Another interested observer at the opening day of Browns training camp Thursday was Jim Brown, who many consider the greatest running back in NFL history. "I absolutely see good things out there," he said. "I see a freshness, a team with talented people and executives who know what they're doing...I like it."
BEREA, Ohio -- Hope and optimism took the field Thursday afternoon as nearly 4,000 fans attended the Cleveland Browns' opening practice session.
A new team owner, a new general manage, and a new head coach have inspired fans, plus the dream that the Browns can finally provide a winning season, something that has seldom occurred since the team was reborn as a new National Football League franchise in 1999.
As owner Jimmy Haslam has observed, Browns fans are rabid and devoted, and nothing they said to reporters Wednesday at the Browns Training & Administrative Complex changed that.
"My expectations are always too high," said Kristi Ogden, 35, who drove up from Canton with her husband Josh and 2-year-old daughter Lyric. She sported rainbow-colored hair, and wore a Jim Brown No. 32 T-shirt.
"My dad made me a Browns fan, and I plan to do that with my daughter," Ogden said. "I went to old Municipal Stadium...I lived there in the fall."
Her interest was checking out the Browns' facility -- tours were given earlier by officials -- and to see the players up close as they drilled and practiced.
As to Haslam's legal woes with Flying Pilot J, Josh Ogden said he wasn't concerned the team would have to be sold.
"I'm sure not as worried as Haslam is," he said. "But the good news is the previous owner (Randy Lerner) had no interest in the team. Haslam does."
Mary Summers, 55, of Garfield Heights and her husband, Jerry Simon, 70, were excited to be at the camp.
"I'm a long time fan looking for the Browns to have a fantastic season," Summers said. "Yes, I know everything with the team is new again, but hopefully, we'll see positive improvement. I love the Browns, win, lose or draw."
Simon, who watched and adored past Browns greats like quarterback Otto Graham and running backs Jim Brown and Ernie Green, took more of a wait-and-see attitude.
"I'm getting awfully frustrated with these recent losing seasons," he said. "We really need a good year."
Two Browns fans who actually bought season tickets Thursday for the first time -- Ryan Gray, 30, of Wellington and Mike Powers, 26, of LaGrange, said they expect the team to start winning with the new regime. They were happy Haslam eliminated the Private Seat License costs for the 2013 season tickets.
"Haslam has been making the right moves," Powers said, "and his fan-friendly move to eliminated the PSLs saved Ryan and I $500 each."
Gray added, "It's also very exciting that we got a tour of the Browns facility. And to be this close to the players on the field, for me it's a dream come true."
Fourteen-year-old Taylor Corbett of Parma came with her mother, Doreen, 42, to watch Browns sophomore running back Trent Richardson. Taylor said her two brothers -- Trevor and Travis, who are offensive tackles at Baldwin-Wallace College and Parma High School -- made her into a football fan.
Jose Cruz, 64, of Lorain who sported a long white-and-gray beard, also came to watch Richardson, whom he believes will be the best Browns running back since Brown and his successor, Leroy Kelly.
"As for my beard, I get a lot of comments about it," Cruz said. "At one time, I grew it below my waist."
By far the most unusual fan was Pumpkinhead, aka Gus Angelone, 37, of Parma. He wore a complete Browns uniform with shoulder pads, but wore a plastic pumpkin head. He said he started the trend in 2002, when the Browns changed helmet colors to pumpkin orange.
"Everybody here today is a big Browns fan," Angelonne said. "I just wanted to be a different kind of Browns fan, like the Big Nut is at Ohio State. When pumpkins are in season, I'll wear that instead of the plastic one which has foam and a screen inside to shield my identity."
Another interested observer was Jim Brown, who many call the greatest running back in NFL history. Like the fans, he is highly optimistic. He was hired in May by Haslam for a front office position.
"I absolutely see good things out there," Brown said. "I see a freshness, a team with talented people and executives who know what they're doing...I like it."
Opening day of training also had other new activities. Ford Motor installed sites where kids (and some adults) could try to throw a football through holes in a colorful canvass, and do the same with a soccer ball.
"What a great idea to keep kids occupied," said John Smola of Brecksville. "And we had ideal weather...you can't ask for more."
Another popular area was a tent that contained four huge fan that sprayed cool water.
Food trucks were also available. Dave Long, 31, of Westlake said his Fahrenheit Food Truck -- which is also camped in Tremont -- was busy. He said Haslam allowed the trucks to come in and serve the spectators.
"Our chef, Rocco Whelan, is a huge Brows fan," Long said. "For selfish reasons we're here for business but we also get to watch the practice as Browns fans."
Throughout the practice, fans cheered -- and made catcalls -- as plays were successful or unsuccessful.
When wide receiver Greg Little dropped a throw from quarterback Brandon Weeden, both players were criticized by Browns fans.
""Hey Greg, this ain't high school," one fan moaned.
"Boy, he is such a bum," another yelled.
But a third fan said "It ain't his fault. Weeden still thinks he's playing baseball (he was a minor league pitcher). Did you see the sinker he threw him?"
Fans were a little more tolerant after Little later caught a nice touchdown pass.
"I guess you can keep your job another day," one heckled...but in the good nature most of the crowd displayed.