Jim McIsaac - Getty Images
Browns fans will be rooting for the Texans this week.
Everyone knows that the Cleveland Browns likely will not make the playoffs, but it feels good to know that the team has not been eliminated heading into Week 14. You might not think the Browns can make the playoffs at 9-7, but that is the same record Cleveland had when they made their last playoff appearance nearly a decade ago.
It is not worth going through every game with playoff implications from now until Week 17, because if the Browns lose or something, we can throw all of those other weeks out of the window. Therefore, we will take this on a week-by-week basis in terms of projecting who we want to win relevant games. Before I get into that, I need to address two teams: the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens.
- The Cleveland Browns need to win their final four games. They could technically make it in at 8-8, but then we're talking about 100% of the games going our way pretty much.
- The Baltimore Ravens need to go 1-3 over their final four games. They face Houston, New Orleans, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. I'm projecting Cincinnati as their victory, although they did lose to them earlier this season.
Now then, let's get to the Week 14 games that we care about (I have underlined the teams I think should win):
- Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans: Peyton Manning is in a huge funk right now, but I just can't imagine the Colts missing the playoffs. They still control their own destiny, because if they win out, they are the division winners. Either the Colts or the Jaguars are going to win the division, and I'm putting my odds on Indianapolis.
- Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: With me favoring the Colts for the division, that means it is time to root for Jacksonville to lose. They also have a head-to-head tiebreaker against us, so it's better to hope they finish at 8-8. We don't want Oakland to finish the season at 9-7, but since they are a hot/cold team, an 8-8 finish for them could be possible too. We could reverse this scenario too -- if the Colts lose on Thursday, we would root for Jacksonville to win the division while also taking Oakland out of the picture.
- Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills: The Bills have been playing teams very tough, whether it be in shootouts or defensive battles. In the end, Buffalo has one of the league's worst records and they have had trouble beating Cleveland in the past several years.
- Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets: Chances are, the outcome of this game won't really matter to us. The only reason I even listed it is because if the Dolphins finish the season tied with us a 9-7, it helps create a situation where the Browns can't be eliminated solely on a head-to-head tiebreaker if a team like the Chiefs also finish at 9-7.
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers: Gosh, this is a tough one. I think whoever wins this game takes the division, meaning we will need to root against the other team. Since the Chiefs have a two game lead already and beat Cleveland, it's probably better to root for the Chiefs to win the division and force San Diego to win their final three games.
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans: Out of all the games, this is the one that matters the most. If Baltimore wins, all they need is one more win to finish ahead of the Browns. We need Houston's offense to come out firing.
It might look terribly against the Browns due to me listing the road team as needing to win in most of the games above, but in a lot of the scenarios, if the home team wins, we'll just have to reverse the teams we are rooting for. The Houston victory is the one we need most, and they are playing at home.
If you respond with a comment that says something like, "get real you fool, we're not making the playoffs," then I'll remove your comment because you will have clearly missed the fun and optimistic point of the post.
Get real you fool, we’re not making the playoffs!
golanbatrac - December 8, 2010
HA
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
lol, I knew someone would do that.
Chris Pokorny - December 8, 2010
you have to admit, you had it coming.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
if he had it coming, then why was everyone’s hopes up a fan post?
browns8 - December 9, 2010
he had it coming that someone would post that because he told us not not to
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
Villeslgr - December 8, 2010
I should have known, coming late to this thread that someone made that joke. That was my first though “obviously Golan”
bross09 - December 8, 2010
yes i thought of it too, gawd i love being this immature that it still made me bust a gut.
doggrad87 - December 8, 2010
All in good fun!
IBHMC - December 9, 2010
I’m sticking with my 10 win prediction.
rufio - December 10, 2010
So, I should root for the Browns to win every week and for the Ravens to lose? I can do that.
golanbatrac - December 8, 2010
Me too!!!
WilliamL - December 8, 2010
As long as there is a mathematic possibility of the Browns making the playoffs, there is still hope.
Onyx Lightning - December 8, 2010 via mobile
So you’re saying there’s a chance…
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
HA!
SpecialBrownie - December 8, 2010
Oh Austria! Well, g’day mate!
Roger Dorn - December 8, 2010
You’ll have to excuse my friend, he’s a little slow…the town is back THAT WAY —→
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
“Did you pay the Gas Bill?” “OH! I forgot!”
SpecialBrownie - December 8, 2010
That John Denver’s full of shit, man!
golanbatrac - December 8, 2010
Canines. Dogs to the lay person.
Roger Dorn - December 8, 2010
That’s as good as money sir, those are IOUs. Go ahead and add it up every cents accounted for. Look, see this that’s a car, 275 thou might want to hang onto that one.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
Classic!
browndawgbacker - December 8, 2010
Harry: Petey? You sold my dead bird to a blind kid? Lloyd, wh- he- wha- Petey didn’t even have a head!
Lloyd: Harry, I took care of it.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
you guys all suck for making me laugh till i cry at work.
doggrad87 - December 8, 2010
I take full responsibility for every D&D quote in this thread :)
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
I wanna watch that movie now!
bross09 - December 8, 2010
they put a man on the moon!
allsides - December 9, 2010
I hate doing this but…actually its “WE LANDED ON THE MOON!”
Andrew Tolliver - December 10, 2010
Chansi Stuckey's Fumble..
The fumble in overtime has really cost this team and their chances. Every player makes mistakes and I am not coming down on him, I am just stating that play hurt. IF the Browns go on to win that game the chances we make the playoffs significantly increases. I think it was still remote that the Browns would have made to the playoffs, but just to be mentioned in a playoff talk after the way this season started, we know we are on the right track. Think about it. The Browns have used 3 new quarterbacks, a new starting half back and new starting tight end. Plus two new starting defensive backs and starting safety. Also starting 1-5 (those early losses to the Chiefs and Bucs hurt ) did not help. I say this team has exceeded a lot of expectations since week 6. NO playoffs this year, but looking forward to 2011 (that is if we have football in 2011)
champion64 - December 8, 2010
There are a lot of things that, if they went our way, could have helped us make the playoffs. Personally I think we can move on from the “what ifs” and focus on moving forward, this team is going places afterall.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
I think it is Holmgren´s fault. If he doesn´t dictate to the organization that Colt McCoy will “redshirt” – Colt would have won the starting QB job in September and we would have won the first 2 games through the elimination of stupid QB plays.
realmccoy - December 8, 2010
I agree with this (I know – I’m sure this comes as a big surprise to everyone).
burntorangeandbrown - December 8, 2010
Had me fooled lol. Honestly though I’m not 100% sure he would have won the job. You bring in Delhomme and Wallace for experience at the position only to give the starting job to Colt out of camp. If we knew he would play the way he has I’d say hell yeah he should’ve started since day 1.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
Wow, really? The two Texas fans think Colt could have come in and led the team to the playoffs while swimming in the playbook.
No way he would have taken a big sack or two because he didn’t know the playbook or the opposing defense enough to know what was going to happen and get the ball to the right place.
rufio - December 8, 2010
Ok now, easy rufio. I never said anything about Colt sweeping anyone into the playoffs.
I qualified my comment somewhat down below…
At any rate, guilty as charged on being a biased Longhorns fan.
burntorangeandbrown - December 8, 2010
Don´t back down – it is a hypothetical argument that cannot be disproved. Stand tall.
realmccoy - December 8, 2010
You wanna here another hypothetical argument? if I was 2 inches taller, I could play in the NBA.
bross09 - December 8, 2010
I guess that means you’re only 5’1" tall then, since Muggsy Bogues played in the NBA at 5’3".
Dawg Nuts - December 9, 2010
And was a pretty decent player. How tall was Spud Webb?
golanbatrac - December 9, 2010
5-7 or 8
DontCallMeJoey - December 9, 2010
yep, 5"7"
Dawg Nuts - December 10, 2010
actually I am 5’9’’. I don’t have the speed or the jump shot of Mugsy Bogues or Spudd Webb
bross09 - December 9, 2010
Rufio didn’t say that you did either, but that with colt from Day 1, we would be at least 7-5 and have a better shot at the playoffs.
bross09 - December 8, 2010
Totally a sarcastic joke. I know you guys know you are biased.
rufio - December 9, 2010
Humor us – we have had a brutal year!
realmccoy - December 8, 2010
Disastrous year. The barn burned down in Texas and the hay went with it.
burntorangeandbrown - December 8, 2010
And that is why clever ranchers always diversify their hay portfolio.
JustBob - December 8, 2010
Uh… Is this a metaphor? Like… “I told them that the hay is in the barn” type of thing? ;)
shep615 - December 9, 2010
Yes, except I should have said “The barn burned down and the hay left town”.
Has more of a ring to it.
burntorangeandbrown - December 9, 2010
Hahahaha.
emily522 - December 9, 2010
You’ll rebound. You’re Texas.
rufio - December 9, 2010
I hear people have been advised against messing with them.
Dawg Nuts - December 9, 2010
You heard right pardner ;)
(Actually “Don’t mess with Texas” became the theme for an anti-littering campaign to clean up the highways of Texas started back in 1986).
Don’t Mess with Texas
burntorangeandbrown - December 9, 2010
Given the way Colt McCoy looked in preseason, you can’t seriously think he would have won the job. He came in as number three and earned nothing.
woodsmeister - December 8, 2010
Correct me if I’m wrong, but my understanding is in training and pre-season McCoy really didn’t get much of any reps with the 1st string (since there was no plan for him to see any action this year…). So it seems to me the “the way he looked in pre-season” point is arguably somewhat moot.
I don’t really ‘blame Holmgren’ for anything – probably should have re-phrased by response. However I do think it is valid to question his public declaration (as soon as McCoy was drafted) that McCoy would not see any action the first year at all.
burntorangeandbrown - December 8, 2010
He didn’t get many reps, and he was playing behind a god-awful line.
That said, he made some terrible plays on his own, like not stepping in to his throw for the INT into the endzone. Or throwing the ball out of bounds with no time left when we were down.
So no, not entirely moot. He’s a rookie, rookies need time, he demonstrated on his own that he isn’t any different because he is “your guy”.
Holmgren did what he did to take the pressure off of Colt and to take the heat off of Delhomme and Seneca and put the fanbase’s confidence behind them. It’s hard enough to play QB in the NFL, it’s got to be a lot harder when your own fans are calling for your head and for your backup.
rufio - December 8, 2010
I really have no qualms with any of Holmgren’s decisions.
Just saying it was somewhat peculiar to make the declaration that he would see no playing time his first year. That’s all.
burntorangeandbrown - December 8, 2010
And if not for the injuries I don’t think he would have seen any playing time this year unless Delhomme and Wallace had us sitting on another 1-11 record.
JustBob - December 8, 2010
I think Holmgren’s statement about Colt was done to try to eliminate all the second-guessing that has went on in Cleveland for years. Circumstances changed due to injuries. Otherwise I don’t think Colt would have played this year. I am glad things have worked the way they have tho…
Karen Marie - December 11, 2010
I wouldn’t blame this on holmegren at all. Do you really think that if Colt mccoy was superior to Delhomme and Wallace in the preseason and in practice that holmegren would have just ignored it and still “redshirted” mccoy? From what i watched Delhomme had a great preseason and mccoy had a terrible one, not that i’m trying to defend delhomme, i hate him, but it just didn’t make sense to start mccoy off the bat
sww2109 - December 8, 2010
Over the last decade we have seen several backup QBs come in and play incredible when they had nothing to lose. Later when they were the anointed starter, they sucked. I don’t think Colt will be another one of those, but there is a big difference in the amount of pressure a backup in relief faces vs. The face of the franchise. I’m sure he’ll do fine though when its his time.
HenryDawg - December 8, 2010 via mobile
No way…. JD looked good in preseason and it almost seemed like he was holding back. He was calm relaxed and had the new start he ws looking for. He lost his INT reputation and was destined to win the starting job. Colt would have looked like Couch our there and would not have done what he has done.
SBP - December 8, 2010
who knows if he would have been ready to be competent enough to win those 1st to games? this is utter speculation and ridiculous to blame holmgren. i know its Lonhorn homerism, but I truly think those 6-7 weeks of sitting on the bench behind grizzled veterans. Both Seneca and JD started their careers as benchwarmers for at least the first few years, sitting behind a veteran player and learning the tricks of the trade.
Not only do i believe that had Seneca and JD not sat behind such steady veterans as Hasselbeck and Jeff Blake, they would not be as good today, just like if you threw colt out there without getting a chance to sit behind guys who have played for years (total of 16 years on NFL rosters combined)
bross09 - December 8, 2010
Wright’s inability to cover Anquan Boldin cost us more than anything. We need to finish ahead of the Ravens. A victory there and we’re one game back with the Ravens still on our schedule.
golanbatrac - December 8, 2010
fixed
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
Yeah you are right that was really ugly.
champion64 - December 8, 2010
How about the coaches for allowing it to continue.
Roger Dorn - December 8, 2010
I refuse to be rational on the subject of Eric Wright. I don’t like him. It’s all his fault.
golanbatrac - December 8, 2010
This.
Eric Wright sucks at football.
Simmsinns - December 8, 2010
another one lost in the twitter world… sad story
browns8 - December 9, 2010
I third this.
discoinferno083 - December 8, 2010
I do think they should have pulled him earlier, but at that poitn I don’t think they had a ton of confidence in a rookie Haden. he really put them in a bind because they were counting on him to be at least solid, until Haden could adjust to the league.
bross09 - December 8, 2010
i’ll accept this. as long as they don’t put him back.
discoinferno083 - December 11, 2010
I agree 100%. It would be utterly moronic to put him back in. Not just because he was doing so poorly when he left, but that his replacement has stepped up and done so well. There would be no explanation I can think of that would be valid for Wright over Haden at this point.
bross09 - December 12, 2010
Ugh.
TheDriveStillHurts - December 8, 2010
I just can’t take champion64’s comment. It is ridiculous. There are hundreds of plays we can call out. JD and Seneca’s pick-6s were more devastating and more definitive. But even for those, blaming one play for an entire season is outrageous. But let’s go back to Stuckey and champion64’s assertion. It’s not even correct. Let’s say that Stuckey does not fumble and just goes out of bounds. How do we know Phil makes the 47 yard field goal? How do we know it’s not blocked? How do we know that the Jets D does not sack Colt and get us out of field goal range? or get our runner in the backfield to get us out of range? How do we know Colt does not throw an interception? Or Hillis doesn’t fumble? Blaming Stuckey for that loss entirely is ridiculous in and of itself. But then blaming him for us not having a realistic chance at the playoffs is even more ridiculous? Sorry, I just can’t take these kinds of comments
- they annoy the h— out of me.TheDriveStillHurts - December 8, 2010
Thats totally understandable. I get where champion is going with that comment but you’re right, that was not the reason we’re 5-7
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
We’re 5-7 because we are what our records says we are. We don’t have to rehash the whole season. We are getting better, but this Browns team isn’t really playoff caliber. A few plays go the other way, sure, a couple Ls turn to Ws but just as easily a couple Ws turn to Ls. Our record is an accurate measure.
Western Reserve - December 9, 2010
Ah, we let ourselves off the hook.
SpecialBrownie - December 9, 2010
Are we who we thought we were?
Andrew Tolliver - December 9, 2010
Haha, interesting twist on that one.
Simmsinns - December 9, 2010
Against the hardest schedule in the NFL
Roger Dorn - December 9, 2010
You can’t say we are what our record says we are and then turn around and say that we aren’t playoff caliber.
Because right now our record says we are “in the hunt”.
rufio - December 10, 2010
Fair enough point, I guess. But we are a pretty long shot for a playoff birth. Point is, I just don’t think we are drastically better than our record suggests.
Western Reserve - December 10, 2010
I’d say we are a middle of the pack team, maybe slightly better. I don’t really see the issue though…compared to last year this is huge improvement.
Roger Dorn - December 10, 2010
There is no issue. I agree we are much improved and heading in the right direction.
Western Reserve - December 10, 2010
The only thing we can know for sure about how good we are is how we do on Sundays. We’re 5-7 right now, that’s how good we are.
I am with you in thinking that we are not the most talented team out there, and not as talented as most of the teams that will make the playoffs. I’m just saying that doesn’t mean we’re not as good.
rufio - December 10, 2010
I think people undersell our talent quite a bit.
Roger Dorn - December 11, 2010
Butterfly effect. He could go out of bounds, Dawson’s FG gets blocked, and picked up for a TD.
there are so many things that could happen with just a few plays changing.
bross09 - December 8, 2010
Missed sacks on Sanchez, missed FGs by Phil, missed FGs by other teams, a lack of ability to get a first down in the 2nd half…the list goes on and on.
rufio - December 8, 2010
I’ve rethought this. It’s all all Peyton Hillis’s fault. You see, our loss in the Jets game is actually Hillis’s, and the Jets game is the reason we are not in the playoff hunt. Hillis fumbled on an early drive and turned it over in that game. If, however, he had not fumbled, we would have went on to score a TD and the game would have never went into overtime. Cut Hillis.
TheDriveStillHurts - December 8, 2010
Heckert traded for Hillis, so he should be fired as well.
Roger Dorn - December 8, 2010
And he was hired by Holmgren correct? He’s gone too.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
Just petition the league to shut down the entire organization. Browns fans and the City of Cleveland were dead wrong in fighting to get a team back. I blame life itself for the team being 5-7.
Dawg Nuts - December 8, 2010
Thanks a lot, Earth, for ever existing!
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
I blame Eric Wright.
golanbatrac - December 8, 2010
Yes. Absolutely. Wright is wrong.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
WRIGHT IS WRONG!
Simmsinns - December 8, 2010
Joe Haden’s pitch for a starting job lol
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
Wright is wrong; Poole’s a fool. Haden / Ward 2010. Change you can believe in.
golanbatrac - December 8, 2010
If you combine the names of Haden and Ward, you get “warden”
Roger Dorn - December 8, 2010
When I combine their names I get Hard.
golanbatrac - December 8, 2010
Awesome.
Simmsinns - December 8, 2010
Damn you and your oneupsmanship
Roger Dorn - December 8, 2010
“Who’s the warden?”. “you are! You’re my warden!” /Dane Cook
Legoman0721 - December 8, 2010 via mobile
HaHaHa! Holy Sh*T
Serious rec.
burntorangeandbrown - December 8, 2010
Lol
rufio - December 8, 2010
rofl
jaws. - December 8, 2010
that is awesome!
JDawg in Cbus - December 8, 2010
I blame Braylon Edwards.
BrownDawg1409 - December 11, 2010
We don’t need to petition the league, just call up Art Modell.
shep615 - December 8, 2010
When you think about it, Josh McDaniels traded Hillis to us. I guess that’s why he got fired. Who knew Pat Bowlen was so sensitive to the Browns playoff chances
sww2109 - December 8, 2010
6 degrees of Chasni Stuckey…
Somehow I get the feeling if we kept going with this Hitler would have ended up doing some ‘good things.’
johnnyphoenix - December 8, 2010
stuckey did also fumble a punt that didn’t help in that steelers game.
he has done many good things too this year and I like him as a #3 WR.
allsides - December 9, 2010
It’s easy to point to one play in each game that “lost” us each game (Delhomme’s effective pick 6 against TB, Wallace’s pick 6 against KC, Stuckey’s fumble against NYJ, lack of tackling of Jones-Drew vs JAX on one of the final plays) As much as I’d like to I don’t think it makes sense for us to blame individual plays for our current record, pretty much every game has been close and plays have gone both our way and the opponents way. The Jets had as many opportunities to win as we did, Carolina missed the game winning FG, Bowen’s deflection directly to Mike Adams was fairly lucky. These things tend to even out over the course of the season
sww2109 - December 8, 2010
right. the way we beat Miami was no less “lucky” than the way those above mentioned teams beat us.
Dawg Nuts - December 8, 2010
The reason the Browns are 5-7 is 1) Talent of the team in place 2) Coaches ability to coach the talent 3) Execution by the players of the plays called by the Coaches. The amazing thing is I am as excited about this 5-7 team as I am sure the Patriots fans are excited about their 10-2 team.
SBP - December 8, 2010
Luck is a part of the game.
rufio - December 8, 2010
But isn’t it great to see where just 1 play lost us the game instead of what we saw up until the last 4 games of last season? You know where you’re thinking “ok, we get a pick six and a miracle bomb and we’re right back in it…”
JDawg in Cbus - December 8, 2010
Too many what ifs from the past in this thread. This post is supposed to be about the what ifs from Week 14 to Week 17.
Chris Pokorny - December 8, 2010
Just win ballgames. So glad to be in the “in the hunt” category and not the “which top 5 pick will we have” one.
rufio - December 8, 2010
is that what you want from this team? What if’s from week 14? what if we win out, and what happens then… Success is what you want, what if’s from week 14 are failures….
browns8 - December 9, 2010
Considering where we’ve been and where we are now, yeah I am happy with where we are now.
We look like we are building the right way, we have a plan, we have some promising young players and we are improved in every category from Holmgren down.
So yes, that’s what I want from this team: improvement.
rufio - December 9, 2010
and if you expect complete turnaround in one year you are almost guaranteeing failure.
notthatnoise - December 9, 2010
This. we all saw what happened in 2008, after a “complete turnaround in one year” from 2006 to 2007. I contend that this 5-7 team is much, much better than the 2007 10-6 team.
Dawg Nuts - December 9, 2010
Absolutely.
golanbatrac - December 9, 2010
Let’s digress further…“what if” the original Browns had never left Cleveland? Would they have been as successful as the ravens??
WilliamL - December 8, 2010
What if Sipe didn’t throw that pass?
Roger Dorn - December 8, 2010
What if Elway didn’t throw that pass?
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
what if Otto Graham didn’t throw that pass? oh wait, he did.
Dawg Nuts - December 8, 2010
What if Jordan missed the shot?
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
What if Bronco Nagurski had been born a girl?
elsandito - December 8, 2010
Only female to be elected to the Hall of Fame, thats for damn sure.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
You’re forgetting Bradshaw?
golanbatrac - December 8, 2010
OHHHH I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE…BAHAHAHA
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
What if LeBron went to play for the Browns instead of the Heat? Then we wouldn’t have to draft AJ Green! Speaking of AJ Green, lets hope we lose the rest of our games so we can draft him!!! I think I hit on a few topics that were lacking here
sww2109 - December 8, 2010
What if Braylon Edwards didn’t suck?
BrownDawg1409 - December 11, 2010
What if General Moses Cleaveland had not been selected as one of the directors of the Connecticut Land Company and subsequently sent out as the company’s agent to map and survey the company’s holdings at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River back in 1796?
burntorangeandbrown - December 8, 2010
I don’t know if I should rec this or flag it…
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
Both. Worst thing that could happen is the post stands, you’re charged with a timeout for challenging with the flag, but you’re still on the right side of history with the rec.
burntorangeandbrown - December 8, 2010
the rules clearly state you aren’t allowed to challenge the ruling of a flag. you can challenge the ruling of another call, but flags are irreversible.
bross09 - December 8, 2010
What if Christopher Columbus had said “Screw it, I’m turning around”?
Dawg Nuts - December 9, 2010
the vikings would have been back eventually. possibly china or japan get here first.
notthatnoise - December 9, 2010
The Minnesota Samurais?
Nice.
SpecialBrownie - December 9, 2010
Vikings predated Columbus by many centuries in Newfoundland. Just not taught in the schools this way.
talonk - December 9, 2010
china pre-dated columbus in america by almost a century.
DontCallMeJoey - December 9, 2010
that may be true, but the Norse were in on the American continent in the 10th century, four centuries before Columbus.
talonk - December 9, 2010
The thought of actual Vikings playing football intrigues me quite a bit. No rules, no penalties, and spiked clubs.
Kimble_79 - December 9, 2010
Quick, call Capitol One to film that commercial!
The goat kicks the FG. …. What’s In Your Wallet?
talonk - December 9, 2010
Perhaps, but they would have been no match for the early Cuyahoga Valley Indians and their widely feared Lacrosse team.
It was certainly no laughing matter when they wielded their sticks during competition, and you can bet your ass no one dared try to enforce any rules much less assess any penalties. This was further evidenced much later when Oklahoma Choctaw teams eventually began to attach lead weights to their Lacrosse sticks around 1900 to use them as skull-crackers. Of course the game was outright banned after that.
burntorangeandbrown - December 9, 2010
Forgive me, but when I went to high school and then college in the 90s, that was considered an out-there theory. Is there actual evidence now that the Chinese actually made it here before Columbus?
TheDriveStillHurts - December 9, 2010
this is actually fairly recent research but is still not 100% accepted by the historical community. There is some evidence that china landed in brazil before Columbus. This research has all been done since 2002 so it is definitely very recent and the research to prove its conclusive I believe is ongoing.
bross09 - December 9, 2010
I don’t know about that, but I do know the very first humans in america game by sea from australia, not over the land bridge during the ice age.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/430944.stm
notthatnoise - December 9, 2010
this book is awesome and details much of the case.
DontCallMeJoey - December 9, 2010
it is pretty interesting, though some historians refute some of what he says.
Its still in the very early stages of becoming verified history, but there is definitely something there,
Independent researchers in Shanghai (independent meaning, not working for the chinese government and not in contact with Menzies) found similar evidence.
bross09 - December 9, 2010
so, like it said, the book is great a details much of the case.
DontCallMeJoey - December 9, 2010
Do what? What are you talking about? You didn’t say that. Wait, what?
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
Stayed for a couple years then fled back home.
woodsmeister - December 9, 2010
that’s why I said they would have been back.
notthatnoise - December 9, 2010
Yeah, but….what happens if Stuckey holds onto the ball?!
Western Reserve - December 9, 2010
What if they hired Marty as GM and Brian as coach? What if we actually took CLAY MATTHEWS as the 1st pick? That would have been the biiizzzomb!
JDawg in Cbus - December 8, 2010
mack was a great pick
DontCallMeJoey - December 8, 2010
Hopefully the battle with Pittsburgh leads to a letdown for the Ravens
If Houston can get a little bit of a ground game going, Schaub should be able to score enough points to beat Flacco and the Ravens
rose_11 - December 8, 2010
all i know is, we can beat Buffalo.
they suck.
Who dominates their O-line most this week?
someone make some predictions.
discoinferno083 - December 8, 2010
Tuba
Simmsinns - December 8, 2010
Rogers goes nuts.
notthatnoise - December 8, 2010
Possibly eats Ryan Fitzpatrick’s leg.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
I wonder what the fine for on field cannibalism would be?
BiggieBrown - December 8, 2010
Stop giving James Harrison new ideas.
elsandito - December 8, 2010
HA! REC! but seriously, don’t give that dirty sumbitch any ideas.
Andrew Tolliver - December 8, 2010
Hey neat, I helped spark a fun conversation sort of :D
King Tony - December 8, 2010
Stuckey's Fumble
Re read it please. I said I am NOT coming down on him. If he holds on the ball you have to like the chance the BROWNS WIN THAT GAME, which now makes them 6-6. It is possible they could go 3-1 in the last 4 which would allow them to think they have a shot at the playoffs even though I still believe they would fall short. I DID NOT SAY IT WAS THE ONLY PLAY THIS SEASON, but it was at a very critical time. It was a crucial play in up to this point in the season because of the situation and timing in the game. YOU HAVE TO PROTECT THE BALL. He was fighting for one more yard after he had a first down, it was unfortunate. At 6-6 the playoffs would be much more of a possibility then now at 5-7. Chansi Stuckey’s Fumble hurt and of that there is no debate, that is my comment. I am not blaming the season on him.
Next you will be saying it wasn’t Byner’s fault in 1988.
champion64 - December 8, 2010
Wasn’t the Byner game the one where we fell behind 35-0?
elsandito - December 8, 2010
OK, we were behind 21-3.
Yeah, I blame Byner for allowing those 3 Bronco TD’s.
elsandito - December 8, 2010
Just like its Chansi Stuckey’s fault the coverage broke down to let in a TD.
bross09 - December 8, 2010
What is also interesting is on 1/4/86, the Browns blew a 21-3 lead to Miami in a playoff game, but people don’t seem to recall this failure as sadly.
elsandito - December 8, 2010
It wasn’t Byner’s fault in 1988.
notthatnoise - December 8, 2010
YOU are right it was Webster Slaughter’s fault for not taking Castille to the corner of the end zone, instead of watching the play. Castille was to cover Slaughter and Slaughter was to run him into the corner of the end zone which would have left Byner to score, but in the end Byner is the one who fumbled the ball, LIKE Stuckey
champion64 - December 10, 2010
the point is there were a bunch of other plays that game, and in any game for that matter, which could drastically affect the outcome. picking one play just because it happened at the end doesn’t make sense.
notthatnoise - December 10, 2010
Let’s rerun the playoff scenarios assuming the Jets game was a tie instead.
Because in reality, if the Browns hadn’t passed on 1st down on that last series (Blame Daboll!!!), we could have run out the clock and the Jets would not have had the chance to score that late TD.
talonk - December 8, 2010
run out the clock
Exactly! The browns have been the worst clock managers since…..ever! maybe SF this year is as bad but damn it has been awful. except for when colt is in….hmmmm….bet holmgren notices that!
JDawg in Cbus - December 8, 2010
That was not a case of poor time management. a loss is as good as a tie.
notthatnoise - December 8, 2010
Or a tie is as bad as a loss. Either way, I agree.
Simmsinns - December 8, 2010
quit messing up my critiques with logic!
JDawg in Cbus - December 8, 2010
actually i wouldn’t blame stuckey for the fumble, fumbles just happen, I am blaming him for not carrying the ball the proper way, if you look closely, he does not have it properly tucked away, hand over the nose of the ball, etc. Fumbles happen, but that is why you carry the ball they way your are supposed to carry the ball, so it isn’t knocked out easily.
allsides - December 9, 2010
I can definitely see blaming him partially for why the fumble happened. He didn’t carry the ball tightly enough.Even if you want to blame stuckey 100% for the fumble, that doesn’t mean you are blaming the loss on him. there are many plays besides that fumble that deserve equal blame for the loss…however its always easy to blame a big play like a turnover, because they stick out in everyones mind.
bross09 - December 9, 2010
to focus on the primaries here …
a. i think it will be VERY hard for the browns to go 4-0 to close out the season. very hard. especially if the ravens need a win in the game in which we play them. and let’s not rule out a mis-step against 2 pretty game cin and buf teams.
i think it is similarly VERY unlikely that the ravens do anything worse than 2-2 in the final four. houston sucks, and the ravens are furious about losing last week. moreover, it’s really hard to beat the same team twice in the same season, especially when you’re bad, which (despite being “game”, as i mentioned above) the bengals are.DontCallMeJoey - December 8, 2010
that was supposed to be letter b, not bolded
DontCallMeJoey - December 8, 2010
I do think at least most of us are aware of these things.
Simmsinns - December 8, 2010
I think we lose at least one and baltimore loses at most 2.
rufio - December 9, 2010
I’m quite content finishing the year 7-9.
Western Reserve - December 9, 2010
I’ll be content and disappointed at the same time.
Simmsinns - December 9, 2010
see, to me that’s a shame. that’s the folly of inflating expectations as you go … if the browns finish 7-9 this year it will be a huge success. period. i bet if i’d told you in august the browns would go 7-9 this year you would have been psyched.
DontCallMeJoey - December 9, 2010
Not all that psyched. I wanted improvement from last year. In August, if you came from the future to tell me that we’d definitely go 7-9, I’d have been fairly happy that we were +2 games from last season. I thought, at the time, anything less than 5 would be a disaster.
Now, if you’d have described in full detail everything about this team and every play from every game… then I’d have been psyched.
I really don’t see what’s so wrong with hoping for more as your team goes along. Admittedly, the Browns are better than I thought, also better right now than some might say our record represents. We’ve been improving, and I hope we continue to do so.
Simmsinns - December 9, 2010
I think if we can continue with this pace, we are in the playoffs next year. Probably not a #1 or #2 see, but in the playoffs nonetheless. We have to get another great draft/FA similar to this year though.
Kimble_79 - December 9, 2010
Almost forgot why I originally posted…I’m with you content and disappointed. I’m glad we are improving and I realize it takes time, but I’m ready for a winning team damn it!
Kimble_79 - December 9, 2010
so, where’s the disappointment?
DontCallMeJoey - December 9, 2010
Coming close to the playoffs and not actually making it, being within striking distance in most of our games in the 4th but not pulling games out often enough, etc.
rufio - December 10, 2010
I agree with a combo of both satisfaction and disappointment. Improving upon last year’s record, while playing a tougher schedule, would make me happy; however, looking at each individual game, it would be hard not to feel badly about how some of them got away from us.
Dawg Nuts - December 10, 2010
I was a hopeless optimist so I thought 7-9 would happen…
bross09 - December 9, 2010
I would be content as well, I had predicted we’d go 8-8, obviously switching the Patriots/Saints game for the Chiefs and Bucs and I thought we’d be Jacksonville and sweep the Bengals. We’ll see, I think the important part is roster evaluation and seeing some promise out of our young players. Obviously it’d be nice to have won some of the games we lost at the beginning of the year, but i think you have to also remember your expectations and goals that you set at the beginning of the season. I don’t personally know what these were within the organization.
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
This was my prediction and I’d be content with that.
emily522 - December 9, 2010
hells yeah!
playoff bound!! woof!! woof!!!
JDawg in Cbus - December 8, 2010
Bottom line, beat the Bills. Hope the Texans (as a home underdog on Monday Night) pull one out of the fire. THEN you speculate.
cheech99 - December 8, 2010
precisely.
discoinferno083 - December 11, 2010
So as happy as I am that we are still alive for the playoffs this late into the season, I am saddened to realize that San Diego is just as much of a threat to our VERY slim chances as the Ravens are. Even if the Chargers lose this weekend, they have a game at home against San Fran, then at Cincinatti and at Denver. Anybody not see them going 3-0 in that span? The worst I can see them finishing is 9-7, and according to the ESPN Playoff Machine, this would beat our 9-7. One can always hope though.
Browns town - December 9, 2010
The espn machine was built to keep fans of good teams in high hopes, and leave the underdogs in high hopes. I think it’s working…
browns8 - December 9, 2010
Oh, it’s working alright. It just seems like much of the focus is on the Ravens since we play them and we at least have a little bit of control, but we could go 4-0 and the Ravens 1-3, but still miss the playoffs. This was what I was trying to get at.
Browns town - December 9, 2010
4 games to go. If we go undefeated in the final phase, we are 9-7.
Our opponents:
week 14: Buffalo Bills
week 15: Cincinnati Bengals
week 16: Baltimore Ravens
week 17: Pittsburgh Steelers
Wow, what a climax possibility if we win game for game. Beat a smash mouth team in Buffalo, chances: good. Beat the supposedly more comparable Bengals. Chances: In reality: slim. In the adapted reality of the NFL: possible. Beat the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The way guys do odds around here, slanting the unlikely in their favor: possible.
Soooo. A lot of ifs and buts there. If you want mooncamping´s opinion, do we deserve to win with only behemoth linebackers and miniature cover corners, and a run your own negatives over positives optimization. No. But since you´re in charge, it might be doable, overall I must say we´ve done the work, and we have the personnel.
It´s one and out. And I think, we´re apt to end it for ourselves next weekend, because you all will initiate the annual spoiler mode. Well, whatever, I think it´s possible, so if you feed off football excitement for the holidays, I say go for it.
mooncamping - December 9, 2010
I hate to look even further ahead, but if we do win these next 4 games to get into the playoffs… we have to be looking pretty good right? We’d have a huge surge of momentum going (a 6 game winning streak) and likely be up against Kansas City (who we could beat) and then New England or the Jets (who we did beat, and we should have beat)…
One game at a time here for sure, but this has limitless potential.
King Tony - December 9, 2010
Also another interesting scenario, say we do win the next 3 and it’s down to the Pittsburgh game. Say at this point they have their spot locked up, whether it’s first round bye or homefield whatever. Say the Steelers have nothing to gain from beating us.
Will they play us weak? Rest their starters, etc? Will the Browns-Steelers rivalry prevent them from doing that?
After what happened to us back in ‘07 it’d be nice to be on the other end of the equation.
King Tony - December 9, 2010
Hell no they won’t rest their starters. That’s not how the Steelers roll. They will do everything they can to keep the Browns out of the playoffs by beating us in our house.
woodsmeister - December 9, 2010
totally disagree. if the steelers have nothing to play for, they’ll rest the key guys in week 17. no question in my mind.
DontCallMeJoey - December 9, 2010
“So, we wrapped up the AFC North, and Ben’s foot is still broken, along with his nose… wanna pull him?” “F*CK NO!”
Idk, that is legitimate Steeler logic right there.
SpecialBrownie - December 9, 2010
maybe it’s legit steeler FAN logic, but it ain’t legit mike tomlin logic. that’s a smart dude right there, much as i hate to admit it.
DontCallMeJoey - December 9, 2010
I disagree if his pressers are any indication of his intelligence.
SpecialBrownie - December 9, 2010
we’ll have to agree to disagree on that one … but i’d lean more on his success on the field as an indicator of his football intelligence.
DontCallMeJoey - December 9, 2010
His pressers are about attitude. He’s promoting the Steelers attitude, it doesn’t mean he has to think that way or always make decisions that way. He/the organization knows that’s what they fans expect so that’s what they give them.
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
they = the
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
What is this “Steelers attitude” exactly? I’m thinking: “a**hole.”
Simmsinns - December 9, 2010
I think it’s fairly obvious.
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
True, I just took the opportunity to call the Steelers a-holes.
Simmsinns - December 9, 2010
Well that’s definitely part of it.
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
Hit hard. Doesn’t matter if it’s legal. Doesn’t matter if you injure the other team – better then than us. Cross the line slightly every chance you get and dare the referee to call the penalty. That includes the line of scrimmage. If you get away with it, cross the line continually and by greater measures until they call a penalty and then bitch and moan that the referees and the world are against you.
That’s the Steelers attitude. It’s worked for them for years.
woodsmeister - December 9, 2010
You see Harrison whining again?
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
It’s not just Harrison. They have had a boatload of guys who have played that way over the years. Joey Porter was a punk when he played for Pittsburgh (well, still is). Hines Ward is a classic cheap shot artist who sincerely believes that he is actually playing the game the right way while he’s blindsiding defenders with head shots after the play is over. They have a culture of thuggery and pushing the limits and until the NFL calls them on it consistently it’s not going to change. What the NFL is doing now is a good start, but until they have every officiating crew on the same page as to what is a penalty and what is not, the Steelers’ culture of thuggery and cheating is not going to change.
woodsmeister - December 10, 2010
Oh yeah I know that, i was just talking about him saying the Ravens were targeting him in the game
Villeslgr - December 10, 2010
playoffs on the line or not, I would LOVE to see one of our guys target harrison next time we play.
discoinferno083 - December 11, 2010
Rats! I thought about this while I was in the shower and was SO EXCITED to share, but you beat me to it… Only by a couple of hours, too :p
I think it’s possible. I could see them resting people because they are significantly banged up already and I’m thinking they’ll have just enough (if that) healthy starters to make a run deep into the playoff game. No need to risk losing more in a very physical Pittsburgh/Cleveland game.
And contrary to what woodsmeister said, I think the way the Steelers would rather roll is to the Super Bowl. I know we’re bitter rivals, but if I have the choice between beating my bitter rival or beating the Super Bowl runner-up then I’m going with the one that puts another ring on my finger.
shep615 - December 9, 2010
I’m with woods. There’s no way they would rest anyone if our playoff hopes came down to that game.
Andrew Tolliver - December 9, 2010
yep. Not to mention, letting a team into the playoffs with the potential to have to face them there could really bite them in the ass.
Dawg Nuts - December 9, 2010
Nothing Peyton Manning and the Colts don’t do every other year.
TheDriveStillHurts - December 9, 2010
fair enough.
Dawg Nuts - December 10, 2010
As Moon point out, we are in “one-and-done” mode now; in other words, we are playing playoff football now (and have been playing “playoff football” for the past two weeks). I’m glad to say that since we still have a shot, this team can show everyone what they are made of; buck up and play like there’s no tomorrow. Prove the playoff mettle in the here-and-now, and be rewarded very soon.
All of these opportunities are ideal tests for the players as we build a championship calibre team.
Spidey - December 9, 2010 via mobile
We’re just not a playoff calibre team at the moment.
Next your could be very interesting though if we hit on our high draft picks: DL/LB/WR can contribute fairly quickly.
LondonBrown - December 9, 2010
You are such a buzz kill.
elsandito - December 9, 2010
Kettle, meet pot. Pot, meet kettle… ;-)
Spidey - December 9, 2010 via mobile
hey. you’re both black.
discoinferno083 - December 11, 2010
These next 4 games are what will make this team “playoff calibre”… Sure, we need to see a couple more pieces in place, but we has need a core foundation and proven performance in these types of games. Last year’s 4-game winning streak was a situation of playing out the string. These next 4 games reflect something more than that. If we finish strong, it will be hard to find a decent football writer not including the Browns in any list of playoff contenders next season.
Spidey - December 9, 2010 via mobile
I didn’t think playing out the string and 4-game winning steak went together.
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
Winning steak is always good.
Andrew Tolliver - December 9, 2010
Ha, yes it is.
Might be a new tradition, steak after every win. I could live with that.
Villeslgr - December 9, 2010
Just like before the 2008 season. That sure worked out well.
TheDriveStillHurts - December 9, 2010
Sure did. Those were good times.
Spidey - December 9, 2010
Sword Fight!
golanbatrac - December 9, 2010
You are too damn good at this!
Simmsinns - December 9, 2010
HA!
Kimble_79 - December 10, 2010
“I can haz a hug?!”
emily522 - December 9, 2010
NO CHEEZBURGER!
SpecialBrownie - December 9, 2010
this was funny to read.
Dawg Nuts - December 10, 2010
I’m surprised no one posted this link yet (unless I missed it):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3-eavMSBnk&feature=related
In all seriousness, I’m glad it’s December and we are still in the running mathematically. This team has really improved compared to previous years when it was a nice circus act.
da36chamberz - December 9, 2010
In the other playoff thread there are a few references to it.
Simmsinns - December 9, 2010
I must have missed it….I’ve been busy lately..need to catch up on my DBN reading.
da36chamberz - December 9, 2010
PLAYOFFS?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fjDS0jKiE&feature=related
klondike460 - December 10, 2010
Really?
Simmsinns - December 10, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWqQypkYmfY&feature=related
Kimble_79 - December 10, 2010
If the browns win out having beat the ravens steelers saints and patriots on a 6 game winning streak and ended the season 8-2 they have to be considered to at least win one game. Their losses came against respectable Tampa Bay and Kansas City (When we weren’t in full swing) Baltimore which is a good team Atlanta who will probably win the NFC and close losses to great and good teams in NYJ and the jaguars and a loss in a rookies first game against a great Pittspuke D. If Browns make it they would probably play Kansas City who they could beat and then the Patriots who they have beat. If they make it the Browns could do some damage.
Luke C - December 11, 2010
If the Browns win out
having beaten the Steelers, Saints, Patriots, Ravens and VERY nearly the Jets
(plus the points made by Luke C above in his second sentence)…
Frankly I won’t shed a tear if they don’t happen to make the playoffs.
They will be hands down the best 9-7 team in the NFL, everyone will know it, and we’ll be hearing about them in every football discussion and broadcast from January til September of 2011.
burntorangeandbrown - December 11, 2010
even if all of the other stuff happens, I wouldn’t count on that victory over NE meaning anything at all in a playoff rematch in Foxboro. That would be a nearly impossible game for the Browns to win. Nearly…
Dawg Nuts - December 11, 2010
not if we have Eric Wright.
discoinferno083 - December 11, 2010
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