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grayman · 09-23-2003, 05:41 AM

Is there any question that this guy is the toughest man in the game?

BEREA, Ohio -- Kelly Holcomb may have saved the Cleveland Browns' season on Sunday at the expense of a portion of his own.

Cleveland's quarterback fractured a bone in his right leg during the first quarter but refused to come out, rallying the Browns to a stunning 13-12 win over the 49ers.

Wincing in pain and hobbling, Holcomb completed 12-of-14 passes on a 91-yard scoring drive in the final minutes, throwing an 11-yard TD pass to Andre' Davis with 29 seconds left to give the Browns (1-2) their first win.

"It was somewhat John Wayne-esque," Browns coach Butch Davis said Monday. "It was kind of heroic. He fought through the whole day and refused to surrender, like a heavyweight prize fighter. He kept getting up off the mat."

But Holcomb could be down for a while.

X-rays taken during halftime and again Monday revealed that Holcomb has a hairline fracture of his fibula, the smaller bone located on the outside of the leg.

Holcomb could miss a few games, but Davis hasn't ruled him out of practice this week or playing Sunday against winless Cincinnati.

That's typical of Davis, who usually downplays injuries hoping that his optimism can help a player return earlier than expected.

Davis dismissed a radio report that Holcomb will be out 4-to-6 weeks as "totally erroneous." He added that Holcomb could conceivably play with the injury all season.

"He played the whole game yesterday on it," Davis said boldly.

"All the information I have from our medical people is that they think there is a moderate to slightly reasonable chance he will practice on Wednesday. If something transpires between now and then we'll tell you.

"If he was going to be gone four-to-six (weeks), trust me, I wouldn't be telling you and setting myself up for looking like a fool."

Holcomb, named the starter over Tim Couch at the end of training camp, was injured while making a quarterback sneak near his own goal line. As Holcomb pushed into the line, 49ers defensive end Chidi Ahanotu fell on the quarterback's leg.

Holcomb got his ankle taped and continued to play. He sprained his left ankle in the third quarter and still finished 25-of-38 for 222 yards and two TDs.

He has played hurt before.

Last year, Holcomb broke his left leg while filling in when Couch suffered a concussion against Baltimore. Holcomb stayed in despite the injury and nearly rallied the Browns to a win.

While at Middle Tennessee State, Holcomb finished a game despite a broken jaw.

Davis said initial X-rays didn't show the fracture. He considered switching to Couch in the third quarter, but decided against it when Holcomb -- blitzed nearly nonstop by the 49ers in the first half -- appeared to be dealing with his injury.

"He was moving around fine and he was playing fine," Davis said. "We were more concerned about getting the protections changed than we were about changing the quarterback. He was able to plant and able to throw.

"Mobility was a little bit of an issue, but it wasn't much of a factor. I don't think anybody is going to mistake Kelly for Michael Vick anyway."

On the Browns' final drive, Holcomb completed 11 straight passes. He threw to five receivers and converted four third-down situations despite excruciating pain.

"To see him in that kind of pain made us want to go out and make plays for him," said Andre' Davis, who made two big ones, catching a 2-yard TD pass to get Cleveland within 12-7.

Davis' game-winning catch came on a perfectly thrown ball by Holcomb, who put it high enough for the wide receiver to jump and catch it between five 49ers.

If Holcomb has to sit Sunday or is sidelined for an extended period, the Browns will again turn to Couch, who led them to eight wins last season before losing his job this summer.

"Our football team believes in Tim," Davis said. "Tim has won games here. Tim prepares. His mental attitude has been very good. When he's on the sideline, he's watching coverages. He and Kelly are talking. He's into the games as if he's going in on the next possession. From that standpoint, we feel good."

Didn't he do the same thing last year? Go back in the game knowing he had a broken leg, and come from behind for the win?
You can question his durability and ability, but don't ever question his heart.

09-23-2003, 05:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
grayman you can't see me Location: Illinois	Kelly Holcomb Is there any question that this guy is the toughest man in the game? BEREA, Ohio -- Kelly Holcomb may have saved the Cleveland Browns' season on Sunday at the expense of a portion of his own. Cleveland's quarterback fractured a bone in his right leg during the first quarter but refused to come out, rallying the Browns to a stunning 13-12 win over the 49ers. Wincing in pain and hobbling, Holcomb completed 12-of-14 passes on a 91-yard scoring drive in the final minutes, throwing an 11-yard TD pass to Andre' Davis with 29 seconds left to give the Browns (1-2) their first win. "It was somewhat John Wayne-esque," Browns coach Butch Davis said Monday. "It was kind of heroic. He fought through the whole day and refused to surrender, like a heavyweight prize fighter. He kept getting up off the mat." But Holcomb could be down for a while. X-rays taken during halftime and again Monday revealed that Holcomb has a hairline fracture of his fibula, the smaller bone located on the outside of the leg. Holcomb could miss a few games, but Davis hasn't ruled him out of practice this week or playing Sunday against winless Cincinnati. That's typical of Davis, who usually downplays injuries hoping that his optimism can help a player return earlier than expected. Davis dismissed a radio report that Holcomb will be out 4-to-6 weeks as "totally erroneous." He added that Holcomb could conceivably play with the injury all season. "He played the whole game yesterday on it," Davis said boldly. "All the information I have from our medical people is that they think there is a moderate to slightly reasonable chance he will practice on Wednesday. If something transpires between now and then we'll tell you. "If he was going to be gone four-to-six (weeks), trust me, I wouldn't be telling you and setting myself up for looking like a fool." Holcomb, named the starter over Tim Couch at the end of training camp, was injured while making a quarterback sneak near his own goal line. As Holcomb pushed into the line, 49ers defensive end Chidi Ahanotu fell on the quarterback's leg. Holcomb got his ankle taped and continued to play. He sprained his left ankle in the third quarter and still finished 25-of-38 for 222 yards and two TDs. He has played hurt before. Last year, Holcomb broke his left leg while filling in when Couch suffered a concussion against Baltimore. Holcomb stayed in despite the injury and nearly rallied the Browns to a win. While at Middle Tennessee State, Holcomb finished a game despite a broken jaw. Davis said initial X-rays didn't show the fracture. He considered switching to Couch in the third quarter, but decided against it when Holcomb -- blitzed nearly nonstop by the 49ers in the first half -- appeared to be dealing with his injury. "He was moving around fine and he was playing fine," Davis said. "We were more concerned about getting the protections changed than we were about changing the quarterback. He was able to plant and able to throw. "Mobility was a little bit of an issue, but it wasn't much of a factor. I don't think anybody is going to mistake Kelly for Michael Vick anyway." On the Browns' final drive, Holcomb completed 11 straight passes. He threw to five receivers and converted four third-down situations despite excruciating pain. "To see him in that kind of pain made us want to go out and make plays for him," said Andre' Davis, who made two big ones, catching a 2-yard TD pass to get Cleveland within 12-7. Davis' game-winning catch came on a perfectly thrown ball by Holcomb, who put it high enough for the wide receiver to jump and catch it between five 49ers. If Holcomb has to sit Sunday or is sidelined for an extended period, the Browns will again turn to Couch, who led them to eight wins last season before losing his job this summer. "Our football team believes in Tim," Davis said. "Tim has won games here. Tim prepares. His mental attitude has been very good. When he's on the sideline, he's watching coverages. He and Kelly are talking. He's into the games as if he's going in on the next possession. From that standpoint, we feel good." Didn't he do the same thing last year? Go back in the game knowing he had a broken leg, and come from behind for the win? You can question his durability and ability, but don't ever question his heart. __________________ That's right - I'm a guy in a suit eating a Blizzard. F U.