A recent article in October’s Sports illustrated asked 287 players to vote on the meanest players in the NFL. The Steelers had the #1 meanest player, James Harrison. They also had the #8 player Heinz Ward. Not to be out done, the Ravens were represented by Ray Lewis #2 and Terrell Suggs at #6. The Bengals didn’t have any body in the top fifteen. However, they are fabulously represented with players being recently arrested. Cedric Benson, Adam Jones and Marvin White (White is off the roster) all being arrested in different places but during the same week. Let’s not forget Jerome Simpson with the two and a half pounds of pot he was holding for some reason. He forgot he had another six pounds back at his crib. I can go on about other players on these teams behaving badly. My point is, compared to these three teams, all currently with winning records, the Browns are the nicest bunch of guys in the division. Unfortunately, you and I know where nice guys finish.
The Browns have faced only one division rival so far this season, the Bengals. They were nice enough to let them score a touch down by socializing in the huddle but not covering the Bengals wide receiver lined up all alone. The Browns gave their best Rick Perry response “Oops,” and lost that home game. Browns fans see a dark cloud forming on the horizon with five divisional games to play. The Browns know that they are in for a dogfight when the Steelers and Ravens roll in. They know they have to deal with the mean and ornery Harrison, Ward, Lewis, Suggs and their ilk. Tell me who do the Browns have that strikes never mind fear, how about concern from these teams? Who do they worry about containing or blocking on the Browns? Peyton Hillis is hurt. So other than Josh Cribbs, I don’t think the Browns have another feared player on the offense. We just watched four running backs the last three weeks gash the Browns defense for over 100 yards each (Gore, Foster, Tate, Jackson). Who were they worried about on defense? This week they get Jones-Drew. It never stops in this league. Unless you are starting a running back from another teams practice squad.
Looking at the Browns daily twitter posts you see scripture being quoted, charity events being supported and other “nice” things. I think we need a “Bad Ass” tough guy on our team. They need someone that the divisional opponents say “Uh oh!” or “Oh sh-” when they look at the Browns team from across the line of scrimmage.
Browns fans generally don’t go to a game to root for Mr. congeniality. They root after a violent hit, a runner breaking tackles, a sack. This is what football is, controlled violence. I’ve been over the roster and I can’t find anyone that even hint’s of a having a nasty streak. This needs to be one of the top priorities in the Browns draft.
Information for this article from SI.com and NFL crimes.com