By Don Delco OBR Browns Reporter Posted Sep 19, 2013 This trade has a good chance of turning out to be a positive. In fact, even now it can be viewed as a positive. Richardson is gone and that is hard to digest for a frustrated fan base. The remainder of this long season is for naught. 12 Comments The trading of Trent Richardson two weeks into the season signaled that the Browns truly don?t have any intentions of playing winning football in 2013. As a fan, it is OK to stay away. But know this, any hyperbolic statements of being done with this team is premature. For all the head-scratching non-moves the new Browns? front office made this past offseason, most of the ones they did ? mainly on defense ? seem to have been positive. This trade has a good chance of turning out to be a positive. In fact, even now it can be viewed as a positive. Richardson is gone and that is hard to digest for a frustrated fan base. The remainder of this long season is for naught. Stocking piling losses and draft picks means the Browns will target the quarterback they want in the 2014 draft and do whatever it takes to get him. And in this era of the NFL, if that quarterback turns out to be not only good, but great, the team will find itself winning a lot of games. The Browns are not going to win and win consistently until they find a quarterback. That is the fact of life in today?s NFL. Another fact is using a third overall pick on a running back generally considered not to be a wise move. If that back turns out to be on par with an Adrian Peterson, then take him third. Richardson hasn?t been anywhere near that. Peterson aside, the NFL?s top running backs are LeSean McCoy (drafted in the second round), Marshawn Lynch (12th overall), Jamaal Charles (third round), Doug Martin (31st overall), Alfred Morris (sixth round), Matt Forte (second round) and Arian Foster (undrafted free agent). You can blame the offensive line or lack of wide receiver weapons, but Peterson almost broke the single-season rushing record last year with Christian Ponder as his quarterback and the team?s top wide out, Percy Harvin, only playing nine games. Meanwhile, Richardson was plagued by the ?injury prone? status last year and it carried into the beginning of training camp. His production was also nothing that screamed third overall draft pick or game-changer. In 17 games as a pro, Richardson is averaging 3.5 yards per carry. The Browns have not won many football games since 1999. And the big reason why is they have not had a quarterback. It?s continued two games into the 2013 season. Wednesday evening?s news was the smoking gun of evidence that the Browns? brass doesn?t care about 2013. We saw signs like the idea that they need to evaluate who the core players are on this team before spending money via free agency. They CUT Brandon Jackson. Brian Hoyer is getting the start Sunday at quarterback instead of Jason Campbell. The Browns may continue to spew talking points that this team will play hard and not give up on this season. We all know they are tanking. You shouldn?t care about the final 14 games, seven of which are at home. Honestly. Do something else. Root for whoever is playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watch the Red Zone Channel guilt-free. Play golf. Plant a garden. Put an addition on the house. Don?t waste your time ? and more importantly your money ? on this team this year. It?s pointless. But also don?t give up. Yes, that No. 33 jersey you own is worthless. You?re stuck with tickets to seven more home games that no one wants to purchase? Might as well use them if you run out of toilet paper. ?We have to earn (fans?) belief and trust in the decisions we?re going to make as a group,? Browns CEO Joe Banner said. ?I don?t expect them to trust that until we prove that the trust is well placed. I understand the skepticism for now. We have to do what we think is right, move the franchise forward and get it to where we want it to be.? Next May the Browns have a chance to right a wrong. That wrong being the botched trade with St. Louis two years ago to land the No. 2 overall pick and Robert Griffin III. Who is the 2014 RG3? Well, Wednesday?s news just freed up a few hours on Sunday. Might as well spend it Saturday scouting college football and its litany of potential pro quarterbacks. Hope will return next spring with the beginning of free agency and draft season. It always does. The Browns will be in position to upgrade the roster ? and most importantly ? the quarterback position. Until then, 14 games remain. It is going to be a long season played in front of an angry, fed up, bitter, cynical and scarce fan base. This franchise deserves to be tossed aside in 2013, but keep it close. This Richardson trade could be the turning point for what Banner calls ?sustained success.?
Wednesday evening?s news was the smoking gun of evidence that the Browns? brass doesn?t care about 2013. We saw signs like the idea that they need to evaluate who the core players are on this team before spending money via free agency. They CUT Brandon Jackson. Brian Hoyer is getting the start Sunday at quarterback instead of Jason Campbell. The Browns may continue to spew talking points that this team will play hard and not give up on this season. We all know they are tanking. You shouldn?t care about the final 14 games, seven of which are at home. Honestly. Do something else. Root for whoever is playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watch the Red Zone Channel guilt-free. Play golf. Plant a garden. Put an addition on the house. Don?t waste your time ? and more importantly your money ? on this team this year. It?s pointless. But also don?t give up. Yes, that No. 33 jersey you own is worthless. You?re stuck with tickets to seven more home games that no one wants to purchase? Might as well use them if you run out of toilet paper.
Free agent Willis McGahee is in Cleveland taking a physical for the Browns. After the Browns traded Trent Richardson away to the Colts for a 2014 first-round pick Wednesday evening, they need someone to carry the ball for them the rest of the season. Chris Ogbonnaya and Bobby Rainey are the only other running backs on Cleveland's roster. McGahee worked out for the Giants last week, but he hasn't received much interest since being cut by the Broncos in June. We fully expect him to sign on with the Browns once he passes the physical.
Might as well spend it Saturday scouting college football and its litany of potential pro quarterbacks. Hope will return next spring with the beginning of free agency and draft season. It always does. The Browns will be in position to upgrade the roster ? and most importantly ? the quarterback position. Until then, 14 games remain. It is going to be a long season played in front of an angry, fed up, bitter, cynical and scarce fan base. This franchise deserves to be tossed aside in 2013, but keep it close. This Richardson trade could be the turning point for what Banner calls ?sustained success.?
I did some research on Willis McGahee; Drafted # 23 overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2003. Did not play in a single game in 2003 as he was rehabbing from a knee injury sustained in the N/C game against Ohio State. 2004: Buffalo Games played = 16 Rushing Yards = 1,128 (4.0 avg) TD's = 13 Fumbles = 3 / lost 2 Receiving Yds = 169 (7.7 avg) TD's = 0 2005: Buffalo Games played = 16 Rushing Yards = 1,247 (3.8 avg) TD's = 5 Fumbles = 1 / lost 1 Receiving Yds = 178 (6.4 avg) TD's = 0 2006: Buffalo Games played = 14 Rushing Yards = 990 (3.8 avg) TD's = 6 Fumbles = 4 / lost 2 Receiving Yds = 156 (8.7 avg) TD's = 0 2007: Baltimore Games played = 15 Rushing Yards = 1207 (4.1 avg) TD's = 7 Fumbles = 4 / lost 3 Receiving Yds = 231 (5.4 avg) TD's = 1 2008: Baltimore Games played = 13 Rushing Yards = 671 (3.9 avg) TD's = 7 Fumbles = 2 / lost 2 Receiving Yds = 173 (7.2 avg) TD's = 0 2009: Baltimore Games played = 16 Rushing Yards = 544 (5.0 avg) TD's = 12 Fumbles = 1 / lost 1 Receiving Yds = 85 (5.7 avg) TD's = 2 2010: Baltimore Games played = 15 Rushing Yards = 380 (3.8 avg) TD's = 5 Fumbles = 2 / lost 2 Receiving Yds = 55 (3.9 avg) TD's = 1 2011: Denver Games played = 15 Rushing Yards = 1,199 (4.8 avg) TD's = 4 Fumbles = 3 / lost 3 Receiving Yds = 51 (4.3 avg) TD's = 1 2012: Denver Games played = 10 Rushing Yards = 731 (4.4 avg) TD's = 4 Fumbles = 5 / lost 4 Receiving Yds = 221 (8.5 avg) TD's = 0 Clearly, his best years are behind him. Rushing yardage and TD's scored has been declining since 2009 while fumbles lost have increased. I have to wonder . . . if Willis is STILL a viable NFL running back, then why is he still on the street? Why didn't the Colts simply sign him and save their 1st round pick next year? My gut tells me we are about to sign Lt. Dan as our starting RB.
The difference is, the Colts are trying to add a weapon to a 2012/2013 playoff team...There isn't a player on the street that can a) help them now, b) be worthy of giving up something as valuable as a draft pick and c) be someone they can invest for the future with. The Browns feel (whether correct or not) that a RB can be found throughout the draft or free agency for a song. It has been argued ad nauseam that this team will never win anything without a franchise QB. I have always been an opponent to that stance, but have come to realize they were right. This regime also believes that and has stated it publicly. What is the best way to ensure you will get your pick of the litter in the draft? 1) Have the highest draft pick and 2) have the most ammunition to sweeten any deal needed to ensure you get your guy. The Browns in just about 5 months have put themselves in an absolute perfect position to be either at the top of the draft or definitely have what it takes to make an offer another franchise simply can't refuse. Right now they have (2) first round picks, one of which is sure to be top ten, possibly both...a high second round pick and (2) each in the third and fourth to add to any package they may need to put together with future draft picks. So at the very least, they come out of the May draft with their QB of choice...at most(if they end up with the #1 overall outright) they come away with that QB, another HIGHLY touted first round choice and complementary picks in the 2nd/3rd rounds...with added ammunition in the 4th to move up and grab someone they might like. Theoretically, they could package their 2nd 3rd and 4th round pick to move back into the first and get 3 top level picks, while still having picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds.. As you can see, the options are endless... Although I would have never said this before this year (I am desperate for a winning franchise) the scenario just went from probably 4-7 wins and a 5-10 draft pick, to 1-3 wins and a top 3 draft pick...We really aren't losing a whole lot in the short term, but stand to gain a lot in the long term.
I encourage all thinking fans who thirst to gain insight and understanding as to the next direction to take a long thorough read at the pieces now appearing regularly in the PD via Cleveland.com about stadium funding. The quintessential issues we haven't Dealt with since 1994 are reappearing. Hundreds of millions if not billions are coming into play on a very fast pace for these issues. Money talks. Big money dictates. The sin tax expires in 2015. Haslam wants revenue. It has been posited that Joe Banner hums "MyWay" walking around Berea's halls. I educate myself on the power play already in motion and I see the near future. The choice of FO patience vs win now will be ripped from Banner's clutch. I can't say I'm sorry. Unless this franchise wins in 2014 the ability for Haslam to maximize his investment will be extremely curtailed. The fans aka voters will not support one dime of public money to the stadium and if the issue doesn't pass by Nov 2014 the stadium coffers run dry the next business quarter. The only question is how driven is Haslam to increase revenue and how patient? His PR standing within and outside the scope of football is very poor. Only winning changes that. I am guessing Haslam isn't where he is in life financially by exercising a lot of patience. I see little chance a 5 or even 3 year plan will stay in place. This is about to get reeeealy interesting. Hear me now and believe me later but if you are a thinking fan that thirsts to stay close to where this is all going on the field stop reading the sports page & start reading the metro section.
I don't think there is a 5 or even 3 year plan...I think it is an all in one basket 2014 year plan. QB = Wins, so they are going all in to get the QB they deem their best opportunity for wins.. We have seen the formula work in Indianapolis... One year they have been to the playoffs something like 12 years in a row, lose their franchise QB and lose so bad they end up with the #1 overall pick in the draft and get the next best thing at QB, which in turn elevates them back into the playoffs. I think they have it right, you MUST get a QB and now they can, whether they win or lose in 2013..
Id like to pick up that midget by whatever hair hes still got on his skull, hang him on a hook by his jacket & use him for a punching bag
And this year people are debating on whether or not they'll have a top six pick.... Washington (with their big trade to grab their guy RG3) are 0-2, right beside the Browns... Is this going to be the same "sustainable success" we can expect? I'm sorry, but all my optimism is GONE!!! I can't take it anymore, they keep trying to sell me the "Trust us, have patience, we'll show you" and the SAME OL' SH!T YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.... They want me to tune into games? PHUQ YOU!!! I'm not wasting anymore time, if they don't care about the season, WHY SHOULD I?!?! They want me to buy t-shirt, hats, jerseys, etc.... SHOW ME WINS!!!! *Hangs Sign on Door that will be there every Sunday this season* ~GONE FISHIN'~ This goes out to Slam, Banner, and Lombardi (I hated when the brought him in... I hate it even more now) :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
By Site Staff Browns Press Release Posted Sep 19, 2013 (Joe Banner) ?I really can?t get into a critique of what?s happened in the past. I?m aware enough of it to totally understand the emotions the fans are experiencing, and the legitimacy of the question. All we can do is what we think are the best decisions to look forward and make this the best team it can be, and to position ourselves to be able to sustain that success.? 0 Comments Press conference transcript | Browns CEO Joe Banner and Head Coach Rob Chudzinski Trading Trent Richardson to Indianapolis for Colts? 2014 first-round choice Sept. 18, 2013 On whether the trade implies the Browns have given up on the 2013 season: (Joe Banner) ?I think the proof in that will come as we keep playing. I think that people are going to see that we need to play hard and prepare and do everything that we can every week. Coach is going to do everything that he can to support that. I think they?ll see as we go out on the field that that is not the case.? On what kind of pick they hope to get from the Colts, considering the team was 10-6 last year and likely to play well this season: (Joe Banner) ?Well, that remains to be seen. They?re 1-1 and there?s 14 games to go. I think it?s reasonable to expect that they?re a good team. But we?ll see how the year goes.? On whether Trent Richardson fit into the Rob Chudzinski/Norv Turner offense, and whether the trade reflected that notion: (Rob Chudzinski) ?No, not at all. It really had nothing to do with Trent from that standpoint.? On whether this means the Browns are now in position to select a championship-caliber quarterback: (Joe Banner) ?I don?t want to tip our hands about what we?re going to do or prioritize in doing, but I think it puts us in a very good position to have made some real progress with the team this offseason, to be in very good cap shape going into next season. We have accumulated those picks. I think we?re positioning ourselves to build that kind of team that is good and sustainable that we have talked about.? On clarifying the earlier question about whether the trade means that Richardson doesn?t fit the offense: (Rob Chudzinski) ?Well, the question was whether he fit the offense. It really has nothing to do with Trent from that standpoint. The opportunity as an organization was there for us to have a chance to get better, ultimately, and I felt like it was the right decision overall.? On whether he has to sell the players in the locker room that the team hasn?t given up on the season: (Rob Chudzinski) ?No. The group that we have in that locker room is an extremely competitive group. These guys understand the business aspect of football. I?m a competitive guy and I expect that we?ll have the same expectations, we?ll have the same goals and we?re going to play every week to win every week. Nothing has changed from that standpoint.? On what the plans are for the running-back position: (Rob Chudzinski) ?We have Chris Ogbonnaya and Bobby Rainey right now.? On acquiring RB Wills McGahee: (Joe Banner) ?I don?t want to go beyond that he?s coming in tomorrow for a physical. We?ll see how that goes.? On explaining to fans when the team will win: (Joe Banner) ?I really can?t get into a critique of what?s happened in the past. I?m aware enough of it to totally understand the emotions the fans are experiencing, and the legitimacy of the question. All we can do is what we think are the best decisions to look forward and make this the best team it can be, and to position ourselves to be able to sustain that success.? On how long the trade has been in the pipeline: (Joe Banner): ?The first conversation was yesterday.? On whether the trade potentially comes too early in the season: (Joe Banner)?As Coach just said, this was more about the moment that presented itself based on the situation the Colts found themselves in. It wasn?t something where we could say, ?Can you wait three weeks and let us think about this or learn more?? We had to decide whether we thought it was a move that would make us better, and we had to make that decision now. We decided to move forward.? On whether the Colts initiated the trade: (Joe Banner) ?I don?t want to get into the specifics of how everything happened, but we obviously ended up engaging in conversations and ending up agreeing to a deal.? On willingness to conduct more trades: (Joe Banner) ?I don?t think we?re looking to do that. I don?t think that is the plan. At the same time, I don?t think any team in the league would say anything different if something presented itself that they thought made them better, you?d listen. But I think we feel good about where we?re at and moving forward now.? On whether this trade signifies that the team is turning the page on the 2012 draft: (Joe Banner) ?We?re trying to look forward, and what can we do, what opportunities present themselves or can we create that will make us the best team that we can be going forward?? On message to skeptical fans: (Joe Banner) ?We have to earn their belief and trust in the decisions we?re going to make as a group, and I don?t expect them to trust that until we prove that the trust is well placed. So, I understand the skepticism for now. We have to do what we think is right, move the franchise forward and get it to where we want it to be.? On adjusting to a new starting quarterback and running back: (Rob Chudzinski) ?That?s football. You deal with those things, whether they are injuries or a trade in this case. You work your way through the season. Like I said before, I believe in this group, I believe in the guys in the locker room, and I believe that the next guy will step up and we?ll find a way and do what we need to do to win.? On confidence in the personnel staff building a team, considering the number of picks: (Joe Banner) ?I?m very confident in the group of people who will be involved in that, which will include the coaches and the player-personnel department. Like every team, you?ll hit on some picks, you?ll miss on some picks; we?ll be human. But I think collectively, we?ll do a good job of it. I like to refer to it as having a better batting average than other teams. Eventually, that produces a winning team.? On Richardson?s value compared to the first-round selection received: (Joe Banner) ?Again, I just think as we looked forward to what we need to get accomplished, we felt this was good value and gave us an opportunity to accomplish what we want to as we go forward.? On whether the Browns expect Richardson to play better with the Colts given the quality of players around him: (Joe Banner) ?I just think Trent?s a really good player, so I think he would have done really well here, and I think he?s going to do really well there. That?s at least my opinion.? On running backs available, including RB Willis McGahee: (Joe Banner) ?There are some options out there. As I said, we?re bringing McGahee in, and we?ll see how that goes, but there are some options out there we can bring in for the short term.? On selecting a long-term running back in the middle or late rounds of the draft rather than early rounds: (Joe Banner) ?We?ll have to see how that goes.? On whether the NFL trending toward a passing league affected the decision: (Joe Banner) ?You factor in everything, but again, this is really I feel that the value we?re getting back in terms of what we?re trying to do going forward made this a thing that we wanted to do.? On potentially trading Brandon Weeden: (Joe Banner) ?We?re not looking to make any additional trades, so I don?t want to get into that speculation.? On whether the Browns made the trade after projecting Richardson?s as a No. 3 overall selection that wouldn?t give them the necessary years due to injuries: (Joe Banner) ?I think we?ve both said that this wasn?t something negative about Trent, as much as it was the value we think we got in terms of what we feel we need to do to move the franchise forward and get it to where we need it to be, and that we thought that the (running back) position does well to do that.? On whether Chudzinski has had an opportunity to address the team regarding the trade: (Rob Chudzinski) ?It happened after they all had left, so we?ll talk first thing in the morning. I have reached out to the captains, though.? On whether Chudzinski expects any negative reaction from the players: (Rob Chudzinski) ?No, I don?t. The way these are, how committed they are, I expect them to understand and move on.? On clarifying that Chudzinski had reached out to the captains (Joe Thomas, D?Qwell Jackson and Quentin Groves), and their reaction: (Rob Chudzinski) ?Yes. They were surprised at first, but they understand. Like I said, they understand the business of this, that, ?Hey, we need to go,? and it doesn?t change anything from an expectation standpoint for us.? On whether Chudzinski has reached Richardson: (Rob Chudzinski) ?I have not. We?ve been trying. We?ve been back and forth, trying to catch each other, but I?ll be able to do that later on tonight.? On whether Richardson had left the facility prior to learning of the trade: (Rob Chudzinski) ?Yes.? On whether Richardson?s recent desire to get more touches persuaded the Browns to make the trade: (Rob Chudzinski) ?Not at all. Not at all. You want guys who want the ball.? On whether this trade sends a message in the locker room that they need to play better: (Rob Chudzinski) ?It may. Obviously, that wasn?t the purpose of that, but again, I think that the guys will respond positively overall, and we?ll be ready for the game on Sunday. Nothing?s changed from that standpoint.? On whether the team would?ve still made the trade had it started 2-0 or 1-1: (Joe Banner) ?That?s hard to know. I think we would?ve stayed true to the principle of if we felt the value was good and helped us get where we?re trying to get to, we would have. But since we didn?t get put in that situation, I can?t tell you for sure.? On whether the team has spoken to Richardson?s agent: (Joe Banner) ?We?ve reached Trent, and we?ve reached his agent. Chud has been trying to connect with (Trent). Mike Lombardi spoke to (Trent), and we both (Banner and Lombardi) spoke to his agent.?
Hangs Sign on Door that will be there every Sunday this season* i will find something else to do this season .its phuqued up that you wait all year for football season only for it to be done after week two . i have ZERO faith or TRUST in this regime .. APATHY is the motto for the rest of this lost season . at least i didnt fork out a kings ransom on season tickets then i would really be pissed . Banner reminds me of Hitler .he is about the same size all 5-4 of the little bastard with a huge ego and no class ..you dont trade a guy and then not tell him . he hears it on the radio first ??? that will not set well with the lockeroom .i dont blame the players if they do quit on them this year . SCREW EM!
I know it's been brutal since the Browns returned to the NFL in 99, but the bottom line is; You just can't blame Haslam, Banner and Lombardi for all of it. These guys have only been here for one year! Not all 14.... As a fan, I understand the frustration, but all the misplaced blame is ridiculous. These guys are trying to fix a franchise that I think we can all agree, was a complete mess....All indications are that the 2014 draft is going to be among the strongest in a long long time. Clearly, the new brass thinks that way. This new regime has been gearing up for it since they arrived....We'll see what happens. They've made some bold moves in the short time they've been here. I think they definately have a plan, and obviously a vision of how they want to build this franchise...Just because it isn't popular with the fans, doesn't mean it's not the right thing to do. Jerry Jones made some really unpopular moves in Dallas when he took over in the late 80's. He got rid of a legendary head coach in Tom Landry and replaced him with Jimmy Johnson. Then they promply traded away the team's best and most popular player in Hershel Walker...Fans were irate! But we all know how the story ended, as the Cowboys became the "team of the 90's" and brought home a bunch of hardware... All I'm saying is, I realize it's tough for Browns fans to be patient, but what else can we do? This isn't an easy fix... Did anybody really think that this would happen overnight? This new regime will be held accountable, but lets give them a chance before we lop their heads off.....
you guys are acting like we gave away Adrian Peterson for a sack of peanuts. Everyone was ready to cheer on a 5 win team with Trent on it, and now it may be a 3-4 win team without him. That is not much of a difference. Irish said it right...it is a 2014 plan. I think Trent may have just been a square peg on our roster and now was his maximum value. His stats are replaceable. You cant look as he was a #3 pick and could possibly, some day put up great numbers. The fact is that he has looked slow. He obviously isnt trusted to pick up the blitz bc he doesnt play on third down. If we were to go through the year and he had another stellar 3.5 ypc for the season and we tried to trade him then we could WISH for such a pick. As men we are supposed to be able to compartmentalize and everyone is lumping this group in with AL and his constant desire to please whiney fans. Alot say we blew this draft...going back to ID, we're planning for 2014. This was not a deep draft, next year is supposed to the deepest in a long time. Hell, we could end up turning that 5 and 4 into a 1st or 2nd (with more ammo) but that would be well worth it. we need to think big picture. Support Brian Hoyer, break out the dog biscuits and get back to what we all love.
I don't understand the optimism anymore... I really don't... New Owner, New GM, New Coach, same BULLSH!T!!! Trying to sell us a brighter tomorrow!!! Well I'm done.... They can contact me when it's a brighter TODAY, tomorrow never seems to get here!!! A new coach/GM comes in here every few years, blows the place up, and blows the "it's a process/we're headed in the right direction/just be patient and trust us" smoke up our collective behinds and we're all to quick to drink the Kool-Aid, not me, not anymore.... Duff, close out my tab, I'm done drinking the SH!T they're serving out of Berea!!! They can't sell me a brighter tomorrow anymore.... :-*
I understand where JYD is coming from, as a Rams fan we were also told year after year, we got a hang on this thing. The next year it was a poor draft and 2-14 again. 5 years running, the worst record in a 5 year stretch ever. With Fisher and Snead coming in they threw RGIII to the Skins for picks, wheeled and dealed with remaining picks and settled on a 7-8-1 team last year. I truely believe that if they didn't do that trade, they would still be a 4-12 or 5-11 team but now although they are in a tough division with the 49ers and Seahawks, they seem to be getting better. The Browns did something yesterday that at first I said what the f*** but in looking at it, if Weeden isn't the guy, which he probably isn't, they were going to take another QB anyway and why not ship Richardson for more of a new start for 5-6 or 7 guys to grow together? Not easy to swallow but does make sense. A Johnny football or Bridgewater would vitalize the organization and the future. We know the draft is a crap shoot but if that is the plan, better have every scout you can get out there on Saturdays watching for the Browns future.
It?s been a bumpy ride Lounge Houndz I?ll buy one last round before getting off this bus once and for all. *DRINK* I?ve made it no secret about my feelings/opinion for Banner and Lombatard. So far they?ve done nothing to change that. I DO NOT believe Joe and Chud when they say they are still trying to win games. IMHO That is nothing but a bunch of phuqing male bovine feces. They say they are building for a sustainable future. What do they mean by sustainable? I don?t believe it. *NO* Irish/TD, thanks for doing your best to help the rest of us see the positive in this mess, but I?m out. It will not matter EVER who the QB is if the FO doesn?t work on building an O-line. I?m not talking about having 2-3 guys like Thomas, Mack and Schwartz, then filling the remaining 4-6 O-line slots with castoffs and has beens. It takes 6-8 starting caliber guys that can open holes for running game or prevent the QB from getting killed every play. (11-sacks in 2 games so far)? As of right now the Browns Roster DOES NOT HAVE THAT. So far it seems that Lombatard and Banner wanted all along to make the current QB situation look as bad as they possible could so they could justify throwing in the towel on the season and position themselves to select ?their? guy. I don?t believe for one minute that they want to win a single game this year. Good luck Mr Hoyer, it looks as if you?ll be running for your life this year, only to be replaced with Lombatards new toy in 2014, 2015, 2016?etc. If it is All-In in the 2014 draft, they?d better hope that by Jan 2015 they have a 11+ win season rolling and by March 2015 putting a SB trophy in the case. I sincerely doubt that it will happen, but that?s what it is going to take to restore any faith I ever had in the Browns. So until the Browns WIN, yes win, a super bowl, not win the division, make it to the playoffs, or make it to the SB, but WIN the SUPER BOWL, I will not believe in any of the crap that spews from Banner or Lombatards lips. Oh Yeah why isn?t Lombatard at these pressers? Is it because they know that the press will likely eat him alive? Have a great season. If you can? Once again the only thing Browns fans have to look forward to is the draft. And all I can think of right now is whoever the #1 QB pick for the Browns is in May 2014, is going to be the next Tim Couch. Hangs sign on Chair? Space for rent. Super cheap. Gone to the lake? Gone to the woods? Anywhere but where there?s a Browns game on. I might be back next spring? *BYE*
I agree Crex, this is going to be the second longest season in my 42 years (1995 was worse)... But what I don't agree with anymore is that you can do this thing without a franchise QB, history just does not follow that theory..I have blindly said they could do it year in and year out because of this excuse or that excuse...Then you look at the teams that are vying for the Super Bowl every year and the "O-Line is the most important piece" makes no sense. The Packers have notoriously had a terrible line, yet they are there whether it is Brett Favre or Aaron Rogers Peyton Manning has had a good center in his career, but otherwise has always had a lackluster line The Patriots never take linemen, (only 2 in the last 13 drafts taken in the first round) the Browns have taken 3 in that same amount of time and it hasn't changed anything...They merely plug in retreads and go deep in the playoffs. The Giants always used to have strong O-Lines, then they went out and got a QB, the line went to hell and they win two Super Bowls. None of these teams have 5 first round draft picks anchoring their line, what they do have is a QB that will make everyone on the team better.
Irish, please don't misunderstand me. I'm not pulling for 5 first round slections on the O-line. It would be nice, but you're right. That's not really how it needs to or should be done. Quality guys can be found in the 3rd and 4th rounds, sometimes a gem or two is found later. The FO and scouting dept need to do a better job of finding them. What I'm trying to get at is that with only 3 NFL starting caliber(not first round picks) linemen it wont matter who the Browns QB is he will not be able to do the things he is supposed to while trying to avoid the guys like Harrison, Suggs, Ware, Von Miller, Atkins, etc, and so on. If the QB is running for his life on every play how can he make good decisions on his throws?
I saw somewhere that the good QBs on average get rid of the ball in under 2.5 seconds on the majority of their throws. The average QB gets rid of the ball around 3 seconds regularly The failing QB gets rid of the ball over 2.5 seconds on the majority of his throws THAT is the difference between good, average and bad QBs...Oh yeah...Weeden was in the latter, as was Jason Campbell. Hoyer on the other hand fell into the middle category...I will look for it, I read it last night and post a link.
