Browns, at 59-118, have won exactly one-third of their games since returning as a franchise in 1999. Chiefs, playing tonight, have been as bad as the Browns in recent seasons, but are optimistic. Also, Joe Haden, and more.
Browns' coach Eric Mangini during the final moments of Cleveland's 17-14 loss at Tampa Bay.Cleveland, Ohio -- IF the Cleveland Browns had been better than 5-11 last season, and IF they had been much better than 59-117 in the 11 previous seasons since their return as an NFL franchise, maybe fans wouldn't be thinking "same old Browns" in the aftermath of Cleveland's 17-14 season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
But, things are as they are after yet another Browns' failing.
Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston writes that it's not quite time for a "here we go again" malaise, but... And, the Browns' ongoing frustrations are not lost on the national media. Sean Leahy rounds up the NFL's Week 1 and writes:
Biggest thud: The Browns' preseason enthusiasm fizzled quickly as they squandered a 14-3 lead -- helped by three turnovers -- and lost 17-14 to the Bucs, who won just three games last season.
Plain Dealer Browns coverage includes beat writer Mary Kay Cabot's report that quarterback Jake Delhomme will, according to a source, have an MRI on his injured right ankle; beat writer Tony Grossi's podcast analyzing the Browns' loss; a Starting Blocks poll about the Browns' loss.
Chiefs next
The Browns will play their home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Kansas City plays its first game tonight when it hosts the San Diego Chargers.
The Chiefs were 4-12 last season, and 10-38 in the last three seasons. As Kansas City's season is about to begin, though, there is some optimism that the team is about to return to prominence.
Adam Teicher writes for the Kansas City Star, with references to a former Browns coach and Browns quarterback:
A lot of elements contribute to the rebirth of the Chiefs: last year’s hiring of general manager Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley, this year’s addition of Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel to the coaching staff, a rookie class the Chiefs believe could be as good as any in the league and the renovated stadium.
All of those elements come together in tonight’s game.
“I think it might be sooner than 10 years that you look back on this game … as the start of something special,” said former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, who will be ESPN’s analyst for tonight’s telecast. “I like the way this team is being rebuilt and the pieces they have in place. I think they’re a little ways away, but I don’t think they’re light years away.”
Hitch-and-go
Browns' first-and second-round draft picks, cornerback Joe Haden and safety T.J. Ward, respectively, played respectably against Tampa Bay in their NFL debuts.
Marla Ridenour writes about the rookies for the Akron Beacon Journal, noting Tampa's game-winning touchdown pass from Josh Freeman to Micheal Spurlock midway through the fourth quarter. Haden had solid coverage on the play, but Freeman couldn't have thrown the football much better than he did.
Ridenour writes about Haden and the play:
But he lamented how he defended Spurlock on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 6:45 remaining that turned out to be the game-winner.
''He ran a hitch, I broke on the hitch, then he ran go,'' Haden said. ''I tried to turn around and catch up. I was feeling good the whole game, then I gave up the play, I didn't like that at all.
''We were in zero coverage, so it was an all-out blitz, you don't have any help. The quarterback's not going to have the ball any longer than two seconds. So the first move you see, you're thinking it's coming right to you, you're going to get it. [Freeman] had a little more time than usual.''
Asked what he would have done differently, Haden said, ''I probably would not have broken as hard on the hitch.''
Through the uprights
The Browns are among the teams with "quarterback issues," writes Vinnie Iyer for SportingNews.com.
Matt Florjancic writes about linebacker Marcus Benard for ClevelandBrowns.com.
Don Banks writes about Jake Delhomme in his "Inside the NFL" report for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.
Jake Delhomme still has his teammates' support, Scott Petrak writes for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.
Clark Judge makes a brief observation about Jake Delhomme for CBSSports.com.