Written by Mansfield Lucas

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Mansfield Lucas brings up a good point in his latest column.  When reputed hilbilly and Browns hater Bill Cowher says he sees this team growing up and evolving, you know good things are happening.  Mansfield loves the fact that this team has once again become dominant on their home field, and says that winning three of these last five games will equate to a playoff spot.  And that for the first time in a long time, the Browns have given us something to believe in.  A great read.

The Browns: The Next Generation ^TM used to blow opportunities like this. Well, at least they did under Butch Davis. The other years we just lost so frequently and badly that there was nothing to blow. But last Sunday the team seemed to understand the significance of a playoff chase and played their most solid, although not perfect, complete game this season. Almost as important is their continuing dominance at CBS, another aspect that has eluded them for decades. 

When goofy Browns' hata Bill Caher, arguably the most inarticulate talking head in the history of inarticulate TV sports talking heads, says that he can see the team growing up and gaining confidence before his eyes, you know something good is happening 

Not to be redundant, but actually seeing the Browns take care of business in a workmanlike fashion against a decent team on a playoff march  is as rephreshing as an ice cold Stoli and Ting at Ocho Rios. Yeah, that's right Big Man; I used the term "playoffs". I use it because it is appropriate. This team stands at 7 - 4 with a schedule that is reminiscent of the inside of a Suzy Q. If the season ended today, they'd be in. All they need to do is win three of the next five and that gets us to ten wins. It is so doable it hurts. Most years, ten wins simply gets it done in this era. I actually have visions of 11 wins after Sunday. And so should you. This team has enough talent, skill and heart to get there. Sunday showed that they have the poise and maturity as well. There is nothing more fun than watching a team grow and come together and get good for the first time before there are expectations. Well, a championship might be more fun, but I wouldn't know anything about that as a C-town fan. Believe in this group, this team. I'm not saying that the Patriots should worry, but I am saying that we are fully capable of doing what we are doing, which is having the 5^th best record in the conference that the grown up teams play in on Sunday. 

Going Larry King Dawg with some random semi-coherent takes... 

• Who in the HELL is Brandon McDonald and what is Lucifer going to do with his soul he sold him? I watched that game twice and I am positively amazed by that kid. Is he really this good? I didn't see anything fluky about him at all. I saw great positioning, outstanding closing, and the most skilled break ups since the first time a cat broke out with the "it's not you, it's me" line and it had cred. The defensive backs as a whole are really coming together. Pool is no longer late, the tackling is better, and while they still give up yards, they just look better doing it. This is the best group we've had since Felix Wright came off the bench.
  
  
• Jamal Lewis needs to be re-signed. I'm not hearing anything else. As far as I'm concerned, he and Kellen Winslow are the heart and soul of the offenses' new attitude. These guys are so confident and tough, and just so good that they lift the whole team up. Jamal still has it, and if you keep him in a balanced offense there is no reason he can't be our Jerome Bettis and play for many more seasons supplying the kind of hurt you need to assert your physicality on another team (that's how Jim Brown would say it, except he might find a way to use "physicality" twice in one sentence).
  
  
• And speaking of Kellen Winslow, all he provides is near perfection. Anyone who thinks this kid isn't the best tight end in the world right now because of some nonsense about blocking just doesn't understand the position; plain and simple. Go start a third tackle and run the wishbone if you believe someone is better. I remember trying to patiently explain to people what The Souljah could and would do strategically for an offense when they kept saying "but we drafted a tight end 6^th overall" like Nigel Tuffnal repeating that his amp went to 11. This guy simply changes what you can do as a defense by rendering linebackers and many big safeties toast. Stack the box to stop JayLew and he'll destroy those types. Play another defensive back on him and our offensive line makes bowling ally sized lanes for our backs. Forget about doubling Edwards. That is a strategic advantage that changes game planning folks. Only a handful of impact players can do that for you. I understood that the minute Butch paid in heavy coin to move up to take him. Just don't ask me to explain Pontbriand.
  
  
• Our defensive line should get hurt more often, don't yah think? Just line up Shaun Smith at nose and return to the days of the UFO defense of the immortal Bob Slowak. They were actually passable on Sunday, and for once a running back didn't gain over a C-note. Was it a mirage? Are they finally being coached up? Is this related to benching some other players? The whole thing is shocking to me.
  
  
• Cam Rahn, I dig your ability and motor, but feel free to develop a second pass rush move any day now. You are starting to remind me a bit of Courtney Brown with good knees and an interest in the game, which isn't all bad. But Derrick Thomas, which is your upside, you won't be until you get a brand new bag.
  

Next up are the Arizona Cardinals, who along with the Browns and Lions are one of the surprise teams clawing their way up from doormat status. They remind me a lot of Houston - they aren't bad, but they aren't good either. They're not sick but they're not well. And in ‘zona it's so hot, cause they're in hell. Last Sunday we saw a young team take another maturation step by taking care of bidness at home. This week we'll see what's what and if they can take another big step and win on the road in a late time zone. Right now the Browns control their own destiny. (I mean "destiny" as in "fate", not the name of the western Pennsylvania trailer park queen on Springer fighting over her man Jeremiah with Amber and Crystal). Let's see what they can do now that it has been entrusted to them.  

I believe they will fulfill it and we'll see a playoff game in a few weeks. And sorry Romeo. I'm gonna talk about that all day, e'ry day. I earned that.