Monday, December 28, 2009

Coaching Trees


So far, Bill Belichick disciples have not exactly caught the world on fire. Their combined record as head coaches is 94-109. Message to Mike Holmgren: Please stay away from the Belichick tree!








Charlie Weiss: Notre Dame - 2005-2009: 35-27
Fired after the 2009 season

Romeo Crennel: Cleveland Browns – 2005-2008: 24-40
Fired after the 2008 season

Josh McDaniels: Denver Broncos – 2009: 8-6

Eric Mangini: New York Jets – 2006-2008: 23-25
Fired after the 2008 season
Cleveland Browns – 2009: 4-11
Fired after the 2009 season???

The Browns are heading in the right direction

Nice defense for the third straight week together with the continuing
emergence of Jerome Harrison garnered our Browns their third straight win vs Oakland. But if we are trying to drop forever the heavy burden of losing, we have only just started the journey.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Brown's history: Paul Warfield

Who was the greatest Ohio born player in Cleveland Browns history? One could argue for several notable players like Bernie Kosar, Thom Darden, Dante Lavelli, Bill Willis or others. My choice would be Warren, Ohio and Ohio State great Paul Warfield. A student of the game and a great athlete, Warfield knew how to get into the endzone. The deciding factor for me is that Warfield was a member of the last Cleveland franchise to win a championship, the 1964 Browns.

Unfortunately Warfield spent only 8 of his 13 NFL seasons with the Browns because Art Modell in his infinite wisdom saw fit to trade Warfield, in the prime of his career, to Miami for Mike Phipps. Warfield was a key playmaker on the Dolphins, where he won 2 Super Bowl championships, including the undefeated 1972 team.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Thank you Randy Lerner



USA Today summed it up best in an article today. The Browns have hired a proven winner and taken a critical first step in moving this franchise towards it's first Super Bowl. A Merry Christmas to all!

Monday, December 21, 2009

The Playmaker: Josh Cribbs



Hats off to Josh Cribbs for an NFL record breaking performance and the Browns for a fantastic show yesterday. It's playmakers that win games in the NFL and rarely has that been more on display than yesterday.

3 wins in 2009 assure that the Browns likely will not finish with the worst record in the NFL this year however the goal of all Browns fans is not to avoid complete humiliation, it is to return Northern Ohio's NFL franchise to a level of football that honors our football tradition. Our expectations are to win our first Super Bowl championship. This won't happen in 2009 but as we march forward, the Browns have to put more playmakers on the field. That logically will require leadership in the front office and on the sideline. The rumors of Mike Holmgren's arrival are a reassuring sign, as he is a proven leader and winner. Let's cross our fingers..

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Brown's history: Brian Sipe



Ask a Brown's fan who grew up in the 1970's their favorite Brown's player and you are quite likely to hear the name Brian Sipe. Compared to that era's best QB's like Dan Fouts, Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach, Sipe was relatively small in stature and while Sipe had great velocity on his throws and was accurate, he certainly couldn't wing it 70 yards like Bradshaw. Instead what made Sipe a consistent producer were his leadership skills, a lion's heart and his ability to read defenses as well as any quarterback of his generation. In few words, Sipe was a playmaker and a winner.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Is Archie Bunker running the Browns?



Most Browns fans grew up in northern Ohio working class towns. Values like hard work, common sense, sacrifice and honesty form the core of an Ohioan, and football is one of the favorite ways by which we express those beliefs.

Years ago, I was in a bar in New York City and had a sport conversation with a gent who believed that the only reason Joe Namath was successful in the NFL was that he often took a 7 or more step drop when going back to pass. It was with complete certitude that this old man explained how Namath's success in the NFL was soley due to the fact that the dumbass defensive linemen of that era, when pass rushing, would count to 5 steps and stop. This rather intoxicated New York bore strongly resembled the 70's sitcom character Archie Bunker and I still laugh as I recall that conversation.

In the NFL you score points with playmakers. With the exception of Josh Cribbs, today's Browns are completely lacking in playmakers and one has to wonder if players like Kellen Winslow that have been traded away, were dismissed with the same twisted logic that the great Archie Bunker might have come up with, over a beer or two.

I would like to give the benefit of the doubt to the right kind gentleman from Brooklyn who owns our Cleveland Browns though it is unthinkable to forgive his boss, the "Coach" from Connecticut who in fact runs our team. We are still with you Mr. Lerner but this January when you start the searching for the next coach and general manager of the Browns, please search for a person who brings a little bit of Ohio common sense to the table. Study the thought process of our next leader and avoid going for the all show no substance types that so commonly litter the East Coast of our great nation. It might make sense to go have a beer with each candidate because it's amazing what we reveal about ourselves once we've pounded a brew or two.

The Miracle of Cleveland

Our 2009 Browns finally gave us a performance to be proud of with a sterling defensive effort on Thursday night, all the better that it came against a hated rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Best of all, the Steelers found themselves on the ropes and were desperate for a victory. The beating at the hands of the Browns effectively pushes the Steelers completely out of post-season contention.

And finally, the Browns now have a chance to avoid being the worst team in the NFL during the 2009 season. While this is hardly something to be proud of, it seems a miracle compared to the team's pathetic state of only a few weeks ago. So let us all extend our heartfelt gratitude to "coach" and his right hand man, Brown's owner Randy Lerner for providing us one of the most unforgettable miracles in Cleveland sports history, "The Miracle at Cleveland"!


Thursday, December 10, 2009

Cleveland Browns "football" and the national media

It is just a few hours before kickoff. The staggered Steelers come to town to battle the beleaguered Browns. The weather is going to an added opponent for both teams. I viewed the following video to get a feel for what the national media thinks of our Browns. If you bristle at statements like “The Browns have no talent” and “There is no chance the Steelers can lose to the Browns” then DO NOT watch this video. Rarely do you hear such definitive statements from prognosticators. They usually hedge their bets to some extent. But the Browns SUCK and everybody knows it so no hedging necessary. Way to go Randy and Eric. You make us so proud!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Brown's history: Jerry Sherk



I didn't have the honor of following the Browns during the dynasty years of Paul Brown so I have to exclude many incredible players when asked my opinion on who was the greatest Brown's player I have ever seen. From the highlight films, it's clear that Jim Brown was probably the greatest player in NFL history, not just Cleveland Browns history, but I only witnessed Mr. Brown winning the war in Europe together with Trini Lopez and Charles Bronson.

For me, amongst those I have seen nobody topped Jerry Sherk. Even if I was a teenage kid, who knew little about football, Sherk was simply so good that it was impossible not to watch him. Cat like quickness and instincts, and a natural nose for the ball, he was always in the middle of the action in spite of constant double and triple teaming by opponents.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Big Ten rejects Browns entrance


Sources close to The Brown Log reported that Randy Lerner met with Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney in Chicago last week. They discussed the possibility of the Browns joining the Big Ten. The conference has been looking for an additional team for several years now. A twelfth team would permit the Big Ten to hold a conference title game which translates into big bucks for the entire conference. Lerner has been shopping around for a league the Browns could actually compete in and bring the Cleveland fans that well deserved championship.

The Big Ten athletic directors and coaches were asked about the possible Browns admission into the league. Penn State coach Joe Paterno was quoted as saying “Ah jeez, not those clowns!” He also expressed concerns that the locker rooms (and toilets) at Cleveland Stadium were extremely far from the sidelines. Coach Paterno does not want to repeat his “poopy pants” incident he had at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel expressed concern that the Buckeyes strength of schedule would take a considerable hit by playing the Browns every year. Ohio State’s perennial BCS bowl appearance could be jeopardized.

In the end, The Big Ten realized that admitting the Browns into the Big Ten would be a downgrade not an upgrade. Browns coach Eric Mangini was not too disappointed by the snub when he learned that players could not be fined in the Big Ten. Teams still being considered for Big Ten admission are the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, The Grand Valley State Lakers, and the Mount Union Purple Raiders. An anonymous source reports that Randy Lerner admitted “Those three teams would wipe up the field with the Browns and would be much more competitive in the Big Ten then the Browns could ever hope to be”. The search goes on.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

It's the most wonderful time of the year

The holiday season is truly the most wonderful time of the year. Friends and family come from all parts to share in the warmth and fellowship of the yuletide lore. What better time to recall one of the most beloved players in Brown's history, future member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio: Turkey Joe Jones.

Back in the 1970's more often than not, the Cleveland Browns sucked, but unlike today's Browns, they were never the worst team in the NFL.

In stark contrast to 2009, way back then, occasionally the Brownies gave us something to be profoundly proud of, like this classic play from days gone by. Ti saluto, Don Turkey Jones......

Saturday, December 5, 2009

CFL rejects Browns entrance



CFL officials have closed the door to any potential entry of the Cleveland Browns into the Canadian Football League.

CFL sources, citing the import of the passing game in Canadian football, said the Browns don't have the talent to win games on a regular basis in the Canadian game. CFL rules incentivize passing and teams only have 2 downs to get 10 yards and first down.

"Coach" and his right hand man, Browns owner Randy Lerner, had made an exploratory visit to Canada (see photo) and were said to be terribily disappointed at this rejection because, quote "We wuz lookin forward to some good fishin' and shit" unquote.

Lerner stated however that the CFL rejection will not stop his 5 year plan to bring Cleveland Browns fans a championship. Rumor is that a meeting is now planned with the Big Ten conference.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

BREAKING NEWS: Coach Mangini Resigns


It was reported on ESPN tonight that Coach Mangini has resigned. Note the screen grab for confirmation of the report. Thank you Sweet Jesus! Thank you! What a happy day. Finally, that no-talent megalomaniac will no longer drag our beloved Browns down and further embarrass the franchise. It will be a long road to travel but the Browns organization can finally start on a path back to respectability. There has been no word on an interim head coach for the remainder of the season or a replacement for next year. Please check back with the Brown Log for further reports.
UPDATE: Correction. Head coach Mark Mangino (that's with an "o") resigned as head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks earlier this evening. Head coach Eric Mangini (that's with an "i") is still the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Crap.
You say Mangino, I say Mangini. Well, we can dream can't we!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

HE WILL-GO-ALL-THE-WAY!

Eric Mangini’s football acumen never ceases to astound. Besides the 13 man field goal block, Mangini has come up with many other great schemes to get results on the gridiron. The Brown Log has acquired a Cleveland playbook for the upcoming game against the San Diego Chargers. Mangini has used his super-genius secret statistical formula to determine the Browns will be down by a score of 37-3 at the two-minute warning of the second half. At this point Mangini plans to pull Norv Turner aside and tell him that the Browns have (how shall I put this) a special needs player. If this player could score a touchdown on the last play of the game it would mean the world to him. Norv being the good guy that he is will certainly oblige. Boom! Touchdown! Man-genius does it again! The trick will be finding the right player to pull of the “special needs” player role. Dwayne Rudd was contacted and is practicing with the team this week. You can see the play being executed in this unauthorized Browns practice video. This play is called Rudd-Right-88 and is code-named "Matt Ziesel's Touchdown Run"