Some postgame thoughts:
The Browns lost 14-0 to the Bengals. Romeo Crennel sat down at his news conference and I wondered what he could say. I walked into the Browns locker room after the game and wondered what the players could say. Neither could say a thing. There's nothing left to say. This season is a complete washout. The time to prepare for 2009 cannot come soon enough.
Comments during the game:
Browns vs. Cincinnati — pregame
How much more exciting does it get than Ken Dorsey facing Ryan Fitzpatrick in a game? NFL Action. See it. … What's better than this? The Insight Bank Savings Bond Bowl? … Bill Livingston showed up with a new haircut. Must be his annual "Battle of Ohio" new doo. … I'm guessing 40,000 brave souls are in the stands on this frigid afternoon (wind chill: minus 5 to minus 15).
First quarter – It's cold
Channel 3's weather woman just appeared on the big screen to tell folks it's cold. … Who knew? … Josh Cribbs gets the ball three plays in a row and the Browns get two first downs. … Two plays later a Bengals interception and touchdown on Ken Dorsey's first throw. … Leon Hall, a Michigan guy, gets booed in Cleveland stadium. … Go figure. … Next possession the Browns try a third-down shovel pass. That might be all we see Ken Dorsey try the rest of the day? … A Corey Fuller-type play strips Cedric Benson of the ball after a long run. … Romeo Crennel decides to go for it on fourth-and-two and Eric Steinbach jumps early. On fourth-and-seven he punts. I'd have gone for it. … Here's a Faith Hill update for Alan. … 
Cincinnati runs a shovel pass, and it works. … The first quarter ends with Cincinnati leading 7-0.
Second quarter – The Cincinnati Bengals are running up the score
Willie McGinest drops an interception that could have been a touchdown, so on third-and-11 the Bengals throw short and the guy runs for about 28 yards. … Cripes. … The next third down Fitzpatrick scrambles for a first down. … Cripes again. … The next third down Fitzpatrick throws a touchdown pass over Eric Wright and the Browns are down 14-0. … Cincinnati's power offense goes 89 yards on 15 plays and uses 8:36 to do so. … Not in our house. … Who picked these 53 players? … They blew up the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, by the way. … MTV plans 16 new reality shows this year. … Just what the world needs, another reality show. … During a replay review, all the Browns huddle around the heaters while the Bengals offense waits on the field. … The Bengals are running through the Browns like it's 11-on-5. Cedric Benson has 118 yards in the first half. On 22 carries. … That's in one half. … The Browns get a first down! … But the half ends with no score. That's 18 quarters and 14:47 since an offensive touchdown. … The half ends with Cincinnati leading 14-0.
Third quarter – Spilled beer and no points
Jamal Lewis tops 10,000 yards for his career. Good for him. … Hank Fraley is called for an "illegal snap." How does this happen? … I'm told by the guy next to me "that's when the ball is snapped illegally." … Dorsey throws another interception. … Can Bruce Gradkowksi be worse? … During that possession, a fan in the club seats falls two rows and spills his beer on some poor woman in front of him. … She sits covered in frozen beer. … The third quarter ends, and it's now 19 quarters and 14:47 since an offensive touchdown. … Cincinnati still leads 14-0.
Fourth quarter – A merciful end to a miserable game
I hope if Mike Holmgren is interested that the Browns call him. … Assuming of course that there is a coaching change. … And if there is, why wait another game? Make the move Monday and get it over with. … Losing to Cincinnati at home might be enough. … Just wondering: Can the Browns still be the "best worst" team in the NFL? … Leon Hall gets his third pick of the day and Chinedum Ndukwe buries Braylon Edwards on the return. It was payback for earlier, when Edwards de-cleated Ndukwe on a run. … With 10:46 left the Browns are getting shut out by the Bengals. … Benson now has 32 carries for 151 yards. … Fans are streaming out, and who can blame them. The Browns did not score a touchdown the last three home games. … Dorsey heads to the locker room and Gradkowski excites the fans with an overthrow down the sidelines. … What a season. .. Final score: Cincinnati 14, Cleveland 0.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Here's a Faith Hill update for Pat:
http://www.faith-images.us/displayimage.php?album=topn&cat=0&pos=169
Mike Holmgren??? I don't trust a guy who once shilled for Rogaine, and then proved it doesn't work one iota. That kind of failure gives us regular guys even less hope than the Cleveland Browns.
…and yet I keep watching.
Pat you are right. This season cannot end quick enough.
I'm looking at that website, and it's amazing what tons of makeup and great hair care can do to an otherwise very average-looking gal. It's too bad average guys can't wear makeup without looking really gay. The world would be a much better-looking place. And what's with Tim McGraw's silly toupee? And what would Mike Holmgren look like wearing Tim McGraw's silly toupee?
These last few Browns games are for the best. With no redeeming qualities coming out of them, Lerner will feel pressured to can Savage at the same time he cans Crennel, instead of merely demoting Savage. If nothing else, the housecleaning will give fans hope, even if there's nothing tangible about it. That's what keeps money in sports franchise owners' wallets, the never-ending hype of hope. Then come September, let the spin begin. And then Lerner can go back to wearing those cute little soccer shorts with the Jim Thome hiked-up socks.
What’s wrong with the Brown’s starts at the top. Savage was a well respected talent scout, but was over his head with GM responsibilities. He has made a few good choices, however the product on the field he assembled only looks good on paper. Considering the power struggle a couple of years ago, its unlikely Savage will agree to stay on in a talent evaluator/scouting role. He’s had the limelight, and is unlikely to take a hit on his pride. Further, see his distancing himself from Romeo as Lerner announced changes forthcoming.
What the Browns need is a true football man with proven franchise turnaround experience, the grit to make the tough choices, and provide leadership that reflects the entire organization and earns respect through consistency- but most importantly results on Sunday.
The Browns need someone like Ron Wolf (formerly of the Packers) as President of Football Operations that took that troubled franchise, hired a strong leader for a coach (Holmgren), and traded for his “on the field general” – Favre. He then built the football dynasty of the 90s around these leaders once in place.
Start with the right top football guy – he’ll recruit the right coach. It would be great to see Cowher come to Cleveland, but lets be honest- the Rooneys stayed by him for over 15 years, and (in his own words) treated him as a son. Cowher is a proudful man, and will not go to the competition in the same division. It would be viewed as disrespectful, and Cowher just won’t do it. I think he’ll take the Cowboys job if it does indeed become available.
Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris, Jim Schwartz are all defensive coordinators (yes I know no coordinators, but look at Tomlin, Smith, Harbaugh and their first year accomplishments) that will be HCs in the NFl next year. An outside candidate is an innovative HC Urban Meyer (Florida Gators) whose track record for success cannot be ignored.
Bottom line-start at the top with the right leader, and build from within – success will follow.
Maybe we can play some of our home games in Toronto next year.
Or Windsor.
Or Anchorage.
Heck, New York Cityish has two teams, You think Baltimore/DC could support 3?
No Holmgren or any other west coast offense guy, please.
I keep saying that I don't care…and yet I read about the aftermath every Monday…or is it because Pat is such a fabulous writer?
I have to agree with Drew, here. Being a Cleveland Sports Fan is the height of sado-masochism. You watch, you read, you suffer…and you keep coming back for more. Hurt me, oh won't you please hurt me! The even scarier part is that when we are having a successful season, Browns & Indians last year, Cavaliers this year, all I ever do is worry: injuries, bad luck, bad management, stupidity, will bring it all crashing down to earth. Is this any way to live?
pat, why do i get the feeling that terry pluto's column after the browns game was originally an e-mail to you.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2008/12/pluto_pathetic_finish_to_a_woe.html