Browns’ Little a lot riled up

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004 | 9:41 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Cleveland Browns safety Earl Little had the entire bye week to accept being dropped from Cleveland's starting lineup and replaced by Chris Crocker.

Obviously, it wasn't nearly enough time.

Using the weekly grading reports he got from Cleveland's secondary coach to prove his point, Little said Monday that the demotion is undeserved and unfair.

"I'm hearing all this junk," Little said. "But the truth is I've been playing good football. The evidence is right here."

With that, Little thumbed through handwritten reports that were given to him by assistant coach Chuck Pagano. Little said they show he hasn't made mental mistakes and verify that he's doing a good job for the Browns.

Davis, who also coached Little at the University of Miami, insists the lineup change has nothing to do with Little's production.

"This is not an Earl Little issue," Davis said after Monday's practice. "This is more about an opportunity Chris Crocker has earned."

Besides being upset with his demotion, Little was bothered by a comment Crocker made last week when he was asked why he moved into the starting lineup.

"I think I might be a little more athletic than Earl," Crocker said.

Little doesn't think so.

"He's more athletic than me?" Little said. "Come on. It ain't even close."

Since being hurt before halftime of Minnesota's game at New Orleans on Oct. 17, Moss has been limited to just 11 snaps over the past 10 quarters. Though he leads the team with eight touchdown catches and his consecutive games streak remains alive at 103, he's gone the last two games without a reception.