Falcons hope for better 2nd half

About the only thing going for the Browns is being the least-penalized team in the NFL.
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Falcons are still a little sensitive about the way they finished last year, especially when someone points out the parallels to this season.
The Falcons reached the midway point with a winning record (5-3), one game off their pace in 2005. But they're plagued by injuries and just lost to a one-win team, which is the way they started the second half a year ago on the way to losing six of their final eight games.
"I'm not even thinking about last year," Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said. "I don't want to entertain that question, because if I do I'm taking steps backward instead of moving forward."
Moving on, let's see how Keith Brooking feels about the similarities to '05.
"I put that crap behind me," the linebacker insisted. "We've got a lot of different guys. There's a totally different makeup, a totally different team. I don't think about where we were last year at this point and where we ended up. I'm worried about this year."
One more try. Maybe Lawyer Milloy, who wasn't even with the Falcons a year ago, has some thoughts on the subject.
"I couldn't care less," Milloy said. "I don't even want to talk about it happening again."
No need to panic
The Falcons head into today's game against Cleveland (2-6) off a dismal 30-14 loss at Detroit, which doubled its win output for the season. Still, Atlanta finds itself in the thick of the playoff race, one game behind New Orleans in the NFC South and looking up at only two other teams in the conference.
"We're not in a horrible position," Brooking said. "Would I rather be 8-0 or 7-1 and leading the NFC right now? Yeah. But there's no need to panic."
The Browns, like most struggling teams, have lost a bunch of tight games (four by eight points or less) and talk hopefully about being closer to success than it looks in the standings. About the only thing going for them is being the least-penalized team in the NFL.
"We're trying to get over the hump," coach Romeo Crennel said. "I think there is some improvement, and I'm not discouraged."
But this matchup doesn't look real encouraging. The Falcons lead the league in rushing (205.1 yards per game), even though they've relied more on Vick's left arm in recent weeks. Cleveland ranks near the bottom at stopping teams on the ground, 29th with a 142.9-yard average.
Also, the Browns are missing their top three cornerbacks: Leigh Bodden (ankle), Daylon McCutcheon and Gary Baxter (season-ending knee injuries).
"The rushing defense has been a disappointment," Crennel said. "We've let players run the ball on us in an efficient manner. It's hard to play good defense when that happens."
Frye's future in question
The Cleveland offense isn't much better. Charlie Frye hasn't found a way to take enough advantage of talented receivers Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, maybe because the embattled quarterback is usually running for his life behind an inept offensive line.
This week, Crennel conceded the jury is still out on whether the second-year quarterback has a long-term future with the team. The numbers aren't encouraging: He's the 29th-rated passer in the league, with only eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Frye insists he's not worried about losing his job.
"If I didn't want that pressure, I would have played golf," he said. "If you ever read a book that has a good ending, everybody goes through trials and tribulations."
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