Red Right 88

The Browns must do … something … apparently … I don’t know

ESPN’s John Clayton confirmed a point in his mailbag that we (and others) have been making all week:

“The key to the start of any season is not to overreact … there’s no need to panic. It’s a long season.”

Bill Simmons also agrees.

But not everyone got the message at ESPN, as AFC North beat writer James Walker has determined that the Browns are already in a “must-win” situation Sunday against Kansas City.

They must win or … what? Well, let’s find out:

“If the Cleveland Browns can lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they can lose to just about anybody. And considering their next eight opponents include only one team that didn’t have a winning record in 2009, the Browns desperately need a win Sunday …”

Really? So a team that was widely picked to only win about 3-4 games this season is in a “must-win” situation after just one week?

“The Browns, who won four straight to end the 2009 season, lost all momentum after last week’s loss to the Buccaneers.”

Did you get that? ALL MOMENTUM IS LOST. So, the Browns, no momentum. But the Bengals, Falcons & Jets, who also lost Week 1, and the Ravens & Steelers, who barely won Week 1? All momentum, baby.

“It’s no secret that Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini entered the year on the hot seat.”

Well, it might be a secret to Randy Lerner and Mike Holmgren. And they are the only ones who count here.

“The Browns weren’t expected to be a playoff team this season.”

So what’s the problem then? If they weren’t expected to be very good and they lost a game, then why hit the panic button?

The only thing the Browns “must do” on Sunday is show up and play. Nothing else. The season won’t be won or lost on Sunday, no one will lose their job, no one will be monkeying with the thermostat on Mangini’s office chair.

Oh boy, it’s going to be a long year.

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For a more reasonable reading of the temperature of Mangini’s chair, check out this piece from Waiting for Next Year.