(week 14) De·noue·ment [dey-noo-mahn] -noun

1. the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama
2. the conclusion; the end
3. in which headline writers make a statement about a statement game

While the 301 combined rushing yards from DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart (otherwise known to Monday Football Column Week 10 fans as "Cookies and Cream") was completely unexpected, the proclamation from Tony Kornheiser and his mainstream brethren that last night's MNF contest was a "statement game" certainly was. (More on that in the Media Circus Wednesday ... that was a teaser.)

The headline writers from ESPN.com and SI.com also made statements that would make Neil Diamond quiver with delight.





And much to the delight of DeAngelo Williams fantasy owners, Williams opted for the end zone with 2 minutes remaining rather than pulling up to put his team in the victory formation, unlike Brian Westbrook last year. For this reason, his fantasy owners will be fully aroused for the remainder of the week. "In my fantasy, I own DeAngelo Williams. He will run and score as I direct him to do so - wearing whatever I tell him to wear, for it is in my fantasy."

Tyler Brayton wins rematch with Jerramy Stevens' groin

In a much less anticipated subplot to Monday's game, former Raiders defensive lineman Tyler Brayton squared off against his most hated foe, the man he kneed in the groin in 2006, Jerramy Stevens. In a sign of bleak times for the Raiders, Brayton has 2.5 sacks this year and 28 tackles, after one sack and three tackles last night.

The previous two seasons in Oakland, Brayton tallied zero sacks and had just six since being drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft. Unfortunately for society, we didn't get to see Jerramy Stevens get nailed in the coin purse, but we'll always have 2006.

Marion Barber responds to Jerry Jones' toughness allegations



Marty Schottenheimer not likely to likely become Browns head coach

Word on the street is that Bill Cowher is the Browns' number one candidate to take over the job as head coach that Romeo Crennel still holds. If Cowher denies the Browns coaching job - that Romeo Crennel still holds - Marty Schottenheimer would be the club's second choice.

However, Marty doesn't see that as "likely":

"I don't see that as being likely at all. I really don't. I've made a major change in my life, and I don't ever make a decision if I don't have to, and thus I haven't made one ... I have not spoken to anybody from there, and the likelihood is, if indeed I were to, I don't see it [as being] likely."

If Cowher does in fact take the position currently held by Romeo Crennel, the Browns may look to Schottenheimer in a front office role, similar to that of Bill Parcells in Miami.

While all that sounds good on the surface, what does it say for the Browns franchise that the man they're looking to turn things around is the same guy the fans correlate with losing in the postseason? It's as if Cleveland is saying, "We want to get back to the level of losing in the postseason ... the glory days of the mid and late 80s." Better than losing out on the postseason with Romeo Crennel, I suppose.