Browns: what really matters is still good
December 1, 2015Ezekiel Elliott named Big Ten co-Offensive Player of the Week
December 1, 2015Don Delco, formerly of The OBR joins the podcast to talk about the Cleveland Browns’ Monday Night Football Debacle and also to try and figure out if Cleveland Browns apathy is unique to us as aging fans, or more universal. There are no answers to the questions, but they must be asked just the same. We’re also begging for feedback on this one. Is it just us, or is this something more universal? Is this the times we live in or is it unique to this stage of life the Don and I seem to both be going through in parallel?
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- Don Delco of 97.1 the Fan in Columbus
- Dwayne Rudd throws his helmet has nothing on the Ravens blocked field goal
- The OBR and getting out of Browns coverage at the right time
- Losing motivation to talk about the Browns anymore
- Cleveland Browns apathy is setting in
- The existential crisis throughout the Browns’ fanbase
- Is it us or is it the Cleveland Browns?
- Nerding out on other forms of culture
- Losing passion for the Browns
- The 2015 Browns might be the worst since 1999 for real
- Did we change or did the Browns change?
- What can you tell Browns fans to do?
- The difference between making a personal choice and acting in self defense
- Should the Browns fire Mike Pettine, cut Johnny Manziel, fire Ray Farmer? What?
- The Browns need to draft nothing but quarterbacks and that’s it
- Johnny Manziel is just not that guy
- Why was Johnny Manziel dressed at all yesterday?
- Jimmy Haslam chasing his first mistake of firing Chud and the experienced coordinators
15 Comments
I’m 24 years old. my sports life started when the Tribe was in the world series in 1997 and the Browns didn’t exist. then I started watching the Browns in 2001 when they were competing for the wild card and the Tribe was going into fire sale mode. Then I started watching the Cavs when they were tanking for Lebron. after last year, it just became Cavs 9 months a year, tribe for two months and browns for one month. I’m glad my attention span works out that way, because I would hate to have to follow the Blue Jackets.
Browns apathy? Perhaps for a week or so, but we’ve been here before:
https://waitingfornextyear.com/2009/12/is-the-apathy-finally-here-for-browns-fans/
or
https://waitingfornextyear.com/2015/03/kevin-love-consternation-browns-apathy-and-good-music-while-were-waiting/
Yeah, this week I had the thoughts of “screw this, this is the worst, I’d rather watch EPL soccer or work on my golf game, clean my bathroom, oil door hinges, wax my cross country skis, organize things I am about to throw away anyway, learn about lint on Wikipedia…”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lint_(material)
And like always, I will follow the team through our exciting off season…and hope next year will be better…OORRRR maybe I will just start enjoying my life in the fall.
I think it an interesting idea that the fan base is getting frustrated with the team such that they would try to boycott, or punish the team. Unfortunately, there is no real connection between punishing the team and the team getting any better. I wiSh it did make a difference, but a football team is not a political party. We can do little more than impotently fume about it.
Because they are owned by a hack, managed by a stuffed shirt, coached by Friday Night Lights, and have an intoxicated Brownie Elf as the would-be quarterback.
It will never work until the owner hands it over to someone competent. Maybe Payton, maybe gruden. Someone, anyone, who actually knows pro football. Good flipping luck to us all.
I enjoyed the podcast and thought I would share my fandom per Craig’s request. I’m 23 years old and currently attend Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. I moved from Cleveland to Dallas in 2007 due to my Dads job just a little background. Ever since I moved all my friends in high school always do the whole Browns suck why do you root for them bit which is fine and I explain its just in the blood nothing I can really do about it. I have gone to the same bar in San Marcos for the past three years to watch the games and if I’m not there I’m at a Dallas Browns Backers club. At the bar in San Marcos I have been called everyone’s favorite fan, about 50 of the same people are there every week and they always say “man so much respect for rooting for the Browns just I don’t know how you do it but I love your loyalty,” that whole bit. I liked it cause they would always buy me a shot or a beer for my fandom and who at 23 in college would complain about that.
This year though has been different for me, I still go watch all the games but I’m way less loud. Usually I do a nice Wooh for a TD or a big play something like that but this year I’m just so heated down its not even worth it. I still want them to win every game but I don’t let them effect my emotions for the next day like I normally do because its just not worth it. Thats pretty much where my fandom is now, I’ll watch the game because I can’t take my eyes off the train wreck. I hope they win but if they lose its not a big deal.
Share your belief that there’s been a significant shift this year, like the non-stop hopelessness finally reached a critical mass. It’s not sudden, more like that this year’s fiascoes are the last straw.
There’s a fair amount of tailgating in my downtown parking lot. Walking to my car after work Monday, the mood of the people hanging out or walking to the stadium was unlike anything I’ve seen, even in preseaon. No joy, no testosterone. People quietly grilling, no footballs tossed, total flatline. Right now no one believes in a single person within the organization, so it’s impossible to see a way up, save another total purge. But that’s nothing to look forward to, given the lack of confidence that Jimmy has the ability to hire competent people.
We have…but it feels worse. I’m sure by next season’s start, we’ll all be rejuvenated.
My big worry is Mack, Gipson, Benjamin, Barnidge, and even Robertson are all UFA if they want to be. There’s 4 of the biggest positives on the Browns and Robertson.
hi MG … at least get benjamin & barnidge resigned … i think we can survive without the others.
Gipson and Mack are Pro Bowl caliber players as well (not just players selected to the Pro Bowl). Heck, Gipson is one of the few on defense this year I am still excited to watch.
good post … hang in there.
“caliber” is the key word … it’s only my opinion that mack hasn’t been the same since he was injured & he hasn’t looked that good this year. and i think i.campbell can step-in for gipson if necessary … the browns front 7 on defense needs to be addressed , especially at LB.
i am a little scared of erving stepping in for mack after watching him get pushed around badly these last few weeks … hopefully they are growing pains & he can live-up to his status playing at C.
good post , WARREN … hang in there.
Yeah, same fear with Cam here. If Campbell steps in, I’d rather it be for the aging Whitner. Gipson is special.
sure , it looks bad … but i am still painfully positive. this regime is still fairly new & they got off to a 7-4 start last year , which is good , but it’s been painful since then (2-14). i don’t think the owner , FO , HC & players are as bad as we make it out to be … it’s not like we’re light years away & this thing is totally un-fixable. the browns , for the most part , are in every single game … it’s not like they’re getting their asses handed to them every single week.
they simply need some more talent & need to learn how to finish games & win … i am still of the belief farmer & pettine should get 4-5 years MINIMUM & THEN we should judge the body work. i don’t care what it looks like right now , stay the course !
i still believe !!