Well, week one of the 2005 season is filed in the annals of Browns history.

Romeo Crennel has lost his virginity, and he now knows what it feels like to be a head coach of an NFL team. After the Bengals' 27-13 pasting of the best 53 guys RAC could come up with, he also knows what it feels like to be the coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Offense: "Here we go, making progress, gaining yardage, whoops! Okay, can't let that get us down, moving the ball, got a few first downs, whoops!"

The Browns offense was stopped or stolen on every possession other than a pair of nervous field goals from Dawson, and a lone 68 yard TD from Dilfer to 4th on the chart wideout Frisman Jackson.

RB Lee Suggs was out with an ankle injury (shocker!) so the well deserved nod went to Reuben Droughns who carried the ball 12 times for 78 yards including a 24 yard run on the first play of the game. If he had carried the ball 20+ times, this might be a different story.

The Browns passing game looked suspect at best, with Dilfer going 26 for 43 with 278 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, a fumble and at least two more that should have been picked.

Jackson, in his recycled Bernie Kosar jersey was the only sign of life in an otherwise lackluster Browns receiving corp., he made 8 catches for 128 yards. Antonio Bryant got 5 for 65, and Braylon Edwards who had just slightly more playing time than I did had two catches for 16 yards.

O.C. Maurice Carthon pulled out 154 strands of hair and aged 3 years.

Defense: Okay, a first down is typically acheived when a team progresses 10 yards within four tries. So I fail to see the strategy in playing off the primary receiver and allowing him 7 or 8 yards on every pass.

Carson "I finally get it" Palmer finished 26 for 34 with 280 yards, two 6 pointers and a pick. Chad Johnson kept his mouth shut and himself open, snagging 9 for 91, and T.J. Houshmanzadadadeh had 5 catches for 75 yards.

How did we handle the run? Rudi Johnson had 126 of Cincy's 148 total rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Awesome, right?

The highlight of the Crennel/Grantham D came when, thanks to some much needed takeaways, the Browns held the Bengals scoreless in the 4th quarter. 9 seconds after Dilfer threw his second interception, LB Chaun Thompson sacked Palmer and forced a fumble that was quickly scooped up by Orlando Ruff.

Cornerback Leigh Bodden intercepted two passes in the game. One for a score that was called back on an unrelated penalty in the 3rd quarter (Thanks, Ray Mickens!), and another in Cincinnati's end zone that kept it a two possession game with 5:24 left in the game.

Special Teams: Not the worst I've ever seen, not the best either. Cleveland's Josh Cribbs, the former Kent State Quarterback who impressed coaches with his spectacular special teams play in the preseason received the first kickoff. He fumbled the ball, managed to pick it back up and then was taken out of the game by the ensuing tackle (strained MCL).

In Cribbs' absence, Romeo threw his starting HB Reuben Droughns to the tigers to receive the subsequent kickoffs. Droughns did suprisingly well, netting 119 yards in 5 attempts. Let's just not see him back there next week

Dennis Northcutt returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. But in typical Cleveland form, it was brought back on an illegal block by Corey McIntyre who should be sterilized.

On the other end of the kick, the good guys kicked off four times, and gave up 108 yards including a 50 yarder by Tab Perry in the 4th.

Final Score: We lose. Now here's injuries!

Matt Stewart and Josh Cribbs both screwed up a knee, and they're listed as David Ortiz trying to steal third (out). Orpheus Roye has the same injury as Cribbs, but apparently he's tougher, Roye is listed as "questionable".

The thin get thinner at Tight End, Steve Heiden has a neck stinger, but is listed as probable. TE Aaron Shea has a big Q next to his name, as do CB Gary Baxter and RB Lee Suggs, who both practiced on Wednesday. CB Leigh Bodden sat out practice with a groin pull.

Next week: Browns at Green Bay. Sin city says we lose by 6-1/2.