The Cleveland Browns: I Believe!
Special Commentary by HD MM on the State of your Cleveland Browns.
Ok, the signs are there. We are finally moving in the right direction! Players are buying into Mangini's philosophy. I'm glad we stayed the course with him. Despite all the ridicule he's received from New York, he actually is a really good coach! If you've seen the scheming he's done the last two weeks, you'd think he was a Belichick disciple. Oh wait....
The pieces we've added since the front office additions of GM Tom Heckert and acting boss, Mike Holmgren are evident. Love what this team is turning into. So refreshing after suffering for so long!
At the midpoint in the season, we're 3-5 with convincing wins against two of the top teams in the league in New Orleans and New England. Of the 5 losses, 3 of them were lost in the final minutes of the 4th quarter. There hasn't been a single game that we haven't been in! Finally, football is exciting again in Cleveland! I really see us moving in the right direction and that is awesome!
As for yesterday's win, three things stood out to me:
1. Peyton Hillis is an absolute beast and will be a secret no more. He is as strong as any back I've ever seen, but coupled with nimbleness and quickness. That is a rare combination. Belichick made a point to seek him out following the 184 yards and 2 TD's he dropped on the Pats defense to shake his hand. Hillis is a consummate Cleveland Brown. An old school back who pounds the ball straight up the middle and punishes opponents. It's funny how the rest of the offense clicks with a great ground game!
2. Colt McCoy, one of the most accurate College QB's of last year's draft made another case to be our QB moving forward. Our second 3rd round pick that no one seemed to want is showing that he can be our franchise QB. Dude has moxy, accuracy and great decision making! I love this kid! I read a cool story in the paper about him the other day. Outside of Holmgren's office, there is two framed pictures. One of Brett Favre and one of Joe Montana. Both whom Holmgren had a part in grooming. Colt McCoy said in complete seriousness, "Coach, I'm going to be hanging in a frame next to those two someday. You'll see." Homgren was taken back by those comments and didn't know what to say. Colt McCoy is brimming with confidence and is a proven winner. His demeanor is contagious. I love that about him!
3. Our defense, led by Rob Ryan has been intimidatingly good this season! One of the reasons why we've been in every game this season is that we've held every opponent we've faced to 28 points or less. Frightening considering the production he's getting out of a bunch of no name players. Excited to see what the future brings!
Next up, Mangini vs. his former team and the return of stone hands/consummate douche, Braylon Edwards and The New York Jets! Expect heads to roll !!!!!