With the Browns, it always can get worse

There were moments, after watching Dillon Gabriel play quarterback for the Browns over the last few weeks, when it was easy to pine for a different player.Gabriel had started five straight games, and Cleveland's offense – as it had when Joe Flacco was playing – looked awful.After last Sunday, when Gabriel threw two touchdown passes but otherwise looked overmatched in a loss against the lowly New York Jets, there was a familiar refrain:It can't get much worse.But with the Cleveland Browns, I've found one thing to be true, over and over again.It can always get worse.Yes, the Browns had another rookie quarterback, Shadeur Sanders, waiting in the wings.It was tempting to give him a shot.But in Cleveland, this has happened before.In 2000, when veteran Doug Pederson was leading a beat up and sorry Browns team at QB, there were calls for Spergon Wynn, a late round pick in that season's draft.Wynn got a late season start in Jacksonville.The Jaguars won, 48-0.In 2014, the Browns started 6-3 with local kid Brian Hoyer at quarterback.But after Hoyer struggled badly and Cleveland lost three of four, then-coach Mike Pettine turned to Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.Manziel made his first start at home against the Bengals.The Browns lost, 30-0.There are other names: Charlie Frye, Kevin Hogan, Cody Kessler.All were given shots to start at quarterback during losing seasons, as their respective coaches essentially tried a desperation pass to the end zone to save their jobs.It usually doesn't work.But perhaps some Browns fans are tempted to think that, maybe, this time will be different.Some rated Sanders as a first-round talent in last year's draft.As it was, the Browns took the former Colorado star – and son of a hall of famer, Deion – in the fifth round.It was a confusing selection, since Cleveland had drafted Gabriel a mere two rounds earlier.And it wasn't like this team – 3-14 last season – could afford to waste picks on backups.Fast-forward to Sunday's game against the Ravens.The Browns came in 2-7. Gabriel was knocked out of the game at halftime.Shadeur Sanders – with the Browns leading the Ravens, 16-10 –entered.Very quickly, it became apparent that what critics had been saying about Sanders was largely correct.He's just not ready yet.Sanders assessed his performance with the type of candor we never hear from his head coach, Kevin Stefanski."I don't think I played good at all," he said.Sanders completed just 4-of-16 passes. He threw a bad interception, and took a critical intentional grounding penalty.He showed some spark late, with the Browns now trailing 23-16. He made a couple key completions, used his legs effectively, and got the team into Ravens territory.He nearly completed a touchdown pass to Gage Larvadain, but the Ravens' Chidobe Awuzie made a fantastic play to break it up.But Sanders couldn't complete the drive, and the Browns lost.Sanders likely will start again next week against the Raiders, since it's unlikely Gabriel will be out of concussion protocol in time to play.As poorly as Sanders played, I want to see more of him.He makes some bad decisions. He tends to run backward against pressure. He's going to have some more bad moments.But, with a week of practice with the first team, he might improve.He has confidence and talent. He does throw a decent ball downfield. But, mostly, the Browns have to see what they have in him. In an upcoming draft where there is no true sure-fire star at quarterback, Cleveland can afford to be patient with Sanders.After all, it can't get (much) worse. PLAYER OF THE GAME: Myles Garrett. Garrett had four sacks Sunday. The most frustrating thing about this season is how well the defense has played. Linemen Mason Graham and Shelby Harris are doing a great job supporting Garrett, who should be Defensive Player of the Year.Linebacker Carson Schwesinger has been awesome, and was again Sunday, with a sack and interception. Defensive back Grant Delpit is playing the best football of his career. And Devin Bush – who returned an interception for the Browns only touchdown against the Ravens – is showing the promise the Steelers saw when they made him a first-round draft pick.But Garrett...all I can say is, enjoy watching him.He's special. NEXT WEEK: The Browns travel to Las Vegas to play the Raiders.Las Vegas is 2-7 entering Monday night's game with the Cowboys.I have no idea what to expect from the Browns.But I know better than to pick them. MY PICK: Raiders 24, Browns 20.