The Cleveland Browns finally played a game as if they had nothing to lose. Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes how not only is this the third straight year that the Browns have beaten the defending Super Bowl champs, but the win may have been a crossroads for the coaching staff. It was so good that Ridenour writes the game plan was masterful and imaginative. Defensive coordinator...
The Cleveland Browns finally played a game as if they had nothing to lose. Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes how not only is this the third straight year that the Browns have beaten the defending Super Bowl champs, but the win may have been a crossroads for the coaching staff.
It was so good that Ridenour writes the game plan was masterful and imaginative.
Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has always been daring, but the other coordinators joined him ---- offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and special-teams coach Brad Seely were just as daring.
Was that really Daboll dialing up a Peyton Hillis pass to rookie quarterback Colt McCoy? On a crucial third-and-6 in the game-clinching field-goal drive, no less?
''I didn't even see them practice that this week. I was as shocked as everyone else was,'' Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said. ''We played to win the game today, no doubt about it.''
Was that really Seely calling for Joshua Cribbs to lateral to cornerback Eric Wright on the Browns' first punt return, which Wright took for 62 yards? And if that wasn't enough, a fake punt on fourth-and-8 from the Cleveland 23 in the second quarter, with Hodges running for 68 yards?
''Teams don't think you're going to fake when you're that far down in your territory,'' Browns safety Nick Sorensen said. ''After that, New Orleans probably thought we were going to fake everywhere on the field.''
Ridenour also writes how Ryan was also open-minded enough to let Scott Fujita, who spent the previous four years with the Saints, come in last Monday and help with the game plan. Fujita said he brought up some teams that had had success against Brees, and they looked at game film to see what had worked.
All positives
ESPN reporter James Walker, like many Cleveland Browns fans, likes what he saw from the Browns against the New Orleans Saints.
The Browns go into the bye week on a positive note with the victory. Walker writes how the Browns proved it can be spoiler.
The Browns are not giving up. With the exception of last week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland had a chance to win every game this season and finally got its first road win. For some odd reason, Cleveland seems to play its best football against defending Super Bowl champions. The Browns have beaten the reigning champions in three straight seasons, despite being huge underdogs in all three games against the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Saints.
Welcome back
Browns linebacker Scott Fujita returned to New Orleans, the city and team where he helped when a Super Bowl last season. Fujita left New Orleans the same way he left --- a winner.
Fujita, who had an interception and a sack in the first half, made an emotional return.
''Eric Barton and I took a lap around the neighborhood,'' Fujita said. ''We stayed three blocks from my old condo. . . .There were a lot of emotions for me coming back. I knew that was going to happen; it was going to be natural. I kinda wanted to get that part out of the way.''
On Ohio.com, Fujita had a special connection with New Orleans, donating half of his $82,000 playoff bonus in 2009 to local causes, including coastal restoration. His teammates voted him the 2008 Saints Man of the Year. ''
Sights and sounds
News-Herald reporter Jeff Schudel writes on what he heard and saw on Sunday in New Orleans. He also gives us his by the numbers.
By the numbers
24:26: The Browns' time of possession, compared to 35:34 for the Saints.
184: The difference in yards gained by the Saints (394) and the Browns (210).
0: Turnovers by the Browns, compared to four by the Saints.
2-5: The Browns' record. They were 1-6 after seven games last year.
3: Catches by Brian Robiskie to lead the Browns.
56: Passes thrown by Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
Game stories
The Morning Journal: Tricks and treats.
NOLA.com: Saints are soul searching.