As training camp approaches, we can finally see some light at the end of the off-season tunnel.
Could this be the year that the Browns finally win a home opener? We would be interested to hear your thoughts.
2009 is the 11th straight year that the Browns have been given a home opener to the regular season. We begin the campaign against the Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 13.
The abysmal record of the Browns at home openers is probably well known to everyone who frequents this website: 1-9 since 1999. Last year, the game seemed to be going fairly well until the Dallas Cowboys pulled away with some big offensive plays. In 2008, the Browns won just one regular season home game – the MNF victory over the Super Bowl Champions, New York Giants.
I will go out on a limb and predict that the Browns will win the home opener this season. The Vikings may be demoralized at the decision of Brett Favre to stay retired. Mangini is a smarter coach than Childress, in my opinion (in fact, some sports commentators in Minnesota have been critical of Childress’ play calling and clock management, reminiscent of some of the criticism of Romeo Crennel). Quinn will play as good as either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels. Adrian Peterson’s bulking up over the off-season will make him harder to tackle but may also lose him a step. The Browns will have trouble poking holes in the best run defense in the League last season, however, Mangini will not be as stifled as Crennel was in terms of using all of our backs: Lewis, Harrison, Davis and Vickers. Minnesota’s first round draft pick, Percy Harvin, has the speed to cause major problems for our secondary, but I also think that the athleticism of a guy like Brodney Pool can match whatever Harvin can muster. Edwards and Robiskie can take advantage of the Vikings’ loss of one of their best tacklers – safety Darren Sharper. And Quinn should have more time to throw the football with a better offensive line this season (that O-line will be busy controlling Minnesota’s Jared Allen – one of the best defensive ends in the NFL with the ability to get double digit sacks this year). All the better for our offense if the Vikes’ defensive tackle(s) Kevin and/or Pat Williams is/are under suspension.
I say the Browns win the home opener against Minnesota. What do you think?
-Clayton
The Browns better rely on more than one guy to neutralize Harvin. Put 8 guys in the box to stop Peterson, and Harvin will eat you alive. Unless Childress is a complete goof (jury’s still out on the issue) the Vikings will run up the score.
FIrst of all, Sharper was one of the Vikings most horrific tacklers. Winfield is by far the best tackler in the secondary. Madieu Williams and Tyrell Johnson are both extremely physical safeties. Secondly, Peterson never bulked up, He wanted to at first, but was talked out of it by everyone and their mother. Braylon Edwards is a lazy piece of shit who can’t even make camp on time or healthy. What exactly has Quinn proven other than the fact he couldn’t win anything of meaning in college or the NFL? You are saying that two receivers, Edwards and Robiskie, are going to take advantage of the secondary when Edwards can’t even catch a cold, and Robiskie has proven nothing. Awful, awful write up. One of the worst all offseason.
Pretty bold for a team that even when good, whenever that was, historically starts slowly. We haven’t seen ‘em play a down, yet. Favre not showing up is not a big loss; he would have been more of a distraction than anything else. And Cleveland has a way of making mediocre QBs look like All-Pros, from what I recall. Would I enjoy seeing this team start to play decent ball? You bet, I would. But, it starts and ends on the field.
I truly believe that the Browns will be alot better than last year. We still have the majority of the 2007 10-6 team, and also got rid of most of the weak links of that team. I personally feel that the Browns will win alot of hard fought upset games. This includes beating the Steelers, Raven and Bengals at least once. With all the confusion with the Vikings, we will out coach and bet them. To set the tone. I predict the browns to go at least 8-8 this year. If we dig deep maybe another 2007 style season but actually sneek in the playoffs. But that my be asking to much. lol But really the browns are difenatly a .500 right now. Remember we lost alot of games due to poor coaching, many penalties and injuries. Go Browns!!!!!!!!
Sharper had 69 tackles last year. He’s a horrific tackler, Nate? Better than 4 of the top 10 safeties on most power rankings lists.
38-3, Vikings.
1. Vikings Defense, ranked by NFL.com as #3 in the NFL (http://tinyurl.com/lk9gzp).
2. Purple Jesus. If anyone thinks Adrian Peterson isn’t going to run roughshod over our defense, well, get your head out of the sand. He’s a guaranteed lock for 120 yards and two TDs.
3. Browns new coach/new coaching staff.
4. Browns uncertainty at several key positions.
I love my Browns, but sorry. This is going to be ugly.
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