So a colleague and myself were discussing the Browns' performance in the pressbox yesterday.

I don't know whether I'm a glass half full guy or what. Actually, I generally tend to think of myself as more of realist than anything. But I suggested that yesterday's opening day meltdown ensuring that the Dallas Cowboys will get a top five pick in next year's draft wouldn't have been too bad on the defensive end of the ball.

So those of you who actually read this tell me: what did you see on the defensive side of the ball?

Was there reason to be optimistic? If so, did the offense just put the D in such a bad place that they were bound to come out in the second half and look like a pack of mangy mutts? Or were they equally culpable for the loss?

Yes, even in the midst of the Ohio State Buckeyes impending showdown with the University of Florida Gators, I manage to keep up with other stuff.  It requires the use of more gray matter, but I get it done somehow.

News of the day?  Well it's Bill Cowher, of course.  Nick Saban makes a money grab for Alabama and Cowher, another highly respected, well regarded coach, decides he's gonna retire from the NFL while still in his mid-50s because of monetary issues, reportedly.  You know, $4 million a year isn't enough, there is a matter of respect.

There's little doubt that Cowher would get mucho respect from Cleveland fans and, likely, Randy Lerner given his credentials.  Let's fact it folks: as much as Northeast Ohioans hate the Steelers, we want to be the Steelers.  It's the smash mouth football, the over powering offensive line and the display of sheer confidence that drives that feeling.

And with the Steelers coach's impending retirement, it ain't gonna happen.  Not this year.  Cowher is a guy holding all the cards.  He's got the attitude and credentials to build another team.  This won't be a case of lowest bidder wins. If you want the Jawed Wonder, you gotta pay.

The Browns have an owner in Randy Lerner, who given that he just paid a European soccer player $200 million, cares about winning.  But Lerner is bound by something else - to at least make this an effort to allow Romeo Crennel to see this monstrosity out until the bitter end (not that it can be anymore bitter).  That should mean one more year.  Crennel fails in his next year, he's gotta go.  And Browns fans can dream about Cowher's jutting out on the the sidelines at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

That image too much to believe?  I don't know why.  Cowher played here and coached here.  Pittsburgh may be home, but when you bleed for a city and its fans, that's something different.  I vividly remember his animated moments as coach of the Browns special teams.  He'd look good there again.

But Browns fans will have to be patient -  it takes one more season with an almost full team, complete and utter mediocrity on the Browns part  and at least one more year for the experts to pass judgment.