Operation Sports Forums - View Single Post - The Donovan McNabb Experiment

SKA · 01-11-2013, 02:41 AM

Cleveland Browns (4-8) at the New England Patriots (8-5)

After the tough loss to the Tennessee Titans last week, the Cleveland Browns faced another tough task, as they went on the road to Foxbrough, where the AFC East division leading New England Patriots, led by Drew Bledsoe at the helm, awaited them. At 8-5, the Patriots have spent the past few weeks in limbo: winning a game, losing a game, and so on. Their record is a little bloated with four early wins in the first four weeks, none of which particularly impressive. A loss to the Browns would give them two straight losses for the first time this year. It would also, perhaps, signal the fall of the Patriots as a Super Bowl favorite, let alone an anticipated contender.

Cleveland's day started off tough enough. The first play of the game would see their best cornerback, Ryan McNeil, leave the game with a bruised thigh, but a successful defensive three-downs for the Browns, a signal of things to come for most of the way. The first Browns possession, saw another big injury, this time taking place on running back Terry Kirby, who was returning from a three-game absence from injury. Kirby's first play back, an off-tackle run to the right, saw him take a big shoulder to the chest. Kirby would really have trouble getting up on his own, which immediately worried the announcers, and everyone in the stands. He called for help as the medical staff quickly made their way over. Having to be helped off the field, Kirby wasn't to return, and won't for the team's next game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Although the team lost an offensive leader, there was a whole four quarters to play, and the Browns didn't let the injuries affect their confidence. A nice red zone stop by New England would result in a Browns field goal to get things going... The next possession for both teams would result in a punt, but the first play of the second quarter certainly featured some excitement, as Antonio Langham was able to pick off a Bledsoe pass to second-string tight end Mike Bartrum. This would only result in a three-and-out for the Browns, but really got the Cleveland secondary goin'. In fact, Marquez Pope was next in line for an interception on a third-and-8 play action attempt intended for Terry Glenn. With the second turnover, Cleveland was able to squeak out another 3-points off a Phil Dawson field goal.

The Patriots would have about 5-minute left in the 2nd quarter to get something on the board, but their possession would end in another turnover, this time on the rushing end. A fumble on the CLE 18 by Terry Allen would end up in hands of linebacker James Williams, giving the Browns a chance to close out the first half without allowing the Patriots to score. They would do just that with a few runs, heading into half time up by two field goals.

The third quarter was certainly way more exciting in terms of scoring than the previous two, as Cleveland would double their points on the board on their first possession back on the field. Donovan McNabb and Kevin Johnson would hook up twice on the drive, one 30-yarder and a 15-yard pass to put the Browns deep in the red zone. Two unsuccessful runs set up third-and-goal on the NE 2, where McNabb would find David Dunn heading towards the middle of the end zone, slipping it past two defenders, and into the hands of his receiver. The crowd's immediate reaction was absolute anger, as the defense argued with one another, and the Browns celebrated their now 13-0 lead.

But things were to change very quickly. After an 18-yard pass to receiver Vincent Brisby, Bledsoe would end up catching a break-down in the Cleveland defense, and would find Troy Brown in complete stride down the side-line, with essentially no one around him. In a huge swing of emotions, the New England crowd went from restless, to absolutely ecstatic. Brown dove into the stands as the cold New England fanbase attempted to rally their Patriots to a victory they are expected to have.

The stunner of a touchdown wouldn't phase the four-and-eight Cleveland Browns. Rookie quarterback was completely stone cold on their following possession. Another brilliant third-down performance would put the Browns up 20-7, completely silencing the rowdy Boston crowd. On the NE 20, a third-and-ten presented a textbook challenge for McNabb, who would pass with flying colors thanks to a drilling pass to tight end Irv Smith around the six-yard line, who then bullied his way into the end zone for the jaw-dropping score. The tight end and quarterback exchanged pleasantries there after...

Unfortunately for Cleveland, they were facing an experienced New England team, with a lot more pressure than a young team out of Ohio. Drew Bledsoe would respond well to the challenge of another touchdown, successfully taking his team from his own 15-yard line, to the 1-yard line in CLE territory. A play action touchdown toss to Vincent Brisby would put his team into double-digits, down once again by six points, at 20-14.

With 9:32 left on the clock, starting from their own 32-yard line, Cleveland's job was to hold onto the lead, any way possible. The Browns took to the air at first, with three straight successful throws to get into New England territory, and then a slick 2-yard play action run on third down from Madre Hill coming out of the shotgun. This seemed to take some wind out of the Patriots defense, who then proceeded to allow two straight third-down plays to go for a first, as the Browns ended up on the NE 18, with a first-and-ten, and three-minutes to-go. All set for a field goal, the offensive line did its job giving running back Rashaan Salaam a good enough push to burn as much time as possible, and get a first down while they're at it. After the two minute warning, the Browns were forced to kick the field goal, to go up by two possessions, with only 1:44 left on the clock.

In that time, the Patriots didn't do enough to present a viable comeback, as they would end up just halfway through Cleveland territory when the clock would expire for good. At the end, the Browns had really shown a lot of improvement on all sides of the ball, as well as their coaching and clock management. With a 23-14 final score, the rest of the season had some hope for real signs of improvement...

QUOTES OF THE GAME

"You know, it's been awhile since I feel like I've played in a game like that. When it's snowing, it's crazy out there man, I mean throwing the ball is hard enough against an NFL defense, and now you have four-inches coming down. Haha! But yeah, we just really stuck to a solid game plan from our coaches, and our guys really did a great job catching and holding on to the ball ... Yeah, losing Terry again is just really unfortunate, I mean the guys a total role model, and we've all been anticipating his return. I mean first play and he's out again, it's really rough to watch him not even in physical play, but the fact that all he wants to do is get out there on the field with us, and give it his all ..." - Rookie quarterback of the Browns, Donovan McNabb

"Yeah, I'm ****in pissed. I mean, not at anyone else. Just at myself, I'm pissed off. It really just sucks when you're body doesn't let you play ... yeah, of course I expected to do a lot more this season. I was expecting a big season. I've been in some of the best physical shape of my life. Then things just breakdown on you...and mentally, you're more than ready to play, but the doctors tell you 'no' and the pain is too much to bear. But I be back. I know I be back in it." - Running back of the Browns, Terry Kirby

...

01-11-2013, 02:41 AM	#29
SKA Rookie OVR: 5 Join Date: Dec 2008	Re: The Donovan McNabb Experiment - A Cleveland Browns Dynasty (1999) Cleveland Browns (4-8) at the New England Patriots (8-5) After the tough loss to the Tennessee Titans last week, the Cleveland Browns faced another tough task, as they went on the road to Foxbrough, where the AFC East division leading New England Patriots, led by Drew Bledsoe at the helm, awaited them. At 8-5, the Patriots have spent the past few weeks in limbo: winning a game, losing a game, and so on. Their record is a little bloated with four early wins in the first four weeks, none of which particularly impressive. A loss to the Browns would give them two straight losses for the first time this year. It would also, perhaps, signal the fall of the Patriots as a Super Bowl favorite, let alone an anticipated contender. Cleveland's day started off tough enough. The first play of the game would see their best cornerback, Ryan McNeil, leave the game with a bruised thigh, but a successful defensive three-downs for the Browns, a signal of things to come for most of the way. The first Browns possession, saw another big injury, this time taking place on running back Terry Kirby, who was returning from a three-game absence from injury. Kirby's first play back, an off-tackle run to the right, saw him take a big shoulder to the chest. Kirby would really have trouble getting up on his own, which immediately worried the announcers, and everyone in the stands. He called for help as the medical staff quickly made their way over. Having to be helped off the field, Kirby wasn't to return, and won't for the team's next game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although the team lost an offensive leader, there was a whole four quarters to play, and the Browns didn't let the injuries affect their confidence. A nice red zone stop by New England would result in a Browns field goal to get things going... The next possession for both teams would result in a punt, but the first play of the second quarter certainly featured some excitement, as Antonio Langham was able to pick off a Bledsoe pass to second-string tight end Mike Bartrum. This would only result in a three-and-out for the Browns, but really got the Cleveland secondary goin'. In fact, Marquez Pope was next in line for an interception on a third-and-8 play action attempt intended for Terry Glenn. With the second turnover, Cleveland was able to squeak out another 3-points off a Phil Dawson field goal. The Patriots would have about 5-minute left in the 2nd quarter to get something on the board, but their possession would end in another turnover, this time on the rushing end. A fumble on the CLE 18 by Terry Allen would end up in hands of linebacker James Williams, giving the Browns a chance to close out the first half without allowing the Patriots to score. They would do just that with a few runs, heading into half time up by two field goals. The third quarter was certainly way more exciting in terms of scoring than the previous two, as Cleveland would double their points on the board on their first possession back on the field. Donovan McNabb and Kevin Johnson would hook up twice on the drive, one 30-yarder and a 15-yard pass to put the Browns deep in the red zone. Two unsuccessful runs set up third-and-goal on the NE 2, where McNabb would find David Dunn heading towards the middle of the end zone, slipping it past two defenders, and into the hands of his receiver. The crowd's immediate reaction was absolute anger, as the defense argued with one another, and the Browns celebrated their now 13-0 lead. But things were to change very quickly. After an 18-yard pass to receiver Vincent Brisby, Bledsoe would end up catching a break-down in the Cleveland defense, and would find Troy Brown in complete stride down the side-line, with essentially no one around him. In a huge swing of emotions, the New England crowd went from restless, to absolutely ecstatic. Brown dove into the stands as the cold New England fanbase attempted to rally their Patriots to a victory they are expected to have. The stunner of a touchdown wouldn't phase the four-and-eight Cleveland Browns. Rookie quarterback was completely stone cold on their following possession. Another brilliant third-down performance would put the Browns up 20-7, completely silencing the rowdy Boston crowd. On the NE 20, a third-and-ten presented a textbook challenge for McNabb, who would pass with flying colors thanks to a drilling pass to tight end Irv Smith around the six-yard line, who then bullied his way into the end zone for the jaw-dropping score. The tight end and quarterback exchanged pleasantries there after... Unfortunately for Cleveland, they were facing an experienced New England team, with a lot more pressure than a young team out of Ohio. Drew Bledsoe would respond well to the challenge of another touchdown, successfully taking his team from his own 15-yard line, to the 1-yard line in CLE territory. A play action touchdown toss to Vincent Brisby would put his team into double-digits, down once again by six points, at 20-14. With 9:32 left on the clock, starting from their own 32-yard line, Cleveland's job was to hold onto the lead, any way possible. The Browns took to the air at first, with three straight successful throws to get into New England territory, and then a slick 2-yard play action run on third down from Madre Hill coming out of the shotgun. This seemed to take some wind out of the Patriots defense, who then proceeded to allow two straight third-down plays to go for a first, as the Browns ended up on the NE 18, with a first-and-ten, and three-minutes to-go. All set for a field goal, the offensive line did its job giving running back Rashaan Salaam a good enough push to burn as much time as possible, and get a first down while they're at it. After the two minute warning, the Browns were forced to kick the field goal, to go up by two possessions, with only 1:44 left on the clock. In that time, the Patriots didn't do enough to present a viable comeback, as they would end up just halfway through Cleveland territory when the clock would expire for good. At the end, the Browns had really shown a lot of improvement on all sides of the ball, as well as their coaching and clock management. With a 23-14 final score, the rest of the season had some hope for real signs of improvement... QUOTES OF THE GAME "You know, it's been awhile since I feel like I've played in a game like that. When it's snowing, it's crazy out there man, I mean throwing the ball is hard enough against an NFL defense, and now you have four-inches coming down. Haha! But yeah, we just really stuck to a solid game plan from our coaches, and our guys really did a great job catching and holding on to the ball ... Yeah, losing Terry again is just really unfortunate, I mean the guys a total role model, and we've all been anticipating his return. I mean first play and he's out again, it's really rough to watch him not even in physical play, but the fact that all he wants to do is get out there on the field with us, and give it his all ..." - Rookie quarterback of the Browns, Donovan McNabb "Yeah, I'm ***in pissed. I mean, not at anyone else. Just at myself, I'm pissed off. It really just sucks when you're body doesn't let you play ... yeah, of course I expected to do a lot more this season. I was expecting a big season. I've been in some of the best physical shape of my life. Then things just breakdown on you...and mentally, you're more than ready to play, but the doctors tell you 'no' and the pain is too much to bear. But I be back. I know I be back in it." - Running back of the Browns, Terry Kirby* ...