Policy: Fans shouldn't have cheered injury

The Browns' president said that booing the team is counterproductive.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- According to Carmen Policy, Cleveland Browns fans crossed the line.
The latest controversy involves quarterback Tim Couch, backup Kelly Holcomb and 70,000 fans who were tossed into the crossfire Sunday in a 26-21 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Were fans cheering because Couch had fallen to the Cleveland Browns Stadium turf in pain late in the game or that Holcomb would potentially get a shot under center?
Policy, the Browns' president and CEO, claims he knows that answer.
"There's no question in my mind that there were cheers when Tim was on all fours before Kelly Holcomb was even positioned to be entering the field," said Policy, guest speaker Wednesday for a graduation ceremony at the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center.
"I will chastise fans for that," Policy said. "Don't cheer the fact that a player's injured."
Policy, an Ursuline High and Youngstown State University graduate, admits that fans have the right to express their displeasure during the game. With a 2-3 start that has included some wacky circumstances, the Browns have taken their fans on a roller coaster ride of emotions.
"I think it's kind of dumb and counterproductive," Policy said of hometown fans booing. "But if that's how they feel they have to express themselves after paying to get into our stadium, so be it."
Couch's reaction
The biggest issue now is whether Couch will overcome the negative reaction of angry hometown fans. The former No. 1 draft pick from the University of Kentucky was nearly in tears following Sunday's game.
"In a strange and psychological way, it may have helped him," Policy said. "Now he knows how everybody is feeling, how everybody is so intense and that there's going to be a high level of frustration amongst everyone."
With the Browns learning early this week that Holcomb broke his leg against the Ravens, Couch's role becomes even more important, Policy stressed, starting with Sunday's road trip to Tampa Bay.
"He [Couch] realizes that he's got to get the job done," Policy said. "Now, with Kelly not available and especially facing a defense like Tampa Bay's, he knows it's all on his shoulders."
Running game
Another player who has received a lot of attention so far this season is running back William Green. The Browns' first-round draft pick from Boston College was supposed to ignite a stagnant rushing attack, but his performance has been disappointing.
The play of running back Jamel White, however, has been impressive.
"I would have thought his [Green's] progress would have been greater, but I also would have thought our offensive line may have been a little more advanced in terms of run-blocking," Policy said. "I don't think we give him much opportunity."
Green's late arrival into training camp, minor injuries and the realization that things don't come easy in the NFL have played a factor as well, Policy said.
"But I'm not going to worry until [coach] Butch [Davis] tells me there's reason to," he said.
The Browns, in their fourth year since returning to the NFL, will base their success on reaching the playoffs, Policy said. Expectations were raised this season in Cleveland, but the 2-3 record and the team's inconsistent play might be cause for concern.
In Policy's Super Bowl years as president of the San Francisco 49ers, there were games in which the team struggled. But it always bounced back.
"We're not veteran enough to brush off an unsatisfactory performance and just say it was a bad day," Policy said of the Browns.
"We have to address every flaw and view every game as though it's the playoffs.
"Otherwise, we're not going to get there."
richesson@vindy.com