December 24, 2018
Dear Santa Claus,
I know you're out delivering toys to the world right now, so I wanted to send a thank you note that you'll receive when you get back to the North Pole.
For the last 20 years, I and many Cleveland Browns fans like me have asked for a quarterback for Christmas. A quarterback that could lead one of the NFL's storied franchises out from the wasteland of 0-16. A quarterback that could make us proud to call ourselves Browns fans. A quarterback that could bring us hope.
This season, you delivered Baker Mayfield in our stockings.
Look, there's a long way to go before the Browns reach the ultimate goal: A Super Bowl. They need more successful drafts, they need a head coach without the interim tag, they need to learn how to close out victories. But clearly, Santa, the Browns are on the right track. They have gone from 0-16 to 7-7-1 in one season with Baker Mayfield in the saddle as the franchise quarterback.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I can't remember a time when I've enjoyed the Cleveland Browns more than I do right now. For just a moment of pure happiness, you have to go back to 1993 for what I've always felt is the last great moment of the 'old Browns,' Eric Metcalf's 2 punt returns for touchdowns against the Steelers. Just over a week later, the team unceremoniously cut QB Bernie Kosar. Two years later, they were gone.
If you're talking about a full season of enjoyment, I think I'd have to go back to the Kosar-era Browns from 1985-89, when they won four AFC Central Division titles, advanced to the postseason all five seasons, and played in three AFC Championship games.
Those times were amazing to be a Browns fan. You built up your entire week waiting for Sunday to get here. I watched every highlight show, every NFL Films production, read every newspaper, to get ready for games.
How great was it to be a fan in those days? They made songs about the Browns!
Santa, I have to admit that I was skeptical when the name of Baker Mayfield was being mentioned as a possible first overall pick last Spring. I thought that Baker was too much like the last Heisman Trophy quarterback that arrived under our trees four years earlier. I thought Mayfield was not big enough, not strong enough, too cocky, and just not the right fit for the Browns and Cleveland.
I was wrong. And I'm glad I was wrong.
Mayfield has something special inside of him. He has that "It Factor" we always hear about, but haven't seen here in decades. Baker combines superb arm talent, leadership, 'a refuse to lose' mentality, with plenty of swagger and guts. Yet, he also brings a generous spirit of giving back to his community that is easy to get behind as a fan.
Plus, the rookie has a great sense of humor:
(Speaking of that John Dorsey guy, I hope you bring him some more sweatshirts for Christmas, Santa. He deserves them!)
So thank you Santa Claus. Thank you for bringing the Browns a franchise quarterback this year. Thank you for giving a beleaguered fan base some much needed pride and hope. Thank you for a memorable season that I believe will serve as the launching pad for a new era of excellence to come.
Now about those Cleveland Indians...never mind, I'll save that for next year's letter.
Say hi to the reindeer for me!
Dino