Tony Grossi predicts the Giants and Cowboys will be fighting for their playoff lives next weekend.

View full sizeBill Kostroun, AP file photoJets quarterback Mark Sanchez, left, and Giants quarterback Eli Manning face each other today in a game with huge playoff implications for both teams.

N.Y. Giants at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.

TV: WJW Channel 8.

Early line: Jets by 3.

Tony Grossi's take: Short trip for Giants (sarcasm). Jets, 20-16.

Philadelphia at Dallas, 4:15 p.m.

TV: WJW Channel 8.

Early line: Cowboys by 1 1/2.

Tony's take: The Cowboys have a way of curling up in a ball in these big games. Eagles, 40-34.

Oakland at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Early line: Chiefs by 2.

Tony's take: Chiefs revitalized under Romeo Crennel. Chiefs, 16-13.

Denver at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Early line: Broncos by 2 1/2.

Tony's take: Tim Tebow, Willis McGahee and defense reign. Broncos, 20-14.

Jacksonville at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Early line: Titans by 7 1/2.

Tony's take: Jake Locker vs. Blaine Gabbert in the Music City Bowl. Titans, 23-10.

Arizona at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Early line: Bengals by 4 1/2.

Tony's take: Bengals can score on the Cardinals. Bengals, 26-20.

Miami at New England, 1 p.m.

Early line: Patriots by 9 1/2.

Tony's take: Can Todd Bowles gameplan Bill Belichick like Eric Mangini? Patriots, 33-24.

Minnesota at Washington, 1 p.m.

Early line: Redskins by 6 1/2.

Tony's take: The Vikings' free fall has gone largely unnoticed. Redskins, 27-17.

Tampa Bay at Carolina, 1 p.m.

Early line: Panthers by 7 1/2.

Tony's take: Just makes you wonder why the Bucs fired Jon Gruden three years ago. Panthers, 30-18.

St. Louis at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Early line: Steelers by 16.

Tony's take: You're a good man, Charlie Batch. Steelers, 17-3.

San Diego at Detroit, 4:05 p.m.

Early line: Lions by 2 1/2.

Tony's take: I'm through picking against Chargers in December. Chargers, 31-28.

San Francisco at Seattle, 4:15 p.m.

Early line: 49ers by 2 1/2.

Tony's take: The old Monday night hangover hits the 49ers. Seahawks, 20-17.

GROSSI UPDATE: Last week overall: 8-8 (.500); season overall: 148-76 (.661); last week vs. spread: 6-9-1 (.406); season vs. spread: 113-106-5 (.516).

It's been 47 years since Browns fans and Cleveland sports fans have experienced what the city and its football team celebrated on Dec. 27, 1964 ... when the Browns and Cleveland were champions.

View full sizePlain Dealer file photoJim Brown ran for 114 yards on 27 carries in the Browns' 27-0 victory over the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 NFL Championship Game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Maybe what Cleveland needs is another wise guy with a trumpet.

It was the morning of the 1964 NFL Championship Game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The Browns were big underdogs against the Baltimore Colts, a team laden with future Hall of Famers, especially on offense.

As was their tradition, the Browns stayed at the old Pick-Carter Hotel on Prospect Avenue the night before the game. Members of the "Colt Corral" booster club stayed there, too.

That morning, Browns guard John Wooten, fullback Jim Brown and a few other teammates relaxed in the hotel's confection area, enjoying sodas, sandwiches and the jukebox when a Colts fan with a horn came within a few feet of them and blew taps.

Later, as Wooten and Brown walked across the street to Brown's car to head to the stadium, the fullback turned to his friend and declared in his understated baritone, "Woot, we're going to kick their [butt] today."

More than two generations of Browns fans and Cleveland sports fans have endured season after season without experiencing what the city and its football team celebrated that day -- Dec. 27, 1964, when the Browns and Cleveland were champions.

"For me," said Walter Beach, who shut down Colts All-Pro receiver Raymond Berry that day, "it was like walking on air."

Cleveland sports fans -- and, we, the local media -- are guilty of living in the past, which is certainly no way to go through life. But fans would have to be at least in their early 50s by now to remember what it felt like to have a world champion in anything. It's been that long.

So, unless and until that changes, Cleveland clings to the '64 NFL Championship Game, what the town was like then and the memories of what once was.

With so many wasted seasons piling up, if the Browns ever won the Super Bowl, the party would blow the roof off this pent-up city.

But by the '60s, every season arrived with great promise because the franchise coach Paul Brown had built from scratch was respected and consistently among the league's best. The Browns had reached the title game seven times between 1950, when they joined the NFL, and 1964. Fans expected the team to compete for the NFL championship every year.

"It's often been said they were the New York Yankees of the NFL," said Paul Warfield, a rookie receiver on that '64 team. "They won all the time."

Warfield grew up a Browns fan in Warren and while starring at Ohio State, idolizing Marion Motley, Otto Graham and Dante Lavelli.

He still remembers the Carling Black Label beer commercials as announcer Ken Coleman introduced the team's weekly highlight show on television.

"He'd say, 'You're watching the greatest show in football,' " Warfield said, "and that's what it was."

Although not everyone bought that tribute in '64. Many thought the greatest show in football that season was playing out in Baltimore, which boasted the third-highest scoring offense in NFL history at the time.

The Colts were 12-2 and heavy favorites to beat the 10-3-1 Browns. Baltimore's head coach was Don Shula, who grew up in Grand River and starred at Painesville Harvey, at John Carroll and with the Browns early in his NFL career.

Sports Illustrated was so sure the Browns would lose that editors had to scramble after the game to change the magazine's cover of Shula and his quarterback Johnny Unitas to one featuring Browns quarterback Frank Ryan.

"Even with Jim Brown, [the experts] didn't think the Browns had a chance," said Tom Delgenio, 64, of Niles, who remembers driving with his dad to a Knights of Columbus hall to watch the game as a Girard High sophomore. "They would be lucky if they were even in the game."

Cleveland was the underdog but didn't suffer the insecurity it does now.

In 1964, the city was the eighth-largest in the country, a humming industrial town with twice as many people living here. And the NFL wasn't the 32-team multibillion-dollar conglomerate it is today. The Browns were one of just 14 teams in two divisions.

The Browns had clinched the Eastern Division on the season's final week, pummeling the Giants in New York, 52-20, to set up the title game two weeks later.

The buildup, by today's over-hyped standards, was relatively tame. The morning of the game, The Plain Dealer ran one story about it on the front page -- ticket scalpers fretting that $8 tickets were only selling for $10. It ran next to a story about Jackie Kennedy and the kids skiing in Aspen, Colo.

Back when games weren't televised locally -- sellout or not -- fans without tickets either listened on radio or drove 75 miles out of Cleveland to watch it. Hotels were selling out from Toledo to Erie, Pa.

Although Blanton Collier had replaced Paul Brown the season before, the cerebral, grandfatherly Collier continued team traditions set by the founding head coach. On Saturday before the game, the players checked into the Pick-Carter, ate dinner together and went to the movies.

Through faded memories, Ryan believes the feature that night was a James Bond film, possibly "Goldfinger," which was released the week before. He also remembers at least some of the Colts sitting a few rows behind them.

"There was some talking and jabbing during the movie," he said. "It made us all a little uneasy."

View full sizePlain Dealer file photoBrowns fans mob quarterback Frank Ryan he leaves field at Cleveland Municipal Stadium after the Browns' 27-0 win over the Colts. Ryan threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

The game-time temperature of 34 degrees felt much colder in 15- to 25-mph winds whipping under a (what else) gray December sky. The Municipal Stadium crowd of 79,544 was the second largest in NFL title-game history at the time.

Baltimore was not only favored, but cocky. After throwing an early interception, Ryan made the tackle on the sidelines at the feet of the Colts players. "And they just started razzing me something awful," he said.

If Cleveland was to make a statement early, it was Galen Fiss who made it.

Several former Browns still describe a first-half screen pass from Unitas to Lenny Moore that the Browns linebacker and team captain absolutely blew up, sending the Colts speedy halfback airborne for a loss.

"The score was 0-0 at halftime," said Wooten, who lived in Cleveland's Lee-Harvard area while with the Browns. "That was a win to us. We came off the field saying, 'We got 'em, we got 'em.' "

"I remember going into the locker room," said halfback Ernie Green, who lived in Shaker Heights as a Cleveland Brown. "We cleaned ourselves and sat down, and it seemed like something came over all of us. I think we all kind of looked at each other and concluded, 'Hey, we can beat these guys.' "

Beat them? The Browns dismantled them.

Ryan hit flanker Gary Collins for three touchdowns, while Lou Groza added a pair of field goals.

The Browns' unheralded defense completely snuffed the Colts' deadly passing attack, limiting Unitas to 95 passing yards while intercepting him twice.

"It's a game that you don't want to remember," said Shula, who remembered how he and his college buddies could get bleacher seats at Browns games for 50 cents if they wore their John Carroll letter jackets. "But it happened, and you've got to live with it."

The third Ryan-to-Collins score was a 51-yarder with Colts defender Bobby Boyd draped all over the lanky receiver's back. Collins disappeared into a sea of fans that had swarmed the end zone past a line of policemen.

"It was great for the city. It was absolutely fantastic for the city," Warfield said. "The fans exploded onto the field. They were euphoric, they were happy for us, they were taking guys and grabbing them. The entire city was in an uproar."

It was bedlam. Fans tore the goalposts down. Jim Kanicki, a second-year defensive tackle who came of age that day by tearing up future Hall of Famer Jim Parker, recalled what it was like to leave the locker room.

"People were just standing there, yelling and applauding," he said. "That was an hour-and-a-half after the game."

The celebration moved from the locker room to a ballroom at the Hotel Sheraton Cleveland on Public Square, where Browns owner Art Modell rubbed elbows with such dignitaries as Ohio Gov. James Rhodes and Cleveland Mayor Ralph Locher. The players, joined by their families, were hit up for photographs and signatures.

"It was one of those things you wanted to never end," said defensive end Paul Wiggin, who lived in University Heights back then.

The winner's share was $8,000, equal to Ryan's salary that season. Collins also won a $3,800 '65 red Corvette with a black top for being named the game's Most Valuable Player. Collins said the performance also led to a few gigs for dress-shirt ads.

Wiggin and defensive back Bernie Parrish, who lived in Aurora, near Collins, Collier and offensive tackle Dick Schafrath, said that by the time they got home, neighbors had decorated their houses with signs such as, "Welcome Home Champ!"

The banner headline in the next morning's Plain Dealer read, "BROWNS CAPTURE CROWN, 27-0" above photos of Ryan and Brown smiling and shaking hands, and another of Modell hugging Collins. The game was re-broadcast on Cleveland television that Monday night.

"The word I would think of is euphoria," said Delgenio, the Niles fan who said the game was all people talked about for a week. "Like you hit the lottery. You're the champs, you're the world champs."

ESPN ranks the '64 title game as the second-greatest NFL postseason upset, behind only Joe Namath's guaranteed win over the Colts in Super Bowl III four seasons later.

But Cleveland never threw a parade. The general feeling was, we'll be back.

It was also a much different time. The players and coaches lived with the rest of us, many year-round. They were visible and accessible. Their numbers were listed in the phone book. (People used phone books.) Kids would knock on their doors to come out and toss the football.

The heroes next door became even bigger celebrities as champions. They couldn't go out to eat -- at the Bluegrass, Pat Joyce's, the Carnegie Hotel, the Wagon Wheel -- without being noticed or someone picking up the check or buying a drink.

"I can remember my wife saying that when she would go to the grocery store, complete strangers would want to help her take her bags to the car," said Kanicki, who lived in Euclid then.

Linebacker Jim Houston said more invitations for $200-per speaking engagements came rolling in.

Although it's almost 40 years since Collins retired, he still gets fan mail from all over the world requesting autographs. And Wooten still gets letters from fans writing about how their dads took them to the '64 game.

"They loved what our team was about," Wooten said. "They loved us. We were part of the community."

Brown said his life got calmer after being crowned a champion "because we climbed the mountain and succeeded, and that could never be taken away."

What did the title "World Champion" mean for Cleveland? What does it mean now, given the 47-year void?

"I think it is a reminder of two things," Brown said. "Great achievement, pure achievement -- because that's what it was -- and the lack of the same type of approach.

"There was a great appreciation that we had for the players before us, the history before us. We believed the Cleveland Browns were special. We believed that the Cleveland fans were the best in the world, and there was always a Cleveland Browns attitude and a city attitude that we were special and the history was special."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: blubinger@plaind.com, 216-999-5531

The fact remains Flacco has taken the Ravens to the playoffs in all of his four pro seasons -- and done it in the AFC North.

View full sizeTony Dejak, Associated PressQuarterback Joe Flacco is not mentioned as an elite quarterback, but he's won a lot of games for the Ravens and has led them to the playoffs the past four seasons.

1. Joe Flacco's name isn't mentioned when there's a discussion of elite quarterbacks. But in the past four years, he has a 46-23 record. He is 26-5 at home -- good luck, Browns, who are 0-7 vs. Flacco. This will be his 63rd consecutive start. Only Eli Manning (117) and Philip Rivers (94) have longer streaks among quarterbacks. For his career, he's completed 61 percent of his passes, 77 touchdowns compared to 45 interceptions. He has had a couple of stinker games on the road this season and is backed with a defense that annually is in the top five. But the fact remains Flacco has taken the Ravens to the playoffs in all of his four pro seasons -- and done it in the AFC North.

2. Unless Philadelphia makes the playoffs, the Ravens are the only team to be in the postseason in each of the past four years. But they have been knocked out twice in that time by Pittsburgh, leading to Flacco taking some heat. Of course, Browns fans should be quick to say, In exchange for you taking our team, how about you giving us your quarterback?

3. Why am I writing about the Ravens? Because the Browns are in this stretch of finishing the season with five of their final six games against teams in the AFC North. Odds are they won't win any of them ... they lost twice to the Cincinnati Bengals. We'll see how the final two games play out, but other than Eric Mangini's 2009 snowstorm upset of the Steelers, when was the last time that you watched a Browns game with either Baltimore or Pittsburgh and truly thought the Browns had a decent shot to win? The most recent Browns victory over Baltimore was in 2007 when Phil Dawson booted a field goal that bounced over the cross bar.

4. I do believe the rugged AFC North is one of the reasons Browns General Manager Tom Heckert has spent his top two draft picks in the past two drafts on defensive players. Pittsburgh and Baltimore are ranked 1-2 in defense, the Bengals are sixth. The Browns are a respectable 14th. But their offense is 29th, Baltimore is 15th.

5. So here is the situation for the Browns. They play in the toughest division. They face two of the top 10 quarterbacks -- the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and Flacco -- four times. Bengals rookie Andy Dalton is certainly at least average. So the Browns are deficient at quarterback, deficient at wide receiver and lacking in overall team speed on offense -- while playing against some of the league's premier defenses.

6. Yes, it's a huge gap to close, and the only way to do it is in the draft -- with a couple of key free agents.

7. Since the Browns returned in 1999, they have drafted only five players who have made the Pro Bowl. Joshua Cribbs has made it as a special teams player, but he is a non-drafted free agent. Center Alex Mack made it last season. The only legitimate star player drafted since 1999 is Joe Thomas, who has been to four Pro Bowls.

8. In that same span, Baltimore has drafted nine Pro Bowlers. Several have been true stars: Chris McAlister, Jamal Lewis, Ed Reed, Todd Heap, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, and Flacco is close to that category. Only Lewis (No. 5 in 2000) was higher than a No. 10 pick. Yes, Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome has been destroying the Browns on draft day, including that Ngata/Kamerion Wimbley deal in 2006. Yes, the Browns need a quarterback, but I'm against piling up the draft choices and tossing in someone such as Joe Thomas or Jabaal Sheard to grab the No. 1 pick and Stanford's Andrew Luck. The Browns may have three picks in the top 40, and it's a chance to pick a couple of future Pro Bowlers.

Get updates and analysis from the press box as the Browns take on the Ravens in Baltimore.

View full sizeAP Photo | Ross D. FranklinSeneca Wallace makes his second start of the season today.

The Browns travel to Baltimore today to take on the Baltimore Ravens. Seneca Wallace will start at quarterback for the second straight week.

You can get live updates and analysis from the press box from Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) and Mary Kay Cabot (@marykaycabot).

10 Browns wins in 10 days: Suffering Browns fans deserve a holiday treat so we present 10 Browns wins in 10 days. The final installment of this series looks back on Christmas Eve 1950, when the Browns won their first NFL title in their first year in the league.

Plain Dealer fileCleveland Browns players swap shoes during the 1950 NFL Championship Game in Cleveland Stadium

The moment Lou Groza's 16-yard field goal cleared the crossbar in the last 20 seconds of what may well be the greatest gridiron spectacle in Cleveland history, 29,751 citizens went beserk at the stadium.

Thousands of them poured onto the field, even before the gun sounded to finish to the Browns' 30-28 victory over the rugged Los Angeles Rams, returning the National Football League crown to this city after a four-year lapse.

Stadium police sought in vain to keep the delirious spectators in the stands until the end of the game. Outnumbered 100 to 1, the gendarmes next attempted to keep the fans from running onto the field and embracing their gallant heroes.

When the final gun did sound, fans flooded the field and the players were engulfed. Groza barely escaped with his life, and others were similarly bent on getting to the clubhouse in one piece. Hal Herring's jersey was ripped off him.

The insanely happy fans who couldn't get near the players went after the goalposts, and they tore them down in one gigantic surge. When last seen, the goalposts were being carted out of the stadium by a whole gang of souvenir-hunters.

Demonstrations were equally as riotous in the stands. A bonfire was built of wastepaper in the center field bleachers and city firemen, answering the alarm, reached the scene only to find that stadium ushers had extinguished the blaze.

Browns Celebrate, Too

After a considerable effort, the Browns managed to reach the safety of their dressing quarters. Once there, they staged a victory celebration of their own, shouting, screaming, laughing, hugging one another in a moment of both great joy and sheer exhaustion.

AP fileCleveland Browns coach Paul Brown, left, celebrates the Browns' first NFL title with Lou Groza, who kicked the winning field goal, and team owner Mickey McBride.

Coach Paul Brown, wearing a gray felt hat that was battered from the hundreds who had patted him as he came off the field, went from player to player to offer his congratulations. Usually well composed, Brown was visibly shaken by the tremendous comeback his team made.

"This is the gamest bunch of guys in the world," he said, in barely more than a whisper. "Next to my wife and family, these guys are my life. What a Merry Christmas they've made it!"

Had he given up hope? Did he have that sinking feeling when, with the clock ticking away in the fourth quarter and with the Browns still trailing by one skimpy point, Otto Graham fumbled on the Rams' 24? Did he, like most others, feel that that was the Browns' last chance?

"I never gave up hope," he said, his eyes a little red. "I know this gang too well. I know they never quit. This is the greatest football team a coach ever had. Bless 'em all."

"Never a Game Like This"

Brown kept repeating, "There never was a game like this one." And it was agreed, for the battle was tense from the moment the Rams' Bob Waterfield and Glenn Davis collaborated on an 82-yard touchdown pass in the first 27 seconds until Groza booted the field goal in the last 20.

Dudley Brumbach, PD fileDick Hoerner of the Los Angeles Rams scores on a 1-yard-run in the third quarter of the 1950 NFL title game in Cleveland. The Browns won the game, 30-28.

Groza, the man with the talented toe, whose field goal in the last 58 seconds gave the Browns a victory over the New York Giants in the play-off here last Sunday, was the center of attention in the clubhouse and deservedly so. His sturdy right foot got its share of tribute, too.

"No, honest, I wasn't nervous," said Groza. If so, he was the calmest man on the premises. "I was just thinking of fundamentals, going over in my mind what to do. I didn't want to make any mistakes."

Then he turned and pointed to Joe Page, the New York Yankees' relief pitcher, who came from his home near Pittsburgh to see the game and who managed to worm his way into the Browns' dressing room afterwards to congratulate friends and fellow athletes.

"Ask him," Groza said. "A guy doesn't get nervous in a tight spot like that."

Even Fireman Is Nervous

"Like hell," Page boomed. "I get nervous plenty and so do you. Don't tell me you weren't worried about missing. I know what was going through your mind."

At a locker nearby, Graham was stripping off his jersey. It was plain to see that he had taken a physical beating from the huge Los Angeles linemen who had knocked him down repeatedly. His face displayed cuts and bruises, and he limped on a twisted knee.

Dudley Brumbach, PD fileCleveland Browns kicker Lou Groza boots the winning field goal in the final minute of the 1950 NFL championship game in Cleveland against the Los Angeles Rams.

"Somebody hit me in the back toward the end of the first half," Otto said. "I thought I was going to fold up right there. My knee buckled, but luckily it didn't stiffen up. It's just getting stiff now. It'll probably be plenty sore tomorrow."

And how did Graham feel when his fumble late in the fourth quarter stopped a drive that had reached the Rams' 24?

"I wanted to die right there," he moaned. "It could have cost us the game. We were throwing the game away, anyway. The Rams are plenty tough, but we handed them a couple of touchdowns. Of course, we had to get ours the hard way."

Heartbreaking Loss for Rams

Brown and most of the players praised the Rams as "the best team we've ever played," but this was little consolation to the Rams, who felt that they had a victory locked up late in the fourth quarter. It was, indeed, a heartbreaking defeat, and they dressed in deathly silence.

"It was just one of those things," was the only comment made by Bob Waterfield, the Los Angeles quarterback who engineered a 15-14 playoff victory for the Cleveland Rams over the Washington Redskins here five years ago. He was much too depressed to discuss it further.

Coach Joe Stydahar shooed newsmen from the players as the Rams were about to leave the stadium in a chartered bus. He asked to "please leave the boys alone," and he repeated the epitaph uttered by Waterfield, "It was just one of those things."

"Just say it was a helluva good ball club that beat us," was Stydahar's concluding remark.

Kicker Billy Cundiff is out for the Ravens and will be replaced by Shayne Graham.

BALTIMORE -- It's not much to hold your hat on, but the Browns should expect some opportunities to return kickoffs today against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens officially made thunderfoot kicker Billy Cundiff inactive. Cundiff, whose 32 touchbacks rank second in the AFC, has a calf injury. He's replaced by journeyman kicker Shayne Graham, who shouldn't be able to blast his kickoffs out of the end zone.

Rookie Buster Skrine is expected to handle some kickoff returns, along with Josh Cribbs. Cribbs will handle punt returns, as usual.

The Browns had no surprises on their inactive list: receiver Jordan Norwood, quarterback Colt McCoy, receiver Rod Windsor, special teamer James Dockery, center Steve Vallos, defensive tackle Kiante Tripp, tackle Oniel Cousins.

The Ravens' inactives: Besides Cundiff, receiver LaQuan Williams, running back Anthony Allen, defensive back Danny Forrer, receiver Anquan Boldin, defensive end Cory Redding, linebacker Sergio Kindle.

Rookie sensation Torrey Smith will replace Boldin in the starting lineup. Boldin had three touchdown catches in a Browns' loss here last season. Arthur Jones replaces Reddie at defensive end.

Joe Flacco TD to Ed Dickson and Shayne Graham 48-yard field goal gives Ravens a 10-0 lead.

View full sizeNick Wass, Associated PressBrowns free safety Mike Adams (20) gets tangled with Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith as Smith goes up for a catch in the first quarter. Adams was charged with a pass interference penalty on the play.

BALTIMORE -- Notes, observations and some facts on the first quarter ...

• Browns use tight end Dan Gronkowski in first short-yardage situation. Peyton Hillis converts third-and-1 -- just barely.

• Evan Moore makes nice grab for 11 yards with Wallace being chased to the right. Hillis follows with an 11-yard blast up the middle to the Ravens' 39.

• On third-and-1, Mohamed Massaquoi lines up in a deep slot to the right. Wallace throws weakly for him while backpedaling. Lardarius Webb intercepts at the Ravens' 32. Even if he catches it, it's 2 yards short of first down.

• Joe Flacco rears back and throws long for Torrey Smith, who beats Joe Haden. Underthrown ball. Mike Adams interferes. Sixty-yard penalty to Browns' 4.

• On third-and-goal from the 5, Flacco beats a blitz and connects with Ed Dickson, who beat D'Qwell Jackson in the end zone.

• Greg Little with a nice high grab for a first down. Then Wallace goes deep for Massaquoi and it's not even close to far enough. No air.

• Massaquoi runs 8-yard out route on third-and-10. Punt.

• After one first down by Ray Rice, Ravens get 29 yards on Flacco dumpoff to Smith crossing. Moved from own 8 to Browns' 47 in five plays.

• Ricky Williams with a 14-yard run.

• Ahtyba Rubin follows with a 10-yard sack.

• Shayne Graham 48-yard field goal is good.

Joe Flacco's second TD pass beats D'Qwell Jackson in coverage again -- this time to Ray Rice for 42 yards.Browns lose track of timeouts and hand off at the Ravens' 3 for no gain as time expires.

View full sizeNick Wass, Associated PressRavens running back Ray Rice scores in front of Browns defenders Usama Young, back left, and D'Qwell Jackson in the second quarter.

BALTIMORE -- Notes, observations and some facts on the second quarter ...

• Not fair when Brendon Ayanbadejo gets a sack for Ravens.

• Ray Rice is doing it again -- 2 yards, 8, 11.

• Even the seldom-seen screen pass to Vonta Leach is working for Ravens.

• On third down, Joe Flacco sees Rice sprinting past D'Qwell Jackson in pass coverage. Lob throw, easy catch, easy TD of 42 yards.

• Browns possession ends with Seneca Wallace running for his life and a 5-yard gain.

• Flacco's first incompletion on a third down whizzes through Torrey Smith's hands. First Ravens punt with 3:21 left in the half. Browns correspond with a holding penalty on a punt not returned. Geez.

• Browns catch a break on 30-yard pass interference on Chris Carr covering Josh Cribbs down the left sideline. Great coverage by Carr. Incidental contact from both players.

• Third-and-10 from Ravens 29 -- nice catch by Chris Ogbonnaya at the 17.

• Greg Little makes nine yards after catch, escaping hits by Ed Reed and Ayanbadejo, before Ayanbadejo nails him from behind.

• Browns use their third timeout with 57 seconds left.

• Browns lose track of timeouts and time runs out on handoff to Hillis for no gain at the 3. Yes, it's true.

Coaches seem to be making the game more difficult than it should be.

View full sizeNick Wass, Associated PressThe Ravens have been making life miserable for Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace during the first half.

1. There are times when coaches make the game harder than is needed. The Browns took the opening kickoff and ran the ball right at the Ravens. On his first six carries, Peyton Hillis had runs of 6, 1, 3, 11, 5 and 4 yards. The blocking was excellent, especially from the young guards, Shawn Lauvao and Jason Pinkston, who have been improving the last few weeks. Hillis looked healthy and strong.

2. With the ball on the Baltimore 30 and a third-and-1 situation, coach Pat Shurmur called for some type of strange screen pass to receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. Seneca Wallace was throwing into the wind and lofted a paper airplane of a pass that was picked off. In fact, the ball was intercepted 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage -- remember, the Browns needed only a yard for a first down. If you want to pass in that situation, at least throw it to player who is in position to gain the 1 yard for the first down.

3. After the interception, Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco heaved a 60-yard pass down field. Rookie Torrey Smith faked out corner Joe Haden, and safety Michael Adams tried to come to the rescue but bumped into Smith for a pass-interference penalty. That put the ball on the Browns' 4-yard line. The Ravens scored when tight end Ed Dickson caught a pass in the end zone. He was poorly covered by Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, whose back was turned when the ball was thrown.

4. Smith was the 58th pick in the draft, right in front of the Browns' Greg Little. He's had a big rookie season for the Ravens with 43 catches, seven for touchdowns. He is averaging 17.9 yards per catch -- exactly the kind of quick, long-distance receiver the Browns need. It is very possible the Browns would have picked him, but Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome grabbed Smith first.

5. Little had two very nice short-yardage catches in the first quarter and has 59 receptions on the season. He has been improving the past few weeks, cutting down on his drops. Little has only two touchdown catches and Browns rarely use him on long patterns.

6. Just as they have against Colt McCoy, Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson and so many other Browns quarterbacks, the Ravens have been making life miserable for Wallace. In addition to his interception, he also was sacked on a third-down pass attempt. He does not look very confident.

7. Baltimore took over the game quickly, thanks to running back Ray Rice. Yes, that's the same Ray Rice who had 214 yards on the ground against the Browns on Dec. 4. This time, he caught a 42-yard touchdown pass. The Ravens have been trying to isolate Jackson in pass coverage, knowing that's the weakest part of his game. I'm not sure why Jackson ended up covering Rice, who lined up as a receiver. But he did on that touchdown pass. Jackson is not quick, and having him in that situation is asking for a disaster. The problem is the Browns' two outside linebackers -- Kaluka Maiava and Chris Gocong -- also are slow.

8. Yes, the Browns' lack of team speed is being exposed again. The 60-yard pass interference penalty to set up the first touchdown happened when Torrey Smith blew past Haden. Then Jackson was well-behind Rice. Rice had 41 yards on seven carries, and the Browns are having trouble keeping up with him.

9. Rice flanked out as a receiver is not a surprise. He came into the game leading the Ravens with 71 catches.

10. With Baltimore grabbing a 17-0 lead and the Ravens being 26-5 at home since 2008 ... and Flacco 7-0 vs. the Browns ... this looks like another long afternoon in the AFC North for the Browns. As the half ends, the Browns (probably Wallace) lose track of the team being without a timeout and Hillis is tackled short of the goal line, allowing the clock to run out.

Browns fail to make a first down but find end zone on Cribbs' return.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerBrowns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin wraps up Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in the second quarter Saturday in Baltimore.

BALTIMORE — Notes, observations and some facts on the third quarter ...

• Browns force punt after one Ravens first down.

• Carlton Mitchell catches first pass of season for 6 yards.

• Third-and-2 pass to Jordan Cameron is incomplete. Predictable running game, short passes aren't going to cut it.

• Ravens dropping passes like Browns now. Joe Flacco third-down pass to Ed Dickson could've gone for a long play. Dickson had Usama Young beat, but he dropped it.

• Ricky Williams beats Kaluka Maiava on a little swing pass for 18 yards to Browns 32.

• Flacco's first pass for Lee Evans is incomplete on third down. Shayne Graham makes 43-yard field goal for 20-0 lead.

• On third-and-15, Seneca Wallace completes 5-yard pass to Evan Moore. Third straight three-and-out.

• Ravens appear to be losing interest on offense now. Of course, Browns defense never gives up.

• Flacco's pass for open Torrey Smith, who beat Sheldon Brown, goes off his hands.

• Josh Cribbs takes a Sam Koch punt 84 yards for a touchdown. His first punt return for a TD since the 2009 season opener. His first touchdown return of any kind in 32 games.

• Flacco looks like Tim Tebow. Tuck and run for 33 yards to Browns' 36.

Browns Phil Taylor jumps offsides on fourth-and-2, sealing the victory for the Ravens.

View full sizeNick Wass, Associated PressBrowns tight end Evan Moore's touchdown in the fourth quarter brought Cleveland within six of the Ravens, but the Ravens held on for the win.

BALTIMORE — Notes, observations and some facts on the fourth quarter ...

• On third down, Joe Flacco has an outlet receiver all alone, but he gets greedy and throws for Lee Evans in the end zone. Sheldon Brown is all over him and makes the interception.

• Carlton Mitchell converts Browns first first down of second half with 6-yard catch.

• Mohamed Massaquoi then makes another with a 9-yard catch.

• Longest offensive play of game for Browns -- Josh Cribbs catch of 23 yards after Seneca Wallace play-fake.

• Peyton Hillis rumbles for 15 to the Ravens 14.

• Hillis goes over 100 yards for first time this year with 3-yard run.

• Ray Lewis pass interference -- first time his name called -- gives Browns first down at Ravens 5.

• On third down, Wallace is flushed to the right and squeezes in the ball to Evan Moore in front of Bernard Pollard for 6-yard touchdown. PAT makes it 20-14, Ravens with 8:22 to go.

• Anxious fans boo after Flacco third-down pass sails off mark for Tandon Doss with 6:58 left.

• Sam Koch wants no part of Cribbs and punts it out of bounds at Browns 27.

• Hillis slams ahead for 8. All of a sudden, Ravens are on their heels.

• Third-and-5, Wallace throws short for Hillis against Ed Reed blitz.

• Browns use final timeout with 4:03 to play to contemplate fourth-and-5 from their 45.

• Fourth-and-5 -- Hillis flares to the right, but Wallace's pass is a little late. Brendon Ayanbadejo tackles Hillis for no gain with 3:55 left.

• Ravens hand off safely three times to burn clock down to two-minute warning.

• On fourth-and-2 from Browns' 46, Ravens try to draw Browns offsides. Yes, Phil Taylor jumps with :02 on play-clock. Welcome to NFL. Game over.

UPDATED: The Browns played hard on Saturday, but the same dumb mistakes that have plagued them all season lead to the loss to the Ravens.

View full sizeGail Burton, Associated PressBrowns cornerback Sheldon Brown intercepts a pass intended for Ravens wide receiver Lee Evans on Saturday in the fourth quarter.

Not because your favorite team quit in the 20-14 loss at Baltimore.

But it was how they lost.

It was that disaster at the end of the first half.

Quarterback Seneca Wallace lost track of the time. Rather than spike the ball at the Baltimore 3-yard line and at least kick a field goal, Wallace called a run to Peyton Hillis, who was tackled for no gain (and no points) as the clock ran out.

A frustrated Pat Shurmur looked as if he was ready to eat his plastic play-calling sheet.

"I never would have called a run in that situation with that much time," said Shurmur, who then blamed himself for the "communication breakdowns."

Wallace deserves credit for using his legs and strong arm for a beautiful 6-yard touchdown pass to Evan Moore, whose catch matched the athleticism of Wallace's off-the-gallop throw.

But he also deserves the blame for not stopping the clock, regardless of what he thought the coach said -- or what play he thought was called.

That mess cost the Browns three points.

Wallace did talk about "everyone not being on the same page ... and it's not the head coach's fault."

But he sounded and looked like a rookie, rather than a guy who has been in the league for nine years and played in 61 games.

But there was so much more to frustrate Browns fans.

Their team was behind, 17-0, at the half. They were poised to be humiliated by a team that has the NFL's second-best home record (72-23) since 2000. But the Browns really did make this interesting.

Joshua Cribbs returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown.

Sheldon Brown intercepted a Joe Flacco pass in the end zone to save a touchdown.

Wallace combined with Moore for that touchdown.

Hillis was outstanding, bulling his way for 112 yards of grit against a defense designed to stop him.

Could the Browns actually beat Baltimore for the first time since 2007? Could they give their beaten-down fans something good to talk about after a game? Or would it all be just another cruel tease?

Browns fans know the answer.

That was especially true as they had chewed up all their timeouts with 4:05 remaining. Wallace had some trouble with play calls and formations.

This stuff shouldn't be happening in game 15, no matter who is the quarterback.

There also were a couple of bizarre play-calls, where you can fault the head coach.

Wallace threw an interception on a third-and-1 in the first quarter -- it was a strange screen pass to Mohamed Massaquoi, who was 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

You need 1 yard. You have Hillis running over people and the blockers in high gear. Give him the ball.

In the fourth quarter ...

I don't even want to talk about the last part of the fourth quarter.

There was a silly pass to Hillis on a fourth-down play designed to go nowhere. Rookie Phil Taylor jumped offsides, denying the Browns one last chance to get the ball -- it came after a timeout where the coaches warned the defense that Baltimore would try to entice someone in an orange helmet into a penalty.

In the end, the Browns dropped to 4-11, having lost 10 of their past 12 games.

Merry Christmas?

The new year and a new season can't come fast enough for Browns fans, because this one has gotten to be very, very old.

Seneca Wallace's mistake shows that rustiness can be mental as well as physical.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis ran for 112 yards on Saturday against the Ravens.

Offense: Peyton Hillis had his first 100-yard game and Carlton Mitchell had his first two catches of the season. But the brownout at the end of the first half obscured everything. Pat Shurmur was calling for Seneca Wallace to spike the ball to stop the clock. Wallace didn't hear him, but he should have known to do that. Bottom line: Rustiness can be mental as well as physical.

Defense: After giving up the first five third-down conversions, they held Joe Flacco to 2-of-12 the rest of the way. Ravens had only 111 yards and five first downs in the second half. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was beaten for two touchdown passes in first half. Phil Taylor's jump offsides at the end sealed the loss. Bottom line: Tale of two halves.

Special teams: Josh Cribbs' 84-yard punt return for a touchdown was sweet, coming against former Browns special teams guru Jerry Rosburg. Cribbs had great blocking and just had to make the punter miss early. Brad Maynard averaged a net 41.8 yards on six punts. Bottom line: Clear victory.

Coaching: Pat Shurmur will take the fall for the first-half screwup with fans. He didn't call the handoff to Peyton Hillis with time running out. Shurmur blamed himself for not communicating better to Seneca Wallace to clock the ball. Bottom line: It's all a learning experience.

From courtroom to courtside, a daring career change has landed John Michael a job with the Cavaliers.

View full sizePlain Dealer file photoIn 2003, John Michael took a risk in walking away from his career as a lawyer to become a broadcaster, and it's paying off with a job with the Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the winter of 2003, John Michael took his family to a Mexican restaurant in suburban Pittsburgh to surprise them with news of his change in career paths.

He was leaving behind a six-figure income as a trial attorney to become the play-by-play voice of a minor-league baseball team for $5,000 a season. Eight years of Notre Dame education and three college degrees would be put to use calling Class A games in Hagerstown, Md., unloading equipment trucks after all-night trips and running from broadcast booths to help unfurl tarps during rain delays.

"I am the most unnecessarily educated individual in pro sports," Michael said. "But it was something I really wanted to try. I didn't want to look back years later with any regrets."

Upon hearing the decision, his mother nearly cried. His father cursed. Lots of friends and peers couldn't understand why Michael would trade financial stability to chase a dream that might anchor him in minor-league ballparks and hockey rinks for decades.

But the broadcasting legend whom Michael has replaced as the voice of the Cavaliers chuckles at the story of a dinner gone bad. In 1970, Joe Tait took a 25 percent pay cut to leave a radio station in Terre Haute, Ind., to call the games of a fledgling NBA franchise in Cleveland for $10,000 a season.

"I got those 'Are you kidding me?' responses, too," Tait said. "I can relate to the decision."

Whether Cleveland faithful will embrace the 39-year-old Michael -- teamed with analyst and former Cavaliers forward Jim Chones – remains to be determined. The duo makes its regular-season debut, along with veteran in-game host Mike Snyder, on Monday, as the Cavaliers host the Toronto Raptors.

Few topics engage sports fans as much as the broadcasters who call their team's games. It's why the search for Tait's replacement was as newsworthy here as almost anything NBA Commissioner David Stern had to say in the early months of the lockout.

Michael's hiring is intriguing, not only because he lacks an NBA pedigree, but also that he's a self-taught announcer who walked away from the corporate world to take his future wife on tours of minor-league markets such as Hagerstown; Johnstown, Pa.; and Springfield, Mass.

Michael has spent the past four years in Ohio, serving as the Lake Erie Monsters' announcer for two seasons before working as the in-game host for Fox Sports Ohio telecasts of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

His preparation for games and ability to describe play have brought him back to Cleveland to chronicle the start of the Kyrie Irving era. He acknowledges and welcomes the remarkable challenges of following Tait.

Winning over listeners is something Michael has had to do since he left family members slack-jawed in a restaurant eight years ago.

Big decision

On their first date at Notre Dame, Julie Maund wanted to know what had inspired Michael to study law. After all, her father is an attorney. Her two sisters are attorneys.

Michael was pursuing a law degree and a master of business administration after already graduating with a mechanical-engineering degree.

"But as we spoke, John seemed most enthusiastic about sports broadcasting," said Julie, a middle-school teacher.

Michael, an Aliquippa, Pa., native, played four sports in high school, yet at 5-foot-7, 140 pounds, there would be no Rudy redux at Notre Dame. Maund was the college athlete, captaining the Irish soccer team her senior season (1997).

His only work in the sports field had been operating a scoreboard clock at Irish hockey games for $25 and free pizza. But as he began his career as a trial attorney in 1998 – Michael specialized in construction law -- the idea of calling games gathered momentum.

He made a few demo tapes using the law firm's Dictaphone while watching ESPN Classic games. A Pittsburgh sports radio network liked his work enough to give him a shot at a high school football game, Plum against Penn-Trafford. One game became two. Football season turned into basketball season.

Michael litigated by day and called games at night, a hobby morphing into a passion. Work at the firm was great, but it didn't stop him from sending out tapes to minor-league teams looking for radio announcers. When the Hagerstown Suns offered him a job in 2003, Michael was faced with the biggest decision of his life. He was 31 years old, well established in the law community and involved in a serious relationship.

Most make the safe play and spend the rest of their lives sitting on barstools telling their buddies they could call a better game than Joe Buck. Not Michael.

"It came down to whether I wanted to wake up every morning and go to an office or an arena," Michael said. "It seemed like a pretty simple choice to me."

When he asked Maund's father for permission to marry his daughter, their conversation about his career choice was as uncomfortable as the one he had with his dad. But Julie went to Hagerstown and stayed in a makeshift apartment in which their mattress was plopped on the floor.

At each stop, she found work as a teacher. She supported his decisions, but privately, she had moments of doubt. Michael's old firm, K&L Gates, had been gracious enough to give him some off-season cases to bolster the bank account.

"There were times, selfishly, I wanted us to have more stability and maybe even go back to law," Julie said. "But John worked so hard, and he kept progressing."

Michael wasn't looking to make a lateral move in 2007 when the Monsters offered him the job to call their American Hockey League games. But it meant a larger market and the opportunity to have 20 games a season simulcast on Fox Sports Ohio.

The lifelong Pittsburgh fan immersed himself in the Cleveland culture. He loved its working-class ethos and its passionate fan base. He also liked the energy at The Q, especially at a time when the Cavaliers were contending for titles.

Within two years, FSO gave him a chance at the big leagues, serving as in-game host for Blue Jackets telecasts. Dave Dombrowski, director of broadcast services for the Cavs and Monsters, told Michael he needed to take the position.

Michael also acted on another piece of Dombrowski's advice before departing for Columbus: Because he didn't have much basketball on his resume, he should reacquaint himself with the sport in case a good job unexpectedly arose.

Perched in the upper decks of The Q, Michael recorded practice tapes of Cavs' playoff games in 2009, never thinking he would be doing the real thing within three years.

'Size 17s'

On the first day of training camp, coach Byron Scott greeted Michael at the club's practice facility by wishing him well and reminding him: "You've got big shoes to fill -- size 17s."

Tait jerseys hang in the team gift shop. A Tait banner hangs from The Q rafters. But Tait's legacy doesn't appear to hang over Michael's head.

"Joe is Joe," Michael said. "He did the game his way, and it was a great way. There's a reason why he's a Basketball Hall of Famer, a reason why many of us consider him the best in the business."

When Tait took ill last season, some listeners called the Cavs to complain about his absence. The fact he was hospitalized undergoing heart surgery didn't satisfy some. They wanted the voice who had filled their homes and cars for 39 seasons.

Tait returned at season's end before retiring.

"It's humbling the organization looked to me," Michael said. "What greater motivation for hard work is there than following someone like Joe?"

Tait declined a chance to serve on the committee to find his replacement. The Cavaliers chose Michael from more than 200 applicants, including 25 that Dombrowski said were highly qualified.

The announcer's voice quality, preparation and passion for the job were keys to his hiring, Dombrowski said. The committee was familiar with Michael and recalled the meticulous work that went into each broadcast.

Michael used the NBA lockout to research the league, scribbling vital franchise information on scores of note cards. He has rarely missed a practice since training camp opened, taking every opportunity to interact with players and coaches.

He's had little trouble keeping pace with the game's flow in his preseason broadcasts. He emphasizes time and score. He sets up Chones and draws on his expertise. There's lots of description and no catchphrases. No dunks are punctuated with, "Wham, with the right hand!"

"You can't replace Joe, and you certainly can't replicate his style," Michael said.

Ten years ago, he argued construction law in front of judges and juries. On Monday night, Michael will describe the NBA debuts of Irving and Tristan Thompson to thousands of Cavs fans.

His daring career change has taken him from courtroom to courtside. And his parents couldn't be more proud.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: treed@plaind.com, 216-999-4370

If McCoy doesn't play next Sunday ... and there's no upside to putting him out there ... his status will still be a story line because of the matchup and his muddled future here.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerDon't expect to see quarterback Colt McCoy back on the field this season as he continues to recover from a concussion.

A rematch with the Steelers and James Harrison is all that remains for the Browns in 2011, which is more than remains of Colt McCoy's season.

The NFL may have decided not to take any punitive action against the Browns but the team's handling of McCoy's injury against Pittsburgh in the most recent meeting, and the reaction of McCoy's father, almost assures the Browns won't chance playing him again this year even if he's cleared by doctors.

"The reason this became a story is because Colt McCoy's dad decided to make it one," CBS analyst Boomer Esiason said last week on Cleveland's WKRK FM/92.3.

Well, no. Not really.

I agree with Esiason that Brad McCoy's criticisms of the Browns "exacerbated" the fallout. But it was a story for good reason, a reason Esiason acknowledged in the same interview.

"I didn't think Colt McCoy would be back in the game and I was actually shocked [it happened]," Esiason said. ". . . No way he should've been put back on the field."

If McCoy doesn't play Sunday -- and there's no upside to putting him out there -- his status will still be a story line because of the matchup and his muddled future here.

Harrison's hit on McCoy changed policy. When it did not result in the league taking disciplinary action against the Browns, Harrison objected. Knowing him, he won't let it die this week.

"If he was hurt so bad I don't know why they let him back in . . . two plays later," Harrison said. "Something should be done to them, I would think. I don't know. I got a game, what should they get?"

As a serial and largely unrepentant offender, Harrison isn't in the best position to be an arbiter on this particular topic.

But if you want to know why players resent NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's heavyhanded justice, this is part of it.

The league doesn't think twice about reaching into players' pockets but makes an allowance for a team that returned a quarterback to the field -- after a vicious open-field hit -- without administering a concussion test.

Were there mitigating circumstances? Sure. That's why there's a new policy.

Does it still smack of a double standard -- the league protecting one of its own?

You bet.

McCoy's murky future

McCoy Part II: As the season mercifully expires, the McCoy headache gives way to simple head-scratching over what comes next.

Does McCoy have a future with the Browns?

I don't see him as the answer for a contending team.

As hard as it is to tell sometimes, contention is the plan here, right?

Opinions on McCoy's future are mixed. Esiason, for one, believes the Browns should and will take a quarterback in the first round. Another former quarterback, Rich Gannon, believes the Browns should give McCoy more time and that he still has a chance to be "terrific."

Gannon gave his take in Saturday's Plain Dealer. He could be right. But his comparisons leave something to be desired.

He mentions Alex Smith and Sam Bradford. Smith is just now fulfilling promise in his sixth season. Bradford is having a difficult time in a new offense in St. Louis after his team changed offensive coordinators.

McCoy is only in his second season. The West Coast offense is new to him.

All that is indisputable.

But Smith and Bradford were No. 1 overall picks for a reason.

Whatever the ceiling is for McCoy's development, there's a reason why he was a third-rounder.

I mean some people can spend their whole lives writing and not become Hemingway. In fact, I have dedicated my career to proving just that.

Spinoffs

• Quarterback Matt Barkley would've been a good option for the Browns in the 2012 draft before he announced he's staying at Southern Cal for his senior year.

• One take says the Browns aren't overly interested in Baylor QB Robert Griffin III (though Esiason says they are) because he's a shotgun/spread quarterback.

• I don't want to say the Browns are holding a grudge against Brad McCoy, but whomever they pick, the prospect's father might have to agree to never criticize anything the Browns do in the newspaper.

• The new name for the Indiana Pacers' arena is Bankers Life Fieldhouse, a name that only Mr. Potter could love. Presumably "Foreclosure Fieldhouse" was deemed less than intimate.

• Senator Sherrod Brown told USA Today the NFL's blackout policy exercised during several Bengals games this season is no longer necessary.

"The NFL is poised to earn record profits while the Cincinnati taxpayers who built the stadium will be watching reruns rather than touchdown runs. The rule is an outdated relic that doesn't serve the NFL or the fans."

Not surprisingly the NFL disagrees, claiming the blackout policy is needed for teams to sell tickets.

Here's an idea in a league that prints money: Put a good product on the field and set prices that invite sellouts.

You said it

"One of the things that we thought was [that] everybody needed kind of a little bit of football rehab. I mean, you're 6-22, there's a negative feeling about football. That's why John [Fox] was a perfect fit for us, because of his enthusiasm, his energy." -- John Elway, on why he hired John Fox to spark the Broncos' turnaround.

And, of course, because Elway didn't think he could land Pat Shurmur.

He Tweeted it

"Aight I'm headed out in the van to spread some holiday hoop cheer in OKC. Meet up if u wanna make sure #basketballneverstops next yr." -- Kevin Durant, informing his Twitter followers he'd be giving away shoes at various locations.

Except for the $180 price tag and the additional cost of packing pepper spray, Nike's Air Jordan XI are free, too.

You said it (The Expanded Christmas Stocking Stuffer Edition)

Bud: I am confused and suffer from severe headaches and nausea almost every Sunday. Is it possible I'm getting a concussion from watching the Browns on TV? -- Bob H., Medina

Since you're also a Sunday Spin reader, it's hard to say.

Bud: Why does Pat Shurmur want the offense to 'stretch the field'? Isn't the field too long for us already? -- Ignatowski

I think he means sideways.

Bud: Is Gene Smith busy loading up on office supplies? -- Joe S

The way it's going for him these days, only if that's also an NCAA violation.

Bud: In light of the Browns' mishandling of Colt McCoy's concussion, do you think they should vacate their four wins for this season or not be eligible for a playoff appearance in 2012? -- Paul Wehner

I think half of that punishment is already guaranteed.

Bud: Is it just me, or is it downright mind-numbing that Nike would run a campaign titled 'Basketball never stops' in a year when the NBA season has been delayed and shortened by . . . well . . . a stoppage? -- Tom V, Westlake

First-time "You said it" winners receive a T-shirt from the mental_floss collection.

Bud: When Shurmur said that Colt McCoy would play after he went through the process, did that mean free agency or trade? -- Michael Sarro

Repeat winners receive a concussion test.

(The Twelve Days of Christmas)

"In the late 1990s

the NFL gave us

12 points on FGs

11 losing seasons

Modell a-dancing

Harrison a-laughing

Goose eggs a–laying

Rather be raking

6 new head coaches

The league's worst team!

15 quarterbacks

Who all stunk

2 still loyal fans

Even Holmgren can't save this sad team

(everybody sing!) Even Holmgren can't save this sad team!"

Happy Holidays -- Ron

Repeat winners get asked to leave my doorstep immediately.

To reach Bud Shaw: bshaw@plaind.com, 216-999-5639

Cavs coach Byron Scott says he has seen great improvement from Irving on how he attacks big men once screens are set.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerCavs rookie Kyrie Irving, right, is eager for the season to get under way.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — When Byron Scott talked to Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski about rookie guard Kyrie Irving, one particular observation resonated:

"I remember him saying [Irving] is a magician with the basketball, especially on pick-and-rolls," the Cavaliers coach said.

In the final days of training camp, which ended Saturday, Scott witnessed marked improvement in the way Irving attacked defending big men once screens were set.

Irving showed the ability to get to the basket in the two preseason games, but often it was with the Cavaliers in transition. In recent days, Irving asked Scott for advice on how he should handle the screens in the half-court offense.

"He's breaking down the defense and getting into the lane and finding his teammates," Scott said. "About three days ago, he said, 'Coach, what am I supposed to do off this pick-and-roll?' I told him to attack, to be himself, to make a play for his teammates."

Irving made it through training camp, he said, without any problems with his right foot and big toe, which cost him most of his freshman season at Duke. He's eager for Monday's regular-season opener against Toronto at The Q.

"It's going to be an exhilarating experience," he said.

Not full yet: As of Saturday, the home opener wasn't sold out, although the club is expecting a large gate. The last opener not to hit capacity was in 2004 against Indiana, when they drew 19,703 fans -- or just less than a 1,000 shy of a sellout.

Season-ticket holders were awarded two free tickets for the opener. It's believed the club's season-ticket renewal rate is hovering at a little more than 30 percent.

Harris clears: Guard Manny Harris cleared waivers Saturday, making him an unrestricted free agent. Harris was unable to practice during training camp because of a freezer burn on his right foot that he sustained a month ago in a cryogenic cooling chamber at the Nike facility in Oregon.

The club opted to keep training camp invitee Mychel Thompson.

Matter of trust: Guard Ramon Sessions believes the Cavaliers' defense will be improved this season, in part, because teammates are learning to trust one another. Players are doing a better job in positioning and in helping defense, Sessions said.

Scott also hears more communicating among players in training camp than a year ago. Defense has been the emphasis since camp opened. Scott has turned over the primary defensive responsibilities to assistant Jamahl Mosley.

Nothing in stocking? Scott and his wife, Anita, made a pact not to buy each other gifts this season because they were splurging on their three kids.

As of Saturday afternoon, the coach said he was holding his ground at a time many married men would be dashing to the mall. The big gift this season was helping buy a condo for his daughter, LonDen. "She had better not ask for anything for the next 10 years," dad said.

Dribbles: The club's roster is set for opening night. The Cavs made no last-second waiver claims. . . . Scott said Alonzo Gee was the biggest training camp surprise. The small forward's ballhanding and outside shot have improved, the coach said. Scott said, however, that Gee appeared tentative in the two preseason games. He was 1-of-9 from the floor and scored five points. . . . Scott won't hold practice Christmas Day. . . . The parents of both Irving and Tristan Thompson will attend the opener.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: treed@plaind.com, 216-999-4370

Mental brownouts at the end of the first half and the end of the game lead to a 20-14 Browns' loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Spoiled eggnog. Lumps of coal in your Christmas stocking. Brutal time management at the end of the Browns' first half.

'Tis that kind of season.

An upset bid by the Browns against the Baltimore Ravens was sabotaged by two major blunders -- one at the end of the first half and one at the end of the game.

They were the bow and ribbon on a 20-14 victory gift-wrapped to the team despised by Browns fans. It kept the Ravens (11-4) in first place in the AFC North Division, a tiebreaker ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers with a game to go.

The Browns (4-11) ring out this rookie season of coach Pat Shurmur on New Year's Day against headhunter James Harrison and the Steelers (11-4).

A loss by the Browns next Sunday would assure them no worse than the No. 5 spot in the draft. Nos. 3 and 4 also are possible with a loss.

For the third game in a row, the Browns played hard and threw a scare into the heavily favored home team. This time, they were done in by hard-to-fathom mental errors.

"We've got to play a little smarter in some of the critical situations," Shurmur said.

The embattled head coach will be the lightning rod for the brownout in the first half, but quarterback Seneca Wallace rightfully took the blame.

The Browns handed off to Peyton Hillis from the Ravens' 3-yard line with time running out and no timeouts left. Hillis, who had 112 yards on 24 carries, was stuffed for no gain. The Browns came away with no points after using their last timeout with 57 seconds left at the Ravens' 8.

"At that point, it's not the head coach's fault," said Wallace, a nine-year veteran. "I've got to make sure we're in the right situation to get points out of it."

Confusion abounded -- as usual -- when tight end Evan Moore was ruled down by forward progress on a first-down pass to the 3 before he stepped out of bounds.

The Browns were lethargic in getting back to the line of scrimmage. With the game clock ticking under 20 seconds, Shurmur was signaling -- and imploring -- for Wallace to spike the ball to stop the clock. Wallace made a split-second decision to call an inside run to Hillis instead.

"I would never have called a run in that situation," Shurmur said.

Pressed on why Wallace didn't just spike the ball, the coach said: "I need to communicate it better, OK? Let's just leave it at that."

Wallace acknowledged he heard Shurmur yelling "Clock, clock, clock," but the loud crowd noise affected his decision-making.

"I didn't want to yell 'Clock, clock, clock' and have somebody jump offsides. We didn't know what we were in. It was a tough situation. I should have handled it better," he said.

The botched opportunity preserved the Ravens' 17-0 lead at halftime. It should have deflated the Browns, but they came out more angry than embarrassed.

"We still had a job to do," said linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who was victimized in the first half on Joe Flacco touchdown passes of 5 yards to tight end Ed Dickson and 42 yards to running back Ray Rice.

The Browns prevented Rice from taking over the game in the second half. They forced three Baltimore punts and a long field goal in four possessions. Rice, who hit the Browns for 204 yards rushing in the first meeting earlier this month, was held to 39 yards in the second half and 87 for the game.

The third Ravens punt was returned 84 yards by Josh Cribbs for a touchdown. It was his first TD of any kind in 32 games and his first with a punt since the 2009 season opener.

Still, the Ravens were in control with a 20-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Flacco tried to put the game away on his first drive of the final quarter. After two first downs, he faced third-and-7 from the Browns' 33. Instead of safely dumping off, he went for the home run to Lee Evans single-covered by Sheldon Brown. Brown intercepted in the end zone.

"The play before, I bit on the short route. The coordinator probably saw it and came after me," Brown said.

Wallace then moved the Browns 80 yards in 12 plays. He got the touchdown rolling right and throwing to Moore in the corner. With 8:22 to go, the Browns were back in it.

The defense forced another Baltimore punt. After one first down, the Browns faced third-and-5 at their 45. Wallace barely escaped a blitz by Ed Reed and threw short for Hillis.

On fourth down, the Browns sent two receivers in the middle of the field and Hillis flared out in the left flat. Wallace saw coverage in the middle and threw to Hillis, who was quickly covered up for no gain.

After three defensive stops of Rice, Baltimore pondered fourth-and-2 at the Browns' 46 at the two-minute warning. When the Ravens sent their offense back on the field, most everyone knew Flacco would try to draw the Browns offside with a hard count. If that didn't work, he would call time and the Ravens would punt.

"Come on, you guys can figure it out," Flacco said.

As the play clock ticked down to two seconds, rookie tackle Phil Taylor jumped offsides. And that was the ballgame.

Taylor immediately was consoled by defensive teammates.

"In this game, sometimes you go through learning curves that you don't want to go through. Unfortunately, it happened," Brown said.

"Today told the story of our season," Jackson said.

Not the greatest story ever told.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @Tony Grossi

If the Rams get the No. 1 pick in the draft, they most likely will keep Bradford ... and the price tag to get him through a trade will be steep.

View full sizeTed S. Warren, Associated PressIt would prove costly for the Browns to pry quarterback Sam Bradford away from the St. Louis Rams.

Q: Hey, Tony: With learning that tight end Ben Watson is now done for the year, has anyone in the NFL looked at the hit that the Steelers safety put on him? To me it looked like he was speared in the back of the head and looked even more devastating than the hit on Colt McCoy. Why wasn't the Steelers safety penalized or fined for this hit? -- Dan DeOreo, Manchester, Mass.

A: Hey, Dan: There's no way it could be more devastating than the hit on McCoy.

Q: Hey, Tony: We all know Packers backup Matt Flynn would be a better option at QB, but Sam Bradford might be available also during the draft. Do you think he's worth a first-, second-, fourth-round pick and a player? -- Shane Jones, Richmond, Va.

A: Hey, Shane: If the Rams edged out the Colts for the No. 1 pick, they are most likely to keep Bradford and trade down. This scenario would be the best the Browns could hope for because the Colts won't trade the top pick. The Rams' price tag would be much more than your proposal. It would be at least the Browns' two No. 1s this year and their No. 1 next year. As for Flynn, a former seventh-round pick, he's worth a look, but I would be very careful about projecting him as a franchise quarterback.

Q: Hey, Tony: It is my understanding that Mike Holmgren, Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur have the same agent. It would seem a huge conflict of interest. I guess it is allowed if you have an owner dumb enough to allow it. Are you aware of any other team that allowed a situation like this? Thanks. Appreciate the fine work you do. I don't think people appreciate the tightrope you have to walk to inform the fans without ticking off the Browns. -- Frank DeSarro, Duryea, Pa.

A: Hey, Frank: I guess the league figures that teams that get themselves tied up in these type of situations have only themselves to blame.

Q: Hey, Tony: How about changing the rule on suspensions because of illegal hits to the perpetrator being "relieved of duty" for as long as the player he injures is unable to play? If Harrison can return to play for the last two games, including the final Browns-Steelers game, and Colt McCoy is unable to play for either or both of those games, seems to me that Harrison and his ilk "win." Patently unfair. -- Wayne Hopewell, Colorado City, Colo.

A: Hey, Wayne: I agree.

Q: Hey, Tony: In 2001, the Browns drafted defensive tackle Gerard Warren instead of running back LaDainian Tomlinson. In 2007, the Browns drafted offensive tackle Joe Thomas instead of running back Adrian Peterson. Choosing between Thomas and Peterson is a toss up, although I would choose an all-pro franchise left tackle over a running back. Do you believe the Browns draft the surefire, can't-miss, dynamic back in Trent Richardson or re-sign Peyton Hillis? Which move is smarter? -- David Fain, Macon, Ga.

A: Hey, David: I've said and written since September that if the Browns don't re-sign Hillis before the season is over, he will leave in free agency. Richardson is a possibility, but it would be out of character for Heckert to take a running back in the top 10.

Q: Hey, Tony: Seems as if the Browns are virtually assured of a top 10 pick, so what's their best course -- package their picks for one of the QBs, or try to fill in at WR and/or RB? -- Jonathan Kirk, St. Louis, Mo.

A: Hey, Jonathan: This is not a copout, but it's a little early for me to be making projections on what they might do. Free agency and trades will happen before the draft, and those transactions will affect their strategy. I do think they have to prioritize a quarterback in one of those avenues.

Q: Hey, Tony: What is the real story behind defensive back T.J. Ward's injury? If he was going to be out this long why not put him injured reserve earlier? -- Mike Jones, Pemberton, N.J.

A: Hey, Mike: The real story is they thought he would be back to play before the end of the season and he did not respond as they would have liked. If there was someone off the street they could have added that might have helped the team, I suppose they would have made the move.

Q: Hey, Tony: I am not sure about Colt McCoy, but this is what I think: No QB will last with the talent on the offense. So here is my idea. First round: draft Trent Richardson, the best WR available, and then the best offensive lineman available. (No more second-round WR). Give Colt one more year and if not good enough, draft QB in first round the following year. They say it takes three years for a WR to develop. That would give Greg Little and the new WR time and then you no longer have the "no talent" excuse. If Colt doesn't work then you get a new QB with some weapons. Your thoughts? -- Mike Hughes, Dallas, Ga.

A: Hey, Mike: There's no definitively right way to do it. Build the supporting cast first, and then get the quarterback? Get the quarterback, then build the supporting cast? I think by now, despite the lack of supporting case, we would have seen some plays made by McCoy to suggest he's "the guy." A quarterback should be judged on his individual skills and not those of his teammates.

Q: Hey, Tony: Pat Shurmur and crew claim that nobody saw the cheap shot that put Colt McCoy on his back for several minutes. Not a trainer, not a coach, not a coordinator, not someone up in the booth, no one. Do you find it troubling that no one is apparently watching the game? It could explain quite a bit, actually. -- Dave Hoffman, Fairview Park

A: Hey, Dave: Actually, it was Mike Holmgren who made the claim that you cite. Troubling? Yes. Hard to believe? Yes.

Q: Hey, Tony: In hindsight, I believe the Browns' four-game win streak at the end of the 2009 season (against four bad or crippled teams) was a huge setback to the franchise. It saved a doomed coach's job for a year and lowered the draft position. Do you agree? -- Ted Belak, Sierra Madre, Calif.

A: Hey, Ted: I would have to agree, yes.

Q: Hey, Tony: What can we attribute the Browns' horrible run defense to? Ahtyba Rubin was supposed to be a good tackle. Tom Heckert passed on Julio Jones to fall back and take Phil Taylor, who was supposed to anchor the run defense. Chris Gocong was given a huge contract and D'Qwell Jackson has been touted as an impact middle linebacker and Joe Haden is supposedly a top corner. Why do teams continuously run it down the Browns' throats? Any explanations from Dick Jauron or Heckert? -- Aaron Howell, Canton

A: Hey, Aaron: Jauron's answer this week, in regard to the first Baltimore game, was that the defensive front players were knocked out of their gaps. Sheldon Brown said that once Ray Rice got to the second level of the defense, he was able to evade their tackle attempts. I think Rubin is wearing down and Taylor has been spotty as a rookie. Gocong and Jackson are still effective and Haden has not been as good as he was in the first half of the season.

Q: Hey, Tony: What is your assessment of Phil Taylor? Some games he is a monster, and others (particularly against division foes), he is MIA. Do you consider him worthy of a first-round pick or is the jury still out? -- Chris Wheeler, Denver

A: Hey, Chris: I agree with your assessment of Taylor. Some people think you can draft players like that -- inconsistent, depending on the competition -- in any round after the first.

Q: Hey, Tony: Part of James Harrison's suspension was the loss of one game check. Do players get paid a set amount for practice throughout the week and then another sum if they dress for the game? Or is the game check just a nice way of saying he lost his entire pay for the week? -- Don Abernathy, Medina

A: Hey, Don: Players receive their base salary in 17 weekly installments during the season. They don't get a separate check for practice. Because of the potential for suspensions based on game checks, agents frequently seek to keep base salaries as low as possible and have the bulk of their player's compensation come from guaranteed bonuses. Those are unaffected by suspensions.

Q: Hey, Tony: I totally understand your policy regarding uniform questions, however I would like to pose a philosophical question. If you were in the unique position to start a franchise, would you choose purple as your team's color? -- Justin Horwitz, Cleveland

A: Hey, Justin: I must say this is the first time I've been asked this question. I like purple, so I would consider purple, I suppose. But the Vikings and Ravens have their marks in purple.

Q: Hey, Tony: Second time in a big game I have watched LaVon Brazill of Ohio University and come away impressed. He seems to be a playmaker. Recently it feels in the NFL there has been a stream of Mid-American Conference wide receivers. Isn't he worth a consideration late? -- Jeff, NYC

A: Hey, Jeff: Of course. I'm sure the Colts, Saints and Steelers will be on him. They're among the best teams in scouting receivers.

Q: Hey, Tony: In the "Hey, Tony!" column published online Dec. 17, you stated that you thought Pat Shurmur "will be much better in his second season." Please tell us your reasoning behind that statement. I truly like your analysis and want to believe as well, but I'm just not seeing the signs that give me the same optimism. -- Robert S., Cincinnati

A: Hey, Robert : I guess I'm basing it on the fact that he's a bright man and was beset with extraordinary obstacles in his first season as a head coach at any level. I think he will learn from his experience.

Q: Hey, Tony: With the strike and no off-season program and a new offensive system to learn, is it fair to really judge Colt McCoy until he has a full off-season and training camp to say he's the QB of the future? I'm not going to say he's not until then. What do you think? Also is it in the plans to get an offensive coordinator because the play calling has been questionable throughout the season. -- Andy Starr, Galion, Ohio

A: Hey, Andy: Again, I will say that a quarterback has to be evaluated on his individual skills -- his arm, his ability to function in the pocket, his ability to see the field and read defenses, his ability to anticipate routes and place the ball where it needs to be. I'm not sure the Browns need another season to make judgments on those skills. I think Shurmur will hire an offensive coordinator. It remains to be seen whether the new job will include play-calling duties or if Shurmur will maintain those for himself.

Q: Hey, Tony: People refer to Colt McCoy as a "winner" in every level he played in, therefore he will win in the NFL if given the right opportunity. Hasn't every QB drafted in history been successful through his career and come from "winning" teams? -- Nick Vanschoor, Westlake

A: Hey, Nick: In general, yes. I find the "winner" label a little tiring for a quarterback who is 6-15 in his NFL career.

Q: Hey, Tony: Pat Shurmur's year as head coach is the worst that I can remember since the 3-13 season of Bud Carson. Dismal scoring in the first and third quarters shows an inability to game plan and make in-game adjustments. Losing track of which players are getting the ball in critical situations. Breakdowns on special teams and defense that cost games. Playing for a field goal at home with more than five minutes to play. And, of course, the mishandling of Colt McCoy after the James Harrison hit. The most major concern for the state of the Browns, however, is that Mike Holmgren honestly characterized him as a good young head coach. I long for a day when we can have a head coach worthy of employment for five or more years. I just don't think we have that with the current one. Aside from me being a novice, can you point to anything that tells you Holmgren's view is more accurate than mine? -- Mark Whitmore, Marlborough, Mass.

A: Hey, Mark: I can't argue against any of your points. I guess I'm hoping that Holmgren is right.

Q: Hey, Tony: Charlie Casserly recently said that 25 percent of the NFL players will be unrestricted free agents at the end of this season. He also said that the salary cap will remain flat. Since the Browns are well under the cap and need to add talent, this scenario seems to be in the Browns' favor. Do you believe that the Browns will be very active in the free-agent market? -- Jerry Stephens, Columbus, Ohio

A: Hey, Jerry: Yes, I think they have to be more active than Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren originally planned.

Q: Hey, Tony: Tom Heckert said this past week that offensive playmakers were to be drafted or taken through free agency. I hope they research and possibly get Pierre Garcon presently with Indy, a real "flyer" who can stretch the field. Given the No. 1 pick and some expensive defensive re-ups, I think he will hit the free-agent marketplace. Your feelings? -- Dave S., St. Simons Island, Ga.

A: Hey, Dave: I think Heckert and Mike Holmgren have arrived at the realization that the team can't fill all its needs in the draft and that they have to use free agency more than they desired.

-- Tony

Coach expects both Irving and Sessions to see plenty of playing time

View full sizeCleveland Cavaliers Kyrie Irving was named starting point guard on Monday morning

Who's to blame for all the mistakes against the Ravens? Will Seneca Wallace start again on Sunday? Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerPat Shurmur and the Browns lost to Baltimore on Saturday afternoon.

Who's to blame for all the mistakes against the Ravens? Will Seneca Wallace start again on Sunday?

Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• If the Rams got the No. 1 pick, would the Browns be able to make a deal to get it from them?

• Can Peyton Hillis make letting him walk a difficult decision for the Browns?

• Can this team compete against Pittsburgh, especially if the Steelers rest players?

• How does Matt Barkley staying in school effect the Browns' draft thinking?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.