DETROIT - The records indicate that the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions are on the same track of ineptitude when they meet today at Ford Field.

Reality is a different thing. There's no hiding the fact that the Browns are a bad 1-8 team. The 1-8 Lions have at least shown signs of building something better in the future.

"I'm not much for perspective and looking back and seeing where you are," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "Every week you're fighting just to get a win. We don't have time to look back and see where we are. We'll try to keep our focus on each Sunday instead of evaluating where we are."

Schwartz was then asked how difficult it is to evaluate rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford when the team isn't very good. Schwartz took exception to the end of the question.

"I wouldn't necessarily agree with your second statement," he said. "We've had some injuries, but we have playmakers and guys that are proven in this league. There was a time when we were healthy in our skilled positions, and we were clicking.

"The last time our running back (Kevin Smith), quarterback and wide receiver (Calvin Johnson) were healthy at the same time was when we beat Washington (in week three). Now they're all just getting back on the field together. We hung 21 points on Chicago in the first half. We haven't been consistent from a standpoint of being on the field."

When healthy, Johnson is far better than any receiver the Browns can put on the field. At 6-5 and 236 pounds, he's a physical mismatch for either cornerback Eric Wright or Brandon McDonald.

The key for the Lions is to give Stafford the time to get the ball into Johnson's hands. Stafford, the first overall pick in the draft, has had normal rookie problems. He's completed 144-of-265 passes for 1,489 yards, six touchdowns and 12 interceptions, but his strong right arm and solid character give Schwartz reason to believe that better times are ahead.

"He's never really presented himself as a rookie, from the time he walked into the facility here after we drafted him," Schwartz said. "He's been smart. He's been on top of things. He's been resilient. He hasn't been discouraged. All those things you want from a quarterback, he's been."

Stafford's struggles don't compare to the problems encountered by Browns quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson. The two have a collective passer rating of 40.4, compared to 90.8 for the opposition. And you wonder why the Browns are 1-8.

Quinn looks confused and jittery in the pocket. It's as if he's not getting help from his teammates (which is often the case), and he doesn't know what to do.

Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll hasn't given up hope that Quinn will improve.

"I have optimism that he can do that," Daboll said. "Again, it's not just Brady Quinn. It's all of us. It's me, it's the line, it's the backs, it's the receivers. It's a collective deal, and if we all start doing better, then he will look better."

Trying to get more overall production from the offense appears to be an insurmountable task. Believe it or not, the offense has gone more than one calendar year without a running back scoring a touchdown or a receiver catching a touchdown pass.

With 78 total points, the offense is on pace to set the franchise record for fewest points in a season (the 2000 team registered 161).

"It's not fun," Daboll said. "We're going out there and working. It's not like we aren't trying. It's not to the point where you're going to be hiding underneath the table. You can't do that."

If the Browns' confidence level is low now, think what it might be like after a lopsided loss to the Lions. Coach Eric Mangini's biggest task might be trying to keep the players motivated to play the final six games.

That won't be easy.

mmclain@tribtoday.com