Receivers testing fans' patience

There may be no quick fixes for the Browns' rebuilding project going on in Berea. But the Patriots' trade of receiver Randy Moss to the Vikings had to bother fans upset over the state of the Browns' passing game.

Browns coach Eric Mangini has spent his time in Cleveland cleaning out the locker room of bad apples like Moss, who had soured on his contract situation with New England. So it's easy to see why he would want nothing to do with Moss.

Mangini said Wednesday that the Browns made no inquiries into the availability of Moss. ''Not that I'm aware of,'' he said.

What makes the situation so frustrating to Cleveland fans is that Minnesota gave up a third-round pick in 2011 for Moss. While the Browns were trading for Minnesota defensive end Jayme Mitchell, surrendering an undisclosed pick in 2012, the Vikings were obtaining another weapon for quarterback Brett Favre.

The Browns' top four receivers -- Joshua Cribbs (12 catches for 167 yards), Chansi Stuckey (10-97),  Mohamed Massaquoi (4-60) and Brian Robiskie (2-18) have totalled 28 catches, two for touchdowns (one each by Cribbs and Massaquoi). That doesn't equal the production of Atlanta Pro Bowler Roddy White (32-362-2).

The Browns' loyalty to Massaquoi and Robiskie is admirable. But GM Tom Heckert should still be putting out trade feelers before the NFL's Oct. 19 deadline.