With win over Bucs Browns are 5-3 for first time since 2007

CLEVELAND — Before he earned trips, adulation and an enormous multimillion-dollar contract, was just a talented rookie left tackle on a winning team.The were 5-3 at the midway point in 2007, and Thomas figured it would be like that every season.It ain't so, Joe.Seven years, several coaching changes and a carousel of starting quarterbacks later, Cleveland is 5-3 again.«It feels pretty good,» Thomas said after a 22-17 win over the on Sunday. «It's been a long time. I like where we are.»The, beaten down for so long, are legit. threw a to wide receiver with 8:59 remaining, helping Cleveland complete a favorable three-game stretch with their fourth win in five games. The are in the mix, and with a big game ahead on Thursday night in Cincinnati, they can make something Marial Shayok Jersey special of this season.Cleveland was trailing 17-16 when Hoyer held on to the ball a little longer and completed his second TD pa s, this one to Gabriel, an emerging undrafted free agent who has been making big plays all year.«It wasn't always pretty with the way our offense was playing,» said Hoyer, who ignored some boos and improved to 8-3 as Cleveland's starter. «But we're 5-3 and we've just got to continue to improve.»Hoyer finished 21 of 34 for a season-high 300 yards, two TDs and two interceptions.The went 2-1 the past three weeks against Jacksonville, Oakland and Tampa Bay, who entered a combined 2-19. Cleveland may have struggled against teams it should George McGinnis Jersey have handled with ease, but past teams would have likely lost these types of games.«Things have changed quite a bit,» cornerback said. «To be 5-3 is just amazing. Five games is the most I've won since I've been here.»Tampa Bay's threw a pair of to rookie for the (1-7), who have lost four in a row and five this season by six points or le s.«We've got to find a way to win a game now is what we have to do,» said first-year coach. «We're running out of time.» kicked three field goals for the improved, who have the league's attention under first-year coach .«We'll celebrate a little bit tonight, but emphasis on a little,» Pettine said. «We're in a good spot and our guys are confident, but this is one here where we know we have to be all in this week.»Tampa Bay had a chance in the final two minutes, but couldn't convert on a fourth-and-11 with 1:45 left. The Bucs appeared to pick up a first down on the previous play, but Evans was called for pa s interference.Hoyer's TD pa s to Gabriel Josh Richardson Jersey was set up by Cleveland linebacker, who broke through and deflected a Tampa Bay punt to give the the ball at the Bucs 35.Two plays later, Hoyer dropped back and was about to be hit by Tampa Bay's on a blitz. But rookie running back alertly stepped up and got a piece of the linebacker, giving Hoyer enough time to loft his scoring pa s to Gabriel and giving the a 22-17 lead.«I had three good Mike Scott Jersey blocks today,» West said. «That was the best one, though.»Glennon went 17 of 33 for 260 yards, and fell to 1-4 while filling in for injured starter .His second 24-yard scoring pa s to Evans put the Bucs ahead 17-16.Glennon floated a pa s to the back shoulder of Evans, who made a twisting catch and was able to get both feet in for the score. As he did after his first score, Evans looked at Cleveland's sideline and rubbed his fingers together in the «money-making» gesture his former college teammate, rookie quarterback, made famous at Texas A&M.«It just came to my mind,» Evans said of his celebration. «That's one of my best buds. I just wanted to give him a hard time.»A costly penalty by Tampa Bay star defensive end helped the take a 16-10 lead. The were lining up for a go-ahead field goal when McCoy, who signed Zhaire Smith Jersey a six-year, $95.2 million in October, was whistled for a neutral-zone infraction. Cleveland converted on fourth-and-1 and two plays later, Hoyer hit a wide-open West.NOTES: S got his sixth interception.… DE set up Cleveland's first score by blocking a 31-yard field-goal attempt by Tampa Bay's.… The led at halftime for the first time this season.… Hoyer's 300 yards are his most since his first start last season at Minnesota (321).Copyright 2014 by The A sociated Pre s