An open letter to the Cleveland Browns organization, players, and fans.

After minicamps and OTA’s just before the start of training camp (July 26ththis year) is known to us writers essentially as the “Cone of Silence”. This is where there is little (if anything) to report. So before the start of the Cleveland Browns training camp, I thought I would take the opportunity to write a brief editorial. An “Open Letter” if you will, to address the past year, this offseason, and the attitude that we Browns fans, the organization, and players should take going into camp and the 2012 season.

To the Cleveland Browns organization:

It is time to bring this team to the forefront of the NFL. Too long this team has been treated as a speed-bump for “legitimate” teams on their way to the playoffs. It has become time to create an atmosphere in Cleveland that opponents fear to come to. Part of this relies on us the fans, but you as an organization need to bring to this team and this franchise an attitude. Frank Minnifield and Hanford Dixon created for this franchise “The Dawg Pound”. You MUST bring this attitude back to the shores of lake Erie. And not just in the form of a section the stadium, but an entire atmosphere. By the selections of players like Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, D’Qwell Jackson, and Trent Richardson have put you on the right track but we want teams to fear coming to Cleveland and this process all starts at top with you.

To The Cleveland Browns Players:

It’s time to make sure those teams around the league and the national media take notice of the Cleveland Browns. Many believe the success that you had on the defensive side of the ball was simply a fluke. As John Madden would say, it’s time to make some players look out of their ear-holes. Make a running back think twice about taking on a tackler and run to the sideline instead. Make a statement on the field that wherever you are on Sundays it is your house, your field, your game.

The media has you ranked 32nd in the league. I say the new motto in the Browns locker room is “Bring it on”. This team needs to have that “Dawg Pound/AFC North” hard-nosed mentality. Many of you have this. Teach it; spread it like wildfire in the locker room.

Jim Brown thinks Trent Richardson is “nothing special”? Bring it on! They think Brandon Weeden is not going to pan out and will be just another man in the shadow of Bernie Kosar in Browns town. Bring it on! The league and media think that you have the worst receiving corps in the NFL. Let them catch your shadow as you run by them. Bring it on! Many opponents and critics stated that last year this team had a pathetic offense. Bring it on! You have what is considered to be the 2nd hardest schedule in the league this year. What do you say? BRING IT ON!

To the Cleveland Browns Fans:

For 25 plus years now we as Browns fans have developed an attitude of negativity. Regardless of whatever success we have we are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. The Browns Backers are largest fan-based organization in the NFL. Let us show faith in our team. Let us make opponents regret coming to Cleveland Browns Stadium. Let us make things so difficult for opposing offenses they cannot hear their own thoughts let along their coaches or their play calls.

Let us lose the negativity and bring forth faith. Faith that regardless of the roster, or schedule, or who we face on any given Sunday, we will win. The experts in Vegas say we are the underdogs. Then let us join the team by saying:

BRING IT ON!!!!!

I challenge everyone in the organization, team, or fan to comment on this story. Let’s show each other that we have faith in one another and depend on each other for the success we seek. And not just a comment, spread the word on Facebook and Twitter like a storm. Make the National media take notice. The Cleveland Browns say

BRING IT ON!!!!!!

Michael W. Youngman--Lead Analyst AFC North
Michael is the Lead Analyst for the AFC North Report and the Cleveland Browns Report. He has written many articles that have been featured by playerpress.com, cantonrep.com, FoxSports.com, and of course this site. Michael has also written a book titled “The Dayton Project” published in 2008 by PublishAmerica. He makes his home in the Hall of Fame City of Canton Ohio with his wife Lisa and his two children Joseph and Jennifer. To learn more, visit his Website