By Mark Riley

Following a lackluster and flat half in which the Browns spotted the NY Jets 14 points and a 21-3 lead, Butch Davis passionate halftime speech to the players must have been Win one for the Gipperesque, as the Browns stormed out and buried the Jets in the swamps of the Meadowlands 24-21. Clearly, the Browns, with heavy hearts coming into the game on the heels of the monumental loss of team owner Al Lerner, found themselves emulating the dynamic Lerner, who like the team he owned, battled, and fought to the end, to secure the victory over the Jets.

Several players raised their hands and pointed to the sky at the end of the game, a gesture certainly embodying the appreciation the entire team feels for their fallen leader. Lerner's family was in attendance at the game and Tim Couch personally gave them a game ball for their support. "It didn't look very good" said Couch, speaking of the first half deficit, "But we wanted to win this one for Mr. Lerner, and these guys (the Browns) showed the same determination he did".

Couch was 33-46 for 307 yds and 2 TD passes. The Browns running game was again inept, but Couch more than made up for it, especially on a 2 pt conversion attempt, where, almost flat on his back, flipped a strike to Denis Northcutt, who leaped over 2 defenders to tie the game at 21. Phil Dawson nailed a 41 yd. field goal to give the Browns the lead, and a blocked Field Goal attempt by the Browns Courtney Brown with 44 seconds remaining sealed it for the good guys.

Certainly, Mr. Lerner would have reveled in this hard fought victory, and to him we offer our most sincere gratitude. Thank you Mr. Lerner, you brought the Pride back to Cleveland, and we will forever be grateful.

Next up, the hated Pittsburgh Steelers, and a showdown on the lakefront for 1st place in the AFC North. Its Pittsburgh week, and not in recent memory has this game meant as much, both to this improving team but to the memory of the man who made it all possible. Al Lerner 1933-2002.