CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The temptation is to blame the Browns for the cancellation of the July 14 "Fan Kickoff Concert" at FirstEnergy Stadium with Bon Jovi.

But then word came that Bon Jovi also canceled his concert on July 16 at Noblesville, Ind.

We don't know all the details of the collapse of the Browns' kickoff concert because the Browns have said nothing of consequence.

Part of the reason for their silence might be because they want to book other major acts into the stadium, and they don't want to say anything to turn off other top-flight acts and booking agencies.

But Browns fans are left with the impression that the team failed to pull this off, after hyping it on May 28.

Futhermore, it seems they tried to do too much, too fast -- and it makes little sense to bring Bon Jovi back when he was just here in March.

So now what?

While I won't fault them for whatever happened with Bon Jovi, they should have had a Plan B ready.

Or at least, they could have said: "While we won't have Bon Jovi, we still have Michael Stanley and the Resonators. We also are working on something else -- details to come later."

The Browns need to be proactive, rather than surprised by what just happened.

They should go back to where the idea started -- something special for Browns fans. Maybe something a little different to start the season.

Then ask, "What do Browns fans like?"

I know, a winner.

But what else?

They love their history.

Think Bernie Kosar. Think Frank Ryan. Think Jim Brown.

Think Hanford Dixon, Frank Minnifield.

Think Sam Rutigliano, Brian Sipe, Bubba Baker. Think Brian Brennan, Paul Warfield, Reggie Rucker.

Come on, Browns, think . . .

THINK BROWNS FOOTBALL!

Then get on the phone, round up some key former players.

Bring in some current favorites such as Joe Thomas, D'Qwell Jackson, Trent Richardson, Greg Little and others.

Rent out an area for a night. Keep the prices reasonable -- $5 or $10 a person, kids for a buck. You can work out the details. Tie it to a local charity.

Have Michael Stanley rock. Have the pep rally that was planned for the stadium. Have the players stationed all over the place, with fans having a chance to get autographs.

Then give stuff away, lots of stuff: T-shirts and little Nerf footballs and other things fans love. Have inflatables for the kids, and nostalgia for the adults. Bring some of the displays over from the new Legends Hall at the stadium.

Make it into one giant tailgate party, with dollar dogs on the grill and cheap sodas, burgers and popcorn.

Instead of trying to throw 80-yard touchdown passes, just move the chains, pile up the first downs.

Touch your fans where they live.

The truth is the Browns never needed Bon Jovi, a New Jersey rocker.

Instead, turn this into one big Family Fest with a distinct Browns flavor -- something you should have done in the first place.