Bill Fitch once said that close only counts in horse shoes, hand grenades and drive in movies. Well, in 2011 the Browns actually came close to having a decent team. There are numerous games that we could have won had we had a break here or there or avoided a bone head mistake or two. All that said, we are going to lose more games in 2011 than Eric Mangini lost in 2010. At least the Holmgren years have been consistent.
Against Pittsburgh tomorrow we can only hope the game will be close. The Steelers have a lot to play for and since they are our arch rival, it would be nice to hurt them badly by beating them. Slim chance of that, though we might just come "close".
BL Predicts
Browns 9
Steelers 23
The Brown Log is 9-6 year to date on the prediction front.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Disarray is standard operating procedure for the Cleveland Browns, both on and off the field
During the soon to be finished 2011 season in which our Browns won only 4 games, there were several episodes of poor organization that marked key division losses.
For example, in the first game of the season against the Bengals, the Browns defense was caught in the huddle by the Bengals offense who proceeded to pass for the game winning touchdown.
In our most recent game against the Ravens, with less than one minute remaining in the first half, the Browns had a first down inside the Baltimore 10 yard line. While the Browns had no time outs left at that point due to fits of disorganization on offense earlier in the same half, there was plenty of time on the clock to take 3 shots at a scoring pass in the end zone before trying a field goal. So what happened last Saturday? The Browns threw a flat pass that kept the clock moving, then our Brownies tried a run with less than 10 seconds on the clock. Hillis was stopped short of the goal which allowed time to run out without even attempting a field goal. This in a game eventually lost by 6 points. I have been watching the NFL for 35 years and cannot recall a worse case of clock management. It was pure Three Stooges.
Now Browns fans are being told that we need to be patient and that hope springs eternal because our Browns have several high draft picks in the 2012 draft.
What is highly concerning to me is the fact that our Director of Player Personnel, Jon Sandusky may have other things on this mind. Just for starters on November 8, Tony Grossi tweeted that Sandusky was taking a leave of absence.
Later the same day, the same Grossi tweeted a confirmation that Sandusky has in fact remained with the team.
Tony Grossi's reputation is rock solid, he would not tweet something like this without talking to a source inside the Browns.
This whole mess has nothing to do per se with the personal life of Jon Sandusky, who has a right to privacy and should not be judged by events he has no control over. What is of major concern is the dissarray both on and off the field in the Cleveland Browns organization at such a critical moment for the Browns.
The above sequence reminds me of a front office version of the defense remaining in the huddle against the Bengals. For this to happen means there is confusion and disorganization in the Browns org. A bad sign considering that if the Browns screw up this draft, it likely means 10 more years of losing in Cleveland.
The Brown Log has been a big supporter of Mike Holmgren, but our patience is wearing thin. Let's hope that the Browns Director of Player Personnel, Jon Sandusky, together with the entire Browns organization is focused 100% on getting this team on track in the future and that the mistakes of 2011 both on the field and off, are behind the team.
For example, in the first game of the season against the Bengals, the Browns defense was caught in the huddle by the Bengals offense who proceeded to pass for the game winning touchdown.
In our most recent game against the Ravens, with less than one minute remaining in the first half, the Browns had a first down inside the Baltimore 10 yard line. While the Browns had no time outs left at that point due to fits of disorganization on offense earlier in the same half, there was plenty of time on the clock to take 3 shots at a scoring pass in the end zone before trying a field goal. So what happened last Saturday? The Browns threw a flat pass that kept the clock moving, then our Brownies tried a run with less than 10 seconds on the clock. Hillis was stopped short of the goal which allowed time to run out without even attempting a field goal. This in a game eventually lost by 6 points. I have been watching the NFL for 35 years and cannot recall a worse case of clock management. It was pure Three Stooges.
Now Browns fans are being told that we need to be patient and that hope springs eternal because our Browns have several high draft picks in the 2012 draft.
What is highly concerning to me is the fact that our Director of Player Personnel, Jon Sandusky may have other things on this mind. Just for starters on November 8, Tony Grossi tweeted that Sandusky was taking a leave of absence.
Later the same day, the same Grossi tweeted a confirmation that Sandusky has in fact remained with the team.
Tony Grossi's reputation is rock solid, he would not tweet something like this without talking to a source inside the Browns.
This whole mess has nothing to do per se with the personal life of Jon Sandusky, who has a right to privacy and should not be judged by events he has no control over. What is of major concern is the dissarray both on and off the field in the Cleveland Browns organization at such a critical moment for the Browns.
The above sequence reminds me of a front office version of the defense remaining in the huddle against the Bengals. For this to happen means there is confusion and disorganization in the Browns org. A bad sign considering that if the Browns screw up this draft, it likely means 10 more years of losing in Cleveland.
The Brown Log has been a big supporter of Mike Holmgren, but our patience is wearing thin. Let's hope that the Browns Director of Player Personnel, Jon Sandusky, together with the entire Browns organization is focused 100% on getting this team on track in the future and that the mistakes of 2011 both on the field and off, are behind the team.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Browns QB Colt McCoy still out with concussion
Looks like Colt's long sophomore season has ended. The report card for Colt this year is at best a C. He had very little help but it's also true that he absolutely did not raise the level of play of his teammates. He sunk to their level and in the NFL that's just not good enough. Can he improve? Maybe but he will clearly have to fight for playing time next year. I think he will be a good backup for the next few years and hope the Browns hold onto him in that role.
Browns QB Colt McCoy still out with concussion | ajc.com
Browns QB Colt McCoy still out with concussion | ajc.com
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Yet another way to lose a football game!
That bonehead series of plays at the end of the first half was almost as embarrassing as Phil Taylor's offsides to clinch the loss.
BL Predicts: Week 15 vs Baltimore
These last few weeks are easy pickings for the prognosticator looking to drive his full year won loss record up. Our record in predicting the outcome of Browns games is 8-6 and it should be easy to finish 10-6. No likely upsets coming.
The only points of human interest today will be to observe if Shurmur's troops continue to play with motivation. It's a credit to Shurmur's leadership that his teams have shown up every Sunday all season and given it their best and by and large had a chance to win every game in the 4th quarter. At 4-10, these are the real dog days of the season for both players and fans so we have to hang our hat on the hope that Seneca wants to show his ability, Hillis is playing for gazillions in his next contract and many players are auditioning to keep their job next year, given that the Browns have a lot of early draft picks in the next draft.
The other point of interest will be to see how Seneca does this week. He did not look all that bad last week (better stated, he was clearly superior to the Colt).
BL Predicts
Browns 13
Ravens 27
The only points of human interest today will be to observe if Shurmur's troops continue to play with motivation. It's a credit to Shurmur's leadership that his teams have shown up every Sunday all season and given it their best and by and large had a chance to win every game in the 4th quarter. At 4-10, these are the real dog days of the season for both players and fans so we have to hang our hat on the hope that Seneca wants to show his ability, Hillis is playing for gazillions in his next contract and many players are auditioning to keep their job next year, given that the Browns have a lot of early draft picks in the next draft.
The other point of interest will be to see how Seneca does this week. He did not look all that bad last week (better stated, he was clearly superior to the Colt).
BL Predicts
Browns 13
Ravens 27
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Colt McCoy: NFL Backup
Several things that Seneca Wallace did last Sunday that contrast with Colt McCoy
- Very fast decision making, a must in the West Coast Offense
- Crisp passes to all parts of the field
- mobility
I know that Colt has played behind a bad offensive line and with mediocre receivers but it is also true that Colt has not been able to lift the talents around him whatsoever. He has sunk with the ship. Perhaps he can improve but many are beginning to seriously doubt that.
Chances are the Browns are going to be looking for a new QB this off season.
- Very fast decision making, a must in the West Coast Offense
- Crisp passes to all parts of the field
- mobility
I know that Colt has played behind a bad offensive line and with mediocre receivers but it is also true that Colt has not been able to lift the talents around him whatsoever. He has sunk with the ship. Perhaps he can improve but many are beginning to seriously doubt that.
Chances are the Browns are going to be looking for a new QB this off season.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
BL Predicts: Week 13 vs Pittsburgh
A leader of any large organization, sooner or later, is going to run into turbulent times. Those difficult moments will test his ability to lead. Failure to lead a group through a crisis usually means career failure both in business and sports.
Tonights game will tell us a lot about what is happening behind the scenes with Pat Shurmur, his coaches and players. When I separate out the emotions of being a Browns fan and look only at the facts, I like what I see in Cleveland. Building a team takes time. Personnel decisions have been solid, progress is being made. Undoubtedly, questions remain. Can Colt McCoy lead the team to a championship and is Pat Shurmur a championship caliber coach are the two biggest questions.
This evenings game will tell us a lot about Pat Shurmur. A string of tough losses leaves the Browns at 4-8 today. Fans are not able to observe how Shurmur is managing all of this. For certain a number of things are happening. During any crisis in an organization leadership will get challenged. A good leader of men knows how to push the right buttons to keep everyone on the team pulling in the same direction. Is Shurmur leading his men appropriately day to day and hour to hour? One big clue will be in the performance of the Browns tonight. Will the team play hard all game long or will they give a half effort? Will the Browns fight and claw for every yard, or will they go through the motions?
I am convinced that Pat Shurmur is a championship caliber coach. When i watch his press conferences it is clear, he is an honest straight shooter and he wears his emotions on his sleeve. He hates to lose but he takes full responsibilty. Finally, by all indications he is fair. These are factors that can hold a team together in crisis. Does he manage his team with the same qualities that he shows when speaking to the press? Tonight will tell us all we need to know.
My prediction is that the Browns will lose but they'll show up ready to play.
BL Predicts
Browns 19
Pittsburgh 28
The Brown Log are 6-6 on prognostication year to date.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
BL Predicts: Week 12 vs Baltimore: I'm tired.....
Without any positive or negative connotations whatsoever, most Browns fans are tired.
Tired of years of waiting for next year. Tired of losing. Tired of watching one of the NFLs most fabled franchises continue to play in a way that dishonors the Browns tradition established by Ohio's Paul Brown in 1946. Brown and his Browns established a dynasty in the 50s and a winning tradition that lasted until the day the Art Modell era began in the early 1960's.
Today once again, the fact is that we all have to suffer through at least 5 more games before we have yet another shot at next year being the year that we finally terminate over 50 years largely marked by misery and it is extremely tiring.
The Brown Log is 5-6 year to date in predicting the outcome of Browns games. Time to get our won-loss record shored up. Under the leadership of Mike Holmgren there are reasons to be optimistic, but today is Sunday gameday and damn it, we are tired. It is hard to imagine the Browns winning another game this year.
BL Predicts
Ravens 23
Browns 12
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