7-4, is that a typo? Even as the temperature drops into the high teens in N.C. a bread Browns fan feels little warmth or comfort in the winning record. My disdain for head coach Kevin Stefanski was reinforced by a Cleveland friend through wireless connection, “worst play-caller ever” echoed in the receiver when I, ‘cried out loud’ “two times with Harrison Bryant, c’mon man!” A local buddy blamed the quarterback play but my disagreement was heard when the above was mentioned. Straight up, the 5th rounder from UCLA can play! Another local compadre watched the first half with me and unbiasedly assessed his arm strength, decision making, speed, and talent as legit. Dude, brah, guy, it’s his 3rd game in the league, c’mon man, not bad.
But was he out, (concussion at the 1) and P.J. was in (who I thought should have started) they want to get funky, their ‘back up off the wall’ with 3 people touching the ball in the backfield; Jesus Christ, Help! Even the announcer’s were skeptical, “the game is still in reach, why?” Did I mention that was the first play with P.J., c’mon man! If I had Hunt, Ford, Moore, and P.J. in the backfield I would run wildcat with one snap and blockers. Seems simple even with an injured o-line, they’re good.
The pressure on Russel was not significant and he showed flashes, I mean he rushed for 34 yards when they counted and put up 6 with his legs. His passing was on par with the rookie, 134, and a TD; no INT’s. Enough to sleepwalk past the Browns. To me it wasn’t Wilson or any other player but Sean Payton Vs. Kevin Stefanski that shifted the scales a mile high. The stat sheet looks pretty balanced but that was not what fans saw on the field.
The injuries to Dorian, Myles, and Cooper are swallowed like an omega 3 capsule, barely. This is supposed to make me feel better, that’s what they say in L.A., maybe. A daunting task to limp into SoFi and take on Donald, Stafford, and Kupp. Will it fall on old man Joe Flacco, (former Raven) or the fighter, P.J.? Whatever man finds himself knighted under center can someone slap Kevin if he initiates 3 passes in a row that follows a punt, and losing our future on the next series?
I think I need to have Jim Schwartz call in Wayne Brady, “eat your sandwich, Dave!” Although the defensive wasn’t lock down, they are the best out of 32, straight up! Well with addition of Young on S.F., ok, got me; homer, far and away, ha. It’s so inspiring to watch players become a unit. They gang tackle like the 2000 Ravens and dare QB’s to pass in the face of dawgs barking. It’s reminiscent of Lebron’s first tour through the North Coast, leadership with teamwork, together.
Before the Browns are welcomed back home, they stay out west to face the Rams. A team that seemed to be written off but rookies have shined big and smiled bright in the spotlight of Los Angles. Except when they yielded to Green Bay two weeks back, sore thumb, c’mon man, that should have been a W.
A calculated bettor would take the Rams -3.5, that’s it? But the Believe-lander in me always has faith on any given Sunday after church, before family dinner; that come Monday I might wake proud, with strength, and joy in my step to recount the glory of an almighty week’s end. Ah, waiting until the Sabbath is like waiting for next year, something rumbles, is hungry, and wants to be fed. But the satisfaction of being full of recognition never arrives and so we continue the journey, lifting our spirits with spirits on a cold December afternoon in comradery with brothers and sisters yelling, Go Browns, to anyone in shouting distance. Because to be in a love, hate relationship takes patience, pride, and promise; that one day they will understand.
