The Browns had four penalties on five punt returns, with two coming on one
play. Dennis Northcutt was credited with 38 yards on five returns, including a
long of 29 yards. However, the penalties put the Browns in the hole and hurt
them throughout the game in field position.
“I thought about the possibility of asking them to not block at all and maybe
we wouldn’t have any penalties,” Crennel said with a smile. ”Maybe, Dennis could
make someone miss on his own. We’re not making good choices in our blocks.
“The guys are trying to make a play, but sometimes we make the wrong choices
on the blocks.”
Northcutt didn’t want to criticize his teammates, but you can’t blame him for
being frustrated as he’s already had two touchdowns called back due to
penalties. He admitted that some of the blocks the players are making were not
necessary any way.
“We have to get better,” Northcutt said. “Obviously, when you have three
penalties on five punt returns, that’s not good and we’re not getting better.
“It’s not an individual game, so we have to get better as a unit,” he said.
“We have to keep working, until we get it right.”
Northcutt admitted it was in the back of his mind that there might be a flag
when he turns around.
“I have to go out there and give 110 percent each time I’m out there,” he
said. “I can’t slack off in my game.”
Crennel was asked what he would tell Northcutt.
“You tell Dennis Northcutt to do his job to the best of his ability,” Crennel
said. “And you tell the other guys to make better choices and do the best they
can. If they can’t you need to get better players in there.”
Injury Update: Crennel said LB Nick Speegle was the most significant
injury in the Ravens’ game. He said Speegle hurt his ankle and had X-rays. First
indications was the injury was negative, but he was getting an MRI done as a
precautionary today.
Crennel was asked about the status of S Michael Jameson and he said he hadn’t
made a decision on him yet. He said he was waiting to see the status of Speegle
before making a decision. Jameson was suspended the first four weeks of the
season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. A roster decision is due
on Jameson by later today.
New Legends: The Browns announced their four new inductees into the
Cleveland Browns Legends Club. They are Jimmy Ray Smith (1940s/1950s), Frank
Ryan (1960s), Jerry Sherk (1970s) and Frank Minnifield (1980s/1990s). The new
inductees will be honored at the Nov. 20 home game against the Dolphins.
To Go or Not To Go: Crennel was asked why he decided to punt the ball
away with 3:57 to play on fourth-and-6 from the Browns’ 28, rather than go for
it. The Browns had just one timeout left at the time.
“With that kind of time, maybe the defense can stop them and we can get the
ball back,” he said. “Should you take a chance to let the defense make a play or
go for it or let the offense go for it and if you didn’t make it you have no
chance to win.”
No Leigh: CB Leigh Bodden has been one of the Browns better special
teams players , but has been inactive the last two games. Crennel gave his
reasoning.
“Bodden is not active because we can only dress 45,” he said. “In choosing
who to dress, we chose guys at other positions.
“He works hard, but I can’t dress everybody,” he said. “The last two weeks
he’s been inactive, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be active for the rest of the
season.”