The Browns were a solemn bunch as they dressed and packed their belongings before departing from Houston, but there was a clear focus after Hue Jackson delivered his post-game message.
It certainly resonated with a group that went through a trying, 1-15 season last year and, as it sits with an 0-6 record, desperately doesn't want to relive anything close to it.
"Coach Hue brought everyone up and said we're backed up in a corner and he's going to come out swinging for us and we got to have his back and we'll have his," linebacker Joe Schobert said. "We've just got to come back next week and defend Cleveland against the Titans. It sucks to start the season 0-6 as a competitor, you don't want to be in this situation. You have to rise up to the challenge. There's adversity for a reason and we're facing it right now."
Turnovers and red zone defense have been two of a handful of troublespots for a Browns team that has only held a lead in one game this season. The Browns were locked in a 3-3 tie with the Texans before a big pass play and pick-six set in motion 30 unanswered Houston points. It marked the second time in two weeks Cleveland trailed by such a wide margin.
As veteran Jamar Taylor said after the game, the players "put in way too much hard work throughout the week to come in and lose" in that fashion.
"When you asked us earlier in the year if we'd be 0-6, I would have told you heck no," Taylor said. "We know where we're at right now, but are guys going to step up and battle or are we going to put our heads down and let it be the same thing? We're going to see how everyone is as a person. We just want people that are going to battle with us."
Players filed in and out of the Browns facility in Berea on Monday as they reviewed film and quickly moved on to Tennessee in what will be their seventh game in as many weeks. Cleveland's roster is relatively healthy after the group dealt with a slew of injuries during the first month of the season.
It's a group that is heavy on youth but light on excuses. This isn't where they wanted to be, and they're unanimous in saying every effort is being made to ensure next Sunday and beyond won't look like this past one.
"You've got to come back to work this week and you've got to do more," tight end Seth DeValve said. "You've got to prepare more, you've got to watch more film, you've got to be more detailed on your assignments. You've got to grow as a player. You've got to see what you did well, see what you didn't do well, see what you can do better. You've got to keep moving forward, you've got to keep growing and keep headed in the right direction.
"Eventually that stuff will make us a good football team."
