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Browns don't stink now ... at least not as much
Monday, September 29, 2008
Former Cleveland Browns coach Sam Rutigliano never met an axiom he wouldn't wield. "Victory is a great deodorant" was one of his favorites.
It came to mind Sunday, Sept. 28, as the Browns were wrapping up the season's first win, 20-12 over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
No, the Browns did not solve all their problems on this day, but they arguably don't stink as much. And certainly they smell better than the 0-4 Bengals, who, with backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick pressed into service, conjured images of wasted seasons gone by.
It wasn't the prettiest win for the beleaguered Browns, but 1-3 looks like Miss America compared to 0-4 (Sam said something like that once, I'm sure) and it's likely that head coach Romeo Crennel and quarterback Derek Anderson bought themselves a bit of a reprieve.
Encouraging aspects, in no particular order, included:
• Anderson throwing a touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards, the first time they have clicked for six this season. Anderson still looked shaky at times, but this has to help his confidence. And he even smiled once or twice.
• Signs of a pass rush. Rookie linebacker Alex Hall harassed Bengals QB Fitzpatrick and continues to look the part of a guy who'll need to be accounted for in offensive game plans.
• A strong finish. The Browns scored 17 points in the fourth quarter.
So at least there are reasons for Browns fans (the ones who haven't bailed already) to keep their feet firmly anchored in the bandwagon, at least for another couple of weeks.
And just as many reasons, it seems, for Bengals fans to join hands and leap off.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408
or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.
