So many times, we tend to pass judgment too harshly and too quickly. Each week, after we have had a chance to digest the game, here at DawgBones.com we will break down the Cleveland Browns game from the week before. Let us look at the top 5 good things, the top 5 bad things and the top 5 things that failed to impress us in this week’s game. The segment is called 20/20 Browns Hindsight we hope you enjoy it.



Top 5 Good Things: Raiders Game

1. KR Joshua Cribbs had such a great performance on Sunday returning kickoffs he was voted the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Cribbs had returns of 65 and 53 yards respectively which directly led to 10 points for the Browns. Cribbs is now 5th overall in the NFL in average yards per kickoff return averaging 27.8 yards per return. His returns not only gave the Browns a short field to work with, but seemed to energize them and get them back into a game in which they trailed 21-3.

2. Rookie OLB Kamerion Wimbley doesn't do everything well all of the time, but he does rush the QB well most all the time. Wimbley added 2 more sacks on Sunday in Oakland, giving him 3 on the year. More impressive then the sacks themselves were when they happened. Oakland was threatening to move into field goal range late in the 1st half when Wimbley recorded his 1st sack of the day. The sack forced the Raiders to punt and kept the lead at 11 points. His second sack came in the 3rd quarter. It was on 1st down and came the possession prior to the Browns taking the lead. The Raiders were forced into 2nd and long and went 3 and out.

3. Once the Raiders were forced to punt on the series mentioned above it was time for PR Dennis Northcutt to show his stuff. Fielding the ball at his own 25, Northcutt darted down the sideline 58 yards giving the Browns a 1st down at the Raiders 17. Four plays later the Browns took a 24-21 lead and never relinquished it in route to their 1st win in 2006.

4. The return of starting RB Reuben Droughns really paid dividends for the Browns on Sunday. Not only did Droughns go over 100 yards for the 1st time in 2006, he helped the team run out the last 3:06 of the game by getting 7 yards on 3rd and 1 with 2 minutes to go. The Browns were able to kneel in the victory formation 3 straight times and the game was over. Just as impressive was Droughns toughness on the day. Clearly ailing with a shoulder injury sustained 2 weeks prior, Droughns continued to play through the pain and kept making plays in spite of it.

5. The young group of defensive backs, guys like Ralph Brown, Daven Holley and Antonio Perkins have been much maligned this year. When starting CB Leigh Bodden went down those 3 were thrust into duty. On the day they limited perennial Pro-Bowl receiver Randy Moss to just 1 catch and the Raiders only amassed 68 yards passing on the day. Those types of days in the NFL are few and far between, no matter who is playing. They still have a ways to go, but they are getting better each week and that's good for the Browns.



Top 5 Bad Things: Raiders Game

1. Once again the Browns came out slow. There seems to be very little urgency on their part and it almost cost them the game. Against a quality opponent, the Browns aren't coming back from being 18 points down. This is the NFL boys, there is no reason for you not to be ready week in and week out. On the season the Browns have been outscored 27-3 in the 1st quarter, that's got to change.

2. Another opportunity for K Phil Dawson and another knuckle ball. Dawson's long distance kicking has been totally erratic since pre-season this year. Both of his attempts from 45 yards and longer have been knuckleballs and have been missed. Hopefully when it's needed most and the game is on the line, Dawson looks for his fastball and puts a way the knuckler.

3. Another week and another crap performance from the officials. Normally referee Ed Hochuli is very good, but you have to ask why he was working such a high profile game like this one. His staff missed several calls in regards to spotting the ball and also called one guy in bounds, when both his feet were out and one guy out of bounds when both his feet were in. When will the NFL decide they need full-time officials?

4. Although the defense sucked it up in the 2nd half they still gave up 156 yards rushing in the first half! Take a way 2 big rushing plays of 59 and 48 yards and the Browns had a decent day, too bad you can't take a way those 2 plays. The yards were bad enough, but both those big plays led to 14 Raiders points. So much for an improved run defense in 2006.

5. The Browns only decent CB left on the team, Leigh Bodden, joined the ranks of Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon on the injury list. Bodden went up to break up a pass and upon landing rolled his ankle. He is now listed as questionable on the injury report, but according to coach Romeo Crennel he will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. Without Bodden, Steve Smith will have his way with the Browns secondary this week.



Top 5 things that failed to impress: Raiders Game

1. Oakland WR Randy Moss has fallen a long way from being one of the games best. He still has the ability to out jump DB's he towers over by 6 inches, but his ability to just flat outrun guys is no longer evident. Moss has never been one to willingly go over the middle and take a hit, now he isn't even willing to play hard.

2. So much has been said about Raiders fans being some of the NFL's best fans over the years, really? On 3 different occasions the fans cheered long kick and punt returns by the Browns. Sure they were probably cheering the kicker making the tackle, but they should have been giving the coverage teams grief instead.

3. The fact that the Browns have had 6 legitimate interception opportunities in 2 weeks is great. The fact they only have 2 interceptions to show for it is not. Sure we realize that if these guys had good hands they would be wide receivers, but for crying out loud when the ball hits your hands the least you could do is catch it. When the Browns start catching those balls they will start winning games going a way.

4. QB Charlie Frye is a true bright spot this season, but Sunday marked the 2nd consecutive time he threw an interception in the end-zone with the opportunity to put the game a way. Frye said it won't happen again and that it was a "bone headed" play, why did he not realize that after doing it the week before? Sure the situation was different, but he needs to realize the importance of ball protection when the Browns have the opportunity to win games.

5. Head coach Romeo Crennel apparently is not in tune with the NFL's replay system. There were 2 different times in the game, Droughns 1st quarter fumble which was returned for a TD and Joshua Cribbs 97-yard kickoff return for a TD in which he was ruled to have stepped out of bounds that Crennel did not challenge. He may have been right not to challenge those plays, but the fact is they were plays that resulted or could have resulted in scores. What better time to use a challenge?

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