One dark night outside a small town in Minnesota, a fire started inside the local chemical plant and in a blink of an eye it exploded into massive flames. The alarm went out to all the fire departments for miles around. When the volunteer fire fighters appeared on the scene, the chemical company president rushed to the fire chief and said, "All our secret formulas are in the vault in the center of the plant. They must be saved. I will give $50,000 to the fire department that brings them out intact." But the roaring flames held the firefighters off. Soon more fire departments had to be called in as the situation became desperate. As the firemen arrived, the president shouted out that the offer was now $100,000 to the fire department who could bring out the company's secret files. From the distance, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came into sight. It was the nearby Norwegian rural township volunteer fire company composed mainly of Norwegians over the age of 65. To everyone's amazement, that little run-down fire engine roared right past all the newer sleek engines that were parked outside the plant. Without even slowing down it drove straight into the middle of the inferno. Outside, the other firemen watched as the Norwegian old timers jumped off right in the middle of the fire fought it back on all sides. It was a performance and effort never seen before. Within a short time, the Norske old timers had extinguished the fire and had saved the secret formulas. The grateful chemical company president announced that for such a superhuman feat he was upping the reward to $200,000, and walked over to personally thank each of the brave fire fighters. The local TV news reporter rushed in to capture the event on film, asking their chief, "What are you going to do with all that money?" "Vell," said Ole Larsen, the 70-year-old fire chief, "Da first thing ve gonna do is fix da brakes on dat focking truck!?
I hear you Loud and Clear there TD. 2, 3, 5, 8 (yes Dilfer, leave me alone), 10, 16, 34(T-Rich for the bust!), 95. I can't remember the rest off the top of my head. I quit buying jerseys because every time I do the dude leaves that same year or the next, with the exception of Cribbs. I'm afraid to buy a throwback, the team might leave again!
Isaiah Crowell (hip) did not practice Wednesday. The Browns are "hopeful" Crowell will be able to play Week 14 against the Colts, but this explains their signing of RB Shaun Draughn on Wednesday. If Crowell can't play, we'd imagine Terrance West would start. Stay tuned for updates on The Crow. We'd like to see him back at practice Thursday.
The Browns just got a break! Haloti Ngata has been suspended for the rest of the regular season under the NFL's Drug Policy. The Ravens' run stuffer admitted to taking Adderall and got whacked with a 4 game suspension. He will not be playing against the browns in week 17.
Joe I too would go with Mathews! Im keeping him in my league. Its a keeper auction league and I got Mathews off the waiver wire for a million. Him or Rodgers who cost me $50 million in a $235 million cap. But get a Mathews jersey.
Isaiah Crowell (hip) is expected to practice Thursday. Despite sitting out Wednesday's session, Crowell is on track to suit up for Sunday's crucial home game against the Colts. He's definitely a RB2 candidate, as Indy can be smashed in the mouth via power runs and Terrance West is in the doghouse for fumbling. OC Kyle Shanahan will want to take a run-heavy approach if possible in an effort to keep Andrew Luck off the field. Source: Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter
BEREA, Ohio ? Brian Hoyer seems at his best when all margin for error is removed and the clock ticks toward the final seconds. We've seen it in victory against the Vikings, Saints, Titans and Falcons and even in defeat in the season opener against the Steelers. So maybe Hoyer takes some comfort in knowing his career as a Browns' starting quarterback has been reduced to a two-minute drill. He needs to rally a team he's led to an improbable 7-5 record on Sunday against the Colts or it's likely game over. "I've been through a lot, and it's just one more thing to handle some adversity," Hoyer said. "It only makes you stronger. (We're) getting ready for Indy and back to business as usual." The Browns made the right call Wednesday in giving Hoyer one more chance to keep them in playoff contention despite three consecutive poor outings that culminated with his benching in the fourth quarter of a 26-10 loss to the Bills. Common sense and little precedence for exposing a rookie quarterback to a must-win environment conspired against Johnny Manziel. But there's a feeling of inevitability surrounding the Browns' quarterback situation. Lose Sunday to Andrew Luck and the playoff-bound Colts and we probably see Manziel installed as starter no later than Dec. 21 in Carolina. If the Browns fall out of the postseason race they owe it to themselves to see what Manziel offers beyond his mop-up performance against the Bills, which included an 80-yard touchdown drive and a rookie mistake that -- except for the grace of video review -- would have resulted in a comical Bills' touchdown. Manziel entered the league being likened to Robert Griffin III, which at the time was meant as a compliment. Many are anxious to see what the No. 22 overall pick can provide the Browns besides millions in merchandise sales. He's an exciting talent and he offered a glimpse of it in Buffalo. But Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, with so much riding on the outcome and so many key players potentially missing, is not the place to start a rookie with 18 NFL snaps. Especially when center Ryan Seymour might make his first NFL start. While it's true the Niners went to youngster Colin Kaepernick ahead of Alex Smith two years ago in a postseason chase, it was originally out of necessity, not choice. Kaepernick proved he was capable and Jim Harbaugh rolled with him to the Super Bowl. The Browns have a choice and left tackle Joe Thomas was one of several veterans who lobbied for the embattled incumbent. "When you start throwing guys out there and seeing what they can do, the message is: 'We're already playing for next year. We don't think necessarily that we can get to the playoffs this year anymore,'" Thomas said. Hoyer has overcome so much, including seemingly half his hometown rooting for him to fail so Manziel can play. Is there another example of such a scenario in sports? But the starter has earned his criticism in recent weeks, throwing six interceptions to one touchdown in the last three games. The offense hasn't been the same since All-Pro center Alex Mack broke his leg on Oct. 12 and the quarterback rarely has been able to rise above the adversity. Without a dependable running game, which went down with Mack, Hoyer has been too ordinary too often. His completion percentage (56.2) and passer rating (79.9) have dropped to among the league's worst. Hoyer has been gifted a league-leading 17 turnovers in the last seven games by his defense and transformed them into just three touchdowns. He couldn't capitalize on glorious field position after a Joe Haden interception at the Bills' 30 gave the Browns an opportunity to take a 10-0 lead. The Bills had so little fear of the Browns' offense they went for it on a fourth-and-3 from the Cleveland 37 midway through the third quarter and trailing by only a field goal in a game they had to win. With Kyle Orton as their quarterback. Short of leading the Browns into the playoffs it's hard to imagine Hoyer, an unrestricted free agent, returning next season. He's done a nice job getting the Browns to seven victories ? he's had plenty of help, too ? in a season many did not expect them to win five games. But his play is faltering and having thrown only one touchdown pass in the last 45-plus drives, Hoyer needs to play well against the potent Colts. Otherwise, the Browns brain trust probably will convene another meeting about the starting quarterback job in the next week and we all know how it will end.
I just saw on yahoo that Jay Gruden is done with RG3. I have to admit. I haven't really watched a lot of him except on ESPN. I think you guy's already chatted about this but what if we let Hoyer go and make a run at RG3? He does know the offense from Shanny. So its not like bringing in another rookie QB. I definately know he is more athletic than Hoyer and much,much,much younger. Now if the Skins cut him, he has to sign a new deal right? I know they have to give him his money owed. I also know he is injury prone. Most mobile QB are. I also saw that Hoyer is pissed about being benched and as of right now doesn't want to come back here. C ya! But anyways I would feel much better talent wise with RG3 than Hoyer. I haven't seen or done the numbers yet but to me that's a way to upgrade your roster. Gruden is a West Coast Guy! Just like John, just like Bill Walsh and just like Holmgren. They all are from Walsh's tree. McCoy is a WCO qb so he will do alright there. RG3 is part of this new breed of QB's. Not Gruden's type. I say we flip some rocks on him. See what it will cost.
OC Norv Turner confirmed that Charles Johnson is his starting "X" receiver. Sharp owners that have been following snap counts already knew this. Over the last two weeks, Johnson has played on 97.4 percent of the snaps while demoted Cordarrelle Patterson has been in for 30.2 percent. Johnson, a size/speed talent whose Week 13 box score was limited by poor game flow, is a sneaky WR3 option Sunday against the Jets' atrocious secondary. Rex Ryan's bunch, on a short week off a rugged MNF loss with a lame duck coach, figures to mail it in. the same guy we signed last year off the Packers PS even though he was damaged goods . refresh my memory was he cut or on our PS and the Vikings plucked him off there ?
RG3 is part of this new breed of QB's. Not Gruden's type. I say we flip some rocks on him. See what it will cost. this new breed of QB is a crap shoot . gimme a guy who can stand tall in the pocket make his reads and throws . not a one of them has panned out yet . your best QB'S are still named Brady , Manning , Big Ben , Luck & Rodgers ..Luck , Rogers & big Ben can all scramble if need be . RGIII is a diva no thanks . let some other team deal with his attitude .
Team RSS Feed Chris Borland named NFL defensive rookie of the monthDecember 4, 2014, 10:23 AM EST In a perfect world, the 49ers might not have seen much of Chris Borland this year. But his play over the last month has helped them withstand losing linebacker Patrick Willis to a toe injury. The third-round pick from Wisconsin was named the NFL?s defensive rookie of the month for November, after a brilliant stretch of? when we talked about ILB last year I really really wanted this Borland for the Browns .he is playing at a very high level .
Colts return man Josh Cribbs has big plans if he scores Sunday against his old team in Cleveland. "If I had the opportunity to score, I would jump in the Dawg Pound to hug those guys who helped create me and helped give me the strength and the motivation to become what I am today," Cribbs told reporters Wednesday, per the Akron Beacon Journal. Cribbs is kidding himself. Scoring would mean that (a) he's returned a huge kick for what promises to be a game-altering touchdown while (b) sinking a knife into the chest of Cleveland's scant playoff hopes. Leaping into a beer-fueled Dawg Pound is not going to lead to hugs and kisses. We promise. Cribbs doesn't see it that way. "It definitely won't be the case when (former Bengals wideout) Chad Ochocinco tried to jump in the stands having no personal ties in Cleveland. I've only gotten positive feedback from the fans happy to see me back at it. They know I tried to play for the Browns." Cribbs has looked reborn in two games with the Colts, piling up 220 return yards at 31.4 yards per try -- and not including an 82-yard touchdown called back by penalty. After begging the Browns to resign him to save their sorry return unit, Cleveland's one-time hero has a chance to show them they should never have let him go. Jumping into the Dawg Pound, though? Still a bad idea. Trich & Cribbs both talk of jumping into the pound ? if either one of those two nitwits score I hope they get stonewalled or deboned *ROSE*
sure did . splinters in his ass from riding the pine ..case in point . give me a QB that stays in the pocket but still has some mobility if and only if he need it .
I was thinking about the benching of Hoyer last week, and it occured to me that Hoyer has had worse performances (sad to say). Was the personal embarassment of this happeining in Buffalo, part of the reason? Hoyer's first half looked like he moved the team pretty well, and it appears that the INT in the first half was at least arguably on Gordon, more than Hoyer. His 3rd quarter was truly weak, but again no worse than some of the other clunkers he's had. Not really arguing the Johnny move so much as looking into the mind of our HC, upon returning to his former team's stadium. I mention it because after all the fallout, he goes back to Hoyer, which I believe is the right move "this week", but it makes me wonder if the "level headed analysis" following the game, to decide on this week's starter, was absent during a game that had to be "personal" for Pettine. Soap Opera stuff, I know, but it crossed my mind, and I figured the Lounge was where to empty my thoughts.
Ken- I think he got benched against Buffalo since: (1) We're in the middle of the playoff race and he was simply atrocious (2) He's been in decline the last 3-5 weeks (3) To send a message to Hoyer to get it together or they WILL start the rookie if need be (4) He's the guy who has led us to a record of 7-5 but the job isn't done and there is lots of football to play and lots of football to base a new contract on (5) To send a message to the rest of the team that they need to step up their play a few notches and that even the QB who got them this far isn't immune to riding the pine. Don't think Pettine was pissed at losing to his old team or took it personally. I'm sure he would have loved to beat his old team. But, I think it was how the Browns lost to his old team. Sure the JAX game was probably the worst game of the year, but the Browns were leading 3-0 against the Bills and actually doing a pretty good job when the bottom just dropped out. They just completely folded in all aspects in a "must win game".
BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Gordon has a respectable 195 receiving yards since returning to the Browns from a 10-game suspension for failing the NFL's drug policy. But Gordon's timing has been off with quarterback Brian Hoyer, resulting in three interceptions on passes thrown his way despite a team-high 29 targets in two games. Gordon admits mastering first-year Browns coordinator Kyle Shanahan's offense is taking time. The terminology is different from Norv Turner's sets for Gordon last season, when the Pro Bowl player averaged nearly 118 yards per game. "You have to master your offense that we're running here," Gordon said. "When you do that, you think a lot less and you move a lot faster. That's really the point I'm trying to get to. I'd like for it to be second nature, for me not to even think about it. I can hear half the play in the huddle and know what to do. But it's not like that right now." Gordon was able to attend team meetings during his suspension but couldn't observe position coach meetings, where players learn the nuances of the scheme. The verbiage with some offensive plays has changed slightly since training camp, Gordon said. A prime example of the disconnect came on Hoyer's first interception against Buffalo, when Gordon cut to the sideline but Hoyer threw inside, toward safety Da'Norris Searcy, who was waiting for the ball without a receiver in sight. The loss of receiver Miles Austin to an abdominal injury accentuates the Browns' need for Gordon, who does everything coaches ask and works hard, Shanahan said. He can do more. "[With Josh] it's more about being more consistent, down in and down out, a grind, being a dog out there, competing for everything," Shanahan said. "I think a lot of things with Josh his whole life, because of how talented he is, has come pretty easily. It's nothing as far as a lack of effort. It's just more you have to be constantly challenging him. I don't think he's been challenged a ton throughout his life. If I was as talented as him, I probably wouldn't be very stressed out either. It's our job to keep him like that so he's on it every play." Gordon on Thursday addressed the perception he doesn't go hard every play. "I definitely think I push it just about every play I get out there," Gordon said. "Maybe it's just the way it looks. I look like I'm going slow. But trust me, I'm not. But I definitely think there's a lot more for me to get from the game."
Duff bro you are right on man. The one that stuck out to me is the 7-5 record one. From the moment JM was drafted Haslem has seen money signs and not the signal JM does either. We all including him saw what Hoyer brought to the table barring injury. Bottom line is he won. The hole NFL world knew we needed a young future QB. Most experts had us taking either JM, Carr, Bridgewater and Bortles with that #4 pick. Haslem let Farmer make that trade and let him get his guy. Then the draft was going and there was Johnny Football. Haslem runs a billion dollar company. He is a good business man. He knew the biggest splash in this draft would be JM. He knew he needed a QB. So he made the call to Farmer to make the trade and GET JOHNNY FOOTBALL. Now what happened after that? 2300 season tickets sold CHA-CHING, Browns are talk of the draft CHA-CHING, Manziels jersey is the NFL's top selling jersey CHA-CHING! Next is the positive media circus CHA-CHING, On the cover of every sports mag. CHA-CHING!, Top story on every sports network CHA-CHING! All of the sudden with that 1 draft pick the cash register hasn't stopped ringing. For Haslem the business owner and Browns owner he hit pay dirt, struck gold in them there hills! Fast forward to the season. There was no competition. From what they seen of Hoyer last year if he was healthy he was going to play. To that point he deserved it. He looked good, we were wining and he was protecting the ball. Unlike the 1st part of the year was turning the ball over, looked horrible and turned the ball over. Face it fellas, against the Bills our offense looked flat. Hoyer continued to struggle and in came Manziel. 80 yards, 10 plays and TOUCHDOWN! Say what you want but he nor the offense looked flat! SPARK LIT! I dont care what anyone says but Hoyer sulked up like a girl when JM ran that ball in. After throwing BB's and marching down the field. I even read on other sites that Hoyer may not resign with the Browns. Remember he wants to start! He petitioned to yahoo sports that his record of 10-5 isn't bad! That tells me Hoyer is feeling the heat. He knows this is his main chance to start and make that starting QB money! He is getting more defensive than Farve with Rodgers! This game is another must win! The Browns are right now making Hoyer perform! He and the team saw what JM brings to the table. Will he sink or swim? The Browns really have nothing to lose but a 30 year old backup, journeyman QB. Or he performs and they win! Genius really! Just like a true business man.
