| Ricky E. Morris.. 4th December, 2005 - 1:49 am
 I know, I know, the Browns fans motto for a long time has always been “There’s always next year”. One difference between that in the past five years is the fact that we have a head coach and a general manager whom have both had the opportunity to help build Super Bowl teams in two different locations.
Sure Phil Savage wasn’t the general manager of the Ravens, and sure Romeo Crennel wasn’t the head coach of the Patriots nor was he of the Giants, but they both won. Butch Davis didn’t have others opinions. It was his way or the highway. That’s why Gerrard Warren and William Green never developed into star quality plays. That’s why Kellen Winslow JR. decided to play Evil Kenivel in a parking lot. And that is why it has taken Jeff Faine years to actually show the team that he can contribute and be the teams center of the future. Braylon Edwards is being taught the right way. He wasn’t given the starting receiver position. He actually started from the VERY bottom of the mud whole after his hold out ended. He has worked himself up the totem pole. As did Charlie Frye when Doug Johnson was on the team. Things are being done right in Cleveland.
Right now, in the press, there is so much negativity for a team that was only predicted to win three to four games this season. The Browns have already matched those four games. Why are people so negative with the bright future the Browns have in store? Didn’t the fans call this the rebuilding year before the season even started? Those answers will vary between many Browns fans. In my opinion, these losses shouldn’t be too much of a blow. Browns fans knew coming into this season that this wasn’t going to be a 10 win season. Sure our opponents have been subpar, but consider how much we lost in the off season. The Browns lost over half of the 53 players on the roster from last year. Taking a closer look into the starting rosters from last season there is major differences.
2004 Cleveland Browns Opening Day Starting Roster
Offense
QB: Jeff Garcia RB: Lee Suggs FB: Terrelle Smith
LWR: A. Davis TE: Kellen Winslow RWR: Q. Morgan
LT: Ross Verba LG: Zukauskas C: Jeff Faine
RT: Ryan Tucker RG: K. Garmon
Every position for the exception of Smith, Tucker, and Faine. Five of those eleven offensive starters aren’t even on the Browns roster anymore.
Defense
LDE: C. Brown DT: G. Warren DT: O. Roye RDE: K. Lang
OLB: C. Thompson MLB: A. Davis OLB: K. Bentley
CB: A. Henry FS: E. Little SS: R. Griffith CB. McCutcheon
Out of the defensive players, there are only four players still starting and Kenard Lang is on the bench. That is six of eleven starters that are gone.
My point in all of this is the fact that half of the starters are gone and the Browns have won as many games as they did last year and there is still plenty of time to push those wins to five or six. They are running a new defensive scheme (for the first time, most of these guys are in the 3-4) with a rookie defensive coordinator. A new offensive system and a new offensive coordinator. I feel four wins is a success especially for this years team.
One of the big frustrations that has recently occurred is this new sense of a QB controversy. This weekend Charlie Frye only got one snap, and that was an interception. Many writers and fans have complained. Though they all have a valid point, Crennel has a more valid point. He is trying to keep this team from having a QB controversy. Sure the fans are talking about it, but Romeo said himself this off season that he would not let the fans words speak as his own. He has kept that promise and has kept Dilfer under center when healthy. This weekend Dilfer may not be able to go, leaving the Browns with two rookie QBs. This is a good start for Charlie Frye if he does get a shot. At home full of fans that love this guy against a great football team. If he doesn’t start, Dilfer is still not a bad QB. He wasn’t brought here to win 10 games; he was brought to fill the void.
Things to look forward to:
Rueben Droughns is about to be the first Cleveland Browns running back to run for over 1,000 yards since the mid 1980’s. Yes, you got that right I SAID THE EIGHTIES. Droughns is definitely the running back the Browns have been missing and has proved his point and deserves an extension. He is a real AFC North running back. A bruiser just like Jerome Bettis was in the past. He is the brightest spot.
Braylon Edwards is another thing to look forward to. This guy is going to be a star in this league. He is doing an outstanding job with a subpar passing game. In a few years he will be a top 10 receiver in the NFL.
Todd Grantham was given a shot this off season to become the Browns defensive coordinator. Many were a bit skeptical but this man has passion. He has it in himself to succeed. I am proud to have him coaching our defensive unit. He has turned the defense around. He deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done to what he was given.
Andra Davis has over 100 tackles this year and is 4th in the NFL in tackles. He has a shot to make the pro bowl this year. I think he will make it and he definitely deserves to go. Hopefully the Browns resign him this off season. He is a big time linebacker.
Leigh Bodden has made a name for himself this season. He is showing the league that he can be a top cover corner in the years to come. He is young and although he gets beat sometimes he has the skills to be a top shut out corner in the NFL. Give him some more experience and time and he will make a pro bowl in the coming years.
Those are just a few reasons, there are many. This team is growing up before our eyes. I for one am happy and cannot wait for the future that is ahead. The Browns as an organization are in the right track. Remember every dawg has his day, and the Browns day is coming very soon. |
