Browns running back Montario Hardesty still hopes to salvage what’s left of his lost season.

“I definitely want to finish out these two games strong,” said Hardesty, who’s carried the ball in one of the past seven games because of his torn calf muscle. “I’ve been really frustrated with this calf injury. It really hindered me a lot this year, but I have two more chances to go out and play.”

Hardesty made the trip to Arizona and was active for the game, but stood on the sidelines and didn’t play. Meanwhile, Peyton Hillis rushed for 99 yards.

“The calf was sore last week,” said Hardesty. “I was ready if they needed me, but they didn’t.”

On Tuesday, Hardesty practiced full-go, and is hoping to see the field in Baltimore — against the Ravens’ second-ranked run defense.

“It feels a lot better” Hardesty said of the calf. “I got a lot of reps [Tuesday] and it felt good. Hopefully it will continue to improve throughout the week.”

Hardesty said he never dreamt the calf would cost him most of his season when he felt a twinge on Oct. 30 in San Francisco. He carried the ball 11 times for 24 yards at Pittsburgh on Dec. 8. But he emerged sore from that game and had to rest again.

“I’d love to have a chance to play against Baltimore and Pittsburgh,” he said. “Both are great defenses. We have to find a way to win these games.”

Two new players: As expected, the Browns placed linebacker Titus Brown on injured reserve with his right knee injury and tight end Alex Smith on IR with his shoulder injury.

To replace them, the Browns signed linebacker Brian Smith off their practice squad and signed tight end Dan Gronkowski as a free agent.

Gronkowski is the brother of Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has set the NFL record for TD receptions by a tight end with 15 this season. Their other brother, Chris, is a fullback for the Colts. Dan Gronkowski spent five games with the Patriots this season, with one start. He was waived Nov. 8.

“I stayed in Foxborough,” said Gronkowski. “I had an apartment with my brother and was training. It paid off I guess, I felt pretty good out there. I didn’t feel like I’d been out that long.”

Gronkowski (6-5, 255 pounds) a seventh-round pick of the Lions in 2009 out of Maryland, said he used his time off to get bigger, which should help his blocking.

“I definitely can help in that area,” he said. “I’m definitely built to be a blocker, a little heavier. In the next two games I’ll do what I can.”

Gronkowski said he’s happy for Rob, who’s having blockbuster season.

“My brothers and I, we’re all best friends and we root for each other,” he said. “When he does good, it makes us all feel good and I mean, he’s a great player and I say that he’s learned everything from me. He set records this year and stuff and he’s an amazing player and he’s just going to get better.”

Brian Smith was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, but waived at the end of camp. In Week 12, he was signed to the practice squad.

“It’s a blessing to be back and I’m just the kind of guy that stays resilient, keeps working at it, and when I get my shot I’m going to take full advantage of it,” said Smith.

Concussion update: Browns fullback Owen Marecic practiced Tuesday and is expecting to play in Baltimore despite suffering his second concussion in four weeks on Dec. 8 in Pittsburgh. He said no one has discussed shutting him down for the season.

“It never really came to my mind,” he said. “I can’t speak for anybody else, but it never came up in conversation.”

Marecic said he changed helmets in hopes of preventing another concussion. Eight Browns players have suffered 11 concussions this season.

In other concussion news, receiver Jordan Norwood and linebacker Ben Jacobs both sat out Tuesday with theirs. With Norwood likely to sit, Carlton Mitchell figures to get some playing time.

“I think there’s definitely a chance,” said Mitchell.

Other injuries: Cornerback Joe Haden sat out practice with a thigh bruise, but said he’ll play in Baltimore. . . . Safety T.J. Ward (foot) also sat out, but is still hopeful he can play Saturday.

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Read More: Kerry Rhodes (S – ARI), Sean Considine (DB – ARI), Tony Pashos (OL – CLE), Dave Zastudil (P – ARI), Artis Hicks (OT – CLE), Brandon Keith (OT – ARI), Shawn Lauvao (OL – CLE), Colt McCoy (QB – CLE), T.J. Ward (DB – CLE), Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are playing their best football of the season and they will look to continue their winning ways this Sunday against a struggling Cleveland Browns team. Fortunately for the Cardinals, it appears they will have most of their starters healthy and ready to go for Sunday. Beanie Wells is reportedly healthy and ready to go for Arizona, while quarterback Colt McCoy will miss the game with a concussion.

Here is the full injury report from Friday:

Cardinals:

• Did Not Participate In Practice: S Sean Considine (foot)
• Limited Participation: T Brandon Keith (ankle), QB Kevin Kolb (head), LB Joey Porter (knee), WR DeMarco Sampson (ribs), P Dave Zastudil (biceps)
• Full Participation: LB Clark Haggans (hamstring), TE Rob Housler (shoulder), S Kerry Rhodes (foot), RB Chris Wells (knee)

Browns:

• Did Not Participate In Practice: RB Owen Marecic (head, ankle), QB Colt McCoy (head, left hand), DT Brian Schaefering (ankle), S T.J. Ward (foot), TE Benjamin Watson (head)
• Limited Participation: WR Joshua Cribbs (groin), RB Montario Hardesty (calf), G Artis Hicks (shoulder), G Shawn Lauvao (ankle), T Tony Pashos (ankle), LB Quinton Spears (hamstring)
• Full Participation: DE Jabaal Sheard (forearm)

For more on the Cardinals, head on over to Revenge Of The Birds.

Gotta run!.

BEREA, Ohio — “You play to win the game,” an old coach named Herman Edwards once said.

He meant when the ESPN oompah band isn’t around and when the playoffs are unlikely. Edwards’ observation is the heart of the NFL’s “on any given Sunday” (or Thursday) mantra.

That might be a difficult sell to anyone who saw Thursday night’s Browns loss at Pittsburgh, however.

The Browns seemed to have knocked Ben Roethlisberger out of the game late in the first half in Pittsburgh. But he came back, like the trouble that has persistently found him off the field.

If the Browns are ever good again, if this game were in the playoffs or for a playoff berth, it would be remembered for Roethlisberger’s emergence as the next Willie Mays, John Elway, or Michael Jordan. They were great players who broke the hearts of valiant Cleveland teams. The NFL Network’s Brad Nessler and Mike Mayock were practically playing a fife and drum in tribute to Big Ben.

The Browns’ Colt McCoy was courageous, too. The Browns trailed, 7-3, in the fourth quarter when McCoy was blasted backward and left limp on the grass by another of James Harrison’s killer shots to the head on Browns players. In the past two years, he has put Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs and McCoy out of games, although the latter only briefly.

But McCoy had also run out of the pocket on the play. He was a ballcarrier then, a threat to run before flipping a short pass to Montario Hardesty. Harrison’s helmet-to-helmet shot was obviously a penalty, but there is also the question of what he was supposed to do? Back off? Brake his momentum on a potential stop against a player who had scrambled to the lip of the goal-line earlier in the game?

After the game, coach Pat Shurmur said McCoy began exhibiting symptoms of a concussion. McCoy’s father and his former high school coach, Brad McCoy, criticized the Browns’ medical staff and coaches Friday for putting his son back in the game. Shurmur said if Colt McCoy hadn’t been cleared to play, he never would have been sent back in. Frankly, this will do McCoy no favors in the Browns’ organization.

Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace entered the game upon McCoy’s departure. His second play was a pretty 13-yard pass to Evan Moore that carried to the Steelers’ 5. It might have been the best pass of the day by a Browns quarterback. Even McCoy’s first-drive completions, on the intermediate routes he usually spurns, necessitated twisting, turning, leaping catches by his receivers.

Now, one pass does not a season or even a comeback make. But Wallace to Moore looked like Steve Young to Jerry Rice, compared with what occurred when McCoy returned to the game on first-and-goal at the 5.

Maybe McCoy wanted back in because of his competitiveness. Pittsburgh had put Big Ben with his bad ankle back in, after all. Maybe McCoy also knows his future with the Browns is on the line in the last weeks of the season. Maybe the Browns also wanted to check under heat the Petri dish McCoy has become to see if anything but mediocrity buds were growing there.

Shurmur said, after the quarterback passed a quick series of sideline tests designed to detect a concussion, McCoy told him, “I’m ready to roll.”

Two other Browns suffered concussions in the Pittsburgh game — Owen Marecic and Ben Watson. Neither returned. That can be read as proof of the Browns’ caution, or of McCoy’s ability to convince those who wanted to believe him.

Wallace is a better scrambler than McCoy, he had been spared the beating McCoy had taken and he was fresher. These points became issues because McCoy looked anything but ready to roll.

On first down, Harrison, in hot pursuit again, swatted at McCoy’s heels, tripping him up and leading to an obvious intentional-grounding call after McCoy’s underhanded pass was aimed at no one in particular.

From the 16 on third down after the penalty, McCoy stood in the pocket, with the play well-blocked, and threw late and short to Mohamed Massaquoi in the corner of the end zone. Shurmur said Massaquoi had to play better defense and try to knock down the ball on the throw. In any event, Pittsburgh’s William Gay plucked it like a peeled grape. Gone was the last chance for Cleveland.

Said Shurmur, when asked if McCoy was the best chance to win, “There is no doubt in my mind. That doesn’t mean I don’t have confidence in Seneca.”

Experts in medical ethics can debate McCoy’s fitness to play after he was leveled. Shurmur can try to have it both ways with his quarterbacks.

Strategically, in their equivalent to the Ohio State-Michigan game, when a victory would have made a miserable season less so, when their starter had just been savagely belted out of the game, Seneca Wallace gave the Browns the best chance to win.

That’s all the news for today.

Peyton Hillis is playing in the Thursday, December 8, 2011 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Colt McCoy and Montario Hardesty will also be in uniform and on the field. They are a bit banged up, but ready to take on the black and gold and, hopefully, bring a win back to Cleveland.

The only really notable player that will not take the field is T.J. Ward – a Browns’ safety – and he will be replaced by Usama Young as usual.

Now, can the Browns win? This is always a question with the Browns unfortunately. We had a shot against the Ravens last week, especially when the Ravens missed two field goals.

The receivers have to actually catch the ball. I know, I know, this should go without saying, but the Browns have the NFL record for most drops. To be fair, the Browns are actually tied for most drops with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. I digress, McCoy has finally started to throw some relatively decent passes, but if these are not caught [by Browns' receivers] then those passes really do not mean much. Also, if those passes are caught by the opposing team, then big problems can occur.

There is also a chance that the Steelers may simply think this will be an easy win and underestimate the Browns and therefore lose to the Browns. Okay, this is a stretch and perhaps just wishful thinking, but we have seen it happen in sports before.

“In the two meetings last season, the Steelers outscored the Browns 69-19,” reports Cleveland.com. It is also important to note that the Steelers who are taking the field are healthy, while a few of the Browns taking the field are not.

To go back to the health of the Browns. This is a big concern. One really good sack to McCoy and he could be in big trouble. McCoy is necessary and he needs to be on the field in the best shape he can be. Of course, Hillis seems like a flower and even a little sack could put him out.

R. Elizabeth C. Kitchen is a lifelong Browns fan who grew up in a household of Browns’ fans. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and still lives there. Regardless of the trials and tribulations the Browns have been through, she remains loyal, albeit honest about her home team. Follow Rose on Twitter @Rose_Kitchen

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What do you guys think about this.

Read More: Colt McCoy (QB – CLE), Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday for the first time since spraining his right knee in a 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week and he is listed as probable on the team’s injury report for Thursday’s Week 14 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

McCoy is still aiming for his first win against an AFC North opponent — he is currently 0-7 against division opponents, via the Associated Press. The native Texas made his first NFL start last season at Heinz Field but despite completing 23-33 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown in an impressive debut, McCoy was also intercepted twice and the Browns lost 28-10. McCoy and the Browns suffered an even worse fate on the final day of their season last year, falling 41-9 to Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, running back Peyton Hillis was limited in practice again on Wednesday, just as he was on Monday and Tuesday, and is listed as questionable. Fellow running back Montario Hardesty (calf) has practiced all week and is probable. Like Hillis, safety Mike Adams (shoulder) and tackle Tony Pashos (ankle) are questionable after being limited all week as well.

Linebacker Chris Gocong (hip) and defensive end Jayme Mitchell (ankle) are listed as probable while linebacker Quinton Spears (hamstring) and safety T.J. Ward (safety) are listed as out.

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BEREA, Ohio — Browns running back Montario Hardesty knows what you’re thinking.

He knows you think his latest injury, the torn calf muscle, means he really is injury prone and that he’ll never be able to stay healthy.

But he’s out to prove you wrong, beginning with Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

“I’ve got five games left this year and then 16 next year and 16 the year after that,” Hardesty said. “I know I can stay healthy because I played my last three years in college without missing a game. I’ve just got to keep fighting through this.”

Hardesty will return against the Ravens after missing four games because of an injured calf muscle, which he hurt early in the San Francisco game Oct. 30. The injury came on the heels of Hardesty’s return from the torn left anterior cruciate ligament that kept him out all last season.

“I know what it seems like, but this is football,” he said. “I’ve had some big injuries, but a lot of people have, including a lot of running backs. I’ve played 40 to 50 games in a row, and I know I can do it. I just have to take care of my body and hope that these things don’t come up anymore.”

Hardesty, who also tore the ACL in his right knee as a freshman at Tennessee, is aware that secondary injuries often occur after major knee surgeries. The calf injury is to the right leg, opposite last year’s ACL.

“Sometimes they say you overcompensate and do things with the other leg you normally wouldn’t do,” he said. “I don’t know if that was the case.”

“I just have to make sure I’m ready.”

That’s why Hardesty determined last week during warm-ups in Cincinnati that the calf wasn’t ready.

“It felt good all week, but I didn’t really get to that point where I was really just bursting and exploding like I have to in a game,” he said. “I was staying around the 80, 85 percent mark. I really wanted to play.”

This week, Hardesty sat out drills until Thursday and then was limited for his two days of work. But resting early in the week seemed to do the trick.

“On Friday of last week going into the game, I was a little sore, but now I feel great,” he said. “I felt good running around, and I had burst and all of that stuff.”

Hardesty is listed as questionable for the game but fully expects to play.

“Yeah, I’m ready,” he said. “I’m confident and excited to get back out there. I’ve got five games left, and I plan on going out there and having my best five games.”

Hardesty said he thinks he can handle a full load if called upon.

“When I’m in there, I’ll be ready to play,” he said.

Coach Pat Shurmur was impressed with how good Hardesty looked cutting and running in team drills Friday.

“He did a little more than we thought, so we’re hopeful that he’ll be more of a factor than he would’ve been last week,” Shurmur said.

Hardesty will join fellow backs Peyton Hillis and Chris Ogbonnaya, giving the Browns a full complement of healthy backs for the first time in eight games (Oct. 2 against the Titans). Hillis returned from his pulled hamstring last week against the Bengals and looked a lot like the 2010 Hillis, with 65 yards on 19 carries. Hardesty and Hillis have appeared in only three full games together this season.

“It’s going to be fun,” said Hardesty, who most likely will receive a limited amount of reps. “I know Peyton was very excited about getting back out there last week, and I’m just as excited about getting out there this week. In our room with me, Peyton and Ogbonnaya, we all want to play well, and we all want to win, so it’s like a mini-competition amongst ourselves. You want to do well and you want everyone else to do well. It’s going to be fun just getting everybody back out there in the same game.”

Hardesty will make his return against the league’s third-ranked run defense (91.5 yards per game). The Ravens are No. 1 in the NFL in allowing 3.4 yards per rush, and limited Frank Gore of the 49ers to 39 yards on 14 carries (2.8 average) in the Ravens’ 16-6 victory on Thanksgiving Day. The Browns have averaged 4.6 yards per carry the past three games after averaging 3.2 the first eight games.

“We just have to be ready to face the challenge and go out there and play ball,” Hardesty said. “We have to match the intensity of the Ravens. I think it’s kind of fun to come back and play against a team that’s so good against the run. Coming out, we can’t let them dictate the game, we’ve got to dictate our own game and just let our run game go that way.”

Hardesty was just starting to round back into shape when he felt the twinge in his calf on a pivot route in San Francisco. The week before, he plugged away for 95 yards on 33 carries in a victory over the Seahawks, and for one game he was the workhorse back the Browns envisioned when they drafted him in the second round in 2010.

“Before I got hurt, I was starting to fit into the offense,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll have my five best games and we’ll get five wins. I really want to finish strong.”

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

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By MIKE KEATING

The Review

The Cleveland Browns will continue their run through the AFC North against the visiting Baltimore Ravens, the original Cleveland Browns Sunday at 4:05 p.m.

Cleveland (4-7) scored its first opening-quarter touchdown of the season in its last game, but dropped a three-point decision to Cincinnati. Baltimore (8-3) threw a defensive blanket on Baltimore, recording nine sacks in a 16-0 win.

“They got (defensive) talent at every level, the line, the linebackers and the secondary,” Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur said.

The Ravens may be without veteran inside linebacker Ray Lewis, who is suffering from turf toe, but they still have nose tackle Haloti Ngata, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and safety Ed Reed to anchor the unit. Ngata has recorded five sacks and stuffs the run, Suggs leads the team with nine sacks and Reed is a sure tackler and ballhawk, recording 10 career interceptions against the Browns, including three for touchdowns.

“The (strength) of their defense is their pass rush,” Shurmur said. “The thing that makes their pass rush so good is they mostly bring only four guys.”

The Browns have run the ball their last three games and the return of Peyton Hillis was a plus against Cincinnati.

Hillis rushed for more than a 100 yards against Baltimore last season. Montario Hardesty, who returned to practice this week from a calf injury, and Chris Ogbonnaya, who amassed 215 yards on the grounds in the two previous games, gives Cleveland depth.

Quarterback Colt McCoy looked sharp the first three quarters against Cincinnati, but the offense went into a deep freeze in the fourth quarter. Wideouts Jordan Norwood and Greg Little caught touchdown passes, but Little also had four drops.

The Cleveland offensive line also disintegrated in the fourth quarter. It must provide consistent pass protection for McCoy, because of Baltimore’s relentless pressure.

Outside linebacker Scott Fujita, one of Cleveland’s key starters, has been lost for the season with a broken hand.

The Browns will have to be sharp defensively against a balanced Ravens’ offense led by quarterback Joe Flacco and featuring running back Ray Rice.

Flacco is 230-of-411 passing for 2,737 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interception, while Rice has rushed for 722 yards and scored eight times.

“(Flacco) has a very strong arm and finds ways to throw the ball outside the numbers,” Shurmur said. “(Rice) is playing at a high level. He, obviously, can run the ball extremely well and he does a good job catching it.”

Veteran wideout Anquan Boldin leads the Ravens with 48 catches for 747 yards (15.6 avg.), tight end Ed Dickson adds 43 grabs and rookie Torrey Smith contributes 31 receptions for 613 yards (19.8 avg.) and five scores.

“(Flacco) has a speedster on the outside (Smith) and they try to get over the top of the defense and then he’s got other efficient receivers that work underneath,” Shurmur noted.

Cleveland will have a new long snapper. Christian Yount, a rookie who played earlier with Tampa Bay, was signed to replace veteran Ryan Pontbriand, whose admitted slump led to his release on Tuesday.

Baltimore leads the series 17-7 and is 8-4 in games played in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

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Read More: Peyton Hillis (RB – CLE), Montario Hardesty (RB – CLE), T.J. Ward (DB – CLE), Quinton Spears (LB – CLE), Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are clinging to rather slim hopes of reaching the NFL playoffs this season as they could still finish with a 9-7 record, but the team won’t be helping those chances if they drop this week’s divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns could have both of their running backs for the first time in a long time this weekend, though, which would certainly help their chances.

Incumbent starter Peyton Hillis is probable after practicing in full all week despite a hamstring injury. Hillis played last weekend and is expected to get the start this week if he’s able to avoid any setbacks until Sunday.

Hillis’s backup, Montario Hardesty, might also be ready to return to the field this weekend. Hardesty didn’t practice on Wednesday, but was able to go through limited practices on Thursday and Friday, leading to his being listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week.

Linebacker Quinton Spears and defensive back T.J. Ward are both definitely out this week due to injury.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot hosts News and Notes with Peyton Hillis, Montario Hardesty, Kaluka Maiava, D’Qwell Jackson and Colt McCoy as they prepare for the game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

That’s all the news for today.

BEREA — Browns running back Montario Hardesty (calf), strong safety T.J. Ward (foot) and free safety Mike Adams (shoulder) will all sit out today’s practice in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Ravens.

But quarterback Colt McCoy, who suffered an elbow injury in Cincinnati, will be full-go.

Hardesty was prepared to start Sunday’s game in Cincinnati, but his calf muscle tightened up on him in pre-game warm-ups and he wasn’t able to play. Coach Shurmur said Hardesty didn’t re-injure the torn calf, just that it needs a little more time to heal.

He said he expects Hardesty to return to practice sometime this week.

Ward is still out today with his foot injury and will be replaced by Usama Young. But now, fellow safety Adams’ status for the Ravens game is uncertain because of the shoulder injury suffered in Cincinnati. If he can’t play, rookie Eric Hagg would most likely get the nod.

In other Browns news:

* McCoy is expected to participate fully despite pain not only in the elbow but his right shoulder.

* Right end Jayme Mitchell (ankle) will be limited, and the Browns will go with “right end by committee” said Shurmur. It included Auston English and Brian Schaefering in Cinci.

* Fullback Owen Marecic, who sat out last week’s game with his concussion, will return to practice today.

* Running back Peyton Hillis (hamstring) came through the Bengals game fine.

* Shurmur admitted the Browns really liked Ravens receiver Torrey Smith in the draft, where he was picked one spot ahead of Browns’ receiver  Greg Little in the second round. Would the Browns’ have taken him? “We knew he’d be a great receiver,” said Shurmur, adding that teams are always disappointed when a great prospect goes off the board.

What are your opinions.

I always try to stay positive about the Cleveland Browns. Occasionally I will lash out in a fit of frustration over Peyton Hillis(notes) because I miss the player we saw in 2010 or even criticize Greg Little(notes) and Montario Hardesty(notes) over dropped passes, but deep down, like every other Cleveland fan, it is just because I want them to succeed.

I usually agree with the decisions made by the front office regarding personnel decisions such as cutting Brian Robiskie(notes), the second round pick in the 2009 draft that never quite lived up to his potential. I was even excited when they signed Chris Ogbonnaya(notes) when everyone else was wondering who he was? He sure played well for the Houston Texans during the preseason. Look at his success for the Browns when Hillis and Hardesty missed games.

A decision I am having a hard time getting behind was when the Browns cut two-time Pro-Bowler Ryan Pontbriand(notes) on Tuesday, November 29. Pontbriand had been with the Browns since 2003.

He came under heavy criticism on November 13; when his snap hit the leg of Alex Mack(notes), disrupting the timing on kicker Phil Dawson’s(notes) 22-yard field goal attempt that cost the Browns the game against the St. Louis Rams. The kick itself was partially blocked.

Again, on November 27 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pontbriand rolled the ball to holder Brad Maynard(notes) causing Dawson to miss a go-ahead 55-yard field goal. The Browns went on to lose 23-20. In itself, I have a hard time believing that even with a perfect snap, a field goal of that length would be a sure thing.

“Today, I lost a longtime teammate, Ryan Pontbriand,” Dawson wrote on Twitter. “He has been with me more than any teammate I have had. I will miss him. He is the best”

Regarded as one of the NFL’s best long snappers, Pontbriand will be replaced by an undrafted rookie from UCLA in Christian Yount(notes). Yount played seven games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers until he was waived on October 25.

To me, this decision makes no sense. It can be argued half the roster has had bad games. Should the team cut Greg Little because he is dropping passes? How about Joe Haden(notes) for allowing opposing receivers to catch the ball and score touchdowns?

When the team lets go of a proven professional who for years has performed flawlessly in favor of a waived rookie, I have a hard time lending my support.

More Cleveland Browns Commentary from this Contributor:

Fan’s look: Who is Peyton Hillis anyway?

Cleveland Browns’ fans deserve better: A fan’s take

Browns fall to Rams, hit an all-new low: A fan’s reaction

Browns must win against Rams or face fan exile: A fan’s take

Former Browns’ WR Brian Robiskie quietly joins Jaguars: A fan’s take

Sources:

All data provided by NFL.com

Twitter – Phil Dawson (@phil_dawson_4)

Paul Rados is an avid Cleveland Browns fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

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CINCINNATI, Ohio — Browns running back Peyton Hillis will be active today after missing five games, and most of a sixth, with a hamstring muscle injury.

Hillis has not played since hurting his hamstring in the first quarter of the Oakland game on Oct. 16. He has not had a full week of practice in team drills since then, though he practice in a limited role on Friday.

Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya also are active. Hardesty has not played since suffering a calf muscle tear early in the San Francisco game on Oct. 30. The Browns confirmed that Hardesty did not feel the calf muscle was at 100 percent in pre-game warmups and he would be available only “as needed.”

The Browns would not say which running back would start.

Fullback Owen Marecic (concussion) is among the team’s inactive players. It’s possible the Browns could ease Hillis back in a fullback role, but Alex Smith lined up as the fullback in pre-game work.

It bears noting that a fine mist fell on the field in Paul Brown Stadium in early warm-ups. Forecasts called for rain all day.

Other Browns inactives: QB Thad Lewis, SS T.J. Ward, OL Steve Vallos, OL Oniel Cousins, LB Quinton Spears, DE Jayme Mitchell.

Bengals inactives are: S Robert Sands, LB Dontay Moch, OG Clint Boling, OT Anthony Collins, TE Donald Lee, WR Ryan Whalen and DE Carlos Dunlap.

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CINCINNATI, Ohio — Some pregame scribbles before kickoff between the Browns and Bengals.

1. This game probably won’t mean much in terms of the standings. If the Browns win, they are 5-6. If the Bengals win, they are 7-4. But the game will have an impact on the fans’ state of mind.

2. If the Browns win, there will be a sense of progress. They finally beat a team with a winning record. They beat a team in the AFC North. And they beat the Bengals.

3. The Bengals were 6-2 before losing their last two games to Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Bengals’ success really annoys many Browns fans. They have a rookie quarterback. They were coming off a 4-12 season. Yes, they drafted A.J. Green, but weren’t they supposed to be rebuilding or something?

4. Then came the 27-17 loss to the Bengals in the home opener. Most Browns fans remember that was the game where the defense fell asleep and no one called time out as Green caught a 41-yard touchdown pass.

5. But Cedric Benson also was busting loose for a 39-yard touchdown run with 1:49 left. Not only did the Browns look disorganized on defense, they were flagged for 11 penalties. It was a nightmare of an opener for rookie coach Pat Shurmur.

6. That TD run by Benson was the longest of the season against the Browns. The 11 penalties is their single-game high. Only Tennessee (31) and Houston (27) scored more points on the Browns — who have held the opposition under 20 points in five games this season.

7. Have the Browns improved from that day? Can they win their second game on the road? If the Bengals lose this game, they will be 6-5 and on a 3-game losing streak. There will be a sense in Cincinnati that the 6-2 start was fools’ gold, that even the Browns have beat them.

8. The Bengals have defeated the same four teams as the Browns — Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Miami and Seattle. The difference is the Bengals beat Tennessee (which hammered the Browns, 31-13) and they beat those guys in the orange helmets.

9. For Shurmur and his players, it will be a huge confidence boost to beat a team in the AFC North — especially with four games remaining against Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Bengals have the No. 6-rated defense, No. 3 against the run. If Peyton Hillis and/or Montario Hardesty stay healthy, can the Browns actually run the ball? Can Colt McCoy keep making progress, as he has the last two games? I’m curious to see it.

10. In the last two games, Andy Dalton has been picked off five times — compared to three touchdowns. Baltimore and Pittsburgh will do that to a young quarterback. Can the Browns put some heat on him? This really does have a chance to be an interesting.

There is the quick update of the day.

CINCINNATI – It was kind of a touchy subject around the Cleveland Browns this week.

No one really wanted to talk about what happened the last time the Browns and Bengals played. On their way to what looked like a win in the season opener, the Browns were stung by a quick-snap play that resulted in a 41-yard touchdown pass from Bruce Gradkowski to A.J. Green in the fourth quarter.

The Bengals went on to win, 27-17, ruining the debut of Pat Shurmur as coach of the Browns.

It will be a chance to gain some revenge today for the 4-6 Browns, while also providing the opportunity to play the role of spoiler. The Bengals are 6-4 and entertaining playoff hopes.

“Not bitter, anxious,” Browns receiver Josh Cribbs said of the approach to today’s game. “We’re ready to get out there and show what we can do. Show how we’ve improved and both teams have improved. We feel like we’ve improved a lot, and we know they’ve improved, but we’ll see on Sunday who improved the most.”

Shurmur has learned a lot about being a head coach in the 10 weeks since the first game. While the record might not indicate it, Shurmur believes that the Browns have made steady improvement.

“I feel like I’m 10 games better in my own mind,” Shurmur said. “There are things I’ve learned through this season. I think our team is 10 games better, and from that standpoint that’s about where I’ll leave my evaluation of it.”

The Browns will need a good game from quarterback Colt McCoy. The Bengals defense is third in the NFL against the rush, allowing 88.6 yards a game on the ground.

“I feel like Colt’s coming into his own,” Cribbs said. “Coach has opened up the playbook for him a little bit and allowed him to spread the ball around to different receivers, and Colt loves it. He’s fitting well into the system, and it’s kind of getting to the point to where he knows what the coaches want to see, the looks they want and the guys they want to have the ball.”

Running back Montario Hardesty, who missed the last three games with a calf injury, is expected to return to the lineup for the Browns. He’ll split carries with Chris Ogbonnaya, who rushed for 115 yards last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Browns have had trouble moving the ball consistently on the ground. It won’t be easy against a defense that plays an aggressive style against the run.

“They’ve got some outstanding players,” Shurmur said. “They’re a very good defense for a reason. Their scheme is outstanding, they’re very solid against the run, they make a commitment to stop the run and then when they know you’re going to pass it they try to get pressure on the quarterback.

“To me that makes for a good defense. When they get matched up one-on-one, whether it’s the rusher on the blocker or the cover man on the receiver, they can hold their own.”

It will be important for the Browns to shore up their defensive holes against the run. The defense is allowing 139.3 rushing yards a game, which should open the eyes of Bengals running back Cedric Benson. Benson has 634 yards and four touchdowns on 167 carries. Bernard Scott has added 263 yards on 74 carries.

“They’re both different styles of runner,” Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said. “You’ve got Benson, who’s more of an inside-the-tackles type of guy. The other guy is more of a bounce out. He gets to the edges type of guy. It gives you a lot to prepare for.

“They’re both really good at what they do. This is a team that’s committed to running the ball, so it’s no different than any other division game. We’ve just got to be ready for 30-35 carries on the ground. That’s just the way it’s been for us.”

The most important thing for the Browns is making sure to get out of the defensive huddle on time.

mmclain@tribtoday.com

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CINCINNATI, Ohio — Browns coach Pat Shurmur has challenged quarterback Colt McCoy to carry his team through the AFC North gantlet that begins Sunday against the 6-4 Bengals.

“I’m looking for him to lead the charge in terms of ‘show improvement and win the game’ and I think that’s what we’re looking for as we go forward,” said Shurmur. “The way I look at it, we’re 4-6 and we’re trying to win this game as we push into the second half of this season. Hopefully we get on a roll here and then we can do something beyond January 1. We’re putting all our efforts into beating the Bengals and Colt is no different.”

The Browns have given McCoy this season to prove that he can be the quarterback of the future — and what a better way to do that than against five AFC North foes in the next six games, including three in 12 days.

“We’re going to find out how good we are because we know how competitive our division is,” said Shurmur. “In the next few weeks, we’re going to find out where we’re at.”

Fortunately for McCoy, the running game missing most of the season is showing signs of rebounding. Montario Hardesty will return after missing three games with a torn calf muscle and Peyton Hillis expects to play after missing five games with a pulled hamstring. In addition, Chris Ogbonnaya is coming off back-to-back games of 90 and 115 rushing yards.

The trio will try to rock the Bengals’ third-ranked run defense.

“It helps when you can run the football,” said McCoy, who’s probable with a sore right shoulder. “The defense has to respect that. Then all of a sudden you get some gimme throws here and there and you get in a rhythm.”

The Browns have gotten better in recent weeks at protecting McCoy and picking up the blitz. Rookie left guard Jason Pinkston is improving each game and Ogbonnaya, who will serve as the third-down back vs. the Bengals, is strong in blitz pickup. They’ll need to be on point against an aggressive Cincinnati defense, one that’s 10th in the NFL with 26 sacks. The Bengals are on pace for 42, which would be the most in coach Marvin Lewis’ nine seasons.

“Cincinnati has a really good defense,” said McCoy. “They do a lot of different things. They come after you, they play a lot of different coverages behind their pressures. I really have to do a good job myself of having my eyes right, knowing where the traps are, knowing where the coverages are going to be because it’s never the same. They’re very well-coached and they’re always in the right spot and they’ve gotten home a lot.”

Thanks in no small part to the running game, McCoy has played much better the past two weeks, completing 72.5 percent of his passes.

“Things are coming together for us a little bit,” said McCoy. “Everyone is becoming a little bit more comfortable. We’re doing some things better, we’re getting lined up better, we’re running routes better, we’re running the football a little better and when you put all those together it allows you to feel more comfortable out there. The last two games I felt like the receivers have especially done a good job. They’re starting to not think about things and play fast.”

Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has received high praise for the Bengals’ 6-4 record this season, as McCoy has taken heat for the Browns’ 4-6 mark. But their stats are very similar:

• McCoy is completing 59.6 percent of his passes for 21st in the NFL and Dalton is completing 59.3 percent for 23rd.

• McCoy has passed for 2,181 yards for 20th in the NFL and Dalton has passed for 2,239 for 18th.

• McCoy’s rating is 79.2 for 22nd in the NFL and Dalton’s is 79.6 for 21st.

• McCoy has thrown 11 TDs and seven INTs and Dalton has thrown 15 TDs and 12 interceptions.

The major difference is that Dalton’s No. 1 receiver, rookie A.J. Green, has caught six TD passes and McCoy’s, Greg Little, has yet to catch one.

“[Dalton's] probably about where they thought he’d be,” said Shurmur. “He’s doing a very good job. They’re doing what fits for their team. They’re very good at running the football, they’re very physical up front, they’ve got some outstanding playmakers and they’ve got a young quarterback they’re developing. They keep him out of harm’s way in some ways because they can run the football and they don’t ask him to do a lot of very heroic things. But you can see his playmaking abilities show up in the stuff they’re asking him to do and I think that’s a credit to them.”

The Browns contend their record could just as easily be 6-4 as well.

“Yeah, I mean, you think of two plays,” said left tackle Joe Thomas. “The first game of the season against Cincinnati, if they don’t throw that touchdown pass before we line up, we may win that game. Take one from them, give it to us. If we get the field goal two weeks ago, we’re 6-4 and they’re 5-5. I’m sure every team in the NFL can say that. We’re right there and we feel like we’re making the right progress.”

In addition to a full complement of running backs, McCoy also has receiver Mohamed Massaquoi back and is developing timing with his other receivers. Cribbs has caught three TD passes in four games and leads the team with four.

“Colt is coming into his own,” said Cribbs. “They’ve opened up the playbook for him a little bit and allowed him to spread the ball around to different receivers and Colt loves it. He’s fitting well in the system, he knows what the coaches want and who they want to catch the ball. All of these division games are a great chance for him to prove what he can do.”

Sitting out: Defensive end Jayme Mitchell has been ruled out with his ankle injury.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

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