Preseason is Meaningless... Right?

by Guage80 on Aug 24, 2008 11:13 AM EDT

I went in hoping the preseason would be a good indication of the regular season or a glimpse of what is to come. Many Browns fans feel it's the same ol'story of hopes for a winning team but the reality of a disaster, failed expectations, based on the preseason. Look around the league at teams who you would expect to do well that aren't in the preseason. So much is held back from players and play books that you can't get a good feel. Teams blitz more often because the play book is so limited there is no counter punch to the blitz.

The Browns will start the regular season with ALL their starters, with 0-0 record and something to prove. The hype or confidence in winning the Cowboys and Steelers games is gone but there is no need to panic for the season. If the Browns start the season 2-2 or better we have a great chance of winning the division this year.

I'm still looking forward to the season with my expectations adjusted slightly.

Poll

Based on what you've seen so far how do you feel the Browns will do in the 2008 season?

9-7 or better (Division Winners)

36 votes

9-7 or better (Wildcard)

9 votes

9-7 or better (Miss Playoffs)

7 votes

7-9/8-8

25 votes

6-10 or worse

10 votes

87 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I won’t predict a final outcome. What I will say is that Crennel had better have been right about the firing of Grantham. The defense looks significantly less capable so far.

I never exhaled.

by elsandito on Aug 24, 2008 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

there are two definitively meaningful things in preseason

injuries
roster decisions

everything else is of questionable worth. it’s not that players’ or units’ performances don’t matter, but they’re very difficult to evaluate. because of injuries, decisions about starters, team goals, the players on the field at any given time very tremendously in quality. Some series are run strictly for practice purposes. Some players find themselves matched up solely against guys who are going to end up on the cut-list, other backup guys find themselves matched up with starters. and it all changes from play to play, series to series, game to game.

Get me to the regular season with as few injuries as possible and I’m happy.

by APV on Aug 24, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

The hope isn't gone.

It is never gone. There were still Browns fans who were looking forward to beating the steelers when we didn’t even have a team.

Teams like the Colts lose a whole heck of a lot during the preseason. If we can be as good as they are, I’ll be really happy. Skepticism is fine. Maybe the team and the city needed to get knocked down a few pegs. But there is no reason to panic, certainly not yet.

The season isn’t “over” until mathematical elimination from the playoffs, a loss in the playoffs, or a win in the Super Bowl—and even if the Browns are mathematically eliminated there is still football to be played. Do your part in eliminating Bud Shaw’s job: never lose hope.

by rufio on Aug 28, 2008 12:11 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed. Compared to the debacle that was last year’s first game, and the swoon that occurred after it, a couple injury-riddled preseason games is nothing.

I still think we’re going to beat Dallas.

by kwoog on Aug 28, 2008 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

"I still think we’re going to beat Dallas."

I won’t go that far, but I definitely think we have a shot.

I hope we can control TO. Or at least limit his contribution to Dallas’ success. Even if he goes for 200 yds and 2 TDs, we can win.

by rufio on Aug 29, 2008 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

3 catches, 46 yards, 0 touchdowns. That was Moss’s line against us last year. I think we can control a single wide receiver.

But we lost… so, I’m more worried about focussing on that “one guy” and then getting burned by the other options (Hello, Mr. Stalworth). I’d be glad to give TO those stats if you we cause 3 turnovers and they couldn’t run the ball. And Romo is no Brady.

by kwoog on Aug 29, 2008 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions