Player Dress Code

photo courtesy of  city-data.com

For the life of me every time a athlete wears another teams hat or jersey that plays on a Cleveland team its always becomes a big deal. Remember Lebron with the Yankees hat, I for one could not stand that especially him being from Akron. Now all the talk is about TJ Ward I guess he wore a whitesox hat. These guys know darn well that it causes a big stir with the fans so why do they continue to do it? In Lebrons case I think he was just a attention hound and he did it to make sure we were talking about him just like his big decision on ESPN, we all remember that right? Well now that TJ Ward has be spotted wearing a whitesox hat all the fans are up in arms and making a big deal out of it on the social media networks.

I have two thoughts on this trend amongst athletes these days. One is that you have to remember that most of these guys aren't from hear or the from the city that they play for and two why why why why do they do it? Just be a good guy and support your local teams just to maintain the peace amongst the fans. You play for the team name on your jersey you should support the city that supports you. If your going to wear other teams apparel don't do it in public, keep it private. Do it for us the fans, don't give us a reason not to like you because being a West sider from Cleveland we take those things to heart and it would mean the world just to support the other local professional sports teams, do it for us. We work hard in our community and pay the ticket prices that helps pay your salary.

I will give credit to most of the athletes that are out and about in Cleveland they represent our City in honorable fashion, players like Josh Cribbs, Joe Haden, Kyrie Irving, Travis Hafner. These guys have to remember that there are allot of youngsters that look up to them and need to set a good example for me growing up I had my Dad and Grandfathers to look up to and I consider myself blessed but allot of our youth these days come from broken homes and look at these athletes as some to look up to and I'm glad that we have some of the best in Cleveland and do allot of charity work in our community. I think all three of the professional sports franchises don't get enough credit for what they do to give back to the city.

Well Browns Fans til next time...GO BROWNS
Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg
and follow @GetRealFootball

Training Camps Just around the Corner!

Photo Taken By Mike Reiter

For us die hard football fans May is just about over and June will be here. Most camps open in the end of July. I for one cant wait but it will be here before we know and we certainly don`t want to wish our summer away but as Football junkies we cant help it we have a addiction and its Cleveland Browns Football. July 31 is the tentative opening for camp this year and I will be there. I cant wait to see the new additions to the team and I actually have one more wish on my list and that`s to add a deep threat wide receiver by the name of Buress, Plaxico that is! He caught more touchdowns last year than the Browns scored as a team. He would be a huge asset in the red zone for Brandon Weeden. The coaches keep praising the likes of Mohamed Massaquoi and how they are expecting big things from him this year, which may indicate that they are done in free agency. I like MoMas but to me he seems a little gun shy going over the middle and I probably would too with some of the hits hes has taken and concussions he has had. Lets face it he started last years camp on a bike due to being in a walking boot. He is quick has seems to have the ability to be able to catch the ball when he gets open but he cant seem to stay on the field the whole year.

There have been some articles written lately about Josh Cribbs as he enters the last year of his contract and that it could be his last year as a Brown. Josh has given his all and then some to this community and it would be a sad day to see him go but with the changes in the kickoff rules and his lack of production at the wide receiver position I think you may see him gone unless the he takes a pay cut to stay with the team. Josh has probably been one of the best players as far as being involved with the fans and giving back to the community, don`t get me wrong I would love him to stay. He is a great special teams guy, he has a nose for the ball doesn't dance on returns he hits the hole and hits it hard its just that the opportunity's have been minimized with the kickoffs being moved up and kickers generally kick it deep in the end zone or completely out.

Well Browns fan til next time....Go Browns
Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg
Also check out www.getrealfootball.com and follow them on twitter @GetRealFootball

Al Lerner meet T Rich

Photo obtained from Google


                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                     Photo obtained from Cleveland Browns

I have compiled some thoughts on the owner of the Cleveland Browns over the last year or two and thought I would share some of them with you. I hear so much about about how Randy Lerner isn't visible in the Browns organization and how he doesn't care about the Browns. Well I for one don't buy that. He inherited the team from his late great father Al Lerner whom was a football fan, Randy`s love happens to be soccer, therefor he continuously gets knocked for putting his soccer team first. Some people want him to sell the Browns, but it could be worse. We could get stuck with a Jerry Jones type of owner and I for one do not want that. What has he done since taking over the Cowboys....not much!  However if it were my Dads wishes to take the team to the Superbowl  as was Al`s, I think I would do everything in my power to see my Dads wishes come true. That's why he decided to hire Mike Holmgren and let his run the daily operations of the football side and Randy writes the checks. Randy tried several times and it just didn't work out so he did the next best thing went and got the best football guys he could. Tom Heckert in my eyes is a great GM and talent evaluator and I think this year is going to prove how good he really is. As much as I hate the past 12 years of losing you cant lay all that blame on Heckert and Holmgren. If Hughes the 3rd pick works out Heckert will look like a genius especially with the injury to Phil Taylor which they are speculating that he could be back by mid-season, I'm not buying it. The draft pick of Trent Richardson is going to take so much pressure off the quarterback this year whether its McCoy or Weeden and I'm saying its going to be Weeden. As I said in my previous article I don't think you take a quarterback in the first round to sit and a 28 year old soon to be 29 year old rookie quarterback. The Browns drafted a heck of a player for the right side of the line and they let go of the "Human turnstile" Tony Pashos. Trent Richardson could easily be the rookie of the year and I would be shocked if he didn't rush for 1300 yards this year. The man is a complete player. With the ball in his hands he becomes a man on a mission. When the season is over you wont even remember Peyton Hillis. Take it to the Bank! Al Lerner will be smiling from the heavens above.

Well Browns Fans til next time......Go Browns
Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Browns OTA Update

Cleveland Browns - John H. Reid 111


The day began with Colt McCoy taking snaps under center with the first team offense during 7 on 7 drills, then Weeden took his turn also under center with the 7 on 7. Most of the quarterbacks were off target a little and has some balls off target, but that is to be expected when working with new receivers and shaking off the rust. Brandon Weeden definitely has the stronger arm of the two quarterbacks with out a doubt. When they went to 11 on 11 drills the first pass from McCoy was picked off by Chris Gocong. Punter Reggie Hodges was as practice and looked good coming of a season ending injury last year during training camp. Kicker Phil Dawson was not participating in ota`s but is expected to be at the mandatory camp in June. Colt McCoy is going to have a tough time beating out Weeden in my opinion just simply because we have seen what he is capable of and you draft a guy in the first round to play not sit, especially on a team that is desperate for a franchise quarterback such as the Browns are. Wide receiver Travis Benjamin could be in the mix for a starting job, he has the speed and can catch but the only thing that concerns me is if he goes up against a physical DB he may have some trouble getting off the line at 175 pounds. Defensive tackle John Hughes, the third-round pick of the Browns had an ice pack on the back of his right leg about one hour into practice. He might have tweaked a hamstring, but he never left the field and participated in a walk through near the end of the session. Pat Shurmur said he was pleased overall with the day and that running back Trent Richardson looked good also.


Well Browns fans til next time Go Browns
Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg  

Browns Fan, that is who I am

This is me and my sons, thats how we do it!

I was born in Lorain, Ohio in 1971. My father was born in Ohio and my Mother was born in Pennsylvania (I wont hold that against her I love my mother) but moved to Ohio as a teenager. I started collecting sports cards when I was 8 years old. I had them all, Reggie Rucker, Charles White, Brian Sipe, Lyle Alzado, Dave Logan and I am forgetting a bunch of players and yes I still have them and I'm 41. Although I don't collect cards anymore I occasionally buy a pack just for that old thrill to see if I get a Browns player like when I was a kid. How this all came to be was because of my Father he would tell me "Son you are born and raised here....You root for your home team". Once in awhile I would root for a specific player like Dan Marino or Joe Montana...I mean what kid growing up didn't want to be one of those guys? I always stayed true to my roots and cheered for my Cleveland Browns no matter what or how bad they where.

My point is in telling you all this is that I see so many kids and adults (front runners) today that wear the jerseys of a winning team like the Steelers especially in out area of Ohio. I get that fact that there are transplants, people move, change jobs and I'm OK with that but I would be willing to bet that if the Browns start to win again like they did years ago, those jerseys would fade slowly away. My son is 18 and I taught him the exact same principles as my Father passed onto me when I was young and he is a Browns die hard til the day he takes his last breath as am I. You don`t know how much it kills me to go to a Browns vs Steelers game and to see all those Steeler Jerseys makes me sick, I`m of the thought "Not in My House"

As long as the Browns are in Cleveland I will root for them no matter what, I may not always agree with some of the decision making from a coaching or front office perspective but I root for the name on the front of the jersey not the one on the back. Do I have favorite players yes, do I root for certain players...yes but they come and go the name and colors will always stay the same. I guess i am blessed to have a team to root for because when Art Model stole my team away from me during that horrific night I was heart broken like a long lost friend had passed on. Those years waiting for the Browns to come back were some of the longest years and then finaly 1999 came and they were back. The only good thing was that the Indians were doing very well in the mid to late 90`s and it made it a little easier to wait.

Well Browns fans til next time Go Browns

Please follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Excitement starting to build

I cant begin to tell you how many years in a row that I have gone to training camps, spent money on Browns gear and took time off work to go to Berea during the weekday to avoid the large crowds that flock to see our Browns in training camp and the excitement is there and  then just get let down by the players, front office, coach after coach quarterback after quarterback. Well I don't know if if the glass half theory or this year just feels different I cant explain it. Its a feeling like I have never had... (not a gut feeling like Butch Davis). It just feels  like this organization is starting to turn the corner. I cant even say that I see improvement because I really didn't except on defense this past year. Even Pat Shurmur has a different way of acting, he seems to have a little swag to him. In the last few months Mike Holmgren has been heard on the airways along with Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur, its almost like they have listened to the fans and they get it. Maybe with the full training camp and the ota`s and also bolstering the coaching staff with Brad Childress, things are looking up. Just the addition of Chili has to be a large load off of the head coach, and I don't care what anyone says I still think that Chili will be calling all the plays eventually. I thinks the Browns had a pretty solid draft they went into it with a plan plan stuck to it and the players we drafted are players that can contribute right away in my opinion. I think Weeden is going to really impress you fans and as for Trent Richardson, don`t be surprised if he is a candidate for rookie of the year. I`m hearing some negative things already about Andrew Luck saying that his delivery is to slow in the NFL, but I`m not expert that`s the hearsay. And as for RG3 I think he will probably succeed the most his first year over Luck because he has more weapons around him than Luck does at this point, but I think Luck will come around once they add some pieces over the next few years. As for the Browns I would still like them to go after Buress as a deep threat or a big physical presence in the end zone to catch touchdowns. Either way I think that the Browns will draft a wide receiver or two next year to accommodate the current receiving core if they don't produce this year. Im not as down on the fans as far as the schedule goes I think the Browns will win 7 to 8 games this year. The schedule is tough but teams like Philly, Cincy can be beat in my opinion.

Well Browns fans til next time.....Go Browns Fear the Elf Baby

Please follow me on twitter@AmhertDawg or if you are a backer follow me @AmherstBackers

Trent Richardson and Draft overview

Yesterday on 92.3 the Fan the Bull and Fox show had our #3 pick Trent Richardson on for a interview. Just let me say I was sipping the kool Aid until that interview and then I drank the whole thing. If this guy truly is as he claims Cleveland is going to love him and welcome him with open arms. As the interview was taking place I had visions in my head of him busting tackles jukeing people and that stiff arm that I would not want to get hit with. I said to my self when he knocked over the Browns running backs coach that in my mind that was a omen. Call me a dreamer, a true homer but it is what it is I just thought he was going to be a Brown and my wish came true. The way he spoke just made me a believer that he is happy to come here and play for the Browns. The way he handled the criticism of Jim Brown was spot on. He has to prove him self and I think we are all in for a great ride with this kid...so lets enjoy it as fans and support him. I didn't grow up in the Jim Brown era but what he said leads me to believe that there is some jealousy from him.

I must admit that as I  watched the draft the excitement began to swell in me again. Then when they took Weeden with 22nd pick I had a little of the wow factor feeling but as I began to analyze it, I just assumed that the player they wanted at that spot was gone and as it turns out Kendal Wright was that player according to the Browns brass. Lets not fool ourselves here when you take a quarterback that high he is going to start this year and with his age there is no time to groom him. His grooming will be in the amount of minutes he plays. I would not be one bit surprised if McCoy and Wallace are both gone and they go and get a aging vet like a Mcnabb or after the cuts pick someone up.

I would like to see them go out a sign Plaxico Buress. I have heard the name Braylon thrown out there and I don't want to go down that road again its kind of like that old girlfriend story, you just don't want to go back to an old watering hole if you know what I mean.

Also today we heard about the Phil Taylor`s injury lets just hope that its a slight tear or nothing at all, we cant afford to be losing starters of this caliber so early in the season.

Well that's all I have for today Browns Fans, short and sweet, lets stay positive and Go Browns

Please Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

This Past Weeks Draft talk

                                 
This weeks topics include Brandon Weedon and Trent Richardson. This I can say about the number 4 pick, unless some team just wows us with a deal that we cant and should not refuse like a Redskins type of offer then our guy at number 4 is Trent Richardson and you can lock that in. Trent would bring a dynamic spin to this game and will even make our current quarterback look good, think about it.....if Colt has a average or above average run game it takes the ball out of his hands more, opens up passing game and what this coaching staff has to realize is to play to the our strengths not the west coast offense that we all know. If they are so set on the west coast offense then we need the run the Browns version of the west coast offense what ever that may be depending on how the draft pans out.
I don't know if you guys and gals have noticed but the post that Trent has been putting on twitter he really wants to come here and that's a good thing and yes I know some of it is probably a little campaigning to be selected at the number 4 spot but if he is what the experts say he is then believe me Cleveland will embrace this guy as their own son. I have watched some video on this guy and he definitely has the WOW factor in his game. He can cut from side to side like a flash of light and he has great burst and can outrun safety's and db`s. I hope we get this guy because the fans here deserve a winner such as Trent Richardson.

Brandon Weeden is a guy I first saw in the Baylor game and my first thought was why isn't anyone talking about him as a possible replacement for Colt McCoy if that's what they decide to do. This guy impressed me as much as RG3 did in that game, he can make all the throws, he`s tall big can probably shed a tackle or two here and there and oh yeah then I found out he is 28 years old but the more I thought about it WHO CARES....If he can be a elite quarterback for 6,7,8,9, or even 10 years that's more than what we have now. I went back and watched some video on him and and looks like a great pick at 22 for the Browns in my opinion. He is very mature and has the footwork and arm strength and can make all the throws. Based on his radio interview on the fan he would love to be a Brown.

To summarize this weeks two players in this discussion if Trent Richardson is there at number 4 he will be ours. As for Brandon Weeden if he is still there at 22 whens the Browns select I think there is a good chance he could become a Brown as well but they may decide to go with a wide receiver or even a offensive tackle depending who is on the board but it sounds allot like Brandon Weeden will be a Brown also.

Well Guys a Gals til next time....GO BROWNS!!!  FEAR THE ELF

Please follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Mock Draft version 1.0
OK here we go. This is my first ever mock draft and although I did some research on the other teams I am not totally sure what all their needs are but I will do my best. As for the Browns I think that my picks are solid picks and we will see on April 26th how close I have come. I have Miami moving up to get a quarterback that might be a reach but they are desperate and need many players as do we so here it is. Please don't be afraid to make comments and critique it, thanks and Go Browns...Fear the Elf Baby!!

Round 1
Pick	Team
1	Indianapolis Colts Select Andrew Luck QB
2	Washington Redskins (from St. Louis Rams) Select RG3 QB
3	Miami Dolphins(trade w Vikings) Ryan Tannehill QB
4	Rams trade with Browns  Justin Blackmon WR
5	Tampa Bay Buccaneers Morris Claiborne CB
6	Browns trade with Rams Trent Richardson RB
7	Jacksonville Jaguars Courtney Upshaw DE
8	Minnesota Vikings (trade with Dolphins) Matt Kalil
9	Carolina Panthers Dontario Poe DT
10	Buffalo Bills Mark Baron S
11	Kansas City Chiefs Melvin Ingram DE
12	Seattle Seahawks Luke Kuechly ILB
13	Arizona Cardinals Riley Reif OT
14	Dallas Cowboys David Decastro G
15	Philadelphia Eagles Whitney Mercilus DE
16	New York Jets Michael Brockers DT
17	Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders) Stephon Gilmore CB
18	San Diego Chargers Cordy Glenn OL
19	Chicago Bears Kendall Wright WR
20	Tennessee Titans Devon Still DT
21	Bengals Fletcher Cox DE
22	Browns (from Atlanta Falcons) Michael Floyd WR
23	Detroit Lions Mike Adams OT
24	Pittsburgh Steelers Andre Branch DE
25	Denver Broncos Jerel Worthy DT
26	Houston Texans Stephen Hill WR
27	New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints) Quinten Coples DE
28	Green Bay Packers Rueben Randle WR
29	Baltimore Ravens Harrison Smith FS
30	San Francisco 49ers Brandon Thompson DT
31	Patriots Kendall Reyes DT
32	New York Giants Dont A Hightower ILB

Glass Half Full

                                                                                       
Well Browns fans I think that we have all come to the conclusion that we are going to enter 2012 with Colt McCoy as our starting quarterback. This might not be as bad as you think even though he looked like a deer in headlights on several occasions last year. Just think with one real good draft this whole ship could get turned around. If we address the right side of the line pick up a good running back like a David Wilson and if they draft a wide receiver or two or three...just saying. We need to hit on most of our picks this year and in a big way. I really don't think Colt is as bad as he is perceived to be, after all who did he have as a surrounding cast?? I don't think he is a quarterback that can lead you to a Super bowl but he can be a serviceable QB until we get our guy, whom ever that may be. We need some real good Offensive linemen and even a mediocre running back can perform well with good running blocking. That's one reason I think if Trent Richardson is as advertised we should take him, I know its a pass league these days but that would take the ball out of McCoys hands and not rely so much on him to throw the ball as much. If the Browns sit at number four they need to draft the best guy on the board and I would not be upset if the pick was Morris Claiborn.

Sometimes when you listen to all the sports talk radio shows you don't know what to believe. One report from a station said that a agent said that he doesn't want his client playing in Cleveland but I don't buy that. Some of these agents are a bunch of goons. Bottom line is that we need players. If we draft a guy he will play here. I'm sure the front office does their homework. If there is a player that is that arrogant that wont play here then they wont draft him. I think this will be a big year for us in the Draft and my excitement is building to April 26. Once we show improvement in this organization then we will be able to attract some good free agents to fill a hole or two in the years to come.

Well Browns fans til next time......GO BROWNS

Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Build through the Draft

I have thought about this many times over and over and have to come to the conclusion that if you take a look at the better teams in football very rarely do they go out and sign big time free agents. The Steelers are one good example of that theory. I'm not saying don't sign free agents but you need way more pieces in place than the Browns have right now and I think that is some of the reason that players don't want to come here because lets face it teams like the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay packers, whats the draw their...what do they got that we don't. The answer is nothing other than a winning team, well at least in Green Bay. Buffalo gets more snow usually than we do and they played some decent football at least at the beginning of the season last year. They are another team that has struggled at the quarterback position they just cant seem to find a guy that fits. Last year Fitzpatrick tore it up they gave him a contract extension and they may have made the wrong move there because I was never impressed with him. I keep hearing people complain on the radio that the Browns have done nothing in free agency. You cant just go out and blow a ton of money on one guy. I wanted them to go after at least on FA wide receiver and I wanted them to sign Mario Williams in the worst way but when I found out how much cash they paid that guy there is no way in hell I would drop that kind of money on a guy unless I thought he might be my last piece to the puzzle. These contracts are getting a little crazy especially the first few days. Eric Wright got paid a ton of cash and he couldn't cover a parked car his last year here. Is there that much of a shortage at that position. Tampa Bay spent allot of money this year I will almost bet if they don't win within the next two to three years half of those guys will become salary cap casualties. They are trying to put people in the seats. If my memory serves me correct I think over half of their games were blacked out last year and here in Cleveland we almost always sell out. Yes there have been more and more orange seats in the stadium especially as the year progressed because the product on the field was just awful. I'm a Die hard Browns fan and I will stick with them through thick and thin but its all comes down to this people....are you ready? If you don't have good talent evaluators and scouts then the product on the field isn't going to be that good either. Yes you are going to miss from time to time but we cant miss this year because I have said it before and I will say it again the fans patience are running thin. I'm willing to give this regime two more years which would be the 5 year plan that Mike Holmgren talked about. We cant keep running people out of here. That being said if Shurmur has another year like he did I wouldn't be on bit surprised if he gets the ax.

Well Browns fans til next time.....Go Browns
Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Lets Move on From Rg3

Well I think that we all knew that this was going to be the case but its a hard pill to swallow. So where do we go from here, well I'm going to tell ya. Now I think we trade down because I don't think the Browns are sold on Justin Blackmon and Trent Richardson is to high to take at number 4. If we stay at 4, I would take Morris Claiborne if we drop down a few spots then maybe we get Michael Floyd. If we retain 22 then we need a pass rusher like Courtney Upshaw or Whitney Mercilus. Early second round I would take David Wilson and hopefully we can find a good right tackle in the later rounds or sign a free agent or two.

As for quarter back I do not want Cobb....I do not want Flynn however that's who I think they are going after. If they don't go after Flynn then my gut feeling is that they are going to draft Weeden and the only knock I have on him is his age. Everybody keeps saying that we can go after Barkley next year but there is no sure thing in that plan either so fans I think that we are going to be stuck with Colt another year and who knows if you put some weapons around him and it will be his second year in this offense and Childress cant hurt being here. Hey lets take the glass is half full attitude and just hope Heckert and Holmgren know what they are doing but If they were willing to give up the picks that they offered the Rams for RG3 that tells me that they are not sold on Colt.

As for running backs they need to sign Hillis just pay the man put the past behind you and move on. Who knows with this team they may even draft Richardson, at this point we have so many holes to fill and I was hoping that we filled the first hole with a franchise Qb but lets move on and go to the next chapter of free agency and then the draft.

Well Browns fans til next time Go Browns

Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Same Old Browns

  I didn't expect much from the Heckert press conference today, but If they really are true to their word and don't go after one or two big time free agents then they should just fold up shop and sell the team and I cant believe I just said that, I remember what it was like not having a team for a few years. I don't expect them to go after every high priced free agent available on the market but if we are going to try to draft RG3 then he will be nothing more than a Tim Couch just a little faster. I don't expect them to tip their hand either. They would be foolish to do so, but if after the free agency period and the draft they have done nothing but the same ole same ole, there are going to be a few hundred thousand pissed off fans. Peoples patience are running thin in this town. I don't want them to buy a team but a nice mix of free agents and draft picks will work. Heckert had his poker face on today and he should have had it on. Its just that they tend to go for bottom of the barrel...lets take a chance on him type of free agent and as for the draft well lets just move down and acquire more picks, well that's not acceptable this year we can get a good solid player this year at number 4 if we don't trade for RG3. Why not take a shot at a Mario Williams a Vincent Jackson? I think that if they should get RG3 in this years draft that we have a better chance of drawing some top notch free agents here next year because lets face it who wants to play for this mess they have right now in Berea. Lets get the coaching growing pains out of the way now.
Also I wanted to say that I'm glad Tom is doing well after his surgery

Well that's all for my short little rant today, til next time GO BROWNS

Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Browns Stadium and Downtown C Town Short Rant

     This is a little off topic and most of this is me blabbering and not having the right answers but I wanted to touch and a few topics and are looking for some answers. Some of the things I'm going to mention in my opinion would attract more people to our city and bring jobs, and yes I know the new casino is opening soon but there are other areas that seem to be lagging behind. Why is the development of downtown Cleveland not happening quicker, we need to stop sitting around lets be done with the crooked politicians and bring some jobs get rid of Burke Lakefront Airport. That would be a awesome place to develop. Why do we need a airport there, can someone tell me? Also I have heard about the east bank of the flats but don't hear too much about its revitalization, whats going on down there? I'm not from Cleveland I live about a half of an hour west and I love going to C Town. They need to get new leaders in there stop sitting on there hands and lets get this revitalization process done. Lets get a nice convention center downtown, the hell with the IX center its old outdated.

     Also I have heard talks in recent weeks on how the Browns built the new stadium too fast and should have had a retractable roof put on it. I'm not against it but I will admit that I'm kinda old school I like the open stadium, the cold doesn't bother me yet! But I'm also open for anything if the city thinks it feasible to be able to use that stadium more than a 8 to 12 times a year by putting a roof over it then I'm OK with that because it could be making money while its not being used for football and a concert here and there.

    I don't have all the answers but one thing I do know is that we love going to Cleveland I would not live near any other city I just want them to succeed and be prosperous again and get some wining sports franchises back here. The fans here are well deserving and is long overdue........ So lets put Cleveland back on the map.....BIG TIME!! Good Luck Cleveland

Well that's all for my short little rant, til next time GO BROWNS

Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

My Wishes, Opinions, and Rants

   My wish is that the Dolphins sign Matt Flynn, the Redskins sign Manning, and If the Browns have to trade for RG3, I would give our 4 for Rams 2, next years 1st round and a 3rd round pick this year. I think this kid is going to be better than McNabb, Vick, or Newton. He is a very smart, fast and the Browns fans would adopt him as the face of our franchise for years to come. I also think that he would attract big time players here to play with him in the years to come. He is a pocket passer and has that elusive ability to shed defenders when he has to. I saw a stat that said RG3 took 40% of his snaps from under center, which contradicts from what most people claim he is mainly a shotgun quarterback. He is very accurate and can make all the throws, just watch the video of the games he has played the proof is in the pudding. If you get a chance and have the NFL Network, watch the interview with him and Steve Mariucci. Its a good interview. I just don't want to say wow....I wish we would have traded to get him because man is he good. I didn't think much of Cam Newton coming out of Auburn and this kids is a much better athlete in my opinion.


I'm not in Berea but the Browns better not let this guy get away unless he truly is a loose cannon. I think he has been getting some really bad advise from his previous agents (no pun intended) and why would you retire and sacrifice millions of dollars to become CIA agent.....really that deserves a "CMon Man". Hillis would make a great tandem with another speedy type of back to change up the pace. If he gets a decent agent and has his head on right he can be a great weapon for RG3. If you recall the only time he was a little disgruntled was when he was arguing with Shurmur to put him back in the game. I guess Shurmur had to see for himself that Montario Hardesty is a big bust. The guy is done they just need to cut him and move on from that wasted pick and to think we trade up to get him. That didn't work out. I guess they would have been geniuses if it did but with his injury history that would have been a serious red flag for me.

I had the pleasure of meeting Josh Cribbs the other night prior to the Cavs game without 3000 screaming fans yelling his name. It was in a nice quiet environment. He spoke and talked about the city and the team and how he loves it here in Cleveland. We should be proud to have a player like Josh in our community, hes a stand up guy. He took allot of heat on 2010 but the guy played with 4 broken toes and wore a steal plate in his cleat to protect them from further injury. Give the guy some credit hes making the most on a bad team that has endured change after change. Hes  probably at best a number 4 receiver on a good team but in my book he just as good as anything we have now. He definitely leaves it all on the field.

Well Browns fans til next time see ya and GO BROWNS

Follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

A little about me

This past week i took little critisism via twitter about my last blog, which is fine, it may or may not make me a better blogger. Comments were made that said i sounded like i was talking out both sides of my mouth, But I just wanted to say I do this for fun I have a full time job and don't have the time that I would like to to do some of the research that is needed to write more in depth blogs, so I try to keep it simple. I strive my best not to offend anyone. The subjects I touch on are my opinions an my opinions only.

The fact of the matter is I just want the Browns to make the best selection at the 4 spot or whatever they decide to do to make the team better and I have my takes on how that should be done. If I was an expert I would be working for a NFL team and not doing this. Football is my favorite sport and I love the Browns.

Combine week is also coming up this week. Its going to be fun watching the players going through the drills and this is where the truth is told on the 40 and the height and weight of players. Look for some breakdowns of the combine participants in some of my up coming blogs.

Anyway enough of the rant til next time Go Browns
Mike follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Trade Up, Trade Down Stay Put...What Do we Do?

Several different scenarios can happen here. IF we want RG3 I would only give up our 4 and 22 that's it. Personally I would stay at 4 take that chance and draft the best player available. I really like RG3 but we need so much on our team to mortgage the future is not a option for me. IF we trade 4 and drop down a few slots to gain maybe another second round pick that's OK too, then I hope we can resign Hillis and draft Richardson. If there is a stud wide receiver at 22 then we take him. I have been hearing so many negative things about Jeffery's that he has put on so much weight that hes like 20lbs away from being a offensive linemen. Who's knows whose telling the truth, I like Kendal Wright at 22 if we take a wide receiver and if RG3 is there at 4 it would give him some familiarity with him because he knows how he runs his routes. Like always it doesn't seem like we ever get high enough to get the player we want or need, not that I want to be drafting in the top 10 every year but like last year its was like a punch in the gut when Cincy took AJ Green, I wanted him in the worse way.

If the Browns don't make a big splash if free agency this year we are all going to be very disappointed and fans may call for the heads of the higher ups. I personally don't see any movement in the draft, not early anyway. This is the time of year when teams throw stuff out in the media. Its the game of calling the bluff. So in my opinion buckle up Cleveland and get ready for the ride.

Well Browns fans til next time Go Browns

The Wait Begins

This the first weekend without football and probably the most boring time for me because I'm not really a basketball fan so I will wait. I focused pretty much on free agency and then the draft, then waited for training camp to begin. Well a few years back I started watching the combine, at first I was kind of bored with it then as I starting watching more college football and paying more attention to some of the prospects. I actually started to enjoy the combine a little more because I knew some of the players and also stared to understand why they put these kids the the rigorous drills and interviews that they do. When you are going to potentially spend millions of dollars one a kid barely out of high school they are digging deep to get any information and dirt that they can so the prospect doesn't turn out to be a troubled player with baggage. Some might say they cross the line but I say when you invest millions of dollars you have to be sure that what you see is what you are getting. Now the combine has become a tradition for my Son and I, we pretty watch the whole thing from start to finish. The draft is the same, we really enjoy it. I just wish they wouldn't do it during the week because some people have to work. I guess that's where the DVR comes in. So the wait begins and who will it be at pick number 4, will it be RG3, Justin Blackmom, Trent Richardson or possibly Matt Kalil, not a sexy pick but a need on the line. We will just have to wait, as for my pick for the Browns at number 22 Courtney Upshaw it isn't looking good he keeps climbing up the board, but this will happen guys will rise and fall especially after the combine a private workouts come to an end let the chips fall where they may I just hope we don't trade up to obtain RG3 because we have too many needs to throw away draft picks this year. If that were to happen folks I think we are facing another 4 and 12 or 5 and 11 season and I think the patients of many Browns fans are running thin. We might see allot of empty seats and ticket sales could take a significant hit if they have another losing season on 2012.

Well Browns fans til next time take care and Go Browns

Gronk partying it up

The way I see it what's the big deal? Isn't a guy able to blow off a little steam after a very intense few weeks of being in the spotlight. They lost a game its not the end of the world. I don't think that that video should have been played on espn, or any sports affiliate leave that garbage to the tmz`s of the world. I wonder if a line was crossed when it comes to covering sports and players. Next time sports networks might get snubbed when asking for a interview with Gronk, or any player for that matter. If you ever wonder why players keep to themselves well that is probably your answer. If the guy was drinking and driving that's a different story, but as far as we know he wasn't doing that. After all the Patriots did have a pretty good year and Gronk had a fantastic year so let the guy celebrate a little I'm mean come on.

I heard The Big Show (aka Mike Holmgren) was going to be on a Seattle station again today! Can someone please tell me why he has to do that? Why cant he talk to our local media about the Browns. If he is so enamored with Seattle radio and speaking on their airways, maybe the Seahawks will take him back for some cash and draft picks for him. I just don't get it.

Also again the rumors are becoming more and more that Peyton Manning is going to be a Redskin. Browns fans lets hop that happens and you all know why. Free agency will tell the story.

Well Browns fans short and sweet today til next time take care,

Mike
Please follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Super Bowl Flop

Well I predicted the Patriots would win big and guess what....I was wrong. The Giants put pressure on Brady and forced a few mistakes with no turnovers but they did not look good at all. The Giants were definitely the better of the two teams on that particular day. This leads me to believe the the window for opportunity for the Patriots is going to be closing soon if it hasn't started already. My take on them is that they need to sure up that defense add a solid running back and they need a deep threat at the wide receiver position. Brady may only have a few years left but he is one of the best that I have seen in my life time. I saw Montana, Marino, Young, Favre, and you can probably throw a few others in that mix as well. You can almost put him in that class with those guys but I have always been partial to Montana from a fans perspective. I hope that some day (SOON) that we here in Cleveland get our Brady or Montana. We need a franchise quarterback to build around because as much as I like Colt McCoy as a person I don't think too much of him as a QB and a leader for this team.

Back a few months ago when the Browns said they were going to search for a offensive coordinator but Shurmur was still going to call the plays, I said that's bull and I still say that Childress will call plays. Shurmur may override him a time or two but I think he will be doing a majority of the play calling, I don't care how they spin it. Shurmur has got to be one of the worst play callers I have seen here in Cleveland. The one other positive about Childress being here is that its like having another head coach on the team and that I think is a good thing for the Browns.

I hope that the NFL has serious considerations of just getting rid of Pro bowl. Its a waste of time and money, maybe the players can make incentives by just being nominated to something like the AFC North all-team players of the year. Break it down by the divisions that they are in. I know they have incentives built in their contracts and this might be a way for them to reach that incentive.

The latest rumor is that Peyton Manning is willing to restructure his contract to become more appealing to other teams. Reports are that Daniel Snyder is interested in signing Manning. I personally hope this happens because it would take them out of the equation to trade up to the Rams and we would almost be a sure lock to draft RG3.

Well Browns fans til next time see ya and take care,
follow me on twitter @AmherstDawg

Super Bowl Sunday

Well Browns fans its here, the Super Bowl. Tomorrow all teams start with a clean slate. We have the combine coming up and then free agency period to look forward too, which will be a tell all on how we are going to draft (maybe). Then the draft which believe it or not its one of my favorite things to watch.
This year I'm not really into the Super Bowl like I was in the past but I'm predicting the Patriots to win big 38-10 over the Giants. I guess my favorite part of the game this year is seeing if any of my squares do good.

In my upcoming blogs I will pick a few players that are going to be in this years draft and break them down and see just how they might fit into the Browns system. I will also discuss the upcoming free agency period and who I would like to see the Browns go after.

Til next time see ya and Go Browns

Well after watching and listening to many talk shows as of late. I think some are crazy. The rumors are starting to fly. The best one I heard was that the Rams want both of the Browns first round picks this year plus Joe Thomas....Are u Kidding me? They can speculate all they want but I personally don't see any of the teams moving except maybe the Redskins because they are dumb enough to mortgage their future for one guy and that one guy might just be RG3.

I'm just as confused as you the average fan. If RG3 is there I would take him. I'm not sold on Blackmon or Richardson at the 4 spot. I don't want them to trade down but if the right guy (In their minds) isn't there then I guess I'm okay with that. However one guy I love and I hope he is there is Courtney Upshaw but I believe he will be gone at #22, but you never know lets hope Browns fans. I also believe that we can gets some good wide receivers in the later rounds or even a elite wr at #22.

With all the Toni Grossi talk this past week I just wanted to say that I never cared for his columns but as a person he always spoke to me at training camps. I feel bad for him but he should haven't tweeted what he did. I think the PD was waiting for this because I think he jumped the shark several years ago as far as reporting on the Browns.

Well Browns fans till next time see ya and go Browns.

Taking your kids to a Browns Game

I took my son to his first Browns game and it was vs the Steelers when he was 8 years old. I told him what you hear here stays here. He is now 18 and he is as big as a Browns fan as anyone I know. I know some would say that's ridiculous to take a kid that small to a game like that, but its what we do together, we go to training camp every year. It was our way of spending good quality time with my Son. I didn't go there and drink and act like a fool. I just wanted to respond to allot of the people who say its ridiculous to take children to a football game, I disagree.