Cleveland Browns (4-11) at Houston Texans (5-10)
KICKOFF: Sunday, 1:00 ET
GAMEDATE: 12/31/06
SURFACE: Grass
TV: CBS, Don Criqui, Richard Baldinger
LIVE GAME CHAT:
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DISCUSSION:
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PREDICTION: Texans 19-17
2006 RANKINGS: Browns: offense 31st (31st rush, 23rd pass); defense 31st (30th
rush, 20th pass). Texans: offense 28th (21st rush, 24th pass); defense 24th
(20th rush, 24th pass)
KEYS TO THE GAME: The Browns have a trio of red flags offensively -- a
third-string quarterback with a weak arm playing behind a battered line minus
three starters. With QB Ken Dorsey unlikely to stretch the field much, Cleveland
has to get a strong effort out of RB Reuben Droughns if for no other reason than
to help even time of possession. The Browns' own run defense has been a major
disappointment, and the Texans' offense has received a boost from the strong
running of RB Ron Dayne down the stretch. QB David Carr still relies too much on
the dink-and-dunk passing game, but he should take at least a few shots
vertically to WR Andre Johnson. If Houston gets any kind of big plays out of its
passing game, it should coast with Cleveland likely to struggle to put points on
the board.
FAST FACTS: Browns: WR Braylon Edwards needs 162 receiving yards to become the
sixth player in franchise history with a 1,000-yard season. ... OLB Kamerion Wimbley is second among all NFL rookies with 10.0 sacks. Texans: Carr leads the
NFL with a 68.6 completion percentage. ... Dayne has rushed for at least 87
yards in a career-high four consecutive games.
PERSONNEL NEWS:
Browns:
--QB Charlie Frye said his main role in practice all week is to encourage his
teammates, as his injured right wrist is causing a lot of pain. Frye still may
try to play Sunday, though.
--WR Braylon Edwards was benched for the first quarter and a half against Tampa
Bay after he missed a meeting, and coach Romeo Crennel would not say if Edwards
would start this week in Houston.
--ILB Andra Davis continues to recover slowly from a blow to the head almost two
weeks ago. It appears likely he will not play Sunday, putting Chaun Thompson
back in the starting lineup.
--TE Kellen Winslow appears to be wearing down from the constant pounding on his
sore knee. Winslow has not missed a game, but he admits he cannot function as he
wants due to pain in his knee.
--WR Joe Jurevicius missed practice this week after taking a blow to the head
against Tampa. Jurevicius is not the kind to miss a game unless he absolutely
has to, though.
--WR Joshua Cribbs played quarterback at Kent State, but the Browns said they do
not plan to test him at QB in Houston. Coach Romeo Crennel said Cribbs has been
focusing on receiver.
Texans:
--DE Mario Williams will move from the right side to the left side Sunday,
replacing Anthony Weaver.
--DE Antwan Peek will alternate on the right side with Jason Babin against the
Browns on Sunday.
--DE Earl Cochran was promoted from the practice squad and will be part of the
eight-man rotation on the line.
--RB Ron Dayne (ankle) did not practice Thursday, but he is expected to get the
bulk of the carries Sunday.
--TE Owen Daniels (shoulder) did not practice again. He is going to be a
game-time decision.
INSIDE THE CAMPS:
Browns:
Ken Dorsey will have a makeshift offensive line in front of him Sunday when he
starts the season finale against Houston.
Dorsey probably will be without both starting guards, Cosey Coleman and Joe Andruzzi. Coleman hurt his knee and ankle in the loss to Tampa Bay, and Andruzzi
aggravated a knee injury.
That puts Lennie Friedman and undrafted free agent Rob Smith in the starting
lineup.
And that means two backup guards will be joining the third-team right tackle,
Nat Dorsey, on the field.
The Browns' top two quarterbacks are walking around with an injured wrist
(Charlie Frye) and injured shoulder (Derek Anderson).
If Dorsey expects to have any success and hopes not to join them on the
sideline, he will have to get rid of the ball in a hurry.
Texans:
There is nothing Mario Williams likes about being nicknamed "The Golden Child,"
but teammate N.D. Kalu cannot help himself. With the rookie sitting out
practices because of his plantar fasciitis, Kalu is the one taking Williams'
repetitions.
The routine has worked out for Williams, however. He is the only starter on the
defensive line not to land on injured reserve this season. On Sunday, Williams
will become the team's only defensive lineman to stay on the active roster for
every game.
Williams hasn't received many notes of congratulations from his teammates,
though. They enjoy ribbing him more.
"I'm always getting talked about for not practicing -- 'The Golden Child,' and
all this other crap," Williams said, rolling his eyes. "That's what N.D. calls
me."
Overhearing Williams' remarks in the locker room, Kalu defended the moniker he
bestowed on the 21-year-old.
"I'm 31 and I take all his reps during the week, and then he plays on Sunday,"
Kalu said.
The routine has kept Williams on the field, but it hasn't helped his development
much. With the coaches unable to work with him during the week, Williams has
been inconsistent.
"Nobody criticizes me more than me," said Williams, who has 45 tackles, 4.5
sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. "This season is not where it
needs to be for me or the team."
The Texans haven't needed Williams to shoulder the entire load of the line.
Thanks to general manager Rick Smith, the Texans have found players on the
waiver wire capable of replacing starting tackles Seth Payne and Travis Johnson.
Lional Dalton (now on the injured reserve), Cedric Killings, Thomas Johnson and
Anthony Maddox were all street free agents when the Texans called. They quickly
became critical components in a defense that has steadily improved despite the
injuries.
"They are a bunch of young guys who like to play football," defensive line coach
Bob Karmelowicz said. "When you consider this business as the world's longest
job interview, they are extending the interview process."