Bye, Bye Bernie!

Let's see, so far I've criticized Josh Cribbs and defended Jim Brown. What else can I do to piss off my fellow Browns fans? Hmm ...

Tonight, in the last preseason game of 2010, the Browns will host the Chicago Bears. The final preseason game is always an interesting phenomena -- Some teams use it as a final dress rehearsal for the regular season, while others let the first-teamers rest while giving "bubble' players the chance to prove themselves.

We won't see Jake Delhomme tonight, or even Seneca Wallace (at least, not on the field leading the offense). Instead, rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will take center stage to convince everyone he's better than Brett Ratliff.

So, there you go. That's one thing you can look forward to in tonight's final meaningless game: An extended look at McCoy.

I can think of only one other reason to tune in tonight (OK, two reasons if you count not caring about the OSU-Marshall game as one).

It's the last time we'll get to see Bernie Kosar until Channel 3 drags him out of his hiding for next year's preseason. We'll miss you, Bernie!

I have mixed feelings about Bernie Kosar (get ready, here's where my fellow Browns fans turn against me again) ... as a player, I never cared for him. I'll admit, he was a smart field general who knew how to call plays that worked, but I was never fond of his ugly, side-arm throwing style or his immobility.

There, I said it.

Now, here's what I like about Kosar ...

• As I said before, he was a smart quarterback. When he called his own plays, he was successful. It dawned on me when I wrote that, that maybe he didn't so much as display "diminishing skills," but that his real, lack of skills were more apparent because Belichick wouldn't let him call his own plays anymore.
• As an advocate/ambassador for the city of Cleveland, he's been outstanding. Kosar truly loves this city and it's fans. He is the prodigal son, who has returned after winning his Super Bowl ring with Dallas (and keeps trying to return) to celebrate Cleveland.
• As an announcer, he's fantastic. There's two sides to listening to Kosar give color commentary during Browns preseason games. On the one hand (last season, for example) he shows his knowledge of the game and gives excellent analysis of opposing defenses and breaks down each play. On the other hand (most of the time), his drunk-sounding, slurred speech and nonsensical stories are entertaining to listen to.

I really dislike the NFL preseason, but Bernie Kosar makes it all tolerable.

I look forward to 11 months from now, when he's pulled out of moth-balls and away from his Gladiatorial duties to sit beside Mr. Excitable for another Browns preseason.

Go Browns!