CLEVELAND - Miami Dolphins receiver Marty Booker stared straight ahead as if in a trance for several minutes in a somber post-game locker room.
Booker waved off reporters. Words couldn't describe another loss, but as part of an improving offense, Booker had nothing to be ashamed of.
For what seems like every game in this disastrous season, it was the Dolphins' once-vaunted defense that has had to shoulder the burden of yet another humbling defeat, this time a 41-31 loss to the Cleveland Browns on a crisp Sunday afternoon.
The Dolphins fell to 0-6, matching their worst start in franchise history previously attained in 2004. Including the final three games of the 2006 season, the Dolphins have lost nine in a row, surpassing the franchise's previous longest losing streak of eight back in 1967.
"We're all in this together. This is bad. We're the Miami Dolphins ," Booker finally said after coming out of his somber state. "It's not as if the defense travels and we don't. So, no, it doesn't make me feel any better."
The 0-6 start by Dolphins first-year coach Cam Cameron is the worst start by a first-year Dolphins coach, surpassing the 0-5 start of George Wilson in the inaugural season of 1966. The St. Louis Rams are also 0-6, and the 0-4 Saints don't play until tonight.
"I don't feel bad for myself. I don't feel bad for our coaching staff. Our players know not to feel sorry for ourselves," Cameron said. "I feel sorry for Wayne Huizenga, our owner. I feel for our former players and our fans."
In just his second NFL start, Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon shook off a jittery start to put up solid numbers as he threw two touchdown passes to tight end David Martin and ran for his first two touchdowns of his four-year career.
Running back Ronnie Brown turned in his fourth consecutive 100-plus yard rushing performance (19 for 101), becoming the second Dolphins tailback to accomplish the feat. Suspended running back Ricky Williams had five in a row in the 2002 season.
Lemon, who began the game 3 of 12 for 27 yards, finished 24 of 43 for 256 yards with two picks and a 69.5 passer rating. He capped off his second consecutive long scoring drive in the third quarter with a 1-yard quarterback keeper to slice a 21-point deficit to 27-24 with 2:50 left.
Lemon and Brown basically kept their defense off the field for 10:44 of the quarter. The defense allowed the Browns to convert 4 of 5 third-downs in the fourth quarter and 8 of 12 overall to pad their league-worst percentage (53.8).
Browns second-year quarterback Derek Anderson, who has kept rookie quarterback Brady Quinn nailed to the bench, calmly led consecutive 66- and 67-yard yard fourth-quarter touchdown drives, both capped off by short scoring passes to blossoming receiver Braylon Edwards, who had five catches for 67 yards and a career-best three touchdowns.
The Dolphins allowed a season-high 41 points, and their imperfect season continues with the formidable New England Patriots up next
