Present One: The Plain Dealer
After spending 5 years in Bengal country (Yes, it was painful...but college was fun despite them), I have come to respect having a real sports newspaper. I can remember on draft day when we picked up that lineman and some quarterback; I was siting in the local Browns Backers Bar (Uncle Woodies) watching the draft. Someone had a copy of the Cincinnati newspaper; it was worthless. The draft was restricted to the sports' section and even at that didn't get much coverage. One of the guys met his mother in Columbus to get a copy of the Plain Dealer; it was like night and day. The PD had a draft addition to the front page in addition to full analysis of the top picks and predictions - it was wonderful.
Don't get me wrong, I love to read, talk about, and analyze all of the Browns' news, but this paper almost wore me down - the PD out did itself. They had an entire section of the newspaper "Section X" that was completely devoted to the Browns. No, it wasn't just a few page...it was 10 pages completely packed with Browns analysis; this complimented the full coverage within the sports section well. This was my first present and I was getting warmed up.
Present Two: Free Parking and Food
My friend offered to pay for parking and the food at the stadium since he was using my tickets...who am I to pass up free...anything? This was my second gift and I was beginning to feel it...that Christmas spirit.
Present Three: Steeler's Fan Gets A Ticket
As my friend and I made our way into the stadium we couldn't help but notice a Steeler's fan getting a ticket for doing something...stupid. I don't know exactly what he did or why, but it didn't seem they serious (the guy was smiling as the crows yelled at him). This was my third gift and was loving it.
These gifts were nice and all, but I was still looking for that one big present that I had been asking for all year - no not the Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (No, I won't shoot my eye out mom) - I wanted the Browns to win...badly.
We got to the seat about 20 minutes before kickoff - almost immediately a girl walks down the row to me and says, "Nice Jersey" and gives me a high five. As she walks away I notice she is also sporting Kosar; seriously Kosar, you are king. This was like getting a gift from a 2nd Uncle you totally were not expecting.
As we waited for the game to start the announcer came on the microphone to draw our attention to the field - they had a large Browns flag held by probably 100 people. Ok I thought...what is the big deal. The announcer then told us that this was the "spirit flag" and would be brought out before each home game to get the crowd excited. Seriously? Are you even kidding me? Don't get me wrong, I am sure the 10 families that showed up in the family section of the stadium loved it, but for the rest of us it marked clearly how the Browns thought of themselves. The NFL is no place for spirit flags - it is a place for some bad additude, rough around the edges, generally badass all stars to come around and pound on you so hard you wish you were back at home with your mommy. Need less to say, spirit flags do not fit into that ideal - get your stuff together Browns. This was like receiving a gift that was clearly for a kid about 2 or 3 years younger than you, but you still have to smile and thank your grandparents.
If the spirit flag wasn't enough of a signal to everyone in the stadium that things would not end well then the first punt would make it crystal clear. Our temporary punter (Z has a injured back), who wasn't brought in till Saturday morning due to crappy coaching foresight, missed the first snap. It wasn't this guys fault (I will not mention his name). It was the coaching staff's job to recognize (with all of their experience) that Z couldn't play and sign a temp with enough time to practice - a complete failure. This was like having to thank your aunt for the gift you hated in the first place.
Frye blew it. There is no other way to put it. He ended last season effectively losing the starting job and spent the entire off season winning it back. Within 2 quarters he drops the ball (literally and figuratively). He got sacked more times then I would like to admit. Anderson stepped in and made things look a little better, but not by much. I will spare the details, but the Browns got completely handled - it was ugly. This was like opening a gift, loving it and getting really excited, then realizing the gift is for your older brother.
That night I was unable to do...anything. I had plans of being productive - completely gone. I sat at home and watched Bruce Drennan on TV talking Browns. I didn't even want to listen, but I couldn't help myself. Then, he mentioned they were accepting emails...I figured what the heck, I'll give it a shot. So I wrote up this...
If the opening day is supposed to be a fresh start, a rebirth, why did I feel like I was leaving a funeral at the end of the game? What died - Our hopes for a winning season and my respect for Crennel.
Amazingly enough, of the hundreds of emails he gets, he read mine...this my friend is what you call the silver lining.
No, I didn't get that big gift I was wishing for all year. What I did get was depressing. Looking back at this - we lost the game before it even started. Cleveland has this losers mentality to it...everyone talks about all the history of losing teams. I don't think this will help us win...anything (as a city or as a team). But I also realize if we don't make any changes to how we are doing things why should we be expected to change our view of them.
As I walked away from that stadium I truly did feel like I was walking away from a funeral - everyone aimlessly walking...looking for something, anything, to distract them from the current moment in time - to transport their soul to elsewhere. As I walked away I couldn't help but think of Brady: this was like finding that one extra gift when you thought they had all been opened...I think I will just save this one for a rainy day.
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