Amidst the Cleveland Browns' 24-18 victory over the New York Jets, there was an unsung hero. He may not get the publicity for it due to a few other plays that happened in the game, but without him, we could very well have lost. Who was it?
Was it Joe Jurevicius, who was on the receiving end of two of the Jets' onside kick attempts? No.
Was it Jamal Lewis, who ran pretty hard all day long, especially on his spectacular 31-yard scamper up the middle to "close out" the game? No.
Was it Brandon McDonald, whose shut-down coverage, pass deflections, and key second half interception prevented the Jets from hitting the big play most of the game? No.
Was it Braylon Edwards, who caught a touchdown fade pass off the shoulder of Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis? No.
Was it Sean Jones, whose first-half interception at the goal line stunned the Jets offense and allowed the Browns to never fall behind in the game? No.
If it wasn't any of them, then who was it?
It was Phil Dawson. People have asked the question time and time again: what's going to happen when Dawson needs to be counted on, in tough weather conditions, to make a clutch field goal? Granted, the conditions weren't making the field horrible, but Dawson beautifully drilled a 49-yard field goal attempt in the precipitation near the start of the fourth quarter.
If the Browns had punted there, or missed the field goal, we would have only led 14-6. With only a one possession lead, the Jets' strategy at the end of the game surely would've changed, and could've ultimately led to several different scenarios in which we would've lost.
Props to the Browns for winning, but Dawson's field goal here was as important as his 51-yarder off the Dawson Bar against the Baltimore Ravens. When those kicks figure so critically into two victories, despite the big playmakers in Anderson, Cribbs, Edwards, Winslow, and Lewis, it could be Dawson providing the "X-Factor" to lead us to the promised land.
0 recs | 10 comments
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
Went to the game and it was a lot of fun. Great to see all Browns fans fill up the first two rows in the fourth quarter when the majority of Jets fans left or went for cover with the rain.Anderson seemed a little off on his accuracy and to me it seemed weather related. I hope this isn't a consistent phenomenon.
You would have to convince me that Brandon McDonald is not our best corner right now.
Braylon Edwards was the best player on the field, we need to be targeting him a lot more than we did today.
The Browns let up there at the end. They were interacting with Jets fans on the sideline and acted like the game was over. Thankfully, it didn't come back to haunt us.
Roger Dorn - December 9, 2007
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
"Anderson seemed a little off on his accuracy and to me it seemed weather related. I hope this isn't a consistent phenomenon."It's already proven to be a consistent phenomenon. Sometimes he'll thread the needle perfectly and sometimes he'll underthrow a wide open receiver. You just don't know what you're getting from throw to throw.
misterbaseball99 - December 10, 2007
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
Also was in attendance. Enjoyed most of the 2nd Half from row 1 End Zone. Brandon McDonald has now convinced me after just 3 games that he is the real deal. So much for having help over the top like in his first start. This guy was put on an island. His technique tells me he is going to be good for a while. On his INT, he ran stride for stride w/ Jets WR, then turned his head just as Jets WR was looking back. Turned his hips and made a beautiful pick. Wow was that nice!The gentlemen who started the Dixon/Minnefield comments after his first start was right!
dawginphilly - December 10, 2007
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
About that Dixon/Minnefield post I started...funny thing is, I was born in 1987 so that tells you just how much I actually saw them play, haha.I did research on those two, seen old game films, and just heard my dad go on and on about how good they were together and that they were the best combo in the league for many years.
And to the first post...somebody has to convince me that Leigh Bodden won't be our nickel-back next year. He has been getting beat for touchdowns since week 1 and absoutely cannot cover the comeback or slant routes to save his life. If we thought Wright was a steal in round 2, then what the heck do you classify getting McDonald in the 5th round as???
Quinn10 - December 10, 2007
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
I was really impressed with the D-Line stand in the first quarter that ended with the Sean Jones pick.I don't know why, but I really like Sean Smith. He is a constant trash talker and seems to get in the heads of opposing O-Linemen. Quickly becoming my favorite defensive player.
By the way, did anyone hear Kamerion Wimbley's name called at all yesterday? I am starting to worry about how effective he will be.
Bernie19Kosar - December 10, 2007
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
Yeah, Wimbley had a sack that resulted in a fumble in the second half, I believe. It was a big play, and could have been bigger if we could have fallen on the ball.He still only has one move- dip his shoulder and go around the outside. The problem with it is OLinemen know its coming and he doesn't have a counter or ever do much else, plus he runs past the play many many times. Still, he is so fast and quick, just that one move probably can get him 8-12 sacks/year for the next few years.
Ryan Kelsey - December 10, 2007
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
Wimbley has also been much more effective against the run this year. I expect him to put it all together next year.Didn't realize how much a load Shaun Smith is until I saw him in person yesterday!
dawginphilly - December 10, 2007
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
Yeah, those goal line stuffs were awesome!(I was at the game, too -- no atmosphere [for a lot of different reasons], but still fun.)
JulioBernazard - December 10, 2007
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
There were more of us in the stands for the entire 2nd half!dawginphilly - December 10, 2007
Re: Sunday's Unsung Hero
I was thinking about the playoff clinch too, I think its not as hard as anyone might think. Assuming Jax gets the first WC, there are only 5 teams mathematically alive for the last. Cle, Ten, Buf, Den, Hou. If Cle wins they have a 2 game lead on Buf and the tie breaker. If Tenn losses to KC somehow, we have the same situation, and if Hou beats Den, we'd be up 3 on Den, and 2 on Hou, again with the tiebreaker....If Den wins, I don't know where we stand but that game could even be irrelevant.Sorry to steal your thunder, I believe this is the scenario you were talking about.
cavalry21 - December 10, 2007
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