The Browns" exuberance for the 2010 season took a huge hit in Tampa, but they're confident it'll return in full force with a win today over the Chiefs.
Josh Cribbs and the Browns will be looking for win No. 1 on Sunday when they play the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Cribbs, left, and Matt Roth stand together before last week's season opener in Tampa.The Browns' euphoria over the 2010 season took a hit last week in Tampa, but the team is confident it'll come flooding back with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs today in the home opener.
"We've got to get a win," said Josh Cribbs, who returned two kickoffs for touchdowns against the Chiefs last year to set the NFL career record with eight. "This is the week for us to start. We're desperate, our fans are desperate, and it'll mean a lot to our confidence and to this organization if we get it going this week."
If the Browns lose today to fall to 0-2, their chances of making the playoffs decrease dramatically -- to about 10 percent. Since 2000, only seven of 69 teams have done it. But the Chiefs, who beat the Chargers, 21-14, on Monday night, are a much more formidable opponent than the 4-12 team that the Browns defeated, 41-34, late last season.
"It really is a big game for us," said left tackle Joe Thomas. "It's our first home game, it's the Ring of Honor game, and it's really important to get the momentum swinging in the right direction. If we can get the fans behind us and get this first win at home, we'll be right back on track."
Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who caught a 41-yard TD pass in last week's loss to the Buccaneers, cautioned that it's too early to run for the hills.
"It's Week 2," he said. "It's not like we're off for the bye week trying to correct things. We're still upbeat. We just need to eliminate our mistakes and we'll be all right."
Of course, the Browns will mostly likely be without their starting quarterback Jake Delhomme, who suffered an ankle injury against the Bucs and is listed as doubtful. But the players are firmly behind Seneca Wallace, who had a fine preseason, one with three TDs, one interception and a 103.0 rating.
"People fail to realize that Seneca's been playing this game for a long time and he's been successful," said Massaquoi. "He got a lot of reps in the preseason and played really well. We're fortunate to have two really good quarterbacks."
Chiefs coach Todd Haley knows firsthand that Wallace can win games.
"When I was coaching in Arizona, Seneca played against us in some of those games," said Haley. "I've probably seen as much tape as anybody. I know he's somebody that can hurt you in a number of ways."
The Chiefs will be gunning for running back Jerome Harrison, who rushed for 286 yards and three TDs against them last season. Harrison had only nine carries last week, but is hoping for more this week.
"It's not like I'm over here licking my chops," said Harrison, who came off the bench last week behind Peyton Hillis. "No, this is going to be a tough one. I know Romeo [Crennel]. He's a great defensive coordinator. He's going to have something for us."
The Browns' offense will have to contend with Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson, who's forced 12 fumbles in his 61 starts, including one last week against the Chargers. Turnovers have been a huge emphasis for the Browns after Delhomme threw two interceptions and Hillis lost a fumble to hand the Bucs the 17-14 victory.
"We have to eliminate the self-inflicted wounds," said Cribbs. "We beat ourselves, and our home fans are not going to tolerate that. They deserve better."
The Browns also will get their first look at safety Eric Berry, whom they targeted with their No. 7 overall pick before the Chiefs picked him at No. 5. Berry finished second on the team last week with six tackles, but gave up a 59-yard TD pass.
"I played against him in college and he's a very talented guy," said Massaquoi. "He's a guy that flies around and makes big plays -- a great athlete."
Defensively, the Browns will have to try to outsmart offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who coached with most of the Browns staff in New England.
"They did a remarkable job against a really good football team in San Diego," said defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "They have a lot of weapons. Last year, they just absolutely went up and down the field on us [491 yards], caused us a lot of problems in communication and they've only gotten better."
The Browns saw first-hand how fast Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles can go through a defense, as he is doing here to Buffalo last season. Charles scored on a 47-yard run in last year's Browns win in Kansas City.The run defense will be tested by running backs Thomas Jones and the speedy Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 968 yards over the final eight games, second in the NFL only to Tennessee's Chris Johnson. Charles scored on a 47-yard run vs. the Browns last year.
"Thomas Jones is a grinder, a veteran and a super player," said Ryan. "Then you've got this Charles, this home-run hitter. [Usain] Bolt might be faster, but that's about it. Unfortunately, we saw him do it to us last year. Is he the toughest guy in the world picking up blitzes? I don't know, I hope to find out. But he's a weapon."
Special teams-wise, the Browns hope to spring Cribbs after he was bottled up in Tampa. Conversely, the Chiefs' return game is improved, with rookie Dexter McCluster returning a punt 94 yards for a TD against the Chargers.
"The Chiefs are going to be fired up," said Scott Fujita. "That was a huge momentum booster for them, coming off a division win, on a Monday night that everybody got to see. We're going to have to be able to match their intensity early. Our whole mindset is about winning this first game at home."