Playing for the future. Weren't we playing for the future 15 years ago? Weren't we playing for the future 10 years ago? How about 5 years ago? Yes the future has come and come again for the Browns yet we haven't seen the draft bring us consistent enough return to ever improve our status.
Then comes last Wednesday, the day the hope died for the current season. The third string QB is named the starter, the star running back traded for a draft pick, and any indication that the current regime is even trying thrown out the window. At least in the past we actually tried to put something watchable on the field. Have we been successful yet? Absolutely not, but it was more encouraging than lets just load up the team with a bunch of rookies, lose and load up the team with a bunch more rookies next year.
So here we are hoping that all of these draft picks we have spent all of our talent on getting for 2014 pan out. But pardon me for being a bit leary of this plan. Does anyone remember how this team drafts? They have drafted horribly, but many still want to try to hang on to this same sickening "Believeland" mantra that has kept people playing into this team's crap. So let me take a moment to address the justifications i've heard of this.
These aren't the same decision makers that had all of those bad drafts. That is true, but the truth is they might be worse. Our GM Mike Lombardi's previous experience drafting was with the Raiders from 1998-2007. His first pick that he had his hands on was Charles Woodson, but soon after that the quality of the Raiders draft went straight into the toilet. Some of the classics included Robert Gallery, and the head-scratching pick of kicker Sebastian Janikowski in the first round. And what was the only decision even worse than the Brady Quinn in 2007? Probably Lombardi and Al Davis' choice of Jamarcus Russell. So what was Lombardi's last year there again? And this is the man who is looking for our next quarterback.
Trent Richardson sucks anyway. I'm not a Trent fanboy, but good lord the guy played through injury and a terrible offensive line and looked better than any other back we've had recently. Wait until you see Willis McGahee try to hit the holes tomorrow and you are going to wish that there was still a guy at back that could squeeze three yards out of the holes that were given to him.
At least now we can start with our franchise quarterback. I remember last year at this time it was Matt Barkley and Geno Smith projected to be the only first round quarterbacks for last season. That didn't happen for either of them. I also don't remember Brandon Weeden being a first round prospect until after Oklahoma State's pro day. Wasn't Russell Wilson too small to be considered in the first round? Is RGIII really playing solid football right now? The fact is the draft is a crapshoot, and banking on having any success, even with a number one pick is foolish for any team.
It's a good chance to look at Brian Hoyer. It would be amazing if we found our answer at QB on accident out of Hoyer. But lets face it, this fan base loves a homer. Remember Brady Quinn and Charlie Frye? Enough said
So goody, I get to wait until April now to see any progress made on the offense. It's getting old and tiresome and tough to keep up the passion required to be a solid fan of the team. So lets trudge ahead and see how humiliating this weekend can be for us.
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