@ballpeen said:
I agree. Fandom isn't the same. Most became fans because they were young kids living in the area, they had a parent or admired relative who was a fan, such as a grandparent, or they latched on to a player at some point.
That said, I'll wait on the Pickett thing until we actually see that he is the starter and see how he plays. The book may not be closed on his playing career. Also, his playing career may not be all that long in Cleveland.
If the Browns know we are going to draft a QB, we aren't drafting him to be a back-up. He is going to start at some point fairly early. If that is the case, why get too carried away with who starts this season, be it 5 games or 12, or until next season?
Like Pickett or not as a starter, it isn't reasonable to say he can't be a pretty to very good back-up QB. I get it, back-up QB's don't hold much value in fans eyes, at least until you have to rely on them to come in and hold down the fort for 2-3-4 games.
That is why they still get paid a pretty penny and why the good ones have long NFL careers.
I think we've had some good backup QBs here at times dating all the way back to the 80s. I don't think anyone ever had a better tan than Don Strock in December here. I think he even helped us win an important game in December 1 year when Kosar and Pagel were injured. The 1st game my dad took us to in 1976 - David Mays filled in for Brian Sipe and the Browns beat Pittsburgh the day Turkey Jones ended Bradshaw's season. They went 9-5 that year under Forest Gregg and didn't make the playoffs (that was kind of like going 10-6 without playoffs during the rookie season of Joe Thomas). That year, Derek Anderson was the back up QB for Charlie Frye so I guess he was a pretty good back-up QB when we consider he became the starting QB in week 2. Remember Paul McDonald? Paul McDonald has the ball E-I-E-I-OUCH. With a pick 6 here and a pick 6 there. Here a pick - there a pick - everywhere pick 6. Paul McDonald has the ball - Heaven help the Browns...
I will say Gary Danielson was a good guy to start in 1985 before Bernie was ready to take over about midway through the year. The Browns won the division with an 8-8 record while Mack and Byner both rushed for over 1000 yards apiece. If memory serves me right, Mack was the AFC Rookie of the Year in 1985.
I never got the same feeling attending games in the new stadium; although the tailgate parties that guys from this board organized/held were second to none...
V
