What is this feeling?

The Browns took on the Broncos last Saturday night, away...at Mile High. Typically on game days I am a complete mess and the entire day is shot waiting for kickoff. Not today, I had LOTS of very IMPORTANT things to do....

1. Take some of my mother's frozen chili out of the refrigerator (so it would be ready by game time)
2. Ensure that I had enough ice cold beverages to enjoy during the game
3. Get my Kosar jersey out and ready
4. Call some friends and find someone to watch the game with (and share a little of the chili with)
5. Read every game preview/Browns article I could find.

Thats right, I was a busy man until game time. To my surprise, right before the game NBC and the NFL ran a 30 minute special on the Browns; describing...well...misery. They revisited: the drive, the fumble, and so on. Don't get me wrong, I realize these moments are Browns history, my history, but we don't have to talk about them all of the time. The reality of the situation is today; today's team is running out on the field to play in today's game. Much like 1984 (the book) suggests, mass media and societies perceptions form the reality of today. If we keep believing we can't win...we won't be able to.

So I ended up at my friend's apartment to watch the game. Having seen the past two games in person, this was the first game I was watching on TV, I was really surprised to see Kosar doing some announcing.

Quick story about Kosar: first off, I will only refer to him as Kosar, it is just what I call him and you better know who (and what number) I am talking about. If you don't, then you have some homework to do. Anyways, back when I was well, a little dood, I bought a Browns' hat (one of the greenish brown ones). I never wore it...ever (I don't know why). I decided one day to wear it when I was going Christmas shopping with the family. Little did I know later that day I would run into Kosar in Beachwood Place. Maybe it was because he is a truly nice person, or maybe it was because I was an adorable cute little boy (Yeah...I was) he signed my hat; I never wore it again.

I must say though, back in the day when I met him I didn't notice his distinct voice; he definitely has one (listen to a preseason game and you will know what I am talking about). As the game went on I was also forced to realize that he had something else: a ton of knowledge and insight on the game that most announcers don't. He didn't sugarcoat anything nor did he was time talking about stupid matters.

Now to the game - Charlie started and thats when the normal feeling hit: I had no confidence in him. Every time he threw the ball I held my breathe; my friend reassured me he was doing a good job. I couldn't believe it. I mean, in recent history I can't remember a game in which he played where he didn't, (a) fumble, (b) throw an interception, or (c) get sacked 1000 times. I was forced, dare I say it, to be impressed with his play. Anderson came in and did the typical, "I will walk down the field quickly, freeze up, and get us a field goal." Guess what - I am kind of sick of that...lets return to the running powerhouse of old. Charlie was smart enough to hand the ball to Lewis and let him do what he does best: hit people, break the line, and get touchdowns...a true Brown running back.

So what is this feeling I am talking about in the title? Its a feeling of just the slighest bit of confidence in Frye, our starter (sorry Anderson, you have the arm, but not the experience). I haven't had confidence in a quarterback since uhmmm....well there was always Kosar. I am excited to see what he (Charlie) can do against the Bears next week.

Quinn came in again (this time with some of our first stringers) and had a solid performance. He did have one play where the other 10 guys went right and he went left...I couldn't help but laugh a little. There is still something about him though, he just commands the field. It is like watching a decorated officer command a platoon of new recruits; the odd thing is - he is the new guy.