Observed and heard in the locker room after the Cleveland Browns' 17-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers:
Taking lumps: Karlos Dansby was asked after the game if the change in quarterbacks to Johnny Manziel had any kind of negative effect on the team. His response: "It’s what the coach decided to do, the organization decided to do. Once they made that move, we have to ride with it. Got to take our lumps in the process."
Speechless: Five weeks into a serious rut for the offense, wide receiver Andrew Hawkins still can’t quite figure out what’s changed with the offense (11.7 points per game during this four-game losing streak). The quarterback switch isn’t an excuse, Hawkins said, because the offense has to produce regardless. “Honestly, I can’t [explain it],” Hawkins said. “It’s a combination of things.”
Still optimism: Brian Hoyer points out the Browns still have a chance to finish 8-8. The franchise hasn't avoided a sub-.500 season since 2007. “The guys in that locker room, we’ve worked so hard and have to go out and finish this strong," Hoyer said.
Youth emerging: How about a shout-out for rookie Pierre Desir, who two weeks ago hadn’t logged one defensive snap. Against Carolina, because of injuries in the Browns' backfield, he played the entire game and acquitted himself well against Kelvin Benjamin, who finished with five catches for 47 yards. “It was a good matchup and I had fun out there,” Desir said.
Quote of note: “I’m laying on the ground just wondering if he’s gonna make it in.” –Hoyer, who got knocked to the ground on his 81-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Jordan Cameron.
Handoff that didn’t count: Defensive tackle Billy Winn said he protected the ball, rolled over and was “looking for a guy to give [the ball] to” on his interception that safety Jordan Poyer scooped up and ran back. A touchdown was overturned because Winn was declared down. “Obviously I’m not going to get up and run it in, so I was looking for a fast guy to give it to,” Winn said.
