Though it may be far from the “Erotic Romance” that many of our beloved wives and girlfriends have come to love, it does in fact have some correlation with the topic I am prepared to speak (rant) of. The Browns. Yes folks, once again this bewildered franchise known locally as the “Cleveland Frowns” has taken the necessary steps to isolate, disband and virtually cast to the depths of football hell its fan base. This rant is meant to serve those who have experienced for far too long the a fore mentioned “50 shades of Brown”. A tale of epic delusion, false promises and more importantly a fan base that has run the proverbial gamut of a good old fashion shitty experience. Bare with me as I outline the importance of this to we Ohioans…
Growing up in northeast Ohio you get a real sense of what football truly is, essentially from all sides. From birth we often times come to know the sweet smell and feel of pigskin before our own mothers touch. Unrivaled history and pride by way of the tales of past Ohio greats spew from the mouths of our fathers and fathers before them. Friday night lights are an accepted standard and local high school greats are thought to be more of brothers to be looked up upon rather than just a jersey number on a field of perpetual glory.
File Photo: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
Saturday is viewed no differently. Once again we are not only engaged but blessed with streaks of scarlet and gray as they march up and down the 100 yd pasture now known as Ohio Stadium. A place where warriors like Griffin, Spielman and George grazed on the hopes and dreams of opposing players from that “team up north”. Some may call this predisposed hatred absurd, I for one disagree. This rivalry encompasses the passion and unbridled yearning that we as children are infused with at a very young age. To question it is to blatantly disregard your understanding for what football and its underlying meaning “to us” truly is.
Now, Sunday… Sunday is a wholeeeee different story in itself. For years fans have lamented over the fall from grace of a once fabled and destined franchise… At least in their eyes. Internal turmoil coupled with an epically long path of poor decisions and bad luck have left Ohioans in a very, very, VERY dark place. Who really can blame them. Stuck between this immovable rock and a legendary hard place the team has been found wanting by these loyal fans. I’ve included a few blood curdling, mind-boggling, and just sad moments in Browns history below:
- Red Right 88 – Cleveland Browns vs. Oakland Raiders, AFC Divisional Playoffs, January 4th, 1980
- The Drive – Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos, January 11th, 1987
- The Fumble – Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos, January 17th, 1988
- An Unknown Farewell – The (old) Browns last home game, December 17th, 1995
- “Bottlegate” – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns, December 16th, 2001
Now as memorable as those moments are they aren’t even the most pathetic in recent years. Take for instance the fact that the browns will be starting their 19th quarterback in 15 seasons. Who on god’s green earth could possibly even fathom the possibility of finding let alone starting 19 competent quarterbacks within an organization?! FYI here are the names.. Just for shits and giggles see if you can find me a QB you would wish on your worst enemy in there…
Tim Couch, Ty Detmer, Doug Pederson, Spergon Wynn, Kelly Holcomb, Jeff Garcia, Luke McCown, Trent Dilfer, Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Ken Dorsey, Bruce Gradkowski, Jake Delhomme, Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace, Thad Lewis, Brandon Weeden, Brian Hoyer.
We can sit here all day and go through the trials and tribulations that include injuries, a revolving door coaching staff, an unimaginable amount of offensive/defensive scheme changes, draft blunders and well for lack of a better term just atrocious business decisions… BUT, I wont. This last decision was the dagger in the hearts of many and it will surely go down as one of the most epic blunders in Browns history.
File Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images
“Trent Richardson acquired by the Indianapolis Colts for their 1st round pick in 2014.”
I’m not even a Browns fan (in fact I’m San Francisco 49ers fan) but I can sincerely say I entered hypertension when I read that going final last evening. Then to be followed up by this quote by Rob Chudzinski “The opportunity as an organization was there for us to have a chance to get better, ultimately, and I felt like it was the right decision overall.” How in the hell are you going to spin that Rob? First and foremost you’re not guaranteed anything as the Colts currently sit at 1-1. Are they going to hit the basement and get you a top 5 pick? I would venture to say that is highly unlikely. So, with Chris Ogbonnaya, Bobby Rainey and a wrong side of 30 tailback in Willis McGahee soon to be on your roster you’re going to sit there and sell me on “The opportunity as an organization was there for us to have a chance to get better, ultimately, and I felt like it was the right decision overall.” Lake Erie, a tall building or hell even a willing garbage truck driver are more than ready to put to rest those thoughts inside of your head, Rob.
We expect more as Ohioans, it’s understandable. In the end Browns fans, I feel your pain. In fact the whole league both laughs AND feels your pain. It’s unfathomable that a franchise (in reality a city) can go through this much hardship and still remain. In closing, I implore you as you readily burn yet another 100 dollar authentic piece of garbage you bought after the 2012 draft that you keep this in mind… They can continue to bend you over and paint you every shade of Brown in the book (mahogany, tan, shit brown) but, the fact remains, you are STILL a Brown. Stand by your team and remember that at some point in time it WILL change, hopefully for the better because honestly it really can’t get much worse. “Believe-land” remains, as do you. Stand by those who are still left in the locker room, God knows they need it…
File Photo: Dribble.com
Gary Gerba
Editor-in-Chief
Dynasty Sports Empire
@DSEmpire_G2
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