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Cleveland Browns: How Do You Spell 0-16?
Published: September 22, 2009
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In my Week One article following the loss to the Vikings, I attached a simple poll: “Do you think the Browns will improve upon last year’s 4-12 record?”
Over 100 votes later, the results weighed toward a resounding yes with some 73 percent. Only 12 percent chose no, with even the toungue-in-cheek choice of “Does it really matter?” garnering a higher 16 percent.
I wonder how the people feel after this week’s debacle?
If there was one game—besides Detroit—fans penciled in for a win, it was Denver. An underwhelming quarterback and rookie running back, coupled with a suspect defense incorporated of former Browns rejects looked ripe for a victory on paper. Unfortunately, the teams have to actually play out the game, and we all know how that ended.
To say that the rebuilding process is behind schedule is an understatement. Comparing the Browns to a housing project, the loony architect has not even settled on a blueprint and the building material is all moldy and warped.
The quarterback we moved up to draft more than a year ago, hailed as the prodigy that would pull the franchise out of its losing muck, did not even get to play three games last year and was denied first-team reps this offseason due to a foolish competition. Is it any wonder why he looks so awful out there?
The running back we should have drafted is breaking all kind of NFL records and predicted to pass 2,000 yards this year. Instead, we feature a has-been power-runner nearing his Social Security check-years who’s slower than my one-legged cat.
Don’t get me started on the receivers. We have an egotistical moody fellow from Michigan who thinks he gets paid per drop. Meanwhile, the two highly acclaimed receivers drafted in the second round have a grand total of zero catches between them.
We are trying to turn an inexperienced special team punt returner into a second receiver. Oh, and we traded our one passionate sure-handed receiver for a bag of peanuts in the preseason.
Our defense cannot stop the run—in a run-oriented division, no less. And our much-hyped pass defense just gave up nearly 300 yards to Jay freaking Cutler. Enough said.
Everyone and their grandmother banged on Peter King for his foolish 2-14 prediction. Well, who looks like the fool now? This team is in total disarray and it would not surprise me if they serve a big fat donut this season.
I am attaching the same poll as last week, and guess the results will be vastly different. Too bad we can’t play the Lions every game.
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Cleveland Browns: The Same Old Joke
Published: September 14, 2009
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The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Things were supposed to be different this year for the Browns with the addition of Eric Mangini. The former Jet coach instilled a strict philosophy of discipline and accountability, a far cry from the sheltered summer camp feel of ousted Romeo Crennel. Fluff practices and special player treatment were replaced with tough-hitting scrimmages that included lap punishments for any miscues. A team-oriented philosophy was forced upon the players, with the quick trades of me-first players like Kellen Winslow and Shaun Smith. Things would be different indeed.
Well folks, if game one is any indication of the upcoming season, then be prepared for dejavu. The Browns managed to neatly package a myriad of penalties, turnovers, and miscommunication all in a second-half meltdown against Minnesota. While I understand that the talent level was heavily weighed towards the Vikes, the whole philosophy of Mangini is built upon error-free play that will keep games close enough to win.
More than any other professional game, football is a team sport where the sum of the parts can overcome individual performance. Any given Sunday, right? Not if you are a Browns fan.
The optimists will argue that the team played inspired, disciplined football in the first half, holding a Pro-Bowl RB and hall of Fame QB under wraps. However, how does that same attitude totally disappear so quickly in the second half under this new regime?
By the middle of the fourth quarter, when the game started becoming out of reach, the team was playing lackadaisical football, merely going through the motions. That defeatist attitude is exactly what Mangini was brought in to change. Where was the fire? Where was the fight? I certainly did not see any.
I hope I am wrong, but the aura emanating out of this first game was that the Browns are a second-rate team that is going nowhere. I was hopeful that Mangini would echo his opponents namesake by being the great and mighty viking Eric “the Red”. Instead I saw him mirror another famous Eric, the lazy ass loser from South Park—Cartman.
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