20110514
Okay, I'm a sucker for this kind of story, but in 2012 it's heartening to see a pro make a nice gesture to a fan. Kudos to you, Joe Haden.

20120429
It's the horrible post-draft navel-gazing time of year. The hopelessly optimistic homers and terminally negative anti-fans crawl out from under their rocks to pontificate, assessing college students and predicting how they will fare against professionals based on what they did against other college students. A tough task that has grown to ridiculous proportions given the explosion of social media and ubiquitous television coverage.

Trent Richardson looks to be as close to a lock as the Browns have had in a long time. As good as we all think he will be, he's not the guy people are talking about. Not today anyway.

When the team made Brandon Weeden its second pick of the first round, the debate began. It seems clear that drafting a 28 year old quarterback means that you do not expect to have a protracted learning period. Weeden was drafted to take McCoy's job and start right away. That's what first round picks do in 2012. McCoy was only drafted in 2010, but the former third rounder is under pressure with Weeden's presence. Unlike free agent signings meant to jostle an entrenched veteran, Weeden now faces the pressure to win the job and start playing well right out of the gate. A tough spot, but it pays well.

The rest of the new Browns represent our hopes. No locks in that crew, but the possibilities are wide open. The most interesting aspect is that the team held true to drafting best players available. I kept waiting for the seemingly inevitable wide receiver picks. Just one - Travis Benjamin, who is a speedy little guy who seems more of a special teams returner than a number one option at receiver. Okay, with a 4.32 forty time, he gives outside speed.

Unlike the rose-colored glasses wearing fans, I don't see the Browns at a one-year turnaround point. There are some signs of improvement and new hopes based on a rookie running back. It is spring after all.

20120104
The season mercifully over for the Browns, we can turn to navel gazing. It's hard to pinpoint issues that immediately lead one to say "We were close." Nope. Not close. This team has many holes and is far from being competitive. The bright spots are too scattered to generate even false hope.

Big unanswerable questions:

• What does Mike Holmgren really think of Colt McCoy? (Aside from what should be a mortifying sense of remorse for seeing the young QB get run back onto the field when concussed).
• Will they sign Peyton Hillis? The guy is undoubtedly popular with fans. I cannot shake the feeling that he is a poor man's Mike Alstott. Will Hillis's career be shortened like Alstott's because of injuries? I still fear the fumble factor too. Not a big fan, I guess that's it.
• To kick or not to kick? Will this be the off-season that Dawson retires? He had some shaky end of games thanks in some part to his long-snapper, but undoubtedly he had a good season. 7 field goals from 50 yards or longer in one season? Ridiculous.
• Will this be the draft that the team gets a legit downfield threat? Not a chance, I know. A guy's gotta dream sometimes.

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