BEREA — Not only was the Browns’ 35-14 home victory over the New York Giants impressive on Monday night, it was historic.
Cleveland became just the fourth team in NFL history pitch a “perfect game” on offense, recording no punts, allowing no quarterback sacks and throwing no interceptions, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The other squads to turn the trick are San Francisco (Dec. 19, 1993/55-17 over Detroit), Tampa Bay (Nov. 1, 1998/27-24 over Minnesota) and the New York Jets (Dec. 19, 2004/37-14 over Seattle). The league began recording team sacks in 1963.
“It’s a good feeling to know we were able to do that — especially on Monday Night Football — but the best part is we still have a lot of things we can do better,” center Hank Fraley said. “We obviously did a lot of things right, though, and it was a true team effort.
“It took everybody from the line blocking to the running backs getting through holes to the receivers making catches to the quarterback getting rid of the football.”
The last time the Browns did not punt in a game was on Nov. 5, 1995 against the Houston Oilers, while the sackless outing was their first in nine games. Their 35 points also represented a season high — and it came against the undefeated Super Bowl champions — as they doubled their 2008 touchdown total from four to eight.
No question, it was an impressive performance on a huge stage and it gave the Washington Redskins something to worry about as they prepare to host Cleveland on Sunday.
“I think the team we saw against the Giants was more indicative of what the Cleveland Browns are,” Washington defensive end Jason Taylor said. “Braylon Edwards played out of his mind and Derek Anderson is back to being himself.”

Wounded warriors

Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. (non-football medical condition) is relaxing in his West Side residence and continuing to see doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, according to Crennel.
“He’s still being treated at home, doing well, and hoping he can play this weekend,” the coach said. “He’s questionable, and questionable is 50-50, so there’s a 50-50 chance he’ll be there. When (the doctors) tell him to come back, he will come.”
The Browns have provided no details on Winslow’s condition since he was admitted to the hospital on Oct. 8, citing health and privacy concerns.
• Defensive end Shaun Smith (left hand surgery) has been declared out for the Redskins’ game and will have his status re-evaluated next week by Dr. Charlie Malone in New York.
“I thought he was going to clear me, but it’s to the point where if I did play, there is a 50-50 chance I could break it right away again since I was only 10-12 days out of surgery,” Smith said. “The good news was everything is healing right, it’s just a process.”

Nifty numbers

Thanks to his fine game against the Giants, Derek Anderson moved up to 29th in the NFL in passer rating at 64.1. Kansas City’s Tyler Thigpen (40.9), Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck (57.7) and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco (60.6) are the only quarterbacks ranked lower. Anderson still brings up the rear in the AFC on third-down plays at 47.0.
• Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has thrown 201 straight passes without an interception, putting him 107 away from tying Bernie Kosar’s all-time record.
• The Browns are making their first trip to Washington’s FedEx Field (formerly Jack Kent Cooke Stadium). They last visited the nation’s capital in 1991 when the Redskins played at RFK Stadium.

Injury update

Browns tackle Ryan Tucker (knee) was held out of practice for precautionary reasons, while safety Brodney Pool (ankle) and tackle Kevin Shaffer (concussion) were limited to light activities. Safety Sean Jones, who underwent right knee surgery on Sept. 11, was not listed on their official injury report.
• For Washington, running back Ledell Betts (knee) will not play. Running back Clinton Portis (hip), safety Chris Horton (ankle), guard Pete Kendall (knee) and tackle Chris Samuels (ankle) all missed a portion of practice. The Redskins signed former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander to fill Betts’ spot as their backup tailback Tuesday.

Quote of the day

 “They will be (ticked) off about losing a game Sunday. They’ll be ready for us, so we better be ready for them.” — Browns coach Romeo Crennel about the Redskins.
Contact Brian Dulik at (330) 721-4059 or brisports@hotmail.com. 

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