Browns finally getting national mention

The Browns were a topic of conversation on NBC's ''Football Night in America'' after Sunday's 34-14 upset of the New England Patriots.

Former Patriot Rodney Harrison predicted how angry Patriots coach Bill Belichick would be today.

''Put it like this, I wouldn’t have my kids in that room, not in that meeting room tomorrow,'' Harrison said. ''That’s really what Bill Belichick's frustration is. The fact that they just got manhandled both offensively and defensively. It starts on the offensive and defensive line.''

Running back Peyton Hillis drew kudos from Harrison, former Colts coach Tony Dungy and Dan Patrick. Harrison called Hillis ''a beast,'' while Patrick said Hillis ''looks like Touchdown Tommy Vardell with the touchdowns.''

Dungy said Hillis was ''the best player on the field today.''

Watching the tape of Belichick's post-game handshake with Mangini, Harrison said, ''Somewhere in there, Mangini and Belichick exchanging recipes.''

c. Cleveland defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin (bet you didn't know Ahtyba) beating a Pro Bowl-caliber guard, Stephen Neal, for a sack of Tom Brady.

On the NFL Network's wrapup show, former coach Steve Mariucci and former receiver Michael Irvin praised rookie quarterback Colt McCoy.

''In three starts, he looks like the real deal,'' Mariucci said.

''You love to see a young guy like Colt McCoy,'' Irvin said. "He won a lot in college and everybody said ‘Can he win in the NFL?’ The answer is yes. He’s answering that for everybody.”

As for how the Browns won, Irvin said, “You pound that defensive line and you keep Tom Brady on the sideline – that’s how you make a difference and beat this team.”

Sports Illustrated's Peter King is also giving the Browns some love. In his ''10 things I think,'' King lauded Ahtyba Rubin for beating Patriots' All-Pro guard Stephen Neal for his first pro sack Sunday. King also selected center Alex Mack for his mid-season All-Pro team, which included both conferences. King called Mack ''a franchise player.''

In Cleveland Monday, fans were riding a high almost unprecendented since the franchise returned in 1999.  The Browns may be one victory away from ''Bernie, Bernie'' II. Song-writers in the Rock and Roll capital may already be hard at work.