CLEVELAND, Ohio-(Editor's note: Cleveland Urban News.Com introduces Karl Kimbrough (pictured) as its new sports writer. Previously a writer with Our Voice, a Lorain, Oh. community newspaper, Kimbrough is an asset to the news team at Cleveland Urban News.Com, Ohio's most read Black and urban online newspaper).
By Karl Kimbrough, Sports Writer, Cleveland Urban News.Com
The first 4:57 seconds of the Browns game against the New York Giants on Sunday seemed too surreal to be true with the Browns having a commanding 12-0 lead over the 2011 Super Bowl Champion Giants.
Unfortunately for the Cleveland Browns and their fans it was too real to be true. In their four previous games, the Browns' scored a total of six points in the first quarter. Could the Browns be turning their fortunes around? Before the end of the first half, the Giants would outscore the Browns 27 to 3 and go into the half with a 27 to 17 lead. The Giants would not be challenged further winning the game 41 to 27.
The Browns started their 14 point run in the first quarter after the Giants Ahmad Bradshaw's fumble was picked up at the Giants 22 yard line. Two plays later Trent Richardson scored on a 15 yard run up the middle of the Giants defense. On their second possession the Browns scored again on a 62 yard pass thrown from Brandon Weeden to Joshua Gordon. On the Giants next possession, they would make an 11 play 92 yard drive which ended in a three yard pass from Manning to Victor Cruz. It was the first of three touchdowns that Manning and Cruz would make.
That drive by the Giants set the stage for things to come as they ran and passed at will on the Browns defense.
The Browns’ offense seemed to be running smartly until Weeden over threw Gordon after driving 50 yards to the Giants 25 yard line. The over throw resulted in an interception by the Giant defensive back Stevie Brown who took it back to the Browns’ 40 yard line. The interception seemed to be the momentum changer of the game for the Browns who would never recover.
The Giants scored on six straight possessions. Ahmad Bradshaw gashed the Browns defense for 200 yards rushing. The Giant’s offensive front dominated the Browns’ front seven and the Giant’s receivers did the same to the Browns’ defensive backs. Eli Manning threw for 259 yards with three touchdowns, all going to Cruz.
Throughout the game, the Browns’ defense appeared not to have any resolve or toughness under distress but showed some improvement despite Weeden’s critical mistakes that ended long drives. Weeden finished the day 22 out of 35 for 291 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Browns player Trent Richardson ran the football well gaining 81 yards on 17 carries. The Browns’ offensive coaches seemed to recognize the need to run outside and mix up their running attack.
For the first time in years, they unveiled the sweep with guards pulling and leading Richardson to the perimeter of the field on a few occasions. But, it was too little too late as they were unable to overcome their poor defensive showing resulting in their fifth loss in a row this season.
Reach Karl Kimbrough at Kimbrough@Cleveland Urban News.Com
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