Browns lose in no time

Lions get extra plays and make the most of them, 38-37

By TONY GROSSI

THE Plain Dealer

DETROIT — It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Yogi Berra coined the phrase as manager of baseball’s New York Mets in 1973. The statement has been repeated so many times, it has become one of sports’ all-time tired cliches. Well, guess what? Yogi was right on.

Just ask the Browns.

They not only lost a game on the last play, they lost it a couple minutes after the game clock ticked down to :00.

In fact, the Browns watched the Detroit Lions complete three plays after the clock ran out — a Hail Mary that drew a pass interference penalty in the end zone, a 1-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew and an extra point.

“They wanted a miracle and that’s what they got,” said Josh Cribbs.

Final score: Lions 38, Browns 37.

The most productive offensive performance in the Eric Mangini era turned into the most profound defensive collapse, one of the franchise’s all-time giveaways.

“This one’s on us, the defense. This is our fault,” said linebacker David Bowens.

Even so, it appeared the Browns would not lose this game, which evolved into a shootout between Brady Quinn and Detroit’s Matthew Stafford, who both had career days.

The Browns recaptured control on Quinn’s fourth touchdown pass, a 2-yard throw to tight end Michael Gaines to move ahead, 37-31, with 5:44 to play. Safety Brodney Pool intercepted Stafford’s pass in the end zone with 3:40 to go and it seemeda Browns’ win was secured.

Detroit called its last timeout with 2:42 to go. After the two-minute warning, Quinn threw incomplete for Mohamed Massaquoi on third-and-5 from the Browns’ 42.

“I thought we had a chance to win the game with that play,” Mangini said, explaining why he didn’t keep the ball on the ground.

Stafford took over at the Lions’ 12 after the punt with 1:46 left. His fifth completion took the ball to the Browns’ 32 with eight seconds left. That’s when things got crazier.

Stafford took the shotgun snap, scrambled left to avoid pressure, ducked under a Browns defender and reversed his field to the right. He launched a Hail Mary in the direction of Johnson just before getting decleated by end C.J. Moseley.

Pool timed his stride perfectly to snatch the ball an instant before safety Abram Elam leveled Johnson. But what the officials saw behind the play was cornerback Hank Poteat pushing Bryant Johnson out of the back of the end zone.

Poteat said because Stafford left the pocket he felt that contact with the receiver was OK.

His problem was the ball was still in the air.

“I’ve never seen a pass interference on a Hail Mary before,” Quinn said. “It’s like the end of a basketball game. They usually just let guys play.”

The game clock was now at :00. Stafford writhed in pain on the ground holding his left shoulder. He was helped off the field and backup Daunte Culpepper trotted on as the ball was moved to the 1.

As Culpepper was approaching center, the Browns called timeout to avoid confusion and analyze the Lions’ offensive formation.

“We talked during the timeout about executing one more play,” Mangini said.

Pettigrew beat linebacker Jason Trusnik on an inside move and Stafford fired it to his rookie tight end as linebacker Kaluka Maiava came late from the other direction. Kicker Jason Hanson converted the PAT for the game-winner.

Quinn, displaying seldom-seen long throws throughout, passed for 304 yards and four touchdowns. His rating was 133.1. Chansi Stuckey, Cribbs, Gaines and Massaquoi had touchdown catches.

The Browns scored three touchdowns in the first quarter after scoring but five on offense in the last 15 games. Massaquoi’s TD grab was the first by a wide receiver in over a calendar year.

But it was all washed away in a blur of craziness at the end, the most bizarre ending seen in a Browns’ game ever. Everybody on the Browns’ side said they’d never been part of such a game where so much happened after time ran out.

“I’m just sick with the way this thing ended,” Mangini said.

“I can imagine how hurt our fans must be. Words can’t explain it,” said Cribbs.

Yogi found the right ones 36 years ago. It truly ain’t over till it’s over.