Opening game the most important ever?
by Eric Brown
09/07/2007
The Cleveland Browns franchise has seen it's share of important contests, but the 2007 opening game has an aura around it as if it will be the most important regular season game in a long time, maybe it's history. A winning tradition is what the fans were promised when the Cleveland Browns franchise returned in 1999. Since that time, the franchise has fielded talentless, unprepared, and downright awful football teams. During the past 8 seasons the Browns have averaged 5 wins and 11 losses for a 40-88 record. The fans are hungry and are tired of waiting.
Phil Savage has said that Romeo Crennel is the right man for the job and is not on the hot seat. I admire his stand by your man facade as Crennel and the players needed to hear those sentiments. It wouldn't be right for Crennel to head into the season without his general managers full support. So at least the appearance of a stable situation is in place for Crennel at this time. It is Crennel's turn to prove that he is head coaching material and show the NFL world that he is capable at the controls of a pro football team. This first game is the first step for Crennel. A well prepared, cohesive, hard playing, fired up football team is expected on Sunday. The Browns must come out fired up and play hard from play number one. They must take an early lead and hold on to it for four quarters and sixty minutes. Anything less and this team begins it's downhill slide for the 2007 season. There is excitement, momentum, and a positive attitude surrounding this team and it's future today, September the 7th. A loss against the Steelers in blowout fashion or in the waining minutes could cripple this team and it's fans for the entire 2007 season.
Phil Savage has assembled the best group of players this team has seen since it's return. There is a healthy balance of veterans, rookies, young talent, and role players on this football squad. Those players must realize what is at stake for them, their coach, the fans, and this team. We have beaten exactly one division team in the last two seasons in twelve attempts. How as a fan, can we possibly be excited about our teams future if on Sunday, September the 9th, the same old routine plays out. A win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on opening day would set the wheels in motion for a succesful if not playoff season. Let me ask the fans this: If we were to start the season off with a win against the Steelers, how would you then feel about games at home against the Bengals and Ravens? a loss?
The future definitely looks bright for this team, but there comes a time when you have to quit talking about the future and instead start writing the future. The Cleveland Browns fans are tired of hearing wait til next year, and fast forward to next season. The future is now and it starts on sunday, a win is a must. Fans, I'm not excluding you for doing your part either. I beg you to show up early, in full force, and be fired up from the kickoff until 4:30 p.m. Get back to your seats, or don't leave them at halftime, this is the most important game of this franchise's era if not it's history. The Cleveland Browns need us and we need them, let's get this thing right this time and begin our journey to many, many Super Bowl's.