CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The story goes that three NFL head coaches were talking at dinner one night at the annual league meetings in New Orleans in March. They were Jim Schwartz of Detroit, John Harbaugh of Baltimore and his younger brother, Jim, of San Francisco.

The topic was the impending NFL owners lockout and the effect it might have on the 2011 season. Schwartz opined that the league shutdown would kill hopes of any of the eight rookie head coaches having a good season. Jim Harbaugh listened to Schwartz and didn't say a word. The look on his face said, "Watch me."

That was part of the back story to the now-famous handshake Harbaugh gave Schwartz after his 49ers handed the Lions their first loss of the season two weeks ago, 25-19.

"Showed you."

The win improved the 49ers to 5-1 -- second-best record in the NFL. The Browns play Harbaugh's resurgent team Sunday in Candlestick Park.

Harbaugh's overly scrutinized handshake with Schwartz, which was more like a "get out of my way" shove in the back, played into Harbaugh's tough-guy image in the Bay Area. His predecessor as 49ers coach, Mike Singletary, was one of the toughest NFL players of his era, but he didn't win nearly enough to achieve the popularity Harbaugh has in his six games on the job.

Harbaugh had more going for him, too. Local fans had watched Harbaugh build nearby Stanford University into a national BCS championship contender in four years after inheriting an 0-11 program. Also, Harbaugh was recruited as Stanford's coach by 49ers icon Bill Walsh, who was consulting for the university at which he also formerly coached right up until the time he died from cancer.

So when Harbaugh resisted reportedly more money offered by Miami Dolphins owner Steven Ross -- and the chance to return as a hero to his alma mater, the University of Michigan -- long-suffering 49ers fans instantly fell in love. Harbaugh has given them reason to hope the team can return to league prominence after an eight-year playoff drought.

The 49ers are the lone quality team in the NFC West, which has for some time been regarded as the weakest division in the NFL. This year, the division has the second-worst record in out-of-division games -- 6-15. Four wins belong to the 49ers.

They have opened a three-game lead in the NFC West by playing the same physical style that Harbaugh fashioned at Stanford. Though Harbaugh espouses the Walsh-inspired West Coast offense, his brand emphasizes the tough running of Frank Gore, low-risk passing primarily to two tight ends and a swarming, 3-4 defense that suffocates opponents' running games.

Though quarterback Alex Smith has the highest passer rating of his seven-year career -- by far -- Harbaugh has him throwing and thinking less.

And yes, Harbaugh did hire an offensive coordinator. He's Greg Roman, the same man who helped develop Stanford's Andrew Luck into the next great NFL quarterback prospect. Roman, incidentally, calls the offensive plays for the 49ers.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

Tony Grossi's Scouting Report

Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, 4:15 p.m., in Candlestick Park, San Francisco, Calif.

Record: 5-1.

Last game: Defeated Detroit, 25-19, Oct. 16, in Detroit.

Coach: Jim Harbaugh, 5-1, first year.

Series record: Browns lead, 11-6.

Last meeting: Browns won, 20-7, Dec. 30, 2007 in Cleveland.

League rankings: Offense is 27th overall (sixth rushing, 31st passing), defense is 11th (second rushing, 22nd passing) and turnover differential is plus-8.

Offensive overview: Coordinator Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh essentially are running the same version of the West Coast offense they had at Stanford. It's a two-tight end, power running offense that sets up play-action passing. The one big difference is they don't ask quarterback Alex Smith to do too much. Smith is athletic and smart enough to avoid losing games. Smith's 95.2 passer rating is 21 points higher than his career mark. But his attempts, completions and yards are the second-fewest of any QB ranked in the top 20. Six of Smith's eight TDs have gone to tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. Frank Gore's physical running is the key to what they do. This offense belies the "finesse" and "precision-timing" labels of the typical West Coast offense.

Defensive overview: Coordinator Vic Fangio kind of fell into a well-stocked roster. The club has been drafting for a 3-4 defense since 2005. But what's really improved the front seven -- especially against the run -- has been the play of second-year inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who doesn't take a backseat to the more-heralded Patrick Willis, who lines up beside him. Another playmaker is right end Justin Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler who may be having the best season in his 11th year. On passing downs, rookie 'tweener Aldon Smith is the designated pass rusher. He has produced a team-high 5.5 sacks. The secondary is led by free agent cornerback Carlos Rogers, who has three interceptions and one for a touchdown.

Special teams overview: Ex-Browns special teams coordinator Brad Seely already has made an impact. Ted Ginn Jr. had kickoff and punt return touchdowns in the season opener. Another punt return by Ginn set up a winning score in Detroit. The coverage units and kickers also are outstanding. The team ranks in the top 10 in most of the important categories. Kicker David Akers has made 13 of 15 field goals with a long of 55 yards (twice). Punter Andy Lee is second in gross average (50.5 yards) and tied for first in net (44.4).

Players to watch:

• Running back Frank Gore: One of the toughest, most physical backs in the NFL, he's on pace for 1,400 yards, which wouldn't even be his career high (1,695 in 2006).

• Defensive end Justin Smith: His consecutive games streak of 166 is the fifth-longest among active players and by far the longest of any defensive lineman. A two-time Pro Bowler who makes plays in the running game and the passing game.

• Outside linebacker Aldon Smith: A 6-4, 258-pound rush specialist with the wingspan of a seven-footer. The 11th pick of the 2011 draft has 5.5 sacks in his last three games.

Injury report: WR Braylon Edwards (knee) and FB Moran Norris (fibula) have missed the last four games. ... OG Adam Snyder (stinger) and LB Parys Haralson (hamstring) will be limited during the week.

Small world: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards was the Browns' first-round draft pick in 2005 and was traded in 2008. ... Linebacker Blake Costanzo played for Browns in 2009-10. ... Director of college scouting Joel Patten played for the Browns in 1980-82. ... Special teams coordinator Brad Seely had the same job with Browns 2009-10. ... Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., safety Donte Whitner and offensive lineman Alex Boone all are native Clevelanders and played at Ohio State. ... Linebacker Larry Grant played at Ohio State. ... President and CEO Jed York is a native of Youngstown.