The Browns' grudge games against familiar coaching staffs and family have passed, and the ruse of Colt McCoy possibly returning to the bench no longer garners much attention.
With storylines evaporated, the media posse aimed cameras and recorders at Eric Wright on Wednesday. And in what amounted to an inquisition in the center of the team's locker room, the cornerback commonly referred to as "embattled" stood his ground.
"I think I obviously haven't had the year I expected to have," Wright said. "After going through a whole season pretty much playing press-man [coverage] with no help and giving up limited production -- I think maybe I gave up two touchdowns last year -- to have a year like that and to come back and give up a lot more production this early in the year for me has been disappointing.
"Obviously, I have a responsibility to this team to be a certain player and I've let my team down time and time again. Obviously, I have to play better. Until I can look in one of these guys' eyes and they say I don't believe in me anymore, I'm good. That hasn't happened yet. I'm gonna keep pushing."
Cornerbacks play on an island with the receiver they cover. It's a lonely place on game days, especially when it ends with Santonio Holmes catching a five-yard pass on a quick slant and running past you and two others for the game-winning score.
Then the player has to relive it with coaches and teammates in film review on Monday. By Wednesday, the player is looking to turn the page. But for Wright, that luxury was lost when he was beat for three touchdowns in Baltimore in Game 3.
"The Baltimore game obviously opened the floodgates to us having this type of discussion," Wright said. "It's the worst game I've ever played in my career."
Since that game, Wright has worn a target on his back. He doesn't believe quarterbacks have thrown more at him, but it appears that way. What Wright is sure about, however, is that he currently has a Q factor close to that of Braylon Edwards in Cleveland.
