Cleveland Browns Christmas: 5 Things That Should Be on Browns Fans' Wish List
December is in full swing, and that can only mean one thing: Christmas is near. People are frantically shopping for last minute gift ideas. They're making their lists, and checking them twice, etc. And while this Browns' fan had nothing in particular he wanted for Christmas, here are five things that would make him and many other Cleveland fans happy to end the season:
1. Victories in Each Of Cleveland's Final Three Games
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The debate has heated up in the past month or so as to Eric Mangini's status as head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
The author would like to see Mangini get another year in Cleveland, not necessarily because he's earned it, but at the very least to see what he can do with a little more talent around him, on the field and possibly on the coaching staff as well.
However, Eric Mangini is not the reason the author would like to see the Browns end their season with a three game winning streak.
Winning their last three games would not only put a positive spin on a season in which the Browns, not predicted to do much this season due to a really tough schedule, were a few wins from making the playoffs, but it would also mean that a team that started the season 3-5 would finish its final eight games at 5-3. And that, more than anything that happened this season, should be something to build on in 2011.
Winning their last three will have meant the Browns did so against divisional rivals Cincy, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. That means they will have finished the season 4-2 in the AFC North, a big improvement over the last two seasons, where they only won one game total in the division.
And, finally, the author knows that by winning their last three the Browns will finish at 8-8, and the expectations next year at a minimum will be making the playoffs. Which is what Browns players, coaches, and fans should expect anyway.
2. Colt McCoy to Do Well in His Last Three Starts
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He is considered to be the future of the franchise, but with a caveat.
He is the most successful quarterback to ever come out of college, with a catch.
He's extremely accurate, but his arm strength is questionable.
He's done well at Texas, but that was in a warm weather climate. Will he be able to throw the ball in the cold, wind, and snow?
These were all criticisms of Colt McCoy after he was selected by the Browns in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft at number 85 overall, their fourth pick. And while he has performed more than admirably in his first five starts, completing over 63 % of his passes with a qb rating of just over 85, he has yet to face the elements.
That all changes this Sunday, when, in Cincinnati, he gets his first December start in the NFL in what more than likely will be a cold, if not windy and snowy day. He has been named the Browns' starting quarterback for the remainder of the season, and, with the final two games against the Steelers and Ravens being in Cleveland, the world will really get to see whether he can play in the cold.
People have liked to compare him to another Browns qb with not necessarily the strongest of arms, namely, Bernie Kosar. And while it may be true that Kosar did not have a strong arm, having gone to high school in nearby Youngstown meant that Kosar knew what it felt like to play in the cold.
With three solid performances to end the season, McCoy can quell the talk of him being a fair weather qb.
3. Peyton Hillis to Be Selected to The Pro Bowl
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With over a 1000 yards rushing, and almost 500 yards receiving, no one player has meant more to his team this season than Peyton Hillis.
Sure, it will be argued that Tom Brady should be MVP, or Peyton Manning, or even Michael Vick, but no one player has been a larger part of his teams' offense than Hillis.
Not only has Hillis gained almost half of the Browns total offensive yards himself, but with 13 touchdowns he leads the team in scoring as well.
And, while guys like Arian Foster and Chris Johnson might have more combined yards from scrimmage than Hillis, the fact of the matter is that neither of their teams are looking to them the way the Browns look to Hillis to bail them out on a consistent basis.
But Hillis can't get to the Pro Bowl by himself. So go to www.nfl.com and vote for Peyton Hillis as many times as possible so he can go to Miami.
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4. Josh Cribbs to Return a Kick For a Touchdown
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This one may not be entirely possible due to Cribbs current health status. But it is no secret that Cribbs is the most electric player on the team, and fans have waited all season for him to run one back.
While a Cribbs runback is not essential to a Browns victory, it certainly wouldn't hurt.
And a well timed kick return by Cribbs in either the game(s) vs. Baltimore or Pittsburgh could be key to the Browns pulling off an upset.
So maybe it should be that fans wish for Josh Cribbs to make a play, period.
5. Above All, a Victory Over The Steelers Again, Please
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Three victories against divisional foes in three consecutive weeks may be too much to ask, even for a Browns club that has improved from last season.
But it is no secret that as much as the Browns players hate the Steelers, Browns' fans hate the Steelers even more.
Fans don't forget James Harrison's helmet-to-helmet hits to Josh Cribbs or Mohamed Massaquoi, cheap shots or not.
And while the fans won't be on the field for the final game of the 2010 NFL season in Cleveland, they hope the Browns will represent them well.
By earning their second win over hated divisional rival Pittsburgh in as many years.
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