Browns experience offensive explosion against Bengals

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09/18/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Brady Quinn era might have to wait a little longer in Cleveland.

After a disappointing opening-week loss to Pittsburgh, the Browns capped a strange week with an unbelievable 51-45 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Following their 34-7 loss to the Steelers, the Browns became the first team since the AFL/NFL merger to trade their season-opening quarterback before Week 2, when they shipped Charlie Frye to Seattle for a sixth-round draft pick.

Derek Anderson was named the starter and Quinn, one of Cleveland's two 2007 first-round picks, was elevated to the backup. With Quinn expected to lead the Browns' offense at some point this season, all Anderson did on Sunday was throw for 328 yards and tie a franchise record with five touchdowns.

"We knew that the capabilities were there," said Browns head coach Romeo Crennel of Anderson on Monday. "So it just came to the front on (Sunday)."

Offseason acquisition Jamal Lewis also played a huge role, compiling 215 yards on the ground, including a 66-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. It was Lewis' best game since he rushed for an NFL single-game record of 295 yards against Cleveland on September 14, 2003 as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

Besides opening up holes for Lewis, Cleveland's offensive line, one week after giving up six sacks, didn't allow a single Cincinnati defender to get to Anderson.

Despite compiling 554 yards and the most points since Cleveland returned to the league in 1999, the game was still in jeopardy late in the fourth quarter as Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer led his team into Browns' territory. However, with 20 seconds remaining, cornerback Leigh Bodden made a diving interception near Cleveland's sideline and managed to stay inbounds at the 27- yard line, giving Crennel just his second win against an AFC North opponent (2-12).

Surprisingly, this wasn't the highest scoring game between Cleveland and Cincinnati. On November 28, 2004, Rudi Johnson rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns as the Bengals defeated the Browns, 58-48.

DYNAMIC DUO

Anderson made good use of two of Cleveland's up-and-coming offensive threats: wide receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow.

Edwards, a third-year pro out of Michigan, caught eight passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Taken with the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, Edwards is coming off a 2006 season in which he had 61 receptions for 884 yards and six touchdowns.

Winslow, meanwhile, had six catches for 100 yards on Sunday, including a 25- yard touchdown right before halftime that gave Cleveland a 27-21 lead at the break.

Winslow, the sixth overall selection in the 2004 draft, was healthy for the first time last year. The Miami-Florida product, who played in just two games his rookie season after breaking his right leg and missed the entire 2005 season after tearing his ACL in an off-season motorcycle accident, caught 89 passes for 875 yards and three touchdowns in 2006.

DEFENSELESS DEFENSE

Sunday's thrilling victory over Cincinnati hid the fact that Cleveland's defense is still a work in progress.

The Browns have now given up 79 points through the first two games this season, including 896 total yards and 10 touchdown passes. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger established a career-high with four touchdowns, while Palmer set a Bengals' franchise record with six touchdowns.

"We struggled a little bit defensively," said Crennel. "We knew it was going to be a challenge going in. (The Bengals) offense is a high-powered offense. They got receivers, they got a runner, they got a quarterback. We knew it was going to be tough."

Regardless of who is under center for Cleveland, the Browns will struggle this season if they can't defend the pass.

UP NEXT

The Browns will hit the road for the first time next week when they travel to Oakland to square off with the Raiders.

One of Cleveland's four wins last year came against Oakland on October 1. The now-departed Frye threw for three touchdowns in that game as the Browns won 24-21.

Crennel is 2-0 against the Raiders, and the Browns have won six of their last seven games against Oakland.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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