If you're of the 7 loyal blog followers on the side of the page, don't be alarmed by the new look, it's still the same knucklehead writing about Cleveland sports. If you're new, why hello there! You won't notice anything different, but this is actually my first post since updating the look of the blog. There's a new background, a new font which I'm pretty sure is a little bigger, and there's the little page-view-counter on the right side of the page. I'll admit it - that's just an ego boost because it's proof that people actually click on the link. I hold on to the hope that the words are actually read.
But I thought with this new look, I'd take the Blog a step further and start putting together a little pre-game post that I'll call the "Browns Start Me Up." (Why yes, I did think of it from the Rolling Stones song, because "Brown Sugar" and "Honky Tonk Woman" just didn't seem to fit...) It only seemed logical, you know, since there's a halftime and a post-game post, why not do a pre-game one with a prediction? That's what this post is all about.
The Browns take on the Jacksonville Jaguars today down in Florida and I think this is going to be a very winnable game for them. Of course, the team in brown and orange is going to have to overcome substantial injuries to Josh Cribbs and Scott Fujita, two captains who I think are part of the heart and soul of this team. However, on offense, as long as Peyton Hillis is in the game and the offensive line is anchored by Joe Thomas, I think the Browns have a great chance to exploit the Jaguars rushing defense and dominate this game. I think this could also be the real break out game for Colt McCoy. At least I really hope so.
On the Defensive side, I'm sure Rob Ryan has put together a great defensive scheme to confuse David Gerrard. The Jags quarterback has had an inconsistent season, as he's been great in the team's 5 wins so far, but he's also been terrible in the team's losses. He completed a freak Hail Mary pass last week that Houston slapped down into the arms of a Jacksonville receiver which won the game for the Jags, but I'm hoping that today's game won't even come to that. I expect the Browns to come out firing aggressively on the D, but they'll have to wrap up and drive in order to sack Gerrard, who has the reputation for being elusive.
Maybe I'm not putting enough weight on the injuries to Josh Cribbs and Fujita, and maybe I'm not giving Jacksonville enough credit as a team because I remember how the Browns dominated them in the final game of last year, but I think the Browns are going to go out and have a great win today. When you think about it, the Browns have played 4 of the leagues toughest teams in their last 4 games, and they came out of that 2-2 - and that could have easily been 3-1. I think they'll make a great stride in becoming a good team from simply a competitive team and defeat the Jags today.
The Prediction: CLE 23 - JAC 10
See you at the half,
~MAS
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