It's finally over. 2010, possibly the worst year in the history of Cleveland sports, is a memory. Maybe that's an overstatement, but it's at least the worst year for Cleveland sports since 2009. It came to a horrific, but probably fitting end, with the Browns once again being embarrassed at home by the one team against who a victory can take much of the sting out of another hopeless season.
The Browns managed to keep the game close for one play, after which the talent and motivation gap was too much to overcome. After an interception off of the hands of Ben Watson on the second play of the game, the Steeler's morally objectionable QB launched a perfectly thrown TD pass 56 yards to put the game out of reach. 3 total plays. 45 seconds. Game over. This was, of course, followed by Ian Eagle (or maybe it was the other guy) declaring that this is a good way for the Steelers to try to start the game, or something to that effect.
Yes, to be sure, more teams should try to start the game with an interception and 56 yard TD pass. Good idea. It's just another nail in Mangini's and DaBoll's offense that they didn't think of it first. Not that those particular coffins needed any more nails. I have a feeling that those coffins have been nailed shut for a few weeks now. It's probably going to be another clean sweep of the coaching staff and another new beginning for the Browns. And that probably includes everybody's favorite defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan, architect of the vaunted bend but don't break a sweat defense.
Meh
I'm done caring. I tried to defend Mangini et al. I've run out of arguments. The team played hard for him, I guess. They were better than last year, I guess. They are on the right track, I guess. I just can't really point to anything to support those conclusions. Let's face it. Charged with the task of playing their biggest rival in the one game of the year that matters, the Browns went out in front of the home crowd and took a giant dump.
As Jeffrey Lebowski (The other Lebowski. The deadbeat) might say, the plane has crashed into the mountain.
In that little analogy Mike Holmgren would be the Big Lebowski (I guess that makes Heckert the character Brandt).
He will not abide another toe.
An Awkward Glance Ahead At The Browns
Now that the season is over, the Browns will be able to prepare for their Super Bowl, the draft. But, that is months away. Before that starts, there will be a new head coach in place. So, let's glance ahead at a few likely candidates.
1. LeBron takes his talents away from Cleveland
2010 has been an interesting year for the Blue Jackets. They celebrated the ten-year anniversary of the franchise, named a new head coach for the first time since November of 2006, and they released new third jerseys. With so much going on, here are the top five developments of the year 2010 for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The year 2010 might have been a little short on good news for Cleveland sports fans, but it was far from uneventful.
The year 2010 might have been a little short on good news for Cleveland sports fans, but it was far from uneventful.