Which player on Eric Mangini's team deserves the game ball this week?
This post is sponsored by Sprint.
I usually have a game ball ready to give to someone, but this week there were a lot of heroes in the Cleveland Browns' 30-17 win over the New Orleans Saints. Therefore, I'm going to let you guys vote on which player you think should receive the game ball. I've narrowed it down to the individuals who I think are the top four candidates; if you think it should be given to a player (coaches are not eligible) not listed, choose "other" and tell us who that player is in the comments section.
After the jump, I briefly explain why each player is a candidate in the poll. To ensure that bias is not involved in the "list" of players I am describing, I am not ranking them in order of my voting, but rather based on the traditional offense-defense position order (i.e. QB, RB, FB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, DB, ST).
RB Peyton Hillis - While he only had 16 carries this week, in both of the Browns' victories they have allowed Hillis to be the "closer" in the game. He had only 5 yards rushing in the second quarter and 5 yards rushing in the third quarter. When the Saints had scored a touchdown to make it 20-10 early in the fourth quarter, Cleveland needed to find a way to drain the clock.
Not counting a penalty play, Cleveland's answer was running the ball six straight times for Hillis, who plowed through the Saints with physical running. Then, on a third down play, he threw a first-down pass across the field to Colt McCoy. Hillis also had the team's only offensive touchdown earlier in the game.
LB Scott Fujita - Was he a man on a mission or what? Fujita sacked Drew Brees early on and then had a pivotal interception shortly after. I wonder how much information he fed Rob Ryan, because Brees and the Saints' offense were definitely flustered.
LB David Bowens - Regulated to backup duties this season after arguably being the team's best linebacker last year, the veteran had two pick sixes, something a player like him can only dream of and would never actually anticipate happening.
P Reggie Hodges - I made so much fun of Hodges last year and ridiculed him for not falling on top of a botched snap on a punt against the Chiefs. While that play was still awful, Hodges has more than made up for it this year with his exceptional punting, and he ran 68 yards on a fake punt. I was in disbelief as he got about 15 yards down the field, but I thought he'd just stop there. Instead, he kept going...and going...and going...
Let us know who you picked and why!
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Comments
DBow, Hodges and Fujita are all good choices, but I have to give it to the guy that got us 14 points.
Was this really a great win. I enjoyed watching the game. It was not an offensive display of a great offense. The ability to pull off BIG plays when we needed them was just a joy to watch. It was as good as the defensive show against the Steelers last year and the offensive display against the Bengals in 2007. We need some offense! But for today I am enjoying the replay of the game.
I voted for Bowens because it clearly was one of best games of his career. Really it could go to anyone of the four players on the list. Fujita had an incredible game, clearly the all around best defensive performance on the team (not counting Bowens two big plays). Hodges not only had the huge run, but his excellent kicking gave the Saints a long field every possession. Even when they scored I believe it took them eight minutes or so to drive down the field. Hillis closed it out for us, he should’ve been fed the ball more the whole game, but I can’t complain to much. We won!
I agree. i think I said that in the game thread — the whole coaching staff deserves a game ball for this effort. The players execution was important, of course, but a great game plan in all phases.
I said Bowens, his pick sexes put us over the top. I know it’s cliche but this really was a team effort and I think that Vageta/Hodges and the special teams come in a close second.
DBow, Hodges and Fujita are all good choices, but I have to give it to the guy that got us 14 points.
Roger Dorn - October 25, 2010
Agreed, those points were a huge difference maker here, in both the game and my vote for gameball.
Simmsinns - October 25, 2010
You had me confused for a moment. Yes, it’s got to be Bowens in a landslide.
dgcambridge - October 25, 2010
Was this really a great win. I enjoyed watching the game. It was not an offensive display of a great offense. The ability to pull off BIG plays when we needed them was just a joy to watch. It was as good as the defensive show against the Steelers last year and the offensive display against the Bengals in 2007. We need some offense! But for today I am enjoying the replay of the game.
champion64 - October 25, 2010
I was definitely not offended at all.
TheDriveStillHurts - October 25, 2010
Voted for Fujita instead of Bowens by accident. But Bowens for sure… 2 pick sixes.
emily522 - October 25, 2010
David Bowens is my pick, thinking it is obvious.
champion64 - October 25, 2010
Bowens without a doubt
Kimble_79 - October 25, 2010
I would have voted for Ratty.
golanbatrac - October 25, 2010
I’d like to think we all would have.
notthatnoise - October 25, 2010
Bowens, but what the Hell I think you give the game ball to the entire team!!
BrutalMovement - October 25, 2010
bowens, definitely. in the words of drew brees, “if you take away the defensive touchdowns, we score more than them”
davus - October 25, 2010
I voted for Bowens because it clearly was one of best games of his career. Really it could go to anyone of the four players on the list. Fujita had an incredible game, clearly the all around best defensive performance on the team (not counting Bowens two big plays). Hodges not only had the huge run, but his excellent kicking gave the Saints a long field every possession. Even when they scored I believe it took them eight minutes or so to drive down the field. Hillis closed it out for us, he should’ve been fed the ball more the whole game, but I can’t complain to much. We won!
BiggieBrown - October 25, 2010
thats a good point. career game. Fujita had a ridiculous game, but you could argue that it wasn’t even his best this year.
bross09 - October 25, 2010
I was tempted to vote Hillis just for his 118 passer rating, but 2x pick six wins every time no matter how old the player is.
JustBob - October 25, 2010
I am going None of the Above.
The clear cut winner to me is the coaching staff. This was a FANTASTIC coaching effort. Offensive, defensive and special teams.
Bernie19Kosar - October 25, 2010
I should add that we could name 15-20 different players.
If I picked one from the list above, it would be Bowens.
Bernie19Kosar - October 25, 2010
I agree. i think I said that in the game thread — the whole coaching staff deserves a game ball for this effort. The players execution was important, of course, but a great game plan in all phases.
Buckeye Brad - October 25, 2010
I said Bowens, his pick sexes put us over the top. I know it’s cliche but this really was a team effort and I think that Vageta/Hodges and the special teams come in a close second.
North Coast Flea - October 25, 2010
Freudian slip?
golanbatrac - October 25, 2010
well, at least he doesn’t want to suck the quarterback or anything.
davus - October 25, 2010
Haha!
Simmsinns - October 25, 2010
not that there’s anything wrong with that.
notthatnoise - October 25, 2010
Simmsinns - October 26, 2010
Wow, how did I even do that?
North Coast Flea - October 25, 2010
There are no accidents!
JamesPowell - October 25, 2010
I now have a new sigline.
North Coast Flea - October 26, 2010
bross09 - October 25, 2010
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