BEREA — The Indianapolis Colts prevented the Browns from making the playoffs by losing the final NFL game of 2007, but both teams downplayed the revenge factor for their game on Sunday afternoon.
“In this league, you can’t depend on another team to help you out, so we don’t blame them for what happened last year,” Cleveland cornerback Brandon McDonald said Wednesday. “We had an opportunity (to clinch a postseason spot) the week before in Cincinnati, but we couldn’t get it done.
“There is no one to blame but ourselves for us not getting in.”
The Browns would have advanced to the playoffs in Week 17 if the Colts had beaten Tennessee at home, however, Indianapolis had no incentive to do so because it was already locked into its postseason position.
Predictably, the Colts began pulling their starters in the second quarter, allowing the Titans’ first-stringers to score nine unanswered points and win 16-10. Indianapolis quarterback Jim Sorgi — spelling superstar Peyton Manning — was particularly onerous, going 11-for-24 for 68 yards while sabotaging each Colts comeback attempt.
Tennessee made the postseason via a tiebreaker over the Browns, who were left at home despite winning 10 games.
“I don’t know if that will have much impact because it’s certainly a different year,” Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy said. “It’s always pretty rowdy to play in Cleveland and I can’t imagine we’ll be well received Sunday, no matter how things go.”
Browns center Hank Fraley also said the Colts shouldn’t expect any hard feelings on the field, though he admitted some fans might not roll out the welcome mat. He added that he had no problem with Dungy resting his best players, having gotten some late-season time off himself while playing with the Eagles.
“I loved the last two games of seasons when I didn’t play much because we were in the same position,” said Fraley, who made four straight trips to the playoffs with Philadelphia. “The Colts earned the right to sit some guys.
“We blew it by losing that Cincinnati game, so there’s not really any reason to blame the Colts.”
Injury update
Tight end Darnell Dinkins (high left ankle sprain) has been declared out for this week after being hurt Sunday in Cleveland’s 16-6 home loss to Houston. Eight other Browns are ailing, but coach Romeo Crennel said all of them are expected to play against Indianapolis.
Fullbacks Lawrence Vickers (high ankle sprain) and Charles Ali (broken rib), safety Sean Jones (ankle), nose tackle Shaun Rogers (shoulder, neck), defensive tackles Corey Williams (foot) and Shaun Smith (calf), tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. (shoulder) and running back Jerome Harrison (hamstring) either sat out practice or were limited, but should be back on the field by Friday. Quarterback Brady Quinn (broken left pointer finger) has not been placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Unable to practice for Indianapolis were cornerbacks Bob Sanders (knee), Antoine Bethea (ankle) and Melvin Bulitt (rib), linebackers Gary Brackett (hamstring) and Tyjuan Hagler (knee), center Jeff Saturday (calf) and tackle Tony Ugoh (quadriceps).
Revolving roster
Rookie linebacker Titus Brown was promoted from the Browns’ practice squad to their active roster, while wide receiver Steve Sanders was released.
Cleveland also added rookie quarterback Richard Bartel to the practice squad. The 6-foot-3,
245-pound Brown has been with Cleveland all year, while the 6-3, 233-pound Bartel spent the entire 2007 season and Week 1 this fall on Dallas’ practice squad. The Tarleton State product also played minor-league baseball in the Cincinnati Reds system.
Crennel said Bartel would not be promoted to the active roster until he becomes acclimated to the team’s offensive system.
Dulik may be reached at (330) 721-4059 or brisports@hotmail.com.

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.