The three worst organizations in the NFL in 2004 were San Francisco (2-14), Miami (4-12) and Cleveland (4-12). The Dolphins and Browns crawled to the finish line with interim coaches.

Each franchise made major regime changes in early 2005. The Browns are the only one of the three not to blow it up and start over. Yet.

The Dolphins have had two re-starts and might have finally broken through in the first year of reorganization under Bill Parcells as imperial Football czar. Tony Sparano is Miami's third head coach in four years.

The 49ers took authority away from coach Mike Nolan after two years and finally fired him this season. They are giving Mike Singletary a nine-game trial to win the permanent job.

Compared with the teams that were in the same boat four years ago, the Browns have stayed relatively steady. Now, the jobs of GM Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel are in peril. Owner Randy Lerner said their status will be reviewed at the end of the season.

There are some interesting similarities when comparing the growth (or lack of growth) of these franchises in four years.

Their four-year records are similar - Browns are 24-36, Dolphins 23-37, 49ers 20-40. None has made the playoffs.

Each has had disruptive discontinuity on offense. The Dolphins and 49ers each have had four offensive coordinators in four years; the Browns three.

None has had a stable situation at quarterback, whether it's because of injuries or a failure to commit. The Dolphins have had eight quarterbacks start a game over this period, the 49ers six, and the Browns will have five when Ken Dorsey takes the field Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Each organization has sunk millions of dollars into hiring and firing coaches and staffs, signing costly free agents and giving guarantees to untested high draft picks.

The only meetings between these franchises involved the Browns.

They beat Miami in Nick Saban's first year as coach in 2005, 22-0, and again last season, 41-31, under Cam Cameron. They beat San Francisco last year, 20-7.

Box:

Browns at Tennessee

Sunday, 1 p.m., LP Field, Nashville, Tenn., WOIO Ch. 19