The Anger Over Browns Loss is a Good Thing

The overwhelming frustration with the play of Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden yesterday is completely understandable.  It is also good, because it means the team is getting better.  Weeden’s unbelievable interception would have been a laugh line in previous years when the Browns would be well out of the game by that point in the game.  Now, with a strong defense and a team that has had leads at the half in every single game this year, it is a source of frustration.  It is much, much easier for a team to be blown out than to have them lose close because there is no emotional investment.  In past years, this team has been a loser before the game ever started and those that watched knew what they were in for, but this team reels fans in and give them reason to believe they can win, so when these type of disastrous plays happen, it turns a winnable game into a gut wrenching loss and fans want heads on pikes.

Oct 13, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) reacts after missing a throw against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

The bad news is the Browns are stuck with terrible quarterback play for another ten games.  Whether it be Weeden, Jason Campbell, MarQueis Gray, or any number of random other guys off the street, the Browns are screwed at the quarterback position for the rest of this year.  They just are.  It was good fortune they found Brian Hoyer, but that is not going to happen twice in the same season.

The good news is that average quarterback play makes this team not only competitive, but put this team in a position where they could potentially make the playoffs.  That means that good or great quarterback play from an upper echelon quarterback and further roster development could result in a serious contender and perhaps a Super Bowl.

Browns fans are exasperated with waiting as they have been waiting since 1964 for a championship and been waiting since the 90’s for a team that were a threat to do some damage in the playoffs.  As much as fans are passionate and wanted this team to do well and win, many fans were in a spot where going into the season, they knew this team was a nonfactor, so expectations were low and losses were easy to get over in short order.  The fact that people are mad and emotional over the losses like yesterday means they have expectations, they are going in with the idea that they can and should win, even against playoff caliber teams even with THIS at quarterback.

The Browns are stuck with bad quarterback play for the rest of this season, but fans should be excited as they will have Hoyer back next year, but they should also have a talented option from the first round of next year’s draft.  Do not start with the Tim Couch, Brady Quinn, Brandon Weeden nonsense.  One of those players was legitimately talented and he was put in the most absurd situation possible with the expansion team.  Hell, the Browns may want to give Couch a call and see how his arm feels about now.  This front office did not pick Quinn or Weeden, so do not put that baggage on them.  They have to find the right guy and failing that, this team cannot progress, but if they can, not only are the days of Weeden soon to be over, but so are the days of watching other teams in the playoffs.  Games like this one are incredibly frustrating, but it is a step in the right direction and shows just how good the Browns can be in the near future.