Morning Dawg Chow (2/7/12)
by Jon @ DBN on Feb 7, 2012 7:52 AM EST
Cleveland Browns:
- "Cleveland City Council OKs $5.8 million for stadium repairs" (Plain Dealer) - When the story first broke that the Browns were seeking an advance to the amount of nearly $6 million, there was quite a bit of back lash. Cleveland City Council eventually approved of the money for repairs to the stadium.
- "Mario Manningham is exactly the type of WR the Cleveland Browns need" (SBTV) - This comes in the form of a short video. Starting Blocks TV talked with Mary Kay Cabot about whether or not she thinks the Browns will have an interest in pursuing Mario Manningham. Personally, I don't share as big an enthusiasm for Manningham. I think there are better free agent receivers to target this offseason.
- "Robert Griffin III aiming to go No. 1 overall" (AFC North Blog) - Robert Griffin III made an appearance on Mike and Mike in the Morning and the discussion was really interesting. He talks about how he wouldn't mind sitting for a year behind an entrenched QB and a willingness to play anywhere. If Irsay decides to keep Peyton Manning, the Colts may now be more willing to trade down and take RG3. I think the bidding on Andrew Luck would be hectic to say the least.
NFL:
cool stories bro
pwndabear - February 7, 2012
What about this stadium repairs deal? I was reading some of the comment section (I know, dangerous to do on cleveland.com), and they raised some interesting points about the money. That sin-tax money could be used to help fix some other things- namely, crappy schools or things like that.
Randy Lerner could probably quite easily pay for the $5.8 mil and it would almost be chump change to him. Is there something wrong with him asking for money from the city instead of footing the bill himself so the money could go to a different cause? I already have an opinion on it, but I’m curious what everyone else thinks.
shep615 - February 7, 2012
If you were renting a house from someone and major repairs needed done to the house would you foot the bill yourself or expect the homeowner to do it?
Justin Kowalczyk - February 7, 2012
Apples and oranges. Most long-term commercial leases have the lessee pay for repairs.
TheDriveStillHurts - February 7, 2012
it depends on the contract and what the homeowner promised.
bross09 - February 7, 2012
This is the correct answer. I don’t know the contract, but I’m sure there was one agreed upon.
Kimble_79 - February 7, 2012
It’s not wrong, it’s the terms of the agreement that the city entered into freely. And I don’t have much faith in the municipal establishment to do better with the funds either, as they so deftly demonstrated their infinite wisdom when they started laying off cops, when there were still grounds keepers, administrators, etc. on the city payroll. Cops and fire fighters are the last thing you fire if you are serious about governing a jurisdiction, something about needing to ensure public safety and discouraging lawlessness.
ouched - February 7, 2012
Well, there is freely and there is “freely.” Imagine the elected official who would turn down a bad deal and have the team move elsewhere. Cleveland’s deal is not as bad as some. Not sure if the folks here have followed the stories from Cincinnati.
JamesPowell - February 7, 2012
IMO-You have to remember the Cleveland Browns bring revenue to the city during the season. All those fans have to sleep, eat, and spend money on entertainment while there for the games that the city benefits from. To me, I think Lerner and the city should each be held to a portion of maintaining and repairing the stadium as they are both gaining capital being in this league.
Kimble_79 - February 7, 2012
This money is actually not allowed to be spent on other things. Over the next few years (five?) the city must pay the browns a certain amount of money. That is non-negotiable. The Browns are saying they want the money up front rather than in installments. Sure, this year that money could go elsewhere, but every year after that there will be “extra” money because the city won’t be spending any on repairs.
notthatnoise - February 7, 2012
I’d rather have Robert Meachem or Laurent Robinson. We have enough receivers who drop a lot of passes, we don’t need to pay top dollar for another one (Manningham).
Bumblyjack - February 7, 2012
Between the group, I’ll honestly just take whomever comes cheapest, with the assumption that the Browns are taking a WR at 22 or (my hope) in the 2nd. Any one of Meachem/Robinson/Manningham + a guy like Sanu + Griffin + having an actual OC, in addition to Little and an improved OL? Already amping myself up.
nickjs21 - February 7, 2012
I’ll have to admit, that thought already seems so much more promising than what we started last season with.
Jon @ DBN - February 7, 2012
Right. Manningham made a game defining catch in the Super Bowl, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore his regular season play. I don’t think Manningham on the Browns (with our current WR core) would be the game changer. It’s worth noting that Cruz was drawing a ton of attention from the Pat secondary and Nicks too. The Browns don’t have those guys in place here.
Jon @ DBN - February 7, 2012
Agreed. I liked the idea I read on WFNY to drive the price for Mike Wallace up, and if he somehow signs with us, we have a guy that is one of the best deep threats in football. I also wouldn’t mind going after Garcon, he seems like he could be a good value option to pair with whoever we draft.
Legoman0721 - February 7, 2012
I think Pitt would be smart to franchise Wallace if there’s any sort of sign he’d be interested bolting.
Jon @ DBN - February 7, 2012
I would gladly give up a first round pick (highest tender) for Mike Wallace. And if not I force Pitt to pony up and eat up cap space for him.
Justin Kowalczyk - February 8, 2012
I like Garcon and he’s about the level of FA we’re going to get.
HenryDawg - February 7, 2012
I’m in this group as well.
Something doesn’t sit right with Manningham. Fool’s Gold.
Bernie19Kosar - February 7, 2012
Another receiver from Michigan that drops passes?
Jon @ DBN - February 7, 2012
Manningham just isnt that good.
rufio - February 7, 2012
Just look at David Tyree’s great catch,and then he was waived the following year!
ctowndawgpound - February 7, 2012
Mostly due to his drug problem though (no asterisk required).
HenryDawg - February 7, 2012
“This retirement was smoother than the last three or four” is inherently a hilarious headline.
nickjs21 - February 7, 2012
Agreed.
Jon @ DBN - February 7, 2012
I’ve only seen RGIII in three games and they were all this year. Since I live on the West Coast, I’ve seen Andrew Luck at least ten times over the last two years. I am no expert, really, but I’m also not blind or completely stupid. I do not understand why everyone is convinced that Luck is the better option over Griffin. And I am not putting Luck down, just wondering how anyone who has watched the very large number of talented college QBs who flamed out in the NFL over the last ten or fifteen years can state with such assurance that Luck is the clear choice.
JamesPowell - February 7, 2012
I’ve always wondered, maybe someone from Cleveland can answer this:
Who gets the money from the corporate sponsors, the city or the Lerners? I’m guessing Lerner, although I feel it ‘should’ be the city. Can they not get more for selling the rights to name the entire stadium versus ‘naming’ only the entrances?
DawgsNHawgs - February 8, 2012
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