BEREA - Jerome Harrison rushed for 286 yards, the team totaled 351 rushing yards and Brady Quinn wasn’t sacked.

“You don’t have those types of games maybe but once in your career, maybe twice,” left guard Eric Steinbach said. “It’s kinda like an offensive lineman’s dream.”

The line often gets overlooked when the offense has success, but it couldn’t be ignored Sunday in a 41-34 win over the Chiefs. Harrison had big holes to run through all day - he opened the game with a 9-yard run - and Quinn was hit just twice.

The line’s effort was recognized Wednesday by the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award. The Browns and the Giants joined the yearlong list of candidates this week, and the season’s winner will be named Super Bowl week.

“It seemed like every time Jerome Harrison touched the ball, he had the chance to break a long run, that’s how good he was working in tandem with the Cleveland offensive line,” Hall of Fame coach John Madden said in a statement.

Left tackle Joe Thomas said a key to the huge day on the ground were the two kick return touchdowns by Joshua Cribbs that kept the game close. That meant the Browns could keep running and not have to play catch-up with the pass.

“I knew it was going to be a special day from the start,” Thomas said. “It was a fun game.

“Those things just don’t happen in the NFL.”

The line’s performance was even more remarkable considering right tackle John St. Clair left early with an ankle injury. Right guard Floyd Womack slid to tackle, and Hank Fraley and Rex Hadnot split time at right guard.

“Floyd was able to move out to tackle and kinda fill in seamlessly there,” Thomas said. “Guys did a great job of stepping up and everything just came together.”

Womack, in his ninth season, said he’s never experienced a game like that.

“It was just a magical day,” he said. “Just one of them days when you can’t really do no wrong. That’s what it felt like.”

The linemen said they could see Kansas City’s defense wearing down.

“You almost feel bad for the defense,” Thomas said. “Because they’re just demoralized and by the time the fourth quarter comes around, they just don’t want anymore.

“They’ve already raised the white flag.”

What houseguest?

Contrary to what was said during CBS’ telecast of the game Sunday, linebacker Matt Roth is not living in Steinbach’s basement. Roth and Steinbach were teammates at Iowa.

“I don’t know where that came from,” Steinbach said. “He just stays in the hotel.”

Roth was claimed off waivers Nov. 25, and Steinbach had him over for Thanksgiving dinner. He won’t join Steinbach and his wife for Christmas morning.

“Him making pancakes? Nothing like that,” Steinbach said. “That’s pretty funny.”

Big money still cashing in

Defensive tackle Gerard Warren, the third pick in the 2001 draft by the Browns, has started all 14 games for the Raiders. He has 31 tackles and a sack.

“Gerard’s a very talented guy,” Raiders coach Tom Cable said. “He fills a great role for us. He’s an explosive guy that can make plays in the backfield and get to the quarterback.

“He’s been very steady and very consistent for us.”

Warren started 59 of 60 games with the Browns before being traded to Denver by former general manager Phil Savage for a fourth-round draft choice, which was used on cornerback Antonio Perkins. Warren never lived up to his draft status and was considered by some a troublemaker.

He started 31 games in two years with the Broncos and, after starting just five in his first year in Oakland in 2007, he’s started 30 straight.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.