Browns history: Dolphins 1985 playoffs

In Browns folklore, this playoff loss does not rank with the most heartbreaking, however the game truly was a sign of things to come under Marty Schottenheimer. With a 21-3 lead and 11 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, Marty choose to try to run the clock out against Dan Marino. In effect, he played into Don Shula's hands who dared Marty to pass the rest of the game. With a young Bernie at the controls, a few first down passes might have locked this one up for the Browns but Marty had to play it by the book right up to the bitter end. There is no doubt that during the regular season, Marty's obsession with playing the percentages was in fact the smart approach. But come playoff time, you simply gotta roll the dice sometimes. It turned Schottenheimer's stomach to take risks, even in the playoffs, and the price paid was that during the prime of Kosar's career, the Browns never made it to the Super Bowl. If we had to label this game for it's infamy, the best title I can come up with is "foreshadowing the drive" because it was the same fear of winning the following year, that led Marty to play bend but not break when we had Elway pinned at the 3 yard line with 5 minutes left.

One more pre-season game and then its primetime

with one game to go in the preseason, it's clear that there is much to be pleased about with our Browns. Fundamentally, our first team offense has had no trouble all pre-season moving the ball. That is a strong contrast to last year's regular season in which the Browns offense was non-existent. Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are a major upgrade over Quinn and Anderson. So scoring doesn't look to be an issue.

Where we do have a major problem, as this article from the Lorain Journal aptly points out, is on the defensive line. A couple of stats that will scare anyone. So far this pre-season there have been 96 passes thrown against the Browns and we've managed to sack the QB one time. Worse, the starting QBs of Green Bay, St Louis and Detroit completed a whopping 83% of their passes thrown.

Houston we have a problem.

If Shaun Rogers ever returns that will help but for the moment, nobody has a clue as to when that will be. On the plus side on D, our defensive backs have been great. Ward and Haden are a major talent upgrade and will contribute this year in a big way.

Other observations from the Lions game. Colt McCoy certainly firmed up his status as the number 3 QB with a decent showing, though he still struggled to move the team when a score was needed and the pressure was on. In any case, he also showed some flashes of his potential. He made the team Saturday and like most young QB's he simply needs time to develop.

Epic Football Fail

One year ago and we might have thought that Eric Mangini drew this play up!

Grossi insights - Must read

Tony Grossi has an inside line to key Browns decision makers and the attached article is a must read for anybody who wants to know what is going through Mike Holmgren's head right now. The biggest surprise? Colt McCoy is fighting for his job. I am convinced that McCoy has a future in Cleveland but with today's NFL economics, even unproven rookie QBs who we plan to sit on the bench, have to show something to justify their salary. The problem with McCoy is that in two games he has looked quite lost. Right now the game is just too fast for him and it is tempting to management to save money but cutting ties now. Especially considering how good the top two guys have looked.

My guess is that the Browns are simply sending a signal to McCoy that he needs to have a sense of urgency. McCoy will make the team.

As the Brown Log has already pointed out, Carlton Mitchell is also on the firing line. I think the world of Mitchell's potential but to use a baseball analogy, he is a player who clearly needs a year or two in AAA ball. Whereas QB is a position in which the Browns can invest a roster spot for one year, it's not the case for receivers. If Mitchell cannot produce he will be cut loose and will have to find a spot on another NFL team or perhaps the CFL where he can work on his skills.

On the positive side, Joe Haden is clearly a winner. I was surprised during the Green Bay game at how good Haden looked returning kicks. In spite of a fantastic college career, Haden "fell to" the 7th pick in round 1 because he was relatively slow in the 40 yard dash at the combine. We all know how the Brown Log feels about using track meet data to judge if someone can play football and it looks like Haden is further evidence that football players cannot be judged only by track meet data. He may be slow on the track, but this guys recognition and guts give him that extra edge that makes him look blazing fast on a football field.

Browns vs Cardinals

Even though the Browns lost to the Cardinals 19-17, the second exhibition game of the season brought more good news than bad.

On the positive side, Jake Delhomme continued to show he can lead the Browns offense and that is of major import to the success of this years team. On offense, the only negatives were rookies. Carlton Mitchell once again struggled. Against Green Bay he couldn't get open and against the Rams he dropped the two passes thrown his way. Wide receiver is probably too critical a position to invest in Mitchell while he learns on the job, I'm afraid he is headed towards the waiver wire even if I still believe his upside will eventually result in a permanent NFL job. Colt also looked bad, though it's clear the Browns will give him the time he needs to help him adjust to the speed at which the NFL game is played. For now Colt is clearly out of his league.

On D, the line must improve. Right now our defense is weak and it is the defensive line play that is the source of the problem. Shaun Rogers return will help but not enough.

Vintage Browns: 1992 Mike Tomczak

Check out this sequence from the 1992 season in which former Ohio State great Mike Tomczak leads the Browns on a touchdown drive vs the Oilers.

game 2 preseason: Browns vs Rams

The Browns face off against the Rams tonight in their second exhibition game.It will be interesting to see if they can build on the Green Bay game. Everyone realizes that this is the exhibition season but the Green Bay game in any case gave some very good reasons for all Browns fans to breath a sigh of relief. It can only be seen as positive that the Browns were well organized and ready to play against Green Bay. Against St Louis what we should look for is progress. Can the Browns defense put pressure on Sam Bradford. Will Jake Delhomme look good playing a few more series. Can the Browns passing attack stretch the field a bit more.

All important questions, let's see how it goes.

Browns history: Dub Jones

Dub Jones played 8 seasons for Paul Brown and the dynasty Browns, from 1948 until 1955. He was a key role player and play maker on those dominant Browns teams, a sort of 1950's version of our Josh Cribbs, he did it all.

In 1951 in a game against the Bears, Jones scored 6 touchdowns, a record that only two players, Ernie Nevers and Gale Sayers, since have managed to tie. Another note of interest, Jones' son Bart went was a QB in the NFL during the 1970s and was once league MVP.

BOXSCORE OF DUB JONES RECORD SETTING GAME
Chicago Bears (6-3-0) 21
Cleveland Browns (8-1-0) 42

Scoring
2nd CLE Dub Jones 2 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) 0 7
CLE Dub Jones 34 yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) 0 14
3rd CLE Dub Jones 12 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) 0 21
CHI George Gulyanics 3 yard rush (George Blanda kick) 7 21
CLE Dub Jones 27 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) 7 28
4th CLE Dub Jones 43 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) 7 35
CLE Dub Jones 43 yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) 7 42
CHI Ed Sprinkle 55 yard fumble return (George Blanda kick) 14 42
CHI Chuck Hunsinger 19 yard pass from Bob Williams (Wilford White kick) 21 42

Browns' McCoy not practicing due to thumb injury

Browns' McCoy not practicing due to thumb injury

Delhommme, Wallace Guide Browns to Win

Delhommme, Wallace Guide Browns to Win

Nice win Browns

Browns won today and looked quite good in winning. I was very impressed with Delhomme, Seneca Wallace, and TJ Ward.

Of all the free agent prospects, I thought DE Cliff Geathers showed the most. He didn't dominate but he held his own and showed flashes of real potential.

Colt walks off injured

Colt hurt his hand today. He looked a bit overwhelmed and Green Bay tested him by blitzing. On the play he was injured, he was hit as he let go of a pass that was intercepted. Let's hope the injury is not serious. The sooner he goes through these growing pains, the sooner he will mature.

Live from Lambeau

21-14 Browns at the half. Lots of good news. Delhomme looked great,A so did Wallace. TJ Ward was burned for a TD but other than that he was fantastic!

Good start!

Brownies look sharp

Game 1 preseason at Green Bay

Delhomme and the Browns face the first test of the Holmgren era. The Brown log will be in attendance at Lambeau field. Watch for our photos and Comments direct from the game.

Can't miss video from Browns training camp

Can't miss video from the excellent Browns blog "Dawgs by Nature"
This original video taken only yesterday, the 5th of August, gives excellent insights to the progress of the team

NFL: Goodell yet to make the decision on Rogers

The Brown Log certainly joined many others in poking a bit of fun at Shaun Rogers when he was caught with a loaded gun at an airport a few months back. But now that NFL commish Goodell is nearing a decision we would like to be serious for a moment. The recent tragic killing of ex Cavaliers center Lorenzen Wright in Memphis really underlines just how much of a target these wealthy young athletes are. By all accounts, Shaun Rogers is a nice young man, this further underlined by his recent heroic intervention in assisting police to nab a drunk driver. Roger Goodell has correctly used common sense to punish bad behavior in cases like the one against Ben Roethlisberger. The Brown Log believes in this case common sense dictates that Shaun Rogers be fined a reasonable amount but not suspended.

Vintage Browns: 1980 Browns Walkoff winning drive vs Packers

one of the greatest comebacks in Brown's history, this 9 minute video is a "can't miss" for anybody who loved the Kardiac Kids. On the last play, the famous 46 yard touchdown pass from Sipe to Logan, watch Sipe carefully. As he comes to the line of scrimmage, he notes that the Packers are coming with a maximum blitz. Sipe then simply uses his head to look at Logan and motion for Logan to "go long". This unbelieveable sequence is a play that probably couldn't occur in the modern era because Sipe and Logan had so many years playing together they could communicate at this level but with today's free agency schemes, it's very rare that a QB and his receivers are able to work together for the years needed to develop this kind of feeling.

Training camp update: Joel Reinders

According to Coach Mangini, "Joel Reinders is doing well in camp, getting better every day."
It's early and everyone is filled with optimism but Reinders is 6'7" and 310 pounds and a great athlete, there's reason to be optimistic.

Hardesty Injures Knee

Browns draft pick Montario Hardesty Injures Knee and will be out for several weeks. The Browns paid a huge price for Hardesty, who not only has a long history of getting hurt, but there are also serious doubts about his skills as a football player. This is a bad sign.