This is a "Training Camp" Season Folks!

[nickers]

Okay......

Now that the last 40 some hours have expired,Lets take a breather and really look at this season unfolding. We have Pat Shurmur in his first year as HC. Colt McCoy,QB learning this WCO that he probably only has 40-50% of it absorbed and learned. It takes weeks to get timming down with WR's in this offense. I think all of us ,Myself included, expecting a different outcome sunday, were all dissapointed,naturally. Im more dissapointed by the fire and brimstone being hurled back and forth between posters but, Lets not dwell on that. I think most of us did not expect the Browns to make the playoffs this season in spite of our annual hopes of winning. But the stark reallity is,this team is still in training camp mode for the season. We can only hope no major injuries incur. This team obviously needs development and I think most of you recognize 6 weeks surely is not enough time considering the lockout and the new regime finally in place together in the same direction and philosophy.

This team,wether or not people want to admit it. Is far from winning the superbowl let alone make an appearance to the playoffs. Its possible,but unlikely. The O-line was and is still My greatest concern, then Dline and LB's. the loss of "Steiny" Is a huge one and that was more than evident sunday. We still need Guards and a right tackle to solidify our Oline. And next season I suspect two new starting outside LB's and of course WR's....I think were ok at RB and QB. In fact I think QB and RB are Our most sure postitions filled at the moment besides our kicker Phil Dawson. It normally takes one good season to get systems completely installed Offensively and Defensively. I just really think were asking too much right now. Im still hopefull for an 8-8 season. But I just dont know. I think Shurmur has done some good things but like all of you,I need to see more and the players need to buy into his system and coaching,and that requires time. you dont build a solid relationship of any kind in 6 weeks. We unfortunately are still victims of having been an expansion team a decade ago. it took Tampa Bay a long time , more than 12 seasons to overcome that. I know it all hurts and Im feeling as bad as the rest of you. But lets let this thing take shape before rendering a final verdit. Let the Coaches and players do thier thing. Its out of our control anyway way. If we fail so be it....But Im in it for the long haul...Like you...Im a sucker...were all suckers...but I really think its gonna be chalked up to "Training camp" this season.

[Enigmatic Evil]

Yeah and last year was a training camp kind of season because it was the first year with Holmgren as GM, year before because it was Mangini's first year, so on, so forth. I think that fans are just starting (or are already) getting impatient. Our fan base is fickle, we prove it on a weekly basis. I think we can thrive but the key is we need to come together as a team. Shurmur needs to get this team up to speed fast or the hateraid is going to go around like rave roofies.

[hammertime]

Is it Sunday yet?

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

Yeah and last year was a training camp kind of season because it was the first year with Holmgren as GM, year before because it was Mangini's first year, so on, so forth.

exactly

and some of us believe that repeating this cycle over and over is the wrong way to do things. Especially when you saw SOME improvement in year two of a regime. Only to not get to see year 3.

And when a regime starts out this badly, we worry that we won't get to see year 3 with this regime either.

And 4 years from now we'll be in year 2 of the next regime being told "it's just one game".

[nickers]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

exactly

and some of us believe that repeating this cycle over and over is the wrong way to do things. Especially when you saw SOME improvement in year two of a regime. Only to not get to see year 3.

And when a regime starts out this badly, we worry that we won't get to see year 3 with this regime either.

And 4 years from now we'll be in year 2 of the next regime being told "it's just one game".

I dont disagree with your post Golf and,Im not saying its excussable but,the reality it is...It is what it is

[Enigmatic Evil]

At the very least Nickers, I'm glad to see some optimism. The morale of the forum is borderline unbearable lately...

[nickers]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

At the very least Nickers, I'm glad to see some optimism. The morale of the forum is borderline unbearable lately...

Yeah, Im just as much to blame for some things and thats just the nature of things. We all get pissed off cuz were all after the same thing. Attacking each other wont fix it. It has to fix all on its own. But we must accept we cant control what the FO does. All we can do, is hope that oue Season Ticket holders boycott. But we know that will never happen. So in esscence, It has to play itself out.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by nickers

I dont disagree with your post Golf and,Im not saying its excussable but,the reality it is...It is what it is

agreed, and if you're familiar with me. I'll be rooting for them to win every weekend. and won't be calling for anyone to be fired till year 3. Although I'll wish Jaron retires

I will say that Heckert is the one huge bright spot in this regime. So far IMO he's been doing his job well. the others have more time to prove it. but that doesn't mean I can't be negative about one game and worry that it looks bad for the future.

But I also agree with your OP, and I was saying it in early spring. I feel bad for Shumur that his first HC gig came at the start of a lockout.

[handbanana]

Thank you! People have been living in a dream world. In a lockout year, we changed our offense, our defense, our HC, our DC, our QB, and finally, nearly half our starters on both sides of the ball. We're acting like Shurmur has been here for years and Mccoy is a vet with playoff wins under his belt.

I won't say that we are better than last years team, but we are definitely more talented and better suited to succeed. I think we will see steady improvement each week. Realistically, that's we should hope for this season, the wins will come, just have to learn how to do it.

[Thaid_Up]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

exactly

and some of us believe that repeating this cycle over and over is the wrong way to do things. Especially when you saw SOME improvement in year two of a regime. Only to not get to see year 3.

And when a regime starts out this badly, we worry that we won't get to see year 3 with this regime either.

And 4 years from now we'll be in year 2 of the next regime being told "it's just one game".

Completely understand the frustration G because that's all we've seen since this team came back. And if your 4 years from now prediction comes to pass I'll likely change my glass half full attitude. But you gotta think these guys are in it for the long haul. They didn't go out and spend way too much money on past their prime free agents hoping for quick fix. They're going with their tried and true method of building through the draft and and creating a core group of good players. Makes me think (and hope) that they'll be around for awhile.

[MackTruck]

The main problem with fans(all team fans in general) is they overreact to the first game. I consider the first game to be the most irrevelant of the bunch and this year probably more than ever due to the lockout. So the Bengals got a "undeserved" win and score, happens alot in the first game.

If Colt plays a good game, the Browns probably win. Kid left way to many passes on the field was not comfortable in the pocket at all. Showed a good arm though, you can take that as a positive.

The defense showed some of its skills, but the LB core lacks speed big time, which you need alot of in this system. Juron doesn't have the best rep.

The real problem is if they don't improve and things go downhill fast. Public opinion will turn nasty on Holmgren and Shurmur making Randy sweat again, which he doesn't do well dealing with. Don't forget, that Shurmur isn't popular at all. I hear a "Murmur for Shurmur" all the time.

To me however, this is a QB's league. The rise or fall of fatty Holmgren and the Murmur comes down to Colt.

[hammertime]

Originally Posted by MackTruck

The main problem with fans(all team fans in general) is they overreact to the first game. I consider the first game to be the most irrevelant of the bunch and this year probably more than ever due to the lockout. So the Bengals got a "undeserved" win and score, happens alot in the first game.

If Colt plays a good game, the Browns probably win. Kid left way to many passes on the field was not comfortable in the pocket at all. Showed a good arm though, you can take that as a positive.

The defense showed some of its skills, but the LB core lacks speed big time, which you need alot of in this system. Juron doesn't have the best rep.

The real problem is if they don't improve and things go downhill fast. Public opinion will turn nasty on Holmgren and Shurmur making Randy sweat again, which he doesn't do well dealing with. Don't forget, that Shurmur isn't popular at all. I hear a "Murmur for Shurmur" all the time.

To me however, this is a QB's league. The rise or fall of fatty Holmgren and the Murmur comes down to Colt.

Beleive me, Colt is a third round pick who they will discard in a heartbeat if they felft their job was on the line.

If their job is on the line then they set themselves up for you know who.