SB Nation Cleveland - Chargers vs. Browns: Cleveland rides defense to 7-6 winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2012-10-31T09:46:19-05:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33306412012-10-31T09:46:19-05:002012-10-31T09:46:19-05:00Josh Cribbs would like to see the ball more
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<figcaption>Jason Miller</figcaption>
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<p>The Browns' special team maven would like his role on offense expanded.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> have been integrating new weapons across the offense this year, from <span>Brandon Weeden</span> and <span>Trent Richardson</span> to <span>Josh Gordon</span> and <span>Travis Benjamin</span>. One component that has gotten lost in the shuffle, though, is wide receiver/kick returner Josh Cribbs. Cribbs said during an interview on Tuesday that he would like to see his role in the offense expand.</p>
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<p>"You don't want to be the, ‘me guy,' the guy that always asks to get in," Cribbs said. "But if we were winning it'd be a different story and I'd sit and play my role of special teams. I would definitely love to be able to be on the football field.</p>
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<p>(<a href="http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2012/10/30/cribbs-would-like-bigger-offensive-role/#.UJAeYzpCP_M.twitter">via</a> CBS Cleveland)</p>
<p>Cribbs also said that he believes the Brown should want to get the ball in the hands of the team's athletes and find their strengths. Cribbs has never been a consistent offensive performer, but in 2012 he has just six catches for 54 yards and two rushes for eight yards. </p>
<p>The Browns have won two of their last three games after starting 0-5 on the season. At 2-6, they're still far out of playoff contention, but are at least gathering some momentum. On Sunday they'll host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/10/31/3580730/josh-cribbs-browns-cleveland-special-teamsJordan Sargent2012-10-30T18:17:26-05:002012-10-30T18:17:26-05:00Browns DE Emmanuel Stephens placed on IR
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<figcaption>Matt Sullivan</figcaption>
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<p>Cleveland has not yet announced Stephens' replacement on the roster</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a> placed defensive end <span>Emmanuel Stephens</span> on injured reserve Tuesday afternoon. A neck injury will prevent Stephens from playing for the rest of the 2012 season. Stephens was injured in the first half of the Browns' 7-6 win over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Chargers</a> Sunday, and did not return to the game. Nate Ulrich of the <i>Akron Beacon-Journal</i> <a href="https://twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ/status/263415283232952320" target="_blank">had the news on Twitter</a>.</p>
<p>Stephens, 25, had eight tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in 2012. He played snaps in all eight of Cleveland's games so far in a reserve defensive line role. Stephens totaled 17 tackles and a forced fumble and started three games last season, after he was signed by the Browns on Sept. 4, 2011. Stephens spent all of 2010 on the Atlanta practice squad, after he was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi.</p>
<p>The Browns have not yet announced who will replace Stephens on the active roster. The nature of his neck injury has not been disclosed.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/10/30/3578466/cleveland-browns-emmanuel-stephens-injured-reserveJosh Brokaw2012-10-29T15:33:39-05:002012-10-29T15:33:39-05:00Browns rookies shine in win over Chargers
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> received big contributions from rookies <span>Billy Winn</span> and <span>James-Michael Johnson</span> in Sunday's 7-6 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a>.</p>
<p>Winn, a defensive tackle out of Boise State, recovered Chargers running back <span>Ryan Mathews</span>' fumble after Johnson, a linebacker from Nevada, forced the miscue. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/10/buster_skrine_comes_up_with_cl.html#incart_flyout_sports">Winn told Tom Reed of The Plain Dealer</a> about the importance of the Browns creating turnovers, at which they've had great success over the past three games:</p>
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<p>"It's tough to win a game when you don't have turnovers -- everybody knows that. But they don't just come to you, you have to create them."</p>
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<p>Winn has recovered two fumbles this season, while accumulating 12 tackles and a sack. Meanwhile, Johnson had the best game of his career to date, racking up 10 tackles and the forced fumble. Browns head coach Pat Shurmur was pleased with Johnson's effort, as well as that of the rest of the team's rookies:</p>
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<p>"I think he's been like all of our rookies, they're playing a little better each week and I think he showed up well today."</p>
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<p>The Browns allowed just 265 total yards to the Chargers' offense, which contains a myriad of weapons. Cleveland will need a similar effort in Week 9 with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> coming to town.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/10/29/3572984/billy-winn-browns-james-michael-johnson-chargersBryan Kilpatrick2012-10-29T11:45:19-05:002012-10-29T11:45:19-05:00Stephens, Goodman injured in Browns' win
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<p>The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a> picked up their second win of the season on Sunday, and it was as ugly as it gets. When you see a 7-6 final score, you think it was a strong defensive battle, or that it was an ugly mess. It was, in fact, the latter, but a win is a win, and the important thing is that the Browns are on the right track.</p>
<p>As for injuries, there were a couple to note for the Browns. Kick returner <span>Richard Goodman</span> injured his hamstring returning the opening kickoff, and he was immediately out for the game. He did not return and there are no updates on his status as of Monday morning.</p>
<p>Defensive end <span>Emmanuel Stephens</span> sustained a neck injury in the first half and missed the rest of the game as well. His status is also unclear, though the Browns are expected to give updates on both players in the near future. Outside of those two, the Browns remained relatively healthy.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/10/29/3571778/nfl-injury-report-browns-week-8James Brady2012-10-29T10:58:08-05:002012-10-29T10:58:08-05:00Jim Brown congratulates Trent Richardson
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> legend Jim Brown met with current star running back <span>Trent Richardson</span> after the game to congratulate him on his solid performance in the team's win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> on Sunday. Brown created a stir after draft day when he called Richardson "ordinary," but the two have worked to smooth out their relationship since then and Richardson <a href="http://news-herald.com/articles/2012/10/29/sports/nh6153862.txt?viewmode=fullstory" target="_blank">told the News-Herald</a> that he appreciated Brown talking to him after the game.</p>
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<p>"It meant a lot (to have Brown waiting for him)," Richardson said. "Like I've said, he's an icon. Someone came in the trainer's room and said, ‘Jim Brown's out there for you.' I ran out there. Him just being here today shows what he thinks about us."</p>
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<p>Brown told him to "keep doing what you're doing," which is something that could help the Browns turn their season around. On Sunday, Richardson rushed for 122 yards on 24 carries, his second time over the century mark this season. It was a marked turnaround from the team's Week 7 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a>, in which Richardson rushed just eight times for eight yards.</p>
<p>On the season, the first-round pick from Alabama has rushed 127 times for 470 yards, good for just 3.7 yards per carry.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/10/29/3571452/trent-richardson-jim-brown-chargers-browns-2012Jordan Sargent2012-10-29T07:30:31-05:002012-10-29T07:30:31-05:00Weather conditions aid Browns in 2nd win
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<figcaption>Jason Miller</figcaption>
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<p>The Browns picked up their first win of the Haslam era, and some sloppy conditions helped the cause. Ryan Alton recaps the day at Cleveland Browns Stadium.</p> <p>There is no such thing as a "pretty" loss in the NFL but there are definitely ugly wins. And they count just as much as the rest of them. The Browns, and the fans that were brave enough to venture down to watch them play on Sunday, will take it any way they can get it. In a game in which the elements played no favorites, the Browns (2-6) managed to squeak out a 7-6 win against the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> (3-4).</p>
<p>The Chargers are now 0-6 all time when playing a team at 1 p.m. in the Eastern Time Zone during the month of October. The weather, along with the Browns defense, had as much to do with keeping that streak alive as anything else on Sunday. The remnants of Hurricane Sandy aren't forecast to arrive in Ohio until closer to midweek but you wouldn't have known it if you happened to be in attendance along the lake for this whale of a game.</p>
<p>With nonstop rain, temperatures in the low 40s and a fierce, swirling, wind making life challenging down on the field of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> Stadium, one has to wonder how much that affected the visitors from Southern California. Had the game been played on a sunny 75 degree day in early September, the outcome may have been far different, but no one in Cleveland is complaining.</p>
<p>As it were, the conditions called for a heavy dose of the ground attack for both teams. Running back <span>Trent Richardson</span> got things rolling early, picking up yardage in chunks as the Browns put together a rare opening drive that resulted in a touchdown after he took a draw 26 yards to pay dirt behind the steady blocking of his offensive line. That was the first opening drive resulting in a touchdown for the Browns since 2005. And it was all they needed in the way of scoring on this day. The Chargers, on the other hand, moved the ball well at times but were forced to settle for two <span>Nick Novak</span> field goals, which weren't enough to overcome the Browns point total.</p>
<p>Richardson finished the day with a career best 122 yards on 24 carries including that lone touchdown run. His counterpart, San Diego running back <span>Ryan Mathews</span> also ran 24 times for 95 yards, but couldn't find the end zone and did cough up the ball on one run which was recovered by Browns defensive tackle <span>Billy Winn</span>.</p>
<p>Amazingly, despite the poor conditions, that was the only turnover of the afternoon. Both quarterbacks, <span>Brandon Weeden</span> for the Browns and Philip Rivers for the Chargers, had very pedestrian performances, which you might expect on a day like this. </p>
<p>In the end, the Browns defense played inspired football by not allowing a single touchdown from the normally high-powered Chargers. There were definitely some close calls as Rivers' receivers dropped a few passes that could have gone for big gains, perhaps even touchdowns. But if you're the Browns, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.</p>
<p>And sometimes it's better to be the home team used to playing in Cleveland when the weather plays such an obvious role, rather than the team from California who isn‘t used to such miserable conditions. Fortunately, on this wet and windy day, the Browns did a great job of hanging on for dear life to make sure their dedicated fans didn‘t stay miserable for long.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/10/29/3569856/trent-richardson-browns-chargers-week-8-recap-2012Ryan Alton2012-10-29T07:15:31-05:002012-10-29T07:15:31-05:00Browns' ground game, defense lead team to victory
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<figcaption>Jason Miller</figcaption>
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<p>Trent Richardson ran for 122 yards against San Diego.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> 7-6 on Sunday, giving them their second victory of the season. The Browns' defense was able to limit Chargers quarterback <span>Philip Rivers</span> and the rest of the San Diego offense, and the game's decisive score came courtesy of Cleveland's ground game.</p>
<p>SB Nation's <a href="http://dawgsbynature.com">Dawgs By Nature</a> noted the affects of the weather on the game, but felt that <a href="http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2012/10/28/3567850/instant-recap-browns-defeat-chargers-7-6">it was Cleveland's rushing game that made the real difference</a>:</p>
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<p>The weather conditions definitely played a factor in the low-scoring affair; Philip Rivers was held to 154 yards passing, while <span>Brandon Weeden</span> was held to 129 yards passing. Receivers dropped passes for both teams, but the difference ended up being the ground game.</p>
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<p> Cleveland running back <span>Trent Richardson</span> scored the only touchdown of the day on a 26-yard run in the first quarter, which ended up being all the offense the Browns would need. He finished the game with 122 yards on 24 carries.</p>
<p>The Chargers kicked a field goal in both the second and third quarters, but they were not able to find the end zone. Cleveland's defense limited San Diego to just 265 total yards of offense on the day.</p>
<p>The Browns host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> next Sunday.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/10/29/3569906/browns-chargers-2012Steven Muma2012-10-28T16:26:44-05:002012-10-28T16:26:44-05:00Trent Richardson rewards fantasy owners vs. SD
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<p>Despite being listed as questionable all week due to a rib injury, <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a> running back <span>Trent Richardson</span> turned in the best game of his NFL career on Sunday afternoon to help power a narrow victory over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">Chargers</a>.</p>
<p>Richardson set new career highs with 24 carries and 122 rushing yards, and was the unquestioned star in a slow-paced game where neither the Browns nor the Chargers could pass for more than 150 yards. The 5'9, 230-pound back also scored the day's only touchdown with a 26-yard scamper in the first quarter, and managed to haul in a pass for the seventh consecutive week.</p>
<p>Expected to be spelled by backup <span>Montario Hardesty</span> more than usual entering the day, Richardson's strong performance represented a significant sigh of relief for fantasy owners after a frustrating Week 7. Hardesty carried the ball just three times for three yards, meaning that Richardson's owners can now keep him in their lineup with confidence going forward. The Browns will square off with Baltimore in Week 9, and Richardson could be poised for another big day against a depleted <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a> defense.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/10/28/3568006/trent-richardson-stats-fantasy-football-browns-vs-chargersDave Ryan