BEREA — Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan loves Browns fans. He just isn’t a big fan of the idea to keep Cleveland Browns Stadium empty for the start of the Monday night game against the Ravens on Nov. 16.

Two longtime season-ticket holders are trying to organize a boycott — the fans would take their seats after kickoff — to show their displeasure with the organization.

“I saw something they’re not going to show up. B.S., this is Cleveland,” Ryan said Friday. “They’re going to show up and back this (darn) team. They’re a bunch of football people who love the game, that love our sport. This is the Cleveland fans, they sit through snowstorms, all kinds of crap.”

Ryan, who always knows what’s been written about the team, said he had seen the story about the protest.

“Yeah, it (ticks) me off, because the bottom line is this is the Cleveland Browns,” he said. “This is a town that’s tough and loves football. Nobody’s happy. I hate me, too. So they hate me, too. Doesn’t mean you turn your back.

“I’ve got a kid who flunked a class one time, (ticked) me off. I don’t turn my back on him, I go get him a tutor and help him. Now he’s a straight-A student — as far as you know.”

The fans behind the late arrival are Mike Randall of Massillon and Tony Schafer of Sandusky, aka “Dawg Pound Mike” and “Mobile Dawg.”

“I’m a huge fan and I love the organization, but something needs to be done,” Randall told the Akron Beacon Journal. “It’s nothing negative, just letting the organization know we support the team, but we do not support what’s going on right now.”

Dawson back?

Kicker Phil Dawson, who’s missed the last five games with a strained calf, practiced fully Friday and was listed as probable on the injury report. That means it’s a “virtual certainty he’ll be available for normal duty.”

“No one will be more excited than I will be if I get the green light,” he said. “I just want to play again. This sitting around watching is for the birds. To get a chance to be out there with my teammates is what I’m hoping to get accomplished.”

Dawson wouldn’t say if his right leg’s 100 percent. He said it didn’t matter.

Billy Cundiff is 6-for-6 on field goals with a long of 31 in Dawson’s place. He could be released today or kept around for insurance. There’s also a chance he could kick off and let Dawson kick field goals.

Under pressure

First-time coordinator Brian Daboll’s offense is 30th in scoring (10.3 points), 31st in yards (225.4), 25th rushing (97.1) and 31st passing (128.3). Three offensive coordinators were fired before the season, but Daboll, who’s calling plays for the first time, said that’s not on his mind.

“I put pressure on myself regardless of any of that information,” he said. “It’s a pressure job, whether you’re coordinator, head coach, position coach. We’re committed to winning here.”

Daboll said the commitment starts with owner Randy Lerner and flows through general manager George Kokinis, coach Eric Mangini and the assistants to the players.

“I assure you we’re working our tails off to get this thing moving in the right direction,” Daboll said.

Wildcat regret

Daboll called just one play using Joshua Cribbs in the Wildcat formation Sunday in a 31-3 loss to the Packers. Cribbs was stopped for a yard gain, and Daboll admitted he got away from the Wildcat too quickly.

“Even if the defense gives you a good look the one time, you got to give him another chance, another couple chances,” Daboll said. “He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands.

“It’s a package we’ll just continue to work on. We work on it every week.”

Cribbs ran 13 plays at quarterback the week before.

Jamal’s chin still up

Running back Jamal Lewis turned 30 in August and is in his 10th season in the NFL. He knows his career won’t last forever and was hoping for another shot at the playoffs, not a 1-6 start.

“Nobody signs up to go out and lose games, but I’m an older player, my job is to help a lot of these young guys so hopefully next year or the year after it’s a different tune,” he said.

Lewis, who missed two games early in the year with a hamstring injury, has 280 rushing yards, a 3.4 average and no touchdowns. He was asked if he feels pressure to help jump-start the offense.

“You want to, but the ball is not in my hands,” he said. “There’s nothing I can really do.

“I’m happy to be here and just do my job. I just want to work and bring everybody together and bring it to the field on Sunday.”

Extra points

Three of the Browns’ four tight ends were listed as questionable on the injury report.

Robert Royal (hamstring), Steve Heiden (knee) and Greg Estandia (knee) were limited in practice Friday. Michael Gaines, who was signed last week, is the only healthy tight end.

Lineman Hank Fraley could once again see playing time at tight end.

* Rookie linebacker Kaluka Maiava was fined $5,000 by the league for unnecessary roughness against Packers receiver Greg Jennings.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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