What this win changes

It can't be the Browns' worst season if they beat Pittsburgh.

Three games remain before we can say where the 2009 Mangini weenies will rank alongside 1975, 1990, 1995, and the six teams winning five or fewer games in the latest decade. Could they still be the worst squad in the Browns' long history?

Nah.

This win changed that.

We ran and stopped the run.

We made very few mistakes, in turnovers, sacks, blown coverages. Connecting with the wideouts was challenging, but the Browns never gave away the field position with a gaffe.

Josh Cribbs amply showed why he's not only one of football's best ever returners, but also one of the sports most exciting and likable players. We've known that for five years now, and in terms of the Browns pantheon, I put him right up there in the Dub Jones, Bobby Mitchell, Eric Metcalf neighborhood. With five more healthy years as a Brown, he would deserve consideration as one of the team's top 10 players in history. He's already the MVP of the "new" era, hands-down.

It was Rob Ryan's defense and not Dick LeBeau's that was more consistent and creative.

The Browns just played harder. Harder than the Steelers, and harder than they've played all year.

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In games they have won, the 2009 Browns have more QB sacks on defense than completed passes on offense.

The Browns have not won a game in which they have allowed a touchdown since Nov. 17, 2008.

Cribbs now is #2 in Browns rushing yardage this season, leapfrogging Jerome Harrison. Gaining 305 yards at a clip of 7.3 per, he already has the highest total for any Browns #2 rusher since 2004.

Career QB rating: Quinn 69.2, Anderson 69.6. The six other Cleveland QBs to start openers since 1999 all had better ratings here.

Still scratching my head at Mangini accepting the holding penalty that gave Pittsburgh 3rd and 18 rather than 4th and 8 at the CLE 34. It worked out because the back dropped the checkdown, but really?? With the Steelers down 7, under 12 minutes to go, declining the penalty almost forces them to go for it, giving you a bigger upside if they don't convert. Pushing them back gives them an extra chance to either make something happen or pin you deep.

Gameballs to Cribbs, Alex Mack, Eric Wright, and Corey Williams.

Will this game become the signature win, marking the (delayed) launch of the Mangini Era of tough, smart, mistake-free football, capable of vanquishing even foe most foul? Or will it merely serve as the high-water mark for a mismanaged team due for new and better leadership? We'll see, but whatever it was, it was a fine and rare sight to behold.

Peeling back old 32

A balanced look at Jim Brown, courtesy of America's Finest News Source.

Coaching up coach

Being a Browns fan these days means awaiting the next, previously-unthinkable new way for a team to meet defeat.

Yesterday's worthy contribution to this panoply of pathos: blowing a three-touchdown lead to a 1-8 team and allowing a rookie QB to throw for five TDs and 422 yards, the third most ever allowed by the Browns.

Rather than detail all the defensive breakdowns, pan the performance of Terry "Bottlegate" McAuley and crew, or lament the deactivation of two second-round draftees and a back with a career rushing average 4.8 yards per carry, I'll just focus on the reappearance of something I've known for a few years now.

That Hank Poteat sucks? Well, that too.

But this time I'm talking about the dubious game-day management skills of Eric Mangini.

This caught my attention back on December 9, 2007, when the Browns beat his Jets, 24-18. After all, it's not often that a trailing team will opt for two field goals after the two-minute warning and still lose by 6. (Not impressed? Consider that the second FG, Mike Nugent's 35-yarder, came on first down with 50 seconds and one Jets timeout left, and was followed by a kickoff that went out of bounds at the Cleveland 3-yard-line.)

Now after the four years of Romeo Crennel's on-field follies, I thought even Mangini would be an improvement in those executive decisions made in the heat of battle: use of timeouts, kicking versus going for it, etc.

Yesterday makes me wonder. Call me a nitpicker, but this is a guy intolerant of player mistakes on or off the field, so it's only fair to point out the following:

• In the second quarter, the Browns drove to the Lions' 22 and on first down with 58 ticks to go, Lewis ran up the middle for a yard. No problem with the play call. But Cleveland had two timeouts remaining. By the next snap, the clock was down to :25. A timeout should have been called.
• After the second fourth-down conversion of that drive, the Dawson-to-Furrey fake FG, put the ball on the Lions' 11, there were eight seconds left, according to the video. The gamebook shows that timeout was called two seconds later. By the Lions. An astute clock manager, or at least an awake one with any interest in scoring a touchdown, would have stopped that clock pronto and taken a quick shot into the end zone against the league's worst pass defense.
  
• Fourth quarter, Browns up 6, milking clock. Lions burn their timeouts, then the two-minute warning. Third-and-five. What's the call? The Browns go shotgun with an empty backfield. Can you telegraph a passing play any more than that? How about some play action? A bootleg, a rollout, an end around. Go wildcat. Or just stuff it in Jamal's gut again. Nope. Cue the blitz and an off-target, clock-stopping incompletion. Stafford takes over with 106 seconds to go, which proves just barely enough. Any running play in bounds would have drastically lowered the odds of a comeback.
• After Poteat's pass interference puts the ball on the one with the Lions do-or-die play upcoming, their backup QB trots onto the field cold, since C.J. Mosley's hit knocked the starter out. For godsakes, let 'em sweat it. Make them beat you under pressure. Let the play clock tick. Nope. Mangini calls timeout to get his defense set. That allows Stafford back into the game, and he finds his tight end open between two Browns linebackers, who apparently were at least properly set.

I ain't a hater, and this is no personal attack, chief. Let's just smarten up out there, OK?

A premonition too preposterous to ... oh, wait!

Guess I was too superstitious to post this earlier, but over the past two weeks the thought came to mind distressingly often.

What else could go wrong?

The Browns were already 1-7. A national laughingstock. An organizational Superfund site. A national storyline spun off the idiotic idea of a silly, self-aggrandizing fan (boosted by an owner with an otherworldly gift for empowering the unworthy). Both inside linebackers, the team's top two tacklers, lost for the season. The offense, bereft of speed and spirit, flip-flopping quarterbacks like live flounder flailing on a sizzling skillet.

What could make it worse?

I didn't dare put it into prose. Why reify the already ambient "woe-is-us" attitude? Why take the karmic hit if the fears came to pass?

Now, of course, the answer is brutally obvious.

What's the most natural extension (meaning, in Browns-speak, preternatural) of how this season could get even worse?

Josh Cribbs gets knocked out.

But not even my patent-pending catastrophic thinking module (honed over lo these decades of Browns fandom) would dare to specify circumstances so surreal.

Toward the stroke of midnight, it was. Browns are getting pasted yet again on national TV by those prodigal sons-of-bitches. This blogger, beset by a flu-riddled family, accedes to the nepenthe of slumber with mere meaningless minutes remaining.

Only in dreamland, where the constraints of logic and rationality are delta-waived, could the following be possible. Yet, I find this morning, it actually came to pass that

• The Browns were apparently granted a fourth timeout, allowing the Ravens' otherwise clock-killing final possession to expire with 20 seconds to go.
• The Browns offense, previously known for folding its tent at the first wisp of a cloud, suddenly finds itself, relieved of the theoretical possibility of actually winning the game, launching into attack mode.
• Down 16 points, the obvious downfield target of Quinn on the first two downs is, of course, our beloved #16, Josh Cribbs.
• Not satisfied with two incompletions, the fateful final fling at a 16-point conversion finds our sole superhero snagging a Quinn pass and flipping it to teammate Robert Royal for a final late-night comedy bit.
• It turns tragic, as the Browns' heart-and-soul star, its never-say-die dude, somehow (again, I am sleeping through all this) uncharacteristically lets down his guard and gets jacked up by some Raven named (ugh) Edwards.
• Out comes the stretcher and the ambulance trip to Cleveland Clinic.
• Thus ends another fine chapter in Browns ignominy and pain.

Maybe he'll shake it off. Maybe its only a mildly traumatic brain injury. You can't get staph from treating a concussion, can you?

My stupid, silent fear was not actually False Evidence Appearing Real. It was just too preposterous to admit. Which means it fits perfectly into the narrative of Cleveland Browns lore.

Which begs the question: what's next?

Hmmm. The Browns next travel to Detroit to take on a team that has won exactly one game in its last 26. Ford Field is only 40 minutes from my house, tickets can be had real cheap, and a local TV blackout may well apply. Should I go and be a witness? It could be quite ... something ...

But without Cribbs?!? Whatever for?

However, if he's on the sidelines, in his concussed state, it's the perfect time for this man of many hats to wear one more.

Play-caller.

Stick a Sporcle in 'em

Further documenting the woeful whirlwind of Browns football over the last decade, I hereby challenge you with my third Browns-related quiz. Name the 19 men who have led our offensive, defensive, and special teams units since the franchise's resurrection. Go ahead, you know you wanna feel like a winner, someway, somehow. You can do it faster than a Browns three-and-out.

Practice players to pluck

Now that both of the Browns' leading tacklers, inside linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton, are shelved for the season, the active roster stands at 52, leaving one available job, even after this week's promotion of rookie LB Marcus Bernard from the practice squad and signing of veteran LB Josh Stamer as a street free agent.

I suspect that poobah-for-now Eric Mangini will round out the roster with another practice squad promotion or tryout player, and the news may come fast. But this is really an optimal situation for raiding another team's practice squad. All you need to do is keep him on the active roster for three weeks.

So who's out there? A consolidated, current list of NFL practice squads isn't readily available, so I had to visit each team's official site to get the names below.

Based on the positional make-up of the Browns' current active roster, I'd pay special attention to wide receivers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and linebackers, in roughly that order. Not that I'd expect any such newcomer to make an instant impact -- indeed, he'd probably be inactive on game day -- but it would provide the coaches a low-risk, up-close, extended look at a player who another team thought worthy of developing in house.

The one name that immediately stands out is OT Alex Boone (SF), late of Lakewood St. Ed's and Ohio State. Serious immaturity issues dropped the two-time All-Big Ten selection right off the draft boards last April. That would be a giant red flag to someone like Mangini (and me too), but maybe staying out of trouble for his first half year as a pro makes the risk seem less than the potential upside, especially given the Browns' need to secure a better long-term answer at right tackle.

Anyway, who should we snag?

Buffalo: Hall, Bruce RB, Mississippi; Harris, Cary DB, USC; Hawthorne, C.J. WR, Hawaii; Hennessey, Nick OL, Colgate; Huggins, Felton WR, Southeastern Louisiana; Mace, Corey DT, Wyoming; Ramsey, Andre OL, Ball State; Waters, Anthony LB 6-3 238 Clemson

Dolphins: Tristan Davis, RB; John Nalbone, TE; Nate Ness, S; Andrew Hartline, T; Kory Sperry, TE; Julius Pruitt, WR; Will Billingsley, CB; Ryan Baker, DE

Patriots: Titus Adams DT Nebraska; Bruce Davis LB UCLA; Rob Myers TE Utah State; Terrence Nunn WR Nebraska; Darryl Richard DT Georgia Tech; Isaiah Stanback QB Washington; Ryan Wendell G Fresno State

Jets: Kenwin Cummings LB Wingate; Jason Davis FB Illinois; Keith Fitzhugh S Mississippi State; Antonio Garay DT Boston College (former Brown); Marcus Henry WR Kansas; Matt Kroul DL Iowa; Ryan McKee T Southern Mississippi; Matthew Mulligan TE Maine

Ravens: Drew, Davon TE East Carolina; Gerard, K.J. CB Northern Arizona; Harper, Justin WR Virginia Tech; Mattison, Bryan G/T Iowa; Reitz, Joe T Western Michigan; Riley, Eron WR Duke; Rodgers, Stefan T Lambuth; VanDeSteeg, William LB/DE Minnesota

Bengals: Brown, Freddie WR Utah; Hill, Darius TE Ball State; Johnson, James RB Kansas State; McDonald, Clinton DE Memphis; Murray, Rico CB Kent State; Pope, Geoffrey CB Howard; Purify, Maurice WR Nebraska; Shirley, Jason DT Fresno State

Steelers: Bright, Eugene TE Purdue; Grisham, Tyler WR Clemson; Harris, Tuff S Montana; McLendon, Steve DT Troy; Redman, Isaac RB Bowie State; Shipley, A.Q. C Penn State; Vincent, Justin RB Louisiana State; Woods, Donovan ROLB Oklahoma State

Texans: Bing, Darnell LB USC; Crummey, Andrew OL Maryland; Foster, Arian RB Tennessee; Helms, Brett C LSU; Henry, Chris RB Arizona; Stenavich, Adam T Michigan

Colts: Giguere, Sam WR Sherbrooke; Gill, John DT Northwestern; Hall, Devon DB Utah State; Lambert, Terrail DB Notre Dame; Matthews, John WR San Diego; Smith, Taj WR Syracuse; Thomas, Jaimie OG Maryland

Jaguars: Bartel, Richard QB Tarleton State (former Brown); Bolen, Brock FB Louisville; Cox, Kennard DB Pittsburgh; Hughes, Nate WR Alcorn State; Navarre, Jeremy DE Maryland; Newton, Cecil C Tennessee State; Potter, Zach TE Nebraska; Stephenson, Cameron G Rutgers

Titans: Booty, John David QB USC; Durand, Ryan G Syracuse; Edison, Dominique WR Stephen F. Austin; Rivera, Mike LB Kansas; Schommer, Nick S North Dakota State; Velasco, Fernando C/G Georgia; Williams, Paul WR Fresno State

Broncos: Ball, Lance RB Maryland; Branson, Marquez TE Central Arkansas; Carter, Tony CB Florida State; Erickson, Mitch G South Dakota State; Johnson, D.J. CB Jackson State; Kelley, Braxton LB Kentucky; Powell, Carlton DL Virginia Tech; Willis, Matthew WR UCLA

Chiefs: Bates, Jackie CB Hampton; Favorite, Marlon DT LSU; Gales, Dion DE Troy State; Greenwood, Bobby DE Alabama; Harris, Darryl G Mississippi; Lawrence, Quinten WR McNeese State; Price, Ricky S Oklahoma State; Williams, Javarris RB Tennessee State

Raiders: Bodiford, Shaun WR Portland State; Boyd, Jerome SAF Oregon; Gunheim, Greyson DE Washington; Hubbard, Paul WR Wisconsin (former Brown); Nixon, David LB Brigham Young; Norris, Slade LB Oregon State; Reece, Marcel RB Washington; Schuening, Roy G Oregon State

Chargers: Banks, Gary WR Troy; Beckwith, Darryl ILB Louisiana State; Castille, Simeon CB Alabama; Clark, Corey T Texas A&M; Coleman, Andre DE Albany; Latsko, Billy FB Florida; Leman, J LB Illinois; Toledo, Joe OT Washington

Cowboys: Bright, Travis G Brigham Young; Carpenter, Rudy QB Arizona State; Chandler, Scott TE Iowa; Dixon, Marcus DE Hampton; Holley, Jesse WR North Carolina; Johnson, Manuel WR Oklahoma; Love, Jamar CB Arkansas; Washington, Chauncey RB USC

Giants: Anderson, Vince CB Webber International; Bender, Jacob G/T Nicholls St.; Bomar, Rhett QB Sam Houston State; Broughton, Nehemiah FB The Citadel; Coe, Michael CB Alabama State; Hendricks, Dwayne DT Miami; Pascoe, Bear TE Fresno State; Rashad, Shareff S Central Florida

Eagles: Collins, Dobson WR Gardner-Webb; Fanaika, Paul G Arizona State; Ikegwuonu, Jack CB Wisconsin; Langford, Reshard S Vanderbilt; Mailei, Marcus FB Weber State; Norwood, Jordan WR Penn State (former Brown); Reynolds, Dallas G BYU; Rucker, Martin TE Missouri (former Brown)

Redskins: Armstrong, Anthony WR West Texas A&M; Bowen, Alvin LB Iowa State; Holmes, Lendy S Oklahoma; Jackson, Rob DE Kansas State; Oldenburg, Clint OT Colorado State; Robinson, William OT San Diego State; Skolnitsky, J.D. DE James Madison; Woodson, Andre QB Kentucky

Bears: Asiata, Johan G UNLV; Basanez, Brett QB Northwestern; Bell, Kahlil RB UCLA; Marten, James T Boston College; Raiola, Donovan C Wisconsin; Smith, DeAngelo CB Cincinnati (former Brown); Ta'ufo'ou, Will FB Cal; Turenne, Woodny CB Louisville

Lions: Fowler, Eric WR Grand Valley State; Gerberry, Dan C Ball State; Gronkowski, Dan TE Maryland; Heckendorf, Kole WR North Dakota State; Henderson, Robert DE Southern Mississippi; Peerman, Cedric RB Virginia (former Brown); Word-Daniels, Jahi CB Georgia Tech

Packers: Brian Brohm QB Louisville; Patrick Williams WR Colorado; Kregg Lumpkin RB Georgia; Trevor Ford CB Troy; Cyril Obiozor LB Texas A&M; Anthony Toribio NT Carson-Newman; Ronald Talley DE Delaware

Vikings: Anderson, Colt S Montana; Brown, Patrick T Central Florida; Clark, Chris T Southern Mississippi; Johnson, Ian RB Boise State; Johnson, Tremaine DT Louisiana State; Mills, Garrett TE Tulsa; Perretta, Vinny WR Boise State; Wright, DeAndre CB New Mexico

Falcons: Bergeron, Troy WR None; Brock, Eric S Auburn; Bruggeman, Rob OL Iowa; Clark, Jeremy DT Alabama; James, Robert LB Arizona State; Lucas, Maurice DE Colorado; Smith, Antone RB Florida State; Valdez, Jose OG Arkansas

Panthers: Birmingham, Decori RB Arkansas; Cantwell, Hunter QB Louisville; Fry, Dustin C Clemson (former Brown); Ivy, Mortty LB West Virginia; Jackson, Dexter WR Appalachian State; Martin, Charly WR West Texas A&M; Pociask, Jason TE Wisconsin; Walker, Marcus CB Oklahoma

Saints: Parson, Mark CB Ohio; Herb Donaldson RB Western Illinois; Earl Heyman DT Louisville; Tim Duckworth G Auburn; Renardo Foster T Louisville; Jermey Parnell T Mississippi; Tyler Lorenzen TE Connecticut; Adrian Arrington WR Michigan

Buccaneers: Anderson, Brandon CB Akron (former Brown); Cook, Emanuel S South Carolina; Dile, Marc OL South Florida; Evans, Maurice DE Penn State; Huggins, Kareem RB Hofstra; Purvis, Ryan TE Boston College; Robinson, Lee LB Alcorn State; Urrutia, Mario WR Louisville

Cardinals: Barksdale, Rashad CB Albany State (NY); Canfield, Trevor G Cincinnati; Collins, Jed FB Washington State; Gant, Edward WR North Alabama; Harrington, Chris LB Texas A&M; Holmes, Antoine DT North Carolina State; Jones, Onrea WR Hampton; Renkart, Brandon LB Rutgers

Rams: Bradwell, Chris LDT Troy; Brown, Marcus RCB McNeese State; Butler, Eric TE Mississippi State; Moore, Jay MLB Nebraska; Ogbonnaya, Chris HB Texas; Parks, Cord LCB Northeastern; Walker, Sean WR Vanderbilt; Young, Eric RT Tennessee (former Brown)

49ers: Barton, Kirk T Ohio State; Boone, Alex T Ohio State; Burnett, Martail LB Utah; Finley, Joe Jon TE Oklahoma; Lattimore, Keon RB Maryland; Miller, Brit FB Illinois; Mitchell, Khalif DT East Carolina; Zeigler, Dominique WR Baylor

Seahawks: Goddard, Na'Shan T South Carolina; Heygood, Anthony LB Purdue; Moore, Devin RB Wyoming; Williams, Kyle T USC; Williams, Trae CB South Florida; Willingham, DeAngelo CB Tennessee

A Phippsian flop

Via PFR, we find that Derek Anderson had the worst statistical performance of any NFL quarterback in the first half of any of the past 34 seasons.

Not since 1975, when the Browns' own Mike Phipps began the year tossing 10 interceptions with nary a touchdown, has the league witnessed poorer play at its premier position.

Assuming all eight Cleveland home games were filled to capacity (absurd, I know, but bear with me here!), how much would each ticket-holder have to chip in at each game to equal Anderson's 2009 earnings?

$11.10.

DA may suck, but who's the loser here?

Parody of parity update

Yesterday's NFL margins of victory/defeat:

• 0-9 points: 4 games
• 10-19 points: 3 games
• 20-29 points: 5 games
• 30+ points: 0 games.

Slim chance of seeing a game that gets decided late between two equally-matched teams, but this is actually an improvement over last week. For most teams, anyway. As for the Browns, amateur hour continues. The owner glares at his charges in the tunnel and searches for answers. I still say: get ahead of the runaway PR and promise fans a coupon!

Give me victory or give me ... um, a coupon

In the face of network blackouts and fan "brownout" demonstrations, I have a specific suggestion for Randy Lerner during this most disheartening time. Read the full piece here.

So here's my far-fetched but heartfelt proposal to the Browns brass: give me victory or give me ... um, a coupon.

Ridiculous? Maybe, but we're beyond that now. Besides, Randy Lerner's an old credit card guy. Just call it a Loyalty Reward. Fans attending the games regularly shell out more than is delivered back to them. So if the team can't do it on the field, the front office ought to do it through the mail.

Here's how it could work: whenever the Browns lose at home in regulation and fail to score even a single touchdown in the process, the team should recognize that fans did not get anything passably close to what they paid for. Fourth-quarter scores that don't narrow the deficit to within 14 points don't count. Ticket stubs should be redeemable for $30 toward a future ticket purchase.

Parody of parity

Yesterday's NFL margins of victory/defeat:

• 0-9 points: 2 games
• 10-19 points: 4 games
• 20-29 points: 2 games
• 30+ points: 4 games.

Average score of a 2009 Browns game:
Cleveland 10, Anyone Else 26

Average NFL ticket price: $75.

Browns fandom: a birthright, like jaundice

Nice ESPN Page 2 special here.

All joking aside, I love the Browns. They cause me near-constant frustration and heartache, but that's the price you pay when you become attached to a pro sports team to which you have only an imaginary philosophical connection. I won't bail and support another team just because mine sucks, only to come back once we experience a modicum of success. What do I look like, a Patriots fan?

Browns by number

You'd think that after driving 11 hours round-trip and investing a weekend and $200 or so to witness the Browns win their first game in 11 months, a blogger like me would have something to say about the experience. Well, I just might. But first, another Sporcle quiz. If you've got 10 minutes, test your knowledge of Browns roster history here.

Orange Alert: NFL return records under threat

In 2007, Joshua Cribbs gained 1,809 yards on kickoff returns, second best in NFL history. This season, he is on pace for 1,848. That's pretty darn good, especially considering that he has only one return of more than 40 yards.

The new prohibition against wedges has hurt him, but the return unit is lately figuring out how to give Cribbs the crease he needs to power through. He's proven good for at least one TD a year, and given that Browns opponents are bound to be kicking off aplenty, he could very well break MarTay Jenkins' league record of 2,186 set in 2000. And with his next trip to the house, he'll tie the NFL record for career kickoff return touchdowns (six).

Even more impressive are his punt returns. He's projected to shatter his career best of 405 yards, also set in that amazing 2007 season. Through four games, his 237 punt return yards already eclipses last year's total of 228. Cribbs' current pace would yield 948 for the season, which would top Desmond Howard's 875 (in 1996) for the most in NFL history.

Typing in the trenches

Disturbed at how much of your brain force you've devoted to the Browns over the past decade? Well, at least you can click here to quantify the depth of your descent into die-hard depravity. This Sporcle quiz thing is all the rage, so here's my first contribution. (See also this quiz created by a fellow Browns blogger.)

Follow the money

While we wait another day for the Mangenius' QB Roulette Wheel to slow down, this factoid may steer the smart betting onto 3 rather than 10:

If over 30% of the Browns' offensive snaps this season are taken by someone other than Brady Quinn, the Browns will save $11 million over the next two years that Quinn remains under contract.

Keeping him tied up in an very team-friendly contract, ala Josh Cribbs, may just be this regime's M.O. Figure they'll dump DA after '09 (saving another $9.5 million) and thus have the budget to draft Mangini's vision of a true franchise QB.

slavishly loyal to an undeserving organization?

Been a while, but the Browns' offense has awakened me by actually -- egad -- scoring! Anyway, this piece concisely traipses through the fallout of the curse of The Move. Worth a quick read.

A seven-for-one stunner

The new Browns braintrust gets an A for the sheer number of holes they plugged on draft weekend.

Just how well all those holes were plugged will take longer to figure out.

I winced as the Seahawks snatched Curry just ahead of the Browns. But that's because I had already abandoned hope for a trade down.

Now just imagine that Seattle had turned a different direction. We'd have Curry. He'd have $23 to maybe $30 million guaranteed. The Browns would be going all in on one tackler among 11, a single set of knees.

Instead, the Browns parleyed that precarious pick into no fewer than seven players:

• Alex Mack, the draft's top interior offensive lineman, a brawns-and-brains Berkeley Bear
• David Veikune, who follows Mel Purcell from the Hawaii defense to Cleveland to gin up the pass rush
• Coye Francies, a corner with two superfluous Es in his name
• James Davis, an appropriately-timed late-round running back with promise
• Kenyon Coleman, a late-blooming 30-year old DE signed through 2011 at about $3 million per.
• Abram Elam, the young veteran safety, filling the chasm Sean Jones left
• "The Other" Brett Ratliff, who fits the bill for the QB the Browns needed now

Seven positions of need. Most will contribute. Almost certainly, at least two will start Game One.

Add in four other draftees and assorted rookies to the myriad mid-level free agents already aboard, and the Mangini/Kokonis duo has definitely deepened both sides of the ball.

Thanks, Seattle. And good luck to Aaron Curry.

But I'll take this way instead. I like the emphasis on heady, motivated characters and the move away from the diva types and prime-dime signings.

Yes, we've still got Braylon and DA for that matter, but that only supports hopes that 2009 won't be a lost transitional year.

So maybe there were a few minor reaches. Maybe an overreliance on known Jets. No matter now.

At least we didn't just bust the bank. The top pick, Mack, might get $8 to $11 million guaranteed, a more hopeful sign for fans awaiting new long-term commitments to core guys such as Josh Cribbs and D'Qwell Jackson. (Brodney Pool, Jerome Harrison, Lawrence Vickers, Leon Williams, and, oh yeah, Edwards, are among those, like Jackson, entering the last year of their contracts.)

The roster is stocked for the season. How good the ingredients are depends deeply on the next major phase: turning them into a team.

Pocketing passers

Heading into this weekend's draft, the Browns have needs aplenty: safety, wide receiver, and outside linebacker, for starters. But how exactly will the new regime staff the sport's most important position?

Fortunately, Cleveland now has two quarterbacks capable of starting. But this is no luxury. In today's NFL, successful teams absolutely need a backup who can snap on his chinstrap at a moment's notice and run the offense, be it as a mid-game injury sub or a season-long replacement.

Furthermore, the third QB cannot be a mere afterthought. He must be either a veteran with some track record of NFL success or a developmental player with the potential become a starting-caliber signal-caller.

As it stands today, the Browns are supposedly entertaining offers for either Quinn or Anderson, though they already lack a viable third-string candidate. (No offense to former street free agent Richard Bartel of Tarleton State.)

Even without a draft-day QB trade, I fully expect the Browns to select a quarterback at some point this weekend. How this comes to pass will be one of the many gripping storylines in coming days.

All this talk of trading Brady Quinn is folly. I don't want them to do it, and I don't think they will. Local ties aside, there's simply no compelling reason to offload a young, capable former first-rounder who's still under an affordable contract for three more years. He's a heady, athletic leader who could become a star in this league.

Even if they received a first-rounder in exchange, the Browns would need to spend a high pick in hopes of drafting a replacement. For a trade to pass muster, Cleveland ought to receive an established, quality starter at some important position, plus at least a high second-rounder. Not gonna happen.

Dealing DA is more plausible but only slightly less dicey. His contract is an albatross, with nearly $10 million in salary and bonuses scheduled for 2010. They could trade him now to realize some value, but what are the odds of converting that into a player of his level?

Better to keep him around for another year, even if they have to release him for financial reasons after this season. But if they trade him and somehow manage to acquire a quality backup immediately (without using their #5 overall pick), I guess I'm on board. Big Three could still be a decent starter for somebody, but his head can't keep up with his arm, so he's not the long-term answer for the Browns.

Given the team's myriad immediate needs, fitting another quarterback into the draft puzzle may seem absurd at first glance, but it's essential for the long term.

For one thing, you can't just sign a street free agent and expect much better than we saw from Ken Dorsey and Bruce Gradkowski last fall. J.P. Losman and Rex Grossman are the best veteran QBs still looking for work. No thanks.

So which QB might they draft who would serve as the third QB this year and the #2 thereafter?

Investing their top pick in USC's Mark Sanchez is unwise for several reasons, unless the Mangini/Kokonis make the mistake of trading Quinn.

One prospect who has visited Berea is local boy Brian Hoyer. Don't shoot me for daring to compare him to Tom Brady, but they were both experienced starters for a Big Ten school, seniors entering the draft, projected as second-day picks due to concerns over arm strength. No way am I predicting a similar stellar ascention -- indeed, even sharing the roster with Quinn could prove problematic -- but if he's on the board for the Browns' 4th-round pick (104th overall), don't be surprised to hear his name called. If Cleveland wants to set up a West Coast-style offense with Quinn at the helm, Hoyer's game fits that mold.

Curtis Painter of Purdue is more of a DA-style player, but if the Browns miss out on Hoyer, you might want to brush up on his scouting reports before they're on the clock in the sixth round.

Ball State's Nate Davis is another oft-mentioned sleeper in this year's lackluster QB draft class, but a Wonderlic score of 11 for an NFL quarterback makes his selection a non-starter for me.

In short, quality quarterbacks are a valuable asset not easily acquired or developed. The Browns' new regime would be well-advised to retain the two on hand and add more talent as the opportunity arises.

Sandwich Browns

At the risk of treating a player like "a piece of meat," I bring you this list of "sandwich" Browns, those who have taken two tours in Cleveland, interrupted by a stint with at least one other team.

Quality standards require sandwichers to have played in at least one regular season game at each stop, so incoming CB Corey Ivy, a 2000 training camp cut, doesn't make the grade. Nor does Gern Nagler, a 1953 Browns draftee who didn't take the field in brown and orange until 1960.

Newly-signed David Patten, if he sticks on the '09 roster (a solid bet, given the current WR depth chart), would be the first player to return after leaving the "new" Browns. (Jereme Perry didn't quite cut it last summer.)

So best as I can slice it, here's the all-time Browns sandwich board:

• Paul Warfield
• Ernest Byner
• "Turkey" Joe Jones
• Jim Ninowski
• Jack Gregory
• Mike Baab
• Jerry Ball
• Orlando "Zeus" Brown
• Antonio Langham.

New regime churn rate

The sole remaining Brown acquired in the PHD era (2001-04) was one of his most ridiculed choices, long snapper Ryan Pontbriand. The last pre-Butch player is kicker Phil Dawson.

It's natural that a roster turns over as players age and as new regimes gain control of player selection. But how much churn is too much?

I pored over the opening day rosters for the first games of the previous two regimes to see how many of those 53 men were brand new to the Browns.

In Butch Davis' first game in 2001, the figure was 24 (45% of the roster). That included nine of the 22 starters, three of whom were rookies.

In the Savage/Crennel debut in 2005, 27 Browns (51%) were new to the team if not the league. That included eight starters (no rookies).

So it's fair to guesstimate that in September Mangini's first Browns club will be about half new. A third at the least.

In this season of churn -- each vet cut to save his roster bonus, each comfortable little depth signing, each possible first-day draftee -- we can hope each sometimes strange move might trend again with more wins, as the '01 Browns went from 3 to 7 wins and the '05 bunch gained by two to win 6.

King's treat

Steve King, now writing for the OBR, types a tremendous piece, Deja Bill, among the best Browns articles I've ever read. Useful connections attach two generations and set the stage for Eric Mangini's turn as the Browns' head coach.

Apt conclusion too:

"And considering how similar Eric Mangini is to Bill Belichick, then and now, that’s a good thing. You just never know what else -- or who -- may fall off."

The fifth pick: Junkin territory

I've made my pick in the updated version of the Interblog Mock Draft, featuring bloggers representing each team. Unlike last time, when I drafted Curry and Clay with the Browns' first two picks, I have my misgivings. Plus, I made my pick before the latest shenanigans, including Kevin Shaffer's release, so maybe I'd better brush up on those tackles after all. Anyway, here's my write-up:

5. Browns - Malcolm Jenkins (DB) Ohio State

Cleveland has needs aplenty, and I would've taken Curry or Crabtree here in a heartbeat. I'm not thrilled about the remaining options for this high-stakes pick. This draft seems pretty deep but not front-loaded with difference-makers near the top. Maybe some team jonesing for a quarterback would trade up here, but I'm not banking on it. The past decade's Browns have been the first team to take a QB, DE, DT, RB, C, TE, WR, OT, and even long snapper in their respective drafts. This year, the linebacking needs are legion, but I'm not sold on Orapko, Brown, or the USC trio quite this high. Orapko, the Texas tweener, might help mount a pass rush, but his injury history scares me. So I'll settle for the nation's best defensive back (and no, I am not and have never been a Buckeye fan) and debate later whether he'll be a cornerstone cover guy or a slick safety. Truth is, the Browns need both.

You say Poteat, oh?

Browns teams of recent years have featured certain repeated stock characters. These include the Illusory Rookie Rushing Phenom (Hill, Prentice, Gay, Green, Barclay, Thomas), the Receiver Who Used To Be A Quarterback (KJ, Frisman, Alston, Cribbs), the Special Teams "Demon" Who Lacked At Linebacker (Lenoy Jones, Brant Boyer, Mason Unck, Kris Griffin) and the Thirty-Something Fill-In Cornerback.

Playing the part in the latter category -- following in the lost footsteps of Antonio Langham, Ray Mickens, Ralph Brown, Kenny Wright, and Terry Cousin -- will be Hank Poteat, formerly seen as the foremost victim of Kelly Holcomb's 429-yard aerial effort in the Browns' sole playoff game of the decade.

The significance of this signing? On a roster without a single Bill, James, Tom, Dan, or Mark, (or Ty, for that matter) your 2009 Cleveland Browns will sport a spiffy pair of Hanks, born just three weeks apart.

I'm being patient, but I can't help hankering for something more.

Dealing Wheelie

The first bombshell of the Mangini/Kokinis era has fallen, and Wheelie will be soldiering south.

It's sad in a way, because he's a premiere talent, the best skill position player the Browns have had since, say, Eric Metcalf. (The Detroit Diva is close but has one more year in Cleveland -- maybe -- to prove himself.) Besides his ultra-competitive streak, Winslow has a set of hands as fine as you could ever hope for a tight end. Right up there with Oz.

But there the comparisons end. Whereas Newsome never really missed a game, Wheelie played in just 55% of the Browns' contests during his tenure. We all know about the broken leg, the devastating bike flop, the staph infections. But let's take a step back to review a most remarkable five-year run.

He arrived as a brash big name, costing the Browns a high first and second round pick to secure in 2004. Butch had already overplayed his hand with the draft-day trade and was desperate for an immediate turnaround. Winslow held out for top dollar just as he was turning 21, eventually inking the biggest deal of any tight end ever.

Then... No, wait, wait. I'm don't want to rehash all this again. Let's just put it this way: when he got on the field, Winslow was a gamer, a go-to guy. But for all his talent, he was far from a complete player. His blocking was inadequate. While he caught everything in sight, he just couldn't bust through tacklers even as well as Aaron Shea once did. And he committed way, way too many penalties.

The average stat line for Winslow's 44 games: 5 catches for 56 yards, .25 TDs, .09 fumbles.

Lots of heart. But his head? If you followed last season's dramatics at all, it's clear that it was not aligned with the best interests of the Browns' organization.

Trading Wheelie gives the new regime one less headache, $4 million or so more cap space, and a few draft picks to help recoup those spent on the heir apparent, Martin Rucker, among others.

Beyond the $16 million already banked, Wheelie wanted to get more bucks. Now the Bucs got him.

Before his body and/or his attitude totally breaks down, the Browns have cashed out on the risk that the uncanny Curse of 80 bites them even harder. While the loss of a gutsy playmaker, a face of the franchise, always goes down hard, this deal makes sense.

In keeping with the secretive streak of the new Browns brass, the exact picks were not disclosed. But the PD reports that it's a second-rounder (#50 overall) this year plus next year's fifth.

That's about 421 points on the draft value chart often used to assess trade values, figuring the year's delay on the lower pick is worth about one round less in today's terms. Compare that to the 2,030 points it took to draft Winslow in the first place.

In more human terms, here are the last nine players drafted 50th overall:

• Calais Campbell DE Miami (Fla.) Arizona Cardinals
• Chris Henry RB Arizona Tennessee Titans
• Marcus McNeill T Auburn San Diego Chargers
• Ronald Bartell CB Howard St. Louis Rams
• Devery Henderson WR Louisiana State New Orleans Saints
• Bruce Nelson C Iowa Carolina Panthers
• Chester Pitts T San Diego State Houston Texans
• Dominic Raiola C Nebraska Detroit Lions
• Barrett Green LB West Virginia Detroit Lions.

A few good ones, no doubt. A few names who might be there this time: S Patrick Chung (Oregon); WR Brian Robiskie (Ohio State); CB Darius Butler (Connecticut). But there's no sure thing in the NFL. Not even for a player more highly touted than his Hall of Famer father.

Instead, he ends his tour of duty here as a much beloved and reviled figure -- all for good reasons -- and as the third best tight end in Cleveland Browns history.

Curry and Clay, if I had my way

A Seattle-based blog is running with a good idea: a mock draft chosen by bloggers from each team. Though some of the choices so far are pretty wild, I am pleased to be able to represent the Browns and select linebackers Aaron Curry and Clay Matthews III in the first two rounds. If only it would really turn out that way.

Click through to follow the entire interblog mock draft. Here's what I wrote about Curry and Matthews:

5. Browns - Aaron Curry (LB) Wake Forest

Among the disturbing revelations laid bare during Cleveland's 2008 catastrophe was the team's paucity of quality depth. Early injuries to DE Robaire Smith and OLB Antwan Peek devastated the 3-4 defense's front seven much more than they should have. One solution to a talent-thin roster is versatility, and that's why I favor Curry.

New coach Eric Mangini will have many holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but upgrading the linebacking corps demands utmost urgency. Elders Willie McGinest and Andra Davis are all but gone, Peek's return to form is doubtful, and ILB Leon Williams has proven unready for full-time duty. That leaves only ILB D'Qwell Jackson and OLB Kamerion Wimbley as viable starters, with 2008 second-day picks Beau Bell and Alex Hall as possible contributors.

This Butkus Award winner would do more to solidify the Browns' subpar pass rush and run defense than any other player, though USC's Rey Maualuga and Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins are tempting options here. Adding to his outstanding aggressiveness, speed, and strength, Curry is durable, bright, and mature. He's just the best all-around choice to lead the Browns into their next era. His goal is to be drafted in the top five, so here's hoping he just barely makes it.

36. Browns -- Clay Matthews III (LB) Southern Cal.

No sentient Browns fan will fail to recognize the name. After all, his father played more NFL games in the orange and brown than any other man and remains the team's all-time sack leader.

While that alone is no reason to draft the son, this pick actually fills some of the Browns' most critical needs: restocking the linebacking corps, ginning up some sort of pash rush, and instantly intensifying the coverage units. Matthews may not cut a ferocious figure or stun the combine with pure athleticism, but through tremendous determination, he's grown into a very effective football player.

Incoming head coach Eric Mangini clearly seeks a certain chemistry in the Cleveland locker room, beginning with guys who obviously love the game. "The words that I told you would go up in the draft room are up: smart, hardworking, competitive, and selfless," Mangini said. The trajectory of Matthews' career at USC illustrates that this description fully fits the latest prospect from a proven pro bloodline. The positive PR that would arrive with this pick, while much needed, would be great gravy.

Phil's roster: how much better is it?

So Randy swung his big axe, and the first cut was the Player-Picker-in-Chief himself, Phil Savage. The strained forced marriage of Savage and Crennel in the end devolved into dysfunction all around.

Few doubt that the departing duo are both knowledgeable guys, but each lacked certain management skills. Savage's focus on hands-on scouting became an organizational deficit in Berea that John Collins noticed early, along with his thin skin. Eventually players and many others, including a certain insulting fan, caught on.

As for RAC, I respect his long knowledge of the game and even his steadfast stoicism, but he didn't get the most out of his rosters, didn't rebrand the expansion Browns as a team that finishes and wins, and didn't improve enough with his slow and shaky game management decisions.

Obviously lots more to say, but at this fulcrum, let's look back at what players this regime inherited and now leaves behind. There's also a column for players Phil both brought and let go. The chart excludes some minor names at the camp fodder/practice squad level.

How much did the roster really improve in these four years? Check out the era's sheer volume of churn. Count how many holes remain (or will soon emerge) in the starting and key backup roles (* = headed for unrestricted free agency). Remember the upcoming draft picks in rounds 3, 5, and 7 are already spent. Enjoy the circle turning around once again.

Phil Savage and the Browns Roster
Position		Inherited from '04	Bequeathed in '08	Came & went
QB	starter	J. Garcia	B. Quinn	T. Dilfer
	backups	K. Holcomb*	D. Anderson	C. Frye
		L. McCown	K. Dorsey	D. Johnson
		J. Harris	B. Gradkowski	L. Campbell
RB	starter	W. Green	J. Lewis	R. Droughns
	backups	L. Suggs	J. Wright*	C. Barclay
		A. Echemandu	J. Harrison	T. Thomas
		S. McCullough	A. Patrick
FB	starter	T. Smith	L. Vickers
	backups	C. McIntyre	C. Ali
		B. Miller
TE	starter	K. Winslow	K. Winslow	B. Miller
	backups	S. Heiden	S. Heiden	P. Irons
		A. Shea	M. Rucker
		K. Heinrich*	D. Dinkins*
		C. Mustard	B. Cieslak
OL	starters	R. Verba	J. Thomas	J. Andruzzi
		E. Demar	E. Steinbach	C. Coleman
		J. Faine	H. Fraley	L. Bentley
		K. Garmon	R. Tucker	N. Dorsey
		R. Tucker	K. Shaffer	L.J. Shelton
	backups	M. Fowler	R. Hadnot	M. Spears
		J. Gonzalez	S. McKinney*	K. Butler
		K. Chambers	I. Sowells	D. Yovanovits
		P. Zukauskas*	S. Young	J. Dunn
		D. Cook	L. Friedman*	B. Hallen
		C. Beasley	E. Young	M. Pucillo
WR	starters	A. Bryant	B. Edwards	L. Moore
		D. Northcutt	D. Stallworth	B. Rideau
	backups	A. Davis	J. Jurevicius	T. Wilson
		R. Alston	J. Cribbs	T. Carter
		F. Jackson	P. Hubbard	C. Brewster
		A. King*	S. Steptoe
		C.J. Jones	S. Sanders
DL	starters	C. Brown	S. Rogers	J. Fisk
		G. Warren	C. Williams	T. Washington
		O. Roye	R. Smith	S. Fraser
		K. Lang	S. Smith	E. Kelley
	backups	E. Ekuban	A. Rubin	B. Oshinowo
		T. Rogers*	L. Leonard	J. Parker
		A. McKinley	S. Thomas	J. Haye
		A. Gordon	M. Purcell	O. Harris
		N. Eason		A. Hoffman
		M. Myers		C. Pittman
		C. Jackson
LB	starters	A. Davis	A. Davis*	M. Stewart
		C. Thompson	D. Jackson	D. McMillan
		W. Holdman*	K. Wimbley	N. Speegle
		K. Bentley	W. McGinest*	J. Kurpeikis
	backups	B. Gardner*	A. Peek	O. Ruff
		M. Unck	B. Bell
		E. Westmoreland*	L. Williams
		B. Taylor	A. Hall
		S. Coates	K. Griffin*
		B. Boyer	S. Orr*
			T. Brown
DB	starters	A. Henry*	E. Wright	B. Russell
		D. McCutcheon	B. McDonald	G. Baxter
		R. Griffith	S. Jones*	K. Wright
		E. Little	B. Pool	R. Brown
	backups	M. Lehan	M. Adams*	A. Harris
		L. Sanders*	T. Cousin	R. Mickens
		S. Jones	T. Daniels*	P. Hunter
		C. Crocker	N. Sorensen	J. Perry
		M. Jameson	G. Lawson	J. Hamilton
		L. Bodden	H. Abdullah	D. Minter
		D. Carter	D. Holly*	A. Perkins
Spec.		P. Dawson	P. Dawson	S. Player
		D. Frost	D. Zastudil	K. Richardson
		R. Pontbriand	R. Pontbriand	P. Ernster

Unholy Toledo

I've long pined for the day that a former Toledo Rocket would take the field with the orange and brown for the first time in my memory.

There was rookie GM Phil Savage's clever 2005 offer sheet to Chester Taylor, which the Ravens opted to match, retaining their restricted free agent running back for another year. Soon after, a smallish receiver with the great name of Lance Moore was one of Cleveland's last training camp cuts. His current stats -- 71 catches and 8 TDs for New Orleans -- would easily lead today's Browns.

Little did I expect that the first appearance of Rocket-turned-Brown in the regular season since Mel Long in 1974 would be street free agent Bruce Gradkowski, mopping up as the fourth quarterback in a desperate, desolate situation. Honestly, there was more production from my blogging today, and that ain't saying much.

Instead, my lasting memory from today's game will be Ken Dorsey going deep for the Detroit Diva, who high-hurdled the intercepting Leon Hall, thus allowing his former Michigan teammate to return his third pick of the game 27 yards.

No single play better represents the wreckage of this Browns season.

Orange alert

Historically, nothing has ticked off Browns' management more than losing to cross-state rival Cincinnati, the team founded by the exiled Browns' coach and namesake, Paul Brown. Let's review:

1984: Art Modell fires avuncular head coach Sam Rutigliano after the Browns lose 12-9 in Cincinnati to fall to 1-7.

1990: Bud Carson's second year at the helm ends with a franchise worst 3-13 record after a season-ending 21-14 loss to the Bengals. He is promptly relieved of his duties.

2004: Pressure following a string of losses proved insurmountable to Butch Davis following a wild 58-48 loss in Cincinnati. He struck a deal and resigned with five games remaining.

2008: Romeo Crennel falls to 2-6 in the I-71 rivalry, which includes getting shut out twice at home. The Bengals now lead the all-time series, 36-35. This time, owner Randy Lerner is expected to wait one more week before swinging the axe on the man who already has a worse record than any of the predecessors mentioned above.

Cancel the ambulance, call the mortician

While schedule strength and rancid response to raised expectations contributed mightily to the Browns' dropoff from a year ago, it is injuries -- and the subsequent failure to adequately backfill the roster -- that account for much of the difference between 2007 and 2008.

This season is more of a failure than last year's was a success. The following in no way argues that Romeo Crennel should get a pass -- indeed, it's obviously time to move on -- but just take a look at what injuries have wrought to each positional group through just the season's first 11 games, after which the team stood at 4-7, effectively extinguishing any post-season hopes.

Wide receiver: The Detroit Diva missed most of the pre-season, breaking any momentum he may have had to build on his stellar 2007 success. Joe Jurevicius, last year's clutch third-down option, missed the entire season. Donte Stallworth, signed as a viable #2 receiver, missed five of the first eight games and was hampered in the others. Josh Cribbs' pre-season ankle sprain further set back the scoring threat, as he missed Opening Day and was not his usual super self early on. One other incoming veteran who might have helped -- Kevin Kasper -- went on injured reserve in the summer.

That left the receiving corps with the likes of undersized Syndric Steptoe all too often setting the edge on running plays, a role Jurevicius handled much more ably last year.

Defensive line: The loss of starting end Robaire Smith in the second game was devastating. Corey Williams, himself hampered all year by shoulder problems, was forced to play more than he should have. Shaun Rogers stepped up big time, but even he has been dinged and less effective of late. Another key rotational guy, Shaun Smith, missed four of the first 11 games.

The unit, never deep to begin with, was forced to rely on the inexperienced Louis Leonard, Santonio Thomas, and Ahtyba Rubin (himself inactive for four of the first 14 games). Also, one-time project Chase Pittman was waived due to injury in the pre-season.

Offensive line: The unit key to 2007's success was disrupted by several injuries. Rugged run-blocker Ryan Tucker played in only the Giants game (the season's highlight, not coincidentally). Stalwart Eric Steinbach has been limited as well, missing games 3 and 9 entirely. Right side protectors Kevin Shaffer and Rex Hadnot also missed a game apiece. Lennie Friedman, a key reserve and special-teamer, went on IR before the season kicked off. The Browns knew better than to count on LeCharles Bentley's return to health, so his June release, while distracting, was practically pre-ordained.

Quarterback: Derek Anderson's pre-season concussion proved costly, as the cobwebs were a long time in clearing. When Romeo finally turned to Brady Quinn, he hurt his hand in game 10 and was ineffective the next week before getting yanked and shut down. Thus, any hopes for a miracle finish were snuffed.

Running backs: Jamal Lewis' pre-season injury was a factor in limiting his production. Fullback Lawrence Vickers was also hurt and missed games 8-10.

Defensive backs: The off-season losses of Daven Holly (knee), Leigh Bodden (trade), and Kenny Wright (legal) were never adequately replaced by the likes of Terry Cousin, Travis Daniels, and Gerard Lawson. The two young starting corners were essentially left to fend for themselves covering receivers that enemy QBs had too much time to find. At safety, Sean Jones missed most of pre-season and games 2-5. The other starter, Brodney Pool, missed the opening game with a concussion. The team's best remaining nickel back, Mike Adams, also missed two games. Before the season even started, safety candidates Gary Baxter and Justin Sandy were released due to their injury problems.

Linebackers: The key blow here was to pass-rusher Antwan Peek, who played hobbled last year and missed 2008 entirely. Top rookie pick Beau Bell played in only four games, to little effect. Veteran Willie McGinest missed games 3-4.

Tight end: Wheelie's staph infection and its aftermath was a major midseason bummer on several levels. Rookie Martin Rucker didn't see the field until the 12th game.

So every single group on offense and defense suffered seriously through attrition. All this doesn't fully explain the calamity that is the 2008 Cleveland Browns, but I can't help thinking that a few less injuries, especially early on, might have drastically changed the complexion of this sad season. And a more aggressive pursuit of quality replacements might have stanched the bleeding.

Record picking

Amid this broken season, we can at least add one positive break. Brandon McDonald's 122 yards on interception returns last night broke the franchise record of 115 set by Bernie Parrish back in 1960.

I'm not exactly doing flips about it, but it's something. And it breaks the longest TD drought in team history.

Lost cause: Mouths of Babes edition

So on Sunday I drove my family from Michigan to New York for a Thanksgiving Week visit to the in-laws. We stopped in Cleveland to break up the trip, visit friends, and watch the game.

After one of the many lamentable plays fouled up by the Browns (I can't recall which, there were so many), nine-year-old Lydia quipped, "That's why most of my school is Steelers fans."

Yep, that's right. A fourth-grader living and learning in Cleveland proper is surrounded by classmates who actively disfavor the hometown tradition of the orange and brown. Rather, the very epicenter of the Browns fan base -- the pool of all future support for this historic civic institution -- is blackening with the garb and the gab of the dreaded Pittsburghers.

Really, what else could better illustrate the pitiful plight of the Browns' franchise?

Another Monday Night delight

I won't rehash. You saw it, didn't you? Here are a few statistical reflections and such:

No running back who gets the ball at least once a game has a higher rushing average than Jerome Harrison. He also ranks fourth among backs in receiving average (five catch minimum).

When the Browns run the ball, it's been Jamal Lewis 71% of the time. Exclude the QBs and its 79%. Yet the big man has just 61% of the team's rushing yards. Even fullback Lawrence Vickers has a higher per-carry average than the Browns' workhorse.

Phil Dawson had some amazing kicks last year, but 2008 is clearly the best of his ten seasons. He's perfect within 50 yards, and he's made three 50+ kicks, twice topping his career long. Plus, nearly one in five of his kickoffs results in a touchback, the best ratio of his career.

Brady Quinn has thrown his first 79 NFL passes without an interception. The record to start a career is 162 by Tom Brady.

The Browns managed to win this game despite

• not sacking their quarterback
• possessing the ball less than 45% of the time
• no big returns from Josh Cribbs
• cornerback Eric Wright leading the team in solo tackles
• no screen passes
• negative net yardage from Donte Stallworth
• outscoring the Bills in only one of the four quarters
• scoring fewer touchdowns
• terrible team tackling

The Browns managed to win this game because

• The Detroit Diva caught more than he dropped
• Dawson scored 17 points
• Brady hung tough enough
• Plus-4 in turnovers oughta eke you out a two-point win.