I believe this is the moment where I get to say: "Gee, I hate to be negative … but …"

The Browns stunk up the joint in Denver on Sunday. They played a team that many thought they could beat, and they lost by 21. It wasn't even that close. Denver could have had two more field goals. Other than their first possession when Denver fumbled the opening kickoff, it's tough to find the rest of the points the Browns left on the field.

This was not Minnesota.

There's no finding a silver lining in saying the Browns a team ready for the Super Bowl.

There is no silver lining at all. Because this Browns team looks far closer to the one that Peter King predicted would go 2-14 than one that can even remotely think of challenging for the playoffs.

There are many problems on this team.

Just like there were many last season.

Let me list a few:

Suspect corners.

Brandon McDonald was torched on a complex out that Jabar Gaffney turned into a big gain. Eric Wright ran alongside Correll Buckhalter for seven yards without even trying to tackle him.

No nickel corner. Brandon Stokley made catch after catch after catch after catch on Hank Poteat.

Right side of the offensive line. Elvis Dumervil tied a Broncos record for sacks in a game with four, and John St. Clair added a false start penalty for good measure.

Tight end. Robert Royal catches some, doesn't catch others.

Depth at WR. Tell me who is dependable after Braylon Edwards, who is on again and off again when it comes to dependability. The Browns are forcing Josh Cribbs into the No. 2 receiver role and he's not a No. 2receiver. He's a great football player, but he's not a No. 2 receiver. It might be time to put Mohammed Massaquoi on the field, or take Brian Robiskie out of mothballs. Cribbs is an excellent returner and can contribute when used wisely, but it's not as a No. 2 receiver.

Brady Quinn has some wondering if it's time to go to Derek Anderson. Imagine that one. Quinn deserves time, but he's not inspiring confidence.

Coach Eric Mangini apparently is the fine master. Various reports have it that he fined safety Abram Elam $1,701 for taking a bottle of water from a hotel room ("I don't know where that came from," Elam said when asked) and other reports have Mangini fining guys for other middling offenses. A player should pay for his water, of course, but this team seems close to being fractured.

Second halves. They've belonged to the other team. Minnesota and Denver have outscored the Browns 41-7.

The offense has gone eight games without a meaningful touchdown. That's one-half a season.

Sunday the Browns called timeout down 21 with 1:52 left. Last season Romeo Crennel was lambasted for that kind of decision. When Mangini was hired, the quip was that the Browns had hired ""Romeo Light." Perhaps the quip had foundation.

Mangini looked anything but confident as he spoke after the game.

That's kind.

He looked like he'd been hit by 38 sacks of potatoes.

He's 0-and-2 and heading to Baltimore.

Meanwhile, Rex Ryan, whom the Browns didn't interview, beat New England and is 2-and-0 with the Jets.

Josh McDaniels, whom the Browns did interview, is 2-and-0 in Denver.

Early in the game, Denver had the ball at the Browns 2-yard-line and called timeout. They came out with tight end Tony Sheffler split and lined up opposite linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

Touchdown.

The Browns got to the 7 after Denver fumbled the opening kickoff, ran Jamal Lewis twice and then Quinn followed Mike Furrey all the way across the field and overthrew him by five yards.

Mangini insited the Browns have enough players to win.

 He pleaded for consistency, consistency, consistency.

 He's getting consistency.

 t's just been the wrong kind.

 Random thoughts … 

   –Good thing the Browns brought in those ex-Jets to shore up the defense.

   –John St. Clair has struggled badly at right tackle. Elvis Dumervil tied a Broncos team record with four sacks in a game.

   –With Shaun Rogers back at nose tackle, the Browns have given up 225 and 186 yards rushing in consecutive games.

   –Quinn had a couple throws over the middle that he made with authority, but he had a few that sailed high and/or wide. He deserves time, but the next defense he's facing in Baltimore won't exactly be a salve.

   –The Browns do have excellent kickers.

   —Hoo hoo!

  —I got nothing left.

What they said:

Denver QB Kyle Orton: "They do quite a bit of stuff on defense, exotic stuff. You want to be aggressive, but you do not want to make mistakes early in the game. We took care of the ball and kind of figured out what they were going to do.

KR/WR Josh Cribbs: "'m a little embarrassed on how we played today, and how I played today."

LB Kamerion Wimbley: "We just have some little things to fix and we need to do that for next week."

Mangini: "We have plenty of players that we can win with. We need to adjust the problems that we have. It's not a big mystery. There are things that are correctable and controllable, and we need to get in control of them."

I posted earlier that Brady Quinn described the Browns offense as “methodical.” I opined mainly on Quinn. But I must say that this approach does not bode well for Braylon Edwards in his contract year.

By the way, Denver’s Kyle Orton said this of the Browns defense: “(They have) probably the best secondary that we have seen so far.”

Which makes the Browns better than Cincinnati.

Orton added: “(Eric) Wright, No. 24, is a great player.”

Which means the air is a lot thinner in Denver than we all thought.

It was good to hear Eric Mangini state his dissatisfaction with the celebration penalty incurred by Eric Wright in the Browns preseason win over the Lions. Mangini said he talked to the team about celebrating as a team, about not doing things as an individual – and about not hurting the team.

“I’m not going to set up any celebration police force or anything like that,” Mangini said. “I think everybody is different.  I’m not asking somebody to be outside their personality, or something like that, just put it in the right context. …

“… whether you do something good or you do something bad, either celebrate it or be angry for about five seconds, because life moves on and you have to get on to the next thing.  It’s true in games.”

That has been one of the great secrets of Bill Belichick’s success. Good or bad, the New England Patriots end a play and immediately move on to the next play. They enjoy their success, but they don’t dwell on it. They get up, go to the huddle and concentrate on the next play.

In this day and age, not celebrating as an individual might be asking a lot, but Wright’s celebration brought new meaning to over the top. He made a very nice play to intercept Matt Stafford’s pass, then made a very nice run to nearly score. At that point, his neurons apparently started to misfire. Wright did an exaggerated end-zone bow and attempted leap into the stands.

That would have been a lot after a touchdown, let alone after a play that ended at the 5-yard-line.

Mangini called celebrations and retaliations “selfish.”

He’s right. Wright cost his team 15 yards and a good scoring opportunity. I’m not sure how popular Wright is with his teammates, but what he did was not professional. If I were Jamal lewis, I might have had a little sit-down with him.

“I want the team to direct their emotion in the right way,” Mangini said. “I think that guys should be happy about the things that they do well and other guys should be happy for their success and it should be celebrated in a team fashion, but not out of context and in perspective of, we have to move on to the next play.

“We have to play the next play.  There are other things happening.”

Amen.

First and 10

1)      I've been thinking and thinking all day about the Browns and I just don't know where to start. Where does one start with this team?

2)      It seems to be a team disintegrating in front of our eyes. The GM sends a completely inappropriate e-mail to a fan. He's taking fans' e-mails while the local media can't get hold of him. He suspended Kellen Winslow and let the coach do the talking for it, then let the coach speak for his e-mail as well. All while talking on the radio on his handpicked show with his handpicked interviewees. He left the coach with a team that lacks a secondary and any kind of quality depth at receiver. He has not spoken to the media at length since he talked about Winslow's unsuspended suspension. For years he's chosen times to speak to the fans and media, and he's done it at irregular intervals. The thinking has been that the coach speaks during the season and the GM in the offseason, which is fine. But when the GM does not talk at critical times, at times of difficulty, it leaves the team looking leaderless, with no firm control at the top.

3)      The GM has had his hits in drafting and trading, like Shaun Rogers and Brady Quinn and Joe Thomas. But when the team loses the ones who aren't playing up to par look worse – Kamerion Wimbley and D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Wright – and the hits don't seem as strong. But like anyone he's had his misses. Melvin Fowler started a bunch of games after being traded for Nat Dorsey, who is no longer a Brown. Jeff Faine went to a Pro Bowl after he was traded. The GM's third-round picks included Charlie Frye and Travis Wilson. Antonio Perkins never played. That's too few hits in the middle rounds, which is where people like Ozzie Newsome build their team.

4)      The coach, meanwhile, confesses he does not know what kind of effort he is going to get from his team. And what kind of team will show up. But the coach is working with a roster he can not alter, and moves are made for him. He didn't get rid of the coaches fired a year ago, nor did he hire the new staff. It's no secret the coaching staff wanted a veteran defensive back and a veteran receiver this year. None arrived. Every single game the voids in the secondary and receiver have shown.

5)      At times, it seems like the coach is a policeman trying to direct traffic at a demolition derby, with cars smashing into each other from all directions. He's respected, liked, and he's doing his best, but it's just a chaotic mess around him.

6)      But the coach's situation is compounded by curious on-field decisions, like pulling a quarterback after three quarters in his third start. I see it this way: The coach knew his job was in real danger. He knew if he was going to make anything of this season he had to beat Houston at home. He didn't see much from Brady Quinn. He figured it was do or die, he had to try something. So he did.

7)      Except that the coach went all week with Quinn working with the starters (according to Jamal Lewis). So that change makes even less sense given that fact. Derek Anderson did not help himself or his coach, but it sure seems like he was thrown into a pretty difficult situation. Then again … it was Houston.

8)      Then there's the play-calling. Cold day. November day. Cleveland day. Run the ball. Pound it at them. Jamal Lewis finally, finally, looks like the Lewis of last season in a third-quarter drive. He finishes with 10 carries. Ten. And he averaged 5.8 yards per carry. Give him the ball 22 times! Give it to Jerome Harrison 14 times. Run the ball. The offensive coordinator did not go from a good coach to a bad coach in a year, but when times are tough it's best to go back to basics.

9)      Last offseason the offensive coordinator was going to interview to be head coach in Baltimore. The night before the interview the Browns paid him gobs of money to stay. I haven't absolutely confirmed it, but I've been told by very reliable sources that his contract calls for him to make $2 million this year, $2.7 million next and $2.9 the following. This is Hall of Fame money, meaning a guy heading to the Hall of Fame gets that kind of pay. Until Dallas retained Jason Garrett, I'm told the Browns offensive coordinator was the highest paid assistant coach in the league. After one season as an NFL coordinator. Rob Chudzinski is a good, bright coach. The Browns were wise to keep him, even if he did struggle last Sunday. But what team operates that way? What team, at the threat of an interview (not a job offer), reacts with that kind of offer? And what does that say to other coaches on the staff? Did they get a raise too?

10)   Where do we finish with this sour, sour year? With the legitimate question: Does the pain of not winning for so long in Cleveland make losses like this and situations like this exponentially worse? Of course it does. But that doesn't meant the Browns have a firm hand on their organization. It's hard to believe any organization would do the things that happen in Cleveland, but they happen. This season the responsibility goes to everyone. There is an inherently good man as the coach, a man who stands for much that is right and who deserves to win. But he's not winning. And he knows what that means. There is a leadership void at the top, with no firm hand on the ship's wheel. There is a GM who laments his job description on the radio one week and e-mails a fan an obscene message another. There are good coaches on the staff, but watching them walk out of the press box Sunday after losing to Houston was like watching guys heading to their funerals. Apparently the GM looked the same way. The coach who spent part of the week talking about the GM's e-mail? He looked bewildered. It was like nobody could believe, in the words of Jack Buck, what they just saw. Making changes now is silly. But there need to be some changes – and if it's not in people it should be in approach. In bringing leadership at the top. Real leadership that doesn't leave the coach to clean up all the messes and does have the man on the top answering questions — and leading.

11)   Cripes, I didn't even get into the players, many of whom have completely and totally let down their team and themselves. Cripes. What a season.

You're an Idiot

Too many possibilities this week. Plus it's a holiday. I'm not going there.

Three and Out

And we're letting them run this week because … well … the fans deserve a place to vent.

Dear Pat,

I don't envy someone having to write about the Browns at this point, but I guess someone has to do it. Is it my imagination, or does the defense just kind of stand around like bumpers on a pinball machine, waiting for someone to bounce off them?

I told a friend of mine I was thinking about going to the next open tryouts; of course, I got a weird look. I said well, look what they're paying Kellen Winslow to drop passes. I could drop at LEAST that many and for a who-o-o-o-le lot less money.

OK, that's the end of my rant. I'll bet you've had some real doozies.

Steve Shonk

Navarre

Dear Steve,

Folks … I must confess. I cut Steve's rant short a bit.

But any rant that includes the word "doozies" demands inclusion.

They must grow ‘em smart in Navarre.

As for me, I have a great job. And truly it is no fun at all writing nasty things. The Browns folks work their you-know-whats off to make it work. They care. They try. For whatever reason it's not working, which is frustrating. But what really gets frustrating is the extra stuff that comes along, the stuff that's not needed or not necessary.

Dear Pat,

As bad as the Browns are, there are teams with worse records – the Lions, 49ers and Bengals. The Jags have the same record with a more stable ownership and a better head coach. Three of their wins are against two decent teams and the Super Bowl champs.

There is hope, Just rebuild the engine. Don't replace the whole car.

KP

Port Saint Lucie, Fla.

Dear KP,

Well there's the half-full view.

Hoist the flag because the Browns are better than the Lions, 49ers and Bengals.

Hoo hoo!

It continues to amaze me that the Browns garner attention from all over the country after these sorry performances. I don't think the fans will ever say ‘enough.'

Dear Pat,

I feel that the biggest difference between last year and this year is the lack of Joe Jurevicius on offense. He was the guy you could count on to keep drives alive. This year, Braylon Edwards either drops it or Kellen Winslow gets an offensive pass interference call. Converting on third down keeps the chains moving and keeps the defense off of the field.

The only Browns offensive player that consistently shows up every play and can be comparable to Joe Jurevicius is Steve Heiden. But he is way under-utilized. He blocks, he catches, he runs the right routes. He just does his job. Play him more.

As far as the management of the team, I think that because this city is so starved for a winner that the Browns organization have dug themselves a financial hole by giving contract extensions to those who haven't been consistent winners. Derek Anderson goes 10-5 as a starter. Boom, new contract. Romeo has a winning season in three years. Boom, contract extension. If I were in charge of the Browns, I would have told these people "Do it again and then we'll talk." D.A. started to falter at the end of last year and that would have been a red flag saying that maybe this guy can't win "big" or "must-win" games. How will he bounce back? If Brady Quinn would have stepped in and won every game the rest of the season, he would have been given a contract extension through 2016.

At the beginning of the season, there was talk of Kellen Winslow wanting to re-structure his contract. What the hell for? He breaks his leg early in his career (not his fault) and then goes out stunt-riding and misses the next season. He did make a number of big plays last year, but this year, he hasn't been as big of a "soldier" or "warrior" on the field as his mouth has been off the field. He is too much of a distraction.

Why hasn't Braylon been benched? Answer: Because they don't have anyone else. Who's going to step up? Steptoe? Stallworth?

Knee-jerk decisions have caused this organization to start over time and time again.

I'm just so frustrated. Paul Brown set up this organization as one of class and yet time and time again, the Browns embarrass themselves on and off the field. It could be worse, I could be a Bengals fan.

Adam Gannon

Dear Adam,

Outstanding letter.

Could not agree more on Jurevicius, Edwards, the receivers, the reactions on contract extensions, etc.

I do wonder, though, if it's worse in Cincinnati.

Dear Pat,

Isn't it funny how the lack of attention, execution and finger pointing all lends itself to the Butch Davis era?  Isn't this exactly the way things were going then? Only after his exit did the locker room and inter-team issues come to light.

I think we have all had a belly full of Kellen, Braylon, Jamal pointing fingers when they are the ones not performing.  I also think the team has long left Romeo behind.

This is not a team but a group of individuals posing as a team.  Real teams come together under adversity; unfortunately for us fans this team is coming apart.

Mike Dezort

Dear Mike,

Unfortunately for you fans, you keep believing that things will change.

They don't.

Dear Pat,

F*&# you.  Go root for Houston.

Love,

Phil Savage

Dear …

OK … It was a joke! And it came courtesy of Tom Crookston, who wins the "Clever E-Mail of the Week Award." Nice touch in a tough week, Tom.

Dear Pat,

How could you leave out Randy Lerner for criticism?  It is his team and his mess and he does nothing, says nothing, knows nothing.  That's where the change has to be.

W. E. Greenfield

Bradenton, FL.

Dear W.E.,

I would respectfully disagree with two of your premises about Lerner. He does not say "nothing" and he does not do "nothing." He says and does a lot, it's just not publicized.

The main thing he does do is let the people he hires do their job. He bends over backward, in fact, not to interfere.

In most cases, this is a strength.

But when the people you hire let you down it becomes a problem.

Much like when the players the coach trusts let him down, the coach looks bad.

Everyone shares responsibility for this season – from Lerner to the players. I think Randy would admit that.

Dear Pat,

Don't you think based on his comments after the game and the number of drops that it's time for the coach or GM to bench Braylon Edwards for a game?

Just another reason to not attend games (season ticket holder) or even waste an afternoon watching on TV.

The dysfunction of this team from the top down just seems to get worse and worse each week!

And … why was Phil Savage replying to any e-mails from fan(s) during the game or anytime. One would think he has more important things to do, no?

John Lubinski

Akron

Dear John,

I've asked about benching Edwards and the answer I got was: Who do you want us to play? Syndric Steptoe? Josh Cribbs (not a polished receiver yet)? Steve Sanders? Those are the choices.

It highlights the lack of depth at receiver.

As for your question about Savage, I wonder the same thing. I really do.

Dear Pat,

Why shouldn't that e-mail from Phil Savage happen?  Why shouldn't he be allowed to be frustrated and upset and respond to meanness. You wrote in the Beacon Journal: "Let's also be honest and say that there's no doubt fans can say some mean and nasty things. Media, too, for that matter."  But we cannot forgive when the person the mean and nasty things are said to gets fed up?  That is wrong.  If it is unforgivable and embarrassing for a GM to do it, it should be just as embarrassing for a fan or the media.

I do not like the double standard that is set here.  It is wrong to make the GM the whipping boy and make him take the abuse.

I like the way Savage handled it.  Both he and the fan apologized to each other.  It was between them that it occurred and should stay there.  The matter should be closed.

If Randy Lerner has a problem with what Savage did, then as his boss he has every right to require Savage to act differently and deal with Savage as an employee.  The media and the fans have no part of this incident.

If you wish to comment on Savage and his position please stick to the things he does do try to improve the team.

Thank you,

Mike Abdoo

Dear Mike,

Interesting thoughts, and a well-written letter.

I just respectfully disagree.

And here's why: Someone has to be the final arbiter of taste and what is appropriate. It happens everywhere. TV, in stadiums, in arenas, everywhere. Teams can call a halt at chanted obscenities. I know if the Indians see a shirt that has something inappropriate – like the word referring to what vacuums do – they will give said fan a free Indians shirt to wear over it. They are deciding what is appropriate.

When a person is in a position of leadership, he has to stand for something. And he has to call a halt. It's not OK for a fan to be belligerent. But it's less OK for the GM to sink to that level.

He sets the standard. For the team and the way it will represent itself in the community.

(Want to be recognized in "Three and Out"? It's a rare treat. Comment here or send an e-mail to pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com, and put "First and 10" in the subject line)

First and 10

1)      A reporter is supposed to be objective in this job. You know, be fair and balanced, not root … that kind of thing. But there are times when you can't help but be happy for certain individuals. So it is for Phil Dawson, who deserves every bit of praise and respect sent his way. The entire Browns team loves Dawson. He is a pro, a good person, a good father and he and his wife Shannon have been as much a part of this team as any player I can remember. They are top-notch people and Dawson has been a top-notch professional for this team from the day he walked in the door in 1999. Dawson has kicked 49-yarder through blizzards and continued to kick and cover after breaking his arm during a game. He's missed game-winners and stood at his locker after and answered every question. He never hides from responsibility, never ducks a question and never makes excuses when he misses a kick. When he makes one, he's humble and maintains perspective. To see his coach call on him Monday night, to see that kick go through for him … well that was a moment worth waiting for.

2)      It's at this point that you may reach for the tissue to wipe away the tear.

3)      On another serious note, this might be the worst Browns defense to take the field since 1999. If Shaun Rogers does not make a tackle, it's likely not going to be made. Marshawn Lynch ran for 119 yards and caught 10 passes for 58 more. I'd wager one-third of those yards came after the first attempted tackle, and at least one-half came after the first hit. Shameful.

4)      Those negatives were glaring, but Dawson's kick that gave the Browns a win makes those negatives a tiny bit more palatable. But just a tiny bit, though. There's no erasing how the Browns defense played Monday night.

5)      Monday's game is an example of a coach's decision looking smart or not smart based on whether his players pick him up. Earlier this season, Crennel made some fourth-down decisions I did not agree with, but pointed out the decisions were made worse when his players did not help the coach out. Monday night, I thought a 56-yard field goal was too long to try and I would have gone for a first down on fourth-and-10. Crennel decided to kick, and looked good for the choice when Dawson backed him up.

6)      The Bills got to the Browns 32-yard-line on their final possession, then ran the ball three times. Easily second-guessable, except for the fact that Buffalo had run on the Browns the entire game and they clearly had no confidence in Trent Edwards following his interceptions. Had they thrown and Edwards been picked again, Dick Jauron would have been questioned. Jauron chose to do what worked and was questioned. Bottom line: Dawson helped out his coach, Rian Lindell didn't.

7)      I fear I'm being a little too bubbly about this win, because really the Browns and Bills both tried to give the game away. The Browns blew three leads, played terrible defense and had fewer tackles than a guy going fishing. This loss also highlights how damaging those two losses to Baltimore and Denver were. Had the Browns finished those games the way they should have, had they played like pros the way Jamal Lewis wanted them to play, they'd be 6-4 and right in the playoff hunt. And had elephants died their skin pink we could say they were a lot prettier as well.

8)      Let's also not get ga-ga over Brady Quinn. His game Monday night produced mediocre numbers (14-for-36). Had someone named Anderson played that way people would have been screaming "off with his head." Quinn completed far fewer than 50 percent of his throws, and in two games he's now 52.1 percent (which is better than Anderson did in eight games). Quinn faced a heavy blitz – and several times guys came clean up the middle. He missed receivers three times in a row on the final drive – and narrowly missed throwing an interception on that drive. He was calm, cool and collected, but he was not overly effective. Does this matter? Probably not. Because the more Quinn plays the more he grows. Right now the Browns belong to Quinn and the Browns should be planning what veteran to sign as a backup in the offseason. My only point is that Quinn's game shouldn't be lionized to be more than what it was – mediocre numbers in a win.

9)      Sean Jones' complaints' last week? Should have read this way: Geez oh man, I'm in a contract year and they're talking about me sharing time? … As for Eric Wright, I know the guy idolizes Deion Sanders, but is there any reason to think he should try to tackle like Deion did not try to tackle? Deion was the worst, and Wright is looking just like him. He plays with a total lack of aggression. It's embarrassing – especially when you think back to the way Daylon McCutcheon played and tackled. … Why the poor tackling? Well maybe the Browns defenders are too slow. Poor tackling like that usually means players are out of position. Or it means lack of athletic ability, as in a guy is in position and isn't athletic enough to recover or react. Or it means the guys aren't very good. Could be possible in the Browns case that, with the exception of Shaun Rogers, all the above are true.

10)  Earlier this season, the Browns beat the Giants and Emmitt Smith said that if the Browns had character they'd follow by beating Washington. They didn't. Well the Browns beat Buffalo, and if they have gained any mental toughness they'll follow by beating Houston at home. We shall see.

Three and Out

From the online comments:

I've been a Browns fan for all 32-years of my life. Do I hate the Squeelers? Absolutely. HOWEVER, I would much rather have "The Chin" (Bill Cowher) as the team's next head coach.

Do you realize why the rivalry was so strong when he was the coach over there?

Because he bled brown and orange and Art Modell stabbed him in the back and brought in Billy (Belichick).

Cowher has played for this team and coached for this team. He understands Cleveland football. We need a coach and management team that understands there is a difference between Cleveland football and what happens in the rest of the league.

Unfortunately, we as Browns fans, have not seen any life out of Cleveland football in almost 20 years.

Tim

Dear Tim,

A few thoughts:

1 – Cleveland football? How about simple, hard-nosed, hard-working, professional football that wins?

2 – That kind of football might qualify in Dubuque, too. But wouldn't we all take that here?

3 – I hear Cowher might not coach again until 2010. Can't say that for sure, but that's what I heard.

4 – Why does everyone assume Cowher would want to return to coaching and leave the gravy train that is television?

5 – Why does every one assume Cowher would beg to come here? Is that not some arrogance on our part when there are 31 other teams in the league?

6 – I've said it before and I'll say it again: If Cowher is hired, it's only because both Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage are gone. I just can't see Cowher working under Savage. Cowher will be able to pick and choose, and no matter where he winds up he'll be paid well. So he'll want the place he feels is the best fit for him.

Those are just my opinions.

Dear Pat,

While I suppose congratulations are in order for a win they didn't really deserve, will anyone in the Browns organization sit down with Crennel and ask why this team seems so ill-prepared to face a challenge?  Why they can't tackle?  Why they struggle to look competent?  Why, after almost five full seasons there is no progress of note in any area, and there is no personality to hold onto?

Not offensively, not defensively, not spiritually, not attitude wise, nothing.  Why this team is still without a persona, with no defining characteristic or strength, possessing nothing that anyone can point to and say, "Gee, after five seasons they are
really getting good at … "?

Furthermore, does anyone in the entire organization understand how embarrassing it is for fans to hear Tony Kornheiser and Ron Jaworski discuss, on national TV, whether or not Trent Edwards is playing poorly because he has too much time to throw.

I mean come on, are you kidding me?
The only possible things the Browns can cling to are field goals.  To his credit, and something fans can be proud of, Dawson has been the most consistently excellent, longest lasting positive for the franchise since the re-birth.  But is that our
mantra, ‘The Browns Will Kick You Into Submission?'

What kind of organization have we been saddled with that this is what they will accept?

Dan H

Dear Dan,

Lemme guess. You didn't think the Browns played too well Monday night.

I received quite a few e-mails like yours. And I offered some thoughts on this organization in Sunday's Beacon Journal.

Sometimes when I'm at a game the team seems to play better than the way it comes across on television.

I'm thinking that Monday night, the Browns came across a lot worse than it looked live.

And I say that knowing the game was a complete exercise in frustration.

Hi Pat,

How is it that a team of professional football players cannot tackle?

These guys should consider themselves lucky they are not out in California playing for Mike Singletary.  Say what you will about his tactics, but Singletary is forcing the players to be acountable.

The Bills did everything they could to give this game to the Browns.  Romeo's team nearly succeeded in giving it back.

John Brodie

Galt, CA

Dear John,

I love Mike Singletary's tactics.

And I can't explain the tackling, except to say that the Browns just are not that good.

(Want to be recognized in "Three and Out"? It's a rare treat. Comment here or send an e-mail to pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com, and put "First and 10" in the subject line)