Dilfer, teammates unite

Two ugly losses have their season ready to unravel.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CLEVELAND -- Browns linebacker Andra Davis knows what's coming.
"There are going to be a lot of people trying to split us up," he said, "so we have to stick together."
After two straight ugly losses, the Browns are facing a pivotal point in their season. The defense has kept them in every game since the opening loss to the Bengals yet the offense has regressed over the past four games, scoring just two touchdowns.
It'd be easy to point fingers, especially at certain players on the offense or at offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon. But quarterback Trent Dilfer said the team's problems go beyond one person.
"It is obviously a team thing," he said. "We are taking turns making mistakes. Too many guys, including myself, are taking multiple turns.
"I played a stinker today."
But Dilfer also knows that if the Browns are going to rally, they'll have to stay united in the locker room. The Ravens' Super Bowl team in 2000 had a five-week stretch where they didn't score an offensive touchdown (mainly under quarterback Tony Banks).
"The best thing that happened on that team is the locker room didn't divide," said Dilfer, who took over for Banks at midseason. "We kept chopping wood. It was painful, just like this is painful, but eventually it turned around."
No division
Does he sense any division on the Browns?
"Nope," he said tersely. "None whatsoever."
Of course, the defense can only be expected to be patient for so long, especially since it's seen the bulk of the action the past two weeks. Cleveland had the ball for just 23 minutes in last week's 16-3 loss to the Ravens.
On Sunday, it was even less (22:43) and that was with Browns running back Reuben Droughns rushing for 100 yards.
The Browns were outgained 329-174 and were 0-for-8 on third downs. They also had more turnovers (3-1) and fewer first downs (19-11) even though Detroit entered the game with the second-worst offense in the NFC.
"We just have to get better," Dilfer said. "I don't get caught up in 100 yards rushing or 300 yards throwing or any of that stuff. You want to be balanced and throw the ball and score points.
"We are just not doing that well enough."
Few TDs against
The defense, meanwhile, has been plenty good enough. Sunday's game marked the fourth straight time the Browns have held their opponent to one offensive touchdown but they have only one win to show for it.
What's wrong?
"If I knew that, I'd be a psychologist or a psychiatrist," Crennel said. "I don't know the reason for it.
"We just have to go back and see if we can get better and how we can get better."
scalzo@vindy.com