BEREA — Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has watched the final play of the Browns’ 23-20 overtime loss to Cincinnati many times since Sunday. And he still comes away with the same impression.
“You mean the missed field goal? Did I say that out loud?” Ryan said Friday. “I’m not saying anything, but man, maybe the posts were crooked. Somebody look at it and research it.”
The colorful coach echoed the thoughts of many Cleveland fans, who insisted that Shayne Graham’s 31-yard attempt actually went wide right with four seconds left in OT.
Ditto for a handful of Browns players, including cornerbacks Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright, who immediately signaled “no good” from their position in the Bengals’ backfield.
None of those opinions mattered, though, because the on-field officials called the field goal good — and replay official Dick Creed was not permitted to review it, as per NFL rules.
“I don’t want to get fined. I don’t want to make this a big story,” Ryan said. “I was disappointed. I thought he missed.
“To lose that game, it just wasn’t right.”
McDonald also insisted the kick was unsuccessful, saying, “From my angle, I thought for sure that he missed it. It didn’t look like it went through, but at the same time, we can’t control the call they made. It’s over now.”
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello refuted the Browns’ claims in a statement, saying, “The field judge standing right underneath the upright called it good, and we have reviewed multiple video from different angles and seen nothing to dispute the call.”
The son of longtime NFL coach Buddy Ryan also claimed that Cincinnati blatantly held Kamerion Wimbley on its game-tying touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Chad Ochocinco, then took a thinly veiled shot at Bills quarterback Trent Edwards.
Cleveland plays at Buffalo on Sunday afternoon — giving Ryan a personal rematch from 2008 when Edwards rallied the Bills for 17 fourth-quarter points in a 24-23 win over Oakland.
“He’s no Carson Palmer, that’s for sure,” said Ryan, who was the Raiders’ defensive coordinator last season.
He subsequently revealed that Edwards made derogatory comments about his defense following the game and was looking for payback
“This guy always seems to have a lot to say, so I’m going to say the same thing,” Ryan said. “Let’s go. Let’s get it on, see what he’s all about this week.”
Still speaking
New Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards told New York’s WEPN-AM 1050 that the situation in Cleveland was to blame for his perceived failures.
“The Browns have been a bad team for 10 out of the 12 seasons since they’ve been back, it just wasn’t good,” said Edwards, who was dealt to New York earlier in the week. “I feel as though there was some extra scrutiny that was unwarranted.”
The 2007 Pro Bowler also said he has no beef with Cavaliers superstar LeBron James, despite getting into an altercation with one of the King’s friends Sunday at a nightclub.
“I did make a joke because here we are in Cleveland, he goes to a Cleveland Indians game, and you wear a Yankees cap,” Edwards said. “The Cleveland fans ridiculed LeBron for that, I simply cracked a joke about it. You come to a Cleveland Browns game for the first time and you sit on the Dallas Cowboys sideline and you wear a Dallas Cowboys jersey or hat or whatever it was. (My comments) had nothing to do with him as a person or jealousy.”
* A league spokesman said Edwards was not fined for throwing a punch at a Cincinnati player during his Browns swansong.
Injury update
The Browns listed starting inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson (hamstring) and kicker Phil Dawson (right calf) as doubtful for the Buffalo game. Billy Cundiff will again replace Dawson in the lineup, while little used rookies Kaluka Maiava and David Veikune figure to take Jackson’s spot if he can’t go.
“Those guys know more than they even think they know, so trust me, they’ll be OK if they have to step in,” Jackson said.
Cornerback Mike Adams (groin), running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), and guards Rex Hadnot (knee) and Floyd Womack (ankle) were limited in practice and are questionable.
* The Bills declared defensive end Chris Ellis (personal), linebacker Paul Posluszny (forearm) and safeties Bryan Scott (ankle) and Donte Whitner (thumb) out.
Father knows best
Mangini revealed that his demand for discipline also applies at home, citing several humorous incidents with his son Luke.
“Luke sometimes won’t come to the phone when he thinks he’s in trouble,” the coach said. “I remember once (when he was 1), he didn’t want to go for a nap. I had to put him down 13 times in a row. Put him down, he’d sit up. Put him down, he’d sit up.
“Finally I talked to him a little bit, ‘I’m not going anywhere. You’re going down for this nap. I’m not leaving.’ He finally laid down and gave me one of those looks like, ‘All right, get out.’ Luke is very strong willed, but I’m strong willed, too.”
Extra point
The Browns’ 23-20 overtime loss to the Bengals was the most-viewed television program in Greater Cleveland last week, drawing a 28.1 rating and 56 share — both season-high numbers. The same telecast drew a 34.6 rating and 61 share in Cincinnati.
Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com.

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