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By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 09:50 p.m. EDT, Sep 20, 2009
DENVER: The text message came with 9:55 left in the Browns' 27-6 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
''Are you embarrassed to be covering the Browns?'' read the note.
The sentiment was appreciated . . . but . . . perhaps others should be embarrassed.
One hates to be negative, of course, but the ones who should be embarrassed are the ones who were standing on the visitors' sidelines at Invesco Field.
This Browns' performance was as pathetic as an NFL team could have. And there's no blaming this one on the fact the Browns played a good team — like the Minnesota Vikings.
The Browns traveled to Denver to play a team that needed a miracle to beat the Cincinnati Bengals.
They left like an expansion team, a ragtag collection of guys who can't block, can't avoid penalties, can't stop the run, can't cover the pass and can't come up with a play when needed.
Days like this call for perspective, so here's some.
Kyle Orton completed 11-of-27 passes in the first half, and the Broncos missed two field goals.
The Broncos won going away.
On the same day that Mark Sanchez quarterbacked the New York Jets to their second win in a row (over the New England Patriots), with a coach the Browns could have hired (Rex Ryan), the Browns lost badly for the second time in two games. And the guy the Browns traded down three times to acquire, Alex Mack, left an early snap in the grass at Brady Quinn's feet to set up the Broncos' first touchdown.
The Browns can talk a good game when it's over and they've lost, but they can't do what's needed on Sunday to win.
Anyone picking them to win in Baltimore on Sunday?
Let's consider one Browns' possession when they were behind by 14.
More than 12 minutes were left in the game, plenty of time for a team to come back — if it's a legitimate team.
The possession went this way:
• Screen pass to Jerome Harrison for loss of two.
• False start on right tackle John St. Clair.
• Sack by Elvis Dumervil around St. Clair.
• Sack by Dumervil and a near safety.
Dave Zastudil wound up punting out of his end zone, and three plays later, Correll Buckhalter ran through and over the Browns' defense for the clinching touchdown.
For good measure, Dumervil finished with four sacks to tie a Broncos' team record.
The Browns did call timeout with 1:52 to go, behind by 21.
Anything to win.
Count the problems. There's many.
• Quinn deserves time, but he's not exactly charging out of the chute. Quinn looked at times uncertain, at other times skittish — like when he ducked to avoid a blitz that Jamal Lewis had picked up nicely.
You'd like to think that Quinn will come around with experience, but Quinn threw 31 passes and gained 161 yards. He had no touchdowns and a (late) interception. He sidearmed throws that were knocked down at the line, and he tried to fire throws that were overthrown.
Perhaps he's trying too hard.
Coach Eric Mangini was asked if he was thinking of going to Derek Anderson.
No, he said, we need to get better.
• The offense did not get in the end zone — despite the fact it got the ball at the Broncos' 22 when the Broncos fumbled the opening kickoff.
That makes eight games without a meaningful touchdown — unless you consider a touchdown with 28 seconds left and your team behind by 21 meaningful.
In the second half, the Browns had possessions of three, four, five, three and three plays. Their last one — behind by 21 — went eight plays, proving they can move the ball when it's meaningless. But it ended with an interception.
• Two games, two wipeouts in the second half.
The Browns have been outscored 41-7 in the second half this season. A common criticism of Mangini's teams in New York was that they did not make proper halftime adjustments.
The Vikings' edge was 24-7.
The Broncos' was 17-0.
• Braylon Edwards did some good things against the Broncos, but he has no help. The Browns are forcing Josh Cribbs into a No. 2 receiver role, and he simply isn't a No. 2 receiver.
Cribbs is a state-of-the-art returner and valid weapon on offense when used properly, but he's not a No. 2 receiver.
He had a chance for an early catch, but safety Brian Dawkins knocked the ball out of his hands. In the third quarter, he had a third-down fumble. There aren't a ton of options on the bench . . . but there are two second-round draft picks on the roster.
• The run defense has given up 225 and 186 yards in consecutive games.
That's with a Pro Bowl nose tackle.
The Browns have a close-to-the-vest coaching staff with suspect talent. They have concerns on the right side of the offensive line, at wide receiver, tight end, cornerback, outside linebacker and nickel back. They throw 4-yard outs on third-and-9 and 12-yard outs on third-and-4.
The first two games gave the Browns a chance to provide some hope that this season would not be the mess that many predicted (including Sports Illustrated, which said 2-14).
At this point, the Hubble telescope might not be able to find any hope.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
DENVER: The text message came with 9:55 left in the Browns' 27-6 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
''Are you embarrassed to be covering the Browns?'' read the note.
The sentiment was appreciated . . . but . . . perhaps others should be embarrassed.
One hates to be negative, of course, but the ones who should be embarrassed are the ones who were standing on the visitors' sidelines at Invesco Field.
This Browns' performance was as pathetic as an NFL team could have. And there's no blaming this one on the fact the Browns played a good team — like the Minnesota Vikings.
The Browns traveled to Denver to play a team that needed a miracle to beat the Cincinnati Bengals.
They left like an expansion team, a ragtag collection of guys who can't block, can't avoid penalties, can't stop the run, can't cover the pass and can't come up with a play when needed.
Days like this call for perspective, so here's some.
Kyle Orton completed 11-of-27 passes in the first half, and the Broncos missed two field goals.
The Broncos won going away.
On the same day that Mark Sanchez quarterbacked the New York Jets to their second win in a row (over the New England Patriots), with a coach the Browns could have hired (Rex Ryan), the Browns lost badly for the second time in two games. And the guy the Browns traded down three times to acquire, Alex Mack, left an early snap in the grass at Brady Quinn's feet to set up the Broncos' first touchdown.
The Browns can talk a good game when it's over and they've lost, but they can't do what's needed on Sunday to win.
Anyone picking them to win in Baltimore on Sunday?
Let's consider one Browns' possession when they were behind by 14.
More than 12 minutes were left in the game, plenty of time for a team to come back — if it's a legitimate team.
The possession went this way:
• Screen pass to Jerome Harrison for loss of two.
• False start on right tackle John St. Clair.
• Sack by Elvis Dumervil around St. Clair.
• Sack by Dumervil and a near safety.
Dave Zastudil wound up punting out of his end zone, and three plays later, Correll Buckhalter ran through and over the Browns' defense for the clinching touchdown.
For good measure, Dumervil finished with four sacks to tie a Broncos' team record.
The Browns did call timeout with 1:52 to go, behind by 21.
Anything to win.
Count the problems. There's many.
• Quinn deserves time, but he's not exactly charging out of the chute. Quinn looked at times uncertain, at other times skittish — like when he ducked to avoid a blitz that Jamal Lewis had picked up nicely.
You'd like to think that Quinn will come around with experience, but Quinn threw 31 passes and gained 161 yards. He had no touchdowns and a (late) interception. He sidearmed throws that were knocked down at the line, and he tried to fire throws that were overthrown.
Perhaps he's trying too hard.
Coach Eric Mangini was asked if he was thinking of going to Derek Anderson.
No, he said, we need to get better.
• The offense did not get in the end zone — despite the fact it got the ball at the Broncos' 22 when the Broncos fumbled the opening kickoff.
That makes eight games without a meaningful touchdown — unless you consider a touchdown with 28 seconds left and your team behind by 21 meaningful.
In the second half, the Browns had possessions of three, four, five, three and three plays. Their last one — behind by 21 — went eight plays, proving they can move the ball when it's meaningless. But it ended with an interception.
• Two games, two wipeouts in the second half.
The Browns have been outscored 41-7 in the second half this season. A common criticism of Mangini's teams in New York was that they did not make proper halftime adjustments.
The Vikings' edge was 24-7.
The Broncos' was 17-0.
• Braylon Edwards did some good things against the Broncos, but he has no help. The Browns are forcing Josh Cribbs into a No. 2 receiver role, and he simply isn't a No. 2 receiver.
Cribbs is a state-of-the-art returner and valid weapon on offense when used properly, but he's not a No. 2 receiver.
He had a chance for an early catch, but safety Brian Dawkins knocked the ball out of his hands. In the third quarter, he had a third-down fumble. There aren't a ton of options on the bench . . . but there are two second-round draft picks on the roster.
• The run defense has given up 225 and 186 yards in consecutive games.
That's with a Pro Bowl nose tackle.
The Browns have a close-to-the-vest coaching staff with suspect talent. They have concerns on the right side of the offensive line, at wide receiver, tight end, cornerback, outside linebacker and nickel back. They throw 4-yard outs on third-and-9 and 12-yard outs on third-and-4.
The first two games gave the Browns a chance to provide some hope that this season would not be the mess that many predicted (including Sports Illustrated, which said 2-14).
At this point, the Hubble telescope might not be able to find any hope.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 10:15 PM, 09/20/2009
Third quarter, Brown's ball on about Bronco forty,
three consecutive passes by Quinn, barely over the heads of the linemen, knocked down by the secondary before the pass got close to a receiver, all incomplete. Anderson can do better than that.
rmk/akron
Akron, OH
Posted 10:29 PM, 09/20/2009
unwatchable
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:37 PM, 09/20/2009
Par for the course...the Browns will always stink. Was anyone really expecting a win????
Lorain, oh
Posted 10:42 PM, 09/20/2009
I still like Quinn. Our team lacks the talent to win games, but also understand these first three games are against good squads. The Vikings and Ravens had the best D's from last year, and Denver is good at home...it's no excuse for the horrible play, but it will get better, it has to get better.
If it does'nt everyone should be fired, including the owner
akron, oh
Posted 10:42 PM, 09/20/2009
Is Mangini expecting BQ to be the next Chad Pennington?!?!?
Posted 10:44 PM, 09/20/2009
Excellent insight and an accurate appraisal of the Cleveland team by McManamon.
Posted 10:48 PM, 09/20/2009
disfunctional at best. from the owner to the ballboy!
Sagamore Hills, OH
Posted 11:14 PM, 09/20/2009
Good assessment. I was watching the Cinci game earlier and Malauga (Not sure of spelling) was making plays, hitting hard, causing fumbles while our second round picks were non factors. I know it is too early to judge but we need play makers, and this guy would have made sense. Now he will haunt us for many years.
Posted 11:53 PM, 09/20/2009
Actually a good informative article Pat, I'm impressed.
This team's #1 problem is the offense. Of course the defense needs work, but a defense's greatest ally is a good running attack on offense. It's just not there due to the lack of production at the QB position.
Smethport, Pa
Posted 12:25 AM, 09/21/2009
come on people, give brady a chance. he isn't the only player on the team ya know! am i the only one that saw all those sacks? don't tell me brady's responsible for that!!! GO BROWNS....you're still my team.
clinton, oh
Posted 01:42 AM, 09/21/2009
If this keeps up Cleveland Professional Sports teams will give a new meaning to the Mistake on the Lake
Wilmington, NC
Posted 05:53 AM, 09/21/2009
First of all Pat you failed to mention the most glaring, obvious problem that doomed this team from the start! The brown pants!
Wilmington, NC
Posted 06:09 AM, 09/21/2009
Seriously, when will it end?? Year after year after...y-e-a-r!! The same lousy football, the same problems each year only now we have a lesser receiving core than only 2 years ago when we had Joe J. K.W. a healthy Steve Heiden and Braylon! As one post mentioned we drafted 2 receivers in the 2nd round where the 2nd of the 2 is hardly playing and the 1st of the 2 that was said to be "NFL ready" hasn't seen 2 seconds playing time I know of..so the question begs asking why did not we take that LB now making plays for Cinni? Was not and has been one of our most glaring need at LB? What do the Browns do like most drafts? Blow it! Mack was a "safe'pick" to bolster a solid, rugged O-line- but where is that?? Still no running game as we were teased last week against Minn. Game tape is all Denver needed..the right side of the line stinks without Tuck-just another wasted season on the way! Are there any therapy sessions for Browns fans that anyone knows of?
Naples, FL
Posted 06:44 AM, 09/21/2009
DA has to be watching on the sidelines and thinking how lucky he is they went with Quinn. Next week against Baltimore's Defense Quinn will be lucky to still be standing at the end. Do you think they will worry about him throwing deep?
everywhere, oh
Posted 07:23 AM, 09/21/2009
Go Browns, and take the Indians with you.
kent, oh
Posted 07:53 AM, 09/21/2009
Quinn is a bust.
No confidence, no feel for the game, no touch whatsoever on the ball, no pocket presence and this is a guess, but my money is on no huddle presence either. Won't finish the year, but Anderson isn't the answer either. Just wait til next year. We coulda had Jeff Garcia for nothing.
, OH
Posted 07:58 AM, 09/21/2009
I don't expect miracles, but I watch the Browns and try to take something positive to build on and yesterday's game had very little for even the most optimistic person. People complain about everyone being negative, but this team has a has a negative, losing mindset and until they overcome that, they will continue to play the way they did in Denver.
Stow, OH
Posted 08:02 AM, 09/21/2009
@ pitt hillbilly,
Couldn't agree more,I would can 3/4 of our linebackers now and stick in Vekune and who ever , they can't do any worse.Next years draft will not have a lot of talented LB"s as last years did.
Macks mistake cost them a touchdown,St Clair was asleep and caused 3 sacks.
I can't blame Mangini yet because most of this garbage he inherited from Savage,but this team looks old and slow.
clinton, oh
Posted 08:54 AM, 09/21/2009
The Indians are terrible Have been for about a decade now.
They had three Hollywood movies made about them.
When the Indians do poorly I pop Major League into
the old VCR and some of the pain goes away.
Please Hollywood make a movie about the Browns
so we all have something to view over popcorn
to make some of the pain go away.
I will leave up to the other readers to name the movie!!
NorthernWestVirginny, WV
Posted 09:42 AM, 09/21/2009
2 things: at least I'll be able to get a lot done around the house on Sundays and ...
sh*ttsburgh Sucks !!! Yes, the mighty squealers (who actually have a team) lost to Da Bears.
akron, oh
Posted 10:01 AM, 09/21/2009
To Patrick McManamon,
Did you see the game I watched yesterday? They are horrible. We pay these guys? Are you kidding me? I have been a Browns fan since birth, but I've got to tell you, I think it's time to find another team to cheer for. Has anyone watched the Steelers play and how they carry themselves? They ooze winning and confidence no matter what. Now look at the Browns, defeated and dejected even in the pre season. Now I am not saying I will ever cheer for the Steelers, but just making an example of how winners look and act, even in the face of defeat.
Lorain, oh
Posted 10:03 AM, 09/21/2009
Pitt did lose Angler!! lol
Quinn has a clause in his contract that if he plays throughout the season he is going to make millions more...FYI. LeCharles Bently was on the radio saying this a few weeks ago.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 10:21 AM, 09/21/2009
I agree with an earlier poster. I'd much rather spend Sundays cheering on my Brownies, but at least I'll be productive on that day the rest of the season. I won't watch this junk. It's a complete waste of time. Please have the ownership and front office give me a call when they figure out how to suit up and field a professional football team.
Fayetteville, NY
Posted 11:06 AM, 09/21/2009
I know how to root for a losing team. I am a Cleveland sports fan through and through and have been for a quarter century. I will no longer be supporting this franchise. The reason is not the losing, as I said I can handle losing. I cannot handle the lack of effort and desire this team shows on a weekly basis.
This team does not care therefore I do not care. They are not hustling, they are not hitting, they are not trying. They hang there heads and wish they all played for a different team. They are not proud to be Cleveland Browns, and frankly, why should they be?
Avon Lake, OH
Posted 12:04 PM, 09/21/2009
Browns have no talent - including the coach, GM and owner. We have no impact players on this team. We drafted Brian Robiskie instead of Rey Maualuga. Robiskie DNP again this week. Maualuga caused a huge fumble yesterday, which was the biggest play of the game for Cincy. He had a sack as well. In week 1 he had 8 tackles and Robiskie was mixing kool-aid.
This team is horrible.
Long Beach, CA
Posted 12:09 PM, 09/21/2009
23 seconds left in the half. All three time outs left. Trailing by 1 point. We get the ball. Brady takes a knee, content to go in losing at halftime. They don't even try!
Meanwhile, champion teams that are leading are going for it on fourth and one.
It's indicative of the whole mess.
One more thing. How about a quick release to thwart a rushing Outside Linebacker? And if a guy can't handle his assignment, you give him help. Nobody should have a game like the Denver Linebacker did yesterday or Peterson did last week. Ever hear of adjustments?
Who's coaching the O line? If they didn't double and triple team our NT, he would have a game like that every week.
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 12:14 PM, 09/21/2009
Mistake on the lake!!!
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 12:15 PM, 09/21/2009
Mistake on the Lake!!!
copley, oh
Posted 12:45 PM, 09/21/2009
Why did we trade Sanchez ?
Cleveland, OH
Posted 01:17 PM, 09/21/2009
jimgreen,
Are you serious? EVERY team in football would have taken a knee in that situation. Even the Patriots. It was the smart thing to do.....which may have been what shocked you, lol.
And Sanchez? Really people. He would be getting crushed right now in Cleveland. He threw for 161 yards against the Patriots....o wow. He's good for that team....but in Cleveland, he'd be terrible. We don't have the talent to put around him like the Jets have.
They have arguably 3 RBs better than any of the 3 on our roster.
Sin City, Oh
Posted 01:23 PM, 09/21/2009
Angler, at least there was a GAME, a close one, between the Steelers and the Bears!
Mangini will suceed eventually. Neither of these two quarterbacks will be playing for the Browns next year (an opinion only). Mangini is working with what he has, and hopefully he can do some shopping next year.
Meanwhile, he's stuck polishing a turd.
Posted 01:23 PM, 09/21/2009
browns misery35
copley, oh
Posted 12:45 PM, 09/21/2009 Why did we trade Sanchez ?
Probably because they didn't want/need to draft another first round QB that may not pan out. They still had Quinn and DA and figured they were good enough. With some better talent (OL, RB, WR a defense) it wouldn't matter.
Oh, and to be accurate they didn't trade him, the traded that pick to the Jets.
Uggh, its going to be another long 2-4 win season.
Paradise, Oh
Posted 02:12 PM, 09/21/2009
Get them out of town by contraction. Just eliminate the franchise and provide some mercy to the poor football fans in the area.
This is NOT a professional football franchise. There is no need to keep it in operation other than to skim money from fools.
The people of NE Ohio would be MUCH better served with NO NFL team rather than this rag tag bunch of high school dropouts.
akron, oh
Posted 02:30 PM, 09/21/2009
who cares really.
newport, NC
Posted 02:53 PM, 09/21/2009
duh
Kandi, SL
Posted 03:00 PM, 09/21/2009
Isn't Charlie Frye available?
Posted 03:22 PM, 09/21/2009
This team seriously could go 0-16. Who knew we would find a coach worse than Mangini. He is doing his best imitation of his mentor Bellichik's Cleveland years but at least Bellichik won some games his first and second seasons. This franchise is in total disarray.
Posted 03:26 PM, 09/21/2009
A couple more games like this and "PittsburghRHillbillies" will start growing a mullet.
Canton, OH
Posted 03:59 PM, 09/21/2009
wow. . .
"Everything Looks Worse In Black And White", ..
Posted 04:18 PM, 09/21/2009
An Open Letter from Randy Lerner, Browns Owner:
If I could have resurrected Nick Skorich and hired him I would have. I thought Coach Mangini was the closest to Nick with a pulse alive. All Browns fans need to give Coach the same chance that Nick got. Even though the PD at the time printed a photo the day after what would be Nick's last game as Head Coach of the Browns of Nick hanging from his neck in effigy from the upper deck at old Municipal Stadium. It was a sight as a young Browns fan that I've never forgotten. That's why I hired Coach Mangini. I felt bad for Coach Nick. And I thought Coach Mangini was run out of New York prematurely just like Nick was run out of Cleveland prematurely. Coach Mangini will eventually prove that Nick Skorich was given the "bums" rush, no pun intended. But aside from all that, it's MY MONEY AND MY TEAM, so you tailgating Monday morning quarterback wannbees can go back to wishing Art Modell was still the owner. Meanwhile, I'll be enjoying my winning soccer team more than fretting over whether or not I provide you sick petueitary cases happy or not. Eel pie, anyone?
Yours Truly,
Randolph Lerner
Millis, MA
Posted 04:38 PM, 09/21/2009
Thank goodness Cleveland has one professional sports team. Cavs first game in 36 days!
akron, oh
Posted 05:01 PM, 09/21/2009
browns 1 game behind stoolers. ya bunch of cry cry babies. steelers wear panties
Posted 06:05 PM, 09/21/2009
Blaming the line for Quinn holding the ball, and being unable to throw anywhere except down the middle or on a checkdown, is ridiculous.
This well-marketed, highly-pedigreed QB was supposed to be NFL ready when he was drafted. He is not making "rookie" mistakes by trying to force throws he cannot make, or taking unnecessary risks. He's playing abysmal football, physically, not mentally.
"Everything Looks Worse In Black And White", ..
Posted 06:12 PM, 09/21/2009
The only thing missing in this bio of Randolph Lerner are the words "lucky sp*rm club".....:
The only thing missing in this bio are the words "lucky sperm club"....:
"Randolph D. Lerner (born February 21, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York) is an Americanentrepreneur and sports team owner.
Lerner has been the owner of the American football team, the Cleveland Browns, of the National Football League (NFL) since October 2002, and the Chairman of Aston Villa Football Club of the Barclays Premier League since 2006. His personal fortune is estimated at USD over 1.5 billion in 2008.
Lerner graduated from Columbia University in 1984, spending 1983 at Clare College inCambridge, England. He graduated from Columbia Law School and is a member of theNew York and District of Columbia Bar Associations. Prior to entering the business world, he worked as a lawyer in New York City
Lerner's business career began at the Progressive Corporation as an investment analyst. In 1991, he started an independent investment firm with Progressive capital called Securities Advisors, Inc. (SAI), which he owned and managed until 2001. SAI initially specialized inarbitrage before shifting its focus to equity investing.
In 1993, Lerner became a director at MBNA, a company in which his father was founder and builder, and continued to lead until his father's death at which time he became company chairman."
It's time for ALL Browns fans to start clamoring for him to sell the team. He hastily hired Mangini without even interviewing another prospective Coach. Now who operates on any business level like that? Rex Ryan not even phoned. And to top it off, he acted like it was a major coup to get Mangini before anyone else did.
Until ownership changes, we can expect more of the same from the top. After all, that's where it always starts.
Mentor, OH
Posted 07:20 PM, 09/21/2009
Mr. Lerner it is sadly looking very much like Mangini was a bad choice and like the Jets, the Browns will have to fire him. The test will be how long you let us suffer.
Dayton, Md
Posted 07:27 PM, 09/21/2009
Patrick,
In many ways the Browns are like your ediitorials-lacking originality and definitely in need of improvement.
Posted 08:14 PM, 09/21/2009
THE MASTER BARD STRIKES AGAIN!
Posted 08:52 PM, 09/21/2009
Sad state of affairs. Been a fan since I was 8 watching Jim Brown.
This team makes me wonder why I still bother.
Victoria Harbour, ON
Posted 08:55 PM, 09/21/2009
Payton Manning just accomplished in 12 seconds what the Browns couldn't do in 8 games.
A meaningful touchdown seems so far out of reach. At night I dream of the Browns getting a touchdown and losing the game. But I wake up feeling good knowing they scored.
For the time I spend each Sunday, all I want right now is one moment to cheer.
I can't see the Browns winning one game this year.
Victoria Harbour, ON
Posted 09:08 PM, 09/21/2009
Before the game, I heard about the water bottle incident. I wanted to hear Mangini's side of it. On second thought, I didn't. It would be too telling.
Akronicity, OH
Posted 10:16 PM, 09/21/2009
Let us wax poetic....
Browns
Drown
Down
Frown
What can Browns do for you?
west orange, NJ
Posted 10:38 PM, 09/21/2009
You're right it can get worse. For a third-year pro, Quinn appears to have much of the same qualities that other Cleveland QB had...what was his name? Oh, yes, Couch. Deflected throws, too much time in the pocket, and the victim of many sacks.
On the flip side there's Anderson. He will stretch the defense, but has trouble with making all of the throws--and he lacks the other thing...consistency.
So what can the Browns do about "having two good Quarterbacks on the team?" (Boy that phrase sounds familiar)... I'm now of the mindset that when a team proclaims they have two good QBs, they are really sending the "help" smoke signals. Surely, somewhere in the distance, Don Strock is suiting up.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:43 PM, 09/21/2009
That sad thing about this article is that, when I read the headline, the first thing I thought of was The Tribe, the The Browns. Then, I clicked on the link and.....
Another year living with pro sports in NEO.
:0(
Posted 01:38 AM, 09/22/2009
John: I too am an old timer (started watching the Browns in 1958 & still have great memories of the Jim Brown teams, the Kardiac kids & the Kozar teams that were very good but just couldn't catch a break! I have to admit I'm pretty drained right now & don't know how mucher longer I can endure watching this! I do think Quinn can develop into a good QB, but like any QB, he needs players around him to be successful! The right side of our line is a mess (that is the first thing I would address if I were Mangini). St. Clair is a joke; I think I could find someone in the grocery store who could block better than he did against the Bronco's! I cannot believe I am saying this, but I'm actually thinking about cancelling my NFL ticket at the mid-way point of the season if we don't improve. I honestly don't know if I can endure this kind of football for 16 games!
newport, NC
Posted 07:10 AM, 09/22/2009
Called NFL Sunday ticket at DIRECT TV. Asked about canceling my subscription.. Person I talked to was a steeler fan. Laffed at me & said sorrrrrryyyyyy. No mercy......
Posted 10:07 AM, 09/22/2009
When a team is consistently this bad, you have to look at ownership. The Lerners have done nothing for this team, this city, or the fans. Yet we have Al Lerner parkway, and his initials have been on the jersey for about 6-7 years now. The Chicago Bears have GSH on their jerseys because George Halas did something for the team and city. All the Lerners have is big wallets, and have done more damage than good. They should put their egos aside, sell the team and get those initials off the jerseys. Not to disrespect the dead, but things like that are reserved for those that have made accomplishments.
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 10:33 AM, 09/22/2009
Don't you love how DirecTV charges you for NFL Ticket and all the sports subscriptions PRIOR to the season? 4 easy monthly installments so that they have your money up front so that you can't stop payment if your team is terrible.
And on the other side of the coin, if your favorite team is going gangbusters and you want to sign up to watch the remainder of the season, they charge you quite a bit more than what a pro-rated amount would be. Nice, huh?
Akron, OH
Posted 11:44 AM, 09/22/2009
The Browns are terrible, just like Ohio State is.
san diego, CA
Posted 05:46 PM, 09/25/2009
Sorry to say this Browns fans but prepare for a few rotten years. I'm a long suffering Jets fan so I know what it's like Mangini, Joe Walton, Rich Kotite...). The best you can hope for is that it's quick, that they continue to get slaughtered and the Browns win no more than 2-3 games this year. Then at least you won't have Mangini for long. This is a guy who was D coordinator for ONE year and that was in NAME only, Belechick was really calling the shots there. He did NOTHING with the Jets. He was never able to stop the run, never able to put together a pass rush and never able to beat the Patriots.
