Looking for one clear example of why the Browns are underperforming? Witness the team’s approach to Gerard Warren, the first of Butch Davis’ draft picks.

After a college career that included two suspensions, Warren received an $8.9 million signing bonus in 2001 and was thus dubbed “Big Money.”

That six-year, $33 million deal was heavily laden with incentives that, while not disclosed, clearly did not require him to make the Pro Bowl, lead the team in sacks or tackles, or otherwise meet the common-sense expectations for the draft’s third overall pick.

By meeting these incentives, his 2004 salary automatically skyrockets from $1.165 million to $5.8 million, with even higher paydays the next two years.

At Steeler Plaxico Burress’ party during his rookie year, Warren was arrested for having an unlicensed .45-caliber Glock in his vehicle, though he escaped blame for the marijuana his friends were apparently smoking at the time. Warren was suspended for one game and later pled guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation on the gun charge.

After a subpar sophomore season, Warren admitted this year that his lack of production was the result of too much partying and too many missed workouts. “We’ll call it my redshirt year,” he said.

On the field, Warren has been fined by the NFL for illegal hits on Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell and Chiefs lineman Brian Waters. A few weeks ago, he was ejected for punching Seahawks center Robbie Tobeck. “Big Money flew off the handle and I can’t do that,” is what he had to say for himself.

So has Coach Butch Davis held a tough line for this undisciplined player? Has he consistently required accountability? Well, it seems not.

Warren was late for a team meeting last Saturday night, so he was fined and kept out of the starting lineup. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, this is no isolated case:

A team source said Warren has had other issues as far as being on time this season. Davis was asked if Warren had any other problems and he said: “Thats the only time he’s been fined for being late.”

There you have it. In evading the heart of the question, Butch revealed much of the problem.

UPDATE: The Canton Repository reports, “According to sources in the team complex, the big defensive tackle missed another meeting this week.”