YES, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OPENER OF THEM ALL

By STEVE KING

Some thoughts as the Browns get ready to play the Tennessee Titans in the regular-season opener on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium:

*At various times throughout the tenure of the expansion-era Browns, there have been proclamations that this game or that game was the most important season opener the re-born franchise was going to play. But I think it’s safe to say that, with everything considered, this is, indeed, No. 1 in that category, by far — very, very far.

*The Browns, of course, have been on the cover of all these football magazines and publications this summer. Here’s one no one is talking about: USA Today’s NFL 2019 Preview with Odell Beckham Jr. It’s well worth the $4.95 price.

*To those of you attending the Titans game, the Browns need you. They need you a lot. At some point Sunday, the Browns are going to stumble. They’re going to struggle. They’re going to lose their way. It happens to just about every team in every game. The Browns, then, will need a boost when it happens. And you, the fans in the stadium, can – and need to, absolutely need to – give them that boost. Will you be there, everyone? Let’s hope so. The game could end up riding on you, and that. Really.

*I now Jim Nantz, the No. 1 play-by-play announcer for CBS in just about every sport, is a great talent. He will do a fantastic job on Sunday. But I still recommend turning down the sound on the TV and turning up the radio to listen to the call of longtime Browns announcers Jim Donovan and Doug Dieken. They are the very best. Period. End of statement.

*And just to reiterate, Otto Graham, the statue of whom was dedicated on Saturday outside FirstEnergy Stadium, could well be the best quarterback ever. Why? Because he was fantastic individually, and was the ultimate winner. Don’t forget that.

*A prediction for Sunday’s game? Why not? Everybody else is doing it. I’ll say Browns 26, Titans 14.