As a Browns fan of 39 (soon to be 40) years, pre- AND post move, I feel the need to speak to all of my heartbroken and angry fans after yesterdays loss: Yes, I know its frustrating to have lost that game. Yes, I know the Browns left points on the field that could have turned the outcome in our direction. Yes, Billy Cundiff should have made that first field goal (my kingdom for a slice rather than a hook). Yes, I wish Mike Pettine had called a run on 3rd and 7 to run more time off the clocks in the 4th quarter, clinging to a 1-point lead. All of the above is 100% true. But lets think about the last 15 years of football in this town. Has there ever been a team in that time that you actually watched four quarters of a game and were as entertained as you have been the first three games of this year? Have we seen — honestly — a team with this kind of balance in the passing game and running game since Kevin Mack and Ernest Byner played on the team (has it really been 28 years?)? Have we seen a quarterback that has played with this much passion, thrown the ball with this much accuracy and who seems to actually understand the game without being overwhelmed? Lets be honest with each other — no one expected this team to be a Super Bowl contender (well, no one except maybe my brother in law Bill Martin ;-). Most projections had them winning between 3 and 5 games this year. Thats usually been a recipe for horrible, unwatchable football. But to my great shock and surprise, that has NOT been the case this year. The team has, in fact, been incredibly watchable, and they could just as easily be 3-0 as 1-2 if a couple of balls (including Cundiffs first kick yesterday — MY KINGDOM FOR A SLICE INSTEAD OF A HOOK!) had bounced differently. They are not a perfect team by any stretch. Their defense is inconsistent. Though I love Andrew Hawkins and Travis Benjaman, neither of them are No. 1 receivers. For all of Brian Hoyers excellence so far, I wish he had a smidge stronger arm. In my opinion, drafting Johnny Football was a mistake (how good would Sammy Watkins look in a Browns uni right now?) But this team reminds me a lot of the Kardiac Kids team of 1980 (minus the wins). And what I remember from that season was having a blast watching each and every game from beginning to end. Was it a roller coaster? Sure. But it was a hella fun. So thats the attitude Im taking this season: Watch. Have fun. Dont worry about outcomes (although wins are always better than losses) and just enjoy the ride. Thanks all — have a great week!
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:48:41 +0000
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