While snowblowing yesterday, I reflected upon the truly uninspired (or, if you prefer, lethargic, languid, listless, lifeless, spiritless, or … feel free to consult your thesaurus if you think there’s a more suitable adjective) performance by the Green and Gold this past Sunday, and compared it with the replay I happened to see of the Cleveland Browns’ energized performance in the final minutes of their narrow loss to the Baltimore Ravens. My interest in the Browns has been piqued this season not only due to their recent resurgence from perpetual doormat but because Eliot Wolf, after being passed over after last season for the Packer General Manager post in favor of Brian Gutekunst, had immediately left Green Bay to become Assistant Manager in Cleveland. As the snow flew, I pondered: Based upon what I saw of the teams’ play in the final week of the regular season, whose position would I rather be in: Mr. Gutekunst’s, or Mr. Wolf’s? (It was a much easier question to answer than how to avoid having icy mist blow back in my face.) I did indeed consider posting something about the apparent contrast after the driveway was cleared. Opted for a wonderful cup of coffee instead.
Last night, I opened The Wall Street Journal, and found that its sports columnist, Jason Gay, included this aside in his review of the upcoming NFL playoffs:
“Perhaps I should put myself up for the desirable [Head Coach] opening with the Cleveland Browns, or the sketchier one with the Green Bay Packers. Settle down, Cheeseheads: the Browns are indeed a better job right now than the Packers. The Pack may be the more august franchise, they may have an all-timer in Aaron Rodgers, but how many good days does A-Rod have left on the frozen tundra? Cleveland, meanwhile, is young and stacked and shredding generations of football self-loathing. Plus: [Baker Mayfield, Cleveland’s young quarterback]. Love that guy.”
There was clearly no need for me to post. And that coffee was mighty good.
McCoy's Noise 