Getting closer

So why does it seem as though time is passing, at least for Browns fans, ever so slowly? It's as if it's slogging along at the pace of a tortoise.

It's been only six months since the Browns were knocked out of the National Football League playoffs by the Kansa City Chiefs. Why does it feel longer?

The correct answer is fans are so enthralled with and excited about their team and the approaching season, it can't get started soon enough. That's the effect this franchise now has on its fan base after finally shedding its role as the league's stepchild.

Two decades of embarrassingly miserable football are now a distant memory. Only eleven days remain until the anxiously-anticipated 2021 season begins in earnest with the opening of training camp in Berea. For those who can't wait, it'll probably seem like 11 weeks.

The anticipation is such now that Web sites all over the NFL landscape have to tap their creative juices with the Browns on vacation, coming up with ridiculous storylines more than a few readers don't care about. They're scrambling to maintain the club's relevance as the calendar seemingly creeps along.

They figure there's no such thing as too much Browns, especially after opening eyes with their performance last season. Manufacture a Browns-related story and it will generate hits. 

In years past, that was not the case at this time of the year. The Indians and Cavaliers provided the sports escape. The hope for the Browns was always there early, but faded quickly after reality set in. For 20 excruciatingly long years.

Well, the reality now is the Browns have quickly and startlingly approached NFL elite status to the point where even the most severe critics of the club have glommed on to the fact this is a pretty good football team.

Training camp is no longer a ho-hum-nothing-to-get-excited-about-here situation. Not with this team. Browns Nation has waited a generation for this and can't wait to reap the rewards. They enjoyed the sneak preview last season and long for more. 

The Browns -- and their fans -- realize getting where they are now was difficult and well-earned. But not as difficult as it will be maintaining that status. No longer will they be the soft spot on the schedule. And that provides head coach Kevin Stefanski with his greatest challenge.

Tick . . . tock . . . tick . . . tock . . .