From: mocnik@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Browns News - Nov 20th (Vikings' game)
Date: 20 Nov 92 09:43:18 EST

Browns News - Nov 20th
----------------------

The Browns travel to Minneapolis to play the Vikings this Sunday at 1pm EST.
The Vikings lost to the Oilers last week. They have a 7-3 record. Their 3 
losses have been to the Lions in Pontiac, the Redskins and Oilers at home.
They have beaten: Green Bay, Tampa Bay (2), Cincinnati, Chicago (2), and
Detroit. None of these teams have winning records now, but Tampa Bay (2-0)
and Cincinnati (2-1) had winning records when they played the Vikings.
The Vikings have a 3 game lead in their division, the NFC Central.

The Browns are 5-5, and in third place in their division. The Browns have
forced a turnover in 23 of the last 24 games.

The Vikings are playing very good under first year head coach Dennis Green.
They are playing aggressive defense again. Their front 4 is putting
a lot of pressure on opposing QB's. They are near the NFL lead in sacks 
(34, Browns - 24). They have 18 interceptions (Browns 7). And their defense 
has scored a TD in each of the last 3 gmaes. Overall their defense has scored 
5 TD's. 

Their offensive-style is similar to the Redskins and Chargers. Terry Allen has
excelled at running back and with Anthony Carter, Cris Carter, and Steve 
Jordan catching Rich Gannon's passes, the offense looks to be unstoppable. 
Rich Gannon also has speed, so his running ability becomes a major weapon. 
Rich is inconsistent at times though. He has been sacked 29 times (Browns-24),
and has thrown 10 interceptions (Browns -7). They have scored 12 rushing TD's,
and 14 passing TD's (Browns rush-4, pass-11). Third down efficiency is 41%,
(Browns -34%).

They have decent kickers in Reveiz and Newsome. Reveiz is perfect on 32
extra points and is 11/14 in Field goals.  Newsome has had 1 punt blocked.

NOTES:
1. Richard Brown will be out the rest of the year. He had surgery on his knee 
   Tuesday. He got injured in the 3rd quarter of the Charger game. Richard was
   used mainly on special teams. He also was a backup at middle linebacker.
   Johnnie Cooks and Fred Foggie are being mentioned as possible replacements.
   Johnnie was waived in training camp by the Browns, and Fred is currently on
   the practice squad. Fred is a DB who was with the Falcons in training 
   camp this summer, Johnnie is a LB.

   The Browns signed Alan Haller, DB from Michigan State to their practice
   squad. Alan was waived by the Steelers Wednesday.

2. Brad Goebel, QB, was released.

3. Bernie Kosar is practicing with the "scout" squad this week. He will NOT
   play this Sunday, but hopes to be ready for next Sunday against the Bears.
   There is speculation that he may be activated for this game, although
   Belchick said in today's paper, that it is unlikely.
   Todd Philcox is also getting practice time this week.

4. Mike Tomczak starts, Belichick announced on Monday. No QB controversy
   this week.

5. Michael Dean Perry (knee) is listed as probable. 

6. The roster as it stands today:
 
WR - L. Tillman, M. Jackson, Rico Smith, Shawn Collins, Keenan McCardell
TE - Bavaro, Galbraith, Kinchen
OL - T. Jones, B. Dahl, J. Hilgenberg, E. King, D. Fike, F. Childress, 
     Lance Zeno
RB - Mack, Metcalf, Hoard, Vardell, Baldwin, Wolfley
QB - Tomczak, Philcox 
PK - Matt Stover
P  - Brian Hansen
DB - S. Moore, Minnifield, T. Taylor, V. Newsome, E. Turner, R. Hilliard,
     E. Walls, Harlon Barnett
LB - Clay Matthews, Mike Johnson, David Brandon, Frank Stams, Cedric Figero
DL - M.D. Perry, J. Jones, A. Pleasant, R. Burnett, E. Logan, Bill Johnson, 
     Pio Sagapouletele

Plus 2 more openings which will be announced today or tomorrow.

On Injured Reserve:
- Pete Holohan(TE), Kosar(QB), Gerald Dixon(LB), George Williams(DL),
  Rod Milstead(OG), John Rienstra(OG)

Out for Year:
  Patrick Rowe(WR), Richard Brown(LB), Derrick Douglas(RB), Paul Farren(OL)

-in a previous note, I had said, Rod Milstead was activated from the IR List.
 Instead Keenan McCardall was activated for the Charger game from the 
 practice squad.
-also, the only remaining "Free" move from IR will go to Bernie Kosar. This
 means to activate any other player from IR, that person will have to
 pass waivers. 
-an interesting note, I read in ProFootball Weekly, concerning the IR list:

 "Players placed on reserve/injured after the final cut to 47 must miss 4 
  weeks before being eligible to practice and/or be activated. Players on
  teams with a bye week during their stay on reserve can count that week
  against the allotted four. An I.R. player who begins practicing counts 
  against that team's limit of 6 practice squad players. Each team receives
  5 free activations during the regular season. Players activated from
  reserve/physically unable to perform do not count against the free
  activations unless activation occurs after Week Nine."
 
keys to Browns winning:
----------------------
- This game reminds me of the Oilers game. If the Browns can
  play like they did in the Oiler game, they have a chance to win the game. 
  If they don't, it will be another blowout, like the pre-season game.
- The Browns must get 5 yards or more on first down. This will not allow the
  defensive front to "tee" off on Tomczak.
- Eric Metcalf must have a big game.
- The defense must not allow any quick strikes for TD's. The Vikings like to 
  throw deep. They get into trouble when they have to march slowly.
- The defense or special teams must get a TD.

Predictions:
(for what it's worth, I've been wrong most of the season)
- This is an asto-turf game again. The Browns are 2-12 in their last 14 on the
  rug. They beat the Oilers the last time they played on the carpet.
- The Browns are 3-2 on the road this year, with wins in New England, Los
  Angeles, and Houston. They have lost to Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
- This may be Tomczak's last start, with Bernie almost ready to play. He would
  like to go out in style. 
- I have a feeling Tomczak will get hurt though in this game. Philcox will 
  come in and lead the Browns to a score.

Finally, I don't think the Browns will win the game.

My heart says the score should be close, something like 24-20,
but my gut feeling is that this game will end up a blowout, 42-10.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!

-------------+---------------------------------------------------------
             |  
Don Mocnik   |        I CANNOT e-mail my reports to individuals. I do not
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             |        please look there. Thanks.
             |
             | Cleveland Sports Mailing List is controlled by Richard Kowicki.
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Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro