The best thing about the NFL pre-season is that it’s over. The only thing you really need to know about last night’s game against the Bears is that when the starters for both teams went to the sidelines for good in the second quarter, the Browns were ahead 10-0. Romeo Crennel wanted his starters to play “decent” and they did as they were told. The rest of the game involved a lot of players who will be on the waiver wire by Saturday afternoon, so at that point we should look at individual performances rather than the score.
Keep in mind that the Patriots were 0-4 in the pre-season, and the Colts were 1-4. The Detroit Lions finished up at 4-0. Certainly, we are not putting the Browns in the same class as New England and Indianapolis; they have not accomplished anything close to what those teams have. But, it does show that the pre-season record has little to no bearing on the talent level on a football team. No one thinks Detroit is going to the Super Bowl, so you cannot predict a 4-12 record for the brown and orange based on these games.
NOTE: We use the term “pre-season games” tongue in cheek, because that’s what the almighty NFL calls them. They are exhibitions, and we feel bad for those who were forced to pay full price for tickets to last night’s game, where they viewed players who will never wear an NFL uniform again play the majority of the game.
Brady Quinn looked better than he did in his previous start, taking the team on two scoring drives in his brief appearance. WR Travis Wilson, trying to hold on to a roster spot, caught six balls for 57 yards, but dropped a possible touchdown pass from Ken Dorsey, which could jeopardize his inclusion on the final roster. The offensive line performed much better as well, particularly the right side, which had problems against the Lions. Unfortunately, Rex Hadnot left the game with a knee injury, which could put his availability for Dallas in doubt. With Ryan Tucker on the PUP list to open the season, which would mean Seth McKinney may open the season at right guard.
This weekend, the roster has to be reduced to 53 players. Some cuts may be made as early as today. After that, Monday is a huge day for the Browns as they find out how many of the wounded will be ready to practice. It’s safe to assume Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards will be ready to go on Monday, but the team needs Jamal Lewis and Sean Jones for the Dallas game. However, if we learned anything from the Indians, if they aren’t ready, it’s better to hold them out and have both available for the last 15 games of the season.
As far as people’s comments about the “Berea Country Club”, that’s a matter of perception. If the Browns have a good season, and play well at the end of the year, Crennel will be praised for preserving his team in the summer. If they have a poor season, he will be chastised for not working them hard enough. No matter what happens in this season, this much is true…what happened in these four games means absolutely nothing. When the Browns take the field on September 7th at Cleveland Browns Stadium, their record will be 0-0, not 0-4. And if they make the playoffs, no one will remember the pre-season record.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 