This Doesn't Feel Right

Growing up in Cleveland through the 80's and 90's the first quarterback I remember was Bernie Kosar (Read some posts from last year to see why I think he is king). I have no memories of the Paul Brown era when head coaches wore suites as a sign of respect for the game (someone should remind Belichick of this), I have no memories of Otto Graham or Jim Brown - I only have stories of these greats. I respect what they brought to the game, and more importantly to this city. Their presence demanded respect and confidence - something that many Clevelanders are having trouble finding within themselves these days.

The majority of my childhood and teen years were spent cheering for the Indians to take a championship - they demanded our respect in the 90's.

I have memories of my parents packing the family in the 92' Chrysler Minivan in the middle of the night, driving down to an empty Jacob's Field, and honking our horn to celebrate the Indians winning a big game (that horn never recovered). The really crazy thing - there were thousands who did the same.

I remember Manny forgetting how many outs there were in the World Series...I won't get into that one.

Lets fast forward to 2008:

The Browns training camp started yesterday. The articles in The Plain Dealer were upbeat and inspiring - the city is ready for the Browns. The water tower in Berea received a new addition...a Browns helmet and the caption "Home of the Cleveland Browns" - words that emphatically scream "This is our team and we are proud of it."

We have come a long way from the coin flip last year. The funny thing is that the Bears actually flipped a coin to see who their QB would be this year - maybe someone should remind them that Charlie Frye won that flip, not Anderson...hmmm, on second thought lets let them figure that one out on their own.

Lebron could not carry us to a NBA championship (single handed), The Indians folded on this year before the all-star break (trading CC), so our hope for a champion this year rests with the Browns - this doesn't feel right. I have never experienced the Browns getting so much respect. I mean, any warm blooded Clevelander would defend the Browns any day of the week, but now we are on the footsteps of national respect - something this fan, this family, this team, this city needs right now. Respect is ours for the taking, now is the time we need to seize it.

Will I get used to this new feeling? I think the billboards that are going up around Cleveland say it best "There is always this year."

Backing Away From Disaster

If you are any time of Cleveland fan you know when a rookie from the opposing team is going to play...they will have a career day; Even if the Browns/Indians/Cavs are on fire the games you fear the most are those in which the opposing team is doing horrible; those are the games that break our hearts...those are the games we lose.

Sunday's game against the Rams was setup to be one of those games - the Ram's were 0-7 going in...this had disaster written all over it. I was nervous days before the game; I was nervous during the game; Heck, as I write this blog 2 months after the fact (sorry about that...real life/school makes one busy), I am still nervous.

What made the Rams particularly dangerous was the fact that Steven Jackson came back from an injury; he is their star running back. No big deal; I mean the Browns I am sure prepared for him and everything will be fine...hahahahaha; yeah right, we are Cleveland fans.

You know that shovel you have in your garage? The one your significant other laughed at you for getting, saying "when in the heck are you going to use this...it is huge!" Yeah, that one you are so proud of. Well, the Browns borrowed that in the first quarter and dug themselves the biggest hole I have seen in while. Jackson was on fire - he had a rushing touchdown in no time and the Rams drove down a second time and got another.

14 points. While the Browns were working on that hole I started to make the coffin for the game...ok, not really. I mean every Browns fan talks like they are giving up on the game, but no one actually does...ever. The Browns managed to put together a descent drive and get a field goal...not bad.

WAIT. There is a God! Steven Jackson got hurt! No, I don't actively hope that anyone gets hurt and even when they do I pray it isn't serious. That being said, the "back spasisms" he was experiencing was welcomes news to all Browns fans. I told you - God is a Browns fan.

On the next drive I knew we would win this game. The Rams had brought it to the Cleveland 33 and decided to go for it on fourth since the Browns defense was...pitiful. Thats when it happened; the players on the field transformed. I saw sparks of the later 80's and early 90's that I grew up watching. They marched out on the field and stuffed a run for no gain; the Browns got the ball back and the momentum. The Browns never looked back from there. Sure the game was close, but that is when it all turned around.

Winning against a winless team might seem like a "gimme" victory to most people, but us Clevelanders know how hard those wins are to come by. The Browns have now won back to back games and are showing signs of life. I will put away my coffin construction gear for now...

I Hate Good Byes

So the Browns had a week off...thats just great. Derek Anderson and Joe Thomas took an old school road trip to Wisconsin - a flipping road trip; I love it. Other players headed 'home' to see their families across the countries (coach Crennel went to see his new grandson). And the smartest player on the entire team was quoted as saying, "I am going to stay here and enjoy Cleveland." Who said that? I'll give you a minute to think. I bet you didn't guess Braylon Edwards - yeah, it was him. You know, he was probably lying through his teeth, but I am impressed with his maturity to even recognize that's what the fans wanted to hear. Maybe he did actually stay here, that would be awesome. While the players and coaches were resting and healing from weeks of getting banged around we [the fans] had to keep ourselves occupied. Well, despite the fact that the Browns had the week off I still had to go to work...and school.

There was just something missing. I usually spent my lunch hour on NFL.com and ClevelandBrowns.com watching press conference, interviews, previews, predictions, and analysis - there was nothing. The Plain Dealer was sporting a thin Browns section. Any small piece of news I was given about the Browns I analyzed and scrutinized in any way I could - I was desperate.

Thank the Lord for the Indians. If the Indians were not fighting for a trip to the World Series I don't know what I would have done with myself. Perhaps I would have tackled some of those things I have been meaning to get to: clean out the third room in the basement, fix the ceiling fan in my room, fight a losing battle with Time Warner billing department, paint the basement staircase, well...you get the idea. So, like I said, thank the Lord for the Indians - they got me through the first portion of the bye week.

This past week felt more like normal - plenty of press conferences and articles...no one in Cleveland wanted to talk about, hear about, analyze, or otherwise have any mention of the World Series. I must admit the bye week was a lot easier to swallow with both the Ravens and the Steelers losing (it made the Indians' lose hurt less). I hope we have an early bye again next year and the Indians are in the hunt again. One fact brings this all together and puts a smile on my face - I won't have to live through another bye week until next year.