The Cleveland Browns had 2 weeks to get ready for their game with the Denver Broncos on Sunday, it could have been 2 months or perhaps even 2 years the results would have been the same. It appears that the Browns have regressed since 2005 under head coach Romeo Crennel and the fans and media are pulling no punches about it.

If there was ever a game the Browns could have won and should have been ready to play it was this one. We were told that the coaching staff was going to do a self-examination during the bye week. They were going to look at the coaches and the players, see if changes needed to be made. It was obvious that they needed to take a longer, harder look at themselves as they laid another egg at home in losing 17-7 to the Broncos and dropping to 1-5 on the season.

The only obvious play calling changes were wide receiver screens and quick slant passes to WR/PR/KR Joshua Cribbs. It seemed that the moaning and groaning of fans and media alike did not go on deaf ears. This from a coach who says he doesn't listen to the media and fans. Yeah, sure you don't Romeo.

The Browns are still the only team in the NFL, through 6 games and 7 weeks, not to score a 1st quarter TD. It appears that the bye week and self-evaluation did not help that facet of the team. It appears the bye week did not help this team in any way. The one thing they were doing before the bye was losing, the one thing they are doing after the bye is losing. That's not the kind of consistency NFL teams look for.

Offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon stood on the sidelines with a look of befuddlement. At one time even a smirk crossed his face. Apparently he was taking some solace in knowing that he didn't let the outside forces, such as the fans or media, change his ways. He still is a very, very bad play caller. And what if the play-calling was taken from him on Sunday? Whoever called the plays did no better!

The Browns offense went 1-11 on 3rd down conversions and had no offensive flow to speak of, which led to the Broncos having the ball for 15 minutes longer Sunday and running 29 more plays on offense. It's amazing that the Browns lost by only 10 points, but moral victories are getting old and so is the 2006 version of the Cleveland Browns.

The defense played a very good, but was bitten once again by the injury bug. Starting CB Gary Baxter, back from a pectoral injury, went up to break up a pass in the 2nd quarter and proceeded to blow out his knee with no contact. For Baxter it is another set-back professionally and more then likely marks the end of his 2nd season with the Browns. Baxter never missed a game in his first 4 years with the Baltimore Ravens, but since joining the Browns he has played in a total of 8 games in 2 years.

With Baxter's loss the Browns were forced to go with backups Ralph Brown and Jereme Perry, who surprisingly played well. If nothing else the Browns are developing some depth in their secondary.

The Browns are better defensively then offensively, but they need help. You can't keep a defense on the field for as long as the Browns do and expect success. In the last 4 games they have given up 15, 14, 13 and 17 points respectfully. They are improving, but the offense is not and it is hurting the team overall.

Sooner or later the Browns will need to answer some very tough questions. Is Charlie Frye the QB of the future? Is Romeo Crennel the man to lead them from their losing culture? When will owner Randy Lerner realize the team needs more key executives? When will G.M. Phil Savage understand that he is not a scout getting paid like a G.M.? So many questions, so few answers.

The Browns will try to recoup and prepare to host the surprising 4-3 New York Jets next Sunday. The stadium was nowhere near capacity and will more then likely look the same this week. Fans are tired of losing, but they are even more tired of feeling hopeless. There is no light at the end of the tunnel and thinking of the 2007 NFL Draft before week 8 is a sad indictment of where the Cleveland Browns are in 2006.

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