Randomness from today's Browns home game:

















Chad Johnson jumped into the Dawg Pound today, but they seem to be telling him his circle's gotta go.

Special Guest: I took Shaun, attending his first Browns game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. When it comes to the NFL, I subscribe to the theory that you're never as bad or good as you showed the previous week. Browns Version 2.3 cannot be this bad, can they?

Last week's pessimism was spot on and did we have a week of "lack of institutional control" or what? The starting QB, Charlie Frye (who I was never sold on), just declared the starter, is now traded after one of the worst performances I've ever seen. So, now we are left with Derek Anderson to drive the bus, while Brady Quinn gets familiar with the owner's manual. Not sure how good Anderson will be, but I thought he was clearly better than Frye, but the coaches seem to have a mistrust about him. I look for better things today, but not great.

I expect "Brady, Brady!" chants early and hopefully there isn't a riot at the game.

Today's Opponent: Another one of our division rivals, the Cincinnata Bengals. As old Browns coach Forrest Gregg used to say, "The Cincinnata Bengals are a fine football team." They had a big win against the Ravens on Monday night. Most people use the Monday Night Hangover theory to say the Bengals may not be that good today. But aren't the Browns the hair of the dog for everyone these days? This should be a revenge game for the brutal shutout they put on us here last year. Strangely, I don't think anyone on the team mentioned it this week. The Bengals defense seemed better last week, causing lots of turnovers, reminiscent of 2005. Carson Palmer leads a really good offense. We have kept Chad Johnson in check lately, and Rudi (Rudi Can't Fail!) Johnson normally runs all over us, except for that shutout last year. If the Bengals have no one arrested on the way here, they will probably win today.

The Weather: A little bit cloudy early. But the sun came out, the temperature was about 65 and it was a very nice day to watch a game.

Today's Giveaway: The Browns gave away some sort of flag item today. The sponsor was my mobile carrier, AT&T Mobility.

















Is this a dream? Is it still Sunday morning? Pinch me.

Section 345: Let me say this. This game was like finding a hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk. No, make that $500. Absolutely unexpected. It was nine years of frustration coming out in one glorious afternoon. Crowd into it in a massive way, even though the bathroom by our section was starting to flood by the end of the third quarter. No fights in our section, no defense from either team and the guy from Home Depot was seen delivering lights because the toteboard was starting to run out of them.

Best Browns Play: Probably not seen on TV. But after Jamal Lewis scampered for a 47-yard gain in the fourth quarter, Kellen Winslow did a cartwheel on the field. A cartwheel! That's how giddy everyone was getting.


















Second-Best Browns Play: I loved the Browns first TD to Joe Jurevicius. Quite simply, Anderson threw a pass for the score that Charlie Frye cannot.

Worst Browns Play: The score is 41-38, Browns. They run Lawrence Vickers on a fourth-and-1 on the Bengal 49 for his only carry of the day. No gain, of course. Sick feeling returns immediately to my stomach.

Best Line from Me: "I think hell is chilly today, because we're back in the playoff hunt." by a nose over "Derek Anderson has thrown for five TDs today." Not a gem, but I like typing "Derek Anderson has thrown for five TDs today." a lot.

Best Line from Shaun (after the win): "You may want to keep in mind, I AM the good luck charm." by a nose over "Hey, I just heard Peter Jennings died."

Best Line from a Nostradamus (while waiting for the escalator, taunting Bengal women): "The score is gonna be Browns, 33-31, late. And you're gonna be mad when your boy throws an interception and we win." I thought him an idiot, but props to him, you drunken sage, you.

Oddest Browns Jersey: 66 Zukauskas, 57 Bentley, 84 Chiaverini. My God, a Chiaverini!

Food Items: Shaun said two beers and two hot dogs totalled $22. Twice.

Best Fan Cam Feature: Anyone yelling for the Browns. I'm telling you, medics were called, because people were in pain from smiling too much. It was so stupidly euphoric.

The Fuckin' Run: The Browns gave up 137 yards on the ground. Miraculously, they ran for 226 with Jamal Lewis getting 215.

Worst Stat: It took me 55 minutes to get home. Because most people stayed at the game, for once.

2nd Worst Stat: Today? Dwell on any negatives? No fucking way.

Most Interesting Stat: The Browns had a 300-yard passer, a 200-yard rusher and two 100-yard receivers. They had never done that as a member of the NFL.

A game that was one for the ages. Both teams combined for over 1,000 yards in offense. There have been MONTHS where the Browns have not gained that many yards. This was a game where the Bengals did this:

Carson Palmer, 33 out of 50 for 401 yards and 6 TDs

Rudi Johnson, 23 rushes for 118 yards.

Chad Johnson, 11 catches for 209 yards and 2 TDs

and incredibly, the Browns still won. Somehow, the football gods smiled upon our little hamlet today. And the guy I saw today with this t-shirt: "Cleveland: A Drinkin' Town With a Football Problem" may have to get a new tailor. Or at least he can buy a Derek Anderson jersey and not rent one. I am reminded of the old Raider broadcaster, Bill King and his call of the infamous Holy Roller to describe today's game.

"It's not real! A man would be a fool to ever try and write a drama and make you believe it. And now, this one will be relived - forever!"

Browns win, 51-45, in what may have been the most improbably delirious game I'll ever see.

Meal of Links

I probably won't camp in Alaska.

Lots of sites about movies. You may want to find out something about an actor, perhaps. Someone like Russell Crowe, for instance.

Lloyd Carr knows Russell Crowe. But Jim Tressel knows how to beat Lloyd Carr. Can't figure out which is more important.

Exercise Yard

The Tigers are coming to Jacobs Field this week. These three games are the whole season right here.

Visitor

None. It's another Browns Sunday.