Crennel not thinking playoffs

12.10.2007

After Sunday's 24-18 win over the Jets, the Browns are 8-5 on the year and a game ahead of the Tennessee Titans for the second and final Wild Card playoff spot in the AFC.

But don't tell that to head coach Romeo Crennel, who continues to be steadfast in his desire to keep his team's eyes on the present.

"I don't know anything about playoffs," Crennel said when asked Monday about the postseason . "We play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Our focus all year has been to get ready for the next game.

"We know we can improve and we've been working hard every week to improve. If we keep working we give ourselves the best chance so that's what we're going to do."

Crennel does appear to have some knowledge of where his team stands in the playoff hunt. He referred to Sunday's matchup against the 7-6 Bills as a "huge game", saying he's glad it'll be played in the confines of Cleveland Browns Stadium.

"The biggest thing is, you have two teams who have similar records who are neck and neck and both teams are going to be fighting for their lives so it should be one of those knock-down-drag-out-type of games," he said.

Spending much of his press conference talking about Sunday's win, he said he was proud of his team's ability to play better on the road and not fall behind early in the game, as they have tended to do away from home this season.

"We feel good about being able to go to New York and come out with a victory," he said. "A win on the road is something we've been struggling with all year."

For the win, Crennel awarded game balls to Jamal Lewis and Ryan Tucker on offense, Kamerion Wimbley and Leon Williams on defense, and Joe Jurevicius and Mike Adams on defense.

Lewis rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, aided by the blocking of right guard Tucker (the offensive line didn't allow a sack Sunday either).

Williams had 9 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass defended, while Wimbley marked 4 tackles and a sack. Jurevicius recovered two onside kicks in the final two minutes of the game, while Adams registered 2 special teams tackles.

But despite the win, Crennel said he's not satisfied with the way his defense played during the fourth quarter.

The team allowed 12 points in the final frame on a touchdown and two field goals and nearly gave up the lead they had held for much of the game.

After the Browns limited Jets running back Thomas Jones to 41 yards through three quarters, he rushed for 65 yards in the fourth.

"Defensively we played pretty good for three quarters," Crennel said. "But in the fourth quarter we gave up some rushing yards and that kind of skewed the figures in the game."

Crennel said it's this inconsistency that has been a major storyline for the defense so far this season.

"As you watch our defense over the season there have been stretches where we've played very well," Crennel said. "Then there have been other times where they throw the ball over our head or the runner can run for 30 yards and we haven't been as consistent as we need to be.

"And we work at it...but we haven't gotten to where we need to be yet. We'll keep working at it as this season progresses."

The defense has been improving overall. They've allowed 20.7 points per game during their last three contests after allowing 30 or more points in the three prior games.

Finally, the Browns went into Sunday's game as healthy as they've been in weeks, welcoming the return of nose tackle Ethan Kelley and cornerback Eric Wright, each of whom missed two games with a knee injury.

In the absence of Kelley, the team had moved end Shaun Smith to nose tackle. Without end Orpheus Roye (knee) against Arizona, the team started backup Simon Fraser at one end spot.

Fellow lineman Robaire Smith (knee/neck) also has been nursing recent injuries.

With Wright out, the team moved Daven Holly into the starting lineup and slid Brandon McDonald into the nickel slot previously occupied by Holly. McDonald has turned into one of the pleasant surprises of the Browns' 2007 season.

Despite being banged up here and there, at this point in the season the Browns are fortunate to be as well-off as they are in terms of injuries.

"When you get to December in the NFL the season has taken a toll on a lot of guys," Crennel said. "Guys are beat up. You've had to replace some guys and that makes it tough, trying to keep up a standard. You try to work around it the best you can."

The team came out of the game mostly healthy but lost linebacker Antwan Peek to an ankle injury.

As Crennel said Monday, however, every team in the NFL is tired and beat up at this point in the season and it's up to the Browns to continue working on their inconsistencies and improve as the season comes to a close.

"There are a lot of things we can and need to do better," Crennel said. "We're still a work in progress. If we keep working at it that'll give us a chance."