Last week Browns fans got a dose of reality that many didn't like.  I think most of them saw it coming, but denial is a funny thing.  We, as Browns fans don't like many of our realities, but that's exactly what they are.  Realities.

Seems the Browns DID make a move to get WR Amari Cooper from the Cowboys, and that's great news.  But what is very real about that is, the Cowboys didn't think he was worth his 20 million dollar price tag and we did.  Let's hope for the best there.

You saw that Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz all got new homes or new deals keeping them put.  I wrote a few times here that Rodgers and Wilson were never coming here for 20 reasons, and that proved to be right. We were never even considered I'm sure. Rodgers got about 200 million over 4 years. For the Browns to have gotten him, it would have been that price, plus the price tag of a few vetereans, and an endless array of high draft picks over a number years to get him.  Did you REALLY want to do that?  Plus, do you REALLY think Aaron Rodgers wanted to come here? Leave Lambeau Field and his legacy for here?

For Wilson, I think Seattle got the best end of that.  What?  I feel Wilson DIDN'T want to be there anymore , and that's reason enough for a trade. Seattle got a few really nice players and a ton of high draft picks to reload. Denver now HAS to win it, or it will be a mess, as they have mortgaged the entire future.  It's not like the Browns organization to risk the next decade, and that goes for pretty much any other team. (Think now about cost for Rodgers, if that was Wilson's price)

And Wentz?  - Please... Now there are small rumblings about us getting Deshaun Watson from the Texans. Browns rumored to be preparing a big offer for his services.  Plenty of legal issues there, AND Watson has a no-trade clause and he can veto any place he doesn't want to go. (BTW Wilson has one too, and vetoed two teams before going to Denver.)  We will see if we get the "no thanks" on Cleveland.  My gut feeling is keep an eye on that Darn Mike Tomlin and the Steelers AND the Saints for Watson.

You see, there are only a tiny few of these guys in the NFL, and the truth is many don't want to play here for the same reason they don't want to play in 25 other cities either.  The modern guy want what he wants, and most of the time gets it in sports.  We have to understand that, and many times we don't, and none of us like it.  And much of this has NOTHING to do with the actual Browns.  It's the city, geography, the prestige and the head coach many times.  Being mad about that is energy wasted.

If you don't like Baker Mayfield you are entitled to that, but that to me is wasted energy.  These Browns didn't draft him. Dorsey did, and he's here more than likely one more year. Scream all you want on social media that they should have drafted Josh Allen 5 years ago. You're right, but again energy wasted. And scream that the Bengals got Joe Burrow, and that's just flat out silly.  If the Browns had the first pick that year, they would have drafted him.  Again, wasted energy.

So really take a look around and let's see what's really going on. If Baker is NOT our QB this season, I would be stunned. I mean who else is there?  Teddy Bridgewater? Marcus Mariotta? Jameis Winston? Mitchell Tribisky?  Isn't the idea to get BETTER?  Okay, Derek Carr? Jimmy G, Matt Ryan?  I like Carr, but in 8 years no playoff wins, just fact.  And Jimmy G has a GREAT record, but no one knows if he can lift his throwing arm above his head right now after surgery. Matt Ryan is 38.  

This wasted energy is just like many other aspects our lives. There are a lot of people that spend their time screaming about this or that for this or that sake.  They offer NO solutions, just negativity. It's everywhere, sports, politics, pop culture, and honestly it's fatiguing.  Unless something absolutely stunning happens, Mayfield is our guy next year, and it's a big one for him and the Browns. Honestly, who else is there that you really want? 

This is lining up for Bakers DNA.  He'll be healthy, it's a contract year, a respect year, and he has been told his entire career at every level, he's NOT the guy and always steps up as the guy.  And he knows what's riding on this season.  Play well, get a new deal, play not so well, and it's a new team next year with a very, very uncertain future.  Oh, and by the way he's a bargain in NFL QB terms.

I have no real idea if he's going to be great this year or not.  He was great in 2020, and hurt in 2021.  So this is it. So my feeling is this.  I'm spending my energy on cheering for the Browns and not against Mayfield, or GM's and coaches that aren't here anymore, or that we have not been good much in 20 years, that "same ol Browns" nonsense is the ultimate energy wasted. That horribly contagious karma is exactly what the Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, local sports media and ESPN want from us, and I'm not giving it to them. The Browns have built a nice team that needs to stay healthy, have a GREAT draft and a good off season   -  and they will be right there at seasons end next year.

Consider our realities and consider the idea of energy well spent and not energy wasted.