When the Indians on Monday night clinched their first American League Central Division title since 2007, did the Browns hierarchy join the rest of Northeast Ohio and beyond in celebrating?
And if so, then how sincere were those celebrations?
Only the top executives at Browns Headquarters in Berea know the answers to those questions.
No matter, because the Browns had better realize that the success of the Indians, with hopefully a lot more success to come in the postseason, coming on the success of the Cavaliers in June when they won the NBA title and as such captured Cleveland’s first major pro sports championship in 52 years, puts pressure on them.
A lot of pressure.
Ever-increasing pressure.
Browns fans are the best in football, and they realize that this total rebuild is going to take some time. It isn’t going to happen overnight. Thus, they know they will have to exhibit some patience.
But at the same time, there is a limit to their patience, as well there should be. This is not an open-ended grace period.
At some point, the Browns are going to have to start winning, and not just a few games here in there, but eventually a lot of games leading to playoff appearances and ultimately championships.
After all, the Indians and Cavs are located in the same city as the Browns, and it wasn’t that long ago at all that both of those franchises were struggling mightily. But they got it turned around, and in the case of the Cavs, it was a complete 180-degree reversal. The Indians are hoping for the same this season.
The Browns will be expected to do the same.
And why not?
It’s good for the Browns to work under that kind of pressure. It keeps them on their toes. It lets them know they’re not working in a vacuum.
We’re watching.
All of us.
All of the time.
For as long as it takes.
And then some.
But if takes too long … well, it had better not take too long. That would not be good.
For everybody involved, especially the fans, who are the only ones who really count.
The entire Browns organization – everybody in it, from the bottom of the organizational church to the top – works for the fans. They – and not Jimmy and Dee Haslam and Sashi Brown – are the bosses. They will decide when it’s been too long, if it gets to that.
And we hope it doesn’t, for that would mean the Browns have become good again.
