Written by Dave Kolonich

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I mean….it is only football, right?

Surely, we haven’t reached that point in the season where the gloomy realization sets in that our beloved Browns are still years away from truly competing.

Canton Rep – Browns Get Credit From Bucs

Wait, let me check the calendar again.

Anyway….one game does not a season make.  After all, compared to this time last year, the Browns exited their season opener with only a Josh Cribbs TD return and enough Brady Quinn checkdowns to last a lifetime. 

Despite the mostly futile second-half efforts of the Browns against Tampa Bay, I’m thinking it’s a bit early to retreat into the murky cloud cover of another hopeless football winter. 

Although it was easy to dismiss after the final rain-slicked seconds of Sunday’s matchup, these Browns do offer a bit more hope than their 2009 predecessors. 

Consider that this newest version of the Browns feature two primary running back candidates, unlike the 2009 malaise that relied on Jamal Lewis’ high-mileage legs.  Add in two young wideouts who at the least now have some precious experience underneath them – along with rookie contributions from the likes of Joe Haden, T.J. Ward and perhaps Shaun Lauvao.

Defensively, although the front seven is paradoxically paper-thin, yet completely overstaffed, another potential gem may have been unearthed in the form of Marcus Benard.  Add in Matt Roth and a modest upgrade in the form of Chris Gocong – to go along with Ahtyba Rubin - and one could make the claim that the 2010 defense is further ahead of last year’s model.

In fact, if you discount the place-holding status of such veterans as Robaire Smith, Eric Barton, Scott Fujita and Abe Elam – this claim is nearly cemented. 

Or, think of it this way – last year’s defense lived and died with Shaun Rogers.  Eric Barton was essentially the only legitimate inside linebacker and both Brandon McDonald and Hank Poteat were providing vital services.

Offensively, the same story can be told.  Literally, if you want to re-examine the puzzling situation along the right side of the offensive line.

However in terms of a talent upgrade, I would consider 227 passing yards (minus those two unfortunate throws) a veritable leap over last September’s production.  While the narrative of Jake Delhomme is an entirely different genre to cover, let’s at least be thankful for the presence of two pass catching tight ends, along with the promise of more Flash packages. 

Having said all that and despite the final results of last Sunday’s figurative wash-out, let’s save the Doom and Gloom scenarios for another time.

Like later in the season.

So, on behalf of….well, myself….I would like to apologize for the following:

The Afternoon After: Browns-Bucs Edition

I was a little bitter.  My bad.

Justification Tuesday

Which wasn’t much of a justification at all.

So on that note, let’s get back to what sports is truly all about….meaning let’s have some fun.

And really, is there anything funnier than this?

Derek Anderson’s Cardinals Teammates Truly Believe in Him

Oh wait – this is a “real” headline?  Jesus, just wait a few weeks.

How about this instead?

Delhomme in Walking Boot

Kind of funny.  But then again…wouldn’t this mean that Colt McCoy is now a snap away from actually playing?

Let’s try again….

Rolling Stone – ESPN and Replaceable People

Maybe that was just funny to me…

The Smoking Jacket – 11 Effeminate Things About Football

That’s more like it.

Speaking of mascots…and things fun (again – probably only to me), let’s play a little game.

I call it Six Degrees of Corey Peters.

It’s pretty simple.  But first, you may be asking: “just who is Corey Peters?”

For those of you who stomped your feet back in April when the Browns spent a third-round pick on Colt McCoy, you may remember that Peters – a defensive lineman taken by Atlanta – was being considered by the Browns’ brain trust….at least by those members not named Mike Holmgren.

And for those of you who cringed last Sunday when the Steelers beat the Falcons in overtime, you may remember that Peters – the third-round rookie – played the majority of the game….his first in the NFL.

But as we all know….Peters coming to Cleveland was not to be.  Instead, McCoy – who has the twin distinction of being an “active-inactive” player for all of 2010, along with looking very much like a college QB in the preseason – was the pick.

And despite what I wrote in yesterday’s post….

After all, if our Browns are going to lose to a team that is mostly comparable in terms of overall development, then why not use the youngest, most athletic talent available?

….I was not advocating that McCoy be thrust into the NFL spotlight some seven years before he’s ready. 

But instead, had the Browns taken Peters, things could be a little different today.

Consider the following….

1.  The Browns select Peters in the third round instead of McCoy – which gives the team an injection of youthful depth along the defensive line.

2.  Instead of taking a flyer on Clifton Geathers at the end of the draft, the Browns select another offensive lineman.

3.  Which leads to John St. Clair not receiving as many preseason reps, leading to him not making the final roster.

4.  Thus, the Browns actually “take a chance” on playing a right tackle who exhibits some legitimate range of movement.

5.  Meaning that Jake Delhomme is not pressured into making “that throw” or getting his ankle trampled.

6.  Which again leaves us with Colt McCoy….one snap away from actually playing a game.

Hilarious.