First off I have got to clean up some old business. I was wrong about Charlie Frye. I thought he was going to surprise this year. He didn't. He played to his past form. I wrote months back that I saw the Browns having a "poor man's" San Diego situation from a few years back. I think I was correct on that view, I just got the quarterbacks mixed up. With a little bit of luck, Anderson and Quinn might turn out to be for us what Breese and Rivers were for the Chargers.
Now on to new business. As I was leaving the Stadium Sunday I heard a fan shout out "you better get used to this!" I think he is right. These Browns are developing. They are showing an energy and determination and belief that we have not seen here in decades. Gus like Winslow and Edwards; the passion that Lewis brings etc...will not allow the Browns to go down without a fight. And when you have playmakers-- the Browns could end up winning alot of games.
Most of all, the offensive line is fast becoming the kind of unit that leads teams to titles. I was pumped when the Browns drafted Thomas. I remember being at Shula's for the Draft bash and running around like a nut when we picked him. The kid has got it. He is going to have some growing pains but it is obvious he is a fast learner.
As for the defense, don't panic yet. Football seasons are journeys. Sometimes a teams' weakness evolves into a strength over the course of a season. Peek's foot injury set the defense back some. McGinnest's return is going to help. But we have to shelve Big Ted. He is done and he is hurting the team mightily. Look for improvement in the coming weeks from Eric Wright (maybe not against Moss) and the rest of the secondary.
Trust me when I say this, that opening game we played against Pittsburgh gave us some false reads. The Steelers are not as good as they looked that day, and we have proven to be not as bad we played on Sept. 9.
If you are old enough to remember this, we are the Browns of 1985. And we know what came after that.
Yes, the Browns are 2-2 at the quarter pole, and it is a solid 2-2. We didn't win games by lucky brakes, scooping up fumbles to steal games. We won by solid o-line play, great special teams (Cribbs) and an occasional stop or two on defense.
I really believe the Browns will win AT LEAST 8 GAMES, and be involved in the playoff talk in early December--and who knows??? What I am certain of is that there is a power shift going on in the AFC. Look at it. The Broncos are a weak 2-2; the Chiefs and Dolphins stink in my book. The Chargers are adrift with "Mush" from the Bronx Tale coaching them (everything Norv Turner touches turns to mush); the Jets got by with a weak schedule last year and they are showing their true colors now. The Bengals, at 1-3, will make a run, but their defense is a mess and they will fall short.
The biggest improvement in the Browns can be attributed to the offensive system employed by Chud. When coaches and players talk about a vertical passing attack they are talking about downfield routes, seam patterns, receivers catching the ball while facing the opponents goal line netting yards after catch. Not the system (Carthon) where Winslow had to battle three defenders off while catching a dump off with his back to the defense. Look at the mileage we are getting out of our passing game! It makes you wonder why more coaches don't run this system. I am sure the O-line has something to do with it.
I would start thinking about extending Jamal Lewis' contract. I like what I see out of him. We have played 3 tough defenses; one weak one, and he has more than held his own overall. He is far from washed up. If he plays well in October, I would lock him up.
Finally, look for the Browns to force the Patriots to make a play late to beat them.
Remember, this is 1985 and we put a real scare into the undefeated Dolphins---sound familiar?