what people have said. lets start off with Cribbs. I was sketchy on him at the beginning of the season complaining for money and not being more then a return man… but man you have to pay him now. EVERYONE knows hes running away from BQ when hes in the wildcat, yet he still gets 87 yards on 8 carries. give him money. As to DPs comments about Mangini, I agree. If they get a ‘czar’ or GM that has clear power over Mangini, then I believe he can be successful. I dont think this game really changed Mangini’s status because whoever they bring in should have the power to decide if they want Mangini or dont. Lastly, the people that are upset on the browns WIN are crazy. Who knows what happens in the draft? the combine hasn’t even happened. Andre Smith was supposed to be a stud this time last year, then fell to 6 and that was considered a stretch for cincy. Suh is the 3rd ranked guy on Scouts Inc (behind my choice of Eric Berry). Who knows, a guy can raise or fall. Its so far away though people should just enjoy watching Pittsburgh in the playoffs… O WAIT!!
@bobby
There was the one Cribbs run to the right where Quinn was putting a pretty good block on whatever WR that was. Cribbs probably could have gotten a lot more yardage had he tried to pop that one outside instead of going inside the block and getting tackled by the safety.
I’ve been thinking since last year when Crennel tried to install Cribbs at WR that he’d do much better as a running back. The way he runs through tackles is beautiful and his decision making is generally fantastic. I’m remembering one of his runs to the right in the second half that kind of got blown up and he just cut back straight up the middle to gain yards.
@humboldt
Fair enough; Sabo I’m sure has had more to do with it than Mangini but I would imagine Mangini had to have some input on it yes?
I still don’t even lean 100% either way on whether or not he should go or stay but I have to think as Rick mentioned in a previous story on here that this could be “the win” that keeps him around another season.
A great win that doesn’t erase an awful season, but sure makes it more palatable today than it was yesterday. And it’s great to FINALLY be able to talk some smack to my best friend who is a yinzer.
Totally on board with those who believe Mangini the personnel director MUST go, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if Mangini the coach stays, especially if he can squeeze another couple of wins out of this rag tag bunch. You have to give him and the rest of the coaches credit for getting this team to play hard even after all this adversity.
my favorite quote from the tv broadcast last night regarding all of the new names on the Browns roster parphrasing : “The Browns are like Ellis Island, theres a land of opportunity here.” LOL!
“You can’t let a big man run free”