Gary Barnidge: Returns to end zone versus 49ers

“… I wanted to let (the emotion) in, but I also wanted to play well”.

Despite the 49ers’ desire to keep the inexperienced Hayne on their practice squad, the team might not have a choice but to promote him to their 53-man squad for the remaining three games of their season. Crowell has now scored in three different games this year, with the Browns tallying their only wins of the season in those games. If Manziel continues his improvement against those quality opponents, the Browns might be willing to invest more time in him. “It’s obvious that we don’t understand the consistency that you have to have in this league”. Every week, we’re mentally prepared. “The longtime executive said he thought coach Mike Pettine’s decision to bench Manziel in Week 12 reinforced well-established perceptions that coaches had “lost faith” in Manziel while ownership and the front office still had hopes for the quarterback”. Crowell rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns, while Johnson gained 78 yards on the ground. It was the Browns’ first 100+ yard rusher since Week 4 of the 2014 season.

Browns defensive lineman Desmond Bryant, who had 11/2 sacks, said Cleveland had a plan for containing the mobile Gabbert.

Safety Donte Whitner added, “We just decided we were all going to do our jobs”. He finished with two sacks.

The Browns did it on a flawless mixture of the run and pass game as they piled up 481 yards of total offense.

Crowell’s 1-yard run into the end zone gave the Browns a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. With Travis Benjamin hobbled, Dwayne Bowe inactive and Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel out, Manziel did not have much to work with.

Manziel didn’t hesitate and even scribbled his former nickname-‘Money Manziel’. According to the quarterback, he is just getting started in Cleveland.

The 49ers came out throwing, despite the Browns’ 31st-ranked rush defense, and paid the price. Winston left for concussion evaluation and did not return. “The San Francisco 49ers played a poor football game”, Tomsula said. Margini was head coach of the Browns from 2009-11. Hartline had eight catches for 107 yards before getting hurt. Whatever it was that got the Browns to play the way they played on Sunday, it needs to happen week in and week out. Pryor lined up on several plays, but had no targets in the game. Terrelle Pryor was on the active roster for the Browns and listed as a wide receiver…. Pryor was inactive for last week’s against the Bengals. The quarterback is playing better and a trade could end up coming their way if that is the option they decide to take.

Gaines Again: CB’s Joe Haden and Justin Gilbert remain in the concussion protocol and cornerback CB Pierre Desir was inactive, as well OL Gabe Ikard.