If it's wrong to be optimistic about the Browns, Terry Pluto doesn't want to be right.
With Seneca Wallace (right) and Jake Delhomme now in charge of the Browns' offense, Terry Pluto has reason to expect the team to be competitive -- if not quite yet a winner -- this season.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Talking to myself about the Browns ...
Question: So why are you Mr. Sunshine when it comes to the Browns this season?
Answer: So you think it's wrong to be optimistic about the Browns?
Q: You tell me; check their records since 1999.
A: The Browns have had two winning season (2002, '07) since 1999. They have the NFL's second-worst record in that span. In the past two years, they are 9-23, and that's with winning their last four games last season. Besides, this is Cleveland. LeBron James left, the Indians have been horrible and we all should just eat dirt and die.
Q: Is that your answer?
A: Of course not.
Q: So why are you optimistic about the Browns?
A: If you mean 10-6 or even 9-7 optimistic, I'm not. If you mean the team winning at least seven games and being reasonably entertaining because they play close games -- then I'm optimistic.
Q: Aren't those standards low?
A: They have lost at least 10 games in six of the past seven seasons -- that's like the Indians losing 100 games. After that, a decent team will look good to me. They lost four of their first eight games last season by at least 21 points. The quarterbacking situation was chaos. The defensive backfield was terrible. Both areas are improved.
Q: You really think the quarterbacks are better based on two preseason games?
A: Please ... at least do a little research. Seneca Wallace is a better, more accurate passer than either of last year's starters. For his career, he has completed 60 percent of his passes, 25 touchdowns to 14 interceptions for a rating of 83.1. In 2008, he started eight games, had 11 TDs to three picks at 58 percent. If Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson had those numbers, one of them would still be here.
Q: If Wallace is a Hall of Famer, then why didn't he start in Seattle?
A: He was playing behind Matt Hasselbeck, a very good quarterback for much of his career. I'm not saying this guy is Brian Sipe or Otto Graham, but Wallace is an upgrade.
Q: But Jake Delhomme is the starter?
A: If he plays anything close to every season except 2009, he is a significant improvement. Let's get technical. In the average NFL game, at least 55 percent of passes are in the 1- to 10-yard range. The average NFL quarterback completes 67 percent of them.
Q: Your point?
A: Over the past three seasons, Anderson was at 52 percent. Quinn was at 57 percent. Both are struggling in the preseason.
Q: I'll bite, what were Wallace and Delhomme over the past three years?
A: Delhomme was at 65 percent, Wallace 67 percent. You can see it in the short passes this preseason, they are more on target than the past few years. That should be a major help to the offense.
Q: What if they can't throw deep?
A: It's a concern, same as last year. Quinn completed only three of 30 passes longer than 20 yards. Anderson was 6-of-21. Delhomme was 10-of-40, Wallace 0-of-8.
Q: Is that because Delhomme had elbow surgery?
A: He had the operation in 2007, came back in 2008 to complete 59 percent (15 TDs, 12 INTs) for a playoff team. His problems began in a horrible 2008 playoff game, followed by the mess last season. It seemed more mental than physical.
Q: So it's the quarterbacks alone that has you upbeat?
A: There are other reasons. The running game, linebackers, tight ends and defensive backs should all be better. But nothing for this team is more important than the passing attack.
Q: You are sure it will improve?
A: I didn't even realize how awful the past two years have been throwing the ball. Both seasons, the Browns were the only NFL team completing under 50 percent. You have to go back to 1974 for the most recent Browns team to complete less than 50 percent. Last year, they were dead last in passing yards -- 304 fewer than anyone else. They had only 11 TD passes in each of the past two seasons.
Simply stepping up to mediocre will change the game for the Browns.