What About the Browns Makes You Thankful?
Ah, Thanksgiving, the festive day of over-eating and utter indulgence. Sometimes, it’s less about family than it is about seeing just how much food you can stuff in your face before a) it’s all gone or b) you feel like you’re going to explode.
Now, Thanksgiving is also about, well, being thankful for what you have in your life, and that includes our beloved Browns. They may be 3-7, but this hasn’t been a typical, no-signs-of-life 3-7. There is plenty to be excited about and certainly plenty to be thankful for.
Here’s what the Browns make me thankful for this year:
- The emergence of players like Peyton Hillis and Colt McCoy. Regardless of the fact that McCoy is now out with a high ankle sprain, he has looked impressive every week and might just be a solid answer at quarterback. Hillis has been steamrolling opponents and, before being slowed down against Jacksonville, looked unstoppable. I’m thankful that these two players have made what could have been two positional disasters pretty exciting.
- Rookies like T.J. Ward and Joe Haden, making the secondary respectable with physical play and great coverage.
- Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll opening up the playbook and, for once, making the offense look innovative (until he regressed last week against the Jaguars).
- I’m thankful for fullback Lawrence Vickers, the unsung hero of the running game. His blocking is downright punishing, and Peyton Hillis is just the latest to reap the benefits of Vickers’ work.
- Despite the fact that the Browns are 3-7 and have made it their duty to blow fourth quarter leads, we should all be thankful that this team is competitive each and every week. A few plays go the Browns’ way, and we’re talking playoffs. It’s easy to say that now, but who in their right mind thought we could have that discussion this season? Without much depth at a variety of positions (like, say, the wide receivers), this team plays hard and is, at times, downright exciting to watch.
So, what are you thankful for today?