This was the battle of the 31^st and 32^nd franchises to enter the NFL…  The fledgling Houston Texans entered the game 0-6 and found themselves facing their slightly older NFL brothers from Cleveland…  In theory, the Browns are supposed to be ahead of the Texans in their development and, with 1 playoff game to their credit, the “new Browns” could be considered “ahead” of the Texans.  You never want to be a struggling team's first win of the year...  But, it happened.

To put it bluntly, the result of this game is inexcusable, embarrassing, and a challenge to the manhood of every member of the Browns’ team, coaching staff, and front office.  Special teams play, particularly the Kick Return coverage, was horrid.  30% of this loss can be blamed on the fact that the Texans were constantly working with a shorter field, thanks to shifty returns by Jerome Mathis.  Also, just when I thought I couldn’t despise a punter more than Derrick Frost, we get that 10 YARD PIECE OF ART by Kyle Richardson in the early 4^th quarter.  They got really lucky that Kris Brown missed the ensuing Field Goal.

Another 40% of this loss can be blamed on the Browns’ approach to the final drive.  Rookie WR Braylon Edwards made a phenomenal 26yd catch just after the 2-minute warning that brought the Browns to the Houston 39 (A 56yd FG).  In a flat out clueless move, the Browns followed this play with a run by William Green.  WHAT THE HELL?  This pointless run on 1^st down was followed by a sideline pass to Northcutt.  Dennis is nearly the last guy I’d throw to in this situation, but there was a bigger issue with this play…  You could very clearly see Dilfer screaming at the sideline “What’s the play????”  After the play went incomplete, there was a camera shot of Carthon and he basically looked like a deer in the headlights…  So, on 3^rd down, the Browns’ Offensive Line suddenly decides to be as steadfast as a New Orleans levee and the defense easily engulfed Dilfer.  Which brings me to the final play…  It is now 4^th & 17 at the Houston 46.  A Field Goal is now WELL out of range and the Browns are put into “mid- to long-range pass” mode, or so we think!  Dilfer lines up under Center, looks to handoff a run to Green and FAAAAAAAAKKKKKEEE…  Oh crap!  PAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSS!!!  What a freaking surprise!!!!  Boy, that “play action” draw fools me every time…  Especially when it is 4^th & 17 with 50 seconds to go and my opponent is down by 3.  Unfortunately, I don’t play for the Texans and NOBODY bought into the play action.  The pass, heading for Antonio Bryant, is tipped by the defender at approximately the 5 yard line and never finds Bryant’s hands.

20% more can be blamed on Todd Grantham.  As the former Texan’s Defensive Line Coach, I would have expected TG to “bring the house” at Carr.  Getting 2 sacks against these guys is a flat out DISGRACE! 

My final 10% is blamed on extremely inopportune fumbles by Dilfer and Droughns on successive drives in the 3^rd quarter.  Turnovers kill you…  I don’t know the statistics, but I’d guess that about 75% of the time you will win the game if you win the turnover battle.

Now, I don’t want to be entirely negative here, so I will say one thing positive…  The burgers I made during the game were just incredible!  I strongly recommend a coat of McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak marinade as a final step to your burger grilling.  This can be in addition to your other spices.

But seriously, I did see a few positives.  They are as follows:

• Overall, the play of Chaun Thompson and Andra Davis was outstanding.  Thompson’s 8 yard Tackle for Loss on Domanick Davis was beautiful.  Adding one of the athletic LBs from OSU and a couple hogs up front on the D-Line can really make a difference for this team.
• Reuben Droughns continues to run really hard and almost always survives first contact to gain a few more yards.
• The Run after Catch (RAC) by Antonio Bryant on his 55-yard reception was a thing of beauty.  Dude was like a friggin’ pinball.
• Leigh Bodden is also filling in admirably on Defense and should be a tremendous Nickel CB for us long-term.

See you all next week after the Titans game.  My high school’s intra-city rival was nicknamed the Titans, so I can’t help but hate these guys…  Hopefully this train wreck has a few survivors after the Texans game.  If not, we should start seeing more of Braylon and Charlie Frye in the near future.