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Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2008 > October > 01
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
A few reasons for optimism
Even though their only victory has come against a bad team whose starting quarterback didn’t play, I’m optimistic about the Browns, and here’s why:
1. They don’t play this week. Now that wasn’t meant to be funny, it’s just that the bye week comes at a good time, allowing everybody to take a deep breath, regroup, put their heads together and figure this thing out.
2. The defense isn’t playing badly. Up front, the Robaire Smith loss looms large, but Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams seem to be doing the job. Rookie linebacker Alex Hall, a seventh-round pick out of St. Augustine, is looking like the steal of the draft and safety Sean Jones (knee surgery) should be back in a couple of weeks. Plus, it seems like Kamerion Wimbley is now out of the witness protection program.
3. I’m not giving up on the offense. And, yes, that includes quarterback Derek Anderson, who is nowhere near as bad as he’s looked. Sure, it was against the Bengals, but he actually seemed to be developing some sort of rhythm late in Sunday’s game, and a 17-point fourth quarter is not to be sneezed at.
4. Receiver Donte Stallworth might return. He’s saying he should be on the field for the Monday nighter against the Giants. So far, the Browns have gotten nothing from their top offseason free-agent signee due to a quadriceps injury. If he’s healthy, he can make a difference on crossing routes and in terms of giving defenses something else to worry about.
5. It’s still early. And nobody’s exactly running away with the AFC North. The Steelers had offensive line issues even before losing guard Kendall Simmons for the season. QB Ben Roethlisberger often seems impervious to pain, but he’s taking some brutal shots as he tries to make plays down the field. The Ravens have looked good early, but are you sold on that offense?
6. I’m optimistic by nature. OK, that’s not true, but if you don’t have hope, where are you? No, that wasn’t meant as a shot at the Bengals.
