If anyone wondered whether third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey could lead the Browns into the end zone against the Titans on Sunday, all doubts were erased as Tennessee clobbered Cleveland 28-9 on its way toward clinching the AFC South Division title.
To be fair to Dorsey, the Browns have not scored a touchdown in three games with three different starting quarterbacks. Last week, it was Derek Anderson at the helm in Cleveland’s 10-6 loss against Indianapolis, and two weeks ago Brady Quinn started in the 16-6 loss against the Houston Texans.
Quinn, despite wearing a splint wrapped by a bulky bandage, was on the sidelines, communicating with Dorsey via a headset: (“Hey, Ken, watch out! Titan coming from 12 o’clock! Duck! Run!†or “Hey, do you think we’ll be able to catch the Dallas-Pittsburgh game?â€)
Despite Quinn’s helpful hints, Dorsey, who hasn’t had an NFL start in three years, went 22-of-43 for 150 yards and threw one interception.
Prior to the Browns latest debacle, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that sources inside the Browns organization said that Marty Schottenheimer had the inside track in the race to replace Head Coach Romeo 
Crennel. But Marty’s reputation for not being able to get to the Super Bowl has caused some doubt of his suitability among the local media and Browns fans. Schottenheimer, 65, started his head coaching career in Cleveland in 1984.
Loading ...Marty Schottenheimer was fired by the San Diego Chargers after a 14-2 season in 2006, and the Chargers have not contended, since. Marty also has the reputation of being very stubborn, especially when adding family members to his staff. It was pushing to hire brother Kurt that led to dissension in Cleveland; and word has it that Marty wants his son, Brian, involved in his next coaching job.
Mortensen’s report smacks of the Browns using the media to float its latest trial balloon up there for fans to see – and for Bill Cowher to see. Mortensen also reported, “Bill Cowher is a consideration, if he sent stronger signals that he is ready to return to coaching.â€
In the meantime, what do the Browns do about their last three games against Philadelphia on Monday Night Football; Cincinnati, Dec. 21, and Pittsburgh on Dec. 28?
Although the score does not reflect this, the Browns defense played one of its best games Sunday in coming up with two interceptions and a fumble recovery, accounting for three Phil Dawson field goals.
Dorsey is gutsy, I’ll give him that, standing in a collapsing pocket until it is too late. He threw a 25-yarder to wide receiver Braylon Edwards – which Edwads caught – in the Browns very first possession Sunday.
But the best throw came from Joshua Cribbs, the Browns Everyman, who has returned kick-offs and punts for touchdowns, and Sunday, lined up eight times as a shotgun quarterback, running six times.
Finally, late in the fourth quarter, Cribbs, an ex-Kent State University running quarterback, threw deep to Edwards who managed to get one foot down inside the line. The Browns didn’t even challenge the call, leading one CBS analyst to say, “Cleveland is asleep at the switch.â€
I agree. Okay, the season is lost, but this is the time to experiment with creative play-calling. Why not set up the flea-flicker? How about a fast-paced, no-huddle, shot-gun format? What do the 4-9 Browns have to lose?
If the Browns are gun shy about playing inexperienced pro quarterbacks, why not place an ad in the classifieds of NFL city newspapers:
“Wanted: NFL quarterback. Must have experience scoring from the Red Zone. Please email Randy.”
Hmmm…. I wonder what Vinny Testarverde is doing these days.
