Ravens 34, Browns 3: Game Balls
Written by Dan McGrain September 27th, 2009 
Offensive Game Ball: Derrick Mason. Actually, lots of good news to go around on offense. But for 800 career receptions and one of the most fun TD receptions in recent memory – it goes to the vet and the leader. Mason made some nice catches throughout the game, a few for first downs, a few classic outs. But his 72 yard reception, turning to the ball, shaking the defender and strutting into the endzone: priceless.
Yellow Game Ball: Mike Furrey, Browns. The Browns wide out actually had a decent game when all was said and done, totaling four catches for 40 yards. And a few of those catches stung the Ravens. What wasn’t so hot, though, was his reception on the Browns first play of the game. Furrey caught the ball crossing about five yards out and promptly planted his bum on the turf. Seeing Ray Lewis out of the corner of your eye, Mike? Take the hit. [Honorable Mention to Eric Mangini opting for the field goal with the score 27-0 in the fourth quarter.]
Don’t Blink Game Ball: Domonique Foxworth. Foxworth helped get Brady Quinn benched with his first quarter pick. I’m not sure whether he was tipped off by coaches or just did his film study, but with Braylon Edwards running straight at him, trying to sell the fly route, Foxworth didn’t move. Seriously, he didn’t flinch a muscle. And when Edwards let up and turned for the hook, Foxworth coolly stepped in front and took the pick. He also did his best Ed Reed impersonation, perilously pitching the ball to Reed for a few extra yards on the return.
Double Trouble Game Ball: Willis McGahee. McGahee is seeing fewer touches this year, but he’s making more of them. Apparently McGahee’s motto these days is “Twice as Nice,” finding the endzone two times for the third straight game. Today’s touchdowns were both on the ground and both involved McGahee prancing across the goalline untouched.
Underrated Game Ball: Dwan Edwards. The back-up defensive lineman was all over the field today. He wasn’t always making the big hit or even making the final hit, but he was a big part of getting pressure on the Browns QBs and closing holes in the run. Edwards certainly isn’t one of the Ravens bigger names on defense, but he is the classic example of a selfless player who plays his role for the team’s benefit.
Dumba** Game Ball: Eric Mangini, Browns Coach. Eric, Eric, Eric. You just weren’t made for this NFL coaching thing. Maybe quarterback controversy just follows you around. Brady Quinn wasn’t particularly good in the first half against the Ravens, but he also didn’t have much time to prove himself. The choice to switch to Derek Anderson mid-game was shortsighted and will come back to bite you in the ass.
Bite Your Tongue Game Ball: Steve Tasker, Announcer. I was actually quite pleased with the announcers today, which is an oddity. There was no sugar-coating of how bad the Browns were, no “let’s be nice” for the sake of the league. But one moment had me, and everyone, laughing a bit. Just as the Browns took the field in the fourth quarter, following their first and only scoring drive of the day, Tasker decided to praise Derek Anderson for his ability to turn the Browns around. Mid-sentence, of course, Anderson threw his second interception of the day, to Dawan Landry. Tasker quickly corrected himself, with a chuckle.
Defensive Game Ball: Brendon Ayanbadejo. The back-up linebacker has been seeing more time recently, rotating in with Tavares Gooden, Jameel McClain and Antwan Barnes. Today he showed why. Four tackles, a sack, a pass deflection and an interception. Ayanbadejo was so good that he caught his interception of Derek Anderson with his gut. Actually, he didn’t even seem to be trying for the interception, but the ball stuck and he took it.
Teammate Game Ball: Derek Anderson, Browns. No better way to show his Ravens pride than tossing three to his old teammates when they counted most.
First Down Machine Game Ball: Kelly Washington. I’ve given Washington some trouble in recent weeks, but only because I love him. Washington caught five passes this week (proving more valuable than just about all of this year’s drafted receivers), and several for ffirst downs. In fact, I can only remember a pair of Washington catches this season that did not result in first downs. The man comes up big when it counts. Thankfully, the dancing has subsided… finally.
Scary Good Game Ball: Joe Flacco and Cam Cameron. The pair certainly know how to run an offense. Flacco set another career high with 347 passing yards today. The team continued its offensive explosion with 34 points. My only complaint is that their pass-happy, score quick approach ruined my prediction of getting both McGahee and Ray Rice to 100 yards. Not often that a team passes the ball 37 times and runs it only 28 in this kind of rout.
Silent Game Ball: Josh Cribbs and Braylon Edwards, Browns. The Browns only true offensive weapons, and the only players that had most Ravens fans worried. And both failed to show up. Their disappearance was TO-esque.
First Timer Game Ball: Ray Rice. Special congratulations to Ray Rice who found the endzone for the first time in this NFL career. Hard to believe that it took 22 games (including the post-season last year). Rice’s 9-yard scamper seemed to excite everyone on the Ravens. The little man deserved it.

September 28th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Glad you handed one out to Kelly Washington, he has been a real pleasant suprise so far, now if he would have caught that TD pass, he would have been up for the Offensive Game Ball.
September 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Cam and Joe……I loved it. After the dirty and chippy play by Rodgers and Co. I felt like Cam told Joe to put it up there to Mase and shut them up. On cue, Joe Cool did it