Chiefs Pound Browns for Schottenheimer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —  Kansas City Chief Coach Marty Schottenheimer wouldn’t say it, so his players said it for him.

After the Chiefs blasted the Cleveland Browns, 34-0, on Sunday, Schottenheimer refused to admit special gratification at having beaten the team that forced him out as coach two years ago.

“Marty is a gentleman and he would never say anything,” defensive end Bill Maas said. “But this one had to be special for him.”

The most special thing about the Chiefs this season has been the play of their special teams, specifically their punt return unit.

Chris Martin and Kevin Ross each returned blocked punts for touchdowns against the Browns and Albert Lewis recorded his third block in as many weeks.

“It’s a sad commentary on this coaching staff when somebody like Kansas City, who had blocked two the previous two weeks, gets in and blocks two kicks against us,” said Cleveland Coach Bud Carson, who succeeded Schottenheimer. “I’ve never been so sick about something in my life.”

The Chiefs (3-1) are off to their best start since 1986--the last time they made the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Browns (1-3) are having their worst start since 1984 when they hired Schottenheimer at mid-season as head coach.

“I’ve said this before,” said Schottenheimer, who withstood a frustrating 10-10 tie when he had his first encounter with his old team a year ago. “But I’m not motivated by personal things. I’m really not.”

Chiefs quarterback Steve DeBerg completed 12 of 21 passes for 189 yards and connected on touchdown pass plays of 47 yards to Rob Thomas and six yards to Emile Harry.

Cleveland quarterback Bernie Kosar, who was sacked 13 times in the Browns’ first three games, was sacked once and completed nine of 18 passes for 48 yards before he was replaced by Mike Pagel late in the third quarter.

The Chiefs mounted a 24-0 halftime lead when the Browns’ six first-half possessions ended in three punts, two turnovers and Washington’s block.

In the second quarter, Martin made a 31-yard touchdown return when Charles Washington blocked Bryan Wagner’s punt.

In the third quarter, Ross went four yards to score when Lewis blew through the middle for his third blocked kick in three weeks.