The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - The Browns ranked dead last at 31st in the league last season in rushing.They had nowhere to go but up, right? Not exactly.

Cleveland has fallen to 32nd in the league this season, thanks to the addition of the expansion Houston Texans.

The Browns are averaging just 75.2 rushing yards per game, have only three touchdowns on the ground and average 3.5 yards per carry.

"Well, it's not something that you set out to do," coach Butch Davis said of the dismal rushing ranking.

Rookie running back William Green, drafted in the first round to carry the Browns rushing load, is averaging just 2.3 yards per run and was relegated to three carries in a backup role last weekend against the New York Jets.

While most teams run the ball to open up the passing game, running back Jamel White, whose 390 rushing yards leads the team, said with the Browns it could be the other way around.

"I think the passing game will start to open the running game. Because they're worried about you passing, they're going to stay in pass defense," White said.

Quarterback Tim Couch was 33-for-49 in Sunday's 24-21 comeback win against the Jets. He said until the running game gets going, short passes are taking its place.

"Some of those throws, I consider them runs," Couch said. "That's the easy way to pick up 5 yards and keep yourself in manageable situations.

"When you complete those short passes, then you can run on second down and it allows you to do different things on third and short."

Guard Barry Stokes, who was signed in the offseason along with tackle Ryan Tucker to improve the Browns offensive line, said the running game just needs to break a few big run plays.

The Browns have only had two carries that went more than 20 yards.

"We have glimpses of great plays, but the bottom line is we just haven't hit them yet. It's just a matter of time," Stokes said.

"That one play that you make for 60 yards ... that changes the whole concept of what people think about your running game."

Guard Paul Zukauskas said they've often been one block away from springing a running back from sprinting downfield.

"It's just a little thing every time that will keep us from getting that big break," he said.

Things won't get easier on Sunday for the Browns against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the fourth best run defense in the league, allowing 88.4 yards per game.

Although for the Browns, who ran for only 42 yards against the Jets' poor run defense, an 88-yard rushing performance would be an improvement.

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