Cleveland Browns Could Be in for a Long Season

In today's home loss to Dallas, the Browns showed that they are much further away from making the playoffs than those allegedly "in the know" predicted. Phil Savage is a smart GM that has made some good decisions, however he may have also ignored some warning signs.

For example, running back Jamal Lewis is now on the wrong side of 30 and looked like the Jamal Lewis that Ravens declined to resign in 2006, not the Jamal Lewis of 2007. Aside from a 24-yard run when the Browns were trailing by 21 points, Lewis average a measly 3.2 yards per carry versus Dallas.

Perhaps more concerning than the Browns' running game is their continued ineptness on defense. After four years as head coach, one would think that the Browns' defense would at least be respectable, given Crennel's former life as defensive coordinator for the Patriots and the acquisitions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams in the offseason. 

However, one would be wrong if today's game was any indication. The Browns' defense failed to get any consistent pressure on Tony Romo. Jason Witten ran wild through the Browns' secondary all day. Marion Barber and Felix Jones combined for 142 yards rushing on only 25 carries.

In addition to Crennel's inability to improve the Browns' defense, he made a number of questionable calls during the game. With 10 minutes remaining, and the Browns down by 21, Crennel drew the ire of Browns fans when he elected to kick a field goal on 4th-and-3.

Additionally, quarterback Derek Anderson was forced to call timeout twice in the fourth quarter because the coaching staff failed to relay the play into the huddle on time.

The Browns' schedule will not be cutting them any breaks. They face three-straight division games, hosting Pittsburgh next week before going on the road to play Baltimore and Cincinnati.

Though Baltimore and Cincinnati appear to be weak, winning a division game on the road is never easy. If the Browns are unable to remedy these problems soon, they could be easily facing a 1-3 record or worse heading into their bye week.

Considering they will still have to compete against the AFC South and the NFC East after that, the Browns' season could be over before it begins, which may force GM Phil Savage to think about replacing coach Romeo Crennel at the end of the season.