If there is one thing the fans of the Cleveland Browns are finding out in 2006 its that this is not the same type of team they have been accustomed to the past 6 years. There is a sense of confidence in this version of the Browns and they don't mind letting you know about it either. There is no doubt in their minds of in their speech, they are good and getting better.

The Browns very well could be coming off 2 straight wins had they not blown a chance to put a way the Ravens game late, a fate they seemed destined to repeat in Oakland last Sunday. The team did not repeat their performance from the Ravens game and beat the Raiders, showing marked improvement from just 1 week prior. Even though they lost the Ravens game it showed them they could play with anyone and play well.

The Browns now get to go on the road and face a Carolina Panthers team that is coming off back-to-back wins, a team with confidence as well. After starting slowly and clearly missing star WR Steve Smith the Panthers got Smith back and the team appears to be much better offensively. The return of Smith does not make the defense any better however, in fact his return may make them a little worse. The reason for that would be the Panthers quick strike capability on offense with Smith, something they lack without him, at least it would appear any way.

The Panthers have not faced a 3-4 defense all year, which in and of itself can give teams trouble. In week 16 last year the Panthers faced the 3-4 of the Dallas Cowboys and struggled with it. Panthers QB Jake Delhomme was sacked 5 times and the Panthers only mustered 13 first downs n a 24-20 loss at home. The Cowboys controlled the clock for more then 9 minutes longer then the Panthers as well.

We aren't saying the Browns are the Cowboys, but they run similar systems both offensively and defensively. The other thing that helped the Cowboys, which will help the Browns, the two teams are not familiar with one another. In a game of match-ups the Browns look to match-up very well with the Panthers.

When second year WR Braylon Edwards was asked about his match-up with Panthers CB Chris Gamble he had the following to say, “I know Chris Gamble like the back of my hand. I played against him for two years. They matched him up on me both years. I know him probably better than anybody in this league.”

"I destroyed Gamble every time I played him," said Edwards. "If he happens to match up on me, I'll treat him just like I treat anybody else - I'm going to try and destroy him."

Anyone think Braylon Edwards is intimidated? Anyone think he isn't going to Carolina with winning a football game on his mind? The Browns know that going into their bye week on consecutive wins would give them the type of momentum they are looking at for a 2nd half run. The team has even spoken about leaving every thing on the field and playing even harder knowing the bye is coming up next week. This is clearly a team looking at being as good as they can be and not just being happy competing.

Browns QB Charlie Frye was asked about the team having momentum now that they have gotten their 1st win in 2006, “I think it started in the Baltimore game. If you look at what we did against that defense and what we were able to accomplish, I think it was the start of what we can become. We came back from 18-points down last week, so that was another step. We are going to just keep taking steps. It’s a long season. Hopefully, we can build something every week.”

Ladies and gentlemen this is not the same old team we have grown so use to the past 6 years. This is a team that thinks it can beat anyone, anytime and anywhere. Perhaps even more important for the Browns is who those players are. They are Charlie, Frye, Kellen Winslow, Leigh Bodden and Braylon Edwards to name a few. All young, up and coming stars in the NFL who will only get better and even more confident as time goes by.

Will all of this mean they will win in Carolina on Sunday? Nope, but it does mean they have a great chance of winning there and if/when they do, the rest of the NFL will have to take notice. These are not the same old Cleveland Browns.

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