Wright, Harrison pick up slack

10.14.2007

The Browns were without a big piece of their offense Sundaywithout veteran running back Jamal Lewis, who was outwith a foot injury.

But his reserves picked up the slack and helped lead the team to a 41-31 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Jason Wright rushed for 59 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown, while Jerome Harrison notched career highs in both rushing yards (57) and carries (8) in the victory.

Wright said keeping the running game a productive part of the offense despite Lewis' absence was a goal for the team.

"We thrive on being a balanced offense and if someone goes down we still have to have that balance," Wright said. "That's what makes us good and keeps defenses on their heels. We can't become one-dimensional. It's not our style."

Wright started and carried the load throughout the contest, scoring on a 1-yard run on the team's first drive of the game.

"I'm a little tired today but it's a good tired," Wright said. "When you get a 'W' it doesn't matter. You feel pretty good."

Harrison played only two series but made his presence felt. On a touchdown drive during the first quarter, he rushed for 28 yards on 3 carries and caught a screen pass that went for 15 yards. They were key plays in what at the time was the Browns' longest drive of the season.

The drive ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Derek Anderson.

Harrison returned in the fourth quarter on another touchdown drive and rushed for 29 yards on 5 carries. The drive ended with a 16-yard passing score from Anderson to Braylon Edwards.

Sunday was Harrison's first game of the season. He was inactive for the club's first five contests.

"It can be really easy when you haven't been in to take it off mentally and he came in and played amazing," Wright said. "His vision was there as though he'd be playing all year."

Wright, however, said the credit should go to the team's offense line.

"When the second and third-string running backs can come in and be productive you know it's something bigger than the guys in the backfield," Wright said. "The offensive line did a fantastic job all day."

FINALLY HIS FIRST -- After nearly six games and several weeks of answering questions about it, rookie cornerback Eric Wright finally got his first interception of the season Sunday during the win.

During the fourth quarter, a Cleo Lemon pass intended for Chris Chambers in the end zone was tipped and caught by Wright.

Wright also was credited with 8 tackles and 2 passes defended in the game.

SLOWING GINN--The Browns were able to keep Ted Ginn, Jr.'s homecoming a quiet one Sunday. The club's special teams units limited the Dolphins rookie to 122 yards on 5 kick returns (24.4 avg.) and 1 punt return for 10 yards.

Meanwhile, he caught 1 pass for 32 yards.

Two Ginn kick returns were called back due to penalty. He returned a kick 57 yards to the Cleveland 45-yard-line midway through the second quarter but a holding penalty on Courtney Bryan brought it back to the Miami 20.

Ginn returned the opening kickoff in the second half 96 yards for a score but the return was brought back to the Dolphins' 25 after a Derek Hagan holding call.

PUNT TROUBLES -- Browns punter Dave Zastudil appeared a bit rusty in his first game back on the field since reaggravating a back injury four weeks ago against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Zastudil punted twice for a 34.5-yard average during the victory.

After a 32-yard punt during the third quarter, Zastudil left the field visibly upset. The ensuing drive ended in a Miami touchdown.

INACTIVES -- In addition to Lewis, also inactive for the Browns were Gary Baxter (knees), Isaac Sowells, Nat Dorsey, Travis Wilson, Darnell Dinkins (hand), and Louis Leonard. Ken Dorsey was the third quarterback.

Willie McGinest started at left outside linebacker in place of Antwan Peek. Shaun Smith started at defensive end in place of Orpheus Roye.

For the Dolphins, inactives were Lorenzo Booker, Travares Tillman (knee), Abraham Wright, Greg Camarillo, Vonnie Holliday (ankle), Rob Ninkovich, and Sam Rayburn. Rodrique Wright started in place of Holliday.

GOING TO THE GAME--Anderson and Edwards both said they'd be attending some of the Cleveland Indians' home games this week against the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 American League Championship Series.

Both, however, said they won't be pulling a LeBron James and wearing the opposing team's cap.

"I don't think (I'll be wearing one), but if I do it'll definitely be a Cleveland Indians hat," Edwards said.

QUICK HITS--Leigh Bodden's interception during the second quarter was his third of the season...With two field goals Sunday, Phil Dawson has now converted 9-of-10 field goals on the season...Willie McGinest, Dawson, Sean Jones, Andra Davis, and Steve Heiden served as pregame captains and attended the pregame coin toss... Attendance for the game was 73,198.