Have The Cleveland Browns Turned The Corner?
Is the light at the end of the tunnel becoming brighter? I know there are still games with Kansas City, Oakland and Jacksonville left to be played, but have the Browns began their climb from the bottom of the NFL? Does the future look brighter than it did a few weeks ago? I think so.
From the beginning of training camp, through pre season, to the bye week, this was the worst Cleveland Browns team I’ve ever seen in over 47 years of following them. No other team came close. Well maybe the expansion team of 1999, but even they were better. Lately I’ve noticed some things I haven’t seen in a Browns team in a very long time. I think this team might just be headed in the right direction.
I see lots of character on this team. This team could have quit on the season but they haven’t. Even after injuries claimed Shaun Rogers, D’Qwell Jackson, Eric Barton, Brodney Pool, Jamaal Lewis, Dave Zastudil, C.J.Mosley and Steve Heiden this team wouldn’t fold. Several young players are stepping up and producing. Evan Moore, Chris Jennings, Brady Quinn, Mohamed Massaquoi, Matt Roth, Marcus Benard, Ahtyba Rubin, Alex Mack, Chansi Stuckey and Brian Robiskie have been contributing and growing with each game. Players like Eric Wright, Joe Thomas and Josh Cribbs are having outstanding seasons. Kameron Wimbley is having his best season since his rookie year. Lawrence Vickers is having another solid season. All these players are young and still learning. Credit veterans like Robaire Smith and David Bowens with showing leadership through a rough season.
Eric Mangini has replaced over half the roster from last years 4-12 team. A team that I felt gave up after a few tough losses. That team and the three teams before them, had a history of not giving the effort needed or expected from their coach and was a big reason Romeo Crennel was fired. This year’s team has no quit in them.
When I look at the Browns team that defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the last game, I see a team the fans can be proud of. A team that has been built on character. A team that has come together through hard work. A team that has become tired of losing. A team that stood up to the Steelers and didn’t role over. How long have Browns fans been waiting for that? I saw a team still in need of a few players but a much improved team from the one that took the field against Minnesota.
Don’t judge this team by their 2-11 record. Judge them by how far they’ve come, what they’ve had to indure and how they finish out the season.
I agree. I have argued for keeping Mangini throughout this awful season but even I was beginning to falter in my support until the Browns beat the Steelers. It wasn’t a fluke victory. The Browns have been playing better since the bye week and I’m glad they have shown that they know how to finish a game with a win. I hope the new Czar see the improvement too and keeps Mangini around so that he has more time to show what can be done to improve this organization.
I believe the “light at the end of the tunnel” could be a train.
Clevelandbrown, a lot depends on how they finish these last three games but I am starting to see some hope.
That’s very funny Pete. Maybe last year.
Might be too little too late for Cleveland. Even with the surge, a new GM will come in and likely want to implement his own guys.
That’s usually the case but not always. i think it would be a mistake to completely blow up the current roster and coaching staff.