Passing game shined in '07

01.15.2008

When he thinks about the way his team passed the ball for most of 2007, the defensive coordinator in Romeo Crennel feels something.

Something that's usually best treated with aspirin.

"We did give some defensive coordinators some headaches," Crennel said. "It's hard to defend all those weapons, and both Braylon (Edwards) and Kellen (Winslow) had big seasons.

"You also can't forget Joe Jurevicius, a sure-handed guy who made a considerable amount of first down catches. When we were clicking, it was pick your poison. It's hard to defend all those guys."

And as ClevelandBrowns.com's season wrapup series continues, we look back at the offense's high-flying accomplishments...

**It started in Week Two against the Bengals, as the Browns' season re-started with Derek Anderson as the starting quarterback. After missing on his first 5 passes, Anderson ended up throwing 5 touchdowns. The Browns won, 51-45, and Anderson was on his way to what would become a 3,787 yard season.

Not bad for a guy who couldn't win the job in a training camp battle.

"No, I wasn't really surprised that Derek came in and took off the way he did," Crennel said. "I'd seen what DA could do. I remember back to the Kansas City game (in 2006) when he first came in and made an impact.

"We won the game with bringing us from behind, and we won in overtime. The following week he was able to play and start and got off to a good on short week in Pittsburgh. We didn't give him a lot of help and we lost the game, but he showed some things.

"I didn't worry about his confidence. He believed in himself, and the guys believed in him, too."

**Edwards (82) and Winslow (80) combined for 162 catches and became just the ninth wide receiver/tight end duo in NFL history to each record more than 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. Jurevicius caught 50 passes for 614 yards.

**Crennel mentioned that after the Cincinnati game, his players' confidence was obvious. Once Edwards and Winslow took off, he was asked about the "problem" of getting and keeping all his skill players involved in the offensive game plan.

"It's a good problem to have," he said.

**Edwards shattered the franchise record with 16 receiving touchdowns and will play in the Pro Bowl on Feb. 10. Winslow -- who, like Anderson, is a first alternate for the Pro Bowl -- could join him due to an injury situation.

It was a breakout year for both players, but especially for Edwards, who'd vowed to be a better player and a better teammate in the preseason. He had a pair of TD catches in the Cincinnati win and three in the win over Miami in October, and his confidence soared.

"Braylon matured quite a bit," Crennel said. "He put his focus and concentration on trying to be the best football player he could be. And in doing that he became a really good football player. He helped this team quite a bit."