Browns notes: Team in turmoil after third straight setback; Crennel hints personnel changes could be coming
BALTIMORE — Coach Romeo Crennel told the Browns after a 28-10 loss to the Ravens on Sunday that every position is being looked at for a possible personnel change, and that includes quarterback.
“I said all positions,” Crennel said. “We’re going to try to do what we think is best and try to improve this team.”
Derek Anderson was 14-for-37 for 125 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions and a 22.9 rating. He played the entire game, and Crennel said he never thought about putting in Brady Quinn.
“The game was still within reach,” Crennel said. “We still had a chance.”
Anderson looked like his normal even-keel self after the game, but said he was fighting his emotions.
“I’m frustrated,” he said. “I’ve just gotta calm down, so I don’t lose it.”
Anderson conceded he’s fighting to hold onto the starting job.
“Every day,” said Anderson, who fell to 10-11 as a starter. “I’m not going to say I’m not, ’cause I’m not playing well. If I continue to work and come through it, it’ll be fine. I just need to get better.”
Anderson was 9-for-20 for
101 yards, a touchdown and a 77.3 rating in the first half. But interceptions on consecutive drives in the third quarter erased a 10-7 lead and turned the tide toward Baltimore.
“Sometimes players try to make plays,” Crennel said. “In trying to make plays, sometimes you end up giving up a play.”
He was referring to Anderson’s second interception, which was returned for a touchdown by safety Ed Reed.
Despite being upset with the performance on the field, Crennel didn’t question his team’s effort.
“I think the players are trying,” he said. “They work hard. But they’re not making the best decisions on the football field. That puts you in tough situations against a good football team.”
Lewis livid over little work
Browns running back Jamal Lewis was fuming after getting only 12 carries. He gained 56 yards and averaged 4.7 yards per carry.
“For me to only have 12 carries is pathetic,” he said.
Lewis said the offensive line was doing its job.
“The holes were there,” he said. “We probably could’ve punched it in there a lot more.”
Lewis carried nine times for 40 yards in the first half, then the Browns fell behind in the third quarter. During their horrible stretch, Lewis would’ve preferred to run rather than throw interceptions.
“You can’t let them get momentum,” he said. “Then they bring pressure and exotic blitzes and get to the quarterback.
“It’s not my job to fix the football team. It’s my job to do what I do. That is run the football, and that’s not working, either. It’s not the offensive line.
“We gotta make plays down field passing the football.”
Center Hank Fraley laughed when asked if the holes were there to run more.
“Hey, watch the film,” he said on his way out of the locker room.
Harrison’s moment
Running back Jerome Harrison’s first and only touch was a good one.
He took a screen pass and went
19 yards on third-and-9 for his first career touchdown, and the Browns’ first lead of the season.
Ravens safety Haruki Nakamura — from Elyria — blitzed from deep. Harrison let him go by, turned and caught the dump-off. Nakamura drilled Anderson, but it was too late.
Harrison was off in space on the right side, which was opened by the blitz and Cleveland’s lopsided formation to the left.
Harrison was on the field for a few more plays, but didn’t get a carry or another pass.
Inactives
The Browns’ list of inactives was a who’s who of big-name players.
Guard Eric Steinbach (shoulder), linebacker Willie McGinest (hamstring), receiver Donte Stallworth (quadriceps) and offensive lineman Ryan Tucker (hip) joined safety Sean Jones (knee surgery), special-teamer Kris Griffin (calf) and tight end Martin Rucker (knee surgery) as inactives.
Tucker was a minor surprise after practicing during the week and being listed as probable. Seth McKinney started for Steinbach at left guard. Rookie seventh-round pick Alex Hall made his first start in place of McGinest. Hall had seven tackles, a sack and two quarterback hits.
• The Ravens were without nose tackle Kelly Gregg.
Extra points
Ravens safety Dawan Landry, who was injured trying to tackle Jamal Lewis, suffered a spinal cord concussion but no serious nerve damage, according to the Ravens. He was still at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center on Sunday night.
It was a scary sight at the end of the second quarter when his helmet hit Lewis’ thigh. Landry lay on the ground face-down before he was lifted onto a stretcher and driven off the field. The Ravens said he had numbness, but never lost consciousness.
• Browns linebacker Shantee Orr left the game with a concussion.
• Returner Joshua Cribbs got the wind knocked out of him but said he’s OK.
• Tight end Kellen Winslow was held to two catches for 14 yards.
• Embattled referee Ed Hochuli worked the game. Hochuli missed a call last Sunday that played a key role in Denver’s 39-38 win over San Diego.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.
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