Browns News

No. 32 doesn't have the same ring around these parts

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com staff writer

The No. 32 causes Browns fans to swell their chests with pride. Jim Brown wore No. 32 and he is widely considered the best running back in the history of the NFL. At least around these parts.

Today, the No. 32 has cast a depressing shadow in Cleveland as Sports Illustrated's Peter King has the Browns at No. 32 in his power rankings.

So why are we giving this the time of day? Well, it is an excruciatingly slow news cycle in the NFL from now until training camp starts. It also does beg the question: Are the Browns really No. 32?

"Hey, thank me, all you Brownaholics. Two years ago in a column like this one, I wrote that Cleveland was the worst team in the league. The Browns went 10-6. This year I'm saying they're the worst team again -- and I can guarantee you they're not going 10-6, unless Brady Quinn morphs into Tom Brady. Too many holes, too tough a division; write them down for 0-4 against the Steelers and Ravens."

I'm going to cut Mr. King some slack there. Maybe this was his last story to turn in before a vacation.

"Because of too many holes and too tough a division?" For most Browns fans that is not nearly enough of an explanation on why he placed the Browns behind the Lions, Rams, Chiefs, Bengals and Raiders.

There is a good chance the Browns will continue to play poorly in 2009, but give Browns fans them something concrete, Mr. King, as to why you think they will. You are a solid NFL reporter who knows the game and those who make the game go, inside and out.

No one is saying the Browns are ready to compete for the AFC North title, a playoff berth or a Super Bowl victory, but with the time and resources that Mr. King has at his fingertips, we would expect something more knowledgable than a blanket statement of "too many holes, too tough a division."

ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio has elaborated much more informatively and eloquently as to the Browns No. 32 ranking. He agrees with Mr. King.

"In 2006, new Jets coach Eric Mangini found a roster that had been shaped in large part by the Bill Parcells influence on Mike Tannenbaum. So Mangini’s Parcells/Belichick methods yielded a playoff berth in Mangini’s first season in part because the players were inclined to respond to their new boss.

In Cleveland, many of the incumbent players won’t respond to Mangini, and so the team won’t contend until Mangini brings in enough of the guys who will.

Though Mangini’s trying to import as many of the players who helped get him fired as possible, it likely won’t be enough to turn things around right away."

That's fine. It didn't take that much more time and Florio gave a well thought out reason as to why the Browns are ranked No. 32.

So, in the comments section let's get a discussion going on what you, the Browns fan, thinks the team should be ranked. Feel free to elaborate with more intelligent responses than "unless Brady Quinn morphs into Tom Brady" as reasons why or why not the Browns will compete in 2009.

May 11, 2009 at 12:45 PM

Comments

First time the word "ring" has been associated with the Cleveland Browns.

May 11, 2009 at 1:15 PM by cursedcleveland.com

All I know is that we are not even close to as bad as the Detroit Lions. You have to try to go 0-16, and I don't see how they will be leaps and bounds better this year. That being said, I would put the Browns in the mid 20's. I don't see any reason why most players wouldn't buy into Mangini's ways. If he can get some discipline in the locker room, we might even make it to the middle of the nfl pack.

May 11, 2009 at 8:06 PM by Andy

I responded directly to Peter King and told him basically what you did, that there is no way the Browns should be ranked below the Lions, Rams, Chiefs, Bengals and Raiders. The reasons are many.

First, this team has talent. It had talent in 2008, but the country-club atmosphere created by Romeo caused that talent to get lazy and unmotivated. The players will not be either one of those things under Mangini.

Secondly, the guys Mangini brought in will contribute more than some of the folks that left (Davis, Jones, or Winslow). Notice that I didn't say they are necessarily BETTER, but they will contribute more to the team.

Thirdly, I like the draft. ManKok filled several holes and I think they are still going to make a trade or two before the season starts to fill a few more.

Finally, this will be an aggressive, motivated, no-quit team by the time September arrives. The Browns will win 8-9 games and finish in the middle of the NFL 15th-16th, not 32nd.

May 11, 2009 at 10:34 PM by davewr58

The Browns will not be the worst team in the NFL by the end of the season. I think there are pieces to the puzzle that fit great on the team right now.

They have a solid offensive line and a potential Hall of Fame running back. The tight end position is filled with blockers and guys who can actually catch the ball. The wide receivers are the big question mark, but Braylon Edwards has shown that he can make huge plays when he concentrates on the game.

One of the top 5 defensive tackles in the NFL anchor the line. Some unexpected production from the defensive ends and Wimbley would be very helpful. I think the defensive line is the biggest question mark going into next season.

The linebackers have gotten younger. Hopefully that means more athletic, better tackling and the ability to get off of their blocks. The secondary is pretty solid in my opinion. Wright and McDonald are going to be special this year. The Browns are going to have two shutdown corners for a long time in these two guys. While Sean Jones is missed at safety, hopefully they can get somebody to actually cover someone. I think the team has upgraded at safety, despite what Jones apparently brought to the table.

May 11, 2009 at 1:09 AM by Jerrytown

"Why are we giving this the time of day..." - that is the key sentence from the above article. Peter King is a disgrace to sports writers everywhere. He probably put the Browns last because he doesn't like someone on the team personally or he had a bad latte the last time he was here. Keep in mind he picked the Indians to win the World Series last year so his prognostications should be taken with a dump truck's load of salt.

May 11, 2009 at 8:32 AM by Beta

Okay... pretty sure Peter King picked the Browns to finish last the year they went 10-6 and then he picked them to make the playoffs last year when they went 4-12. If I know anything about Peter King its that he is just as foolish as everyone of us fans who made the same predictions the past two years.

May 11, 2009 at 12:14 PM by Nick

I remember we went the last 6 games without a touchdown...not even the lions did that, so we are pretty close to #32 right now, but the leage is fickle, and we could very well end up in the top ten...it is fun to discuss it, but really, we won't find out 'till the season starts.

May 11, 2009 at 12:17 PM by Mark Loughrdridge

Do I think the Browns are the worst team? No not at all. However the Browns should rank right around 30-27 rank. They have an unproven QB in Quinn or an inconsistent one with Anderson. The run D was just sad last year has it has been since 99'. Yes I know we went out and got all these Vets and what not, but the same thing was said of last year’s team. So has my Motto goes as a Browns fan "wait till next year". That time is almost upon us and I can see this team winning 7-9 games. Also I can see them only winning 2 games as well.

May 11, 2009 at 1:04 PM by Jon

No. 32 doesn't have the same ring around these parts

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