Reason #165 - Tomorrow's Forecast

The Browns home opener is tomorrow, and the weather forecast calls for an 80% chance of rain, with 1 to 2 inches expected and locally heavier rainfall possible. Gives new meaning to drowning our sorrows, doesn't it, Browns fans?

Reason #164 - Plastics

High-performance plastics are becoming the material of choice for roofs and domes for sports stadiums in Europe and Asia. Northeast Ohio is a hotbed for polymer science and product development. Which means we have the technical know-how, and the naming-rights sponsors, right here in our backyard.

Reason #163 - Tonight's NFL Game

The NFL season kicks off tonight - in a dome, of course, because that's where the big games are played. But there's more: Not only do the home team Colts have their dome, but so do their opponents, the Saints. So that's two dome teams, who are also two of the league's best teams, kicking off the season. All this can't be just a coincidence.

Reason #162 - Twins' New Ballpark

The Minnesota Twins recently held the groundbreaking for their new outdoor ballpark, which opens in 2010. The Metrodome has become quite awful, but outdoor baseball on cold days in Minnesota may make people miss that dome. Maybe they'll get snowed out and have to move a series to another city, like Cleveland, if we have a retractable roof by 2010. After all, relocating an entire series HAS happened before.

Reason #161 - Quarterbacks

The Browns say Charlie Frye has won the starting quarterback job. The backup is still to be determined between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. Don't expect to get much out of Quinn unless we can make him comfortable by assuring him that he will be playing under a golden dome, as he did at Notre Dame.

Reason #160 - Air Show

The air show is in town this weekend. Now, there's a "sport" that requires an all-outdoor venue, and it's always held in nice weather. But you can't say the same thing about baseball or football.

Reason #159 - Winning Baseball

The Indians have an eight-game winning streak, they're solidly in first place, and last night, every team in the organization - from the majors to Class A - won its game. Winners bring out the fans, fans spend money, and money can be reinvested. Invest in a roof, not unreliable free agents.