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Fans boo Vick heavily during loss to Browns

QB throws two INTs, loses costly fumble as Atlanta drops 2nd straight

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick fumbles the ball as Cleveland Browns linebacker Kamerion Wimbley pursues in the second half of their NFL football game in Atlanta.Reuters
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick fumbles the ball as Browns linebacker Kamerion Wimbley pursues in the second half.

Vick wasn’t helped by his receivers, who dropped at least four passes — including a probable touchdown that grazed the fingertips of Ashley Lelie.

Cleveland jumped ahead 14-0 against the Falcons, who were missing three starters on defense and lost end Patrick Kerney to a chest injury in the first half.

The Browns played without injured cornerback Leigh Bodden, but the Falcons couldn’t take advantage in the passing game. They didn’t show much commitment to the league’s best rushing attack, either, finishing with 149 yards on 29 carries.

Meanwhile, embattled Cleveland quarterback Charlie Frye had a solid performance, completing 16 of 22 passes for 165 yards. For the first time all season, he didn’t throw an interception.

“I hope it’s the first of many,” Frye said. “I was trying not to force the ball and cut down on the interceptions.

Cleveland jumped ahead late in the first quarter when Reuben Droughns powered over from the 1 on fourth down. Frye set up the touchdown with a 40-yard pass to Kellen Winslow, who badly burned Allen Rossum, the fill-in for injured cornerback Jason Webster.

After Sean Jones made a diving interception on Vick, the Browns quickly drove for another TD. Frye completed three straight passes, the last of them a 19-yard score to Braylon Edwards, who found himself wide open in the middle of a zone defense that broke down.

“Charlie did a wonderful job today,” Droughns said. “If he keeps making plays like he did today, he’s going to be a good quarterback.”

Atlanta scored its only TD after being denied what appeared to be a safety against Frye. The officials ruled him down inside the 1 and upheld the call after reviewing the replay. But Rossum returned the ensuing punt 37 yards, setting up Vick’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins.

Notes: Steve Heiden partially blocked a punt by Atlanta late in the first half, but Droughns fumbled two plays later. ... The half ended with a wild play. Frye fumbled, the Falcons recovered near midfield and pulled off two laterals before DeAngelo Hall was finally shoved out of bounds at the Cleveland 17 with no time left.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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