Return to sender: Browns' Cribbs won't resort to touchbacks

BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Cribbs has figured out a way to combat the NFL's rule changes on kickoffs. He'll return everything.

Unless it's an emergency, Cribbs isn't dropping to a knee in anyone's end zone.

Cleveland's dynamic return specialist, who has been openly critical of the NFL's decision to move the kickoff line from the 30-yard line to the 35, was asked Wednesday if the Browns will have a rule in place on how deep players are allowed to catch the ball in the end zone and still bring it out.

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"It will be different for each returner," Cribbs said. "But for me, nine yards. Anything above nine yards, I'll probably keep it in."

He was joking.

We think.

Cribbs, though, is dead serious about what the league has done to his craft. And the league's career leader with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns has been irate since owners, citing the need to protect players from violent collisions, announced the change during the lockout in March.

"I don't see (injury) stats behind it, and that's what the issue was" Cribbs said. "There's no stats to back it up. Their intentions are good, but the stats aren't there to back up the reasoning."

The change will likely increase touchbacks dramatically while reducing returns.

Cribbs, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, first vented his anger toward the league over the rule switch on Twitter: "U not making the game safer u messing a great sport, trynna hide behind safety just to add 2 games...smh."

Cribbs has no choice but to accept the adjustment, but that doesn't mean he's in favor of it. After watching exhibition games on TV last week, Cribbs again used the social network to state his case.

"I see an immediate amendment on the kickoff rule either b4 the end of the year or beginning of next year bc without that part of the return game it might as well be a scrimmage," he tweeted.

Has anyone from the league told him to stop?

"No. Not at all," he said Wednesday after practice. "Every player is entitled to their opinion with respect to the NFL, and as long as there is respect there, I feel like there will be no type of disciplinary action. I'm entitled to my opinion, that's the way I feel and players are entitled to their opinion."

Cribbs -- and the Browns -- might have already been penalized enough.

With his rare ability to take back any kickoff or punt (he has two career touchdowns and a 10.6-yard average), Cribbs gives Cleveland a weapon few teams can match. Last season, opposing teams did all they could to kick the ball away from the dreadlocked former Kent State quarterback, who for the first time in his six-year pro career failed to take a kickoff back the distance.

Cribbs, who was not used on returns in Cleveland's preseason opener against Green Bay, believes some players will thrive under the change.

"Good returners will take advantage of it. There will be good schemes, and there will still be opportunities," he said. "There will be a lot of inside the 20-yard-line tackles this year. A lot of returners will get tired of taking a knee in the end zone and will try to bring it out. Guys are getting down there faster. Kickers hare hanging the ball up there. That's what you can look for -- touchbacks and inside-the-20 tackles."

Cribbs remains disappointed the league didn't consult with any players, past or present, before making a rule change that could significantly alter strategy.

"I wish they could have waited for a new CBA or an agreement was in place," he said, "and consulted with players on the matter. But just creating that rule the way they did, I disagreed with it."

Cribbs expects to have the green light to return any kick -- within reason. If he feels he can make a big return, he's going to try.

"I'm not a big fair-catch guy," he said. "I just want to get positive yards. I'm going to be smart and help our team. They (coaches) are aware each time is a possibility. I'm going to decide if I'm going to keep it or not. Nobody is going to come back and say, 'Oh, oh, wait.' I'll make the decision."

There's nothing he can do now about the change but turn it into a positive. And with the ball in his hands, that's always a possibility.

"I want somebody to come chase my record," he said. "I want to be able to chase it as well. At the same time, it's just an obstacle to get over, and I'm looking forward to getting over it."

Notes: Starting guard Eric Steinbach left the morning practice when his back tightened up. Also, RB Peyton Hillis and safety T.J. Ward were bothered by hamstring problems. Coach Pat Shurmur downplayed all three injuries, but Steinbach did not take part in the afternoon walkthrough. Ward and Hillis were on the field. ... Shurmur said Cleveland's starters will play "close to one half" against Detroit on Friday. He wants both lines to get at least 20 plays. ... RB Montario Hardesty ran with purpose and seems to be progressing. Still no word if he'll face the Lions.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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McCoy-led Browns to gather in Texas next week for camp

The Cleveland Browns will gather next week in Texas for their first full-team camp during the NFL lockout and their fourth series of sessions organized by quarterback Colt McCoy, The Plain Dealer reported Thursday.

No venue was identified for the minicamp, which will run Sunday through Tuesday, but two previous camps organized by McCoy, one in April and another last month, were held in Austin, where the quarterback starred at the University of Texas. Browns players also participated in a May minicamp in Berea, Ohio.

Linebacker Scott Fujita also is helping to organize the camp, which is expected to draw around 40 offensive and defensive players, The Plain Dealer reported. Veterans are helping to pay some or all travel expenses for rookies and other young players to attend the sessions, which will include on-field drills, conditioning and film study.

McCoy and backup quarterback Seneca Wallace have been teaching players the West Coast offense that new coach Pat Shurmur is installing.

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'Little' parking issue: Browns rookie ticketed 93 times at UNC

Greg Little continues to make headlines for his actions off the field, not on it.

The University of North Carolina has identified eight players, including Little, who accumulated 317 parking tickets, which were uncovered in documents requested by media outlets covering the ongoing NCAA probe of the school's football program.

The latest release showed Little racked up 93 of those tickets on multiple vehicles with nine different license plates.

Little was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was suspended for his senior year at North Carolina because of NCAA benefits violations.

The school released a chart Friday that links players' names to their license plate numbers on vehicles that included a Land Rover, BMW and an Acura.

A week ago, the school released records that showed some players combined for 395 citations totaling more than $13,000 between March 2007 and August 2010.

Three other NFL rookies were named in the documents: Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter, St. Louis Rams defensive lineman Robert Quinn and Buffalo Bills running back Johnny White. The other players identified were defensive backs Charles Brown, Kendrick Burney and Deunta Williams, and running back Ryan Houston.

The names of those whose cars received the other 78 citations weren't identified by the school.

The citations ranged in penalty from $5 for improperly displaying a parking permit to $250 for parking in a fire lane or handicapped space, and the total amount of those 395 tickets was $13,185.

The school said last week that of the 395 tickets, 30 remained unpaid. School spokesman Mike McFarland said Friday that he didn't have any updated figures.

The school has said players don't receive special treatment when it comes to parking and that they're expected to pay parking fines like any other student.

Little, who was declared "permanently ineligible" by the NCAA in October, received 43 tickets on a gray Nissan car and 38 on a gray Dodge. He also was listed as being responsible for a green BMW (seven tickets), a black Acura (four) and a black Honda (one).

Houston's black Land Rover was ticketed 63 times. Quinn received a total of 53 tickets on a blue Dodge and a red Ford. Brown's purple Chevrolet received 38 citations, and vehicles linked to Williams, White and Burney each were cited 20 total times. Ten tickets were listed for Carter's red Dodge.

Last week's release came after the North Carolina Court of Appeals denied the school's request to delay the release of those records pending an appeal, and included citations for 11 players requested by media. That ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by several news outlets, including The Associated Press.

The school said not all of those 11 players had received tickets.

Earlier this week, North Carolina received a notice of allegations from the NCAA outlining numerous "potential major violations" in the football program, including unethical conduct by a former assistant coach as well as failure to adequately monitor the conduct of a former and current players.

The NCAA has informed the school that it plans to complete its investigation this month. In all, 14 players missed at least one game this season because of the probe, with seven being ruled out for the entire year. An eighth was cleared to return at midseason but decided to redshirt.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Roth not a big fan of Browns' new 4-3 defensive scheme

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Vickers says he'd fit into Browns' new offense if given chance

Free-agent fullback Lawrence Vickers can't be sure of his future with the Cleveland Browns, not after they took Stanford's Owen Marecic in the fourth round of April's NFL draft, and not after general manager Tom Heckert's comments following that.

Vickers, who has played five seasons with the Browns since they selected him out of Colorado in the 2006 draft, recently told The Plain Dealer that he wasn't disappointed when the team nabbed Marecic, apparently to replace him. Vickers was just perplexed.

"I was like, 'Wow,' but at the same time, I laughed," Vickers said. "I don't know what their plans are."

The Browns have a new coach, Pat Shurmur, and a new offensive scheme, the West Coast, and they're looking for the right fit at fullback. After drafting Marecic, Heckert said of Vickers' future in Cleveland: "When the league starts (after the lockout), we'll see."

Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Vickers fears his reputation as an explosive "knockout fullback," won by opening holes for Jamal Lewis in successive 1,000-yard seasons and paving Jerome Harrison's path to 561 yards in the final three games of 2009, has clouded respect for what he can do with the ball in his hands.

Vickers played in a variation of the West Coast offense at Colorado, gaining more than 500 yards rushing and receiving in his college career. He has caught 41 passes with the Browns, 23 of them in two seasons (2007 and 2008) in former coordinator Rob Chudzinski's offensive scheme.

"I am a West Coast fullback. That's what they don't understand," said Vickers, who didn't receive a contract tender before the NFL lockout started and hasn't spoken to Shurmur or Heckert about his standing with the team. "... Maybe if I wasn't knocking people out, maybe I'd still be known as a versatile fullback. Anybody that watches football knows.

"The last two years, I haven't caught the ball. I wasn't a part of the offense. So I made a way for me to be on the field. That's what a football player does. Anybody that can make his presence on the field without the ball is a helluva guy.

"I played in the West Coast offense at Colorado," Vickers added. "When I first came to the NFL, my first carry was at tailback. In Chud's offense, look at how many passes I caught. People have short-term memories. I forgive them for that. What I've done for you lately is knock people out. That's only because that's all that was left for me to do."

Vickers said the Browns under former coach Eric Mangini were "a team where they don't even use a fullback. Mangini's era wasn't really a fullback era. I played just on (the belief that) 'this person has to be on the field.' Everything I got wasn't given. I took it. Our offense was based on New England's. They don't even have a fullback."

Vickers understands that teams must make decisions, and he doesn't begrudge the Browns their choice of fullbacks.

"I'm not disappointed, because I understand business totally," he said. "In business, you've got to make decisions that are for the business. If it is the end of me, kudos to Cleveland. I'm not angry. My own personal goal was to be in one spot for my whole career. I love Cleveland. I wanted to be like Kevin Mack, who spent his whole career there.

"If it is my departure in Cleveland, I'm going out with a bang. The team is on the rise. Am I mad at Tom or even Mike (Holmgren)? No. I'll see them. I'll shake their hands."

Vickers hopes the team will want him back, even as he realizes it probably won't.

"I just hope I don't have to come to Cleveland in a different uniform, because it's gonna be bad (for the Browns)," he said. "Those (Browns linebackers) are my guys. They know they will come with it and I will come with it. It's gonna be one of those all-time Cleveland games."

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Ravens secure playoff spot, win sixth straight over division-rival Browns

CLEVELAND -- Ed Reed was on fire, and not because of his two interceptions.

Trying to cope on a biting, blustery day, Baltimore's star safety moved too close to a sideline heater and had his oversized jacket ignite.

"Someone yelled, 'Reed, you're on fire'," he said.

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There was no panic, no alarm, no worries. The Ravens were moments away from a playoff-clinching 20-10 win on Sunday.

Reed laughed.

"I just took it off," he said, smiling.

Reed, as cool as they come, picked off rookie Colt McCoy twice and damaged Browns bruising running back Peyton Hillis with a hard hit on Cleveland's second play as the Ravens (11-4) clinched a postseason berth for the third straight season and stayed tied atop the AFC North.

Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes, Ray Lewis and the rest of Baltimore's tenacious defense backed up some pregame trash talk by bottling up Hillis and the Ravens remained tied with Pittsburgh with one game left.

Lewis had promised Hillis would not repeat his 144-yard performance against Baltimore in Week 3, and the big back didn't come close, rushing for 35 yards on 12 carries. On his second attempt, Hillis was already going down when Reed came flying in and delivered a crushing blow.

Hillis wasn't the same, and neither were the Browns (5-10).

It was a typical outing for Reed, the five-time Pro Bowler who upped his career interception total to 52 and spent the day making life miserable for McCoy, who got duped into a few bad throws by one of the best big-play playmakers in NFL history.

"Ed is just Ed," said Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who threw Cleveland's only TD pass on a gadget play.

McCoy threw three interceptions and the Browns did little to help embattled coach Eric Mangini, who fell to 10-21 in two seasons and is awaiting a postseason review by president Mike Holmgren. Mangini's cause may be hurt by questionable clock management to end the first half and a failed onside kick to open the second.

"What killed us were the turnovers and the mistakes," Mangini said. "The Ravens are very difficult to beat when you play flawless football. When you turn the ball over as many times as we did, it makes it really, really difficult."

Flacco threw a 15-yard TD to T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the second quarter and a 22-yarder to Derrick Mason in third as the Ravens built a 20-10 lead and turned things over to their stingy defense, led by Lewis.

Asked earlier in the week about Hillis' surprising success against Baltimore on Sept. 26, Lewis scoffed, "A blind cat will find a meal every once in a while. When we get back to Cleveland, it'll definitely be a different outcome. It won't happen again."

The Browns didn't like Lewis' comments.

"Guys definitely made note of it," tackle Joe Thomas said. "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out it's a lack of respect."

Lewis said he meant no disrespect to Hillis, but that he was trying to fire up his teammates for an opponent standing in their path to the playoffs.

"We respect him. A lot of us voted him for the Pro Bowl," said Lewis, who told Hillis during the game that he liked his smashmouth style. "It was not trash talking. I was leading my defense, getting them prepared. I was telling my team that as long as I'm here that is not going to happen again."

Reed wasted no time in sending a message to Hillis, ramming his helmet into the back's ribs early on. Hillis said the blow had an effect.

"I couldn't go out there to my full potential," Hillis said.

Billy Cundiff kicked field goals of 27 and 40 yards as Baltimore won its sixth straight over Cleveland.

"Are we in?" joked Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who went out of his way to avoid playoff talk all week. "I told the team, it's just the beginning."

Time could be running out for Mangini, who defended his decision to try the onside kick. Mangini thought he could catch the Ravens napping, but kicker Phil Dawson's bouncer didn't go the required 10 yards and Baltimore took over at Cleveland's 38. "I felt good about it based on what we saw after our other kickoffs," Mangini said. "It was there. We just didn't do a good enough job with it."

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Flacco, who went 12 of 19 for 102 yards, then found Mason three plays later in the left corner for the TD -- just 1:30 into the third.

Cleveland couldn't sustain any drives in the second half, and the Browns' last real chance ended when Reed intercepted McCoy in the end zone with 4:35 left. McCoy went 15 of 29 for 149 yards, dropped to 2-5 as a starter and learned the Ravens are back up their talk.

"I made a couple poor throws and it cost us," McCoy said. "I just didn't get it done. Turnovers killed us and it's on me."

Notes: Harbaugh said safety Morgan Cox likely tore a knee ligament on the game's first or second play but stayed in. Cox will undergo an MRI on Monday. ... Browns cornerback Joe Haden got his sixth interception, most by a Cleveland rookie since Anthony Henry had 10 in 2001. ... Hillis has 60 receptions, five shy of the team record for a running back held by Greg Pruitt (1981).

Copyright 2010 by the Associated Press

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Ailing Cribbs endures season of struggles with Browns

BEREA, Ohio -- Joshua Cribbs used his right hand to show what's wrong with his right foot.

Bending his fingers back, the Cleveland Browns' Pro Bowl return specialist explained that his toes were jammed back into the soft tissue of his foot earlier this season, an injury that has forced him to wear linemen's cleats for protection.

"It's excruciating pain," Cribbs said. "I can't even describe it."

Summarizing his season is just as hard.

The NFL's career leader in kickoff returns for touchdown hasn't broken one this season for the Browns (5-9), who have been ravaged by injuries. But even before he was hurt Nov. 14 while being tackled on a 37-yard reception, Cribbs wasn't the usual Cribbs.

With opposing teams scheming to keep the ball out of his hands on kickoffs and punts, Cribbs hasn't been able to do what he does best -- give Cleveland's offense quick points or a short field. He has averaged a career-low 20.4 yards on 33 kickoff returns this season.

"It has been humbling," said Cribbs, who had his contract reworked last winter by the Browns after some contentious negotiations. "But mostly it's been disappointing for me not to give some great fans what they deserve in my play, from an individual and team standpoint.

"I want to do so many great things to help my team and produce and wasn't able to. So I take that as a personal loss. But at this point, it's football and I want to play."

There's no denying Cribbs' heart. An undrafted free agent, he has fought for and earned everything he has. But without him at his best, the Browns' special teams have suffered.

Cribbs missed only one game after dislocating four toes, sitting Nov. 21 at Jacksonville. He has been on the field every other Sunday, but it's obvious that he hasn't been himself.

Not even close.

Cribbs can't push off as usual or accelerate. He's not hitting any holes or creases quickly enough to pop a big return. He's not breaking tackles. And the injury has inhibited the Browns from using him at quarterback in the Wildcat formation or at wide receiver.

Cribbs has two catches for 11 yards and one rush for minus-11 since being hurt.

"There are things I can't do," said Cribbs, his hooded sweatshirt covering his head. "The coaches are working with me, trying to allow me to do what I can. But it's football. I could easily sit down and be like, 'Coach, I'm going to try to take care of myself for next year.' I love football too much. Even my teammates ask me, 'If you ain't good, why don't you sit down?'

"This is what it's all about -- pushing through injuries, going to work when you don't have to and battling. This is Cleveland. How do I look with a foot injury and I can't go to work and make the money I'm supposed to make, and people got to work with worse circumstances than me? So I just gotta push through the injuries and do as much as I can for my team."

Cleveland's coaches know Cribbs' limitations. They understand he's hurting and that only a full offseason of rest will make him well. But until the season wraps Jan. 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cribbs intends to give his best.

As long as he can walk, Cribbs will run out and play.

"I don't want to get taken out," he said. "They are going to have to pull me off the field. Somebody is going to have to say, 'Look you can't play, your leg is broken.'"

Last season, Cribbs accounted for 2,510 all-purpose yards. With two games to play this season, he's at 1,109 yards. But despite the substantial drop-off, Browns coach Eric Mangini appreciates Cribbs' toughness and determination.

"I would obviously love for him to have the same level of production that he had last year, and he would love that too," Mangini said. "It's not like he ever sits back and says, 'I haven't done as much as I have hoped and better luck next year.' Josh is trying to be as helpful and productive and explosive as he can."

Cribbs is understandably frustrated. He's powerless to speed up his recovery. There's nothing to do but make the most of a bad situation.

If the Browns have designs on beating the Baltimore Ravens this week or the Steelers next Sunday, Cribbs might need to find a lane, get through it as fast as possible and not stop until he scores.

Does he have one in him?

"Oh yeah," he said. "That's what I'm trying to get done, what I'm trying to accomplish. I need to score for my football team. I need to score to keep things rolling for myself. But most importantly, for our football team, to let them know that we still have a powerful and dangerous kickoff return unit. We've yet to show that, but we're still working at it."

For Cribbs, it's been a painful process.

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Browns QB McCoy, RB Hillis return to practice field for Browns

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy was back at practice Thursday after missing one day because of the stomach flu, and running back Peyton Hillis also was back on the field after resting his sore left knee.

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McCoy was ill Wednesday and unable to participate in the full outdoor practice. He took part in the early walkthrough period as the Browns (5-9) get ready to play host to the Baltimore Ravens (10-4).

Browns coach Eric Mangini said McCoy looked a lot better and that it shouldn't be difficult for the quarterback to catch up with the game plan.

Hillis, who has rushed for 1,129 yards this season, gained 144 earlier this season against the Ravens.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Ravens TE Heap could shake hamstring issue to play against Browns

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Ravens coach John Harbaugh says tight end Todd Heap could return for Sunday's road game against the Cleveland Browns after missing the past two games with a pulled right hamstring.

Heap was injured during a 13-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Harbaugh said he has spoken with trainer Bill Tessendorf, who's optimistic Heap will play Sunday.

Also on Monday, the Ravens cut offensive guard Bryan Mattison and promoted tight end Davon Drew to the active roster from the practice squad.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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McCoy works with Browns trainers, could return to practice

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy still isn't ready to practice because of an ankle injury that likely will keep him out for a third consecutive game.

McCoy hasn't played since sustaining a high left ankle sprain Nov. 21 at Jacksonville, his fifth start.

"We have a shot for him practicing this week," Browns coach Eric Mangini said Wednesday. "I wouldn't say it's a slam dunk, but I think it's a possibility."

Mangini said McCoy was able to work with trainers Tuesday.

"It's different when you're thinking about reading coverages, letting your body react," the coach said. "That's sort of the next step, and it remains to be seen."

Jake Delhomme started the past two games for the Browns (5-7), who will travel to Buffalo (2-10) on Sunday. McCoy said last week that he wants to play again this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Rally Cats: Jaguars rally again to top Browns

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Maurice Jones-Drew followed a 75-yard reception with a 1-yard touchdown dive, and the Jaguars overcame turnover problems to beat the banged-up Cleveland Browns 24-20 on Sunday.

Jones-Drew broke four tackles on a fourth-quarter screen pass from David Garrard and weaved his way toward the end zone. Browns rookie Joe Haden made a touchdown-saving tackle, but it ended up taking precious seconds off the clock.

Jones-Drew scored two plays later, giving both teams dramatic finishes for the second time in two games.

The Jaguars (6-4) beat the Houston Texans last week on Garrard's desperation TD pass to Mike Thomas on the final play. The Browns (3-7) lost to the New York Jets in overtime on Santonio Holmes' 37-yard TD reception.

Cleveland had a final chance to win this one, but Jacksonville's Sean Considine tipped Colt McCoy's pass to Mike Bell at the goal line. The pass bounced off Bell's chest and landed in Considine's arms.

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Browns' McCoy plays with ankle sprain, but leaves in a boot

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy left Jacksonville in a walking boot, the latest injury for the banged-up Browns.

McCoy injured his left ankle on a sack early in the third quarter. He stayed in the game and finished 17 of 28 passing for 241 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He said X-rays afterward were negative, but he will have more tests Monday in Cleveland.

"I wasn't going to come out of the game," McCoy said. "We evaluated it and it hurt, but it wasn't something that I was going to pull myself out of the game over. I felt like I could still do the things I needed to do. It was bothering me, but I needed to be out there."

McCoy was sacked a season-high six times. Jeremy Mincey got him twice, with the first one doing most of the damage. Coach Eric Mangini even got backup Seneca Wallace warming up on the sideline, but stuck with the rookie who has played well since taking over for starter Jake Delhomme.

Delhomme and Wallace also sprained ankles earlier this season, injuries that led to McCoy taking over the starting job.

"It definitely bothered him and I talked to him throughout the course of the game," Mangini said. "And at one point I had Seneca warm up. (But) he felt like he could continue on."

McCoy scrambled for an 18-yard gain in the fourth, got pushed out of bounds by Don Carey and gingerly jogged back to the huddle.

Mincey sacked McCoy again three plays later, forcing the Browns to settle for a field goal and a 20-17 lead with 2:51 remaining.

It was another wasted chance for the Browns, who scored just 10 points off Jacksonville's six turnovers.

"Offensively, we didn't execute when we had short fields," McCoy said. "You've got to score more than 10 points off six turnovers. That's on us, as an offense and on me for maybe getting us to different plays ... I don't know. We're going to have to go back and look at it.

"If you want to take anything positive out of this, we fought up to the very end. Just because things weren't going well for us, we didn't hang our heads. We kept fighting and trying, down to the very last play."

Cleveland, coming off a loss to the New York Jets in overtime, had a final chance to win in Jacksonville. But Sean Considine tipped McCoy's pass away from Ben Watson at the goal line with a few seconds remaining.

The ball bounced off Watson's chest and landed in Considine's arms.

"They dropped everybody back," McCoy said. "You can't throw short routes because we have no timeouts. You've got to take a shot like that. It's risky."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Browns RB Hillis goes off for 184 yards to help Mangini top his mentor

CLEVELAND -- When the scoreboard clock finally showed zeros, Bill Belichick walked slowly across the torn-up field to meet Cleveland's coach, his protege and estranged friend, amid a swarm of players and photographers.

Belichick found Eric Mangini, looked him in the eye and offered his hand.

It was time to concede defeat, one as thorough as any in recent memory.

"I congratulated him," Belichick said.

It's all he could do.

On this day, the Browns were better -- a lot better.

Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy scrambled for a touchdown and didn't make any mistakes, Peyton Hillis ran for a career-high 184 yards and two TDs and the vastly improved Browns, using a little trickery and a ton of offensive imagination, pounded the Patriots 34-14 on Sunday.

Two weeks after stunning New Orleans, the Browns (3-5) pulled off another shocker. Well rested after their bye week, they ended New England's five-game winning streak and did it decisively, outplaying one of the NFL's top teams for 60 minutes.

This was no fluke. The Patriots (6-2) were battered, baffled and beaten badly.

"We know we can beat anybody," Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribbs said. "If you beat these supposedly best two teams in the league, it gives us confidence there isn't one team in this league that we don't think we can beat."

It was particularly satisfying for Mangini, whose relationship with Belichick was damaged years ago when he left New England's staff to coach the Jets and by the infamous "Spygate" episode. The two men ignored each other during pregame warmups, but had to meet afterward.

Mangini was asked what his mentor said.

"'Good game.' We were making plans for the summer," he joked.

Mangini had good reason to smile. He and his staff, many of whom worked in New England under Belichick, outschemed the Patriots in every facet. The Browns had an overwhelming advantage on offense, defense and special teams. Cleveland sprang a pop-up kickoff to set up its first touchdown and the Browns scored their second TD on a gadget play they knew would work.

But it wasn't all smoke and mirrors. The Browns bullied the Patriots, using Hillis to run the ball down their throats and flustering quarterback Tom Brady with a variety of fronts and coverages.

"This sends a message that what happened last game against New Orleans was not a fluke," said Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas, who opened holes as the Browns rushed for a season-high 230 yards. "We're a good team. We're starting to find our identity."

Hillis, healthy at last after being slowed by a thigh injury, scored on a 2-yard run in the first, and then put the Patriots away with a 35-yard burst late to make it 34-14. He carried 29 times, picking up all 60 yards on Cleveland's game-sealing drive.

Brady and the Patriots have had better days.

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New England's star went 19 of 36 for 224 yards and two TDs to rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez. However, Brady lost for the first time in five career starts against the Browns, who jumped to an early 10-0 lead and led by 17 entering the fourth.

Brady was hindered by several drops and a crucial fumble by tight end Rob Gronkowski just before halftime, when the Patriots, who came in averaging a league-leading 29 points per game, blew a chance to cut into Cleveland's 10-point lead.

"We were out of sync all day," Brady said. "It was not a good day at all. As an offense, we didn't do much to advance the ball, and that includes the quarterback. If we play like we played today we are not going to beat anybody."

The Patriots had other issues. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski suffered a thigh injury, forcing Belichick to use receiver Wes Welker to kick an extra point in the fourth. If it had been closer, Welker may have had to try a late field goal.

The Browns, though, never let the Patriots in it.

For Mangini, the lopsided win over a quality opponent was further proof his system may be taking hold in his second season with Cleveland. There were still more than two minutes left when he was showered with Gatorade. Soaked to the skin, he smiled as his players celebrated behind him.

"It feels great," he said. "It's special and it's special because of our guys, because of our team, not because of their team, because of our team."

McCoy, making his third straight start, had his best game. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 174 yards, and his TD run in the third gave the Browns a 24-7 lead. With no receivers open, McCoy tucked the ball and sprinted for the left corner.

"I felt real slow," said McCoy, who covered the final few yards with a headfirst dive.

Mangini has been reluctant to name McCoy his starter for the rest of the season, and he dodged that question again.

"Can we really enjoy this moment right here?" he joked. "We'll talk about it tomorrow and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday."

McCoy is 2-1 as a starter with wins over Brady and Drew Brees.

Phil Dawson kicked field goals of 38 and 37 yards for the Browns, who after pulling off three trick plays two weeks ago to upset the defending Super Bowl champs, used some slight of hand to open a 17-7 lead.

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On first down at the New England 11, Cribbs took the snap at quarterback and handed the ball to Chansi Stuckey, who lined up directly behind Cleveland's right guard. Stuckey took off toward the left corner, and by the time the fooled Patriots reacted, it was too late to catch the Browns' wide receiver, who beat them to the orange pylon.

It wasn't the only time the Patriots didn't have an answer.

"They did everything better than we did," Belichick said. "In every single aspect, they clearly were the better team. We have a lot of work to do."

Notes: Belichick said Gostkowski's leg tightened up. He will be re-evaluated Monday. ... Mangini improved to 3-5 vs. Belichick. ... Mangini is also 4-1 in his career after a bye week. ... The Browns recorded season-highs in points, first downs (22), total yards (404) and time of possession (38:08).

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Browns cut RB Davis, claim Clayton off waivers from Pats

BEREA, Ohio -- Unhappy with his role and little playing time, running back James Davis has been let go by the Cleveland Browns.

According to The Plain Dealer, the seldom-used Davis was waived Monday by the Browns, who once had high hopes for the 2009 draft pick. The team didn't confirm the move or that it has been awarded running back Thomas Clayton off waivers from the New England Patriots.

On his Twitter account, Davis, who had four carries for 9 yards this season, indicated he was gone.

"Finally was granted with my wish," he wrote.

Despite the Browns needing another running back after rookie Montario Hardesty suffered a season-ending knee injury and veteran Jerome Harrison was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, Davis was inactive for three of the past four games.

His agent told newspaper that Davis didn't ask to be waived. Bob Hunter also told the paper he was surprised the Browns didn't use Davis more.

Davis played in two games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury during practice.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Browns capitalize on four Brees INTs for upset

NEW ORLEANS -- David Bowens returned two of Drew Brees' four interceptions for touchdowns, and the Cleveland Browns took a stunning 30-17 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Saints on Sunday.

Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy passed for just 74 yards, but he got his first win as an NFL starter -- a desperately needed one for the struggling Browns (2-5). Peyton Hillis rushed for a 4-yard score for Cleveland's only offensive touchdown.

Scott Fujita and Sheldon Brown also had interceptions for the Browns. Brees was sacked three times, once by Fujita, who was a defensive leader for the Saints last season.

The Saints (4-3) trailed all game and pulled no closer in the second half than 20-10 on Brees' 11-yard TD pass to David Thomas early in the fourth quarter.

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Browns center Mack questions Harrison's 'dirty' tactics

BEREA, Ohio -- Two of the nastier hits that Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison delivered on Cleveland Browns players last Sunday are receiving all the publicity.

Browns center Alex Mack said there were more.

"If you watch the game film, (Harrison) was doing that to everyone on every play," Mack said Thursday. "People would be on the ground, and he would try to spear them. There's a play on film where (running back) Peyton Hillis is tackled, and he (Harrison) comes up and spears him. It's like you're being cheap, you're being dirty."

Harrison was fined $75,000 for his hard, helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, one of several devastating blows on an unusually violent Sunday of head-high collisions around the NFL. Harrison's hit on Massaquoi -- and one that knocked out Browns Pro Bowl receiver Josh Cribbs on a running play -- helped prompt NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to crack down and impose significant fines on players for hits to the head and neck.

Neither of Harrison's hits drew penalties during the Steelers' 28-10 victory. Ironically, Mack was flagged for delay of game for kicking the ball out of bounds on the play when Massaquoi was injured. Massaquoi and Cribbs sustained concussions and haven't practiced this week, although Browns coach Eric Mangini said both players could be medically cleared for practice Friday.

Harrison returned to practice Thursday, one day after he threatened to retire because of the league's crackdown on dangerous hits.

Mack said Harrison didn't just hurt the Browns. He did damage to himself.

"The helmet-to-helmet with Cribbs is a little more innocent, to some extent," Mack said. "You're still leading with your head. It's a dumb move no matter what you do. First of all, you're ruining your own brain and you're damaging other people. It's your brain."

Mack is the first Cleveland player to publicly denounce Harrison as "dirty" and question his tackling tactics. In fact, a few of the Browns, including Cribbs and Hillis, said they didn't believe Harrison's hits warranted any punishment.

On his Twitter page, Cribbs wrote that he didn't believe Harrison, a former teammate at Kent State, was trying to hurt him.

La Canfora: NFL can't be senseless

"I have no bad will towards LB James Harrison," Cribbs tweeted. "That's what he's supposed to do: knock people out. It's what makes him one of the best. ... He is still my boy ... It is unfortunate, but our sport is brutal. We will both bounce back & compete again real soon. ... Oh yeah & we play each other twice!"

Browns coach Eric Mangini said Cribbs and Massaquoi have improved. Mangini hopes both players will practice Friday. The Browns play at New Orleans on Sunday.

Tight end Evan Moore, who sustained a concussion earlier this season against the Kansas City Chiefs, believes players should be reprimanded for leading with their helmets. He doesn't believe Harrison was headhunting the Browns but said his tackling style is unwarranted.

"He was just playing his game," Moore said. "I'm not trying to say that his game is dirty. I'm just saying he's made a habit of hitting like that. I don't think launching into a guy's head makes you a tough player. Harrison is a good, strong, tough player, but that's not what makes him tough, and that's something I think is unnecessary."

Mack, a 2009 first-round draft pick from California, is pleased with the media attention being given to the violent hits, especially the ones on defenseless players. Mack believes the league should do all it can to protect and educate its players.

"A lot of the arguments right now are people are taught from Pee Wee football that this is how you play," Mack said Thursday. "Well, we need to change that. You can't be breaking your head. There are better ways to tackle. We're taught you're not supposed to spear with the top of your head."

On Wednesday, Goodell sent a memo and video to all teams explaining the reasons for the increase in penalties against offenders. He said players are expected to play within the rules, and that coaches and teams also will be subject to penalties.

Several players said they were confused about the changes, with some on the defenders' side saying they were being unfairly targeted.

"Unfortunately, defensive players look like the bad guys in this," Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said. "But there's a lot of guys on those offensive lines who are dirty, too."

Mack said it will be difficult for many coaches and players to change their ways after years of conditioning. However, in light of medical studies linking head injuries to long-term medical conditions like dementia, Mack, who hopes to play 10 years in the league, understands the urgency.

"When you're taught a certain way, you're going to keep doing it," Mack said. "It needs to change, though. I saw that 'Real Sports' show with the connection between Lou Gehrig's Disease and concussions. That is scary. I was watching and thinking, 'Why am I playing this game when I could be physically handicapped for the rest of my life.'

"It's a scary thing. It's good to see there's some progress to try and protect people."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Ailing Browns' fashion statement: The protective boot

The Cleveland Browns have new team colors: bruised and orange.

What went wrong with Harrison? Jerome Harrison went from being the Browns' leading rusher to a role player and eventually trade bait. The new Eagle gives his thoughts on being traded. More ...

As many as seven starters, including quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace and running back Peyton Hillis, missed their second consecutive practice Thursday as the Browns, banged up on both sides of the line, prepared to face the well-rested Pittsburgh Steelers.

The injury bug has bitten deep into the Browns this season and won't let go.

"It's football," Wallace said. "Injuries happen."

They seem to be coming at an inordinate rate in Cleveland.

Wallace, a career backup who made four starts while Delhomme recovered from a high ankle sprain in the season opener, confirmed he suffered the same injury when he was sacked during the first half of last Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Wallace entered the locker room Thursday wearing a plastic protective walking boot, which has become something of a fashion trend with the Browns.

"A lot of people are wearing boots around here. Mike Holmgren started that," Wallace said, referring to the Browns' president, who recently shed his boot after undergoing foot surgery this summer. "He was walking around with the boot earlier in training camp, and nobody had a boot on. Now it seems like it's the thing."

With both of his experienced quarterbacks limping and potentially out for several weeks, Browns coach Eric Mangini will start rookie Colt McCoy against the Steelers, a team source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora on Thursday.

McCoy took the majority of the snaps with the first-team offense Wednesday, and he worked with the starters again Thursday during the 30 minutes of practice open to the media. Mangini was impressed with McCoy's composure on the field during the workout, which ended with the rookie leading the Browns in their post-practice "breakdown" huddle for the first time as a pro.

"That's probably what he was used to doing for years and years, being in that role, and he just fell back into that role," Mangini said.

In all, nine players -- down from Wednesday's 11 -- sat out practice Thursday, and four others were limited. In addition to Delhomme, Wallace and Hillis (thigh), the Browns' walking wounded includes defensive linemen Shaun Rogers (elbow) and Robaire Smith (back), center Alex Mack (shoulder), guard Floyd Womack (knee), tackle John St. Clair (ankle) and tight end Robert Royal (shoulder).

Wide receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs (ankle), safety Abram Elam (knee) and safety Nick Sorensen (calf) missed part of practice.

Mangini is hopeful he'll have more players back Friday. He needs Hillis -- badly.

The punishing back pulled his quadriceps muscle in practice last week. After gaining more than 100 yards in consecutive games, he was hindered by the injury against the Falcons and managed just 28 yards on 10 carries. The Browns will need Hillis at full strength against Pittsburgh's No. 1-ranked rushing defense, which is giving up just 62 yards per game and is coming off a bye week.

McCoy will have to deal with a defense that has a nasty reputation.

"It is Blitzburgh," Mangini said.

Therefore, McCoy's challenge will be to recognize when the Steelers are coming, and, if he can, audible into plays to offset Pittsburgh's pass rush.

Mangini doesn't expect Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and Co. to show McCoy any mercy.

"I'm sure that they're going to do things that they think is going to beat the protection, beat the scheme, and there is always something creative that they come up with each game," the coach said. "That's something that they've done for a long time, they've done well for a long time. It hasn't really been exclusively with young quarterbacks; sometimes when it gets rolling, it happens a little bit more."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Harrison on downfall with Browns: 'It was mind-boggling'

Jerome Harrison doesn't know how he went from the Cleveland Browns' leading rusher to trade bait so quickly.

"I couldn't understand how that happened, and that really had me spent," Harrison told the Cleveland Plain Dealer in a phone interview Thursday, one day after being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for running back Mike Bell. "I didn't understand one part of how it happened. I didn't get into any fights with anybody, and I didn't think there were any bad feelings toward me by any of the coaches or anything.

Harrison practiced with the Browns on Wednesday, then found out about the trade.

"It was mind-boggling," he said. "But it's the nature of the business. I didn't understand it. I'm not an angry person, so I'm not upset. But I was a little frustrated."

Harrison believed this season would be so much more after he rushed for a Browns-record 286 yards -- the third-most in NFL history -- against the Kansas City Chiefs last season and gained 561 yards in Cleveland's final three games. He figured he had finally proved himself worthy of being an every-down back, but the Browns obviously didn't think so when they acquired Peyton Hillis from the Denver Broncos during the offseason and drafted Montario Hardesty in the second round.

When Hardesty was lost for the season in September with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, the Browns turned to Hillis, who is 14th in the NFL with 350 yards on 76 carries and four touchdowns. Harrison, on the other hand, has just 91 yards on 31 carries.

"I thought I could rush for more than 1,500 yards and take this team to the playoffs," Harrison told the newspaper. "I liked where (team president) Mike Holmgren was taking this team. I love all my teammates and the fans in Cleveland. My time here has been amazing. I really did plan on being here."

Browns coach Eric Mangini said Thursday that Harrison wasn't phased out of the team's offense -- Hillis just did "a great job expanding his role." Mangini also said Harrison's unhappiness over his role wasn't the reason for the trade.

"If anybody's ever dissatisfied with either their role or their situation, you always have the chance to talk to me about that and sit down," Mangini said, according to the Browns' official website. "That's ongoing, and we hadn't had that conversation, so my assumption is that he understood his role, but that's really what it was. This decision and any of these decisions are going to be made based on what we think is going to help us move forward as a team as opposed to that side of it."

The Eagles announced the deal in a press release Wednesday. The Browns only confirmed the trade, with a spokesman saying it was contingent on both players passing physicals.

"All I can say is thank you," Harrison told the Plain Dealer. "I don't feel like they were using me there, so thank you for letting me get the opportunity somewhere else. Excitement might be an understatement. I just want to go somewhere and win."

Like Harrison, Bell's chances have been limited this season. He has rushed for just 28 yards on 16 carries.

"I think, first of all, a change of scenery might be good for both players," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said Wednesday, according to the team's official website. "Mike Bell can fit their scheme. They're looking for a downhill runner between the tackles. They like to run the ball a lot. For us, Jerome, he's a quicker guy, he's athletic, (and) he can catch the football."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Browns rookie QB McCoy to make first NFL start vs. Steelers

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will start his first NFL game this weekend, a team source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora on Thursday.

It would take a dramatic turn of events with Jake Delhomme or Seneca Walllace -- both of whom are nursing ankle injuries -- for things to change, according to the source.

Rookie QB Colt McCoy is in line to start Sunday, but the Steelers expect to see WR Joshua Cribbs take plenty of snaps in the Browns' Flash package.
More ...

Browns coach Eric Mangini said Thursday that he was pleased with McCoy's first practice as a potential starter. The coach hasn't officially announced that McCoy will start, but he said his lean is "more pronounced" to the rookie quarterback making his NFL regular-season debut Sunday in Pittsburgh against the blitz-happy Steelers.

Mangini said he is happy with McCoy's progress and that the third-round draft pick would take the bulk of the snaps during practice Thursday.

McCoy will be the 16th different quarterback to start a game for the Browns since 1999. The team re-signed Brett Ratliff this week off the New England Patriots' practice squad as a backup, and with the way things are going for Cleveland, it's not farfetched to think he could see some playing time if McCoy is hurt or struggles.

Wallace doesn't know when he'll be able to play, but he believes the former University of Texas star can hold down the fort until he returns.

"He played at Texas, it's like America's Team, like the Dallas Cowboys," Wallace said of McCoy. "He's been in the limelight before. It's not college, you're going to Pittsburgh. It's going to be tough, but with his type of character and the kind of person he is, he'll be able to deal with it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Browns bring back Ratliff after injuries to Delhomme, Wallace

The Cleveland Browns have a second quarterback with two healthy legs.

Desperate for help because of ankle injuries to Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace, the Browns confirmed Tuesday that they have re-signed Brett Ratliff as the probable backup to rookie Colt McCoy, who likely will make his first NFL start Sunday in Pittsburgh.

NFL Network analyst Charles Davis says that while Eric Mangini and his staff have the Browns on the right track, QB Seneca Wallace gives the team the best chance to win. More ...

Ratliff's agent said Monday that his client was on his way back to Cleveland.

Ratliff, 25, had been on the New England Patriots' practice squad, but the Browns know him well. He spent all of last season with Cleveland, and he was with the team throughout training camp before he was waived Sept. 4. Ratliff knows the Browns' offensive system, bringing some comfort to coach Eric Mangini as the team prepares to face the blitz-happy Steelers coming off a bye last week.

Mangini hasn't announced McCoy as his starter, and the coach might not tip his hand until just before kickoff to keep the Steelers guessing.

On Monday, Mangini said he believes McCoy, the former University of Texas star who slipped to the third round in April's draft, is prepared for his professional debut.

"Sometimes the opportunity knocks, and if you get that opportunity, you got to be ready to seize it," Mangini said. "He's played a lot of games, not at this level, but a lot of games in college at a very high level, and he's been in this system now for quite some time."

Delhomme, who missed the Browns' previous three games with a high ankle sprain, appeared to re-injure his ankle during Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He was pressed into action after Wallace, making his fourth consecutive start, injured his ankle during the first half when he was sacked by Falcons end John Abraham.

Mangini refused to give specifics on the injuries to his veteran quarterbacks -- the team hasn't provided any updates on their status or test results -- but The Cleveland Plain Dealer cited league sources in reporting that Delhomme suffered a high and a low ankle sprain and Wallace had a high ankle sprain.

The Browns' decision to sign Ratliff seems to indicate that both Delhomme and Wallace will be out for an extended period. League rules guarantee Ratliff will be on Cleveland's roster for at least three weeks.

The Browns also terminated the contract of wide receiver Sam Aiken, who had one reception for 7 yards in three games last season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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