Spiller, struggling Browns hope to impress Jim Brown

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

C.J. Spiller is already linked to Jim Brown in the record books. Today, he’ll be in the Hall of Famer’s company.

Buffalo’s faster-than-fast running back, who joined Brown as the only players in NFL history to average 10 yards or better per carry through two games, will have a chance to perform for one of the game’s all-time greats when the Bills visit the Cleveland Browns.

Brown, who has been at odds with his former team the past two years, will attend the game and take part in a halftime ceremony.

While Spiller is thrilled to be mentioned alongside Brown, he won’t do anything extra to impress him.

“It’s great to be mentioned in the same breath as one of the greatest ever to play the position,” Spiller said. “But that means nothing to me. I don’t get caught up with who’s in the stands or who’s not in the stands. None of that stuff really matters.”

Spiller’s strong start has been significant.

With 292 yards in two games, he leads the league in rushing and he’s averaging an eye-popping 10.1 yards per carry. Only the magnificent Brown’s 11.3 yard average after two games in 1963 is better among players with at least 25 attempts. Cleveland has lost eight straight games dating to last season, and is in jeopardy of dropping to 0-3. With upcoming road games at Baltimore and the New York Giants, the sense of urgency could be reaching the crisis stage for coach Pat Shurmur, whose future hinges on his club making major improvements in his second season.

With the Browns about to be taken over by new owner Jimmy Haslam III, Shurmur may need a few wins to bump up his resume.

“It’s important we win,” Shurmur said. “We’ve got to win. We all understand the urgency of that and regardless of what’s happened to this point, there are other teams in this league that are in our situation that are fighting to get their first victory in Week 3.

“That’s where the coaches and players are mentally, physically, emotionally — doing what you can to get a victory in Week 3.”

There were encouraging signs for the Browns last week.

Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden recovered from a four-interception debut by passing for 322 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-27 loss at Cincinnati. Although the 28-year-old’s impressive outing didn’t lead to a victory, it did boost Weeden’s confidence and gave the Browns hope that better days are ahead.

Weeden knows the only progress that matters shows up in the win column.

“You don’t want to put yourself in a hole where you’re digging yourself out,” Weeden said. “Even though this isn’t a conference game, it’s still nice to get on a right track.

“You’ve got to kind of build some momentum before we play Baltimore on a short week. You want to win them all, but playing right at the right time is what’s most important in this league. We’ve got to start winning games. That’s all there is to it, and what better week to start than this week.”