Porter's notes: Browns might've dozed off, but they woke up in time
After taking vacation time most of the third quarter and watching the Dolphins get back into the game, the Browns answered the bell at the end of the third and early in the fourth.
Miami cut a 27-10 halftime deficit to 27-24 by scoring on its first two possessions of the second half.
Then Browns QB Derek Anderson marched the offense down the field on 12 plays and covered 66 yards. Anderson converted two third-downs, the first on a 10-yard pass to Joe Jurevicius. On the second, Anderson scrambled 8 yards to the Miami 6. On third-and-goal, he gunned a pass into Braylon Edwards' belly for a the score and 34-24 lead.
It kept it a two-possession game and helped break Miami's spirit.
They said it
"If I do wear a hat, it'll definitely be a Cleveland Indians hat."
Brown WR Braylon Edwards on going to see the Indians in the ALCS
"Throwing the ball away isn't a bad decision. Sometimes it's the best decision to throw it away, because it avoids a negative play. That's a good thing."
Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel on the maturation process of QB Derek Anderson
Player of the game
Derek Anderson
Sure, WR Braylon Edwards tied a franchise record with three TD receptions, but he dropped at least one pass early in the game.
Anderson was solid for four quarters. He didn't throw an interception. He threw the ball away when he should. In all, Anderson maybe had one incomplete pass that was his fault. He completed 18-of-25 passes for 245 yards and had a passer rating of 142.5. He's thrown for close to 1,500 yards in six games and has an 89 passer rating for the season.
Up and down
Joey Porter who? Miami's loudmouth linebacker was relatively quiet. He had just four tackles and was burned by nemesis Kellen Winslow Jr. for a 33-yard gain that set up a Browns score.
"I told you he was a receiver. There's nothing I can say to sugarcoat that one. He made a heck of a play," Porter said.
Cleveland native and former Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. had a long kickoff return for the Dolphins that was called back. Ginn caught one pass for 32 yards.
Browns RB Jerome Harrison hasn't gotten much playing time, but he made the most of his eight carries Sunday. Harrison had 57 yards and averaged 7.1 a carry.
Browns punter Dave Zastudil, who returned from a back injury, struggled. His net average was under 30 yards.
Brady watch
At halftime, it looked like QB Brady Quinn might get his first garbage time snaps of the season. But two quick Dolphin TDs to start the second half ended that thought.
The biggest Quinn sighting came before the game. A large RV rolled past Cleveland Browns Stadium painted in the team's colors with a large No. 10 and Quinn painted on both sides.
Quick hitters
Braylon Edwards is the 10th Browns wide receiver to catch three TD receptions in one game.
Anderson's 142.5 passer rating was the 11th best in team history.
Yes, the Browns really have scored 40-plus points twice this season. Through six games, they have 167 points. Cleveland scored 238 all of
last season.
Cleveland had two scoring drives that combined to take off more than 12 minutes off the clock.
Grading the "O"
A
There was not a 100-yard rusher, but put Jerome Harrison and Jason Wright together, and they filled in just fine for injured starter Jamal Lewis. The pair combined to run for 116 yards on 28 carries. Anderson was lights out. Edwards didn't let an early dropped pass stretch on into the game. The offensive line opened holes in the running games and gave up just one sack. Afternoons for Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinski won't get much better than that.
Grading the "D"
D
Despite facing an inexperienced QB in Cleo Lemon, the Browns still gave up too many points and allowed Miami back in the game. If Cleveland's defense can't stop Miami's offense coming out of the locker room in the second half, who can it stop? The defense gave up 356 yards and 24 points. It was the offense that carried this game.
Grading the coaches
A
Head Coach Romeo Crennel deserves credit for sticking with and teaching QB Derek Anderson the importance of making good decisions. The Browns enter the bye week at 3-3, with the blocked field goal at Oakland standing between a winning record. If Cleveland learns how to play defense this season, it could be an interesting run into the winter.