Schemes take steam out of Browns

Pittsburgh's pressure on quarterback Tim Couch stifled Cleveland's offense in the second half.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CLEVELAND -- Halftime adjustments to their blitzing schemes keyed the Steelers' rally in the second half of their victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Pittsburgh sacked Browns quarterback Tim Couch seven times in the second half, and Jason Gildon was credited with 3 1/2 of them.
The defensive surge quickly sent the Browns' offense to the sidelines and kept Cleveland's weary defense on the field for most of the fourth quarter, as the Steelers rebounded for their third win over an AFC Central Division rival.
"We had to show some character to come back," said Gildon of the Browns' early 9-0 lead. "We grew up a lot today. It takes a tough game like this to bring us together as a team."
Once Pittsburgh broke through the Browns' line on the first offensive play of the third quarter, the sacks began to mount.
"They started bringing a little more pressure," said Couch. "We got off to a good start and were moving the ball effectively early. They switched up their coverage a little bit and tried to make me get rid of the ball early."
Switching up: Gildon agreed that Couch's early success forced the Steelers to adjust.
"In the beginning, they completed some quick passes on us," Gildon said. "We tightened the coverage up and threw some different blitzes at them. The cornerbacks did a good job.
"We decided that if he was going to throw it quick, we definitely were going to get some pressure on him with blitzes," Gildon said.
Cleveland coach Butch Davis said the game turned in Pittsburgh's favor when his offense failed on first down repeatedly in the second half.
"We put ourselves in third-and-long situations," Davis said.
After the Browns' Phil Dawson kicked a 40-yard field goal for a 12-9 lead in the third quarter, Cleveland's next 13 plays resulted in a loss of 4 yards.
In the meantime, the Steelers came close to scoring a touchdown, tied the game on a field goal and nearly won it in regulation.
Wasn't working: Couch said the Browns' game plan remained aggressive during the siege.
"We were trying to move the ball, but they did a good job of containing us," Couch said. "They have a great defense."
Center Dave Wohlabaugh laid the blame on the Browns' linemen.
"They started bringing more guys in later in the game, but it wasn't anything exotic we haven't seen before," Wohlabaugh said. "It was just a matter of executing, or in this case, not executing."
Steelers linebacker Earl Holmes said the avalanche of sacks had an effect on the crowd, particularly the Dawg Pound.
"It stopped their barking for a little bit," Holmes said. "They have good fans and we have good fans. Anytime you can win a division game on the road, it's a big win."