Bring on The 'Boys

Here we go, Browns fans. This afternoon at 4:15, the Browns and the Cowboys kickoff their 2008 season – both teams looking for redemption from disappointing finishes last season.

Unlike the Browns, though, the Cowboys are an established playoff team and the popular pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year. It should be a great test for the Browns, one which will show us almost immediately how we’ll measure up against the league’s elite teams.

I’ll tell you what though, despite the 0-4 preseason and all the injuries, I’m very optimistic. I honestly believe the Browns will come out this afternoon and show everyone they’re contenders.

I saw my uncle the other day – a huge Browns fan from way back – and I asked him what his confidence level was. He told me, realistically, he thinks the Browns will finish 9-7 or 7-9. If he finish 9-7, he says, it’ll be enough to win the AFC North (as long as we can beat the Steelers).

I agree with him … to win the AFC North, we’re going to have to go 4-2, at least.

I think a lot of Browns fans have confidence in the team this season. In fact, Hall of Famer, and Browns legend, Jim Brown is optimistic about the season too. “I feel very good about the team,” he says. “The injuries bother me, but I think we have a chance against anybody. Our offense, when it clicks, is very difficult with Kellen and Braylon and Jamal and the quarterbacks we have. I’m very optimistic.”

But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Today, it’s all about the Cowboys. Today we’ll find out a lot about our team. I don’t think it’ll be like last season, when we lost so horribly to Pittsburgh in the season opener that no one on Monday morning imagined we’d go 10-6. No, I think the Browns are a more mature team than they were a year ago.

Three Things I’m Looking Forward to in Today’s Game:

1. The First Offensive Play – Typically, the first offensive play of the season hasn’t amounted to much for the Browns. Last season against the Steelers, it was a 2-yard run by Jamal Lewis. The year before last it was a 76-yard TD pass from Frye to Edwards, but was called back on a holding penalty. Those two plays right there sums it up … it’s either a short run, or a spectacular pass that’s called back on a penalty. But, as I said, this year’s different. That’s why I’m looking forward to the first offensive play of the game for the Browns.
2. Composure – The Browns have three Monday night games, one Sunday night game and one Thursday night game this season. Today’s game is Fox’s national game too. Right from the get-go, the Browns are in the national media spotlight. How will they fair? Can they show that the city of Cleveland is ready for the national attention? They didn’t do so well in their Monday night preseason game against the Giants. But that was the preseason. This is when it counts.
3. Defensive Line – The Cowboys have a high-powered offense with Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and Marion barber. Today, they’ll show us if our defense has really improved like we think it has, or not. Not just today, but all season, I’m looking forward to seeing Shaun Rogers clog the middle of that line and freeing up Wimbley to get after the quarterback. Will we be able to stop the run? Will we be able to put pressure on Romo? We’ll find out this afternoon.

Three Things I’m NOT Looking Forward to in Today’s Game:

1. Terrell Owens – Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m actually a fan of T.O. Why, you might ask? I’ll tell you: because this is a guy who just wants to play football and have fun. He showboats sometimes, sure. But he backs it up with the way he plays. And, here’s what made me a fan of his: a few years ago, he called out Ray Lewis in an interview, questioning why he was made a villain in the NFL when he’s never had any off-field problems, but a guy like Ray Lewis, who was implicated in a double-murder, is made out to be a hero. There you have it, my thoughts exactly and the reason why I’m a fan of T.O. But, here’s why I’m not looking forward to seeing him today: He’s good and our corners are shaky. I hope I’m wrong, and our corners can shut him down. But T.O. is one of the top, if not the top, receiver in this league and he can be scary to teams with untested corners.
2. Injuries – The Browns have already suffered their share of injuries this preseason. I’m not looking forward to seeing just how much of an impact that’s going to have on the team. I hope we’re prepared enough to make up for those losses. And, I hope the Browns can get through the game without suffering any more injuries. We really cannot afford any more.
3. Cowboy Fans at Stadium – Browns fans are looking forward to this season more than any other season in quite some time. It’s the season opener and expectations are high. But I guarantee there will be some Cowboy fans at Cleveland Browns Stadium today. How do we let these people get tickets? My only hope is, with the excitement surrounding the Browns this year, that Cowboys fans are at a minimum (and next week, there had better be even less Steeler fans in the stands). What’s worse than seeing that guys wearing a Cowboys jersey at the stadium today? It’s that guy wearing the Green Bay jersey – I mean, who is that guy and does he know where he is? You know what I’m talking about … there’s always a guy at the game who is wearing a team jersey for a team that isn’t even playing (Almost as bad as those people who come to a Browns game all decked out in Ohio State gear). What’s that all about?

Today is the day. The Browns face the Cowboys in just a few hours.

According to the poll I’ve had up all week, the majority of you think the Browns will win 21-14. I hope that’s the case.

It’s almost time to put on my Brady Quinn jersey and head downtown to tailgate before the game. I’ll be sure to take some pictures at the stadium for the Blawg. GO BROWNS!!!