The Browns are the talk of the town and NFL thanks to the remarkable story of Joe Flacco.  He's giving an entire region hope there could be great things happening early this winter.  His story is not about football, it's about intangibles in sport and life.  We are watching the measure of the heart, and that's why it feels good.

Flacco is almost 39 years old and was on his couch a few weeks ago and playing catch with his dad and five kids. After the Browns had no where else to turn, they called Flacco to see if he could bring his healthy self here and run their practice squad.  As it turned out the Browns had zero idea they had just made the call that was the missing link they didn't even know they needed.  People skills is not this organizations strength at all. But this was a ridiculous stroke of very good luck, for a city due for some.

I know my title sounds like a law firm but it's not.  It is apt as Flacco can be mentioned in the same breath as these guys with the totality of his story.  These guys possess immense intangibles and heart to make others around them much better.  In some cases, those were ridden to Superbowl titles and the Hall Of Fame.  Let's talk about that a minute.

Kurt Warner from Northern Iowa University played in the Arena Football League.  When the Rams called he was stocking groceries at Hy-Vee Supermarkets.  And when two QB's in front of him were injured, he got the chance he dreamed of.  He won a Superbowl and MVP with the Rams and took the Cardinals to the Superbowl, after they had not won a post season game in some 60 years.  He's in the Hall Of Fame.

Tom Brady from Michigan a 6th round draft pick who couldn't run at all and was also third string till he got his chance because of injuries with the Patriots.  Seven Superbowl wins later he's the greatest QB to ever play.  He's going to the Hall Of Fame.

Brock Purdy from Iowa State, the last guy picked in the draft a couple years ago, also third string until injuries, is now the best QB on the best team in the NFL.  There's MVP talk about him and I'm not so sure he shouldn't win. 

And Doug Flutie. About 5 foot 6. played QB in the NFL with various teams and had good success. He won numerous championships in Canada.  And in the NFL was always a fierce competitor leading a few teams to the postseason all while looking like he was in high school.

Why mention them? Because they are kindred to Flacco today.  These guys and Flacco, just because of who they are in life make everyone better.  Guys around them believe in and are inspired by them.  They block better, play harder and buy into them.  Warner was the total underdog and players around him respected him, knew his limitations and just wanted to be better when he was on the field.

Brady always a sixth rounder, was not at all athletic and somehow became the greatest ever.  He then became Flacco at 40, having great success in a new city.  The guys around him played harder for their aging leader.  Same with Purdy today, by far the lowest paid dude out there breaking his butt for the 49ers.  And Flutie, all 5 foot of him, his diminutive stature alone made 350 pound men want to protect him understanding the risk he was taking simply being on the field.

Today Old Man Flacco is all of them rolled into one.  The humble restart of Warner, the advanced age of Brady,  the stupid low pay of Purdy, and the fearlessness of Flutie.  He has the tools to still play at a high level and has his priorities right.  There's no social entourage, no drama, no lawyers, none of that stuff, just his family. Not many NFL stars have kids old enough to see dad do something this cool.  He's also a Superbowl winner and MVP.

Are the Browns playing for him as others did for the aforementioned?  You bet they are.  Flacco is what the PLAYERS needed.  They feel Flacco gives them a legit chance to go a long way, maybe all the way.  We have not had this kind of veteran leadership here in 25 years since returning. They're playing as the Browns did for Bernie Kosar who garnered that respect with his extreme physical limitations, but his superior skills and leadership. 

Add him to the list of Warner, Brady, Brock, Flutie and Flacco!

GO BROWNS!