Another Browns Fan's Reaction: The S.S. Shurmur is Heading Straight Toward the Rocks
After barely sitting through the latest epic failure in Houston this past weekend, I immediately started watching the Fox telecast of the Green Bay-San Diego game, enjoying great play after great play. I also throughly enjoyed the Steelers-Ravens slugfest on Sunday night--and it wasn't even because one of the teams had to lose.
I just had to remind myself what real football, played with purpose and passion, looked like.
What can I say about this year's Browns that hasn't been said? They're totally and utterly inept, the only point of interest being the chicken-or-egg-like pondering as to who's responsible for the fail: Is Colt McCoy bad because the receivers can't get open or is he unable to read the defense properly? Is the defense on the field too long or are the linebackers just too slow to defend against the run? Was Peyton Hillis a jerk before or after he was voted to be the Madden 12 coverboy?
Unfortunately, this is par for the course when rooting for this team. Just expect the bottom to fall out of everything. The silver lining is actually made of mercury. The light at the end of the tunnel is really just the headlight on Marcus Benard's motorcycle heading straight toward you.
It's hard not to feel hopeless after watching this product for eight weeks. What's worse is that no one seems upset about it. Not Pat Shurmur, who continues to implement an offensive gameplan who's ineffectiveness is only overshadowed by it's predictability. Not Tom Heckert, who didn't sign any wide receivers in free agency, and still thinks the group currently assembled can get the job done. And certainly not Mike Holmgren, who when he does speak, sounds like he'd rather be back in Seattle.
And it's Holmgren's decision to hire Shurmur that's causing the most problems. The first-year head coach has shown an inability to neither adequately prepare his team to play or to make meaningful in-game adjustments. The fact that the Browns are the only team to not score a touchdown in either the first or third quarters testifies to that. He has no real control of this team--his treatment of the Peyton Hillis situation also speaks volumes. He displays no passion and often appears cluless. Countdown television shots showing him and his blank look speak to this as well. Any improvement has to start with him and this coaching staff.
Until then, Browns fans will have to rail against the system, like Cleveland comedian Mike Polk recently did in a recent viral video that is an instant hit around these parts. He says what every Browns fan is feeling. In case you missed it or want to laugh out again, here's the link: (Warning: some strong language)
Dave Wilson
3:06 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Matt, I was in Cleveland when the Browns played Seattle. Worst game I'd ever seen. Maybe only because I didn't "see" the Houston game!
Matt Striner
8:54 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Dave, I've tried to be positive about this team but it's just so frustrating. It'd be one thing if they played hard and lost, but it just doesn't seem like they're giving max effort. And I put that on coaching.
Joe Strailey
11:23 am on Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Browns continue to try to fit square pegs into round holes. I don't understand trying to force Colt to be under center, when he's more accurate/comfortable from the shotgun. Nevertheless, we have nobody to throw the ball to, nobody to run the ball, and zero offensive playmakers. I'm confident when we face an opponent, their defensive scheme is: blitz all day. That D Coordinator probably plans for the Browns for about 15 minutes, and then focuses on the following game. Frustrating...but I'll be tuning in at 1pm like I always do.
Dottie Eidam
11:55 am on Sunday, November 13, 2011
How many quarterbacks or new coaching staffs do we have to go through before the fans get a clue. True the Browns don't have much talent that isn't on the injured reserve list but until Lerner starts spending some money on this team (and I don't mean Mike Holmgren) they're NOT EVER going to get any better. The Browns fans all need to stop going to the games, buying season tickets, or watching them on TV because until it starts hurting Lerner in the pocketbook he's going to continue to put a mediocre team on the field. It's more cost effective for him. He knows we'll all continue to watch them because we all crave that winning team again from the 1980's era. I'M NOT!! You all might think I'm a fair weather fan and so be it but I'm not going to support a sub standard team and continue to make Lerner richer. If I want to watch football where the players and coaches have a love for the game I'll watch high school or pee-wee football games. They're more exciting to watch!!
jack kinsner
7:19 pm on Sunday, November 13, 2011
appears the Brown managfement has caught the Dolan (cleveland indians) "cheapie disease" , Spend only enuf to put the correct numberf of bodies on the field. (e.g. C.C, Ciff Lee, et al) Today i watched a game between St Louis and Phil Dawson) Is St Louis the team that was 1-7?
jack kinsner
7:21 pm on Sunday, November 13, 2011
Re CC and Lee. I meant if you have talent, swap for MONEY
Lori E. Switaj
1:36 pm on Monday, November 14, 2011
If anyone has not seen the now-famous "Factory of Sadness" video here, it's hilarious. An instant classic.
Kasha Legeza
3:05 pm on Monday, November 14, 2011
LOL ... the guy in the video is SO funny!
Holly Barnes
7:47 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
This was fantastic. I totally agree with him!!!
Stan Stepak
9:20 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
It is difficult to watch what we are told is the new offense for the Browns but without the personel to play it. The players look like they really want to win and it shows in some of the emotions we caught...however they still look so so disorganized from the huddle to coaches