BEREA - Browns coach Romeo Crennel remains unhappy about his team's performance in Thursday night's preseason finale.

He called the team's effort and output ``disturbing'' during a Saturday news conference, but added he wants to forget it.

``I told the players we are going to put it behind us,'' Crennel said. ``That is what we are doing. We are moving forward and I am not even going to mention that game anymore, if you guys (in the media) will let me.''

Pick an adjective to describe the coach's emotions for the way his team sleepwalked through the 20-7 loss to Chicago.

Embarrassed.

Disturbed.

Angry.

All applied, Crennel said.

And Crennel seemed to be the only one who was angry, indicating the Browns were ``distracted'' or they just don't ``get it.''

Crennel has another way to think about it: He is looking on that lack of effort as an aberration, not a trend.

``I don't think (that game) was indicative of the way this team will play,'' he said.

Fans were not pleased. E-mails were received from club-seat holders who left at halftime, though others pointed out that if the Browns beat the New Orleans Saints all will be forgotten.

And that's probably true.

But when the coach agrees the effort was lacking and the performance dismal, it was.

Crennel just does not want the fourth exhibition game -- dismal as it was -- to be a defining game for his team.

So he's going to ignore it.

``I would like to think that games two and three of the preseason are more indicative of what you can expect,'' Crennel said. ``By throwing this game up in their face all of the time, they might start believing it. If they start believing it, I might get another performance like that, and I don't want that.

``It's behind us. We are going to move forward and get better.''

Secondary problems

The Browns face the reality that they will play the Saints with two of their top defensive backs watching from the sideline.

Daylon McCutcheon, who is slated to be the nickel back, is still recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his knee that took place Aug. 1.

It appears very doubtful he will play.

On Friday, safety Brian Russell had an inflamed bursa sac removed from his elbow.

Crennel said Russell will try to practice this week with stitches in his elbow.

``He'll be a game-time decision,'' Crennel said.

Russell should be back for the second game in Cincinnati, but it might be too much to expect him to return for the opener. He is valuable in calling defensive coverages from his free safety spot.

If Russell can't play, Sean Jones and Brodney Pool will both play at safety.

Bet on it

A Web site called bodog.com lists numerous offbeat odds for the Browns for the season. There's the obvious -- 80-1 to win the Super Bowl, 9-1 to win the AFC North -- to go with the not so obvious.

And they indicate the perception of this team nationally.

The over/under for Charlie Frye's passing yardage is 2,625.

Kurt Warner had more last season.

The over/under for:

• Frye's touchdown passes is 13 -- same as Aaron Brooks a year ago.

• Reuben Droughns' rushing yardage is 1,025, 200 less than he had a year ago.

• Droughns' rushing touchdown total is four, which would have tied for 30th last season.

Finally, the over/under for Kellen Winslow's receiving yardage is 525.

Pressing issue

If the NFL didn't think it had a serious problem with human growth hormone, it should now that the Charlotte Observer published a story detailing HGH use by players during the Carolina Panthers' 2003 season.

The paper detailed the prescriptions given to players, when they were used and how they were used.

Several linemen were named, and the question was rightly raised whether the team's Super Bowl appearance was tainted.

If it was that easy for the Panthers to get around the drug-testing system, it's worth wondering how many other players did as well.

Peter King of www.SI.com (and Sports Illustrated) asked new Commissioner Roger Goodell about HGH.

Goodell's response: ``It's an area I haven't had much focus on, but I'll be getting more involved in it.''

Brownies . . .

King, by the way, says the Browns' best-case scenario this season has them going 8-8.... Crennel raised media eyebrows when he said that Matt Stewart would continue to start at outside linebacker ahead of Kamerion Wimbley.... Forbes listed the value of the Browns at $970 million.... Charlie Frye hit his hand on a helmet following a throw Thursday night, but he said he felt fine and Crennel said he had not complained.... It will be interesting to see what happens to Lee Suggs. Will he catch on with another team, stay healthy and gain 1,000 yards, or will the injuries that plagued him in Cleveland continue to short-circuit his career? One GM said that any team that signs him will have injury waivers on five or six body parts.