So this is what it's like....
Posted 06-22-2010 at 02:23 AM by Inspecta
As we inch closer to training camp I find my self in a state of euphoria. Not because football season is just around the corner (well that is a part of it), but because we get something we haven't had around here in quite some time.
What is that something you ask? Well that something is honest to God starting QB. Jake Delhome to the rescue! Huzzah! Make no mistake, I'm not under any delusions about Jake coming in an taking us to the Super Bowl, or hell even the playoffs. What I am excited about is that we won't have to wait til 20 minutes before kickoff week 1 to find out who our starting QB is going to be. We know right now, even if Mangini won't come out and say it.
I know you're probably thinking, "But Inspecta, we knew who our starting QB was going to be in 08 when DA was given the reigns uncontested" but I can hardly count that. Reason being is that while he had a solid season overall in 2007, the way he finished just had everybody in C-town shaking their head and the phrase on everybody's lips was "flash in the pan". As it turns out, it was one of those rare occasions when the fan base was 100% correct. So while he was named the starter that spring, it certainly didn't feel like we had a starter.
Jake feels like a starter. Despite having a rough 2009 season his overall body of work speaks for itself. He's taken the Panthers to the Super Bowl, nearly winning it all. He's taken them to the NFC championship. He's played at a high level for multiple seasons. This makes a starting QB in this league. I don't judge him on one poor season, as that would be fool hearty to say the least. There were those who judged Kurt Warner after his shitty season in St. Louis, and as we now all know he had a lot left in the tank.
So this is where we're at as Browns fans. We finally have a starting QB who isn't still on training wheels, and we finally have one who's had major success at this level. It's exciting. While we have no guarantees that Jake will come back guns blazing, it's a much higher percentage than when we had to pray that Trent Dilfer would get another 2000yd rusher behind him, or Jeff Garcia would somehow morph into a pocket passer.
Jake looks poised to prove he ain't done yet
Another facet of this situation that gives us hope in Jake is that we know he won't have to do it alone. Jerome Harrison ended the season on fire, and if you've followed his career since we drafted him you'll know that this is a kid with serious talent who can move the ball. The biggest question is whether or not he can do it for 16 games carrying the ball 30 times a game. Wait a minute, that's right, he won't have to do that thanks to the full stable of ponies we have backing him up. Chris Jennings showed a flair for spin moves and moving chains. Not to mention we have a very solid prospect in Montario Hardesty, the rookie out of Tennessee.
So this leaves just one question, and one that's very important. Can Jake succeed with the group of wide receivers we have on this club. I'd like to say that it's very straightforward and give you a definitive answer, but unfortunately when you go into a season with 2 second year guys as your two main threats, well questions loom. Mohamed Massaquoi had a respectable rookie season considering the cluster f*ck we had at the QB situation. Brian Robiskie however failed to crack the starting lineup leading many to already slap his ass with the bust tag. I'm not so harsh on the kid as wide receiver is totally different from running backs in that this is not a plug n' play position. The average NFL offense has well over 100 passing plays, which means they have 100 routes to learn, timing patterns to perfect, and blocking assignments to remember. It's a lot to absorb for a kid coming out of college. I'm not ready to write the kid off just yet. Time will tell in the end, and unlike the QB position, this isn't one where Mangini can mind f*ck him out of performing at a high level. Also it's going to be interesting to see exactly how much our receivers improve when they have a QB that is consistent and can put the ball in a nice catchable zone week after week.
Could this be Cleveland's next dynamic duo?
So bottom line is that I do have a lot of hope that our offense will climb out of the laughing stock realm and climb into the big boy chair. Sure, we're not shoot to Colts/Saints level, but any improvement at this point would be "considerable, and "noteworthy"
Get ready Cleveland, the 2010 Browns are on their way, and this year we might just get a few Monday's of being hoarse due to all the cheering we did on Sunday....
What is that something you ask? Well that something is honest to God starting QB. Jake Delhome to the rescue! Huzzah! Make no mistake, I'm not under any delusions about Jake coming in an taking us to the Super Bowl, or hell even the playoffs. What I am excited about is that we won't have to wait til 20 minutes before kickoff week 1 to find out who our starting QB is going to be. We know right now, even if Mangini won't come out and say it.
I know you're probably thinking, "But Inspecta, we knew who our starting QB was going to be in 08 when DA was given the reigns uncontested" but I can hardly count that. Reason being is that while he had a solid season overall in 2007, the way he finished just had everybody in C-town shaking their head and the phrase on everybody's lips was "flash in the pan". As it turns out, it was one of those rare occasions when the fan base was 100% correct. So while he was named the starter that spring, it certainly didn't feel like we had a starter.
Jake feels like a starter. Despite having a rough 2009 season his overall body of work speaks for itself. He's taken the Panthers to the Super Bowl, nearly winning it all. He's taken them to the NFC championship. He's played at a high level for multiple seasons. This makes a starting QB in this league. I don't judge him on one poor season, as that would be fool hearty to say the least. There were those who judged Kurt Warner after his shitty season in St. Louis, and as we now all know he had a lot left in the tank.
So this is where we're at as Browns fans. We finally have a starting QB who isn't still on training wheels, and we finally have one who's had major success at this level. It's exciting. While we have no guarantees that Jake will come back guns blazing, it's a much higher percentage than when we had to pray that Trent Dilfer would get another 2000yd rusher behind him, or Jeff Garcia would somehow morph into a pocket passer.
Jake looks poised to prove he ain't done yet
Another facet of this situation that gives us hope in Jake is that we know he won't have to do it alone. Jerome Harrison ended the season on fire, and if you've followed his career since we drafted him you'll know that this is a kid with serious talent who can move the ball. The biggest question is whether or not he can do it for 16 games carrying the ball 30 times a game. Wait a minute, that's right, he won't have to do that thanks to the full stable of ponies we have backing him up. Chris Jennings showed a flair for spin moves and moving chains. Not to mention we have a very solid prospect in Montario Hardesty, the rookie out of Tennessee.
So this leaves just one question, and one that's very important. Can Jake succeed with the group of wide receivers we have on this club. I'd like to say that it's very straightforward and give you a definitive answer, but unfortunately when you go into a season with 2 second year guys as your two main threats, well questions loom. Mohamed Massaquoi had a respectable rookie season considering the cluster f*ck we had at the QB situation. Brian Robiskie however failed to crack the starting lineup leading many to already slap his ass with the bust tag. I'm not so harsh on the kid as wide receiver is totally different from running backs in that this is not a plug n' play position. The average NFL offense has well over 100 passing plays, which means they have 100 routes to learn, timing patterns to perfect, and blocking assignments to remember. It's a lot to absorb for a kid coming out of college. I'm not ready to write the kid off just yet. Time will tell in the end, and unlike the QB position, this isn't one where Mangini can mind f*ck him out of performing at a high level. Also it's going to be interesting to see exactly how much our receivers improve when they have a QB that is consistent and can put the ball in a nice catchable zone week after week.
Could this be Cleveland's next dynamic duo?
So bottom line is that I do have a lot of hope that our offense will climb out of the laughing stock realm and climb into the big boy chair. Sure, we're not shoot to Colts/Saints level, but any improvement at this point would be "considerable, and "noteworthy"
Get ready Cleveland, the 2010 Browns are on their way, and this year we might just get a few Monday's of being hoarse due to all the cheering we did on Sunday....
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