Trade me? Cleveland Browns fans can’t escape team’s losing ways

Oct 4, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns fans cheer during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

So here we are. Another year, a little over half way in the books, and the Cleveland Browns sit at 2-7 in the cellar of the AFC North.

Sigh.

Rumors swirled a week ago of left tackle Joe Thomas potentially being traded to the Broncos for a first-round pick in the NFL Draft at some point. Yes, we are to the point that even Thomas, a lifelong Brown and Pro Bowl left tackle, isn’t even untouchable.

Related: Did Joe Thomas ask the Browns to trade him?

This smells like the beginning of another dumpster fire in Berea, and a house cleaning once again seems inevitable. With the record what it is, it seems increasingly likely that owner Jimmy Haslam blows the whole thing up at year’s end.

The situation has me thinking that, as a fan, can I be traded?

I’ve supported the Browns my whole life. I’ve been to game after game each and every Sunday. I am committed to the franchise and my team, but like Thomas, maybe it’s time for a change of scenery for me, a dedicated fan.

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Can I wave my no trade clause?

Let’s be honest, as of 1999 the fans are the only ones who can’t get out. They are trapped, in blind faith, hoping and praying that someone can fix this team and find me my quarterback already. The passion of the fans hasn’t wavered, though the product on the field has been well below adequate.

Growing frustrated as a fan and season ticket holder, I first thought of simply being traded as a lone fan to a new fan base.

I wanted to reach out to the powers in Berea and ask for my trade or release from this ship that has been slowly sinking since 1999. I wanted the freedom of a fresh start, like the one that players look for late in their careers after many years serving a losing franchise.

I just want to win at this point as I’m getting older and less patient with the constant rebuilding.

But then I thought a little deeper. And the ultimate question came to mind.

Why should I leave? Why should I be traded?

We should be able to trade this poor excuse of an NFL franchise as fans.

So I raised the question to a group of friends this weekend: if you could trade the Browns would you? Would you trade not just the players, but the team name, colors and history? All of it?

Here is the scenario: Haslam moves the Browns to Los Angeles, where the NFL wants to place at least one team, and the St. Louis Rams, rumored to be looking at a move back to Southern California, instead return to Cleveland where the organization first started. The teams move with their respected histories, colors and names intact.

Would you trade the current state of the Browns for the current state of the Rams?

It’s come to the point where fans just want to win and have grown tired of the “Same Ol’ Browns.” The upgrades to the stadium, the new uniforms and Swagger the live mascot are great additions to a franchise that was overdue for a makeover.

But it’s like putting lipstick on a pig as none of these changes have yielded any winning results, leaving the patience of the fans on its last leg.

So would you do it?