NOTEBOOK \ Browns vs. Lions

Triumphant return: Lions quarterback Jeff Garcia made his first trip back to Cleveland since the Browns front office decided to release him in the offseason. Few in Cleveland were upset over the decision as Garcia never seemed to fit in Butch Davis' offense while alienating his coaches and teammates with his outspoken comments to the media. The former Pro Bowl quarterback with the 49ers was booed during the game and one fan held up a sign reading, "Hey Detroit, thanks for taking out our trash [Garcia]." By the end of the game, Garcia was yelling back at the fans. "I thrive off the crowd's reaction," he said. "It's all about being the underdog. People are going to say what they want and so much of it has no meaning. That's just the way fans are. You have to let it roll off of you but at the same time add fuel to the fire." As for talking back to the fans, Garcia said, "I had to talk back. I'm not going to hold anything back. I play the game ticked off in a lot of ways and with a certain passion. I feel like it's been a battle throughout my career but I'm battling through it." Garcia was one of four former Browns on the Lions' roster, joining linebackers Wali Rainer and Earl Holmes, and wide receiver Kevin Johnson.
No change imminent: Even though Detroit got a victory after changing quarterbacks (benching starter Joey Harrington), the Browns have shown no indication of wanting to bench Trent Dilfer. "No, we have a solid starting quarterback," said tight end Steve Heiden. "[Our struggles] are not because of any one person." Still, coach Romeo Crennel didn't rule out making some changes, and seemed to indicate that he would be open to playing Charlie Frye if the offense continues to struggle. "We'll do what we feel like we need to do or what we have to do to improve our performance," Crennel said.
Record-setter: Dennis Northcutt became the team's all-time leader in punt return yards with 1,570, passing Gerald "Ice Cube" McNeil, who gained 1,545 yards from 1986-89. Northcutt had three returns for 27 yards on Sunday.
Getting closer: Droughns has 431 yards in six games, putting him on pace to gain 1,150 yards this season and become the first Browns running back to pass the century mark since Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack both did it in 1985. The Browns' 20-year drought is the longest in the NFL.
Joe Scalzo