Browns defensive tackle Gerard Warren certainly has taken advantage of the
presence of interim coach Terry Robiskie.
Warren has played his best football in years since Butch Davis resigned as
coach Nov. 30. He was a force in the 22-14 win over the Texans Sunday.
Although Warren had just two tackles, he constantly pressured quarterback
David Carr and disrupted runs.
“He (Robiskie) came in and cut all the cords and strings,” Warren said. “
Instead of letting me be a puppet, he let me be a man. That’s why I have nothing
but love for him, and I’ll ride and die with him.”
Warren thinks that the defense would have received more praise throughout
this season if the offense hadn’t struggled on almost a weekly basis. The fact
the offense gave the defense a rare lead with which to work was one reason for
the six sacks registered by the defense.
“When you put points on the board, we’re going to raise heck out there on the
field,” Warren said. “We’ve been down the whole season. The offense came out
today and threw the ball down the field, and we kicked field goals.”
HOLCOMB, BRYANT TIFF: Quarterback Kelly Holcomb and receiver Antonio Bryant
had a shouting match on the sideline after a Holcomb pass was intercepted by
Demarcus Faggins late in the second quarter.
At one point Holcomb shoved Bryant. Holcomb would only say that the two
miscommunicated on the play.
Robiskie said that Holcomb thought Bryant, who was running a short crossing
route, gave up on the play.
“You can go ask him (Holcomb) all the details,” Bryant said. “I’m here to
play football. I’m done with all that. I’m a man, so whatever it is, I’m going
to stand up for myself.”
Holcomb will be eligible for free agency in March. He said after the game
that he wants to remain in Cleveland, but he’s not certain if things can be
worked out.
“It’s not just about me any more,” Holcomb said. “It’s about my family.
Certainly I would like to stay, but it comes down to a business sometimes, and
sometimes things have to be done.”
GAME NOTES: Running back Lee Suggs gained 131 yards on 26 carries to
finish the season with three straight 100-plus yard games. The last Browns back
to achieve that streak was Greg Pruitt in 1978.
Cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, who has a shoulder injury, was deactivated.
Lewis Sanders started in his place. Defensive end Kenard Lang, who has had a
problem with an ankle injury, didn’t start. He was replaced by Michael Myers.
The Texans entered the game having not allowed as touchdown for 11
consecutive quarters, the longest streak in the NFL. The streak ended with a
9-yard touchdown pass from Holcomb to tight end Steve Heiden in the third
quarter.