5 GAMES??! pffft....wow, evidently inspiring optimism abounds. lol!....wth?? Are we on the 10 year plan??? This team is gonna win 5 games before the bye week....Yes. I said that.
I'm not saying we WILL win the division, but I am saying that laying $50 to win $2000, should the unthinkable happen, isn't a bad wager at all, given the odds... Ravens and Bengals are not good....Pittsburgh has a QB that isn't sure if he wants to keep playing... as far as "long shot bets" go...The very young and strong Browns taking down the AFCN isn't as crazy as people think..
Also, the Tribe is going to win the World Series.... So this is shaping up to be quite a year for us...lol!
I'm not saying I would be shocked if they won the division TD, they are such a young team that they may just will themselves to do it... However, the Bengals have been in the playoffs 5 out of the last 6 years. Since Marvin Lewis took over as coach, they have made the playoffs every year but one, following a losing season. Not to say history will repeat itself, but that is what has happened over the past 10 years. Lewis knows how to get his teams ready for the regular season, he just has no clue how to take them beyond...Despite having their losing season last year, they beat us 31-17 in Cincy and 23-10 at home...that's two TDs in both games we need to make up for. Doing it once, I could easily see...doing it twice, will be tough. The Ravens are still coached by Harbaugh. I have respect for him, as much as I HATE the Ravens. I'm sure he is still reeling from that losing season 2 years ago, even though he got them back to 8-8 last year. I don't know of any significant losses this off season, other than Flacco's injury woes, that would set him back. They beat us 25-20 at home, then 28-7 in Baltimore last year. I expect to make strides, maybe beat them in Cleveland, but making up a 21 point gap away may be a much bigger task. The Steelers, well, we haven't beat them twice in a season since 1988. We haven't won back to back games since beating them in Pittsburgh in 1999, then coming back and beating them in Cleveland in 2000. Despite Ben's hemhawing about retirement, unless Garrett puts him out of the first game early, beating them in 2017 will be a tall order. Whether it be at home or in PBurgh. I want to believe we have gone from a 1 win team to a 9 win team...but let's face the fact that we are counting on about 4 rookies, and another 3-5 2nd year players to make that turn around complete. I think we have one shot at making that type of turnaround. That is if DeShone Kizer moves flawlessly into this offense and doesn't look like a rookie doing it. Osweiler, is what he is...He led a Texans team that has a Super Bowl caliber roster to the playoffs. He did enough not to lose too many games in the pre-season that they snuck into the playoffs...however, he didn't do enough that his team actually PAID us handsomely with a 2nd round draft pick to take him off their hands. He will not get this team sniffing at the playoffs. Kessler, while I had high hopes for him to become a starting caliber player this off season, led us to 8 of our 15 losses last season. He hasn't grown in any aspect that I can see from game tape and reports from practice to make me believe he has gone from a 0 win QB to an 8-9 win QB. 5 wins, yes, this roster has improved enough to push those boundaries, I believe. At the end of the day, Kizer IS a rookie, so despite my hopes and dreams of him not making rookie mistakes along the way, I don't think he will do enough to turn this team around more than 5-7 wins on the year. Again, the rest of the team has improved on paper...but damn, they are so young, it's hard to believe they will click together quickly enough to win 5 games before the bye week...I would to see the Browns sitting at 5-3 going into their layoff week, but man, that is also hard to realistically expect. Steelers at home...I think a flawless Kizer would be needed to win this game...and I truly believe Osweiler will be the starter on Sept 10 Ravens In BALTIMORE...if we were home, I would think different..away, this is a very tough game Colts In INDY...again, this one depends on the QB situation, if Luck is still hurt, we could take this game away from the Colts, if he is not...another tall order Bengals at home.. This is a tough ball game, but being at Browns Stadium (yes I called it Browns Stadium), I think they could pull this one out, especially if Kizer takes over for an 0-3 Brock Osweiler. 1-3 Jets at home...again, this is one we better damn well win. If we lose this one, this team is a top 5 draft pick team. 2-3 Texans In HOUSTON...This is a Super Bowl contender, I don't think we are near ready to compete at that level with the youth we have. 2-4 Titans at home... This could be a pivotable game for these young bucks. The Titans are similar to the Browns, but about a year ahead of them in their build. If we could beat them at home, I would feel much better about the second half of the season. However, I think the Titans are the team that shines in 2017..2-5 Vikings in ENGLAND...This is anyone's game honestly. I'm going to take the Browns out of sheer luck. I think Kizer will be up and down in his rookie season and this will be one of those up games, because really, it's just too close to call. 3-5 So I see 3-5 at the break. The second half of the season will be a matter of how much last year's class learned how to be pros...we will have rookies hitting a wall at some point in the second half, but if the rest of the team does not, they could pull out 4-5 wins. The second half schedule is much easier than the first, but with the young roster, that is where I am worried and wouldn't be surprised if they go 3-5 in the second half as well. Very winnable games in the second half of the season: Jacksonville Jaguars home Los Angelos Chargers away Chicago Bears away The rest of the schedule will be tough games, but some winnable: Detroit Lions away (winnable, but tough away) Cincinnati Bengals away (winnable, but tough away) Green Bay Packers home (need injuries for the Pack and a healthy Browns roster to get a win here) Baltimore Ravens home (winnable) Pittsburgh Steelers away (come on fellas, I want to believe, but the Steelers are still the top of the AFC North...for now) I want to believe this young team finds their identity in the preseason, I really do. But, TD, that is a lot to ask for the youngest team in the entire league. I think a 6 win season would be a HUGE leap in the right direction, while they are finding their direction. Anything above 6 wins would be a bonus and honestly a pleasant surprise. If they win 7 or more games this year, they will be touted as a 2018 playoff contender, and a true contender for the AFC North. If they win 9 games this year, their Super Bowl odds skyrocket for the 2018/2019 seasons.
A 10 year plan TD? We are in year 2 of this build...If they go from a 1 win team to a 6 win team, they are looking like a 3-4 year plan. Originally many thought it would be a 5 year plan to being a stable organization, so I think if they win 6 games, they are ahead of schedule. Again, young talent is very unpredictable. They could come together and win 11 games, you just never know. But I will reiterate, it would take one important young talent in particular to make that happen and he plays the most important position in this league.
Hey Browns fans, looking forward to the upcoming season? Good thread you've got going here, i just can't figure out why IrishDawg hasn't yet predicted Britt to lead the league in receiving next season?? Guess that wouldn't be bold enough for you huh dude If you'll permit one from an outside fan......... - The Browns will have 2 OL's and 2 DL's selected for the same pro bowl for the first time in team history. Ok ok, i don't know for sure it would be the first time in Browns team history, even im not that good. But it can't have happened very often.
I'll be very disappointed if they can't win at least six games. I know you are being much more realistic, though IMO not neccessarily that bold in predicting six....I honestly think Kizer is going to come along faster than people think. In the first half of the season, I think we can beat Baltimore, Cincy, Indy, NY Jets and Minnesota. 5-3 at the break may be overly optimistic, or BOLD if you will, but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility. As you mentioned, QB is the key. We'll see...I'm excited to see how our young QB handles a much tougher assignment in preseason week 2...
1970 DE Jack Gregory, DT Walter Johnson, OG Gene Hickerson and OC Fred Hoaglin 1968 DE Jack Gregory, DE Bill Glass, OG Gene Hickerson and OT Dick Shafrath 1963 DE Bill Glass, DT Bob Gain, OT Mike McCormack, OG Jimmy Ray Smith 1959 DT Don Colo, DT Bob Gain, OG Jimmy Ray Smith, OT Lou Groza 1955 (5) DT Don Colo, DE Len Ford, OG Abe Gibron, OT Lou Groza, OC Frank Gatski 1953 DE Bill Willis, DE Len Ford, OT Lou Groza, OG Abe Gibron 1962 and 1960, they missed it by a defensive lineman, but still had 4 linemen make a pro bowl in 1962 OC John Morrow, OT Mike McCormack, OG Jimmy Ray Smith and DT Bob Gain 1960 OC Art Hunter, OT Lou Groza, OG Jimmy Ray Smith, DT Bob Gain **Side question, how many times have the Bears accomplished this feat? Spoiler: Bears accomplish 2 OL and 2 DL pro bowlers 1952, only time they have ever done it that I can find As for Britt, no one ever said he was a pro bowl caliber receiver..all that was ever said was that he outperformed Terrelle Pryor in SEASON 2016
I wasn't trying to be bold predicting 6, I was questioning brett for predicting 5 and basically asking why that was bold...
Winning games and developing a rookie QB are two separate chores. With a 1-15 team, they are mutually exclusive. Cam Newton Panthers (2010): 2-14 Panthers (2011): 6-10 Marcus Mariota Titans (2014): 2-14 Titans (2015): 3-13 Jameis Winston Buccaneers (2014): 2-14 Buccaneers (2015): 6-10 Only a serious homer is going to put Kizer in the same sentence as Newton, Mariota, and Winston.
1970 DE Jack Gregory, DT Walter Johnson, OG Gene Hickerson and OC Fred Hoaglin 1968 DE Jack Gregory, DE Bill Glass, OG Gene Hickerson and OT Dick Shafrath 1963 DE Bill Glass, DT Bob Gain, OT Mike McCormack, OG Jimmy Ray Smith 1959 DT Don Colo, DT Bob Gain, OG Jimmy Ray Smith, OT Lou Groza 1955 (5) DT Don Colo, DE Len Ford, OG Abe Gibron, OT Lou Groza, OC Frank Gatski 1953 DE Bill Willis, DE Len Ford, OT Lou Groza, OG Abe Gibron 1962 and 1960, they missed it by a defensive lineman, but still had 4 linemen make a pro bowl in 1962 OC John Morrow, OT Mike McCormack, OG Jimmy Ray Smith and DT Bob Gain 1960 OC Art Hunter, OT Lou Groza, OG Jimmy Ray Smith, DT Bob Gain That is genuinely interesting info. But before you pull a muscle patting yourself on the back, i should point out that all you've really accomplished is to prove the point i was making haha! The reason i said the Browns haven't achieved that very often wasn't to make some sort of put-down, or to say the Browns are sh_t. It was to emphasize what an impressive feat it would be. I mean you do know enough about football to at least know that right? And its something the Browns could genuinely achieve: - Thomas is outstanding in every way - Zeitler could've/prob should've already been to a pro bowl and could this season. - Garrett could def make it even tho he's a rookie - Ogbah, i know no-one really talks about him anymore but he showed promise last year. He takes another step, gets a lot of single blocks thanks to Garrett etc he could def hit double digit sacks. Who knows how far he goes? Thats 4, 2 OL 2 DL. But thank you confirming how hard it is for a team to send 2+2 linemen to a pro bowl. The Browns haven't done it for nearly 50years and have only done it 6 times in approx 70years in existence. Personally i think that was a pretty good shout on my part for this thread. Its hard to get 2+2 into a pro bowl so its bold, but its also attainable, and it would be a huge plus for your team if it happens. Because if you end up with 2+2 selected at the end of the season then it means at the very least the Browns will have been highly competitive on both sides of the ball. But probably a lot more. Anyway i'll let you boys continue predicting Cody Kessler to make the pro bowl. Good job. **Side question, how many times have the Bears accomplished this feat? 1952, only time they have ever done it that I can find I didn't know this was the Bears bold prediction thread lol. Congrats on going straight to the bottom rung of the message board ladder there IrishDawg with the old "childish pissing contest" statement. Very mature. But you even f_cked that up. The Bears def had 2+2 for the '86 pro bowl and without wasting time looking it up they may well have done it the year before or after that too. But silly comparisons between teams isn't the point is it..... As for Britt, no one ever said he was a pro bowl caliber receiver..all that was ever said was that he outperformed Terrelle Pryor in SEASON 2016 WHICH HE DIDN'T DO! He had less catches AND less yards than Pryor last season. He wasn't better than Pryor last season. And more importantly, he isn't a better bet for addressing the position going forward. Also your final knock on Pryor that he's a diva receiver was hilarious because Britt has been one of the biggest diva receivers in the NFL for years! It all just smacked of a raging homer desperately seeking validation from another fanbase. And like i said, the Browns have some good players. If you needed approval why not pick one of them? But Kenny f_cking Britt?!?!?!? Just hilarious.
I guess you're referring to the national media as "no one"? Most Cleveland sports fans are big believers in Ogbah. By the end of 2017, I would suspect more people will know who he is. For now, we just have to play a game called "name that freak Cleveland Browns defensive end": DE1: 6'4" 272 pounds, 4.64s 40-yard, 1.63s 10-yard split, 128" broad, 41" vertical, 31.0 NCAA sacks DE2: 6'4" 275 pounds, 4.63s 40-yard, 1.58s 10-yard split, 121" broad, 35.5" vertical, 26.5 NCAA sacks
I guess i was yeah. I don't get to see/read what the local media thinks of him or talk to Browns fans much. But sounds like i picked up a little bit of the same feeling about Ogbah in the admittedly less time i saw him play. I personally don't give much care for those combine type stats you listed there. They are remarkably similar though.
I call BS on this one, you came on here as a slam to the Browns, just like you did when I defended the Browns on the Bears board..You didn't say that you doubt it has ever happened...but that THE BROWNS have never done it in their history...You were wrong and now you are backtracking. It is NOW a silly comparison, because you were probably sure the Bears had done it repeatedly..You were right about 1985, I missed Covert at OT...but they did NOT do it in 1986...or any other year except 1952. Thanks for playing In Your Face on the Browns boards...come back for another episode the next time you want to look foolish.
I call BS on this one I'm sure. I've noticed you don't do "right" very often. Your consistency is impressive tho. you came on here as a slam to the Browns, just like you did when I defended the Browns on the Bears board 1- Wrong. Again. 2- You came to the Bears board going wah wah wah, why does no one respect the Browns, wah wah wah. You then tried to tell us how awesome the Browns are because Kenny Britt rocks and every year they have a ton of draft picks that don't get used very efficiently. You've no idea how lightly you got off. But just to refresh your alzheimer's memory, i was the one who had your back when the others there were labeling you a troll. Because you weren't being a troll, you were just being a whiny little snowflake homer. Kinda like you are now. You didn't say that you doubt it has ever happened...but that THE BROWNS have never done it in their history...You were wrong and now you are backtracking. Here is the direct quote of what i said: "Ok ok, i don't know for sure it would be the first time in Browns team history, even im not that good. But it can't have happened very often." As you yourself proved for me, it hasn't happened very often. 6 times in 70 years, thats clearly not very often. So my statement was completely correct, proven so by you. Thank you for doing all the leg work. Also, if i was just here to troll, why did i pick something that is very hard to achieve, noteworthy if you do it, but also very attainable for the Browns this season? Not sure what you're finding so hard to understand about all this, but i've now added reading comprehension and coherent thought to your growing list of failings. It is NOW a silly comparison, because you were probably sure the Bears had done it repeatedly. Haha! Idiot, my entire point originally was that it wasn't something a team achieves repeatedly! Its hard to do. That includes the Bears. Therefore achieving it is a good thing. The only person comparing the Browns and Bears here is you. You were right about 1985, I missed Covert at OT...but they did NOT do it in 1986...or any other year except 1952. Yeah Covert's easy to miss. I mean he only got named on the All-80's team at LT. Complete nobody.... But that's beside the point, i'll take a leap of faith that you got it right second time around. You've been bothered enough to research it, i haven't. It doesn't actually matter to me how many times the Bears have achieved that feat, its not a competition. My only point was that its very hard to do and the more you show how little any team has done it the more you prove my point. Thanks for playing In Your Face on the Browns boards...come back for another episode the next time you want to look foolish. Dude, im really not the one who looks foolish here. That would be you. Good luck on the season Browns fans, i'm out.
You know one feature, I'm going to learn to like on this new site? The ignore button...I just used it for the first time, let's see how well it works.
