It's only a game

I remember when Derek Anderson attacked Browns fans as a whole based on the insults he endured from a few Browns fans. That got me mad, you can't label a group based on the behavior of it's worst element. But it's hard not to feel ashamed when I read about the 8 year old Jets fan who was assaulted by a so called "Browns fan" after last Sunday's game. What an awful story (see attached link).

It is only a game folks........

Learning to live with fumbles

Knowing how much Coach Mangini hates turnovers on offense, it must be damn hard for him to digest that it is not possible to coach emerging star fullback Peyton Hillis out of his fumbling. I've read that each week Hillis does special drills designed to get him to hang onto the ball and no matter the effort, every week Hillis coughs up a ball. I've often compared Colt McCoy to Brian Sipe, in the case of Hillis there is another reference point in Browns history that is very similar. Mike Pruitt ran like a linebacker but he also had smallish hands and often fumbled. Forrest Gregg hated Pruitt's fumbling so much that he sat him for the better part of two years. When Sam Rutigliano arrived, he decided to put this force of nature into motion and Mike Pruitt was a key part of the Browns resurgence.

It's the same story with Hillis. 250 pound players with speed and agility are rare. Keep giving him the ball, his one fumble per game is more than offset by the damage to opponents that he does on the ground on all the other plays in which he doesn't fumble.

Injuries trip up Browns vs Jets

Great game played by the Browns today against the Jets but injuries to Fujita, Cribbs and Brown in the end cost us the game. It's that time of the season where depth is going to begin to play a factor. The Browns have a bit less talent than most NFL teams but the coaching has been great of late, and the team was coming together. That all starts to come apart when the inevitable injuries start to pile up. Here is hoping that Cribbs in particular won't be out long.

BL Live Blog: Vickers Block

Brilliant Block by vickers on the Hillis TD

BL Predicts: Week Nine vs the Jets

This blog has missed the last two upset wins, predicting the Browns to lose against the favored Saints and Patriots. This week the Browns are still underdogs but they are playing at home and they are on a hot streak. The wins against the Saints and Pats both had large elements of surprise, as the Browns coaches used winning and often surprise tactics to take it to their favored opponents. My gut says that this week it's back to reality. There won't be surprises and perhaps young Colt might finally start to make some rookie mistakes. Other factors are that the emotional state of the team might be a bit down after the scary lockerroom collapse of Marcus Benard, and he likely won't play which will hurt the Browns ability to put heat on Mark Sanchez. It will probably be close but look for the Browns luck to run out this week.

BL Predicts

Browns 15
Jets 27

The Brown Log is 3-5 year to date on predictions.

Fantastic win!

Colt McCoy is 2-1 as a starter, and more importantly he has demonstrated leadership and good sense.
Coach Mangini is maturing as a coach and the team is coming together. Two wins in a row against leading teams.

Great day for the Browns.

BL live blog: Colt

Colt reminds me of Brian Sipe. Guts and leadership. Browns 17-7

BL live blog: Browns wideouts contributing today

It looks like McCoy and Massaquoi in particular really put a lot of work in during the bye-week.

BL Live blog: End of Q1

Browns play their 5th straight brilliant quarter of football. 10-0 Cleveland.

BL live blog: Browns D Tom Brady off balance

Brady is 1-4 for 10 yards passing

BL live blog: Hillis fumbles

You have to take the good with the bad. Hillis is an imposing back who can wear out a D. But he also fumbles too much. Hopefully this fumble doesn't drain the early emotional advantage the Browns had gained.

BL live blog: going for it on 4th and short

Gutsy move by Mangini, gotta love it!

BL live blog : Browns get the ball back

If the Browns can score again it starts to look like a blowout.
Let's see if Colt and Hillis can keep it up.