Losing Becomes a Way of Life for Browns Fans (Again)
“That’s good, right?”
That’s what Jen asked me, semi-sarcastically, when Jake Plummer threw an interception to the Browns deep in Denver’s own territory. The Browns mounted a monumental three play 18-yard drive which ended in a 6-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jurevicius.
Having seen the Browns for years, it was time to break the news to Jen.
“No. It isn’t good.”
Yes the Browns were able to cut the lead from 17 - 0 to 17 - 7, but it didn’t really matter. The Cleveland defense had been on the field for what seemed like the entire second half of the game. Even in doing an exceptional job of giving the Browns great offensive field position with the interception, they doomed themselves to only getting a short break from the toothless offense. So, the Browns offense scored and ran off the field, only to send the defense back out onto the field, as if they had even caught their breath yet. And while this put the Browns closer on the scoreboard, it didn’t feel much closer to tying or victory. Unless the defense could hand them three more trips to the red zone, they weren’t going to challenge the Broncos, really.
But Jen doesn’t understand this stuff. How could she? Jen is a Colts fan, and it is really easy to forget bad times. Nowadays, Colts fans get to wonder how long into the season they will be challenging the Miami Dolphins’ perfect season. With a current situation so bright, it is impossible to remember the lean times.
I know it first hand too. It isn’t like I am thinking about Chris Mills, Bobby Phills, Derek Anderson, Vitaly Potapenko and the horrendous Cavs teams that preceded Lebron James. I am thinking about having a player who will challenge for the MVP and hopefully drive this Cavs team deep into the playoffs again.
And thankfully, those Cavs start up on November 1st, because I really need something to take my mind off this Browns team.
I need to stop thinking about them because I really don’t know what’s happening right now with the Browns. I think the team upgraded at almost every single position this year, and yet, they are no better off for any of it right now in the standings. Sure, they have a tough schedule, and sure they get snake-bitten by injuries, but a team with this number of players really should be able to eek out a few more victories than they have so far.
I am beyond conjecture at this point. Is it coaching? Probably. Is it the players? Probably. Is it the schedule? Probably. Who would know for sure? I hear no sense of urgency out of anyone in the Browns organization. They made pretty much zero changes over their bye week. I still haven’t heard a sound from the coaching staff or front office other than “we need to execute.”
Well, what happens when they don’t execute? Historically, in Cleveland, nothing happens when the team doesn’t execute. The Browns continue to sell tickets. Fans continue to get plastered and scream their heads off. Nothing changes, regarless of the (lack of) success of the team.
So what am I going to do now?
Should be the owner and GM’s worst nightmare. It is something I have never done before.
Give up on the Browns and go buy some new Cavs gear.
If they don’t care, why should I?
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yea, we went to that game if you can call it that - the first half wasn’t bad until Tatum Bell ran in for a 9-yard TD with 2:00 left in the half… that pretty much took the life out of the crowd.
My question to all the cynical old farts next to me at the game was: Can you imagine what Browns Stadium would be like if we were 6-1 instead of 1-6? Sold out crowds, Beer flowing heavily until the 3rd quarter, tens of thousands of tailgating fans… If any Cleveland franchise put together a championship-caliber team (as shown by the 1995-2000 Indians) they would stand to make a killing.
All I can say is thank God for Scarlet and Grey Saturdays and the NBA channel. 34 Cavs games are nationally televised this year — almost half. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for the NBA season to start than watching NFL games. Even when in the Price/Daugherty/Nance/Ehlo golden era, the Browns were always #1 in the Fiore household.
At this point, I’m pretty much watching the Browns out of obligation to the fact that I bought the Sunday Ticket.
Yeah, and it isn’t like I don’t understand rebuilding. I do. I think I have been very patient since 1999.
I thought the Browns were finally starting to get it when they had their 9-7 season a couple of years back. They changed everything over. I was patient. I loved the off-season moves.
So, who is accountable now, and why haven’t we been given an explanation for such an awful start?
It’s quiet. Too quiet.
It should be nice and loud at the Q this season with Lebron. That is all I can say to retain my sanity.