First of all, to the Cleveland Browns--from the players to Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel on down to their staffs--a heart-felt congratulations on a tremendously successful and unexpected season.
To think where this organization has been, not only the last eight years but going back as recently as Week One of the 2007 season, and to think that this team would finish the regular season with 10 wins? And 7 of those coming at home?
Yeah, the choke job against both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh 2.0--especially the latter--has led to some hand-wringing, but the totality of the season can be perceived as nothing but an unmitigated success.
If you would've told me before the season began that "you can have a 10-6 season, but...", I would've cut you off before the word "10" could be completed, said "thank you" and moved on.
I just hope time and distance and perspective will allow people to grasp what this team, what this organization, has accomplished this season.
Now, with that out of the way, onto the bitch...
Romeo, good sir, just WTF were you thinking???
You have a potential playoff game next weekend, your starting QB injures his throwing hand, and you put him back in what was essentially a meaningless game.
Playoff-wise, this game had no bearing. None.
What in God's name were you thinking?
And please tell me that FOX sideline reporter Tony Rizzo misquoted you, that you didn't actually say, in not so many words, that you didn't want to cause a QB controversy by protecting your injured starting QB.
Yes, the x-rays were negative. Bully for them. But what was the point risking your starting QB--in a meaningless game, playoff-wise, BTW--with a playoff game staring you square in the face?
It turned out OK--so it seems--but it was an asinine decision on your part.
No reason for it. None.
Especially if the reason was to avoid a "QB controversy".