By Matt Celebrezze
This report filed January 1, 2002

Not exactly what you would call a defensive struggle.

If any demons were exorcised in Sundays’ come from behind 41-38 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Butch Davis was not sharing.

“There have been several cases of our playmakers having good games at different points throughout the season,” Davis said. “The problem has been that they all haven’t had big games on the same day.”

A balanced offensive stat sheet has eluded the Browns, particularly over the four game losing streak. Against the Titans, Quincy Morgan, Andre King, Jamel White, JaJuan Dawson, and O.J. Santiago each averaged at least 18 yards per catch. Tim Couch was a stellar 20-of-27 passing.

“I’ve been around plenty of good quarterbacks,” Davis said. “From Bernie Kosar to Troy Aikman to Ken Dorsey. All of those guys are able to get over negative things like interceptions or bad reads. If you carry that kind of baggage with you, you just won’t play well the rest of the game. Tim’s poise is outstanding. He has a really good grasp of his pocket presence.”

All season long, the defense has been the playmaker with a key sack or interception. Tables were turned on their ear Sunday, with the realization that the offense is learning to trust each other when the chips are down. Universal trust is ongoing throughout the season, but to have it truly come to fruition in a stunning comeback only solidifies and renews belief in the future.

“There is an element of pride and respect,” Davis said. “Winning is it’s own reward, though. Winners play to win. We’ve learned lots of lessons throughout the season. I’ve never been anywhere where I’ve had this volume of players unable to perform due to injury.”

The emergence of Andre King has been a slightly unforeseen bright spot. After his name was announced as the Browns seventh-round draft pick in April, I recall the emotion that poured out of him during the conference call. A 28-year old rookie given a chance by Butch Davis at the University of Miami, King has finally found a professional opportunity, and is making his chance count yet again. If you looked at the glass as half-empty, you would have speculated, as some did, that Butch Davis was simply doing King a favor by drafting him.

“I think Andre would be the first to tell you that if he didn’t belong here he wouldn’t be here,” Davis said. “Regardless of what school anybody goes to, guys make this team based on their ability to help the team win games. You need a great work ethic and character, but you also have to have the talent to contribute.”

All three elements were on display team-wide on Sunday.

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