CLEVELAND, Ohio — One of these days, the crowning achievement of a Browns season has to be about more than making life difficult for a hated rival. But with the spoiler role the only one remaining, they at least deserve credit for embracing it.

In a stadium where Steelers fans wore their colors and waved their Terrible Towels with impunity, the Browns quieted the intrusion with a solid half defensively and two Phil Dawson field goals to lead 6-3 at the intermission.

Pittsburgh’s best-case scenario was to play hobbled quarterback Ben Roethlisberger long enough to get a lead, keep an eye on the Baltimore-Cincinnati game and maybe run in backup Charlie Batch. The Browns didn’t let it happen, at least not in the first half.

I wouldn’t jump to too many conclusions about what playing hard all the way to the end means for a losing team. It doesn’t always mean they’re playing for the coach. In fact, Mike Holmgren has made it clear Pat Shurmur’s job isn’t in jeopardy.

Players play hard in these situations for a lot of different reasons, including their own job security.

A year ago, the Steelers blew the Browns out in a similar situation, 41-9. The Browns knew Eric Mangini was gone, as were many of the players Mangini brought in.

A win over the Steelers hardly puts a bow on this season, not with the Browns finishing 5-11 for the third consecutive year. Two years ago, they helped ruin the Steelers’ season. That one had more riding on it.

If they can win this one, they can only inconvenience the Steelers. But if you get the chance, why not?

ABOUT THE BROWNS’ COACHING . . .

1. I’m glad Mike Holmgren settled the question about Pat Shurmur returning as coach in 2012. At this point, the Browns don’t need another coaching change. But they do need to make some changes in how the coaching staff is set up.

2. Yes, some successful head coaches such as Sean Peyton (Saints), Mike McCarthy (Packers) and Andy Reid (Eagles) call their own plays. But I still wonder if it’s wise for coaches to do that. Bill Belichick, Eric Mangini and Romeo Crennel were all successful defensive coordinators, yet none of them held that job when they became head coaches. Yes, they had a lot of input into the defensive preparation — and may have even called a few formations during a game, but overall, they gave the job to the coordinators.

3. There have been some examples this season of when the Browns didn’t seem to be aware of what was happening on the field. In the opener, the defense fell asleep and no player or coach called a timeout before what became a 41-yard touchdown pass to the Bengals’ A.J. Green. If Shurmur were not the offensive coordinator, would he have noticed the confusion and called a timeout? Who knows? But someone in authority needed to do it.

4. The same was true during the 13-12 loss to St. Louis when it was clear Shurmur wasn’t sure who was at fullback — fullback Owen Marecic or tight end Alex Smith. It was Smith, because Marecic was injured. Smith received a handoff for the first time in his seven-year pro career and he fumbled. Was the confusion because Shurmur was doing two jobs? Maybe not. But when you are doing two jobs and there is confusion, it’s a legitimate question.

5. There has been some discussion of adding an offensive coordinator, but the head coach still calls the plays. Some teams have that system. I prefer the coordinator as the play-caller, and the head coach as the big-picture guy who deals with officials, watches the game for decisions on field goals, timeouts, punts and the rest.

6. And the Browns absolutely, positively must do something about the special teams. Not all of this is the fault of coach Chris Tabor, but some of the blame must fall to the first-time special teams coach. The Browns have allowed two touchdowns on returns for the first time since 1999. Three field goals have been blocked. When snapper Ryan Pontbriand fell apart, no one could put the Pro Bowler back together. The return teams have been just OK. Joshua Cribbs ranks 21st in punt returns, sixth in kickoff returns — and no kicks or punts returned for a touchdown.

7. The best unit has been the defense. The main reason is its young talent. But it also helps that veteran Dick Jauron, an experienced head coach and defensive coordinator, is in charge of the defense.

8. One of the issues Shurmur will have to face next season is dealing with players who speak out to the media about not getting the ball enough. Losing also brings complaints, and players feel they can speak out more when there is a rookie head coach.

ABOUT THE BROWNS . . .

1. Make of this what you will: Profootballfocus.com ranks Joe Thomas No. 1 and Tony Pashos No. 6 among all offensive tackles in their “pass blocking efficiency” ratings. It says Thomas has allowed three sacks, one quarterback hit and 15 hurries in 527 pass-blocking snaps for a 97.2 rating. Right behind him are the Bengals’ Andrew Whitworth and Tennessee’s David Stewart. Atlanta’s Tyson Clabo is No. 4, followed by Tyson Smith of Dallas and then Pashos.

2. So why has Colt McCoy taken such a pounding? The website ranks guard Shawn Lauvao at No. 55 and guard Jason Pinkston at No. 69 in terms of pass blocking. Center Alex Mack ranks 12th, so the guards have been the trouble spots, as was right tackle when Pashos was hurt as Artis Hicks and Oniel Cousins filled in.

3. A month ago, I wrote about Eric Steinbach coming back strong from his back surgery and the Browns expecting him to return to left guard. That would allow Pinkston to provide depth at right tackle. I’d still like to see the Browns sign a solid offensive lineman or take one in the first three rounds of April’s draft. Linemen are like starting pitchers — you think you need only five, but usually a few are injured.

4. It’s possible Seneca Wallace will look better than McCoy in the West Coast offense when the Browns play in Arizona today. The Cardinals rank 21st in defense, 23rd against the pass. But they have played well lately, beating Dallas (19-13) and San Francisco (21-19). But they obviously don’t compare to Pittsburgh (ranked No. 2), Baltimore (No. 3) and Cincinnati (No. 7) in defense. Pittsburgh is No. 1 against the pass. A fairer test will be if Wallace also plays the final two games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh — especially if those are meaningful games to the powers in the AFC North.

5. I’m not reading much into the vague answers from Holmgren and Tom Heckert about McCoy. They were probably vague because they won’t know what to do about the quarterback situation until the off-season when they see who is available in the draft and free agency. I would be shocked if they traded some of their higher picks to move up and draft a quarterback. But I would expect them to draft a quarterback at some point.

ABOUT THE INDIANS . . .

1. The reason for the additions of Felix Pie and Aaron Cunningham is the Tribe’s lack of outfield depth at Class AAA. It’s possible Cunningham can make the big-league roster — he is out of minor-league options. He has 1,156 Class AAA plate appearances, hitting .304 (.869 OPS) with 32 homers. He is mostly a doubles guy, and a right-handed hitter who is good with the glove in right and left field. The Tribe likes that he has a .906 OPS against lefties in his minor-league career.

2. Like Cunningham, Pie has been a highly regarded prospect. But Pie turns 27 in February, and Cunningham is 25. Both have struggled to hit in the majors. The outfield at Class AAA Columbus was Jared Head, Chad Huffman, Ezequiel Carrera, Travis Buck and Tim Fedroff. None are considered prime prospects.

3. The Indians have had serious talks with Mike Cameron, the former Gold Glove outfielder. Cameron, who turns 39 next month, batted only .203 with nine homers and 27 RBI in 237 at-bats last season between Boston and Florida. He hit .245 (.754 OPS) with five homers in 133 at-bats after the All-Star break. Why Cameron? He could provide depth in center in case Grady Sizemore‘s physical problems continue.

4. The Tribe also has talked to Andy LaRoche, who is a career .226 hitter (.642 OPS) in 1,180 big league at-bats. He is mostly a third baseman. At 28, he could fill that spot at Class AAA. Cameron and LaRoche will probably receive minor-league deals if they are signed.

5. LaRoche, Pie, Cunningham, and infielder Jose Lopez (also signed to a minor-league deal Friday) were all considered promising young players at some point in their careers. But they all have flopped in their chances in the majors. The Indians are hoping one of them suddenly figures it out — and they are adding some experience at Class AAA. And none of this is very exciting to Tribe fans. The hope is they find someone such as Jack Hannahan, who made the team a year ago when invited on a minor-league deal — and helped all season. Others such as Buck and Adam Everett made the team, but didn’t last.

6. Meanwhile, free agents Josh Willingham and Mike Cuddyer signed elsewhere. Tribe fans wanted them to sign here. Never was going to happen. If the Indians make a significant addition with a right-handed hitter, it will be via a trade, not free agency.

7. Tribe manager Manny Acta is in the Dominican Republic, where he will watch Ubaldo Jimenez and Fausto Carmona pitch in winter ball. Both wanted to do it, and both didn’t pitch last winter. Both had bad regular seasons. Jimenez had always pitched in the Dominican before, and believes it helps him prepare for the majors. Carmona pitched winter ball in 2010, before his solid 13-14, 3.77 ERA season. Because he threw 210 innings in 2010, the Tribe decided he should skip the Dominican League after that season.

8. Who knows if pitching winter ball will help either guy, but they think it matters. The Indians believe having assistant strength coach Nelson Perez spending the entire off-season in the Dominican Republic to work with Jimenez, Carmona, Carlos Santana and some of the other Tribe Latino players will make a positive impact.

ABOUT THE CAVS . . .

1. After watching the Cavs’ 91-87 preseason victory at Detroit, you can see why the Cavs made Kyrie Irving the No. 1 pick in the draft. The point guard from Duke had five turnovers and forced some poor shots (4-of-14 from the field), but he was able to drive to the rim and pick up fouls. He was 13-of-15 at the foul line, finished with 21 points and looked comfortable running the offense. He is only 19 and played a mere 11 games at Duke, so there will be some frustrations as he learns the pro game. But there is reason for excitement.

2. Coach Byron Scott talked about why he started Ramon Sessions over Irving, and how he wants Irving to earn the job. But another factor is the Cavs asked Sessions to do a few things in the off-season in terms of conditioning, and he came to camp in perhaps the best shape on the team. He also has made a commitment to defense, which has been of little interest to him before this season.

3. Sessions is a valuable player because he can drive to rim, almost at will. In 38 starts for the Cavs, he averaged 14.5 points, 5.9 assists and shot 44 percent from the field, 80 percent from the foul line. He also led the Cavs in free-throw attempts. The Cavs see situations in the regular season where Irving and Sessions can play together. Sessions led the Cavs with six assists against Detroit.

4. Tristan Thompson has impressed in practice with his defense, rebounding and shot-blocking. He is trying to model his hustling style to that of Anderson Varejao, and the two big men have spent a lot of court time together. The Cavs believe Thompson can become an elite offensive rebounder. His problem will be shooting. Thompson had eight points (including two thunder dunks) Friday night.

5. Lost in the debut of Irving and Thompson was a strong performance by Samardo Samuels, who had 15 points. He was a factor inside, and will push for playing time at power forward. The Cavs may also use him as backup center in some games.

6. While he had a poor shooting game (0-of-7) against Detroit, Alonzo Gee led the team with six rebounds. The Cavs said along with Sessions, Gee had shown the most improvement from a season ago — based on practices. We’ll see if that carries over into the regular season, but Gee could see quite a bit of time at small forward behind Omri Casspi. Gee started 34 games at small forward last season, averaging 8.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 26 minutes, shooting 46 percent.

7. By cutting Baron Davis under the “amnesty” clause, the Cavs still have to pay him about $24 million over the next two seasons. Mo Williams (traded to the Clippers for Davis) earns $17 million over the next two seasons. Add it all up, and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert paid $7 million (the difference in the two contracts) for the Clippers’ No. 1 pick that became Irving.

8. The Cavs are about $7 million under the salary cap. With Antawn Jamison in the final season of his $15-million deal, the Cavs can be about $22 million under the cap next summer. While some fans may focus on the cap room being used for free agents, the Cavs believe it also is very valuable in a trade because it allows them to take back a big contract in a deal.

Every year, NFL Films puts together a season recap for each team in the league. Even if a team had a terrible year, they attempt to put a positive spin on things. They’ll certainly have a challenge on their hands when they piece together a highlight reel for the 2011 Cleveland Browns.

What’s funny is that even in seasons when the Browns had a terrible record, and there have been many of those types of seasons lately, they still have a signature win or two against far superior teams. In 2008, a year when the Browns finished 4-12, they did manage a victory over the defending Super Bowl champs – the New York Giants – on Monday Night Football. It wasn’t much, but at least fans could hang their hats on one great win.

In 2009, Eric Mangini’s first season as head coach, the Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time in six years. It jumpstarted the team to four straight wins to end the season.

And while 2010 was another disappointing year, it did have some great moments, including wins over the Patriots and Saints. Plus, fans were treated to the emergence of running back Peyton Hillis, who bowled over opposing defenses and leapfrogged his way into fans’ hearts and onto the cover of Madden 2012.

This year, the Browns have managed just four wins. Those opponents have been less than stellar – their combined record is just 14-38. A win over the hapless Colts, a forgettable 6-3 win over Seattle, and narrow victories over the struggling Jaguars and Dolphins are all NFL Films will have to work with. The wins have been ugly and the losses even worse.

It’s doubtful they’ll show the Browns defense getting caught with their pants down in the season opener against Cincinnati. They’ll probably avoid the lowlight of handing the ball off to a tight end down at the goal line against St. Louis and then missing a go-ahead field goal due to a bad snap. The season has been filled with these types of miscues.

Off the field, things aren’t much better. The Peyton Hillis controversy was bad enough early in the season. But now the Colt McCoy concussion storm has grown into a full-blown hurricane, so much so that Browns President Mike Holmgren had to address the media on Wednesday.

Browns fans should be asking themselves, “Is this rock-bottom?” Can it get even worse for this team? Short of losing Josh Cribbs or Joe Haden to career-ending injuries, the answer is no. The team has shown little improvement in 2011 and needs a talent infusion during the off season.

Theoretically, the Browns could win one of these last few games against the Steelers or Ravens but probably would be better served to lose. That way, they improve their draft position. And to the editors at NFL Films tasked to piece together the 2011 Browns highlights, good luck to you all. Nobody blames you if you skip the job altogether.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Weren’t calamity and dysfunction in Berea supposedly put on notice when the Big Show arrived? Now that nickname feels more ironic than anything.

Big Show? Mike Holmgren gave up the stage and his claim to the marquee when he decided he wasn’t going to return to the sidelines. Coaching is what he did best. Did he have to become the mystery man behind the curtain?

Didn’t owner Randy Lerner deem the need to overhaul the organization’s credibility almost as important as fixing the endlessly flawed football operation? Isn’t that why Lerner gave some consideration to the idea of hiring Mark Shapiro once upon a time?

Even if Cleveland sports fans don’t recognize it, Lerner saw how the Indians have done it right under Shapiro; how they dealt professionally and directly with issues; how Shapiro always showed support for his manager when the criticism came in an avalanche.

In which instance have the Browns shown even the slightest inclination in that direction under Holmgren? His tenure has created more issues than it’s resolved.

There was a wasted year with Eric Mangini. Now a season spent with an overwhelmed coach in a dual role, and a kid quarterback running for his life with no receivers to bail him out. That’s Holmgren’s watch in brief.

In this latest episode, a ESPN report cast aspersions on the Browns’ medical staff and head coach Pat Shurmur over the handling of Colt McCoy’s concussion. The father of the quarterback basically leveled both, saying high school trainers he knows would’ve handled it better and that his son had no business returning to the field.

That’s a double broadside shot at the organization, the response to which should’ve come from Holmgren on behalf of the team medical staff and the head coach Holmgren hired. Instead, to answer that criticism — or, more accurately, to not answer that criticism — the Browns trotted out Shurmur Monday to reiterate that procedure was followed after James’ Harrison’s hit knocked McCoy out of the game.

Did that procedure include the league’s sideline concussion test? Shurmur wouldn’t say yes or no. So it’s understandable if you took that as a no. If there weren’t enough evidence — beyond a vicious helmet-to-facemask hit — to administer the test, well, that’s one explanation. Not a great one mind you. But it’s one.

If trainers were overwhelmed by multiple injured players, as right tackle Tony Pashos seemed to suggest, concussive hits still have to take precedent. But, at least that would be a second explanation.

The Browns medical staff has done right by other concussed players. Trainers deserve more than the benefit of the doubt. They deserve clarity. If they followed protocol, do them a favor. Check off each step followed. Or let them explain for themselves.

Was McCoy tested more extensively Thursday night after the game when the Browns’ own PR staff asked the TV people to turn off the camera lights on McCoy’s behalf? Is it true they waited until the next morning to administer the concussion test, after he flew on a plane back to Cleveland and after a night’s sleep?

Was there any danger in that? If not, it can only help the Browns to explain what they knew and when they knew it. The Browns’ inadequate, contradictory response only made it look like they were trying to get their stories straight.

Don’t confuse this with Holmgren not wanting to address a contract situation, or the performance of a first-year head coach. This isn’t about placating the media. Head injuries are serious matters. Players’ welfare is at stake. Much less importantly, so is the organization’s image.

If the Browns wanted to withhold comment until after the NFL and NFLPA officials were done with them Wednesday, Holmgren was the guy to deliver that message in support of an overwhelmed coach, if nobody else.

Shurmur actually said one of Monday’s questions would be better directed at the medical staff. No kidding. Quickly asked if reporters could talk to the medical people then, Shurmur said what amounted to, um, uh, er, maybe … yes, maybe someday.

This would be laughable if the issue weren’t so serious, and if we hadn’t seen this sort of unintentional comedy of errors out of Berea for so long.

On Twitter: @budshaw

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The reality of the Browns’ season begins right now, this Sunday in Cincinnati.

It’s the final six games, five of them against teams in the AFC North. Only two are at home.

We can learn much about this team.

Two games with Pittsburgh, two with Baltimore. One with the Bengals.

Combined, the three teams have a 20-10 record.

Cincinnati is an especially sore subject. The Browns began the season with a 27-17 loss to Cincinnati, the home opener for new coach Pat Shurmur. That was a game in which they were flagged for 11 penalties.

It also was a game in which the defensive unit looked like a bunch of guys standing in a circle at a bus stop, staring at some clouds when quarterback Bruce Gradkowski called a quick snap and lobbed a 40-yard touchdown pass to a wide open A.J. Green.

That was a demoralizing debut because the Browns looked ill-prepared.

Their record is 4-6, and the season has been rocky. The question is not if the Browns can finish with a winning record — or even .500. That would be a shock.

So what can we expect in the final six games?

“How about 2-4 with no blowouts, competitive entertaining games would be nice,” Austin Zeizing posted on my Facebook page.

The most recent time the Browns made the playoffs was 2002. Counting that season, they are 4-16 vs. teams in the AFC North during the final six games of seasons.

Overall, the Browns are 19-35 in the “Sad Six” dating back to 2002.

The sad six

“I’m sick of the ‘Oh we need to win for progress the next year,’ ” emailed Justin Heinzmann. “How did Eric Mangini win four straight to end the year?”

That was in 2009, when the Browns beat Pittsburgh and three teams with losing records. But at least it was a 4-2 mark in those final six games.

The only other seasons in which the Browns were better than 2-4 in the final six games were 2007 and 2002.

In the last six games of the season, the injuries pile up. The weather is usually awful. The team often is out of contention. The Browns players might not admit it, but too often they just wanted the year to be over and they played like it.

The Browns ended last season with four losses, three to the teams in their division.

This year, the Bengals, Ravens and Steelers are three of the NFL’s top six defenses.

For the Browns’ Colt McCoy, the final two losses to Baltimore and Pittsburgh were disturbing. Both were on cold, windy days on the shores of Lake Erie, and the rookie quarterback threw six interceptions compared to one touchdown.

Those two games started the real doubts about McCoy’s long-term future with the Browns.

Those also were his No. 7 and No. 8 pro starts, and he was playing for a perpetually losing team that sensed its coach was about to be fired.

Joe Maylish emailed: “I’m not concerned about who they beat as much as McCoy’s ability to play in bad weather and Greg Little emerging as the [team's] No. 1 receiver . . . and improvement in the running game as we saw last week. We all want to see progress, but these three areas will [affect] how they approach the draft in April.”

Yes, this also is the time of year when the hearts of Browns fans turn to spring — and the NFL Draft.

A list of five

But there are six games still left, and here are five things I would like to see from the Browns:

•1. McCoy performing well in the cold weather and under the onslaught of these defenses. The offensive line must keep McCoy from ending up in the hospital, but the quarterback also has to not rush into contact or hang on to the ball too long.

•2. Phil Taylor to play hard as he did in the last two games against some rugged offensive lines in this division. The rookie can be a big-time defensive tackle if he makes an Ahtyba Rubin-type commitment.

•3. Shurmur to show some creativity on offense and for his team to stay disciplined, organized and motivated in games with the Steelers and Ravens, where it could get ugly.

•4. Little to show he can make plays against these defenses. How about someone else giving hope as a receiver?

•5. Someone to show he can consistently run the ball. Do we see Peyton Hillis or Montario Hardesty again for more than two games? Is Chris Ogbonnaya for real?

Notice that I didn’t pick a record.

Jerry Lee Boatner emailed: “Would love to get one against the Steelers, but would not be shocked if they lose all six. Hillis could win the fans back with big games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh.”

If the Browns actually finish 6-10 . . . that means they end 2-4 . . . it will be only the second time since 2005 that they have won at least six games.

Yes, it has been that bad . . . and the Browns do have a chance in these last six games to show things are indeed getting at least a little better.