"Things Like That Don't Happen Anymore In Cleveland"

[Jon]

I agree with you on certain points W&G, but one big difference between the Browns and Steelers is that they have a history of success. The Browns have a history of failing at the most inopportune moments. Pretty much the same thing can be said about all Cleveland sports. I get what you're saying about the pall falling over the stadium, because I have definitely experienced that a few times. I think it's almost a defense mechanism that Cleveland fans have. Basically a "here it comes" attitude to cut down the inevitable disappointment. Does that have an outcome on the game though? I sincerely doubt that. I don't think the fans are the people who boot a ground ball in the bottom of the ninth, or blow a save, or miss a shot, or drop a pass.

How ironic. For a while there the Browns were the pre-eminent franchise in the NFL, winning titles, and kicking the Steelers around like a rag doll.

 

[Chris]

Haven't checked the rest of the thread yet, so it may have been said, but:

1.) Funny how you failed to mention that the Browns also DOMINATED 2 of the best teams in the NFL before almost losing to the worst in the NFL..

2.) Zero starting pitching is a ridiculous comment, not even going to go there.

3.) The Cavs just lost their superstar & Free Agency isn't the only way to get another one..

Hmm, maybe we should take it to the Tribe board but I think he means zero QUALITY starting pitching. Which still isn't totally true, but it definitely isn't too far from the truth. We have a lot of guys who could end up working out, though.

 

[damnboy19]

"Cleveland, Browns held on for you today...No chance Carolina was hitting FG at end. Things like that don't happen anymore in Cleveland" - Dan Gilbert, 11/28/2010


When "The Fumble" happened, we felt bad for ourselves. Same thing happened when "The Drive" occurred. Ditto for "The Shot", "The Mesa", and "The Skinner". Then came "The Decision".

Some, myself included, felt that LeBron titled it that because he was staying, and that it would be symbolic in that things would finally go Cleveland's way. LeBron then took his talents to South Beach, leaving us once again without a championship contender.

There is a silver lining, though, and his name is Dan Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert is a breath of fresh air to this city. In a city that used to getting pummeled and disrespected nationally, creating a general attitude of "woe is me", he has refused to join in. When we were watching the Browns yesterday and the Panthers got in field goal range, we all thought the same thing - here we go again...only in Cleveland. Gilbert thought the opposite...and the opposite happened.

A negative, pessimistic attitude is contagious, even to our team's players. It's why the Cavaliers lost in Orlando. It's why the Indians lost to Boston in 2007 when they had the Sox beat. This city wants BADLY to win...but doesn't expect to win.

I know it's tough to change, and it won't happen overnight. But we all need to adopt Gilbert's attitude and way of thinking. To become a championship team, a championship city, we must first truly believe we will do it. I don't mean going through the motions and holding "Believeland" signs...I mean really believing.

Let's focus on the positive with all of our teams.

The Indians have a ton of young talent, including Carlos Santana and Shin Soo Choo. They have a bunch of high upside arms in the minors that will start arriving in Cleveland this summer. They've also built a team good enough to win it before - things just didn't fall into place when they needed to (2007).

The Browns have finally found a quarterback that will lead this team for the next 10-15 years. They have a young running back that is playing as well as any other back in the league right now. They have two stud offensive linemen that will be here for the next 10 years. They've also found two top young DB's that will lead this defense for a long time. Most of all, they have a guy running the ship in Holmgren who knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl.

The Cavaliers have an owner who is passionate and wants nothing more than to be the guy who brings this city a title. They have assets (Draft Picks, TPE) and young talent (Hickson, Gibson), as well as some good veterans that can either help moving forward or bring even more assets to the team. They also have a coach who is a proven winner as both a player and coach.

I'm done with negative and pessimistic thinking. All three of our professional sports teams have things about them that give us hope and optimism going forward. One of them will win a world championship for Cleveland within the next five years...I guarantee it.

We're about to be a part of the Cleveland renaissance, both in terms of sports and the city in general. No more curses, no more bad luck.

Things like that don't happen anymore in Cleveland.

as the browns have a qb likewise do the ravens and steelers. oh and they also have smart g.m's (u know the guys that put sucessful teams together). the browns r like the orioles, not matter what they do they are still in the same division with New York and Boston and that means bottom feeders for a WHILE.

 

[GreasySpread36]

I agree with you on certain points W&G, but one big difference between the Browns and Steelers is that they have a history of success. The Browns have a history of failing at the most inopportune moments. Pretty much the same thing can be said about all Cleveland sports. I get what you're saying about the pall falling over the stadium, because I have definitely experienced that a few times. I think it's almost a defense mechanism that Cleveland fans have. Basically a "here it comes" attitude to cut down the inevitable disappointment. Does that have an outcome on the game though? I sincerely doubt that. I don't think the fans are the people who boot a ground ball in the bottom of the ninth, or blow a save, or miss a shot, or drop a pass.

I don't necessarily agree. At the end you need the best team to win it all- but there is added pressure when there's a "Curse." And that can affect a game or a series, and it can DEFINITELY affect the mood of a crowd, which in turn can affect the mood on the field.

Just look at the Bartman play. Watching the game on TV you could almost feel the atmosphere in Wrigley Field change after that play. You could almost feel the crowd, the players, thinking, "Here we go again." And that thought colored everything that happened afterward.

Obviously I can't say this for sure, but I don't think the play would have been that devastating had it happened to the Marlins in Miami.

 

[Soda]

Love this movement by DG... The entire city needs revitalization not only on the field/court, but off. I think its great that Dan is trying to do his part in spreading positivity throughout the city. He could be a Dolan...