Written by Jerry Roche

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Browns Stadium is not the end of the world, but you can see it from the top row.

 The fearless prognosticators who are wrong 95 percent of the time -- but unaccountable to anyone or anything -- are already predicting 0-8, 1-9, 0-10 and even (shudder!) 0-16 records for our sputtering Browns.

Lost in the wailing over an 0-2 record is the fact that the Browns could well be 2-0 or 1-1. If only the usually dependable Phil Dawson had hit a 42-yard field goal attempt (a chip shot for him) against the Chiefs. Or if Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace hadn’t thrown one (one!) ill-advised pass each week.

That’s it, fans. The difference between an 0-2 record and a 2-0 record is three plays stretched over two weeks.

Now, some might say that if my aunt had balls she’d be my uncle. Some might say the competition hasn’t been top-notch. Some might say that the margin between winning and losing in the NFL is paper-thin, and this team has yet to figure out how to win. All would be right.

The Browns haven’t tackled well this year, but they make up for it by not blocking.

Their two losses this season have been team efforts, but the fault lies mostly with the offense. If you’ve been scouring the message boards and blogs, here are some of the reasons that fans claim the team has yet to taste victory:

 

>> The right side of the offensive line is a sieve.

>> The left side of the offensive line is not playing up to its potential.
>> The quarterback (your choice) has a tendency to throw pick-sixes.
>> Jerome Harrison’s 2009 finish was a flash in the pan.
>> Mohamed Massaquoi cannot catch a sideline pass.
>> Brian Robiskie is a no-show week after week.
>> Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is a retard.
>> The defensive line cannot rush the passer.
>> The linebackers are still incredibly slow.
>> Punter Reggie Hodges is inconsistent.
>> All-Pro Josh Cribbs has not had a decent return yet this year.
>> Head coach Eric Mangini is a joke.
>> General manager Tom Heckert doesn’t have a clue.
>> President Mike Holmgren is a lousy executive.
>> Owner Randy Lerner is worthless.

Have I missed anyone? Oh, yeah: The zebras are blind!

If lessons are learned in defeat, the Browns are getting a great education.

As we claimed in this corner two weeks ago, the Browns are a work in progress.

There are bright spots, most of which involve players who have been added by Holmgren and Heckert, a factor that suggests the team is pointed in the right direction. Not too many ugly things have been said about the performances of T.J. Ward, Joe Haden, Ben Watson, Evan Moore, Peyton Hillis or Marcus Benard.

This is a team that is improving, folks. It’s just not improving as rapidly as its opponents, both of which had worse records than the Browns in 2009. But the Browns are not the only team that Tampa Bay and Kansas City have beaten, since they’re both now 2-0. Maybe they’re better than anyone ever expected?

You want some more good news? The Browns have markedly better personnel this season at tight end, cornerback and safety. They are marginally better at running back, quarterback and linebacker.

If Ward can avoid the injuries that plagued his collegiate career, he will be a star in this league. He is a playmaker -- something the Browns need about a dozen more of. Benard is also a playmaker in certain situations. Rookie Haden eventually could be a Pro Bowler, but it appears as if he will take a little time to develop. Hillis can be a solid contributor, especially around the goal line. Watson and Moore in tandem at tight end can combine for 60 receptions -- if the team can ever find a quarterback who can consistently deliver passes where they’re supposed to be.

That’s a big if. The Browns have been looking for a franchise signal-caller since the release of Bernie Kosar in 1993. Delhomme is not the answer. Wallace is not the answer. Colt McCoy is an unproven question mark who won’t be ready to take the reins until late 2011 -- at the earliest.

I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.

Some notable bard in our nation’s glorious past once said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If cheering for the Browns is the definition of insanity, there are still thousands of fans who enjoy every minute of it.

Baby steps, fellow Browniacs. Don’t give up the ship yet.