BEREA, Ohio (AP) -The Cleveland Browns have nothing left to play for in a season perhaps even more disappointing than any of the seven that included double-digit losses over the past 10 years.
For all the Browns’ expectations and talent, the only thing left for them to do is speculate on their next coach and top draft choice.
Browns fans are already wishing for former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher and Ohio State tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells, who has yet to decide whether he will leave the Buckeyes early for the NFL.
But coach Romeo Crennel and the Browns have another two games to muddle through after losing 30-10 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.
It was the Browns’ 10th loss, one season after they won 10 games with a dangerous offense that earned them five prime-time contests this year.
That same offense is down to its third-string quarterback and has failed to score a touchdown in a month.
“This season has not gone the way that I wanted it to go … but it is what it is,” a downcast Crennel said Tuesday. “It’s disappointing. It’s frustrating.”
f the Browns’ fourth straight loss showed after the game Monday night. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards – plagued by dropped passes all season – had a solid game with five receptions for 102 yards, yet expressed his displeasure with Cleveland fans and media.
“I could care less about fans, media, people talking about trading me … I’ve got a job to do. My job is to catch the football,” he said.
Later he added, “I’ve learned being here that I’m very unappreciated. Not in the organization, just in the eyes of the fans, the city. Since Day One I’ve been a marked man coming from Michigan. It’s just gone that way. Even when things are good, there’s heckles.”
Crennel chalked it up to frustration.
“When we talk to people after the games, particularly these games we’ve had this year when you’re losing, guys are frustrated, sometimes those frustrations come out. … If guys have an opportunity to sit down and think and cool off, maybe they wouldn’t say some of the things that they say,” Crennel said.
Quarterback Ken Dorsey has been unable to lead the Browns to the end zone in two games, just as Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson failed to lead a touchdown drive in the two prior games.
Recently signed backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski isn’t completely up to speed with the playbook, and he isn’t a strong option to start.
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The Browns planned to use Joshua Cribbs to give the offense a spark, but defenses have prepared for plays designed for the speedy return man, Crennel said.
“They were looking for him and they were blitzing some when he was in there and they were stoning us,” Crennel said.
A reminder that this bad Browns team is more talented than the others of the last decade came Tuesday when offensive tackle Joe Thomas and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers were named to the Pro Bowl. The Browns went five seasons without a Pro Bowl selection before having six players chosen last year.
Crennel said Thomas had some plays Monday night when he could have performed better, but felt the second-year player was deserving. Crennel credited Rogers, whose work ethic was questioned in Detroit last season, with becoming a team leader.
“Shaun Rogers has come in here even though some people felt like that he wasn’t a good fit, didn’t have the right attitude, didn’t play hard all the time, but he’s come in here and done a great job for us,” Crennel said. “He’s had a great attitude and I’m glad to see that he’s able to get recognition for what he’s done.”
The Browns have a winnable game coming up at home against the Cincinnati Bengals, who are having another dismal season, but have managed to pull off two wins and a tie over their last six games.
Then, Cleveland closes the season at rival Pittsburgh, which has beaten the Browns in 10 straight and 16 of 17 games.
And all Browns fans can do is watch and hope that the Steelers coach they once despised will save the franchise from more misery.
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