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A few reasons for optimism
Even though their only victory has come against a bad team whose starting quarterback didn’t play, I’m optimistic about the Browns, and here’s why:
1. They don’t play this week. Now that wasn’t meant to be funny, it’s just that the bye week comes at a good time, allowing everybody to take a deep breath, regroup, put their heads together and figure this thing out.
2. The defense isn’t playing badly. Up front, the Robaire Smith loss looms large, but Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams seem to be doing the job. Rookie linebacker Alex Hall, a seventh-round pick out of St. Augustine, is looking like the steal of the draft and safety Sean Jones (knee surgery) should be back in a couple of weeks. Plus, it seems like Kamerion Wimbley is now out of the witness protection program.
3. I’m not giving up on the offense. And, yes, that includes quarterback Derek Anderson, who is nowhere near as bad as he’s looked. Sure, it was against the Bengals, but he actually seemed to be developing some sort of rhythm late in Sunday’s game, and a 17-point fourth quarter is not to be sneezed at.
4. Receiver Donte Stallworth might return. He’s saying he should be on the field for the Monday nighter against the Giants. So far, the Browns have gotten nothing from their top offseason free-agent signee due to a quadriceps injury. If he’s healthy, he can make a difference on crossing routes and in terms of giving defenses something else to worry about.
5. It’s still early. And nobody’s exactly running away with the AFC North. The Steelers had offensive line issues even before losing guard Kendall Simmons for the season. QB Ben Roethlisberger often seems impervious to pain, but he’s taking some brutal shots as he tries to make plays down the field. The Ravens have looked good early, but are you sold on that offense?
6. I’m optimistic by nature. OK, that’s not true, but if you don’t have hope, where are you? No, that wasn’t meant as a shot at the Bengals.
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Comments
By Ryan
October 3, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Those might be the stupidest 5 reasons to be “optimistic” about the rest of the season. They’ve looked horrible, barely bear a struggling Bengals team with 2nd string QB 20-12. No credibility to this post whatsoever! You get paid for this?By Mrs. C
October 3, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
My husband is the biggest browns fan you can imagine, and I am the bengals fan. Now don’t get me wrong, I do go for the Browns when they aren’t playin the bengals. But when last year we were watching the first browns/bengals game (which the browns won) I have to say that both put up a serious fight. I figured w/ Palmer out for this game, they would surely slaughter us, and that didn’t happen. I am sorry, but at this point I would put in Quinn. Maybe then Anderson would get it together and know that his performance is not accepted! I also noticed that Edwards had a BIG attitude on Sunday’s game, to which my husband even wanted to sell his Edwards jersey. I have always had a high respect for the Browns in becoming a team, even if they are losing, however w/ that kind of attitude, it’s only going to lead them to what the Bengals are going thru right now, and that, I do not respect! They need to get it together now, to save themselves heartache and humiliation. Bengals are there right now, and trying to dig themselves out of that hole. I would hate to see another Ohio team in the same position.By Clevbucks80
October 3, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Ryan, Sean has some good points here. If you’re not a Browns fan then read something else. The Browns were handicapped with injuries on offensive such as Stallworth (leading to teams doubling Braylon) and Ryan Tucker who offensive line coach Larry Z said is their best lineman. Come on, have some faith. The defense is good enough, I have faith in Chud to bring our Offense to life. Go Brownies!By John
October 3, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
You can’t just look at it and say because the Browns didn’t slaughter the Bengals without Palmer, then the Browns are that bad. You need to look at the fact that the Browns are missing 2 of their top 3 receivers, in Stallworth and Jurevicious. Take Ocho Choke-o or HushmawishIplayedsomewhereelse and their 3rd receiver off the offense, and your offense would shut down, just like the Browns. And the Browns are also missing 3 starters on defense, lost for the year - Peek, Holly, Smith, and the Browns have been missing either Pool or Jones every game, and will have Jones out for a few more weeks. It’s NOT just about Derek Anderson.