Despite achieving a 4-0 edge in turnovers, the Saints lost to the Browns, thanks
in large part to a 0-9 deficit in the sack department.  The offense was unable
to convert Cleveland's miscues into points and in general looked awful.  All
in all, a frustrating game.


The game got off to a bad start when a poor Joel Hilgenberg snap went over Wade
Wilson's head to the two yard line on the Saints' third play from scrimmage. 
The ensuing punt gave the Browns the ball at the NO 35.  Cleveland used the
good field position to produce a 8 yard TD pass from Philcox to Michael
Jackson.

Tyrone Hughes returned the kickoff to the Cleveland 48 where he was tackled
by his facemask (no call).  A 19 yard catch by Hoby Brenner and a great effort
on a fake reverse by Dalton Hilliard were the big plays that set up a 10 yard
TD catch by Eric Martin. 

On the next drive, A 23 yard catch by Michael Jackson helped move the Browns
into position for a successful 43 yard FG.  After a 3 & punt Saint series, 
Renaldo Turnbull netted his first career interception at the Cleveland 39.
However, two incomplete passes and a sack ended the Saints' threat.

After downing the punt at the 8, two runs for no yardage and an illegal
procedure penalty had the Browns facing a 3rd and 14 from their own 4.  
Unfortunately, the refs missed the hold on Toi Cook that allowed New Orleanian
Leroy Hoard to gain 41 yards on a Testaverde screen pass.  Former Saint
Brian Hansen was forced to punt 3 plays later, but the Browns were out of the
hole.

After reaching their own 48, the Saints were knocked back by a holding call
and another sack.  The Browns attempted a cross-field lateral on the punt, but
the Saints did a good job of defending it.  Cleveland managed to reach the
NO 43 before the defense forced a punt.  

A punt exchange gave the Saints the ball on the Cleveland 45 with 15 seconds
left in the half.  Following two incomplete passes, a Hilliard draw moved
the ball into field goal range.  Unfortunately, the officials ruled that time 
had expired before the Saints called for a time out. 

The defense created another opportunity for Wilson & Co. when Pig Goff knocked
the ball loose from Hoard at the Cleveland 20.  Once again, a third down sack
ended the threat and the Saints settled for a 41 yard FG.

The defense responded once more when Gene Atkins outjumped Toi Cook to pick
off a pass and return it to the NO 38.  The offense reached midfield
before an eleven yard Hilliard loss and a fourteen yard sack killed the drive.

A 55 yard Eric Metcalf burst up the middle through the weary Saint defense
set up a 4 yard TD catch by Jackson to put the Browns up by seven.  After the
offense was stymied, the Saints got a break when Metcalf muffed the punt 
at the Browns' 33.  An Irv Smith catch and a Hilliard run moved the
ball to the 7, but once again Morten was called upon.  His kick was good
from 27 with about 14 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.

After the teams swapped punts, Vince Buck and Wayne Martin dropped potential
interceptions on consecutive plays in Cleveland territory.  A great Eric 
Martin effort to pick up a first down at the NO 41 was wasted when two sacks 
and an incompletion ended the drive.  However, three straight Testaverde
incomplete passes and a punt returned the ball to the 41.  The Saints
managed to make it to the Browns' 47, but yet another sack led to another
punt with about 4 minutes to go.

Philcox came back in to run off all but the last 20 seconds from the clock,
leaving the Saints enough time for a final comical play that ended on their
own one.


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Frank Serpas III