Texas-sized Disaster

I had to wait an entire day to avoid a knee-jerk reaction before I could comment on yesterday's game. The Browns turned it over five times and scored six points, falling to the lowly Texans by a score of 16-6.

It was much uglier than it sounds. Crennel decided to yank Quinn in the third quarter and insert Anderson, looking to "spark" the offense. I felt it was an extremely questionable move, but that's a separate post for tomorrow.

For the first time I can remember, I left a game early.

I had to - I just couldn't take any more. In the early expansion years, the Browns would lose a game like that and as fans, we were just happy to have a team back. Those days are over. We want to be competitive now.

As Terry Pluto put it in The Plain Dealer today, "The Browns are 4-7, a team that has lost 3 of 4, a team headed deep into one of those dreaded 6-10, "Who we gonna draft?" seasons."

I couldn't agree more. (Beanie Wells? Rey Maualuga? Vontae Davis?) My only question is, based on what we saw yesterday, can we even reach Pluto's benchmark of 6-10. Seriously! Other than Cincinnati, who else left on the schedule can we beat? Indianapolis? Tennessee? Philadelphia? Pittsburgh? The Browns will be underdogs in all of those games.

When we broke camp in August, a 5-11 or 6-10 season would have been considered a complete failure. Now it's become a reality. Thus, we have a HUGE problem - one that certainly won't be fixed overnight. Will firing Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel fix the problem as some may suggest? Certainly not.

As was said time and time again straight from the mouths of players on Monday, Savage and Crennel were not the ones dropping balls (that was Braylon Edwards ... again ... and again!), or missing tackles (that was EVERYONE on defense).

The frustrating part is that the players that are making the mistakes are talented - they proved that last year. Were a good football team. Because of that, I give Savage a pass.

Then why aren't they performing? How does a team that won ten games last year, and for the most part came back in tact, fall to the other end of the spectrum? That's on Crennel.

As much as I hate to say it - and it is the absolute worst thing you can say about a professional sports franchise - I think the Browns may have no other option but to blow it up and start over. That's right, the awful "R' word: rebuild.

I looked at this current roster, and went through player-by-player to see which players I felt could actually contribute to a contending team - guys I felt were worth keeping around. Phil Savage (or insert new GM's name here) certainly has his work cut out for him.

Quarterbacks

Brady Quinn - Quinn will be given every opportunity to succeed. If he isn't the starting quarterback in 2011, Savage won't be the GM. By moving back into the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Savage put his faith, and probably his job, on Quinn.

Derek Anderson - 'The Moose from Scappoose' was incredible last year. This year ... not so much. Still, what he did last year suggests that he could be a more than capable backup if he gets the kinks worked out.

Ken Dorsey - I wouldn't be surprised at all if Dorsey was with the Browns in 2009 ... as a coach. Some would say he's been serving in that role since the 2006 season.

Running Backs

Jamal Lewis - With 2,315 carries to his name, Lewis has too many miles on his tires. After his superb season last year, he got a nice new deal. I wouldn't mind if the Browns gave Lewis a pink slip, and picked up the man known in these parts as Beanie.

Jerome Harrison - Harrison is the complete opposite of Lewis. Harrison, in his third NFL season, has 70 career carries. That's a two-game work load for Jamal Lewis. At the pace the Browns use Harrison, he'll still be fresh next year.

Jason Wright - I like him. He seems like a nice guy. I wish him the best of luck in the future as he'll be putting his degree from Northwestern to good use.

Lawrence Vickers - Allegedly, Vickers is one of the better blocking backs in all of the NFL. Then how come we can't run the football! Hopefully he is still around when the Browns are competitive again - he could come in handy on the ol' FB Pass play in a crucial playoff game.

Charlies Ali - He's the backup fullback. You can find these types of guys off a random street corner. In his 11 career games, Ali has as many career carries as I do.

Wide Receivers

Braylon Edwards - I hope he can return to his 2007-08 form. I think he can. I just wonder if he cares enough to correct this drop problem. I hope he cares. Please care, Braylon.

Donte' Stallworth - Somehow I think the Browns could find another guy, somewhere in the world, that could average $416,666 per catch. Check my math: 12 catches this year/$5 million per year.

Joe Jurevicius: I would be surprised if Jurevicius returned for the 2009-10 season. The Browns would love to have a guy in the mold of Jurevicius, a big target who is clutch on third down. However, guys like that are hard to come by.

Syndric Steptoe & Steve Sanders - I have nothing to say. Hopefully these two men got their degrees from Arizona and Bowling Green, respectively. They'll be looking for work soon.

Josh Cribbs - Absolutely. Cribbs is extremely valuable as a special teams player. I wish the Browns would get him more involved in the offense. I worry that the beating his body takes on a weekly basis may catch up with him, and his skills may start to deteriorate.

Tight Ends

Kellen Winslow - I expect these last five games to end his days in Cleveland. With the abuse his body has endured over the years, I think his best days are behind him. The Browns probably wouldn't miss all of Winslow's nonsense, as well as his obligatory offensive pass interference that has become a gameday ritual.

Steve Heiden - A tight end who loves to block and can be utilized in the passing game will have a job in the NFL for as long as he wants.

Darnell Dinkins - Bye.

Martin Rucker - The Browns drafted him for a reason. He's yet to appear in 2008 because of injuries, but hopefully he can get some work in over the offseason. Martin: Watch Steve Heiden and do EXACTLY what he does.

Offensive Line

Joe Thomas - Obviously. For the first time in his career, he looked to struggle. He had back-to-back penalties that cost the Browns 15 yards late in the ballgame. That's what going against Mario Williams all day will do to you.

Eric Steinbach - Stays. He's been solid.

Hank Fraley - He anchors the line and makes sure everyone is on the same page. He wll be relied on heavily as the Browns go forward with a rather inexperienced Quinn.

Rex Hadnot, Kevin Shaffer, Ryan Tucker, Seth McKinney - In a numbers game, somebody has to stay. Tucker was great when healthy. Kevin Shaffer is horrible (i.e. Baltimore game at home - dreadful!)

Scott Young and Isaac Sowells - Who? Scott Young, whoever he is, can go. Isaac Sowells has lingered around long enough. Farewell, #61.

Defensive Line

Robaire and Shaun Smith - Both suffered from injuries. Both weren't all that great to begin with. Still, both are big bodies with NFL experience. They have a job for another year.

Louis Leonard and Santonio Thomas - You're welcome to stick around on the practice squad if you'd like?

Shaun Rogers - The knock on Rogers was that he quit when he was on a bad football team. He's on a bad football team this year, and there's been no sign of the big fella' letting up. The word quit has been thrown around towards a couple of Browns players this season but Rogers has not been one of them. He's showed up every single week and produced, all while being one of two or three players you actually have to account for on the Browns D.

Ahtyba Rubin - He's played well so far. He's learning from one of the best in the business in Rogers. There's no reason not to bring him back next season.

Corey Williams - After recording seven sacks last year in Green Bay, Williams was penciled in to record at least that many this year. So far: 0.0 sacks. Williams has been a major disappointment. He'll stick around, but wouldn't if I had anything to say about it.

Linebackers

Willie McGinest - McGinest said 2008-09 is his final season. He has clearly lost a step at his old age. His leadership, however, will be missed.

Kamerion Wimbley - He let everyone know yesterday that he is, in fact, still alive and well. His sack of Sage Rosenfels was just his third of the season. Still, he is just two seasons removed from having 11 sacks in his rookie season. He'll be back.

Andra' Davis - He's old. He's slow. He used to be one of the best in the business, but those days are behind him. Let's clear that cap space.

Leon Williams - He's showed flashes in the past. Perhaps Davis will move on and leave an opportunity for Williams. He's still relatively young, so let's see what he can do.

Alex Hall and Beau Bell - The 2008 draft picks will be back next season. Savage appears to be in love with Hall, and Bell made a huge play in the Jacksonville game when he forced a fumble. They should fare better in 2009 with some game experience under their belts.

Kris Griffin and Shantee Orr - Both contribute on special teams when healthy. Still, you can find these types of guys anywhere. I guess keep Griffin, and give Orr his walking papers.

Antwan Peek - I never thought I would say this but please, get back soon. We need you.

Defensive Backs

Eric Wright - He's improved this year. Hopefully he will continue to get better and solidify himself next season as the Browns best corner.

Brandon McDonald - Ouch. What a nightmare it has been for the second year pro from Memphis. Last year there were Facebook groups created that claimed "Water covers 75% of the Earth and Brandon McDonald covers the rest'. The Denver game was one of the worst performances ever by a DB. He may be back next year to play in Nickel formations.

Brodney Pool - I don't love him, but I don't hate him either. However, it doesn't matter what I think. He's steady and he'll be back.

Sean Jones - Jones is a free-agent this summer and it will be interesting to see how the Browns handle that situation. Jones has had an up and down season, and I'm interested to see if the Browns pay Jones what he thinks he is worth. I would guess he won't be back.

Mike Adams and Nick Sorenson - Both of these guys are fine as reserves. They contribute on special teams. I could see both of them returning next year.

Terry Cousin, Travis Daniels and Gerard Lawson - Presumably, Daven Holly will be back and take back his spot on the roster. One of these guys may stay. Lawson is listed at DB but is used solely on special teams. My guess is Daniels may be brought back while the much older Cousins is sent on his merry way.

Hamza Abdullah - I go to every Browns home game. I have watched every play, except for the ones inside of the two-minute warning yesterday, of this entire season. I have no idea who you are. I have never heard of you. There is no doubt you will not be an employee of the Cleveland Browns in 2008.

Specialists

Phil Dawson, Ryan Pontbriand and Dave Zastudil - All have been steady this season, and if it ain't broke, you don't fix it. All three will be most likely be back in 2009.

As you can see from the opinion of this 20-year old (which means absolutely nothing), the organization has a lot to address over the coming months. Let's hope that whoever is in charge of this thing during the offseason can right the ship.