Friday Football Profile: Cleveland Browns

Part of a continuing series designed to help you learn more about the Steelers' upcoming opponents. In the words of Michael Corleone, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Ok, I admit it. Back in the day of Bernie Kosar, I liked the Browns.

For those who don't remember, Bernie was an awkward, gangly, sloppy-looking guy who couldn't run and threw the ball with a weird, side-armed kind of a toss. Let's just say I could relate.

But you had to have some respect for the Browns back then-at least a little- because they got the job done. At least up until the point when they would implode at the hands of John Elway and the Denver Broncos, one game before the Super Bowl. Which happened every year from the mid-to late 80s.

Soon, though, things changed. Art Modell ripped the team from Cleveland and transplanted it to Baltimore. The Browns were no more.

But a few years later, like the kid in "Pet Sematary", the Browns came back from the dead. Also like the kid in "Pet Sematary", the resurrected Browns came back slow, dumb, and stinky. And have been ever since.

So there's not much respect anymore for these things that call themselves "Browns". Hell, I don't think anyone even knows who plays for the Browns these days. Charlie Whatzisface at Quarterback? Braywell Somethingorother at Wide Receiver? Who knows. I don't have the time or the patience to research it. And one can only guess what it must feel like to be a true Browns fan these days.

Now, don't get me wrong. A game played in Cleveland can still be entertaining. For example, occasionally, fans will run onto the field and get leveled by James Harrison. And I think we can all agree that you just can't put a price tag on something like that.

So, enjoy the game and stay off the field.

Or better yet, go for it...