NOTEBOOK | From Cleveland Browns Stadium

Fan-frenzy: The fans played a major role in helping the Browns win their first home game of the season. "The fans were awesome today," said offensive lineman Barry Stokes. "They were first class and stuck with us." The crowd noise played a major role in frustrating Oakland's offense, which committed six false start penalties and 19 overall. "You just look at the number of penalties Oakland had. Some may be due to their inconsistencies and discipline, but our fans played a huge part today. They excite us. When they're up on their feet, cheering and screaming, it squeezes that extra ounce of adrenaline out of some of those defensive linemen to get that extra pass rush and to get the heat on the quarterback." Raiders receiver Jerry Rice said the crowd played a part, but wasn't making any excuses. "When you play in a hostile environment and the crowd is into it, maybe one or two [false-start penalties] you can overcome. Five or six is way too many."
Nice kick: Browns kicker Phil Dawson tied a career long with a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter. Dawson also made two 52-yard field goals last season -- against the Bengals and the Titans.
Say what? Raiders tight end Teyo Johnson had a unique way of celebrating his second quarter touchdown reception. "That was the Cleveland Browns wiggle," he said. "It simulated a bulldog, since we are in Cleveland and they are the Browns. If it had been in Kansas City, it may have been a rain dance or something. It just depends on what city and what team."
Penalty problems: Oakland struggled with penalties the whole game, but it was particularly bad on a drive in the third quarter when the Raiders committed five penalties in a three-minute span. "There really is no excuse for it," said Raiders tackle Langston Walker. "We kept getting backed up, backed up. It's just an anomaly. The moons must be perfectly aligned or something."
Keeping it going: Browns defensive end Courtney Brown -- last week's AFC defensive player of the week -- had another solid game, recording three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. He has five sacks this season, which is already a career high. Brown had 4 1/2 sacks in 2000 and 2001.
Up next: The Browns will play host to the San Diego Chargers next Sunday at 1 p.m. Chargers coach Mary Schottenheimer is a former coach of the Browns, leading them to the AFC Championship game in 1986 and '87.
-- Joe Scalzo