By Lynn Saternow

Herald Sports Editor

YOU KNOW YOUR team has reached a sad point when the owner has to help buy up tickets so a Monday Night game isn’t blacked out.

The Browns, ESPN, Bud Light and WJW-TV reportedly bought up enough tickets so the game could be televised. The tickets will be distributed to local organizations and the USO.

Giving tickets to the USO to be dispensed to troops stirred my Steelers-fan sister-in-law Pauline to comment: “Haven’t they been tortured enough?”

Of course in giving out the tickets, the people may be required to be in their seats when the game starts. A movement is on amongst fans to stay out of their seats when the game opens to make a statement.

I think 1-7 makes a statement. I think the fact that the Browns dumped their GM already makes a statement. I think the fact that players are complaining about how coach Eric Mangini runs the team makes a statement.

That statement is: Get rid of Morongini now.

At least Brady Quinn is back at quarterback. Derek Anderson is bad, but really not as bad as it appears. Known as D.A., he was D.O.A. because besides his ineptness, when you have little blocking and receivers that can’t get open or catch the ball, it doesn’t help.

Maybe Quinn will bring some hope to Browns fans. Not that they will win many games, but he may provide a bright spot for the future.

Cleveland won’t get embarrassed by the Ravens Monday night, but they will lose, 20-16.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a must-win situation when they take on Cincinnati today. The Bengals already beat Pittsburgh once, so to lose to a team twice in your division makes it tough to reach the playoffs.

Because of the lack of parity in the league this year, even wild-card teams may need 11 victories.

The Bengals are for real after several years of futility. Carson Palmer is healthy and having a Pro-Bowl kind of year. Even Ocho Stinko is keeping his mouth shut most of the time.