Written by Dave Kolonich

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I guess it’s all a matter of semantics. 

For some of us, yesterday’s win was just that – a win…one that came at a most opportune time, or just simply “about time.”  Of course, digging a little deeper, yesterday’s win proved to be a validation of a coaching staff that none of us have ever truly felt comfortable with.  And in saying this, at the heart of yesterday’s win was a celebration of the underdog – and of the spirit of the game, all wrapped up in some badly needed and endearing creativity.

But again, it’s all about perspective. 

NOLA.com – Saints Get Outplayed, Outhustled, Outcoached

A week after their best game of the season and one week before a nationally televised Halloween night showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New Orleans Saints laid an egg the size of the Great Pumpkin against the Cleveland Browns.

And how about this?  Some national love for the Browns?  Or, is the narrative the decline of the Saints?  Either way – a win is a win.

SI – Don Banks

It wasn’t exactly Favre returning to Lambeau, but no one enjoyed the Browns upset at New Orleans more than Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita. The former Saints defensive leader, who signed as a free agent with the Browns in March, had one of the four interceptions of Brees. But maybe Fujita’s biggest contribution for Cleveland came last week, in sharing secrets of how to prepare for Brees and where the weak spots in his game might be.

The Browns really harassed Brees into multiple mistakes, and made him look flustered for much of the game. It was the first time in a long time that I can remember thinking that Brees’ lack of prototypical NFL quarterback height really hurt him in a game.

NYT – Fifth Down Blog

Behold the Cleveland Browns — flippers of laterals, fakers of punts, takers of chances, tricksters without peer.

At least for one day.

The Browns beat the Saints on Sunday — thumped them really, 30-17 — for the most surprising result (Non-Raiders Division) on Sunday’s N.F.L. scoreboard. That they did it with a little style — or was it desperation? — that made the upset all the more endearing.

Homecomings and style points aside, this much is clear.  Our beleagured Browns beat the defending Super Bowl Champions.  And in doing so, much like after last season’s defeat of the Steelers, perhaps more inspiring play could follow.

But then again, some folks in this town just can’t let things go.

PD – Let’s Have Another QB Controversy

Really, PD?  Yet another QB controversy poll?  Are the most diehard fans in the league not satisfied with what could prove to be the impetus for another great finish to the season?  Or, even just thrilled to revisit what was a truly remarkable performance?

No, you’re right – by all means let’s talk about the quarterbacks again.  There must not be any fresh LeBron stories to cover.

Anyway, I’ll take the bait.  Colt McCoy didn’t give the game away and played much like Seneca Wallace would have.  And in future news, until the Browns add some real offensive playmakers around either QB, things will not change in the future.  Talk about a shocking controversy to grip the town.

Odds and Ends – The Afternoon After

1.  We all know that Drew Brees threw four interceptions, but the Browns could have easily had about three more.  And this isn’t a criticism of our secondary, but rather an endorsement of the kind of pressure that the Browns’ front line was able to put on Brees.  For most of the afternoon, the “no-set” or “Amoeba” defense confused Brees and fit perfectly into the Browns’ plans to support their deep secondary.

Perhaps the best non-interception example of this occurred early on when Abe Elam dropped a sure interception.  The defense simply moved around, then rushed four – applied some pressure and hurried Brees.

2.  I mentioned this two weeks ago after the Atlanta game, but it proved much more important yesterday.  David Bowens has been effective in faking blitzes, then dropping into coverage and derailing an opposing receiver.  Of course, yesterday Bowens managed two interceptions with these manuevers, but also disrupted a number of opposing pass routes.

3.  Isn’t if funny how much better this defense looks when they get away from the 3-4?  Because the Saints did not know where the Browns’ pressure was coming from – with a pre-established look – the Browns were able to find some great mismatches….ones that wouldn’t be had under a basic 3-4.  A great example of this came in the first quarter when the Saints’ David Thomas tried to block Scott Fujita one on one.

4.  I was cringing on nearly every Saints drive – especially when I saw Abe Elam linger around the defensive line.  In weeks’ past, these blitzes – or worse, the fake blitzes – were a recipe for disaster.  However, Rob Ryan was not his usual self-destructive playcaller – as instead his “amoeba” looks proved to be effective, yet responsible.

5.  In case I haven’t blown my own horn enough – here’s another for the official record.  I mentioned over the offseason that the Browns have two potential future head coaches on the staff in Rob Ryan and Brad Seely.  And yesterday was one of those rare days when I actually knew what I was talking about.

6.  Of course, even after such a thrilling win – not all phases of the Browns’ attack were firing on all cylinders.  In a nod to electric cars everywhere, the Browns’ passing attack was very Brady Quinn-esque.  In fact, you could make a case for Peyton Hillis as the starting QB in the PD’s next inane reader poll.  But then again, that pass to Josh Cribbs that drew an interference flag looked pretty good.

7.  Give some credit to Brian Daboll – at least for the fourth quarter drive that sealed the game.  Daboll did what any competent offensive coordinator would have done under similar circumstances – which is give the ball to the team’s only offensive threat.

8.  But then again – talk about some first-half momentum killers.  One play after Reggie Hodges’ 68-yard run, Mike Bell lost about six yards.  And let’s not bring up Yamon Figurs’ name ever again.

9.  As for the revolving door at right tackle, let’s just leave Floyd Womack there until he gets hurt again.  The running game is much better off this way.

10. Because I’m such a nerd for Special Teams, I again have to express my unbridled joy in watching Hodges excel all over the field, Ray Ventrone and Blake Costanzo do what they do best, Eric Wright getting involved in a positive way and Phil Dawson drilling kickoffs into the endzone.

The Pick – Part Two

Yesterday’s game was exhilirating – for all the right reasons.  The Browns were and are clearly overmatched in terms of talent, yet through some brilliantly creative and physical play, dominated what is still one of the best teams in the league.

If we take this win on these terms alone, the long bye week and the lingering thoughts that come attached are much easier to digest.  After a win is a win – and we desperately needed one.

But then again, it’s obvious that this game doesn’t represent the culmination of anything.  The veteran leaders who contributed to yesterday’s win are simply that – and the offense is still bordering on primitive. 

However, since we’re entering into a reflective period of the season, it’s worth noting that while 2-5 is pretty ugly – things could be far worse.  And it’s quite possible that yesterday could prove to be the impetus for the rest of the season.