Gaines produces in Browns debut

10.25.2009

Browns tight end Michael Gaines has completed a whirlwind week.

After being released by the Bears last Saturday, Gaines was signed by the Browns on Wednesday and played in the team's 31-3 home loss to the Packers Sunday.

Gaines is playing in his sixth NFL season for his fifth team. He previously spent time with the Panthers, Bills, Lions and Bears.

"The week was crazy with everything," Gaines said following the game. "It's just part of the business," he added. "You've got to adjust along the way. You've got to remember, football's still football.

"I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing and play my style of game," he added. "I had to spend some extra time and get into the playbook. We communicated just fine. There was no confusion."

Gaines not only played, but played well with the opportunities he was given.

On the Browns' second drive of the game, Gaines caught a pass on the right side of the field for a gain of 9 yards. His catch helped set up Billy Cundiff's 22-yard field goal two seconds into the second quarter.

Late in the third quarter, the Browns had driven to Green Bay's 22-yard line. On first-and-ten, quarterback Derek Anderson dropped back and fired the ball over to Gaines on the right side of the field.

Gaines dove for the football, made the catch and rolled into the end zone. However, Gaines was marked down at the 1-yard line when Brandon Chillar made contact with him.

"After I looked up, I didn't even know I was that close to the end zone," said Gaines. "I was kind of upset that I didn't get in. I just put my hands out there and it stuck.

"As a player and it starts when you're little, when that ball's in the air, it's yours," he added. "If you can't get it, you're going to make sure nobody else gets it."

Gaines led the Browns with 2 receptions for 30 yards. His 21-yard catch was second only to Mohamed Massaquoi's 22-yarder late in the first quarter.

"I'm a football player," he said. "I've been doing this all my life, just making plays. That's what you want your players to do. I know Coach (Eric) Mangini expects that out of all of us. Even though, I'm a week old, nothing changes. You've got to make sure your teammates trust you."