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Remembering Bill Belichick’s days as head coach of the Cleveland Browns harkens back to a time most Browns fans would rather to forget. Symbolic of Art Modell’s decision to move the team out of Cleveland to Baltimore, the Belichick years were the worst of times for a coach regarded as one of the best of his generation.

On the surface, Belichick seems to have escaped the failures of his time in Cleveland whereas Browns fans tend to mark his tenure as the beginning of the Cleveland Browns fall from among the NFL’s storied and respected franchises. In David Halberstam’s “Education of a Coach”, the most profound statement of Belichick’s failures with the Browns were succinctly summarized by another writer’s, Peter Richmond, comments:

“He is what he is. There is no pretense, and he is utterly authentic in a world where because of television there is more and more which is inauthentic. What is troubling about all this is that a lot of people are more comfortable with the inauthentic, if it reassuring, than they are with the truth, if it is not reassuring. He doesn’t play the role of the coach. He is the coach.”

It is the reason Browns fans should read this book. Not so much because it celebrates Belichick’s accomplishments or chronicles his failures in Cleveland. Rather it outlines what fans should expect in a head coach and how expectations – legitimate or not – interfere with the overall objective of winning championships.

This is not an easy read when Belichick talks about the departure of Bernie Kosar and his assessment of the Browns teams in the early 1990s. But also, in a way, it is a bit of an apology. Belichick recognizes mistakes were made along the way – notably the unceremonious dismissal of the Browns quarterback and leader. In the end, he viewed Kosar’s actions as a challenge to his authority – a necessary absolute authority requisite in creating a football team capable of playing together as a team and achieving unparalleled success. In his mind the end justified the means. But in retrospect, he admitted the entire situation could have been handled better.

Browns fans demand an aura of infallibility in their coaches – an infallibility often not present in the fan’s own behavior or assessment of the situation. We’ve begged for both Kelly Holcomb and Charlie Frye, and in both instances, received our just desserts. We’re critical until we are blue in the face, wanting nothing more than the championship teams we deserve. However, to some degree, we are also naïve to the sacrifice and commitments made by those entrusted with our teams. May this book serve as a painful reminder regardless of our desire to endure any more football-related hardship.

Popularity: 73% [?]

Is there anyone on the Browns that isn’t injured? Lee Suggs, the running back cast off to the Jets because of frequent injuries, returns to Cleveland as a result of a failed physical in New York. Even guys Phil Savage doesn’t want - he can’t get rid of them.

While this is a raw deal for the Browns, it’s even worse for the Jets. Without a top-flight tailback, New York enters the season with Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston as its top two runners.

One has to assume Savage will continue to scour the league for defensive backs and centers. Unfortunately, one of his bargaining chips just lost its value.

Popularity: 63% [?]

Lee Suggs, who struggled with injuries and playing time during his three-year stint with the Browns, was traded to the New York Jets on Monday for defensive back Derrick Strait. Strait enters his third season without ever starting an NFL game, but injuries to the Browns secondary and the expendability of Suggs aided the move.

Savage continues to remake the Browns and casting off Butch Davis draft picks seems to be a popular method for the Browns GM. While a center remains high on the list of priorities for Cleveland, shoring up a depleted secondary for a guy who spends more time on the IR than on the field seems to be a smart move. Without knowing much about Strait - it’s hard to grade the trade.

Popularity: 65% [?]

Browns fans - this is how it goes. We might as well get used to it. It has nothing to do with curses, Red Right 88’s, Drive’s, or old fashioned bad luck. It is the reality of the modern NFL where players are too big for their own health and the rigorous of offseason programs push player’s bodies beyond physical limits. Players get hurt. Other players step up. Just ask the New England Patriots how this works.

There is no need to mourn Cleveland’s loss of LeCharles Bentley. Certainly he was going to be a dominant force in the middle of an improved offensive line. Absolutely the Browns are worse off with him on the sideline than on the field. But this is the NFL, and say nothing of the 52 other guys that will make the final cut, the Browns will - and must - find a way to get on without him.

Popularity: 9% [?]

When free agency began, the Browns wasted little time bringing highly-regarded players to the Dawg Pound. The signings of LeCharles Bentley, Kevin Shaffer, Joe Jurevicius, and Dave Zastudil showed Cleveland wanted to significantly improve the football team’s professionalism and talent. Even better, GM Phil Savage signed hometown guys Browns fans could rally behind and support.

But as the buzz died down, head coach Romeo Crennel quietly convinced two of his ex-players to join him with the Browns and help build a winner - OLB Willie McGinest and NT Ted Washington. Suddenly, the Browns have credibility.

It’s far too early to suggest these signings will turn into Ws in the standings, but landing top-notch players such as Bentley and McGinest as well as signing seasoned professionals like Jurevicius and Washington suggest Cleveland appeals to NFL free agents in a way it hasn’t in the past.

Savage and Crennel have remaining work before the draft to make this a complete offseason, but early reports say things are looking up on the lakefront.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Only the Cincinnati Bengals seemed to the avoid the post-turkey sluggishness this holiday weekend. The Cavaliers struggled through two tough losses, the Browns looked more clueless than a Vikings ship lost at sea, and the Blue Jackets, while managing a road win, continued to play out a lost season.

Bengals offense stays in groove
It’s a good thing the Bengals know how to find the endzone, because giving up 29 points to the anemic Ravens offense doesn’t bode well for January when the temperature drops and the pressure rises. Simply put, the Bengals defense needs to find a way to keep opponents off the scoreboard. Next week in Pittsburgh would be a good place to start since the drivers seat in the AFC North will be at stake, but for now, a 42-29 win over division-rival Baltimore will have to do.

Forget all the discussion about Eli Manning or Chris Simms. There is not a better young quarterback than Carson Palmer in the NFL. Playing in relative obscurity for the Bengals, Palmer is out-throwing everyone, including Manning’s older brother. Palmer has 2,992 yards compared to Peyton Manning’s 2,534 (and unless Manning throws for 458 yards against the Steelers, Palmer will finish Week 12 with more yards.) Palmer has the same number of interceptions as Manning - 7 - but has three more TD passes (Manning may throw three against the Steelers) with one game in hand.

Browns watch veteran show Dilfer how its done
Everyone knows Brad Johnson is not the future in Minnesota — the team belongs to Daunte Culpepper. But watching Johnson dissect the Browns defense enroute to a three-TD performance and a 24-12 win, you have to wonder if the Browns are really getting from Dilfer what they singed on for at the beginning of the season.

Dilfer doesn’t protect the football. He’s not holding down the fort until Frye is ready. Dilfer throws picks. Dilfer fumbles. In that funny way that sports has a way of balancing itself out - Dilfer gets intercepted when he throws great passes, like the one to Edwards in the first quarter, and doesn’t get intercepted when he throws a ball into double coverage. He fumbles when the protection breaks down after he should have thrown the football. Lineman have internal clocks too, and can’t hold a block for five second for fear of a holding penalty.

The comedy of errors at the end of the first half may have started on the sideline, but it should have ended with Dilfer. Taking control of a game situation is the sole responsibility of the quarterback and it didn’t happen. Especially one signed to “manage a game.”

No need to read much into Cavs recent losses
Great teams lose basketball games. Good teams lose more. With that said, the Cavs are a good team trying to become great, and losing to two strong basketball teams shouldn’t be cause for concern. Mike Brown wants the Cavaliers to improve their defense. The first 11 games of the season gave him no just cause to explain to his team why defense is so important to winning in the NBA. The last two losses to Indiana and Minnesota do. 9-4 is still a good, if not great, start.

Blue Jackets pick up road win
After nine consecutive losses away from Nationwide Arena, the Columbus Blue Jackets finally navigated the road puzzle on Saturday night, besting the St. Louis Blues 4-3. And while the win is an encouraging sign, not finishing last is no way to measure success. The Jackets have earned only 12 points in 24 games and are already 17 points out of a playoff spot only a quarter of the way into the season.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Buckeyes late rally earns share of Big Ten title
Beating Michigan is always a treat unto itself, but by earning a share of the Big Ten title, the Buckeyes have probably played themselves into a BCS Bowl game thanks to losses by Alabama and Miami. One possible scenario that must have BCS execs drooling would match the Buckeyes with Notre Dame in a January 2 showdown at the Fiesta Bowl. Both teams have history in Tempe and Midwest bragging rights would be on the line.

Troy Smith’s game-winning drive harkened back to when Joe Germaine led the Buckeyes down the field for the winning score in the 1997 Rose Bowl. His passing looked smooth, his reads on the money. His ability to move the pocket and force coverage to adjust with his scrambling set up that drive. We could all play the ‘what if’ game had Smith not gotten himself into trouble - but the Buckeyes sure have been a different team since the meltdown in Happy Valley.

Bengals defense takes first half off
Mental breakdowns in the secondary cost the Bengals their biggest victory since 1988 – but as a unit, the entire defense needs to find a way to close the middle. Peyton Manning threw deep across the middle all afternoon, and when the Colts went to the ground, Edgerrin James found the center of the Bengals defense just as forgiving.

But all is not lost for Cincinnati. It can be easy to forget that this team really hasn’t been here before. The youthful Bengals could learn a thing or two from the Colts, like learning what it takes to play at a high level in the NFL. Cincinnati fought back nicely after falling behind 21-10. The Bengals can, and will, score. The main objective for the next six weeks of the season will be find a way to avoid the same fate that has befell the Kansas City Chiefs the past couple of seasons - defensive meltdowns that prevent the team from reaching its full potential.

Browns get stingy against the Fish
When Reuben Droughns broke free for 75 yards and a touchdown on the Browns first play from scrimmage on Sunday afternoon the usefulness and relevance of the Dolphins game plan sunk to the bottom of Lake Erie. While running Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams at the Browns defense proved to be effective, every time the Dolphins took to the air, the ball landed with disastrous results. The Browns shutout their first opponent since 2001, intercepting Sage Rosenfels twice and stymieing a two potential scoring drives late in the game.

The Browns win total (4) equals all of last season and marks certain improvement over last year’s team. The defense, while seemingly always overmatched, seems to come through when it counts (if you forget last week’s debacle in Pittsburgh). The offense will never be confused with those of the high-flying Browns of the mid-80s, but the emergence of Droughns and Braylon Edwards give coordinator Maurice Carthon something to work with.

Cavs road win pushes streak to seven
Don’t look now, but after a 1-2 start the Cleveland Cavaliers are racing out to the front of the pack in the Eastern Conference. And good thing, too. Because from the looks of it, the Central Division appears to be the toughest in the Association with four teams playing over .500 basketball.

In beating Philadelphia Saturday night, the Cavaliers served notice. They can play a tough team on back-to-back nights, on the road, and pull out a tough win. Granted, the defense could have been a bit stiffer and the Cavs essentially outscored the Sixers down the stretch, but a 3-2 road record with a 5-0 record at home is where this team needs to be early in the season.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Final: Browns 21, Steelers 34
When you think about it, its somewhat remarkable that the Browns haven’t been beat like this more often this season. The offense stumbles too frequently and the defense gets pushed around. Dilfer misses on too many open throws and the wide receivers act surprised when the ball hits their hands. At some point, this gets frustrating. Browns fans are tired of watching the Steelers celebrate wins over Cleveland, but Browns players are never around long enough to get sick of losing to the Steelers.

Cleveland should recognize the Steelers as the measuring stick for success in the AFC North and the NFL. Until the Browns can head into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers, Cleveland needs to become more physical and execute better on both sides of the football. Young teams play inconsistent football. Good teams play consistently well.

0:21 remaining 4Q: Browns 21, Steelers 34
Dilfer throws three consecutive balls into the endzone that aren’t even catchable. Finally, on the fourth attempt, Dilfer connects with Bryant for a meaningless touchdown…

1:53 remaining 4Q: Browns 14, Steelers 34
Veron Haynes scores on a 4th-and-goal from the 12 yard line as the Ben Taylor misses a tackle and the Browns defense dogs it on the last play…Maybe a Charlie Frye sighting is in order, or is Crennel delusional in thinking his team can make a comeback?…

4:23 remaining 4Q: Browns 14, Steelers 27
Pittsburgh salts away the game, draining the clock with a time-consuming drive but the Browns block the field goal attempt and return it for a touchdown…Pittsburgh recovers the onside kick and almost returns it for a touchdown…

11:57 remaining 4Q: Browns 7, Steelers 27
Dilfer’s throw is so bad, Chris Hope drops the ball because he is so stunned the ball landed in his hands…Going for it on fourth down to the endzone, Bryant misses a underthrown, but catchable ball…The offense reeks of desperation…

14:48 remaining 4Q: Browns 7, Steelers 27
Reed’s 33-yard FG puts the Steelers up by 20…

0:41 remaining 3Q: Browns 7, Steelers 24
Wow! The Steelers are just punching the Browns in the mouth. Bryant fumbles after a big hit from Chris Hope and the Steelers recover. I guess Hope got tired of getting run over by Droughns…Somebody throw in the Terrible Towel as the Browns waste a challenge…

0:51 remaining 3Q: Browns 7, Steelers 24
That’s how much the Steelers respect the Browns offense — they’d rather take a penalty, punt, and make the Browns go the length of the field…If things continue down this path, they might as well throw Frye to the wolves and see if he can handle it. We already know what we have from Dilfer…

3:28 remaining 3Q: Browns 7, Steelers 24
Alvin McKinley’s 15-yard facemask erases Brian Russell’s interception. Typical stupid play from the Browns…A whole lot of barking from the Browns sidelines from a bunch of guys doing nothing tonight but talking. Only Droughns can open his mouth…

9:00 remaining 3Q: Browns 7, Steelers 24
If its not Reuben Droughns, the Browns aren’t moving the football. Northcutt drops another, Dilfer overthrows another, and the line surrenders a big sack. Droughns has single-handedly willed the Browns this far…

13:19 remaining 3Q: Browns 7, Steelers 24
Stick that one in your eye, Cleveland. Hines Ward slips behind the clueless defense on a double-reverse flea flicker for a touchdown pass from Antawn Randle-El. You have to give the Steelers credit. They have a reputation as a grind-it-out football team, but they aren’t afraid to reach into the bag of tricks to keep the defense off-balance. Its no wonder they can run the football so well, the defense spends their time guessing what is coming next…

Halftime: Browns 7, Steelers 17
Pittsburgh’s 17 points might just do the trick as the Browns offense has gone comotose in the second quarter. In Romeo Crennel’s interview while leaving the field, the head coach cites the need to make a few plays. Well, the reality is his players just aren’t good enough to make the plays needed to win ballgames. They drop wide open catches. They play behind opposing receivers so they don’t get beat on the big play. They misread horrible passes allowing big plays. They make a quarterback who hasn’t played a solid game in four years look like the second coming of Terry Bradshaw…

0:06 remaining 2Q: Browns 7, Steelers 17
The Steelers dink-and-dunk down the field for a touchdown as the Browns sit back in a lame zone defense. No pressure on the quarterback as Batch dissects the Browns and then sneaks in from the six-inch line…The Browns can’t even get off a Hail Mary pass to close out the half…

1:19 remaining 2Q: Browns 7, Steelers 10
The interception isn’t Dilfer’s fault - but damn - here comes the Bumbling Brownies offense…The Browns defense would do well to keep the Steelers out of the endzone to keep it a one possession game…

2:11 remaining 2Q: Browns 7, Steelers 10
Jeff Reed boots a 42-yard field goal to give the Steelers the lead…Brodney Pool knocked down the third-down pass to force the field goal…Hines Ward eclipsed John Stallworth with his 539th career reception. Ward has to be toughest WR in the NFL, but his numbers aren’t too shabby either…The Browns offense needs to get something going before the end of the half. The typical mid-game lull is upon us…

6:17 remaining 2Q: Browns 7, Steelers 7
Northcutt showed why he’s been the invisible man most of the season - dropping a sure 3rd-and-14 conversion. If he’s not careful, Edwards will be running those routes…

8:20 remaining 2Q: Browns 7, Steelers 7
Bettis looked like the Bettis of old on the touchdown run…Batch’s deep ball was so poorly thrown neither Browns defender had a clue on where the ball went…The Browns did a good job getting out from their own endzone. They need to stick with the running game and hope Dilfer will eventually make a play…

4:48 remaining 1Q: Browns 7, Steelers 0
The throw Dilfer just missed to Braylon Edwards would have went for six…

6:07 remaining 1Q: Browns 7, Steelers 0
Andra Davis stuffs Charlie Batch on a 4th-and-1 keeper. The Steelers tried to catch the Browns napping, but the defense got into position quickly and made a play…ESPN shouldn’t be in such a hurry to go to commercial…

7:22 remaining 1Q: Browns 7, Steelers 0
First-half timeouts exist for plays like Hines Ward’s bobbling touchdown catch. Even if the call isn’t overturned, you have to throw the flag and challenge the play. The officials overturn the call…Daylon McCutcheon is injured on the play and being escorted to the locker room. Don’t be surprised if the Steelers go back to Ward with him out…

9:21 remaining 1Q: Browns 7, Steelers 0
Stupid penalty on the first defensive play of the game and then a fumble ruled down by contact. Not such a good start…

9:53 remaining 1Q: Browns 7, Steelers 0
If the Browns offensive line can cretate holes for Droughns, Cleveland should be able to move the ball against the Steelers. Dilfer made three poor throws on the drive, but escaped a possible turnover in the endzone before handing the ball off to Droughns for the touchdown…

Pregame:
The Browns (3-5) travel to Pittsburgh (6-2) with an opportunity to make a mark on the AFC North title chase. Pittsburgh will be without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, so expect the Steelers to exploit the Browns rush defense. The Browns, on the other hand, will have to find a way to move the football in a hostile environment againt a stingy defense. Trent Dilfer must limit his mistakes because the Steelers will make him pay for interceptions and fumbles in ways the other teams have been unable to do. On the other side of the football, the Browns must pressure Charlie Batch into some mistakes to take the pressure off the Browns front seven…

Popularity: 8% [?]

The waiting continues. 2005 will be no different than 1999, no different than 2000, no different than 2004.

But yet, it seems different. No one can easily identify what ‘it’ is – but it’s there. Maybe it can be found in head coach Romeo Crennel demanding more than just effort? Maybe it can be found in the defense – overmatched on paper – but putting together solid efforts week in and week out? Maybe it can be found in a 3-5 record that could easily be 5-3 had the offense managed to put together just a marginal performance against Detroit, Houston, or Baltimore?

Make no mistake; the 2005 Cleveland Browns are not a good football team. The 3-5 record doesn’t lie. The roster is as shallow as a Lake Erie sandbar. The Browns have lost games they should have won. But the coaching staff seems to be in control and the team seems improved from the preseason.

Quarterback: The Browns asked one thing of Trent Dilfer – keep the quarterback position warm for his successor. Dilfer delivered at first, streaking out to a hot start before cooling. Unfortunately, Dilfer’s cool hand cooled Cleveland’s early season expectations. Fans, and many in the media, clamored for Charlie Frye. Despite the validity of any argument in favor of Frye, Crennel hasn’t wavered in his support of Dilfer.
Position Grade: D.

Running Back: Once GM Phil Savage took control of the roster, he wasted little time shaking up the team. Trading for Reuben Droughns has to be his best move up to this point. Droughns’ tough running between the tackles and his work out of the backfield epitomizes the workman-like approach the Browns have taken this season. Shouldering much of the burden as a result of the injury problems of Lee Suggs and William Green, the former Broncos running back is on pace for 1200 yards and almost 300 carries.
Position Grade: B-.

Wide Receivers: Perceived as the strength of the team going into the season, the wideouts have had an up-and-down season in 2005. Antonio Bryant and Braylon Edwards have made plays at times, and at other moments, have struggled with drops and the inability to get open. Dennis Northcutt, who until last week against Tennessee had a few game-breaking plays, has been invisible all season. The second half of the season will focus on the Browns ability to get their talented receivers more involved in the offense. The receivers will need to work to live up to the top billing.
Position Grade: C.

Tight Ends: Steve Heiden’s holding penalty almost cost the Browns a victory, but for most of the first half of the season, whenever Cleveland needed a first down, Dilfer seemed to find either Heiden or Aaron Shea beyond the sticks. Certainly the absence of Kellen Winslow Jr. has contributed to the increased involvement of Heiden in the offense, but the position has been one of the strengths of the team so far.
Position Grade: B-.

Offensive Line: Phil Savage decided to remake the offensive and defensive lines in the offseason, and while this group has looked a bit ragged at times, overall, the offensive line has done a solid job holding it together. At times the pass protection has broken down – but most of the sacks can be attributed to Dilfer holding the ball a bit too long. In the running game, a 1,000-yard rusher would validate the effort put forth by the group.
Position Grade: B.

Defensive Line: The unit has put very little pressure on opposing quarterbacks and the Browns remain one of the worst team’s against the run. Only four other teams in the NFL surrender more yards on the ground – but at the same time, the Browns have only given up four rushing TDs. Other than another outstanding season from Orpheus Roye, the Browns front three has been a faceless group making a few plays here and there.
Position Grade: C.

Linebackers: For the 4-3 defense to work well, the linebackers need to be playmakers. Andra Davis continues to be the top linebacker. The emergence of Chaun Thompson and the development of the linebackers like Ben Taylor have improved the defense. Former Kenard Lang, working on a transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, has also helped make this group the one of the better units on the team.
Position Grade: B+.

Secondary: When veteran Gary Baxter went down with a season-ending injury, third-year cornerback Leigh Bodden stepped in and performed well. Daylon McCutcheon, perhaps the best tackler on the Browns, and safeties Chris Crocker and Brian Russell have all had strong seasons. While the defense seems to give up big plays on third down and can’t get off the field – the group has helped keep the opposition out of the end zone.
Position Grade: B.

Special Teams: Phil Dawson has been as good as Kyle Richardson has been bad. Dawson has connected on 15-of-16 kicks while Richardson struggles to keep his job as a result of a series of shanks. Josh Cribbs and Dennis Northcutt threaten to return any kick. While Cribbs has found the endzone once, Northcutt’s two returns have been called back via penalty. Kick coverage cost the Browns the game against Houston when they allowed Jerome Mathis to set up the game-winning field goal.
Position Grade: B-.

Coaching: Romeo Crennel faced his biggest test when the fans and media began clamoring for Frye over Dilfer. Crennel showed a bit of stubbornness in sticking with Dilfer, but he also displayed a steadfast commitment to his plan. Crennel seems to have the Browns headed in the right direction, yet if the team doesn’t show improvement over the second half of the season, it’ll be hard to call the season a success. Offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon’s play calling has been questioned on more than a few occasions, particularly when it seemed the Browns abandoned an effective running game to put the game on Dilfer’s erratic arm. The energy defensive coordinator Todd Grantham displays on the sidelines looks more collegiate than professional, but the Browns scoring defense ranks sixth in the NFL in scoring defense. The first year staff has shown signs of learning on the job, but the Browns have been competitive in every game this season.
Grade: B+.

Popularity: 9% [?]

The Bengals are having one of those special seasons where previous frustrations become triumphs, where the bullies become the bullied, and losses turn into wins. In Cincinnati’s 21-9 win over nemesis Baltimore, the Bengals scored touchdowns while the punchless Ravens settled for field goals. Even at 2-5, Cincinnati knew it could ill afford to look past the Ravens into the bye week. In past years, Jamal Lewis and the Ravens have run roughshod over Bengals, and this year, it was nice to return the favor.

The loss sent the Ravens to 2-6, matching the worst start in franchise history and placed Baltimore firmly in last place - one game behind the Cleveland Browns and 4 1/2 games behind the division-leading Bengals.

The Browns, on the 10th anniversary of Modell’s flight to Baltimore, overcame Steve Heiden’s holding blunder and Steve McNair’s late game heroics to escape Cleveland Browns Stadium with a 20-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. It’s been a tough season for Browns fans. While the Dawg Pound hasn’t expected much - a few close games have fans wondering if 5-3 or 4-4 wouldn’t be possible if the offense performed a little better and made a few more plays.

Popularity: 10% [?]