NFL - NEWS & NOTES

that wasn't the point. i figured Browns nation would be happy with a playoff win. dawg was basically saying Divisional Champs and Super Bowl. to me that's a little nuts to expect that much this soon all because of a great closing month last season and trading for a OBJ. And the AFC always goes through NE. THe Browns gotta make the playoffs, win 2 games and probably play NE. Can they go that far in a year after last year ? that's a lot to ask.

 

You're right. I'll correct: second most recent prior post. I forgot I had marveled at BWW's age.

Will you save us all the hassle, here, and confirm the context in which you had made your earlier quoted statement? Was the context that the Browns would be in the playoffs, and thus would be technical contenders, as every team qualifying would technically be? Or was it that the Browns would be likely participants in / winners of the Superbowl should they win the AFC North, as it would be indicative of their quality relative to their playoff competition?

 

Yeah it's really shitty journalism to choose that title for your article and omit the fact that the guy literally said, "I definitely wasn't running away from that...". But few people will ever know the truth so they get away with it.

 

So what both IrishDawg and Lyman are saying - and correct me if I'm wrong, the two of you - is that IrishDawg's intent of the following statement was that the Browns, having won the division, would be technical contenders by virtue of simply being in the playoffs?

Can someone clarify for me, then, how the word "should" applies in the above statement? Because either IrishDawg is unsure that winning the division gets you into the playoffs, or the context is not as the two of you are claiming it to be.

 

that's not really true. irishdawg said

the Super Bowl is a big jump from making the playoffs, which would be for the first time since 2002!! winning the division? no idea how long that's been for them. i thought Browns fans would appreciate making the playoffs. apparently they want the whole damn thing.

 

Since you asked somewhat nicely,

It is exactly what I said...the meaning of contender is a team that is in contention to go to a Super Bowl. Every team that makes the playoffs are in contention to go. It is a literal meaning, not an assumption of anything.

The intent was actually geared towards the fact I feel we will be leading the division regularly as long as Baker Mayfield is QB. That was what it was all about. Thus, if they are winning the division regularly, they are contenders when they do.

 

lol! The debate over the word "contender" has a striking familiarity about it...This isn't all that far from the "elite" discussion.

Evidently there's a grey area around both words...

I know you don't win games on paper, but I'm curious if we, as knowledgeable NFL fans, can at least agree that the Cleveland Browns look like "contenders" on paper? Because until they line-up in September, it's all talk anyway.

 

That's why you play on Sundays...a championship. Everyone should be wanting the whole damn thing. I really don't know how a simple statement turned into an argument lasting a few hours already.

 

See my last post...

 

So then why did you say, "Should"? Are you unsure as to whether or not winning the division gets you in the playoffs? Because I assumed you would be smart enough to know that, therefore I didn't take the post literally. Was I mistaken?

 

I'll be honest, I didn't realize that by typing a word, in between doing work, that I would be so intricately scrutinized as to have to explain something so little. I really didn't think it was going to spark a 3 hour argument. I will try to set aside my thoughts for several hours before typing so that I can say in just a way that EVERYONE, even you, can understand the true meaning of every word that is typed...my apologies.

 

The whole quote that was given after a direct question about the drama:

Wasn't like James is coming out and bashing his former team. Truth is, if the Steelers offered him a similar contract, he would have been back with the Steelers. I will miss him, and McDonald's injury history suggests he'll miss a game here and there and James did great filling in when he was called upon. Big target that should have been used more in the red zone. He will be missed.

Look, its been a rough offseason. Nobody wants their All-Pro WR go crazy and screw over the team that picked him in the 6th round, gave him the opportunity to become an All Pro. He killed his trade value to the point that the best WR in the game was worth a 3rd and a 5th round pick...Then see your All-Pro RB turn down a long term deal, then fail to sign his $14.5 million franchise tag, sit out the entire season all the while saying he'll show up and never does and then sign a deal worth less then the long term deal you offered him in the first place! So yes, its frustrating as hell, but on the other hand not many Steelers go elsewhere and find success. I know David Carr is a HOF QB and Ben is a bum (sarcasm) but ABs numbers may take a hit this year. Bell's running style combined with being out a year will probably mean growing pains for the Jets. He'll probably have more success catching the ball than running it, especially early. As for the Steelers, they showed Conner and Samuels replaced Bell's production so I'm not overly concerned about that. At WR, thats another question. That week 17 Bengals game was a preview for life after AB and it wasn't pretty, although James Washington finally showed up for the season to give a little hope for the future. Juju was pretty invisible and the offense was stagnant. They signed Moncrief, which should stretch the defense to give Juju, Washington and Rogers more space to work with. This is concerning, no doubt. Everybody points to Ben's 16 INTs as a huge negative but many of those were forced throws to AB. Maybe this forces him to spread the ball more and it does become a positive. Maybe he just forces it to Juju now, I truly do not know. He's not exactly the most cerebral QB out there, but he's still a franchise QB. I like that the Steelers are now an underdog again, they thrive in that situation. The Browns won the offseason so far, but there aren't any trophies for that. Can't win the title until you play the games, and they aren't going to surprise anybody this year.

 

I will say this...the Browns were drilled vs every AFC team that made the playoffs except Indy n NE(didn’t play)...let’s be honest if Lamar doesn’t fumble that ball inside the half yd line that game is 27-7 and another blowout...so looking at it that way I’m not sure their TRUE contenders but u still need to line up and play for 60 mins

 

Sooooo...you've taken it upon yourself to tell Cleveland fans what they should be happy with and what they should expect?

 

So you wanted to communicate to us all, in the first place, that the Browns would be in the playoffs if they won the AFC North?

Valuable stuff, Irish. I really appreciate your contribution.

 

To my knowledge....no one accused anyone of saying that either. Are you auditioning to be the new Captain Obvious? Because you're doing an amazing job.

All that was said is that winning the division doesn't automatically equal being a contender.

Theoretically....yes. Realistically....maybe.

For what it's worth I would say the Browns will probably be a contender next season.

But not every team that wins their division is, in my opinion.

 

Enjoy your day dline

 

Indeed.

 

Nothing.

He was making a joke. Lighten up.

 

Then I don't want to tell him my age.