The next Jamal Lewis? Nick Chubb has old-school style as a rookie
July 30, 2018The Yonder Alonso Bargain Is Paying Off
July 30, 2018I was lucky enough to have the privileged of covering the Browns through the media this weekend. It was an experience I won’t soon forget. Being up close and personal with some of my favorite current Browns, listening to them give insight on the team’s current situation, their own expectations, and firing some questions at them was an unforgettable experience. Browns’ owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam addressed the media as well, covering a wide range of topics including the 2020 Draft location, stadium renovations against rebuilding, and their own expectations for the team. All of it was something that only drew me more attached to my dream of covering the team full time.
The point here, though, is not to address that overall experience, but rather to discuss just how devoted this fan base is to this team. If you have ever been to Training Camp, you’ll know the experience isn’t all that great. Practices, in general, are not all the glamorous. The complex in Berea is filled with three practice fields and the action is constantly moving. Position yourself for the day in the wrong spot, in front of the wrong field, and you might not see anything worth seeing for the entire three-hour experience.
I was lucky enough to be able to walk field to field along the sidelines with the ability to watch quarterback drills up close, wide receiver footwork drills, and lineman working technique. Walking around without barriers has its advantages. But what was amazing is that each time I turned around there were several fans along the ropes or along the field level who likely could see very little. Some were near fields with so little action I was amazed they were even enjoying themselves. The Browns typically run their ‘full team’ sessions in front of the main grandstand on the east side of the complex. This way the majority of fans can see these moments. The problem is, there only about 30 total ‘full team’ plays. It’s not the action-packed experience you might be expecting. So, fans in the lower sections or on the field level, behind the fences, can see next to nothing as the film crews for the NFL, Hard Knocks, and Browns media personalities line the field side watching closely for stories. The Browns do provide some activities for kids, and some nice fan-friendly interactive experiences, but for the most part you are there for three hours worth of practice with perhaps 20 minutes of high-intensity action. This takes some serious devotion and patience.
That devotion is nothing new in Cleveland for the Browns, but it was new for me from that up close perspective. I was truly amazed by just how many fans don’t necessarily care what they’re seeing, they just want to be near the vibe with this new team. It is almost as if 1-31 has made the fan base more eager than it was prior. When you expect the fan base to turn and run, they come back full force. It is something to see up close and personal. I have a hard time believing even if Spring Training were held in Cleveland I would be surprised if half this number of fans would show up. If the Cavaliers’ opened practices to the public in pre-season, peak LeBron era, again I would be stunned if anything close to this many fans would take the time to show up. Fans following a franchise that has done so little since returning in 1999, has gone 1-31 the last two years, are there barking, screaming, waiting hours for autographs, and living and dying with each session of practice. It’s something I urge you to go see up close if you care about this franchise or question if the fans still care. I always imagine just how crazy Berea and the lakefront will be when the Browns start consistently winning football games. Perhaps we aren’t that far away.