First, the well documented case of Donte Stallworth. If any of you were in a third world country in the last four months, I will recap for you. Donte Stallworth was driving drunk and killed a pedestrian in Miami on March 14th of this year.

His Sentence – 30 Days in jail, 2 years on house arrest, which will allow him to play football, and he settled with the 59 year old victim’s family for an undisclosed dollar amount.

Onto Michael Vick. Vick was charged with felonies and later reached a plea agreement in December of 2007 for funding the operations of a dog fighting ring for a period of many years.

His Sentence – 23 months in Federal Prison, followed by a period of house arrest. During this time, Vick lost 16 million dollars in assets in his bankruptcy case.

Now the debate begins.

How in the hell can you kill a person, a grandfather, a father, a husband, a brother, an uncle, a freaking person, and only serve 30 days in jail. But for fighting dogs, which some still consider a sport, be jailed for 2 years? Does this make any sense at all?

I know, I know, I can hear all of the dog lovers of the world yelling, “My dog is a member of my family.” Great, so is mine. But I will not trade my wife’s, children’s, or parents’ life to save my dog, would you? These crimes do not compare on any level, and yes, Stallworth I am sure paid a ton of money; but Vick lost everything as well as serving a prison term 23 times longer than Stallworth’s.

Vick’s actions were more common than you think, and most likely experienced by him in childhood which continued into his young adult life. I am not making excuses for Vick, but clearly an example was made out of Vick for his actions.

Look at the losses in these cases. Yes, a dog lost their life, but Vick did not steal your dog and kill it. Stallworth took a life from a family which will never come back. Every time I dwell on this topic, it sickens me and disgusts me to know that if a high profile athlete drives while intoxicated and kills my family member, the criminal justice system will not hold them accountable at all.

My sympathies go out to the family and friends of the victim.

**********

Kurt Fraschetti

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* – Donte Stallworth photo credit: ROBERT E. KLEIN/FOR THE GLOBE

Based on AP and ESPN.com reports on Stallworth facing DUI manslaughter charges:

Two people told the AP that an arrest warrant charging the 28-year-old Stallworth with DUI manslaughter will be filed Wednesday in the March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes. The people requested anonymity because the charges haven’t been announced.

The charge carries a possible 15-year prison sentence. Stallworth’s blood-alcohol level after the crash was .12, well above Florida’s legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. Stallworth will also be charged with DUI, according to the people informed about the case.

Stallworth, who is expected to surrender in court Thursday, released a statement after the incident saying, “My family and I are grief-stricken over the tragic accident which occurred Saturday on Miami Beach where Mario Reyes sadly lost his life.”

He returned to Cleveland and has been working out with the team, which Miami Beach police were aware of, according to Stallworth’s attorney, Chris Lyons

According to a report at ProFootballTalk.com, charges will not be formally entered against Stallworth for up to a month. PFT also reminds us that fellow former Tennessee Volunteer Leonard Little received only 90 days in prison following his conviction for driving drunk and killing Susan Gutweiler in 1998. Little was also arrested again a few years later for drunk driving.

For more background on the story, follow the links to MSF’s coverage and discussion of the Donte Stallworth accident:

• March 14: Donte Stallworth Could Face Charges in Fatal Traffic Accident in Miami Beach
• March 15: Fatal Traffic Incident Involving Donte Stallworth the Latest Black Eye for Tennessee, NFL
• March 19: Report – Donte Stallworth Over Legal Limit, DUI Manslaughter Charges Possible

Without question, this is a disappointing day for fans of Donte Stallworth, the Cleveland Browns, and the Tennessee Volunteers. The Browns were counting on Stalloworth to begin providing value this season for the seven-year, $35 million contract he signed last offseason. Stallworth was essentially a non-factor last year because of injuries and ineffectiveness.

The true disappointment, however, is the fact that a man with a family needlessly lost his life, and we now have confirmation that Donte Stallworth was impaired at the time of the accident. Stallworth now becomes the third Tennessee player from the successful late 90s era to be convicted of drunk/reckless driving, joining the aforementioned Little and Dwayne Goodrich, who is currently serving a multiyear prison sentence.

We have grown used to NFL players being involved in stories like this one, and it is a trend that needs to stop. As big a fan as I have always been of Donte’s, there is absolutely nothing to be said in his defense. You can say that he was unlucky, and that it could happen to lots of people on lots of nights/mornings, but any amount of “unluck” for Stallworth pales in comparison to that experienced by Mario Reyes and his family.

Whether Donte flashed his lights at Reyes or not, and whether Reyes was in a crosswalk or not, Stallworth obviously did not have the reaction time nor was he driving with the caution necessary to reduce his threat to pedestrians and other cars.

This is just a sad, sad story on so many levels. I wish there was something I could say to defend a player that I’ve always liked, but obviously there is not. And if the charges prove true once the justice system has run its course, Donte Stallworth should face the same penalty that any “normal”, non-celebrity citizen would face. And hopefully, maybe, that will send a message to NFL players and people at large: there are grave consequences for getting behind the wheel impaired. So don’t do it.

Time to get back to work.

ProFootballTalk is reporting, via CBS4.com in Miami Beach, that Donte Stallworth was in fact over the legal BAC limit (0.08 in Florida) when he hit and killed 59-year old Mario Reyes with his Bentley last weekend. It should be noted that the CBS4.com report states that neither Donte Stallworth’s attorney, nor the Miami Beach Police, have said that they can confirm the report, which was broadcast at noon on a South Florida television station (WVSN in Miami). The television report cited “unnamed sources close to the investigation”.

If true, the report that Donte Stallworth was over the legal limit would jive with other reports that have surfaced in the aftermath of the accident that DUI charges would eventually come against Stallworth.

According to PFT’s latest report on the potential DUI manslaughter charges against Donte Stallowrth, the maximum sentence for such charges in the state of Florida is 15 years. Mike Florio, a lawyer, also states on PFT that Stallworth could face “enormous civil liability” especially in light of the fact that he earned a $4.875 million roster bonus the day before the accident took place.

This week, Donte Stallworth issued a statement though the Cleveland Browns saying that he is “grief stricken” over the accident and that his “thoughts and prayers are with the Reyes family during this incredibly difficult time.” Certainly, this incident is the latest black eye for both the University of Tennessee (Stallworth’s alma mater) and the NFL.

More updates on this story will surely be forthcoming soon.

Unfortunately, the post I am writing this afternoon will prove those commenters right — and the subject is my favorite college football team: the Tennessee Volunteers.

As you surely know by now, former Volunteer WR Donte Stallworth was detained yesterday after the Bentley that he was driving hit a man who died soon thereafter. No charges have been field as of yet, but reports last night cited sources close to the situation that Stallworth had been drinking prior to the accident and would ultimately face charges, pending the official results of toxicology tests.

For fans of the Tennessee Volunteers and the NFL, this story feels like deja vu all over again.

Shockingly, and sadly, if the Tennessee football teams from the late 90s and early 00s held a reunion and gave out a Black Eye Award for Vol players in the NFL shining a negative light on their alma mater, Donte Stallworth’s incident yesterday would not even be among the top two nominees.

Leonard Little

The most infamous incident involving an ex-Vol is Leonard Little. Following a party in 1998, Leonard Little crashed into and killed Susan Gutweiler in St. Louis, MO. Little’s BAC measured .19 after the accident, more than double the legal limit of 0.08. Little pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, received 98 days in jail, four years probation, and 1000 hours of community service. He was also suspended for 8 games of the 1999 season.

Since the 1998 accident, Little has signed contracts totaling 8 years and $37 million dollars.

Then, in a disturbing coda to the 1998 story, Little was arrested for drunk driving again, plus speeding, in 2004. Because of his prior arrest this was a felony case, but Little was acquitted of driving while intoxicated and convicted of only the misdemeanor speeding charge.

Dwayne Goodrich

You might think that other former Volunteers would have learned a lesson from the horrific story of Leonard Little. Unfortunately, the empirical evidence seems to suggest that they learned no lesson at all. Donte Stallworth’s accident yesterday is a perfect example, as is the story of former Volunteer and Dallas Cowboy Dwayne Goodrich.

Goodrich was an outstanding cornerback on the Volunteers’ 1998 National Championship team. He was tagged to cover superb Florida State WR Peter Warrick in the Fiesta Bowl that year, a game in which the Vols were huge underdogs. Goodrich stifled Warrick, had an interception return for a touchdown, and was named Defensive MVP of the game. Later that year he was drafted in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft by the Cowboys.

In 2003, however, Goodrich’s life, his NFL career, and the lives of three good samaritans came crashing down in a fog of alcohol, speed, and fiery cars.

After a night that Dwayne Goodrich, according to the Dallas Observer, has admitted included topless bars and alcohol (but not intoxication, according to Goodrich), he drove his BMW through the scene of a car accident in which pedestrians were attempting to free a man who was unconscious from a car that was on fire. Goodrich struck three of the pedestrians, killing two of them. Police reportedly believed that Goodrich was going 110 MPH at the time of the accident.

Dwyane Goodrich was arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter and eventually convicted on two counts of criminally negligent homicide. In January of 2006, the families of the victims were successful in getting 5 years added to Goodrich’s original 7 1/2 year prison sentence. He remains in prison today.

That makes three separate traffic incidents, all involving alcohol in varying degrees, all involving former Tennessee stars and first-day NFL draft picks, and all tragically resulting in the deaths of innocent people.

…

I just sat here for five minutes trying to figure out what to say next, and came up with nothing. What can you say?

In the case of Donte Stallworth, he has seen a high profile alum (Little) and a former teammate (Goodrich) kill people because they were driving under the influence, or in Goodrich’s case, at a minimum driving out of control. He has also seen Little essentially get lucky making the same mistake again, being arrested for drunk driving but thankfully not injuring anyone.

I realize there there is a certain element of “bad luck” involved in tragedies such as these. But as Mike Florio said earlier today over at PFT regarding the three individual stories of former UT players killing people with their cars,”It’s most likely a coincidence. But the gravity of the consequences tells us that it would make plenty of sense for someone in Knoxville to explore the possible existence of a something other than randomness.”

Moreover, these three incidents are far from the only brushes with the law for former Tennessee stars from the late 90s and early 00s. A brief, and probably not comprehensive, rundown of the embarrassing litany of former UT player trouble:

Albert Haynesworth

Sticking with the theme of traffic trouble, new Washington Redskin Albert Haynesworth was recently indicted on two misdemeanor traffic charges stemming for a car accident in December 2008. This came on the heels of traffic charges in 2006 that were dismissed by a Putnam County, TN judge on the grounds that the offenses occurred outside of their jurisdiction.

Haynesworth also famously stepped on the face of Andre Gurode during a game in 2006. This is only the most highly publicized anger management issue involving Haynesworth.

He reportedly once kicked former teammate Justin Hartwig in the chest during training camp with the Tennessee Titans, and had a history of temper issues while at the University of Tennessee. One such story involved Haynesworth fighting with teammate Will Ofenheusle, leaving practice, and then returning with a long pole looking for Ofenheusle. Phil Fulmer stopped Haynesworth before he could use the pole and he was suspended for half a game.

Shaun Ellis

Shaun Ellis arrested in December 2008 for marijuana possession, driving without insurance and speeding. While at Tennessee, Ellis was charged with felony assault of a woman in April 1999 after allegedly striking a woman in the head with a glass after she threw a drink in his face at a party. Ellis agreed to pay the woman’s medical bills, undergo an assessment to see if he needs drug or alcohol treatment, and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

Travis Henry

A few months after being released by the Denver Broncos because “his commitment was lacking,” Travis Henry was arrested in October of 2008 on suspicion of knowingly and intentionally conspiring to distribute and posses with intent to distribute cocaine. He was eventually placed on house arrest.

Henry famously, and disturbingly, has also fathered nine children by nine different women and is currently embroiled in a series of lawsuits for back child support payments. On March 14th, Henry was jailed for falling $16,600 behind on support for one of his kids. He currently owes $170,000/year in child support payments.

Jamal Lewis

Jamal Lewis was charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine and using a cell phone in the commission of the first count. In February of 2005, Lewis began a 4-month prison term for trying to set up the drug deal. He was also suspended 4 games in the 2004 for a repeat violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He served the suspension while on IR, missing 4 game checks.

Others

Cedrick Wilson was arrested for punching his ex-girlfriend in the face while at a restaurant. He was subsequently cut by the Steelers. Travis Stephens was arrested, according to the page that contains his mugshot at the Montgomery Country Sheriffs Office website, for “drugs – simple possession/casual exchange.” Deon Grant, according to WRAL.com report from January 2004, got into enough trouble that owner Jerry Richardson reportedly told him he was either going to get his “stuff together” or the Panthers would have to let him go because they were trying to clean up the franchise in the wake of the Rae Carruth scandal.

Each of the players listed in this post helped contribute to one of the most successful eras in the storied history of Tennessee football. From 1995 through the 1998 championship season, Tennessee went 45-5. Leonard Little graduated with Peyton Manning after the 1997 season, with the rest of the players listed above either contributing to the 1998 title or to the success of the subsequent seasons. In total, from 1995 through 2001, Tennessee went 73-14 and won 4 bowl games. And each season, because of their ridiculous talent level, Tennessee entered the year with legitimate hopes of SEC and National Titles.

Just look at the draft history of that era for Tennessee football:

• 1996: 8 players drafted (2 first day picks)
• 1997: 3 players drafted (2 first day picks)
• 1998: 7 players drafted (3 first day picks, including Peyton Manning #1 overall and Little in 3rd round.)
• 1999: 6 players drafted (3 first day picks)
• 2000: 9 players drafted (8 first day picks, including Lewis and Ellis in 1st round, Goodrich and Grant in 2nd round)
• 2001: 5 players drafted (2 first day picks, including Henry in 2nd round)
• 2002: 10 players drafted (4 first day picks, including Stallworth and Haynesworth in 1st round)

While it is perhaps not on the same level of the University of Miami over the same time span, it is still an impressive display of talent compiled on a yearly basis by the Volunteers. Unfortunately, once these players went into the NFL, many succeeded on the football field but proved unable to stay clean off of it.

For me personally, the story of Donte Stallworth yesterday really hit home more than any of the others. Part of the reason is because he currently plays for the Cleveland Browns and the other part is that Donte has always been one of my favorite Volunteer players ever. He was so electric as a freshman in 1998 and throughout his career in Knoxville, and he brought the same excitement to the NFL when he was healthy.

But the incident that occurred yesterday was another crushing reminder that many of the Volunteer players I grew up watching and admiring were not worth much admiration in the first place. I am not one who looks to athletes for guidance in any way, or to be role models, but I also don’t want to see lists like the one above come from the team I root for. I was an Indiana basketball fan long before I was a Tennessee football fan, so character and off-court/off-field conduct has always meant something to me.

With so much ridiculousness swirling around the Tennessee program recently because of Lane Kiffin and his clownishness, the most recent off-field tragedy involving a former Volunteer may shift the focus to the story that is even more embarrassing: the continued run-ins with the law of former Volunteer football players. And unfortunately, these run-ins have been much more egregiously severe than the usual run-of-the-mill type stuff for NFL players like marijuana possession, getting into fights, or even gun possession.

The response to my aforementioned article about Ohio State WRs getting into trouble was that a similar list could be made for any program in the country. And I will grant that point as probably correct. But can you find any other school that can claim three alums who have killed innocent people?

It has not been easy to be a Tennessee fan over the last few years, almost exclusively because of the team’s putrid on-field performance. But after hearing about Donte Stallworth yesterday, then researching this post and reflecting on the program’s seeming inability to prepare players for life after college, my Volunteer pride has a reached an all-time low.

I know that you can’t blame Tennessee or Phil Fulmer exclusively for all of the problems that have been caused by Vols in the NFL. And I know that luck and tragic circumstances have a lot to do with the frightening volume of catastrophic accidents and other legal problems involving Vol alums. Still, the fact that I could research this post for a half hour and come up with the list above is a frightening and disturbing fact.

For all of those who remember the 1998 season, Tennessee very easily could have lost three games that year. The opener against Syracuse was saved for the Vols by a phantom pass interference call that kept the game-winning drive alive. If Fred Taylor hadn’t fumbled on the 1-yard line, or if Collins Cooper wasn’t a complete choke artist, Florida probably wins that epic battle. And Clint Stoerner’s gift fumble lives on in infamy. The result of all of these gifts of fate was Tennessee’s first national championship since 1967.

In the year’s since 1998, Tennessee is just 85-41 with 3 bowl victories, and that record plummets to 38-21 over the last four years. Terrible? No. But far, far below the standards that Tennessee fans had become accustomed too. Add in the four deaths caused by former Vol players, and the litany of other issues detailed in this post that have happened since 1998, and it makes me pause to seriously wonder if a deal with the devil had to be made to bring that 1998 title home.

It is as reasonable an explanation as any for why the University of Tennessee football program has officially become Outlaw U. There is, at worst, a terrible and systemic problem on good ‘ol Rocky Top; and at best, a harrowing series of tragic coincidences has taken place that has brought disgrace to a once proud football program.

After a day in which a wife lost a husband and a daughter lost a father, considering the implications of the Donte Stallowrth accident within the context of college football probably seems insensitive and unnecessary. But at what point should an “institution of higher learning” be held accountable when so many of its highly publicized and pampered football player student-athletes continue to prove that they don’t really seem to learn anything? (Or, to be more specific, don’t seem to learn anything that prevents them from being the preventable and proximate cause of the loss of innocent human life.)

It might seem ridiculous to ask, “what former Tennessee player will kill someone next?” But it might have also seemed ridiculous to ask that after the Dwayne Goodrich tragedy. Then Donte Stallworth’s accident happened, and another man lost his life.

And it probably seemed even more ridiculous to ask that after Leonard Little’s first accident. But the Goodrich tragedy, Stallworth’s accident, and a second DUI arrest for Little have all occurred since.

So maybe asking the question, and doing something proactive as an answer, might have saved lives — making the question itself not so ridiculous at all.

The NFL deserves as much, if not more, culpability than the University of Tennessee. These incidents did not occur on Tennessee’s watch, but rather when these players were in the NFL. I know that players get educated about off-field conduct, and driving after drinking specifically, but maybe just educating them is not enough. Aggressive and often reckless behavior on the field is what got these guys D1 scholarships and then to the NFL in the first place. Since the NFL and college football programs profit off of this on-field aggression, perhaps they should be more responsible for helping to curb its negative consequences off the field.

So I will ask the question: What former Tennessee player (or NFL player in general) will kill someone next? 100% success in prevention is obviously an unreasonable goal, but I sure hope the University of Tennessee and the NFL do something proactive to increase the odds as much as possible of the answer to that question being “no one.”

(Editor’s Note: No new updates as of Sunday night on the Donte Stallworth case in Miami.  After you read the post below, follow the link to our post from earlier today, in which we discuss the unfortunate litany of vehicular homicides and other legal problems involving former Tennessee players; all are black eyes for both the university and the NFL.)

Per multiple reports today, Browns WR Donte Stallworth was involved in a fatal traffic accident early this morning in Miami Beach and could face charges. Much thanks to Barry McBride at the Orange and Brown Report for the tip on the Stallworth accident.

According to a report in the Florida Sun-Sentinel, Donte Stallworth was driving his Bentley east on the McArthur Causeway (a road KVB and I know well) toward Miami Beach when he struck a 49-year old man crossing the roadway. The victim was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

More from the Sun-Sentinel on the fatal accident involving Donte Stallworth:

According to witnesses, the victim worked at a nearby shipping company as an overnight crane operator. The man had just finished his shift and was crossing the street to catch a bus when he was struck.

Charges are pending the results of the investigation and blood tests, said Sanchez. Stallworth was cooperating with authorities and has not been charged, he said.

Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk is also reporting that Stallworth is being tested for whether or not he was under the influence at the time of the accident. According to PFT, this is the second traffic incident involving Donte Stallworth driving a Bentley, as he was also arrested in 2006 “after he refused to turn off his cell phone and shut off the engine after a traffic stop for driving with an expired license.”

It stands to reasons that Donte Stallworth was probably out celebrating the $4.875 million roster bonus that he received from the Cleveland Browns. The Browns had no real choice but to pay the bonus, since this portion of the contract Stallworth signed before last season was guaranteed. In 2008, Donte Stallworth was a disappointment in Cleveland as his injury troubles continued and he posted a paltry 17 receptions for 170 yards.

We will have to wait until the test results are back and whether charges are filed against Stallworth to make any further judgments. Either way, a difficult and tumultuous offseason for the Cleveland Browns continues. And as Florio points out, let’s not forget that an innocent man died as the result of a very preventable accident.

Update 3/14 3:40 PM: PFT has updated its report on the pending investigation into the fatal traffic accident in which Donte Stallworth hit a man early this morning while driving his Bentley. According to Florio, who spoke with Miami Beach Police Det. Juan Sanchez this afternoon, Stallworth is not being charged at this time and may not be for several days, pending the results of bloodwork to determine what, if any, substances might have been in Stallworth’s system. Per the PFT report, according to Det. Sanchez Stallworth has been cooperative with the investigation.

Jump over to PFT to read their full update on the Donte Stallworth investigation.

Update 3/14 6:38 PM: PFT has more on the Donte Stallworth story. While no charges are immediately imminent, PFT’s sources apparently believe that Stallworth will be charged with DUI manslaughter. Stallworth reportedly admitted to drinking last night, but took his last drink, according to PFT, at midnight. The accident did not occur until 7:00 this morning.

Lots more over at PFT, so jump over to their latest Donte Stallworth update.

Tonight, after witnessing a 35-14 trouncing of the New York Giants by the Cleveland Browns, I am sitting trying to sift through a stunning abundance of positives to pick out a few to highlights, lest I be up until 4:00 in the morning analyzing this game. I’m riding such high right now that reliving this game until 4:00 a.m. actually sounds pretty damn good.

Where do we start?

It has to be with Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards. Coming into tonight’s game, Derek Anderson was the lowest rated QB in the league and his spot as the Browns’ unquestioned starter was in doubt. Braylon Edwards, coming off a 16-TD season, had been held to under 100 yards receiving through four games. The Giants had the best defense in the NFL coming in. So what happened? Well, this is the NFL (which now officially stands for No F-ing Logic) so exactly the opposite of what “should” happen: Derek Anderson threw for over 300 yards and 2 TDs and Braylon Edwards caught 5 passes for a career-high 154 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion. They hooked up early a deep bomb in which only a shoestring tackle kept Braylon from the endzone, and the two kept rolling from there.

Braylon Edwards did have a few miscues. He dropped a ball and committed a pretty comical false start penalty. But tonight is not a night for nit-picking (FALSE STARTS!!!!); and Braylon Edwards delivered a huge performance in a clutch spot, living up to the old Santana Moss axiom that “big players make big plays in big games.” Despite his rocky start, Braylon Edwards is a big-time player and he proved it tonight. I said earlier in the year that Braylon Edwards is the key to the Browns season. His two best games (actually, his only two competent games) have come in the last two, both Browns victories. This team needs Braylon Edwards to be a top-5 wide receiver to compete with the elite teams. Tonight, he was outstanding and the Cleveland Browns knocked off the defending Super Bowl champs.

Derek Anderson finally looked comfortable and confident in the pocket. He stepped into his throws, he spread the ball around, and he avoided the costly turnover that has plagued him when he has come up short in key spots. Kudos also go out to the offensive line who, despite way too many false start penalties, gave Derek plenty of time to drop back, be comfortable in the pocket, and locate receivers downfield. Justin Tuck and the Giants defensive line had been dealing well with the loss of Michael Strahan. The Cleveland Browns’ offensive line neutralized them tonight. It paid off.

Other offensive highlights included continued tough running from team leader Jamal Lewis, a few more electric plays from Jerome Harrison, and the return of Donte Stallworth. Stallworth’s return should not go unnoticed. He did not stuff the stat sheet, and probably should have come up with the fade route in the endzone, but even Braylon Edwards admitted in the postgame that Stallworth opened up the field for him. Without Kellen Winslow out, another receiving threat was necessary. The speed of Donte Stallworth provided that threat. And in Kellen Winslow’s absence, the substitute soldiers Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins came up huge. Heiden provided a reliable safety valve for Derek Anderson all night, and Darnell Dinkins came up with a huge TD catch.

The offense was oustanding tonight and absolutely deserves an A for a stellar performance on the heels of four very subpar outings.

Now onto the defense.

Coming into the season, the biggest question mark for the Cleveland Browns was the defensive secondary. After trading Leigh Bodden, very few people gave the Browns’ secondary a chance to be a game-changing unit — at least in a positive sense. But for me, one of the lone consistent bright spots in this season so far has been the play of Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright. Tonight those two, along with Brodney Pool, played great ball-hawking defense. They gave up a few plays to Plaxico Burress (actually, those happened when Burress was matched up against Terry Cousins) and Steve Smith was able to find seams underneath, but they kept the Giants’ receivers in front of them; and obviously, the interceptions were huge. Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald, and Brodney Pool each picked off Eli Manning once. Eric Wright’s 4th quarter redzone interception and subsequent return for a touchdown sealed the deal.

The interception by Eric Wright is the most auspicious harbinger of a potential turnaround for the Cleveland Browns in 2008. Last year, even with Leigh Bodden, I never truly had confidence that the Browns’ secondary would be able to come up with big, game-changing plays when the defense needed one. Tonight, with the Browns’ clinging to a 27-14 lead but the Super Bowl champs gashing our defense and seeming poised to cut the lead to a one-scare margin, Eric Wright made a ridiculous break on a ball that Eli Manning thought was an easy completion and possible touchdown. Not only did he get there and actually catch the ball, as opposed to just knocking it down, but he ended any chance of comeback by finishing the play by high-stepping into the opposite endzone. The Browns’ secondary may be one of the most underrated units in the NFL. Tonight they highlighted their improvement on the biggest stage, but it is the culmination of five consecutive weeks of consistent improvement.

The run defense was just okay, and that’s probably being ridiculously generous as the Giants rushed 25 times for a 7.2 yard per carry average. You probably won’t win too many games giving up 7.2 yards per carry, unless of course you don’t turn the ball over, don’t punt once, and come up with 3 INTs. If the recipe for winning an NFL game is comprised on ten ingredients, the Browns successfully brought 8 to the table tonight. Shoring up the run defense and eliminating penalties will be points of emphasis for the Browns’ coaching staff as we move forward, but the ingredients the Browns were able to add still coalesced into the sweet taste of a 35-14 victory on national TV in front of the home fans against the undefeated defending Super Bowl champions.

In his postgame interview immediately following the game, Braylon Edwards said, “Everyone watched this game on TV and forgot about the first three games. We’re 2-0, with a brand new 14-game season.” I don’t know if he meant it this way, but a 14-game season assumes three playoff games. At the beginning of this Season of Great Expectations, many Browns fans thought a deep playoff run was a possibility. At 0-3, not even the most audacious Browns fan could still have maintained complete confidence that this team would even get to 8-8.

Can this team make the playoffs? At 2-3, it’s still an uphill battle. But at 2-3, and with parity running rampant across the NFL landscape, the Browns are still very much in the picture.

And at least for one glorious Monday night, in front of a nation of football fans watching on Monday Night Football, the Cleveland Browns looked like one of the NFL’s elite. Are they? We have 11 more games to find out for sure, and there are plenty of rough edges that need to be smoothed out; but this is one hell of a giant step in the right direction.

Congratulations Browns! And to all you haters: Ryan Russell and I told you so!

[tags]cleveland browns, nfl, monday night football, new york giants, football, braylon edwards[/tags]

Even though the show began in Cleveland 38 years ago, Monday night marks the first time the Cleveland Browns have been featured on Monday Night Football since 2003. Even more depressing is the fact that they have not won a game on Monday night since 1993.

All of that can change however, if the New York Giants come into town as cocky as they ought to be after embarrassing the Browns in the preseason on August 18th. History has shown that any team can upset a sleeping (New York Football) Giant on ANY given day, and MNF seems to have highlighted many more these games than CBS and FOX has in the last ten years.

Lets take a closer look at what Cleveland has to do to make Tom Coughlin look (and say something) stupid after the game…

1) Donte Stallworth has to show up to play (literally and figuratively).

Nobody has seen him play in orange and brown this year, so it is not entirely optimistic of me to think that the Giants might not have him scouted properly. All of this, unfortunately, depends on whether or not his vagina hurts too much for him to actually get in the game.

If D.A. can get him involved early, the defense will be forced to respect him. That just might open a few doors (and holes) for Jamal Lewis and (hopefully) Jerome Harrison. If we can threaten the run, which we haven’t successfully done at all this season, we can take the pressure off Derek Anderson to make big plays out of nothing.

Pass it. Then run it. Then bring in the Play Action. That is what made Derek Anderson look so good in the past, and its why we won ten games last year.

2) Romeo has to want it.

Lately it seems that Romeo Crennel plays “smart football” to the point of distraction. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing Phil Dawson run onto the field on 4th and 2 when we are down by 3 scores with 9 minutes left in the game. Not to say that i think he should call onside kicks, go for two, and use a barrage of trick plays; but he is going to have to grow a pair if he wants to take this team to the postseason. The fact that he will likely lose his job if he can’t turn this season around should motivate him to want this win more than anything. In addition, the Giants made him look foolish and ill-prepared in the preseason, and with an extra week to get ready, Monday night is his prime time chance to make a statement to the world (or his next employer).

3) Special Teams

The Giants are ranked #1 in total offense. Cleveland comes in at 32nd (out of 32). We are going to have to rely on our special teams units to make some big plays if we want to have a snowballs chance in hell of keeping the game close in the fourth quarter.

4) Defense

Cleveland is ranked 14th in total defense, but is tied for 6th in INTs. That’s three times as many as New York. The Giants returned one of those picks for six, though, and the Browns have not capitalized on their turnovers. If our young cornerbacks can shutdown the pass, force a pick or two, and manage to score or go down without fumbling, there is no reason to believe that this game is going to be a blowout.

PREDICTION: Cleveland by 3 in OT

The fact that this game looks so lopsided on paper makes me think it is going to be close. The fact that my degenerate gambler friend told me that New York is a “lock” to win makes me think Cleveland comes out on top. Final Score? Cleveland 23 – New York 20

[tags]monday night football, cleveland browns, new york giants, nfl, football[/tags]

Well, I scoured the Internet this morning for more Cleveland Browns news regarding the uncertain status of Kellen Winslow, and it looks like Tony Grossi’s column from the Plain-Dealer blog last night is still the most up-to-date information out there.

According to Grossi:

Tight end Kellen Winslow, who looked fine when the team returned from its bye weekend on Monday, visited a doctor on Thursday and missed his second practice in a row. The Browns say Winslow is out with an illness, but won’t disclose what it is

On a positive note, neither the term “staph infection” nor “reckless motorcycle accident” have been included in any article written about this mysterious Kellen Winslow illness. That is a good thing. What is not a good thing is any issue that leaves the status of Kellen Winslow in doubt. The Browns face a huge battle on Monday night against the New York Giants, and needless to say they need one of their biggest emotional leaders and best players healthy.

This whole situation has really come out of the blue too, so perhaps by Monday night it will be forgotten and Kellen Winslow will be on the field catching 8 passes for 90 yards and a score or two. According to the official NFL injury report, Winslow is listed as not having participated in practice. No designations for probable, questionable, doubtful, or out have been assigned as of yet. This is definitely something to pay attention to, as the Browns need a strong performance and probably a victory to maintain any hope of a playoff run this season. 2-3 in the tough AFC North is still in the race, and obviously looks a hell of a lot better than 1-4.

In other news…

Yes, it’s true. Brady Quinn spoke at a rally for John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Also, wide receiver/porcelain doll Donte Stallworth apparently is ready to make his first appearance for the Cleveland Browns on Monday night. Stallworth, who was injured before the first game of the season when he came face to face with a 5 MPH wind gust, appears to be confident that his pulled quadriceps muscle is healthy enough to give him a chance to be productive.

This is certainly good news for the Cleveland Browns, who need a legitimate threat opposite Braylon Edwards to balance the field and open up some throwing lanes for Derek Anderson. The return of Joe Jurevicius would also help, but a Stallworth appearance would be a step in the right direction. The Browns would be wise to place Stallworth in a protective hyperbaric bubble between now and gametime to ensure that he actually makes it to kickoff.

(Writer’s Note: I like Donte Stallworth. I really do. He has a great personality, he’s funny, and he’s upbeat and always smiling. He reminds me of Nick Swisher in that sense. And he doesn’t seem to have the diva qualities that many receivers like Braylon Edwards have. Plus, I’m a Tennessee Volunteer fans, and Stallworth was a key member of Tennessee’s 1998 National Championship team with guys like Jamal Lewis and Albert Haynesworth; and he has been a productive receiver when healthy who I always end up reaching for in fantasy football drafts. But seriously…he’s like a brittle piece of fine china. I just wish he could stay on the field!!!)

Please Donte, just make it to the field Monday night. The Browns need your speed and ability to make big plays.

And finally, I ran across an item on ProFootballTalk.com this morning that simply left me shaking my head. Corey Williams, the defensive lineman that the Browns acquired from the Green Bay Packers in the offseason, has apparently accused the New York Giants of not being very physical. He also had some choice words for running back Brandon Jacobs.

Really?

The stupidity, ignorance, and complete lack of judgment that so many NFL players display is simply mind-boggling. If you are Corey Williams, a pretty nondescript player with some potential at this point in his carrer, and your team is 1-3 and you are getting ready to face the currently undefeated defending Super Bowl champions, why would you make any comment that could be used as motivation. The Giants absolutely blew the Browns’ doors off in the preseason, so much so that my Mom was all ready to write the season off as a failure…IN THE PRESEASON! That’s how bad the Browns looked. And now Corey Williams is talking about them not being physical?

I almost don’t know what to write, I am so completely blown away by how stupid these comments by Corey Williams are. I have thought ever since the Bengals victory that the Browns had a chance to steal this game against the New York Giants, partly because the Giants would overlook the Browns and not be totally ready to play. Not anymore. Now they will come out fired up and the Browns will have to play even better to come away with the victory. They certainly have the talent to do so, but at this desperate point in the season it sure would be nice to face a team that is somewhat overlooking you.

Has it really come to this? Hoping for teams to overlook the Cleveland Browns so we can sneak up on them? Well, we went winless in the preseason, have one win so far against the winless Bengals with their backup QB in, we are riddled with injuries, and our supposedly high-octane offense looks like it belongs to a Big Ten team. Yes, I would say it’s come to this. This is the NFL we’re talking about here, a league where even the difference between 12-4 and 4-12 can be maddeningly thin sometimes, and the factors that determine victory and defeat can sometimes be random and sometimes be so unpredictable that the phrase “any given Sunday” is a fully accepted principle. I am afraid that Corey Williams just gave away one of the small advantages the Cleveland Browns had going into this game.

Can they still win? Absolutely. Should Corey Williams have kept his mouth shut? Abso-frieking-lutely.

The Browns better bring it on Monday night. Corey Williams’ big mouth just wrote an unnecessary check that his entire team is now burdened with cashing.

[tags]cleveland browns, nfl, football, kellen winslow, new york giants[/tags]