Today I met my good friend Rita at Jimmy V’s in Westerville where members of the Columbus Browns Backers meet to watch the game. I have been a Browns fan since I was a tyke as has Rita and this year I decided to take the plunge and become an official Browns Backer member ($10 entry fee – but not really sure what it gets me).
I have to admit I really look forward to Sunday afternoons watching my favorite team with other fans of the Browns. Being a Browns fan is similar to being a Red Sox fan before they won the World Series a few years ago, or being a Chicago Cubs fan. Each year you start out thinking that maybe the sports gods will look kindly on your team and that they might perform well enough to win it all.
Being tied for first place in the AFC Central with Pittsburgh and Baltimore the Browns Backers were out in full force anticipating that Cleveland might run their record to 3-1, but unfortunately the Browns didn’t show up today and got smoked by Tennessee. The loss was the typical assortment of mistakes, dropped passes, penalties, missed tackles and play calls that just didn’t pan out.
Oh well, we will still be tied for first if Baltimore loses tonight and we have two weeks to get ready for the Raiders. One thing is for sure, the Browns Backers will be back at Jimmy V’s in two weeks, hoping always hoping that this year might be our year.
Today’s game against Tennessee is one of those early-season games that the Browns really need to win. The Titans, like the Browns, are 2-1, and are led by quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who is off to a fast start. They are primarily a passing team on offense, without much of a running attack. The Browns defense has been able to put pressure on the quarterback in each of their first three games, and they will be trying to sack and harass the 36-year-old Hasselbeck. Offensively, the Browns will be looking to get off to a fast start for the first time this season. The Browns’ first half performance in their games so far has been brutal, and they need to start to develop a consistent offensive rhythm that works throughout the game. Having Peyton Hillis back, with the increased confidence that should come from last week’s last-second winning touchdown drive and breakout performance by Montario Hardesty, should help.
