The pieces all seemed to be coming together for the Cleveland Browns this off-season. They signed Romeo Crennel, one of the best coaches on the market, and, according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., had one of the better draft performances.
But then Kellen Winslow Jr. had to go imitate a scene out of Biker Boys and it now looks as if the college star's season and possibly career with the Browns could be over.
With an event like this to be the first story of the year for the team, it is near impossible for this Browns fan to have a positive outlook on the upcoming season. It has even made me second-guess my former optimism about the Browns' off- season moves.
I originally thought it was a great move when the Browns acquired 1000-yard rusher Reuben Droughns from the Broncos for defensive linemen Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers. It would finally give the team a go-to back in short-yard situations.
Unfortunately, I now see Droughns as a bust in the making considering that the 1000-plus yards came with a team that is notorious for temporarily turning mediocre running backs into superstars.
I nearly did cartwheels when the Browns drafted Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards with the third overall pick in this year's draft. Finally, a deep threat that we could rely on to make the big catch!
I now am a bit skeptical, however, because I am wondering who is going to throw the ball to him. As of now, it looks like it will be the well-rested Trent Dilfer. I say well-rested because he has started only 12 games in the last four seasons. Sadly, this current situation makes me miss the glory days of Tim Couch.
Winslow's accident has brought so much pessimism upon me that I now even doubt the hiring of Crennel. I mean sure, he has three super bowl rings and has been under the tutelage of arguably the game's most brilliant coach in Bill Belichick, but has he ever shown that he can lead a team on his own?
I guess I'll just have to wait until the season starts to see if my negative outlook is justified. As of now though, I see the Browns being as successful as Winslow Jr. was riding a motorcycle.
-Gribble is a freshman journalism major. Send him an e-mail at ag358604@ohiou.edu.
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Andrew Gribble
