Short & Quick

Let’s get the bad news out of the way – Steelers 27 Browns 10. We can’t see how Cleveland will move the ball offensively, but we’ll give them double figures based solely on kindness. Obviously, this one has all the makings of getting real ugly quick if the Browns don’t man up at the line of scrimmage.

Speaking of line of scrimmage, I learned one thing from this past Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. Atlanta is very physical. They beat up the Browns – literally. What was especially disappointing was Darcy Egan’s buddy at left tackle. The former All-Pro (Joe Thomas) got beat like a South East Asian prostitute entertaining a pair of drunk/angry Merchant Marines. Thomas needs to spend less time doing a fishing show on Lake Erie and more time in the weight room. Is it me, or is he regressing?

The guy that destroyed him (Abraham) was a Pro-Bowl end made available by the Jets several years ago. At the time, we wrote the Browns should move heaven and earth to get him since true pass rushers aren’t made available every day and the Browns haven’t had one since Kennedy was banging chicks two at a time in the White House. Unfortunately, no one figured it out. Who needs a playmaker on defense anyway?

By the way, the rookie D-lineman for the Falcons (Biermann) may have made the most athletic play I have ever seen out of a near 300 pounder when he batted a pass in the air, caught it on a roll, got up and scampered the distance for a score. Meanwhile, our DBs can’t catch a cold on the rare occasion the opposing QB puts it in their hands.

Why the Browns don’t sign Antonio Bryant, a NFL #2 receiver currently looking for a job, is beyond me. You don’t need 20 years of watching film to determine Bryant is better than anything currently on the roster.

Why didn’t the Browns end the first half with a hail may pass from midfield? Why not take a shot? What’s the worst thing that could happen?

Look, we like Peyton Hillis. He’s a tough kid. But his running style is conducive to getting hit often from all sides. He won’t last very long in this league at this pace.

Did I mention the Browns may have less team speed that Hiram?

Overall, considering they have no pass rush and lack any true playmakers, the defense has performed relatively well. And no, I don’t blame the coordinator every time they blitz and get beat downfield. He has stones, realizes he has no pass rush and understands the guys on the field are not going to make many big plays on their own. He’s forcing the action. I prefer that approach than the sit back and give up 10 play/75 yards drives. Secondly, their red zone defense has been especially good.

Once again, no special plays on special teams. I never thought I’d say this, but Josh Cribbs has been MIA so far this season. He’s been the single most disappointing player in 2010. When you lack talent and your only playmaker isn’t making many plays – you have a real problem. To be kind, they are using him more in the basic offense due to lack of talent at WR. Still, that’s no excuse for not making an impact yet in his specialty. This week would be a good time to get it going.

As for Colt’s debut, my expectations are limited. This is perhaps the worst environment in football to make your first start (Pittsburgh). Still, he is getting paid. I expect a lot of running and dump passes. The offensive line MUST perform well this week. They handled the Ravens up front but then regressed against the Falcons. That can’t happen this week, or else they may be on their fourth QB before we even get to break week.

Right now, it looks like the Browns will realistically be sitting at 1-6 at the break. I doubt anyone with real street credibility (i.e. Chucky) would take the job in the middle of the season, but don’t be stunned if the “Walrus” make a change and turns it over to Ryan if they get blitzed the next two weeks (Steelers & Saints). The margin of defeat will be key for Mangini to keep his job through the holidays.

You know things are bad when all the local media has left is "They are playing better this year. They just don't have a lot of talent." Wow. And here I thought the idea in the multi-billion $ world of professional sports was to accumulate talented athletes, coach 'em up, and win a lot more than you lose. In Cleveland's NFL, it's turned into not looking bad when you lose.

Till next time.