The general feeling about the Cleveland Browns in 2008 is polarizing to the extreme.
On one side you have those who have the Browns as the “sexy pick” of the year.
They are a young, exciting team who greatly exceeded expectations in 2007, that features a dynamic offense, and plays an inordinate amount of close, dramatic games.
A team who’s General Manager, Phil Savage, made some bold, yet risky, moves to fix a weak defensive line that he identified as a problem.
A team for the first time since its reincarnation has a core group of players who have carried over from the past couple of seasons.
A team, which for the first time since the early 1990s, has some high profile, budding players that are recognized nationally.
On the other side you have the nay-sayers who believe the Browns’ 2007 success was based on a weak schedule and down year for the AFC North.
Those pundits say that despite going 10-6 and missing the playoffs by a tiebreaker, the Browns blew a chance at the post-season by producing a late season stink pickle against the Cincinnati Bengals.
They point to the fact that the Browns registered losses to NFL bottom-feeders like the Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, and Oakland Raiders.
That there is no way they will be able to repeat that kind of performance in 2008. They say that the performances of Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow were a fluke.
They haven’t beaten the hated Pittsburgh Steelers in almost five years. And the 2008 schedule? No way will the Browns make it out alive with games against the NFC East and AFC South.
And with all those prime time and 4:00 pm games the Browns will wilt under the pressure of the limelight.
But my question to you, the Cleveland Browns faithful, whichever side you may fall on is this:
1 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Jimbo about 1 year ago
You're right, Jeff. This team promises to be very exciting and entertaining this season. Good article. And go Dawgs!
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