The Rams are widely regarded as the NFL’s worst team. They are 0-7, having been outscored 211-60 this season.

By losing 34 times in 39 games, they are moving into contention for Worst NFL Team Ever status — which is quite an accomplishment for a team that went to two Super Bowls earlier this decade.

But the Cleveland Browns are in the hunt as well. They are 1-6 this season and just 55-113 since being reborn as an expansion team 10 years ago.

This season their defense ranks dead last in the NFL. They have scored just four touchdowns in their last 81 possession.

The Browns felt compelled to unload cornerstone receiver Braylon Edwards and critics wonder if coach Eric Mangini has already lost his players.

In Cleveland’s sole victory, a 6-3 decision over hapless Buffalo, Browns quarterback Derek Anderson completed 2 for 17 passes for 23 yards.

It is no wonder, the Akron Beacon-Journal tells us, that members of the famous Dawg Pound are planning a Nov. 16 protest.

“We’re tired of losing,” Dawg Pound member Mike Randall said. “We’re tired of the booing, of seeing fans leave in the fourth quarter. There are fans who have had tickets for 30 years who are turning their seats in because they can’t take it anymore. So many fans are fed up.”

Randall is asking fans to stay out of their seats for the opening kickoff of the Browns’ Monday night home game against Baltimore.

“We don’t want to see fans with bags on their heads or booing,” Randall said. “We love the Browns and will do anything to support them. But we’re not being heard. Our goal is to say to the Browns’ organization, ‘Hey, listen to your fans.”
MEANWHILE, DOWN IN CINCINNATI

Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco is having a grand time, as we saw from his appearance with gap-toothed philanderer David Letterman.

For the rest of of the Chad’s list, visit the show site.

He had quite a day in New York, apparently.

MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE

Questions to ponder while wondering why the Blues can’t generate any offense during home games:

• And with all these offensive weapons spread over two units, why can’t the Blues rev up their power play?
• Will Pedro Martnez ever live down the Don Zimmer incident?
• Is it a good idea to dress up a minor league hockey team like Michael Jackson?

QUIPS ‘R US

Here is what some of America’s leading sports pundits have been writing:

Gregg Doyel, CBSSports.com: “So McGwire is back, which means steroids are back. Not that steroids ever left the game, but after a series of public outings that included Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa and Manny Ramirez, the last big-name player to be linked to steroids was David Ortiz in late July. That was three months ago, but since then it has been quiet. For three months, steroids have been out of the baseball conversation, if not out of baseball. But now steroids are back. Mark McGwire is back. The two are synonymous, of course. Mark McGwire and steroids are linked together like ‘bowel’ and ‘movement.’ You can’t think of one word without thinking of the other.”

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: “A missing half-ton chain saw carving of former Bills and Dolphins running back Thurman Thomas has turned up safe. Police are trying to decide who needs arresting more: The person who stole it? Or the person who spent untold hours with a chain saw creating a half-ton statue of Thurman Thomas?”

Dan Daly, Washington Times: “The longest golf course in the world just opened in Australia, one that measures over 800 miles and stretches through several towns on the remote southern shore. And let me tell ya, folks, nothing tests a golfer quite like seeing a sign that says, ‘Next Port-O-Let, 62 miles.’”

Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle: ‘One more example of how baseball can do no wrong, financially, no matter how hard it tries to bumble: The Mets actually made a $47-million profit off Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. Maybe the Mets can offer free bleacher seats to people who can prove they had their lives ruined and their souls crushed by Madoff.”

Jayson Stark, ESPN.com: “From the minute he signed his contract, he has always been That Other Yankees Free Agent, an $82.5 million best supporting actor. But not on this night. On this night, it was A.J. Burnett’s turn. And no, not just to pitch. To save the season. As he headed for the mound on a crisp Thursday evening in October, he knew the stakes. CC Sabathia had lost Game 1 of this World Series the night before — a development that conjured up the Yankees’ worst postseason nightmare. And so, on this night, Burnett had no choice. It was time to step outside of Sabathia’s enormous shadow — or else.”

MEGAPHONE

“We still have a lot of football to go. Just clean up some things within ourselves. It’s going to be OK, I promise. Just take my word . . . Just take my word that things are going to get better. I can’t tell you when, but I know they are.”

Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

INBOX

“Your honest opinion at putting David Freese in outfield? We did it with Chris Duncan. This keeps Mark DeRosa at 3rd, for low cost. Take extra money and buy whatever . . .”

Ken West

Hey. its an idea. Freese appears to have a power bat. I would rather try Freese at 3B, though, and guarantee DeRosa his at bats while playing at third base (spelling Freese), second base (against lefty starters) and the outfield.

Elsewhere on STLToday.

Hockey Guy noted how the Blues are moving closer to full strength while injuries are decimating some of their NHL rivals.

The Blues illustrated their high talent level while winning at Carolina. But can they harness that talent on a night-to-night basis?