After a seemingly great offseason, the Browns preparations for the 2006 season have just had problem after problem once camp has started. Today, it's the trade of Lee Suggs to the Jets falling through after Suggs failed a physical. Now, I don't want to get too upset about not getting CB Derrick Straight for Suggs, but the fact is that Suggs is probably not in the team's plans and we need depth at DB. And, worse than that, Suggs is now damaged goods despite being as healthy as he's ever been as an NFL player. You have to wonder if his trade value can even be measured now.
The theme of the preseason seems to be that we are being forced to re-live the past. Suddenly we have to watch a young QB play in front of a patchwork offensive line. Suddenly we're signing defensive backs off the street and they are being considered for contributing positions. And the debates of William Green vs. Lee Suggs seem like they will go on for another few years. God, I can't wait for the games to start for real.
And I have to remind myself of this: the Browns are better than last year. The preseason doesn't mean jack. We're going to forget about 90% of this at 1 PM on September 10th. The defense has two guys we've needed forEVER in Washington and McGinest, and there's a slew of promising younger players around them. Injuries always suck, but right now we should be as optimistic as is possible regarding the future of the defense. So there's that. And offensively, while we may be back to square one (or two, I hope) on the offensive line, we do finally have a true professional, polished receiver in Jureivicius and legitimate potential playmakers in Winslow and Edwards. There's going to be definite struggles, sure, but let's not get carried away. Training camp is a daytime soap opera. September 10th is prime time tv. Or something like that... and if I sound like I'm still trying to convince myself, I am.
As a grown adult of 32 years who is mid-way through a seemingly endless process of wearing dental braces it was cool to seee the ESPN interview with Kellen Winslow and see that he too is wearing braces. And he too apparently waited until after he got married to get them. Nice move Kellen!
On Tuesday I drove with my wife and daughter to Columbus to see the Wiggles. I expected to be somewhat cynical about the whole experience. Instead, it was endearing and fun. The kids loved it, and the guys in the Wiggles seemed to genuinely love entertaining these children. These dudes make 200+ million a year now, it's crazy. I spent the first part of the concert deciding whether these guys were just cashing huge checks
Suggs. Man, what is the deal? This guy can't catch a break. And the Browns can't catch a break with him. Actually, the Browns aren't even trying to "catch a break," they just want to get a little bit a value for him in a trade. And that is proving difficult.
The worst part about Suggs failing his physical was Lee saying the Jet's front office didn't even tell him, and Suggs found out from the intern who was giving him a ride. Jeez, that's pretty crappy treatment. The funny thing is that I think Suggs would be a pretty good fit for the Jets, if he's healthy anyway.
Let's just hope Lee tears it up tomorrow night!
Blogging has been a little slow... between the Wiggles and work, things have been busy. I have a huge backlog of fantasy previews to post for the NFC, just have to get them organized.