"Cue the circus music because it's time to relive the Browns' 2011 season.

From the NFL's lockout preventing rookie coach Pat Shurmur from meeting his entire team until late July to the Cincinnati Bengals' quick-snap touchdown in the regular-season opener to the soap opera starring running back Peyton Hillis to the meltdowns on special teams to quarterback Colt McCoy's concussion to the offense's clock mismanagement on Christmas Eve, it was a wacky year of football to say the least.

Mercifully, it ended. The Browns lost eight of their final nine games, including six in a row, and finished with a record of 4-12.

While the Browns lick their wounds, let's review another absurd season:

OFFENSE

2011 rankings: 29th in total offense (288.8 yards per game); 30th in scoring (13.6 points per game). 2010 rankings: 29th in total offense (289.7 yards per game); 31st in scoring (16.9 points per game).

Most valuable player: Left tackle Joe Thomas. He was one of the few players who consistently performed well. He was named a first-team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press for the third consecutive year, and he also made the Pro Bowl for the fifth year in a row. He bounced back from a rough 2010 season and proved he's worth the seven-year, $84 million contract extension he received in August. He has not missed an offensive snap in the Browns' 80 games since they drafted him third overall in 2007.

Most notable flop: Hillis. The Madden NFL 12 cover boy fell victim to injuries and distractions stemming from his unresolved contract situation and his rise in popularity. He missed one game because of the strep-throat saga and five more with an injured hamstring. A hip injury also slowed him in a few games. He finished with 161 carries for 587 yards (3.6 average) and three touchdowns to go along with 22 catches for 130 yards. He eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau only once. It was quite a contrast from the 2010 season, when he played in every game and compiled 270 carries for 1,177 yards (4.4 average) and 11 touchdowns to go along with 61 catches for 477 yards and two touchdowns."