It's hard to believe when the Browns are 0-3, but they are a better team than a year ago.
Peyton Hillis' second-quarter touchdown reflected Hillis' strong performance against the Ravens on Sunday and the revival of the Browns' running game. That it didn't produce a victory was a shame, says Terry Pluto.BALTIMORE, Md. -- If only the Browns could have found a way to win this game.
If only the Browns didn't blitz 7,000 guys on that game-winning 27-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Anquan Boldin. If only T.J. Ward had hung on to that possible interception on the second play of the game -- because the Browns' rookie safety could have walked into the end zone for the touchdown.
If only Eric Wright could have stayed in the same zip code as Boldin (3 TD catches), or if only the Browns had decided to allow someone else each try to cover him. How could it have been any worse?
When the Browns lose, 24-17, to Baltimore, and when their record is 0-3...well, Browns fans can spend a lot of time lost in the Land of If Only's.
Because if only the Browns had clung that 17-14 lead they had early in the fourth quarter, it would be easier to accept what I'm about to say -- namely, the Browns are a better team than a year ago.
Here's the good stuff that fans may not want to hear right now -- the offense returned to its identity of last season. Yes, the power running game was back with Peyton Hillis playing the part of a moose on a rampage with 144 yards in 22 carries. The Browns had 173 yards in 29 carries, while Seneca Wallace was 18-of-24 for 141 yards.
They did that with only one wide receiver (Joshua Cribbs) catching passes, as he had five. Brian Robiskie was hurt, Mohamed Massaquoi had only one pass thrown his way. Chansi Stuckey had none.
It was short passes to Cribbs, Hillis and tight end Ben Watson. And it did produce 17 points against one of the better defenses in the league.
If only the Browns had played like this against Tampa Bay and Kansas City, they'd be 2-1 today.
But they are 0-3.
Maybe they can learn something from this beyond a commitment to the running game. Maybe they can re-examine why Wright has to stay on the hot receiver, when the defensive back is obviously cold.
Maybe, just maybe, they can cut out a couple of dumb penalties that seemed to sabotage them at the worst moments.
A year ago, the Browns were outscored, 50-3, in their two games with Baltimore. So they are improving, but just not fast enough.