Browns Update

Lance A. Gentile

It was another close game, coming right down to the wire. It almost seems as if the Browns just don't want to win any of these games. Game after game, the offense gives the defense a lead, and the defense tries to give it away in the fourth quarter.

The Browns built up an 8 to nothing lead when Buffalo got the ball on the 30 yard line with 1:51 left to go in the fourth quarter. The Bills were able to drive all the way to the Browns 10 yard line, but turned it over on downs when the Browns defense played a bend but don't break style.

The Browns got great games out of Jamal Lewis, Braylon Edwards, and Phil Dawson who kicked some amazing field goals. Dawson kicked 49 and 35 yard field goals, which normally would be unspectacular, but in a blizzard, there were some of the best plays of the game. Cleveland also scored a safety when the snap to Bills punter Brian Moorman went over his head and Moorman booted the ball out for a safety instead of give up a potential touchdown. Jamal Lewis had 33 carries for 163 yards. He got better and better as the game went on and ate a lot of clock which really helped the defense out, who pitched a shutout. Opponents had scored at least 18 in every game before this, but the weather, along with Jamal's physical running, gave the defense a helping hand today.

Early in the game before Jamal toke over Braylon Edwards was dominating the secondary, jumping up and making circus like catches at will. If Braylon does not go to the Pro Bowl this year, something is seriously wrong. He has already posted career numbers in receptions (69), receiving yards (1170), and receiving touchdowns (13), and he still has a couple games to improve on those numbers.

As far as the playoffs go, Tennessee beat The Chiefs, so nothing is for certain, but the Browns are in the driver's seat for the 6th seed, and are actually tied with the Steelers for the Division Title. However, because the Steelers swept us in head-to-head play, the Browns need to win 1 more game than the Steelers to actually win the Title. Both the Steelers and Browns have weak schedules going forward, so it will be interesting to see the race for the Title plays out. The most encouraging thing is that the defense is finally starting to catch up to the offense ability, which will be huge in the post season.

Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills

Lance A. Gentile

Tailgaters beware, because the weather for this week's Browns game versus the Buffalo Bills will be quite extreme. The forecast at game time is 29 degrees Fahrenheit with a 90% chance of snow. There is a chance that the predicted snow and 20+ mph winds may cause the Browns to lean more on the power running game of Jamal Lewis instead of the strong arm of Derek Anderson. The weather may actually be an advantage for the Browns, as it negates the Deep Threat of Bills speedster Lee Evans. This is a big week for the Brownies, because a win, coupled with a loss by the Titans, and the Browns clinch a playoff spot for the first time since Butch Davis took them to the post-season in 2002. A win for either team would be huge, and would help to set the tone for the future of either franchise.

Cleveland Browns Scouting Report: What will most likely be the keys to this game will be how Jamal Lewis runs against Buffalo's 30th ranked defense, and how the Brown's 32nd ranked defense plays against the Bills. Cleveland will score, but what has cost Cleveland in its five losses has been the ability to run out the clock and hold the opposition's offense in the second half. If the Browns are able to overcome the harsh conditions, they should find much success in the air against a 28th ranked pass defense. Also, while the stat sheet hasn't shown it, the defense seems to be improving and an improved defense would be a huge asset in this game. If Cleveland can get a win, coupled with a loss by Tennessee, the Browns have clinched a playoff spot. Hope for a division title is slim, but still alive because of a weak schedule.

Buffalo Bills Scouting Report: The Bills appear to need to win this game much more than the Browns. They have a tough schedule to finish the season, with games against the Giants and Eagles. A win against the Browns would put them in a tie with the Browns for the 6th seed. The Bills have not had a berth since 1999, and a loss would have them waiting another year. Rookie quarterback Trent Edwards is 5-1 as a starter, and seems to have chemistry with big play receiver Lee Evans, and while no one outside of Buffalo would say that there offense is explosive, putting up 39 points on the scoreboard shows they are capable of scoring, especially against a weak defense like Cleveland's.

Prediction: Cleveland has played very well at home this year (5-0 when Anderson starts) and I think that continues. The Brown's defense steps up to win Browns - 28, Bills - 17.

Candlemass in Cleveland

Candlemass is coming to Cleveland with Daylight Dies on May 23, 2008. Blabbermouth posted new tour dates and tickets for the Peabody's show are currently on sale for only $18 from The Vault until December 20, 2007.

Epica is also coming to Peabody's on April 12, 2008 and we are eagerly awaiting the dates for the Progressive Nation Tour with Opeth, Dream Theater, Three, and Between the Buried and Me.

Beauty and Art

I updated the Artists and Galleries and Beauty Salons and Spas pages. Please check them out if you get a chance. I know there are many more wonderful local websites out there and it's challenging to find them all.

Please feel free to share your favorite local websites anytime. I love discovering all of the variety that our area has to offer.