James Walker: AFC North Blogger

Ok, so I am not actually writing an article on James Walker, but more copying and pasting some Cleveland fan's thoughts, that really make me look at this franchise as a whole. These are opinions that should be put up all over the Cleveland Browns locker room.

JMo from Bed-Stuy writes: I don't think it's fair to assess the Browns situation just yet. They are doing poorly now, there's no arguing against that. But Eric Mangini and George Kokinis need at least a whole season under their belts before it's fair to truly evaluate them. Let's give these guys a chance to finish up the season (ideally improving along the way) and make the off-season moves that really lend toward building the type of team they want to run. Mangini comes off as having some sort of plan with the restructuring of the team this past off-season. And I don't think the Browns were a "one off-season fix." Our problems have been festering since 1999.

Tony from Louisville, KY writes: I, under no circumstances, will abandon the Dawgs. Since I was born I've followed the Browns with deep passion. There is no reason for any fan to abandon this team at this time. If, for the last decade we have been able to tolerate the lack of success this team has had then what’s another 2 or 3 years. Now is not the time to abandon this team. Now is the time when all Browns fans should be screaming at the top of their lungs in support of the players on the field. Let’s let them know that we stand behind them and support them. The Browns have inspired a city and nation of loyal Browns fans before, maybe now it's the fans turn to inspire a team.
(This is on of my favorite posts. Tony from Louisville knows what it means to be a Fan)

Chris in Iraq writes: I am a huge Browns fan; have been my entire life. I have never seen more loyal fans to their cause. Even here in Iraq, it is surprising to see how many fans show up to watch Cleveland games, sporting their Browns jerseys week in and week out. I know how brash Browns fans can be, but these fans spend their hard-earned money on this football team every week, every season. We walk around getting ridiculed for being Browns fans, but we still defend our team to anyone who comes around. All we want is a competitive team. A team that can go out and consistently win, and players who know what it is to be a Cleveland Brown.
(And yes, this is actually what I wrote)

Marcus from DC writes: James, I'm not about to quit on the Browns, but agree that the problem stems not from winning or losing, but a lack of passion, of heart, of fire or whatever else you want to call it. The Browns are in a rebuilding mode, so losses are understandable. But the coaches seem to have no interest in winning. For the past few seasons, the phrase has been "Believeland." At this point, the fans are being given no reason to believe. After a terrible season, the Miami Dolphins re-staffed and gave the team a reason to believe with the Wildcat. The Browns have re-staffed, but seem to have no desire to find an offense that can get the fans and the team fired up. That's what we need to believe again—a little spark.

Point is, there is a lot of frustration building from 10 seasons + 3 games of subpar play and watching our beloved franchise fail. But it is not totally fair to blame Mangini because of the state of the franchise in 01 or 99 or any previous seasons. Right now, like most fans, I am completely disgusted with the coaching staff, but there is always growing pains with a new regime taking over a team that has more issues then a section 8 housing community.

I still refuse to buy another Jersey or piece of merchandise till this team can prove they are committed to being competitive, but as of right now, I think Cleveland has hit it's all time low for the year and all I can do is hope they can improve for the next 13 games.