Black Monday Starts Early

[GAC]

The Browns have a large fan base that was a result of them being a dominant team in the early years of football. Their fan base stretches across Ohio and into some areas of Dayton and even Cincinnati. Granted the Bengals have pretty much grabbed Dayton from the Browns and have turned Columbus into almost a split town.

Ever since Modell took the Browns to Baltimore they have been a model of dysfunction. Since 99 they have been the Bungles, Aints, and Phoenix Cardinals all rolled into one. It has been a bevy of missed draft picks, a turnstile of coaches. An owner who liked his EPL team better than his NFL team and an owner being investigated by the FBI. The fact that they have sold out every home game since 99 is a shock to me, I don't know to be impressed or saddened by that.

Not arguing one bit with any of the above buck. They've had two winning seasons and one post-season appearance since coming back. They've sucked it up pretty good.

But I was responding to the contention that Haslam could move the team elsewhere and no one would care. The Browns have a strong market and fan-base. The team ain't going nowhere. The Browns Backers is one of the largest organized fan clubs in professional sports with 360 clubs in over 10 countries.

Right now our team sucks ...... but we're loyal! ;)

[KoryMac5]

Kiffin demoted by Jerry Jones to assistant head coach. Marinelli will be the new DC.

[GAC]

Cowboy fans wish someone would demote Jerry Jones! :D

[Tom Servo]

In a stunning announcement on Tuesday morning, the Cleveland Browns revealed that Ray Farmer is their new general manager, as CEO Joe Banner and former G.M. Mike Lombardi are leaving the team.


The Browns are freaking hilarious man.

[Yachtzee]

In a stunning announcement on Tuesday morning, the Cleveland Browns revealed that Ray Farmer is their new general manager, as CEO Joe Banner and former G.M. Mike Lombardi are leaving the team.


The Browns are freaking hilarious man.

Would it surprise anyone if Pettine gets fired under the logic that the new guys wanted to bring in their own guy.

[GAC]

KInda liked the two FA signings by the Browns in Whitner and Dansby.

[Sea Ray]

KInda liked the two FA signings by the Browns in Whitner and Dansby.

Do you want the Bengals WR Andrew Hawkins? Apparently the Browns' brass does

[WVRed]

Do you want the Bengals WR Andrew Hawkins? Apparently the Browns' brass does

Bengals are supposedly going to match.

[GAC]

Hawkins is a good WR..... but I'd love to see the Browns have the opportunity to draft Watkins. If he was still available when we have the 4th pick I'd take him over a QB. Just too talented. Use your pick further down to draft a QB. Gordon and Watkins would give us one of the best receiving corps in the league IMO.

[Sea Ray]

Hawkins is a good WR..... but I'd love to see the Browns have the opportunity to draft Watkins. If he was still available when we have the 4th pick I'd take him over a QB. Just too talented. Use your pick further down to draft a QB. Gordon and Watkins would give us one of the best receiving corps in the league IMO.

In today's NFL WR corps consist of more than 2 guys. In you're going to make the statement "one of the best receiving corps in the league" then you'd have to give us 5 or 6 names

[GAC]

In today's NFL WR corps consist of more than 2 guys. In you're going to make the statement "one of the best receiving corps in the league" then you'd have to give us 5 or 6 names

Wide Receivers? Teams may have 5 or 6 WRs on the roster, but I'm talking about starters, guys who will put up 1,000+ yds in receiving, and that ain't 5 or 6. It's usually duos.....

Bengals - Green, Jones.... Cardinals - Fitzgerald, Floyd ... Denver - Thomas, Welker. And so on.

Take a look at the teams with the best WR corp in the NFL, and you'll see that maxed out at three..... http://www.profootballrosters.com/2013/07/10/top-5-nfl-receiving-corps/

Josh Gordon's numbers speak for themselves. You put Sammy Watkins on that line with him and see if that doesn't make defenses worry. Scary.

And if you had a WR tandem like that, IMO, it's going to help open things up, and improve, the other receivers. Little had an off year (around 500 yds receiving); but he is still a talent. So was WR Benjamin (until he got hurt). And another one I'm going to have my eye on next year is rookie Charles Johnson.

As far as TE's go.... Jordan Cameron was one of the best last year.

So overall .... if the Browns could get Watkins, they could have one of the best receiving corps in the NFL IMO.

[WVRed]

Wide Receivers? Teams may have 5 or 6 WRs on the roster, but I'm talking about starters, guys who will put up 1,000+ yds in receiving, and that ain't 5 or 6. It's usually duos.....

Bengals - Green, Jones.... Cardinals - Fitzgerald, Floyd ... Denver - Thomas, Welker. And so on.

Take a look at the teams with the best WR corp in the NFL, and you'll see that maxed out at three..... http://www.profootballrosters.com/2013/07/10/top-5-nfl-receiving-corps/

Josh Gordon's numbers speak for themselves. You put Sammy Watkins on that line with him and see if that doesn't make defenses worry. Scary.

And if you had a WR tandem like that, IMO, it's going to help open things up, and improve, the other receivers. Little had an off year (around 500 yds receiving); but he is still a talent. So was WR Benjamin (until he got hurt). And another one I'm going to have my eye on next year is rookie Charles Johnson.

As far as TE's go.... Jordan Cameron was one of the best last year.

So overall .... if the Browns could get Watkins, they could have one of the best receiving corps in the NFL IMO.

Just need someone who can get them the ball.

[GAC]

Just need someone who can get them the ball.

Absolutely. I like Hoyer, but the Browns are probably going to end up using that #4 pick on a QB. For some reason they are really high on Johnny M. I'm not. I'd still take Watkins, and use my lower 1st round, or even lower pick, on a QB. I bet you could get AJ (Alabama) or that kid from N. Illinois. And the talk right now is that the Browns are quite serious in trying to get Shaub from the Texans.... http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/03/qb_matt_schaub_is_a_serious_po.html

But I like what they have done so far in the FA market. Just signed Texan RB Ben Tate and AZ TE Jim Dray.

[Sea Ray]

Yes, the Browns may have won the 2014 Super Bowl of free agency (Tampa Bay is up there too) just like Miami did last year, Buffalo in 2012, Philadelphia in 2011, Detroit in 2010 and yes the Browns in 2008. In fact this is what was written about the Browns at this point in 2008:


The Browns were a 10-win team in 2007, just like AFC North champion Pittsburgh. With the Steelers making no real noise thus far, it seems to me the Browns have closed the gap on Pittsburgh and then some. That makes Cleveland the team to beat in its division
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000151181/article/does-spending-money-in-free-agency-lead-to-success

[GAC]

So what is your point? LOL

It's not like I came out and made some bold proclamation that the Browns were gonna win the division or make it to the SB. I just like the aggressiveness of this new owner in the current FA market leading up to the draft. So don't try to read too much into it. Because I'm not.

[WVRed]

Absolutely. I like Hoyer, but the Browns are probably going to end up using that #4 pick on a QB. For some reason they are really high on Johnny M. I'm not. I'd still take Watkins, and use my lower 1st round, or even lower pick, on a QB. I bet you could get AJ (Alabama) or that kid from N. Illinois. And the talk right now is that the Browns are quite serious in trying to get Shaub from the Texans.... http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/03/qb_matt_schaub_is_a_serious_po.html

But I like what they have done so far in the FA market. Just signed Texan RB Ben Tate and AZ TE Jim Dray.

I thought Lombardi was the only one high on Johnny Football and he is gone now.

There will be some options available. I wouldn't be shocked if Cleveland takes the first QB the way things are going.

[Yachtzee]

So what is your point? LOL

It's not like I came out and made some bold proclamation that the Browns were gonna win the division or make it to the SB. I just like the aggressiveness of this new owner in the current FA market leading up to the draft. So don't try to read too much into it. Because I'm not.

I've noticed number of my Browns fan friends falling back into their default position of excessive optimism. So you have an owner who bought the team, hired a whole new front office and coaching staff, had a bad year, then completely changed the front office and the coaching staff. Now, because the Browns have made some notable free agent signings, everyone seems to have faith that they're heading in the right direction. Maybe it's the Bengals fan experience, but I wouldn't be so quick to jump on the Jimmy Haslam bandwagon just yet. To me it seems like they're just throwing money at free agents hoping to please the fan base without a real team building plan. I guess we'll see if they have a plan after the draft.

[GAC]

I've noticed number of my Browns fan friends falling back into their default position of excessive optimism. So you have an owner who bought the team, hired a whole new front office and coaching staff, had a bad year, then completely changed the front office and the coaching staff. Now, because the Browns have made some notable free agent signings, everyone seems to have faith that they're heading in the right direction. Maybe it's the Bengals fan experience, but I wouldn't be so quick to jump on the Jimmy Haslam bandwagon just yet. To me it seems like they're just throwing money at free agents hoping to please the fan base without a real team building plan. I guess we'll see if they have a plan after the draft.

I understand what you're saying/getting at, and agree...... but I'm not on anyone's bandwagon. I'm still waiting to see what they do in the draft. But I do like some of the guys (talent) they have recently acquired in FA. I don't think it's was done to simply throw money at some players and thus please (maybe fool) the fans. These guys do fill legitimate needs IMO.

But I'm an idiot.... so it's easy to maintain my optimism and hopefulness. :lol:

[Sea Ray]

So what is your point? LOL

It's not like I came out and made some bold proclamation that the Browns were gonna win the division or make it to the SB. I just like the aggressiveness of this new owner in the current FA market leading up to the draft. So don't try to read too much into it. Because I'm not.

No question you are much more realistic than the avg Browns fan

[Hoosier Red]

One thing that was smart about signing Hawkins to the contract they did, by paying the majority of the cash in years 1 & 2, they're "wasting" cap space in years where they weren't likely to be competitive anyway. If Hawkins pans out, he's signed for cheap contract in the last two years and won't prevent them from adding functional pieces when they're going to be more competitive.

[GAC]

No question you are much more realistic than the avg Browns fan

How many average Brown fans do you know? I know many, and they aren't much different from me. Oh sure, there are those fans who are real A-holes when it comes to their team.... their team can do know wrong, don't say nothing bad about MY team (players), and they make excuses for them, etc, etc..... there is no sense of objectivity when one tries to talk to them. My uncle, whom I love immensely, is one such character when it comes to the Bengals. I'm a member of both a Browns and Bengals forum. I see little difference in their fan bases. But you're always going to have those rabid, unrealistic, fans.

[Sea Ray]

How many average Brown fans do you know? I know many, and they aren't much different from me. Oh sure, there are those fans who are real A-holes when it comes to their team.... their team can do know wrong, don't say nothing bad about MY team (players), and they make excuses for them, etc, etc..... there is no sense of objectivity when one tries to talk to them. My uncle, whom I love immensely, is one such character when it comes to the Bengals. I'm a member of both a Browns and Bengals forum. I see little difference in their fan bases. But you're always going to have those rabid, unrealistic, fans.

In my experience the difference between Browns fans and Steeler fans is that the Steeler fans have had a team where they can back up what they say. I don't get where Browns fans get off talking smack about their team. As I posted earlier there was that writer in the Plain Dealer stating that Jason Campbell is an elite QB. I wonder what she's writing now that the Browns have released that elite QB...

[Yachtzee]

How many average Brown fans do you know? I know many, and they aren't much different from me. Oh sure, there are those fans who are real A-holes when it comes to their team.... their team can do know wrong, don't say nothing bad about MY team (players), and they make excuses for them, etc, etc..... there is no sense of objectivity when one tries to talk to them. My uncle, whom I love immensely, is one such character when it comes to the Bengals. I'm a member of both a Browns and Bengals forum. I see little difference in their fan bases. But you're always going to have those rabid, unrealistic, fans.

I've lived in the home Browns territory most of my life, 1/2 hour from Browns Stadium and I can assure you the majority of Browns fans I know have always been a bit overly optimistic when it comes to the Browns. I know quite a few who believe the Browns would have made the playoffs had Hoyer not gotten injured. For the past few weeks I've been dealing with water cooler talk about how the Browns are now playoff contenders based on their free agent signings and the fact that they have a bunch of draft picks. Now I know some realists as well, but they are outnumbered by the optimists. The optimists are necessarily jerks about it. They just have a lot of blind faith in the team. I would contrast this with most of the Bengals fans I know, who tend to be pessimistic about their team. I know quite a few people who are convinced the Bengals will never win a playoff game as long as Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis are in charge. Both fan bases are f lipsides of the same coin. Neither is able to objectively evaluate their favorite team. They just diverge in how positive or negative they evaluate their team.

[GAC]

In my experience the difference between Browns fans and Steeler fans is that the Steeler fans have had a team where they can back up what they say. I don't get where Browns fans get off talking smack about their team. As I posted earlier there was that writer in the Plain Dealer stating that Jason Campbell is an elite QB. I wonder what she's writing now that the Browns have released that elite QB...

And we have dealt with her in a previous post you made. Why do you keep bringing her up? She's one writer.... a paid beat writer doing her job as a walking PR commercial for the team. Her main job is to promote the Browns at all cost. A majority of Brown fans don't take her seriously. Do you think these types of writers only exist with the Browns, and not within any other professional sports organizations? I can give you the names of other sports writers in the area that have been very critical of this team, and do a pretty good job of nailing/critiquing what the problems are. And we can name some Cincy sports writers that "brown-nose" the Cincy teams because their job is all about promotion.

There is always that segment of fans that love to talk smack. You're trying to promote this perception that somehow that Brown fans are in some sort of elite club. And they aren't. Sure, if you live in Cleveland there is that atmosphere of pride and loyalty. And yes, some take it too far. I see that also in Cincinnati. Everyone is running around with the Reds/Bengals stuff on just like in Cleveland it's the Browns/Indians/ Cavs. I'll be at Red's OD, just like I have in the past, and there is always those fans (thanks to alcohol) who will be talking smack before the first pitch is thrown. These fans are everywhere.

Are you a member of a Brown's forum anywhere? I've belonged to two for years. The overwhelming majority of those fans on there are not smack talkers. Loyal fans? Yes. Optimistic? Yes. What else have they got to hold onto? They're too busy being preoccupied with being angry at this organization (FO, management), and wondering when they are going to get their collective butts out of their head.

I live in central Ohio, and this region of the state, as well as at work, is saturated with Brown fans. There are also a lot of Bengal fans too. And the majority of Brown fans, when we talk, while loyal, laugh at this team, shake our heads, and keep our fingers crossed wondering what the immediate future holds. Will this team ever put it all together?

This past season, at work, the Bengal fans on line were some of the biggest smack talkers. They'd deride us Brown fans, how bad our team is -which is true - then brag about how they were on the "road to the Super Bowl". Needless to say, we celebrated with some glee when they made their first round exit. ;)

[GAC]

I've lived in the home Browns territory most of my life, 1/2 hour from Browns Stadium and I can assure you the majority of Browns fans I know have always been a bit overly optimistic when it comes to the Browns. I know quite a few who believe the Browns would have made the playoffs had Hoyer not gotten injured. For the past few weeks I've been dealing with water cooler talk about how the Browns are now playoff contenders based on their free agent signings and the fact that they have a bunch of draft picks. Now I know some realists as well, but they are outnumbered by the optimists. The optimists are necessarily jerks about it. They just have a lot of blind faith in the team. I would contrast this with most of the Bengals fans I know, who tend to be pessimistic about their team. I know quite a few people who are convinced the Bengals will never win a playoff game as long as Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis are in charge. Both fan bases are f lipsides of the same coin. Neither is able to objectively evaluate their favorite team. They just diverge in how positive or negative they evaluate their team.

Absolutely true.

My brother, a die-hard Bengals fan, is one who holds to what you mention above about never winning a play-off game as long as Lewis is the coach. But on the flip-side, I have several family members, including an uncle who I play golf with regularly, who, I guess, would fit right in in Cleveland because they have no objectivity, talk smack when they can..... their team can do no wrong, and don't you talk bad about MY team. And of course they love to deride /lampoon us family members who are Brown fans... and that's usually when my brother, the Bengal fan, chimes in "Yeah! But we haven't won a play-off game in how many years???" LOL

But there is always going to be that tension here in Ohio between Brown and Bengal fans.

[Sea Ray]

But there is always going to be that tension here in Ohio between Brown and Bengal fans.

Tension? It's called a rivalry and there's nothing wrong with that

[GAC]

Tension? It's called a rivalry and there's nothing wrong with that

I never said there was anything wrong with it. And while, sure, it's a rivalry, it also goes beyond that between many Bengal and Brown fans, and it has to do with the Paul Brown variable.

[Kingspoint]

I never said there was anything wrong with it. And while, sure, it's a rivalry, it also goes beyond that between many Bengal and Brown fans, and it has to do with the Paul Brown variable.

Would have liked to have seen Mike Brown offer Mack a contract just to mess with the Browns. Though I love the Mike Pollack signing and the Kyle Cook release.

[Yachtzee]

I never said there was anything wrong with it. And while, sure, it's a rivalry, it also goes beyond that between many Bengal and Brown fans, and it has to do with the Paul Brown variable.

The one thing I share with my Browns brethren is our absolute distaste for the Steelers. Obnoxious fans, of which there are a surprising amount even in my neighborhood. I enjoy hanging out with them and having a few beers most of the year. But once football season starts I want nothing to do with them. I've blocked friends on social media just because I got tired of them messaging me with "We Dey" when the Steelers do anything good against the Bengals.