I know I've been tough on you since Week 3. When you switched from Brady Quinn to Derek Anderson, you lost my respect.
I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt since you were hired — and defended every seemingly illogical move you made. But, that one single bone-headed decision was the last straw.
Since the Bye Week, with Quinn back at QB, a lot of the negativity seems to have faded. Sure, the Browns still haven't won a game and some are still calling for you to be fired, but the team is starting to finally show signs of week-to-week improvement.
That's all I'd asked for coming into this season — consistent improvement. We didn't see that through the first half of the season, but we're seeing it now.
I realize many pieces of the puzzle are still missing (and, many of the pieces we already had are broken), but you're starting to make me a believer again. I'm not delusional, and by no means am I completely letting you off the hook for this disastrous season.
I'm asking you, though, as a die-hard Browns fan, to please just win tonight. I know it's not all up to you to win games, but as head coach it's your responsibility to put a product out on the field each week that is competitive. You haven't got a lot to work with, I know.
You've said you circled this game on the calendar as soon as the schedule was released. You've said you understand this rivalry. I hope you truly mean this. I hope you've got a game plan that will shock everyone and knock the Steelers out of the playoffs.
Many are saying that a win tonight by the Browns could save your job. I don't know if that's true — deep down, I doubt your job is in any real danger, win or lose. It's been reported that this team of players — many of whom we've never heard of before today — are more united than any Browns team in recent memory ... all because of you.
You've probably heard, "Just beat Pittsburgh" from many Browns fans. Short of a winning season, the only thing we really want is to beat the Steelers. You know this. Your quarterback — a lifelong Browns fan — knows this. So please, Mr. Mangini, deliver us a win tonight.
Forget about all the negativity surrounding this organization. Forget about the negativity heaped on you by the Cleveland media (how about a little faith, guys?). Don't pay any attention to the sickening sight of an over-abundance of Steeler fans in the stadium tonight. Don't get cute, just go out there and win.
Just win!
Sincerely,
A Die-Hard Browns Fan
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