CLEVELAND: FirstEnergy Stadium was barely two-thirds full. The empty orange seats sent a clear message to Browns owner Jimmy Haslam of the faithful’s discontent.
It may have been the Browns’ first appearance on Monday Night Football in six years, but ESPN took no compassion on the dysfunctional franchise’s plight. The network’s pre-game coverage included a crawl with the records of all 23 Browns starting quarterbacks, a timeline of Johnny Manziel’s missteps and talk of whom they should select in a 2016 draft that was only 150 days away.
After the Browns fell behind 10-0 in the first quarter, the disgruntled took to Twitter, joking about the embarrassment. Many were rooting against the Browns so coach Mike Pettine could be fired as soon as possible.
Josh McCown had other ideas.
The 36-year-old quarterback who torched the Baltimore Ravens for a franchise record 457 yards in the Browns’ overtime victory on Oct. 11 showed he had Pettine’s back.
While the rest of the NFL world was obsessed with Manziel, McCown put the focus squarely back where it belonged — on winning. He helped the Browns rally with 13 second-quarter points to get back in the game. He made everyone around him better, except for second-year running back Isaiah Crowell.
McCown wasn’t around to finish what he started. He departed with 8:29 remaining with a right shoulder injury. Replacement Austin Davis tied the game with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin with 1:47 remaining, then after an interception by cornerback Tramon Williams, Davis moved the Browns to the Ravens 33 for a 51-yard field goal attempt by Travis Coons.
The rookie’s kick was blocked by defensive end Brent Urban and safety Will Hill returned it 64 yards for a touchdown. The Ravens pulled out a 33-27 victory and handed the Browns their sixth consecutive loss.
But considering how the night started, it could have been so much worse.
While the outside world endlessly discussed Manziel’s bye weekend drinking binge and lying to the Browns afterward, which forced Pettine to demote him from starter to No. 3, football apparently was discussed within the walls of Berea.
Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo discovered he had receiver Brian Hartline on the roster. Receiver Marlon Moore caught a 10-yard touchdown pass on a bizarre play that some might have thought only Manziel was capable. McCown stepped up in the pocket, then stepped back before finding Moore wide open in the left corner of the end zone. Running back Duke Johnson also showed he could be a dangerous offensive threat, both rushing and receiving.
Instead of agonizing over whom they didn’t have, which included Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden, still sidelined with his second concussion of the season, the Browns may have actually discussed how to get the best out of what they have.
McCown tuned out all the negative noise and gave the Browns hope that they could win again, that there was something to be salvaged this season. Scoff if you will, but thanks to opponents’ injuries the final six games were not as formidable as they once seemed.
McCown was starting his first game since Nov. 1 after suffering a painful rib injury against the Arizona Cardinals. He has never played 16 games in his 13-year career. He can’t be counted on for a full season, which was the fear about him in September.
But McCown’s performance against the Ravens, just like his effort against them in October, showed that he should be back in Cleveland next year. Perhaps not just riding out his two-year contract as a backup and mentor, but playing while the Browns develop a young quarterback the right way. McCown might afford them the luxury to find the franchise’s next great hope and not rush him into the lineup before he’s ready.
The Browns need more offensive weapons. They need replacements for their aging defense. But the Browns need McCown as well. At the very least, even if he’s not behind center on opening day 2016, they need him in the locker room to teach them how to be professionals.
On a night that after the first 10 minutes seemed destined to be one of the Browns’ greatest embarrassments, McCown lifted them back to respectability. Short of teaching a talent-depleted roster how to win, that seemed no small feat.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.