This one might be difficult to believe, but Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini thinks the team has improved since the last time they faced the Bengals.

That was Week 4, and the Browns might have played their best game of the season in losing, 23-20, in overtime. They're 1-5 since then, with the lone win a 6-3 decision over the Buffalo Bills in a game that did nothing to enhance the image of NFL football.

But if Mangini wants to say that the Browns are better as they prepare for today's rematch with the 7-3 Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, it's his choice. Curious minds want to know if Mangini's line of thinking is being bought in the highest levels of the organization.

"I like to think that we've made a lot of strides in different areas," Mangini said. "It's different because you've taken out some players that had really significant roles. (Linebackers) Eric Barton and D'Qwell played all the snaps inside at that point. Guys have stepped in."

Mangini often uses the word "process" to describe the growing pains the Browns have encountered this year. The problem is that growing pains are for young teams. The Browns have one of the oldest rosters in the NFL based on average age, including 15 players 30 or older.

No one thought Mangini would turn the 4-12 team of last season into a playoff team, but more was expected because of the number of veterans he acquired through trades and free agency. In most cases, additions like offensive tackle John St. Clair, guard Floyd Womack, Barton (before his season-ending injury), defensive end Kenyon Coleman and safety Abram Elam haven't panned out.

The loss to the Bengals in Cleveland might have been the high point of the season. The offensive explosion last week was impressive, but the Detroit Lions were the opponent.

"We didn't win, but I was really happy with the way that we approached the game," Mangini said of the loss to the Bengals. "I was happy with the resilience of the group. It didn't matter what happened in the game; we fought at the same level. They (the Bengals) had that chance to kick the extra point, and to block that was outstanding.

"There were different times in overtime where they had chances and we were able to stop them. I'd say from an approach perspective, I really liked that. I think there have been times throughout the course of the season where there have been some really good things, but putting it together is what we have to do."

It might be asking too much for Browns quarterback Brady Quinn to match Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer pass for pass. Quinn, however, is coming off the best performance of his career in throwing for 304 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-37 loss to the Lions.

Quinn has six starts remaining this season, which is enough time to show Mangini or possibly another coach if he can be a successful player at this level.

"I wouldn't say that it's just important for him. It's important for all of us," Mangini said. "These are all opportunities each week to go out as a group and improve and build on the lessons of the weeks before. Some of these lessons have been learned in a very hard fashion, but they only have value if you take something away from them. If you don't, then they're just tough losses."

No loss was tougher than the one in Detroit. The Browns led 24-3 in the first quarter, but the Lions rallied quickly to trail by three points, 27-24, at halftime and then won the game on a touchdown pass with no time showing on the clock.

The defense can't afford another showing like that against the Bengals offense.

"I know it's hard to say anything like that after the disappointing loss from last week," defensive coordinator Rob Ryan replied when asked about how tough the unit is. "I thought we had our house of cards built up pretty good, and a stiff wind came and knocked them all down, so we have to start back again.

"That game was not what we were looking for on defense. Our offense was so outstanding, and we didn't hold up our end. It was mostly technique and things like that. You have to be tough in this league obviously, but when you don't play with technique, no matter what you call or what you play out there, it's just not going to be good enough."

The Browns have discovered that the hard way.

mmclain@tribtoday.com