Is it realistic or negative to assess the Browns as a team that will struggle in 2009?
My expectation for the season opener was that the Browns would lose big, which they did. Minnesota is a good team whose strengths match the Browns weaknesses.
In that regard all that happened was the expected.
But the problem with the loss is the Browns did not do a thing to alleviate the concerns anyone had about them. They did not stop the run, did not move the ball consistently and did not play smart (eight penalties). It's hard to see how much difference Eric Mangini can make in the short term. Turning this team around could take a long time.
This also has all the appearances of a long season, and even though the Browns were ahead at half time they were ahead thanks to a punt return by Josh Cribbs and to the fact that Minnesota seemed to be out-thinking itself.
Once the Vikings settled into what they do, they dominated — holding the ball for more than 12 minutes in the third quarter.
This was a definite "yikes" opener.
What they said:
Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, about the first half:
"We showed that we can be a dominant defense."
Brady Quinn:
"We will be critical of ourselves watching film and prepare for Denver next week. That's all you can really do at this point. It's the first game of the season, but there are 15 more."
Tight end Robert Royal:
"We know who we are trying to be. We did a lot of things that hurt ourselves. We had penalties and dropped balls and we turned the ball over. Once we eliminate those things, the offense will look a lot better."
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This was a definite "yikes" opener? Pat, you are a definite "yikes" reporter/blogger.
You negative media types are a riot. The Browns are a weak team, so forget the
usual banality, do some writing for a change.
I attended my 11th Season Opener since the return of 'professional' football to the shores of Lake Erie. The apathy and cynicism in the stands has started much earlier this season. Everyone, myself included, is just waiting for what can go wrong next.
With 3 games in December and 1 in January, records could be set for fans being dsiguised as orange seats. The trend started yesterday in the upper corners and the club seats.
If we've learned anything its that Browns fans aren't realistic – its one end of the spectrum or the other. Either our lord and savior Brady Quinn will lead us to the promised land or they're horrible and I can't believe I spent all that money tailgating to go to the game for two quarters.
Fans will have to accept the fact that there is some rebuilding going on and assessing of 'talent' – where it all will fit in the Mangini era. You can't score if you don't have any offense besides a kicker and a kickoff/punt returner, and you can't win if your defense calls it a day midway through the 3rd quarter.
Minnesota's a good team – but look towards next week vs. Denver and hope to build on that adventure.
It's not going to be pretty – even if the rippled god is the quarterback. It takes more than a change at QB to fix the situation. I'm not hating on the kid, I hope he does well and stays healthy, but I'm trying to be realistic about this season.
It is really to soon to say it is going to be a long season. If the Browns had played like they did in the first half of the game, they could have beat the Vikings. Yesterdays game was bad, but really the Browns did better than I though against the Vikings.
Elizabeth, it would be easier to accept that we're currently "rebuilding" if this team had ever been built to begin with. Aside from one fluke season with Butch (where we were quickly ousted from the playoffs) and one with Romeo (in which we didn't make the playoffs), this team has never had any solid foundation. When you start going on over a decade of rebuilding, and four coaches in, it's clear that this team is not going to contend, and is not built to do so anytime soon. Other than sympathize with Bungles fans, why wouldn't Browns fans feel disappointed with this nonsense?
Still can't understand the the Brady bashing; all he has done is sit quietly for two years and support everyone else, try to be a team player and learn while waiting. He's a classy, loyal, educated kid. Give him a chance this season while they try to rebuild everything around him. I'm as anxious as anyone to win……but beating him up isn't the answer. I know….it makes you feel better though.
The offseason is just long enough to make me forget how much fun watching the games each sunday is!
I used to have Quinn's hair. Great head of hair. He takes off his helmet, not a smushed bald spot to be found. Just hair. If I was to grade his hair, he would receive an A+ on my personal Oscar Gamble Meter.
somehow, I just knew Alan was a man with hair loss……which, in turn, affected his confidence level. Oscar Gamble? Great hair, but the fourth worst player in Indians' history behind Peralta, Manning and Kuiper. Again, rate Brady after we have a defense that stops the run, and a running game of our own.
Long story short if you can't or don't even try to throw deep, you will NEVER run the ball in the NFL.
Being a "fan" of a team doesn't mean that you can't be realistic. Every Sunday, I want the Browns to win. But every time I look at the schedule in my wallet for the next opponent, I make a determination if they are going to win or not. If I think to myself, and give my opinion to others, that the Browns are not going to win their next game, does that make me less of a fan? So, Eric, it isn't too early. I looked at the schedule, made my best guesses, and set expectations. Since those expectations were 5-11 or 6-10, I expect for the Browns to be bad. But I want them to win…since I am a fan.
What about you, Joyce B? Do you suffer from male pattern baldness? Don't be shy, I'm here to help.
And actually, my father was the genesis of my self-confidence destruction. Mistakes were completely unacceptable and I always heard about every one. But the things I did right and the things I did well, I never heard about. So now if I'm not perfect, I feel like a failure. The hair loss just pretty much sealed the deal.
And don't diss Oscar Gamble, or I'll have to open up a can of wupp-ass on you. http://xr.com/f43
Dear Ed,
Did the Vikings throw deep more than the Browns? Did they run the ball?
Look at Favre's numbers…. How many yards had he thrown for in the first half?
boys, boys, boys………during the fourth quarter tonight, Tom Brady was 35 of 49 and not one pass was over 15 yards. I guess he's a loser who can't throw long. Maybe a smart QB takes what he is given by the defense. And Alan, you identified me correctly, and I have an opening on the couch Thursday afternoon. Most losers blame their parents and need psychological help. I won't pick on you anymore.
A long baseball season gives way to a long football season.
I say put Shaq in the back field for a few plays and mix reality TV with sports — just to break up the monotony.
I totally agree with you Geddy… and I'm not hating on Brady, Joyce, just pointing out that you could have Joe Montana back there, the results would probably be the same.
I would like to see at least one time the Browns open the season on the road with a team like the Rams, or the Bungles or maybe the Chiefs. It seems every year we start the season in the hole because we play an elite team for the openeer who knocks the snot out of us and doesn't allow them to get any momentum going.
I know the NFL still has a case of the reda** at the Browns because we forced our way back into the league after the scumbag whose name shall not be uttered kidnapped our team. It was clearly evident when they gave Lerner only months to prepare for the first season instead of 2 to 3 years like the Panthers, Jaguars, Texans, etc had and continues today with scheduling, etc.
I believe that you can already see the difference between this team and the ones Uncle Romeo put out there. I'm sure there will be steady improvement throughout the season to the extent of the talent on the team. A couple more good drafts to plug more holes and they will be at least an upper-midlevel team. The defense already looks miles ahead of last year. Now if we can get some better play calling on the offensive side and give the D a breather, I think we'll see a big difference. I mean, four sacks against what is supposed to be one of the elite O lines in the league ain't too bad. I can't wait until we play the Squeelers and their mediocre O line. I think Big Bennie is going to spend a lot of time on his back with Mr. Rogers on top of him
Joyce B., you don't blame your parents for you being a loser? So who do you blame, Mayor Frank Jackson's toupee?
It's way too early to judge the Brownies…it all starts with Defense. Let's see how they fair against the Broncos. If we see improvement week to week, that is a good sign. The quarterback situation will play itself out. A pro team must have two good QB's nowadays!
I have been a Browns fan since the fifties, still have 1963 Browns football card pinned to my shelf, loved the name, the Orange helmets, Lou The Toe Groza, remember the sad trade of Bobby Mitchell for Ernie Davis… the comeback attempts with Phipps and Bernie… Hope springs eternal in the heart of a Browns fan. This is the first year in my whole life that I had nothing but dismay about being a Browns fan. Why is there nothing here to cheer about. You are right, Patrick, it will be a long season. But will the owners do something to give us even a measure of hope for next year?
e.
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