Cleveland Browns Lack a Hero in Sunday's Loss Against Philadelphia

The Cleveland Browns found themselves in a familiar position in their 2012 home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. In a down to the wire nail-biter, the Browns clung to a 6 point lead, late in the 4th quarter. With 1:23 left to go in the game, it was a Vick touchdown strike to Chris Harbor and the ensuing extra point that would give the Eagles a 17-16 lead.

Brandon Weeden's fourth interception of the game, on the first play from scrimmage on the Browns' last drive would seal the Eagles victory.

In a game that most saw no chance of a Cleveland victory, they found themselves in position to win the game through a well executed Dick Jauron defensive game plan. But it was the lack of a "hero moment" that did them in. The best I can give for the Browns efforts today would be honorable mentions. There are plenty to go around on the defensive side of the ball.

The offense is quite another story. The Browns found themselves unable to move the ball when they needed to the most. The offense seemingly picked up right where it left off last year, unable to put the ball in the end zone.

What follows is a list of players who showed up, players who didn't, and a few hero moments that proved not to be. 

Who Showed Up

Dick Jauron's game plan for Mike Vick was masterful. He aggressively attacked the Eagles quarterback throughout the game through delayed and corner blitz's. Most the game, he kept Vick off rhythm, forcing four interceptions. The Browns defense held a high-powered Eagles offense to 17 points. And while the Browns gave up a combined 456 net yards (306 net passing, 150 net rushing), the defense played well enough to win the game, were it not for an anemic offensive effort.

Jackson Was a Field General

D'Qwell Jackson was credited for only one solo tackle and 2 assists, but as Browns fans have become used to seeing from him, he was all over the field. He deflected a pass that was intercepted by linebacker L.J. Fort, and later intercepted one of his own, returning 27 yards for the Browns lone touchdown.

Ward Gives a Solid Effort in the Browns' Loss.

T.J. Ward was tied for a team high 7 solo tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble.  Like Jackson, he was all over the field, and often in Vick's face on delayed blitzes. 

Robertson and Skrine Made It a Long Day for the Eagles Offense

While neither of them are pictured in the slide, they all had big moments today that made Vick feel much like he did pictured above.

First year linebacker Craig Robertson wasn't even supposed to start today, but chipped in with 5 solo tackles, 3 assists, and an interception.

Defensive back Buster Skrine, who filled in for the injured Sheldon Brown, most the game, had 7 solo tackles and made his presence known to Mike Vick, narrowly missing a sack on at least one occasion.

Dawson's 200th Game No Different from the 199 Prior

Phil Dawson was a perfect 3 for 3 today, along with an extra point, contributing 10 of the Browns 16 points today. Not dazzling, not amazing, but steady and reliable. Were it not for Dawson, the Browns would rarely find themselves in a position to win, today was no different.

Who Didn't Show Up

It's being kind, stating that Brandon Weeden had a rough go in his first ever NFL game. He was 12 for 35 with 4 interceptions and has yet to feel what it's like to throw a touchdown in the NFL. While he completed a few really nice passes, three of his four interceptions were ill-advised throws. One ended any chance of a last minute drive, leaving a timeout and 3 downs on the field by throwing an interception on his very first play from scrimmage on the Browns' last drive.

He held strong in the pocket most of the game but clearly looked out of his element against a tough Philadelphia defense. He can breathe a sigh of relief getting through his first NFL game as a starter, but knowing that it was a game his team could have won and his poor numbers being a large contributing factor to the loss can't sit well with him. I only hope he learns from this game and moves on.

Richardson Kept in Check Shows a Single Preview of What's to Come

So impressive was Richardson's helmet removal assist on Kurt Coleman, that a picture simply doesn't do it justice. Browns fans replay this often. I have. Unfortunately, that is the extent of Richardson's highlight reel in a rather inauspicious debut as the Browns' highly touted 3rd overall pick.

The Eagles did, for the most part, what those against drafting Richardson said teams would do. They put 8 in the box on him and he simply didn't have lanes to run. The ineffective passing game didn't offer him any help, but minus a nice cut on a few runs, he just simply wasn't able to get anything going today, he finished with 19 carries for 39 yards, a long of 9.

Oh yeah, and he exploded a dude's helmet off his head about 10 yards up field. I think I'll watch it again before moving to the next slide.

A Hero's Moment Not Meant to Be

In a game like this one, a defensive struggle with 9 turnovers between both opponents, it was a hero moment that separated the winner from the loser. Mike Vick received the de facto hero medal, despite a brutal outing because he came through when he needed to most, throwing the game winning touchdown with 1:23 left to go in the game.

It seems that is what is lacking on this Browns team. That one player that can step up at the right time and take victory from the jaws of defeat (the only scenario this team seems to find itself in during a close game).

One such player COULD have been L.J. Fort, who dropped an interception in the end zone, one play before Vick would throw the go ahead TD pass. While he actually played a good game, including an interception earlier on, it was that moment passed, where he would have etched himself in Browns history and became an instant fan favorite. That moment that wasn't meant to be.

Fort wasn't alone though. Earlier in the game Brandon Weeden had driven the Browns inside the 5 yard line. Now it would be unfair to put it all on Weeden, but if someone, anyone, could have showed up and made it 6 points rather than Dawson's 3, the Browns would be looking at 1-0.

Finally, while I can't be certain, because Eric Hagg simply stopped running, it also appeared on the Eagles last drive, Hagg could have had, at the very least, a diving attempt for an interception on a Vick throw that sailed beyond his intended target. We'll never know though, because he trotted to a stop and the ball harmlessly skipped the turf what looked like a mere 2 or 3 feet from him.

It appears the Browns are short on heroes, and today that was the difference between a win and a loss.