Today is one of those rare days when both the Indians and Browns are playing in town on the same day. Even though the Browns are playing a meaningless exhibition game, the Tribe is the one who will be in the back of the Cleveland sports fans minds on this day.
Tonight’s game at Cleveland Browns Stadium is the start of the new management regime of General Manager Phil Savage and Head Coach Romeo Crennel. Every move these two guys have made upgraded the team, and their collective attitude is a refreshing change from the smugness of former Coach Butch Davis. Savage has improved the offensive line, the secondary, and the running game. They also give fans the confidence that they will make the right personel moves down the line.
However, the best fans can expect from the Brown and Orange is a 6-10 record. This is a franchise who hasn’t won a playoff game since the early 90’s. They have never been to the Super Bowl. Yet, people in Cleveland act like the Browns are the jewel of the Cleveland sports landscape.
Meanwhile, the Indians, who will be playing up the street are in contention for a playoff spot RIGHT NOW! This is not a rebuilding team. Also, the Tribe has been in the World Series twice in the last ten years, narrowly missing the ciity’s first sports championship since 1964 in 1997. But, this town’s baseball team cannot even draw 23,000 fans after a six game road trip where the team won every game.
WKNR’s Greg Brinda is always saying the Browns get a free pass from the fans and he is absolutely correct. For whatever reason, the Browns can do know wrong. But, the 2005 team may be more of an expansion type team than the one in 1999 when the franchise was resurrected. Meanwhile, the Tribe battles for a spot in the post season, and no one is noticing.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 