Randomness from today's Browns home game:

Special Guest: Gale was here today. With a blankie. And Gus Johnson is doing the game on CBS. Yes!!! "Jamal Lewis is made of rubber...and steel!". I loves my Gus.

Today's Opponent: Another playoff aspirant, the Houston Texans. The Texans are a team the Browns have played almost every year since Houston joined the NFL. They also have represented some of the darkest days Browns Version 2.3 has experienced, victors in the last two meetings. They have a gunslinger at quarterback, Matt Schaub. His favorite receiver, Andre Johnson, is healthy again. That's not good, as the Browns are second-last in pass defense (BTW, the Browns are 28th against the run, for good measure). And their defensive front seven is pretty good, but the secondary is weak and the Browns should move the ball through the air. Even though they are due for a bad home game, I expect a home win for the Browns today. The "P-word" will be solid, if they come through.

The Weather: As I emerged from my Gigantor Mobile this a.m, it seemed like a nice day was dawning. Sunny, near 50. Not sure what happened, because after the first quarter, el sol disappeared. Then it kinda got cold.

Today's Giveaway: If there was one, I didn't get it. Although I did buy a t-shirt from a guy on the street for $10. You'll know what it is, the next time you see me wearing Browns-related garb.

Section 345: Today's altercation involved the words: "That guy stole my corn dog." Not sure what that means, as I do not think corn dogs are vended at the Stadium. This was between two Browns fans, for a change. Violating some kind of code, I'm sure. Anyhow, one guy was ejected and pelted with rocks and garbage on the way out.

Best Browns Play: After two short yardage running plays failed, the Browns came up with this gem in the second quarter on their next third-and-one. Derek Anderson fakes a right sweep to Jamal Lewis with the best ball fake he's done to this point. Everyone bites. I mean, everyone. Meanwhile, Joe Jurevicius ducks under everyone and goes to the left, catches a short pass and runs toward the sideline. 25 yards later, it's a big first down and three plays later, the Browns score their first TD. File that play for future reference this season.


















Second-Best Browns Play: Had to be D'Qwell Jackson's interception early in the second quarter. The Texans were leading, 7-0, and driving again. Big hit and the ball popped in the air and Jackson grabbed it before it hit the ground. Terrific game from Jackson, who is completely outplaying Andra Davis this season. Jackson had 12 tackles to Davis' 2 today.

Worst Browns Play: As I noted earlier, the Browns had two terrible short yardage plays in the first quarter. Unbelievably, Jamal Lewis was not on the field for either one. First drive on a third-and-two, Jason Wright gets one yard up the middle. Ugh! Second drive on a fourth-and-one, Lawrence Vickers gets stuffed for no gain up the middle, with Josh Cribbs in as tailback, for God knows what. Double ugh! If you signed Lewis to be your big back, where is he on these downs?

Best Line from Me (seeing how the Canon contest was won by a lady with a very large zoom lens): "She must like the big ones."

Best Line from Gale (in reply): "Don't we all."

Best Line from a Random (after Derek Anderson threw away a pass, in which he had a man open and several yards clear in front of him to run): "Derek. Oh, Derek. May I have a word with you?" Effeminate delivery and subtlety made me laugh.

Oddest Browns Jersey: 2 Couch (Still. In orange!), 29 Turner, 33 Hoard, 54 Spielman (who entered our row from the wrong side, making everyone get up), 86 Northcutt.

Food Items: None, because the pre-game meal was Breakfast Lasagna and Corona Lights at Alesci's. I may never fully digest that one.

Most Obvious Sign It's Cold: Cold weather equals shirtless men displaying some slogan I could not determine.

The Fuckin' Run: The Browns, in a textbook display of cold weather, November football, actually displayed the type of running game that can win you some late season ballgames. 148 yards on the ground today, with Jamal Lewis picking up 134. The second time he's gone over 100 this year. The Texans, who seemed to outsmart themselves a lot on offense today, didn't have as many opportunities and gained 77, with Ron Dayne gaining 78. Dayne averaged almost 5 yards per carry, but a horrible reverse call by the Texans resulted in an 8-yard loss. Outrushing an opponent is a very positive sign for the Browns.

Worst Stat: The Browns were pretty good today over the last three quarters, so the 7 penalties for 71 yards needs some work. Too many of those illegal shift infractions.

2nd Worst Stat: Dave Zastudil was pretty erratic punting today for a 35-yard average.

Most Interesting Stat: Braylon Edwards had another TD today, making it 11 on the year. He needs two more to break Gary Collins' long-standing record of 13.

Today's game was good for the Browns. Unbelievably, they are 5-1 at home this season. They proved they could run the ball against a team that had a reputation for being pretty good against it. And after a slow start, they managed 27 points again. But today, it was done in a grind-it-out, very physical fashion, as opposed to an aerial circus.

The defense played pretty well today, holding the Texans to 2-10 on third downs. They gave up 314 yards, mostly through the air, but made solid plays when they had to, resulting in three turnovers.





















Next week, it's Arizona on the road. This seems to always be a difficult game for teams that don't visit there very often. Ask Pittsburgh about that. But the "P-word" is becoming closer to reality with today's win.

Browns win, 27-17, in a surprisingly physical game.

Meal of Links

Fred Thompson doesn't like the treatment he gets from Fox News. Well, get in line, mister.

How to pick a medical plan.

Books about rock music abound for the holidays. Genesis even reunited for one.

Exercise Yard

I thought I'd let everyone know that while the Browns have been winning, LeBron has been posting triple-doubles at an alarming rate lately. I happened to have the game on while going home after the Browns game today, and Joe Tait announced the attendance at Indiana as 11,603 and applauded the Pacers for their honesty. Some of the teams are really struggling attendance-wise. New Orleans gets a lot of bad ink about its attendance woes, as does Charlotte, but look at that Philly number. 60% capacity. Yikes!

Visitor

A sunny, then dark, then rainy Browns Sunday.