Old Browns Have Fun in Cleveland

With owner Art Modell watching on TV back in Baltimore, the Baltimore Ravens--the former Cleveland Browns--thoroughly defeated the new Cleveland Browns, 41-9, Sunday.

Modell refused to return to the city he left four years ago, but had to enjoy what he saw as Errict Rhett rushed for two touchdowns and the Raven defense thrashed rookie quarterback Tim Couch.

“It was three times bigger for him than it was for us,” Rhett said of Modell. “We really wanted to win this game for him.”

Cleveland fans waited four years for a chance at revenge over Modell, the owner who took their beloved Browns to Baltimore in 1995. They also wanted a piece of Raven Coach Brian Billick, who earlier this week said the NFL hoped the Browns would win and that the game officials might be influenced by Cleveland’s home crowd.

But the Ravens (3-5) didn’t need help from anyone, ending a three-game losing streak by dominating the expansion Browns (1-8), who managed only 10 first downs--five during garbage time in the fourth quarter--and entered the fourth quarter with only 66 total yards.

“When I signed here, the first thing I heard from everybody was beat Baltimore,” Brown tackle Orlando Brown said. “Bust ‘em up. That was on my mind the whole time. This is very disappointing.”

The 41 points were the most points ever scored by the Ravens and the fewest they’ve ever given up.

After the game, Billick spoke on the phone with Modell.

“He’s excited,” Billick said. “He felt good we played hard, worked hard and handled ourselves with class.”