As a die-hard Browns fan, I wonder how the rest of the season will unfold. Is the Giants' game a make-or-break game? Or, has that point passed us? Well, I guess it depends on your perspective. Are you optimistic or pessimistic?
Let's get some issues out of the way. Yes, I'm excited that the Browns have their team back. Yes, I'm happy that the Browns had a successful season last year. Yes, I'm excited that the Browns have five nationally televised games this year.
But, I was at that Dallas game. D.A. played ok, and Jamal Lewis ran hard. Unfortunately, we couldn't stop any Dallas running back or their receivers. We lost to the Steelers at home in stormy weather, and then the Ravens dumped us with their defense. We even had a lead at half, but we couldn't rattle their rookie QB. I don't know who to thank for our victory against the Bengals...Carson Palmer, Jamal Lewis for setting the pace at the beginning of the game, or Braylon Edwards for finally catching a ball.
Now we have the Giants. Kellen Winslow is hurting, but it looks like Ryan Tucker will step in at right tackle. This should strengthen the line. Donte Stallworth is back but not at a 100%. After watching various shows on Sports Time Ohio on Directv, our players acknowledge the importance of this game. None of them want to be embarrassed on national TV. None of them want a repeat of the that preseason game against the Giants. I didn't realize that we had 98 penalty yards in the first quarter of that preseason game; I just knew that we were down 23-3. We also ended up losing five players that game due to injury.
Monday Night Outlook: If we protect D.A. and score 30 points, we have a chance for a victory. If not, the game could get ugly. And, unless D.A. gets injured, don't expect to see Brady Quinn. Coach Crennel didn't pull D.A. after a crappy outing against the Bengals in the first half. What makes us think that he will pull D.A. tomorrow night in Cleveland? Nevertheless, I hope that our fans at the game will be supportive. If D.A. struggles, the boo birds might come out. Hopefully, this won't happen. Hopefully, Chud will have game plan to not only stump the Giants' D, but one that caters to our players abilities.
In the words of Bruce Drennen, "I Love you, Cleveland!"
