In today's edition of Around the Pound, the main topic of discussion regarding the Cleveland Browns in the news has been the team's restricted free agents.
This has become a common phrase amongst the Cleveland Browns fans: the team might not need LB D'Qwell Jackson this season. More so than our other restricted free agents, Jackson has made it clear that he desires a new contract. Considering that he has the most experience of our remaining RFA and was once considered the core of our linebacker unit, if someone could make a legitimate plea for a new contract, it would probably be him.
As many fans have speculated though, Pluto points out that with how many inside linebackers the team has on the roster, and the fact that Jackson has yet to look like anything more than an average linebacker, we might not see Jackson with the team this season:
3. The point is, they have Bowens, Fujita, Gocong and Barton as experienced inside linebackers. They have decided to keep David Veikune exclusively at inside linebacker. They believe it was a mistake to play him at outside and inside linebacker, which they did early last season. Veikune was a rookie out of Hawaii, where he played defensive end. So there is no need to appease Jackson. It would not be a shock if he plays elsewhere next season.
Pluto notes that LB Matt Roth would also like a long-term deal, but give his short tenure with the team last season, he'd be better off following in the footsteps of Jason Trusnik and just signing for a year.
Rookie running back Montario Hardesty was noticed by the media last week, and head coach Eric Mangini has some more praise for him this week:
Mangini is painting Hardesty as one of the team’s most mentally alert rookies. In rookie minicamp meetings, Mangini would put players on the spot with pop questions.
“Some guys couldn’t get the answers,” Mangini said. “Whenever they couldn’t get an answer, (Hardesty) had his hand in the air. He knew the answer. And it was on a range of different things ... You could tell he was constantly paying attention, constantly taking notes.”
The question is, just how much does that awareness translates to talent? We always said Ken Dorsey was a smart quarterback; or at least Bernie Kosar thought he was.
According to Tony Grossi via general manager Tom Heckert, while the Browns may still pursue a free agent receiver, veteran Terrell Owens isn't one of the players on their radar:
"That's not the direction we're headed," he said. "There's a lot of factors that go into that. I think at this stage of his career, this isn't a place he'd be looking at. We don't plan on talking to him."
Grossi also had an interesting note on the number of RFA's in the league who have not signed yet. In total, 44 RFA's have remained without a team; the Browns account for a little more than 11% of those players.
“Well, there’s been a lot of talk about a third Ghostbusters film, which has now become real. It’s… I can say with some certainty that there will be a third movie. It won’t be out until Christmas 2012, but the work is going on now.”
0 recs | 192 comments
Flashforward was convoluted. It competes with V for overly ambitious show of the year.
gahnki - May 16, 2010
It was a decent show, but they kinda pounded the same points to death; it got too repetitive and boring.
AG7 - May 16, 2010
The “Course Correction” episode added a lot of depth that should have been taken into consideration much earlier. Changed the mood of the show a bit.
Chief WaDrew - May 17, 2010
Hopefully Hardesty’s smarts translate to talent on the field.
emily522 - May 16, 2010
Really. I love reading items like the above, but I’ll wait to see him under live fire conditions before I get too excited.
RelapsingDawgCatcher - May 17, 2010
He would need to be smart to pick up on his pass blocking assignments, especially against pitt/Baltimore.
Different kind of intelligence, but it doesn’t hurt him to have classroom smarts either.
He went for 1300 yards in the SEC (for a team that everyone knew was going to run a lot) and put some great talent on display. I think staying healthy is his biggest hurdle, especially considering we don’t have an AD/CJ/DeAngelo on the team.
rufio - May 18, 2010
Has anyone ever got the feeling with D’Qwell that the best is yet to come? I sure haven’t. While it’s true that he consitently makes tackles, it’s always after a gain of 6-8 yards. It’s good to have a sure tackler, but it’s better to have a sure tackler that reacts faster to limit the amount of yards gained. The defense has given up a lot of yards rushing and we need someone who reacts a bit faster. I won’t be disappointed if he leaves. I’d say Heckert and Holmgren have been making the right call as far as he’s concerned.
dawgtribe - May 16, 2010
I hear this 5-8 yard stuff about every Browns ILB since the team returned, and I just don’t know how people come up with it, other than it sounds good. Obviously there is no way for me to disprove it, but I remain skeptical that this is in fact, true.
Roger Dorn - May 16, 2010
I’m guilty of always accusing Andra Davis of this infraction, but usually not other Browns.
Chris Pokorny - May 16, 2010
I guess my frustration is that I think LB’ers by nature of where they line up end up having to make a lot of tackles in that range anyway, through no fault of their own.
Roger Dorn - May 16, 2010
Yeah, if the D-Line improves, then we may see the LBs making plays closer to the line of scrimage. I’m wondering if our upgrades to the secondary will allow the LBs to play closer to the line and get into the backfield more with the peace of mind that the safeties will live up to their name and make plays just in case someone gets thru.
dawgtribe - May 17, 2010
These were my exact thoughts while reading this. The 3-4 defense, by design, is for the LB’s to make plays. If they are not making the plays, then either the d-line isn’t taking up as much blockers as need be, or the LB’s are getting beat by the opponents O-line frequently. Either of these is not good. However, if the secondary on top of both those is getting beat consistently, then I could see the LB’s not attacking the line of scrimmage as they should be.
I believe that with our secondary improved, this should free up Rob Ryan to do more complex blitzing and stunting designs to really cause some havoc in the backfield. That is atleast my hope for this year. Along with more INT’s due to rushed passes.
Kimble_79 - May 17, 2010
Ryan already felt free to do this last year. He was sending any and everybody.
I don’t expect our sack or QB pressures numbers to go up this year, but we should be better at defending the pass behind all of the blitzing.
Ryan will live and die with the blitz if he has his way. I do think the new DBs will help us do more living.
rufio - May 17, 2010
I think we might actually blitz less, especially on first and second down. However I think Ryan will still want to play some man-to-man schemes. I think generally the Belicheck/Mangini philosophy is to play a lot of cover 1 man with a robber and be aggressive against the run on first and second down. Having better cover guys could help us to better defend the pass with less aggressive all out blitzing. I’d say we’ll see more cover 1 and fire zones next year.
jaws. - May 17, 2010
The entire NFL’s philosophy is to play a lot of man-1.
Rob Ryan is Rob Ryan. He will send people at the quarterback.
rufio - May 18, 2010
Yeah I tend to agree with this. While Ryan will still be aggressive in his blitz schemes, I think it will get toned down a bit. With an improvement in CB we don’t have to get a sack in order to prevent a completion anymore.
AG7 - May 18, 2010
I am going from the end of the season backwards in the video of the games, but I am already seeing ILBs have to make tackles that really shouldn’t be theirs to make. Roth has been pretty good so far at turning the run back inside, but a lot of our other OLBs weren’t.
If someone were to get the edge and DQ would have to not only take care of his inside gap but then turn and run to the sideline and tackle someone with a full head of steam, it would make sense that he is making tackles 4+ yards downfield; someone else failed to “set the edge”.
Obviously, someone faster could make it out there and tackle someone for less of a gain, but I don’t think it is fair to criticize him for not doing someone else’s job. I’ll make sure to look at this in the games where he isn’t injured.
rufio - May 16, 2010
I think it largely stems from the lack of explosive hits.
Our LBs just don’t seem the type to blow someone up. That implies a certain lack of strength and power – more so to the untrained eye than to someone who is following the scheme and individual assignments (which is really largely beyond me).
Basically:
“Man, Ray Lewis just blew that bi*** the f*** up!”
-“How come our LBs never do that?”
“Because they’re little fairies who can’t tackle except by dragging at someone’s ankles.”
-“I see…”
danvail - May 16, 2010
I don’t agree with this at all. I honestly would rather have a guy who just makes sure wrap-up tackles than big hits. Sure they are fun to watch, but you’re much more likely to miss.
AG7 - May 16, 2010
They don’t lack strength they just know that getting the ball carrier down is more important than putting on a show.
AG7 - May 16, 2010
I’m not saying it’s a valid or accurate view. I’m just offering that as a theory as to where the sentiment comes from. Just a visceral reaction.
danvail - May 16, 2010
Blowing someone up also means that a lot of other things went right for the LB to get to that point.
I would like to see more aggressiveness from our LBs, but Ray is blowing people up because he has a great DL protecting him, great diagnostic skills, and is one of the best LBs ever.
rufio - May 17, 2010
Right. Facts, however, are not going to stop the average fan.
danvail - May 17, 2010
Fair.
rufio - May 18, 2010
I think it just stems from the fact that the defense has given up so much rushing yardage. DQ has been the leading tackler, and yet they’re giving up 140-150 yds on the ground cuz RBs have easily gotten thru or around the D-line so he has to make plays farther away from the line of scrimage.
dawgtribe - May 17, 2010
It seems like it always gets pinned on one linebacker though, and its usually the guy that is making the most tackles. If anyone is at fault, I would go with someone like WImbley who was not really rushing the passer all that well and really wasn’t making a whole lot of tackles.
Roger Dorn - May 17, 2010
Well, obviously Wimbley was expendable and they didn’t think he is worth the money they were to pay him. The only reason I bring up DQ is cuz he’s the first to be mentioned when thinking about the RFAs. I find it really interesting that it was decided to tender him. They would’ve liked to get a second rounder for him, but since no one jumped they’re now in a position where they won’t have to pay him that much. To me that says that Heckert isn’t completely sold on him. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good player. but there is much better out there. I’m still bummed that they passed up on Kindle and he ended up going to Baltimore. The media is practically calling Ozzie a genius for what he did in the second round.
dawgtribe - May 17, 2010
I’ll call him a genius if Kindle shows that his injury isn’t going to affect him.
Kimble_79 - May 17, 2010
Tendering any RFA is basically a no-brainer. Unless you really want to get rid of a guy, you tender him at a level that no one will sign him for (or if they do, you will be more than happy with the pick in return).
If they really wanted picks, they would have given him a lower tender.
rufio - May 17, 2010
DQ is a solid ILB. I’ve made my opinion of him pretty clear this offseason, so I don’t want to get into it that much, but I would like to see him stay.
AG7 - May 16, 2010
I’m kinda pissed that 24 is coming to an end. Even during seasons that weren’t quite that great, I just couldn’t stop watching it. Hopefully they release more than just one movie, or make the one that is to be made fairly long.
AG7 - May 16, 2010
24 hours.
gahnki - May 16, 2010
Considering how much commercials usually cut in, I think it’s have to be chopped down to a 17-hour movie. I think I’d watch Jack kick ass in a theater for that duration ;)
Chris Pokorny - May 16, 2010
Yeah I would watch that too, but it looks like they want to go with a traditional time for a movie, rather than go through hour by hour.
AG7 - May 16, 2010
The storylines were getting repetitive, but I still kept tuning in because I love the 24-hour concept and Jack Bauer rules. I do give props to the showrunners for the last third of this season; they’ve come up with some interesting twists compared to usual.
Chris Pokorny - May 16, 2010
When is 24’s last episode?
gahnki - May 16, 2010
There is a 1-hour episode on May 17, then the 2-hour finale is on May 24.
Chris Pokorny - May 16, 2010
You are all-knowing when it comes to FOX television series.
AG7 - May 16, 2010
Of all the networks, FOX’s pilots usually intrigue me the most. I never watch any CBS shows besides Big Brother, ABC only got me for sci-fi (LOST and a bit of Flashforward), and NBC is for the comedy (The Office). With FOX, I’ve found myself invested in so many shows (Dark Angel, Fastlane, John Doe, Justice, Prison Break, Terminator, 24, House, FRINGE, Simpsons, Family Guy, Glee, and probably half a dozen more) that it doesn’t even compare to the other networks.
Chris Pokorny - May 16, 2010
We can only pray that The Office lasts as long as 24 did.
AG7 - May 16, 2010
its getting canceled soon i think
notthatnoise - May 17, 2010
nnnnnooooo, love that show d@mn it
Kimble_79 - May 17, 2010
They’re wrapping up season 6 now on TV, and the DVD is supposed to come in August I think. They’re already renewed for season 7, but that’s all I’ve seen. Where did you hear this?
AG7 - May 17, 2010
I can’t recall exactly, but it was by no means a certainty.
I also think the show should be canceled. it feels like its going to jump the shark any time now.
notthatnoise - May 17, 2010
Steve Carrell’s contract is up after next season, and he won’t be returning. Not sure where I read that, but it was in the last couple of weeks.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
I heard that recently too. I think what I heard was that he might not return but nothing is definite. I would say its 60/40 he is not returning but nothing that definite either way.
bross09 - May 17, 2010
He said he did not foresee himself returning, which is likely leverage talk before a contract negotiation.
gahnki - May 17, 2010
Honestly, with that show they don’t even need to say anything funny. Carrell’s manerisms are hilarious. The show probably won’t last too much longer, but I can’t get enough of it.
AG7 - May 18, 2010
I don’t think that show is near as funny this season as it has been in the past.
Buckeye Brad - May 17, 2010
Also, it has started to be upstaged by the other newer single cameras that are on before it. “Community” has had an amazing first season and “Parks and Rec” has been out Officing the Office.
Chief WaDrew - May 17, 2010
Don’t really like either Community or Parks and Rec. Thought 30 Rock fell way off this year as well. Overall, an awful year for NBC.
Roger Dorn - May 17, 2010
The Olympics really describe the year for NBC.
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
Dick Ebersol should be fired for ruining the Olympics yet again.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
Parks and Recreation? Really? I tried to watch it a couple of times, but it just seemed like a cheap knock-off of the office. I saw the episode of MythBusters where they proved you could polish a turd, but for that endeavor I figure Parks and Rec fell beyond the pale. Eye of the beholder, I guess.
JustBob - May 17, 2010
You can polish a turd, but in the end… it’s still a turd.
This is the line I give my friend who owns a pony Mustang V6. No matter how much you wax, it’s still a soccer mom’s car.
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
A soccer mom’s car that’ll get you just as much ass a 5.0 GT.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
Sadly, because the women only see Mustang and know nothing else.
Remember women, if you see the pony, stay away. Look for the Stallion.
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
I own a V6 Mustang.
danvail - May 17, 2010
Sad excuse for a car, I’m sorry. It’s a better type of car if you aren’t the jackass that thinks you’re hot stuff. If you just use it as it should be used then fine. But still. It’s a pony.
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
What do you drive?
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
A Turbocharged Civic.
VTEC baby.
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
Good cars. I know a lot of women who drive Civics.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
You can beat on a Civic forever and it will still last to 350xxx+. Also, extremely easy to work on.
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
does it look like this one?
Kimble_79 - May 17, 2010
Um, whut?
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
ever watch “Grandma’s Boy”?
Kimble_79 - May 18, 2010
if you haven’t, this clip will atleast give you some context for the picture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHya8HGuNSk
Kimble_79 - May 18, 2010
My good friend in college had to replace an engine twice with an Accord. The 3800 II in most Buicks is a far superior engine for durability than anything you’ll find in a Japanese car.
danvail - May 18, 2010
Well, I drive a Civic, not an Accord. And even then, Honda engines are extremely cheap and easy to replace. If you gave yourself a weekend you could do it. Also, A Buick engine is a GM engine in general. GM was at the top of my car list till I bought a Honda. I might never go back, but at least they’re number two. And it’s a V8 man, not in the same discussion.
SpecialBrownie - May 18, 2010
One of my cousins used to buy and tweak civics, then trade them for new ones.
notthatnoise - May 18, 2010
my mom also has a hybrid civic. not the same as those 90s ones, but still a civic, and still a great car.
notthatnoise - May 18, 2010
3800 is a V6.
danvail - May 18, 2010
Also, I’m going to go ahead and rate not replacing an engine as cheaper than replacing a relatively inexpensive engine.
danvail - May 18, 2010
This.
golanbatrac - May 18, 2010
You’d be very, very wrong.
SpecialBrownie - May 18, 2010
GOT EM!
TheRealSlimShady - May 18, 2010
Can’t beat a Toyota Avalon!
TheRealSlimShady - May 18, 2010
Good point. When that pedal sticks and your are literally balls TO THE WALL, you’re hard to beat.
Because I like to live.
SpecialBrownie - May 18, 2010
2001
TheRealSlimShady - May 18, 2010
I got my wife a ’07 Camry SE a few months back. She had her heart set on it. I made her practice throwing the thing in neutral atleast 100x for that reason.
Nice car though, runs great, and is loaded.
Kimble_79 - May 18, 2010
If I bought the car to be a muscle car then I’d agree. I did not, however. I bought it because it was the only reasonably priced convertible that was American.
danvail - May 18, 2010
Good, good. My friend did, I laugh at him a lot.
SpecialBrownie - May 18, 2010
I’m sure you’ve related this, but you’re friend is showing classic signs of being a tool.
danvail - May 18, 2010
He is an extreme tool. I’m glad you’re not.
SpecialBrownie - May 18, 2010
Right back at ya, slick.
danvail - May 18, 2010
ewe, man love.
Is it getting warm in here?
doggrad87 - May 18, 2010
It IS!
I think I need to take my shirt off:
danvail - May 19, 2010
and yours and SBs cars are both better than my ford POS.
bross09 - May 18, 2010
They’re building some really nice Fords now. My wife and I bought a new Fusion last year and it’s really nice. It was also named Car of the Year by Car & Driver.
My first car, however, was a POS ’85 Ford Tempo (which I bought in ’96), although it got me where I wanted to go just fine for two years. Then it was passed down to my younger brother and he ran it off the road and wrecked it.
Buckeye Brad - May 18, 2010
My parents, for god only knows why, let me buy an 1983 Porsche 944 that had 110k miles on it in while I was in high school. God I loved that car. It would throw your head back into the seat all the way up thru 4th gear. Subsequently I totaled the car, and not even by speeding. I pulled out in front of somebody.
Kimble_79 - May 18, 2010
yeah Ford makes some great cars. They’ve somewhat given up on competing with the price of foreign cars and have just focused on making the best cars they can. the new taurus rules.
notthatnoise - May 18, 2010
my wife and I have a work car that is a ’98 escort zx2 w/out any mods. That thing is the peppiest 4cyl I have ever driven.
Kimble_79 - May 18, 2010
I agree. Ford does make nice cars. personally out of the american companies I like them the best.
I was making a joke that I drive a 1998 ford escort with 120 thousand miles on it…so similar to your first.
bross09 - May 18, 2010
for some reason I still haven’t seen parks and rec…is it that unfunny?
bross09 - May 17, 2010
I’m not a fan.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
I think it’s pretty good. Much like Community, it has its moments where it’s very funny and other moments where it’s quite stupid, but I think they’re both worthwhile shows.
Buckeye Brad - May 17, 2010
ok. not bad, but I will probably not put it very high on my to watch list…like missed episodes of community.
bross09 - May 17, 2010
For me, after watching The Office, it’s kind of annoying to watch Parks and Recreation. They try to use the same humor in almost the same type of environment. That lady honestly just comes off as obnoxious; it’s like she watched The Office and tried to imitate it.
AG7 - May 18, 2010
The writers were from the Office and left to create a new show which probably explains the similarities.
Roger Dorn - May 18, 2010
That would explain it.
AG7 - May 18, 2010
And explains the lack of situational humor in the Office now.
gahnki - May 18, 2010
Carrell is leaving too, which will take anything the show had left away
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
That’s not a guarantee yet. It could very well be a ploy for wanting more money. I haven’t heard any signs of The Office being in danger either. Granted, all shows have a higher probability of ending as time goes on, but I don’t recall there being anything that specifically said, “The Office is nearing its end.”
Chris Pokorny - May 17, 2010
Even though I replied to you SpecialBrownie, my comment was meant to address you and the people above you.
Chris Pokorny - May 17, 2010
If it is the case that Carrell leaves, that show will fail miserably, regardless of who would fill in.
AG7 - May 18, 2010
that is true. I also have heard that Carell quite possibly won’t renew his contract that ends after season 7.
bross09 - May 17, 2010
WHAAAAAAAT? I can see if Steve Carrell leaves, though. But that’s not guaranteed yet.
emily522 - May 17, 2010
yep…but its a definite possibility after season 7…
bross09 - May 17, 2010
Family guy and Glee personally have lost it for me. I am disliking the new season of glee. Still, fox has some good quality shows.
However, even though i don’t get them, i feel much more invested in showtime and HBO…watching it online. the Original programming is so great.
bross09 - May 17, 2010
Yeah, the Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and the Wire ruined network TV for me. The HBO shows are so much better than anything the networks do.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
More leeway.
Roger Dorn - May 17, 2010
No censorship.
Chief WaDrew - May 17, 2010
More than any of that, it’s the approach that the HBO shows take to the material. They start with the assumption that the audience is intelligent.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
The Wire is one of my favorite shows of all time. It makes Law and Order look like a Micky Mouse cartoon.
bbstirrd - May 17, 2010
It shows Law & Order for what it is: a dressed up version of the Lifetime Rape-of-the-Week movie.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
I used to like Law and Order but I think they preach way too much now and also with such a long run their shows, instead attempting to reach “better” instead decide to go for “drama.” And not drama in the good sense. Although, I held on the CI for longer than i did the other two.
Villeslgr - May 17, 2010
…true blood…real time…bored to death…entourage…curb…deadwood…Rome…
There is just such good original programming…and that just HBO…Showtime is not bad either. (Penn and Teller…Weeds…Dexter…Nurse Jackie)
bross09 - May 17, 2010
I’m so upset that there will be no more Flight of the Conchords.
notthatnoise - May 17, 2010
yep…that was another good one.
bross09 - May 17, 2010
I’m not so big on the comedies.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
Conchords was definitely something you either loved or hated.
notthatnoise - May 18, 2010
Technically, it’s the second half of the first season of Glee, as opposed to it being a new season of Glee. I’m still ’groovin’’ to it.
Chris Pokorny - May 17, 2010
I dunno. I haven’t seen some of the recent ones but i saw the first few of the new ones and they were just falling flat compared to before. I just am getting annoyed and oversaturated by the main characters
bross09 - May 17, 2010
Thanks. I figure I’ll view the last one for sentimental values at least.
gahnki - May 16, 2010
Yea, I love that show
TheRealSlimShady - May 16, 2010
This is probably as good a place to ask as any; did anyone watch the American version of Life on Mars last year?
gahnki - May 16, 2010
Yes, and I loved it.
My question though is, is it really over? Were they really just astronauts and it was all his dream gone wrong? If so, I was disappointed with the ending.
kind of a lame cop out.
doggrad87 - May 17, 2010
I guess
if your a browns fan you have nothing better to talk about ehy?
NextWhodey - May 17, 2010
And I guess if you’re a Bengals fan, you have nothing better to do than fail grammar school and troll like an idiot?
That’s just an educated guess of course.
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
extremely witty. kudos.
Dawg Nuts - May 17, 2010
Want to talk about Carson Palmers exploding elbow?
Bernie19Kosar - May 17, 2010
I hate to be the one to tell you. Everyone outside of Cin hates skyline chili, myself included. Wait, I actually enjoyed being the one to tell you that.
fivekmd - May 17, 2010
I love Skyline Chili.
golanbatrac - May 17, 2010
1. Really? Right now, in this thread?
2. Although serviceable, it is nowhere near the national treasure that people from Cincinnati make it out to be. I could get the same treat from Wendy’s.
fivekmd - May 18, 2010
Skyline is great fast food. the national treasure is the real cincinnati chili you get in a normal restaurant.
notthatnoise - May 18, 2010
or the cincinnati chili you make at home.
bross09 - May 18, 2010
I’m not that big of a fan of Skyline but I wouldn’t compare it Wendy’s.
Villeslgr - May 18, 2010
It was a great show that flew over the heads of most people. Was a little disappointed with the ending, although I understand why they had to change it from the UK version. It was a little “MacGyvered” as well once they found out it was being canceled.
gahnki - May 17, 2010
I only saw a bit of the American version, but that included the finale. A real left turn there. Didn’t work for me.
RelapsingDawgCatcher - May 17, 2010
I watched the UK version and loved it. I got through maybe half of the first episode of the US version and stopped watching. It just seemed to forced in comparison.
JustBob - May 17, 2010
The Office much?
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
I can see the issue because I’m completely the opposite. I can’t stand the UK version after seeing the American one. I suppose it’s a little like the Uncanny Valley effect- they are so similar that the little differences pop out and annoy you.
I thought Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, and Jason Mara were excellent in the brief life of the series. It actually became one of my favorite procedurals even though that wasn’t the aim of the series.
gahnki - May 17, 2010
Keitel was the main reason that I thought it would be good. Maybe one day I’ll see it again and change my mind.
JustBob - May 18, 2010
A. Gocong at ILB? I thought he was headed to OLB.
B. The Hardesty thing scares me, just for the fact that I remember Veikune being the “smart” player in camp last season. I could be wrong about that.
C. I like DQ. I would trade him for a mid-round pick ASAP.
Bernie19Kosar - May 17, 2010
A: pluto is talking silly, Gocong will play the outside
B: Hardesty is a running back, a position where players often contribute early. Veikune is a conversion player, it will take some time for his instincts to catch up, if they ever do.
C: I like DQ too, I don’t think anyone is going to offer much for him. I have a feeling we would do well to keep him around. I don’t think letting a productive linebacker walk because he is “too unspectacular” is a good move. Its exactly what we did to Andra Davis and he went on to have another productive year for the broncos, only to be unceremoniously cut, he’ll probably have another 90+ tkl, 3 sack 1 pick season this year in buffalo.
jaws. - May 17, 2010
A) completely agree; he will be OLB. Fujita and Bowens I believe will be ILB
B) Hardesty will become a sensation this year. Just a gut feeling of mine that I truly hope is correct.
C) completely agree; while he is not spectacular, he is worth keeping if possible. Although I’m not sure I would offer a long term deal unless he steps it up this year.
Kimble_79 - May 17, 2010
Ya, Pluto for some reason has convinced himself that Gocong is an ILB, even when Heckert came out and said he expected him to play outside.
Roger Dorn - May 17, 2010
Well once again, we got our monster linebacker set:
OLB Fujita
ILB Trusnik
ILB Roth
OLB Gocong
And then, this time, we got a whole bunch of invitees, that fit the sporty mold, Eric Barton does, so did Bo Ruud. Even Vaikune can move, he was just specialized for hybrid in college, his training videos show he can move in all directions. DQ, I don´t know how he does in a defined space, not heat seeking all over the field.
If it was me, currently it would still be:
OLB Vaikune
ILB Maiava
ILB Barton
OLB …I´d wager one of these invitees could make it:
Eryk Anders
Daniel Howard
Jon Dempsey
Brandon McLaughlin
Denzel Burrell
mooncamping - May 17, 2010
I really can’t help but feel that the “Across the Sea” episode was like an extended webisode that Cuse and Lindeloff turned into an full episode. While there were some important things they touched on, it felt a little heavy handed. We’ll have to wait and see how relevant it all is until the weekend.
Chief WaDrew - May 17, 2010
But something like that had to be done at some point. You can argue the timing, but not really the overall necessity of the content.
fivekmd - May 17, 2010
We had no pass rush until Roth got here. He really provided a spark, and along with Harrison running the ball was a big reason we won the last 4 games. Wtf has Cocong done anywhere? Shouldn’t we building around the guys playing hard in the last 4 games instead of swapping them out for the next run of the mill FA that we got as swap fodder?
HenryDawg - May 17, 2010 via mobile
We shouldn’t be paying anyone big money for having a good four games, that’s for certain.
Buckeye Brad - May 17, 2010
Why not?
Bernie19Kosar - May 17, 2010
Ahhh . . . Lee Suggs. My Steelers friend mockingly calls Suggs “The Savior” because every Browns fan thought he’d be our running back of the future based on two good games at the end of the season.
Buckeye Brad - May 17, 2010
I immediately thought of Jerome Harrison while reading this.
AG7 - May 18, 2010
Harrison has been producing when he has been on the field since he has come into the league.
He just hasn’t been able to stay on the field all that often.
rufio - May 18, 2010
and not like he hasn’t been able to stay on because of injuries…he has just never gotten his big break like he did this year.
bross09 - May 18, 2010
He’s been injured once or twice.
rufio - May 19, 2010
really? I always thought he was relatively healthy.
bross09 - May 19, 2010
He missed some games under Romeo due to injury, I believe.
rufio - May 20, 2010
Or maybe he didn’t show enough to the coaches to deem being placed in the game
Kimble_79 - May 18, 2010
It would have had to have been in blocking.
His yards per touch were incredible for the first few seasons and he ran for 286 yards and had a tremendous streak last year. He has always produced on Sunday.
rufio - May 19, 2010
I don’t question what I saw at the end of the year, but obviously the coaching staff didn’t put him much previously for some reason.
Maybe he made a pass at Mangini’s wife?
Kimble_79 - May 19, 2010
didn’t put him in much.
I really need to start proofreading
Kimble_79 - May 19, 2010
From the stuff I’ve watched, it would have had to have been the blocking.
rufio - May 20, 2010
I hope that he and Hardesty both blow up the AFC this year. How sweet would it be to go back to the Byner/Mack days with two capable RB’s. Not saying that either are of the same mold as Mack or Byner, just the thought of another RB duo is nice to me.
Kimble_79 - May 20, 2010
I would love to see that. Not betting on it.
rufio - May 20, 2010
I kinda miss the white facemasks.
jaws. - May 17, 2010
Gray is better practically, it doesn’t reflect light into the helmet. Also, gray is retro.
SpecialBrownie - May 17, 2010
I think Roth would be better served to simply sign the contract and show the FO he can play like that for a full season. You can deal with this extension he wants during the season, if he proves himself.
Kimble_79 - May 17, 2010
Roth will be on the Browns next season.
Roger Dorn - May 17, 2010
DQ is threating to skip all of OTA’s and Training Camp.
Bernie19Kosar - May 19, 2010
He’s going to end up skipping his @ss out of a paycheck if he isn’t careful
Kimble_79 - May 19, 2010
Terrell Owens
Is T.O. too much of a cancer to bring to the team to give them some threat?
champion64 - May 19, 2010
Heckert said that he has zero interest in TO.
Bernie19Kosar - May 19, 2010
Hecker and I on the same page.
Roger Dorn - May 19, 2010
maybe one of the younger guys will make it a moot point, and turn up big as a play making receiver. I just wish we had something to grab on to. I am not sold on Harrison as a big time back.
champion64 - May 19, 2010
I don’t see how harrison as a big time back is relevant to getting TO…or are you just throwing crap out there and hoping it stinks.
I would say the FO is not 100% sold on harrison either…because they got hardesty.
and is one year of a declining TO worth ruining the locker room over? on this team?
bross09 - May 19, 2010
Nicely put.
I can’t see TO on this team, and don’t want to. We don’t take to troublemakers around here much these days. I kind of like that.
RelapsingDawgCatcher - May 19, 2010
LISTEN MORON
I am tired. I read all of your idiotic comments. I am not putting anyone down until now. I am asking a question and two people answered, then I commented in the same response I am not sold on Harrison. It is a valid statement. Do I have to make two entries to make you happy. Just make a comment if you wish, and an intelligent one, if possible.
My comment on T.O. was that our receivers are unproven and maybe will give this team something else. Right now our offense is really Harrison and occasionally Cribbs. I am not sold that Harrison is a big time back. Is that too hard for you to understand or do I need two post. Knock it off.
This is posting about the Cleveland Browns, not Penn and Teller or Nurse Jackie or about Glee but no one gave you crap, when you commented. Christ I thought I could ask what people thought about the team and what I thought and you act like I am invading your tree house. From now on watch you FOX shows and leave my comments alone.
The other two guys gave their opinion is all. That is all I was hoping for.
champion64 - May 19, 2010
We try to keep conversation about the Browns to a minimum here.
golanbatrac - May 19, 2010
OTOH, any post with a subject line of LISTEN MORON will get our prompt and courteous attention.
RelapsingDawgCatcher - May 19, 2010
1. I don’t see why this has been recced.
2. Anyone who uses a subject line here is usually a huge moron.
3. Putting it in caps basically sealed your fate as a moron.
SpecialBrownie - May 19, 2010
4. Asking questions and not using question marks.
Chief WaDrew - May 20, 2010
This coming from the guy who made about five comments telling us that the Browns should have gone after Jason Campbell instead of Delhomme.
Buckeye Brad - May 19, 2010
like I said, the browns took a back in the second round…of a very deep draft. I am not saying that it is wrong to not be sold on hardesty…I even pointed out that all evidence points to our OWN FRONT OFFICE not being sold on hardesty as the feature back. It is fairly obvious the browns brain trust, who knows more about the players than we do, does not have a ton of confidence in hardesty either.
lets look at this as pros and cons
Pros for TO: he can give us some production, we have a WR to take pressure off of Massaquoi, we have someone with experience
Cons: even with him, it is highly unlikely this team has a legitimate (or maybe even an outside) shot at the playoffs, he is declining in skills and really isn’t even a #1 anymore, he is a locker room problem and could be a bad influence on younger players, he would be taking time away from players who could use the playing time, in a season that will likely render meaningless in the long run (at least record wise).
I would say the cons outweigh the pros. I agree TO would give us “something” and that from a pure on the field sense, it wouldn’t hurt a ton to have him here in some capacity, but you have to look at it realistically and also consider his off the field impact. I have respect for the FO for outright saying they aren’t interested.
bross09 - May 20, 2010
Thanks for your reply
I just think we need something to make the defenses think we can hurt them. I dont know what to make of Hardesty. Harrison did alot of his work last year against teams at the end of they year that really were just closing out the season. Especially Kansas City, which had no ability to stop anyone. I am tired of the situation we constantly seem to be in since 1990, rebuild to get to a point we might snare a wild card spot if everything goes right.
Does anyone have an opinion on Mangini?
PS Bross. I apologize for my comments. Thank you for replying and I agree about T.O. I just thougth for a year or two he could help out but you are right the cons out weigh the pros.
champion64 - May 20, 2010
just an FYI for you, we don’t use the subject line here. It just distracts some from the thread and its easier to follow w/out it.
I think we are all pretty pro-mangini around here. He had this team going in the right direction last year. We will have to see how he does now that he can focus solely on coaching and not on other things like he had to previously.
Harrison and Hardesty, I believe will be good. I’m not completely sold on Harrison, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt due to his rushing at the end of last year.
Kimble_79 - May 20, 2010
your welcome.
I understand that need to make defenses think we can hurt them, but I am not even sure if TO can bring that to the table anymore. he might just be a good player in Name Only now.
its fine…sometimes stuff gets heated here but no one really ever means to be a jerk all the time (except for trolls)
I understand thinking that he could be productive here for a year or two and how it would benefit, i just personally don’t agree with the likelihood of it working…plus heckert already had a taste of TO in philly and it left a bad taste in his mouth.
bross09 - May 20, 2010
hilarious!
Kimble_79 - May 20, 2010
The win over a Steeler team that had all but quit was a good moment for this team last year, almost like a sign something had changed and the team made a turn on the right track. I want to see something meaningful in January. I hate talking about the 1986-1989 seasons like it was only a few seasons ago.
By the way I find most of the ramblings amusing and fun to read.
champion64 - May 20, 2010
It certainly gave us some momentum going into that 4 game win streak. I certainly think now that we have a legit front office with a proven track record, playing in January is now obtainable.
By the way, wait until you meet mo….nevermind, I’ll let you find out for yourself.
Kimble_79 - May 20, 2010
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