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Do IT this week: Layering
Organizers believe message has been sent about fan frustration
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009
CLEVELAND: Longtime season-ticket holders Mike ''Dawg Pound'' Randall and Tony ''Mobile Dawg'' Schafer had hoped their fellow Browns fans would follow their lead and skip the opening kickoff of Monday night's game in an attempt to send a message to Browns owner Randy Lerner.
The results were mixed.
When Browns kicker Phil Dawson lined up to kick the ball to Baltimore Ravens return man Ladarius Webb after the Ravens won the opening toss, Cleveland Browns Stadium appeared to be about three-quarters full.
However, particularly full and raucous as usual was the Dawg Pound, one of the main groups the protesting pair were targeting. A sign that read ''True fans are here from start to finish'' gave a glimpse of what Randall and Schafer were in for when they finally arrived in their seats after kickoff, as loud boos and angry words rained down on them.
''Can't change things overnight,'' Randall said via text message. ''But it's a start to getting our team back.''
Schafer was even more positive.
''It went great!,'' he said via text message. ''[We] had a ton of supporters and plenty of empty seats at kickoff.''
Sign of the times
Another interesting homemade sign on display at the game was one already looking forward to next year. It read: ''Gruden, we're hiring.''
The sign was an attempt to entice Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden, who currently works as as an analyst for ESPN Monday Night Football, to come to Cleveland. However, there are two reasons why that won't happen now.
First, Browns coach Eric Mangini has not been fired. Although that's still a possibility when the season is over, Gruden signed a contract extension with ESPN Monday morning.
He said it
On Football Night in America Sunday, Sports Illustrated senior reporter Peter King was quoted as saying Browns owner Randy Lerner is close to bringing in a highly respected voice from the outside.
''I think that fairly soon the Cleveland Browns are probably going to make an offer to Mike Holmgren to be that football czar,'' King said.
Rough times
Kellen Winslow Jr. had been quiet since suiting up for his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quietly and successfully going about his business on the field. But the former Browns tight end recently opened up to the Tampa Tribune, admitting to the newspaper that he had suicidal thoughts after his motorcycle accident in Cleveland.
''I really thought of suicide, man, to be honest,'' Winslow told the Tribune. ''But my wife was right at my side, my family was right there. Because I was told I was never going to play again. I was miserable. I didn't want to do anything. I didn't want to live anymore. What am I going to do? My dream was gone . . . but I didn't let it be.''
Big brother
The Associated Press reported that the NFL Players Association is planning to meet with Browns players this week to talk about coach Eric Mangini's practices. A person at the union, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity, said the union is investigating what's been going on in Cleveland this season because of concerns about health and safety.
Two Browns players have been injured during post-practice drills Mangini calls ''opportunity periods.'' A member of the Browns' practice squad, defensive end Keith Grennan, hurt his knee on one such drill last week. Rookie running back James Davis went on injured reserve last month with a season-ending shoulder injury.
Although the NFL examined the Davis situation and determined the Browns did not violate any league policies, last week Browns veteran running back Jamal Lewis said he thought Mangini was tiring out his players by overworking the Browns. A day later, Lewis blamed the media for exaggerating his complaints.
Out of time
The Ravens ran through their allotted three timeouts in the first half with 8:45 still remaining in the first quarter. The Ravens burned their first timeout when coach John Harbaugh challenged a 14-yard Jamal Lewis run, thinking the veteran running back fumbled the ball before being brought down. But after the review, the call on the field stood. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco then used the final two timeouts in a span of three plays on the Ravens' next possession as the Browns defense showed multiple fronts that confused the Ravens' offense.
Local connection
Former Cleveland St. Edward football standout and Ravens special teamer Haruki Nakamura suffered a broken ankle on the opening kickoff. Play was halted for several minutes as Nakamura writhed in pain on the field, an air cast was placed on his ankle and he was eventually carted off.
Zastudil and Ngata out
Two big names highlighted the inactive list before Monday night's action got under way. The Browns were without punter Dave Zastudil and the Ravens were missing defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.
Defensive tackle Justin Bannan started in place of Ngata, the Ravens' top run stopper. Zastudil was replaced by free-agent punter Reggie Hodges, who was signed Sunday.
Originally selected in the sixth round of the 2005 draft by the St. Louis Rams, Hodges signed with the Tennessee Titans in late September and appeared in four games with the Titans this season. In that span, he had 22 punts for 868 yards with a 39.5-yard average before he was waived Oct. 27. Hodges, a first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection from Ball State University, has played 24 career NFL games, with the St. Louis Rams (2005), Philadelphia Eagles (2005), New York Jets (2008) and the Titans (2009).
More inactives
The Browns and Ravens each had eight players inactive. In addition to Zastudil, the Browns also played without quarterback Brett Ratliff, defensive back Coye Francies, linebacker Alex Hall, offensive lineman Billy Yates, tight ends Greg Estandia and Michael Gaines, and receiver Chansi Stuckey.
In addition to Ngata, the Ravens were also without quarterback John Beck, running backs Matt Lawrence and Jalen Parmele, outside linebacker Antwan Barnes, tackle Oniel Cousins, guard/tackle Tony Moll and nose tackle Kelly Talavou.
Brownies
Tight end Steve Heiden caught a 9-yard pass from quarterback Brady Quinn for a first down during the Browns' second possession. Heiden injured his ankle and did not play the rest of the first half.
Stephanie Storm can be reached
at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
CLEVELAND: Longtime season-ticket holders Mike ''Dawg Pound'' Randall and Tony ''Mobile Dawg'' Schafer had hoped their fellow Browns fans would follow their lead and skip the opening kickoff of Monday night's game in an attempt to send a message to Browns owner Randy Lerner.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Cleveland, Oh
Posted 06:42 AM, 11/17/2009
As Browns fans, we are afflicted as we;; as well as addicted. Obviosly alot of us have not hit rock bottom yet. I have two tickets for the Steelrs game 2nd row section 112 75.00 per ticket great seats. RiverDoc56@yahoo.com
Posted 01:52 PM, 11/17/2009
I find it funny that journalists are trying to make the protest look bad by saying '3/4's of the seats were full during kickoff.'
Ummm, sure after the Browns and the media had to buy out the remaining tickets so that the game wouldn't be blocked out.
Too funny. Im sure the sign in the Dawg Pound was also supplied by the Browns or its media connections and 3/4's of the fans at the game were probably those who got tickets as part of a free handout.
tallmadge, oh
Posted 03:46 PM, 11/17/2009
Good point Shawn
Clebus, RI
Posted 03:57 AM, 11/18/2009
I think you nailed it Shawn.
