Cleveland Browns' 1985 Flashback: Fans Should Be Excited, Not Angry

As the 2010 regular season enters its final two weeks, it's becoming clear that the winds of change are headed to Cleveland. Following two tough road losses, the Browns are headed home to the stadium to host division rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh to close out the year.

The losses have been tough for Browns fans to swallow. They have forced a storm of negativity over the team, with the force directed at Eric Mangini and his coaching staff.

While I believe strongly in the concept of continuity, I can understand the point of view of those who are frustrated with the Browns' last two losses. I think the Browns have shown enough improvement this season to give the current regime another shot, but it's clear the final two games are going to weigh heavily into the final decision team president Mike Holmgren will ultimately make.

The last era of Cleveland Browns football worthy of high expectations, started in 1985. The similarities between the current state of the organization and those mid-1980s teams are too strong to ignore. As the coaching drama unfolds and the finality of the season plays out, I think Browns fans should be excited, not angry, because this team is on the verge of finally turning the corner.

The 1985 Browns finished 8-8, completing the second year of the Marty Schottenheimer era in Cleveland. Marty was a defensive-minded coach who believed in ball control, offense and solid defense. Sound familiar?

On offense the Browns were led by the powerful running attack of Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner. Each back rushed for just over 1,000 yards on the season, with Byner finishing second on the team with 45 receptions.

The current Browns rushing attack is led by Peyton Hillis, a dynamic back capable of running the ball and catching passes. In the 2010 sequel of the 1985 team, Hillis would be Byner, and unfortunately the Kevin Mack of this equation is Montario Hardesty who was injured in the preseason.

Cleveland started the 1985 season with veteran signal-caller Gary Danielson as the starting quarterback. Injuries and the progression of rookie Bernie Kosar forced the young quarterback into the lineup as the season progressed, not unlike Colt McCoy in 2010.

Kosar and Danielson shuffled in and out of the lineup all season, as did Jake Dellhomme and Colt McCoy this year. By the end of the season in 1985 it was clear that Kosar was the long-term answer. A similar conclusion was made regarding McCoy over his past few starts.

The wide receivers on the 1985 team were young and not very consistent. Reggie Langhorne was a rookie and Brian Brennan was in his second season. The strength of that team was in sure-handed tight end Ozzie Newson, who was the focal point of the passing attack as he caught 62 passes for 711 yards and five touchdowns. Sound familiar?

The 2010 version of the Browns has talented young wideouts in Mohammed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie who will continue to improve as the 1985 team did now that the quarterback position appears to finally have some clarity.

The focal point of the passing attack this season is tight end Ben Watson, who stars as the Ozzie Newsome of the sequel, leading the Browns with 58 receptions for 678 yards and three touchdowns with two weeks to go. 

The defense of the '85 team was led by hard-hitting safety Don Rogers, who tragically died far before he ever had the opportunity to reach his potential. 

In 2010, safety T.J. Ward represents Rogers with his physical play and explosiveness. Ward stepped into the starting role and hasn't looked back. He leads the team in tackles and also has a forced fumble on the year.

The defensive backfield of those Browns had one of the better cornerbacks in Frank Minnifield who in 1985 was just coming into his own. The 2010 Browns version of Minnifield is rookie cornerback Joe Haden who continues to get better each week.

Both the old and new versions of this Browns team had a mix of young and older players who contributed to the growth of the defense.

In 1985 it was 29-year-old Clay Matthews. In 2010 it was Scott Fujita, who played very well all season before his recent knee injury.

As a complete unit the 1985 Browns were ranked 23rd in points scored on offense and seventh in points given up.

The 2010 Cleveland Browns are ranked 28th in points scored on offense and 10th in points given up.

The comparison of these two teams is fair, and could mean big things are on the way for the Browns over the next few seasons. That 1985 team finished 8-8 and won the division, something that is not possible in 2010 in the AFC North.

I wonder if Marty would have remained as the head coach if the Browns had not managed to capture a division title at .500. There is a very good chance that if the Browns did not make the postseason that year he may have been let go. If the Browns owner Art Modell, had acted on impulse as he so commonly did, and fired the coaching staff, the magical run of four division titles and three AFC championship games may never have happened.

All the more reason why Cleveland should give the current group of coaches and players another shot to get better.

Cleveland fans should be excited, not frantic. Happy, not angry. We should pay attention to facts not unrealistic expectations. The 2010 team is a solid group of young players that haven't been able to stay healthy. The depth chart is thin but continues to wear down as the season closes. Despite another losing season in Cleveland, the team is clearly on the verge. If it's anything similar to those 1980s teams, it's on the verge of something big.