One Week, Same Team?!?!

After watching week 1, reading numerous articles written about the "same ole Browns", I decided to write a more optimistic approach to the 2009 Cleveland Browns.

During my preseason predictions, I picked Cleveland winning only 6 games this year and this game against Minnesota was not one of them. Let’s face it; Minnesota is a far more talented team then Cleveland. I think next week in Denver, we'll see two teams are closer together in terms of talent

As Browns fans, we are used to what comes when a new Coach/GM takes the helm. It has happened 4 times now. 10 Years of rebuilding, over and over again. But this year, I sense something vastly different from previous regime changes. Something I see and it is called a good start. The Browns already have some key talent in place.

Our offensive line is getting better. Injuries happen in this game and it definitely hurt the right side against a dominate Vikings front four, but Womack and St. Clair did do an adequate job to show hope that the right side can get better. Our Defensive front 7 was excellent in the first half. They provided a solid pass rush and were stout against the league's best running back, but they wore down and that is going to happen against elite teams. The secondary play, which I thought was going to be a huge weakness, actually proved to be pretty solid. Both Eric Wright and B-Mac made some really solid plays and Brodney Pool even registered a sack. Yeah, they got beat especially in the second half against the run, i.e. Eric Wright getting slammed by an AP stiff arm, but again, enough to show they can compete well against teams.

Cleveland's Offense was able to do some things and there were some blown opportunities, but all n all still provided hope that this team will get better as the season progresses. Brady should get his timing routes down, the O-line will gel together and that is going to open running lanes against a lot of the teams Cleveland faces this year, just not some of the top teams.

The only thing that has me real hesitant right now is how quickly this team collapse on its self. It's like, one bad thing goes wrong and this team cannot recover from it in a game. That was much like last season's Browns team. But I have faith that these silly mistakes and collapse will decrease as this season progresses. By 2010, I do believe this Cleveland Browns team will be ready to compete with the top teams in the NFL.

After week one, I still believe 6 games is very much possible, and after watching some of the other teams play, 7 or even 8 games are well within reach.