Browns up for challenge
By Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Mark DuncanAssociated Press
The Browns are looking for a healthy Derek Anderson at quarterback as they set out to better their successes of last season.
Optimism is a delicate thing in Cleveland.
The city itself has been battered by a lean economy for a generation. Its sports teams have done little but tease fans. No one in northeastern Ohio has to be reminded that none of its major-league teams has won a championship since 1964.
The Browns haven't had back-to-back winning seasons since 1989.
So into this headwind come the 2008 Browns, full of confidence and with their fans practically giddy.
"Super Bowl! Super Bowl!" they chanted at the first practice of training camp. The NFL has bought into the enthusiasm for the Browns. The league scheduled the Browns for five prime-time games.
The Browns will find out quickly how warranted all the optimism is. At 4:15 p.m., they play host to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys were 13-3 last season. They, not the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, won the NFC East last season. With a star-studded roster that includes receiver Terrell Owens and quarterback Tony Romo, the Cowboys are clearly formidable.
Which is exactly what the Browns say they want.
"It's going to be a lot of fun," Browns left tackle Joe Thomas said. "It's a game you look forward to and have really been thinking about all offseason. It's going to be a great challenge to see where we are as a team."
The Browns took advantage of a weak schedule to go 10-6 last season, but they blew a playoff spot with a loss to a Cincinnati team going nowhere.
This year, Cleveland has a much more difficult schedule. Browns opponents had a record of 140-116 last season.
Next week, the Browns play Pittsburgh. After road games in Baltimore and Cincinnati, Cleveland faces a brutal October. The Browns play the Giants at home and then have to play in Washington and in Jacksonville.
Fortunately for them, the AFC North doesn't figure to be a powerhouse division. If the Browns finish 10-6 again, they would seem to be in good shape. That is a big if, however.
Already, the Browns have been hit by injuries. Quarterback Derek Anderson, receiver Braylon Edwards and running back Jamal Lewis have all missed significant time in August, and their status for today's game hasn't been resolved
A defense that was already short on pass rushers lost Antwan Peek to a season-ending knee injury last week. The Browns' suspect cornerbacks could be exposed by Owens, though they've put on a brave front.
"Ever since OTAs (offseason practices), I've been watching film of him, trying to find anything that would help me against him," Brandon McDonald said. "I face it as a challenge. I'm not going to back down to the guy just because he has done a lot in his years. I am looking forward to competing against the guy."
The Browns had a disastrous opener last year against Pittsburgh before upsetting Cincinnati to spark their surprising season. So they understand that today's game isn't make or break.
But they also know that upsetting the Cowboys -- Dallas is a 5½-point favorite -- would open eyes around the league.
"If we beat them, everybody will be like, 'Wow, the Browns are for real,' " defensive lineman Shaun Smith said.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Mark DuncanAssociated Press
The Browns are looking for a healthy Derek Anderson at quarterback as they set out to better their successes of last season.
Optimism is a delicate thing in Cleveland.
The city itself has been battered by a lean economy for a generation. Its sports teams have done little but tease fans. No one in northeastern Ohio has to be reminded that none of its major-league teams has won a championship since 1964.
The Browns haven't had back-to-back winning seasons since 1989.
So into this headwind come the 2008 Browns, full of confidence and with their fans practically giddy.
"Super Bowl! Super Bowl!" they chanted at the first practice of training camp. The NFL has bought into the enthusiasm for the Browns. The league scheduled the Browns for five prime-time games.
The Browns will find out quickly how warranted all the optimism is. At 4:15 p.m., they play host to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys were 13-3 last season. They, not the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, won the NFC East last season. With a star-studded roster that includes receiver Terrell Owens and quarterback Tony Romo, the Cowboys are clearly formidable.
Which is exactly what the Browns say they want.
"It's going to be a lot of fun," Browns left tackle Joe Thomas said. "It's a game you look forward to and have really been thinking about all offseason. It's going to be a great challenge to see where we are as a team."
The Browns took advantage of a weak schedule to go 10-6 last season, but they blew a playoff spot with a loss to a Cincinnati team going nowhere.
This year, Cleveland has a much more difficult schedule. Browns opponents had a record of 140-116 last season.
Next week, the Browns play Pittsburgh. After road games in Baltimore and Cincinnati, Cleveland faces a brutal October. The Browns play the Giants at home and then have to play in Washington and in Jacksonville.
Fortunately for them, the AFC North doesn't figure to be a powerhouse division. If the Browns finish 10-6 again, they would seem to be in good shape. That is a big if, however.
Already, the Browns have been hit by injuries. Quarterback Derek Anderson, receiver Braylon Edwards and running back Jamal Lewis have all missed significant time in August, and their status for today's game hasn't been resolved
A defense that was already short on pass rushers lost Antwan Peek to a season-ending knee injury last week. The Browns' suspect cornerbacks could be exposed by Owens, though they've put on a brave front.
"Ever since OTAs (offseason practices), I've been watching film of him, trying to find anything that would help me against him," Brandon McDonald said. "I face it as a challenge. I'm not going to back down to the guy just because he has done a lot in his years. I am looking forward to competing against the guy."
The Browns had a disastrous opener last year against Pittsburgh before upsetting Cincinnati to spark their surprising season. So they understand that today's game isn't make or break.
But they also know that upsetting the Cowboys -- Dallas is a 5½-point favorite -- would open eyes around the league.
"If we beat them, everybody will be like, 'Wow, the Browns are for real,' " defensive lineman Shaun Smith said.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:39 AM
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