It was a bizzare setting being in the booth at Cleveland Browns Stadium while fans were calling for the firing of just about eveybody involved with the organization. In the postgame press conference, a reporter asked Romeo Crennel if this was an embarrassing loss considering the opponent. Most Browns fans are knowledgable and were aware that the Texans had not won a road game in over a year. But they also should know a more talented team when they see it ,and that's what the Texans are.
Steve Slaton ran well despite injured ribs and Sage Rosenfels did enough to win despite throwing two picks. But the big story was on defense where Houston forced five takeaways against a team that had only turned the ball over ten times all season.
For all the criticism he gets, Jaques Reeves makes big plays. He leads the team with three picks and also forced a fumble Sunday. Anthony Weaver had his best game as a Texan with a pick and some big hits. And Mario Williams had a backfield ragdoll tackle on Jamal Lewis that could prompt a phone call by WWE.
There was also yet another reason why we should all appreciate the professionalism of Andre Johnson, who keeps performing at the top level on a team that's still finding it's way. Braylon Edwards was called out several times for loafing by Andre Ware on our broadcast, but that was nothing compared to the verbal beating the Browns fans applied. Edwards appeared to be lacking in effort on some fourth quarter plays. Derek Anderson, who came out of the bullpen for an ineffective Brady Quinn, kept going to his bell cow with terrible results. Throwing to a real cow would have yielded only slightly worse production.
There was no reason for a throng of Texans fans to meet the team at the airport, but this win should at least generate a good pat on the back considering how tough it's been to get anything done away from home. Now at 4-7, the Texans hope to get some late-season momentum going as they host Jacksonville in a Monday Night Football game.
The playoffs may be out of reach, but the only way to start a history-making winning streak is with one victory and they achieved that Sunday. Now, comes the hard part.
