By STEVE KING
Like everybody and their uncle — and aunt; we need to recognize the ladies — who think they know a thing or two or three or more about the sport, the handful of pro football writers at Sports Illustrated came out with their predictions for the 2021 NFL season the other day.
All but one had the Browns in the playoffs. All but one — Conor Orr, who has been high on the team all offseason — has the Browns failing to make the Super Bowl. The way Orr see it, the Browns, in their first trip to the big game, lose 36-24 to the Green Bay Packers.
Predictions are like elbows in that everybody has them. They are also so very fun. They’re a big part of sports on all levels. They cause debates, discussions and even sometimes arguments by overzealous people. Yes, sports are important, for they give us a diversion from the real world, but come on, people, we’re not breaking down the atom, we’re not curing cancer and we’re not attaining peace among all nations. We’re talking about football. So, then, cool your jets, guys, and don’t get into a fistfight over it. I say guys because women are too smart to want to drop and go over something like a Browns-Kansas City Chiefs game. A Browns-Pittsburgh Steelers game? Perhaps. But not a Browns-Chiefs game, because the rivalry is simply not that deep-rooted and intense. Just kidding, ladies. Just kidding. Like I said, you’re too darn intelligent to get hooked.
The important thing is that, when it comes to the NFL postseason, the Browns are in the discussion. They are very definitely — and very deeply — in the discussion.
The Browns — you’re Browns, my Browns, our hometown Browns — are a player in all this, which makes this NFL season just much more anticipated and just that much more anticipated.
So, then, sit back and enjoy it. It ought to be a really fun ride, and football is all about fun, right?
RB Nick Chubb (9.8.21)
On how he used last year’s performance against the Chiefs as motivation:
“I just held onto the feeling of how I felt, and the team did the same thing after that game. We knew how we felt. We did not want to experience it anymore. Overall, just a great learning experience for us, and we learned from it.”
On if it is a benefit to face the Chiefs in Week 1 when the team is fresh and healthy:
“They are pretty fresh, too, I guess. It works in both sides’ favor, but we just have to go out there and have to play as a team and play together.”
On if there is a moment or play that stood out most to him from the AFC Divisional Round loss to the Chiefs:
“Not really. Just overall not winning the game.”
On if he agrees with QB Baker Mayfield that he has become more of a vocal leader:
“I do not know if I agree with that (laughter). Maybe I have. Just naturally, I do not know.”
On if anything has changed for him since signing his three-year extension with the Browns:
“I do not think so. I think it is pretty much all the same. I am keeping my head down and not really making it a big difference on myself.”
On if he learned anything about himself after doing commercials:
“Not really. I do not really like it, but I signed up for it so I have to do it. It is fun when I get there and get going. It is just part of it off of the field.”
