Penalties, especially in the second half, have hurt the Cleveland Browns this season. T.J. Ward's personal foul against receiver Jordan Shipley in the endzone in the second half on Sunday was one of penalties that usually hurt the Browns. But not this time, writes Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour. In their first three games, writes Ridenour, the Browns led in the...
Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis Penalties, especially in the second half, have hurt the Cleveland Browns this season. T.J. Ward's personal foul against receiver Jordan Shipley in the endzone in the second half on Sunday was one of penalties that usually hurt the Browns.
But not this time, writes Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour.
In their first three games, writes Ridenour, the Browns led in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Baltimore, but penalties and turnovers cost them.
It was turning into a here-we-go-again against the Bengals, but the Browns held on.
''It was in the back of everybody's head we'd been leading every fourth quarter,'' left tackle Joe Thomas admitted afterward. ''But at the same time there was a lot of determination out there. A lot of people who said 'This is not going to happen again, we're going to put it on our shoulders, especially on the offense. This is on our shoulders, we're going to win this game and not make the defense go out there any more.' ''
Browns linebacker David Bowens said the coaches' point of emphasis last week was to finish.
Good and bad
ESPN's James Walker writes about his likes and dislikes when it comes to the Bengals and Browns game.
Walker liked how hard the Browns have played, and how hard Peyton Hillis has run over the past two weeks.
It was a much-needed first win of the season for the Browns (1-3). Things were getting antsy in Cleveland after playing tough but blowing three straight fourth-quarter leads. A win provides some confidence and optimism that the Browns at least have a chance to turn things around.
Defense steps up
Kenyon Coleman didn't think he was going to play on Sunday. He healed just in time, thanks to the prayers from teammate Brian Schaefering. Stephanie Storm writes on Ohio.com:
In an effort to help Coleman, fellow defensive lineman Brian Schaefering prayed for him. Then when Coleman went to the Browns' facility Saturday to work out, he felt good enough to run.
''I'm just going to be real,'' Coleman said. ''My teammate prayed for me and that's when it turned around. You can't tell me that didn't happen, because even I didn't think I was going to play. Twenty-four hours ago, I was a scratch. So there's no doubt in my mind [it was a miraculous healing].''
Coleman finished with a sack and two fumble recoveries. He played so well that coach Eric Mangini cracked how Coleman (who didn't practice last week) will probably want to miss practice all this week.
Crying foul
The Cincinnati media is crying foul following the Browns' victory over the Bungals Bengals. Cincinnati.com reporter Chick Ludwig questions a late call and he hopes T.J. Ward gets punished for his punishing hit on Jordan Shipley.
It was a phantom flag at Cleveland’s 12-yard line that helped the Browns burn the final 4:41 off the clock and seal their 23-20 victory over the Bengals on Sunday.
Ward got hit with a personal foul — half the distance to the goal line. He should’ve been thrown out of the game. Here’s hoping the league fines and suspends Ward for his classless act.