Brady Who?

Quarterback controversy? What quarterback controversy?

The Cleveland Browns played inspired football yesterday, at least on offense, and beat the Cincinnati Bengals 51-45, behind 5 touchdown passes from Derek Anderson and 215 yards rushing from Jamal Lewis. The offensive line looked like it had actually received an overhaul in the offseason and the defense made just enough key plays, including a nifty interception by Leigh Bodden with 21 seconds left the Bengals driving for a potential game-tying touchdown.

The Browns' playmakers - Kellen Winslow, Jr., Braylon Edwards, and Jamal Lewis, stepped up and made plays. Derek Anderson resembled an NFl quarterback, throwing confidently, getting rid of the ball quickly, and making the right read. The much-maligned offensive line, gave Anderson time to find the open receiver and opened some giant holes for Jamal Lewis, who showed some the same kind of open field speed that he did a couple years ago when he was all-everything in Baltimore.

So, what happened? I think two things happened. First, I think the Bengals came in thinking that all they had to do to win was show up. Given how bad the Browns have been, this is understandable. The Bengals defense played an inspired game on Monday night against the Forces of Evil and Darkness in the Football Universe (FEDFU), and all the press about how much they had improved apparently got to their head.

Second, I think the Browns came out inspired and determined that one week as a national laughing stock and the accompanying public humiliation was enough. To quote Twisted Sister, I think they decided "We're not gonna take it." And so they didn't. This team, unlike other Browns teams we've seen recently, actually appears to have some character and resiliency.

I have been telling people all off-season that, if the Browns are lucky, they will win 6 games, but they will be more competitive. I still think that. However, I'm more than willing to allow myself to watch this team prove people wrong. The Browns took a big step forward this week to becoming a winning team. However, it is important to keep this in perspective - their defense still got shredded, and they won playing in their own stadium with their manhood on the line against a division rival that was taking them lightly. After this performance, I guarantee that no other team will look on the Browns as the equivalent of a bye week again.

In addition, we may have seen the arrival of Derek Anderson as a pro quarterback. He may be just good enough for the Browns to actually give Brady Quinn the Full Carson Palmer Treatment, which I think is what management would really like to do. Derek Anderson slugged it out, toe to toe, with the guy who is pretty much acclaimed as the second-best quarterback in the NFL, and won the game.

It will be a pleasant few weeks in the office, giving "Who deys" to my co-worker Bengals fans, of which there are several.

Oh, and Chad Johnson did score that touchdown, and did jump into the Dawg Pound where Browns fans tried to pummel him and successfully poured beer on him and gave him the finger.