Cleveland Browns (20 Viewers)

[Bracie Smathers]

who’s excited for the Browns first win in Denver since 1990???

I was at the 1990 game in old Mile High stadium seated in their version of the Dawg Pound decked out in Browns gear.  

Bernie VS. Elroy, Monday Night.  Buddy knew I was a Browns fan and had an extra ticket like it was deemed from God that I witness that game.

I got pelted every time I'd stand up and cheer and during a TV timeout after the Broncos had driving to the 1 on fourth and goal  Michael Dean Perry had his hands on his hips and was gassed.  I stand up with my Browns blanket and I unfold it and get pelted by the Bronco fans but MDP stops and looks up and points to me and then taps the DE on the shoulder and they both look up and point to me and then bear-down for the play and MDP stuffs the run and then he leaps up and points up at me as guys are jumping all over him.

We won the game and it was GREAT!!!!!

 

[beer 30]

I was at the 1990 game in old Mile High stadium seated in their version of the Dawg Pound decked out in Browns gear.  

Bernie VS. Elroy, Monday Night.  Buddy knew I was a Browns fan and had an extra ticket like it was deemed from God that I witness that game.

I got pelted every time I'd stand up and cheer and during a TV timeout after the Broncos had driving to the 1 on fourth and goal  Michael Dean Perry had his hands on his hips and was gassed.  I stand up with my Browns blanket and I unfold it and get pelted by the Bronco fans but MDP stops and looks up and points to me and then taps the DE on the shoulder and they both look up and point to me and then bear-down for the play and MDP stuffs the run and then he leaps up and points up at me as guys are jumping all over him.

We won the game and it was GREAT!!!!!

Thanks for securing the victory for us Bracie!!!! Great story man!!!!

I loved those teams with all my heart. I was in my 2nd, 3rd, 4th year of college living with a bunch of guys I went to HS with and we lived & died with those teams. The drive was tough but when EB fumbled I wasn't right for a good 6 months after. When they brought that #### up on Saturday I got pretty upset, had to walk away for a minute. #### beating that So glad they won and exercised that demon too.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Thanks for securing the victory for us Bracie!!!! Great story man!!!!

I loved those teams with all my heart. I was in my 2nd, 3rd, 4th year of college living with a bunch of guys I went to HS with and we lived & died with those teams. The drive was tough but when EB fumbled I wasn't right for a good 6 months after. When they brought that #### up on Saturday I got pretty upset, had to walk away for a minute. #### beating that So glad they won and exercised that demon too.

I despise the knee-jerk replay of Horse Face but they had him and we had BK.  Elroy is in the HOF, they held the advantage.

We've got Baker now and that is a game changer.

He's the best QB we've had since Otto.

We need a few more pieces around Baker.

Those 80 teams were stacked but we didn't have the QB to beat the top QB in our conference.

We've got the QB and the pass rusher and shut down CB.  We're close man, we're really close.

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

I was at the 1990 game in old Mile High stadium seated in their version of the Dawg Pound decked out in Browns gear.  

Bernie VS. Elroy, Monday Night.  Buddy knew I was a Browns fan and had an extra ticket like it was deemed from God that I witness that game.

I got pelted every time I'd stand up and cheer and during a TV timeout after the Broncos had driving to the 1 on fourth and goal  Michael Dean Perry had his hands on his hips and was gassed.  I stand up with my Browns blanket and I unfold it and get pelted by the Bronco fans but MDP stops and looks up and points to me and then taps the DE on the shoulder and they both look up and point to me and then bear-down for the play and MDP stuffs the run and then he leaps up and points up at me as guys are jumping all over him.

We won the game and it was GREAT!!!!!

Awesome story!

 

[Godsbrother]

Was in Cleveland visiting with my 2 brother in laws on Saturday.  They're both big Browns fans and we watched the game.  We were all rooting for the Browns and was a great game to watch.  The fun part was all the crap we were giving each other about the Browns & Steelers.     It is good to see the rivalry back...  Go Browns (especially week 17)!

 

[The Man With No Name]

Baker The Touchdown Maker

 

[DallasDMac]

I was at the 1990 game in old Mile High stadium seated in their version of the Dawg Pound decked out in Browns gear.  

Bernie VS. Elroy, Monday Night.  Buddy knew I was a Browns fan and had an extra ticket like it was deemed from God that I witness that game.

I got pelted every time I'd stand up and cheer and during a TV timeout after the Broncos had driving to the 1 on fourth and goal  Michael Dean Perry had his hands on his hips and was gassed.  I stand up with my Browns blanket and I unfold it and get pelted by the Bronco fans but MDP stops and looks up and points to me and then taps the DE on the shoulder and they both look up and point to me and then bear-down for the play and MDP stuffs the run and then he leaps up and points up at me as guys are jumping all over him.

We won the game and it was GREAT!!!!!

Cool story bro. (And this time, I mean that sincerely!!!)

 

[beer 30]

What we need is more Bob Wiley

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/browns-holiday-video-starring-bob-wylie-santa-pure-joy-201128451.html

 

[amnesiac]

there’s a fair amount of fans that believe the Browns should keep Gregg Williams as head coach.  

Question:  if Williams is let go, do you think he’ll get interviews with other teams / get hired as HC for another team?

 

[MAC_32]

there’s a fair amount of fans that believe the Browns should keep Gregg Williams as head coach.  

Question:  if Williams is let go, do you think he’ll get interviews with other teams / get hired as HC for another team?

I've come to accept that I'm alone on this, but I'm still at least 12 days away from having any interest in putting any thought to this sorta question. And even then I will be a long ways away from believing he needs to be retained.  Who are the legitimate alternatives?  Until that list is known and the same national people stop spitting out the same names over and over again any questions are poor ones because we don't know all relevant details.  Rams fans weren't up to speed on McVay this time in 2016 and while Bears fans may have heard the name Nagy this time last year I'm sure none of them were banging the table for him.  Sure it's boring for discussion purposes, but letting the process play it without rushing anything will lead to a better result.  It's literally been decades since we've been in a position like we are now, so let's just enjoy what's happening right now then worry about all that come 2019.

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

I've come to accept that I'm alone on this, but I'm still at least 12 days away from having any interest in putting any thought to this sorta question. And even then I will be a long ways away from believing he needs to be retained.  Who are the legitimate alternatives?  Until that list is known and the same national people stop spitting out the same names over and over again any questions are poor ones because we don't know all relevant details.  Rams fans weren't up to speed on McVay this time in 2016 and while Bears fans may have heard the name Nagy this time last year I'm sure none of them were banging the table for him.  Sure it's boring for discussion purposes, but letting the process play it without rushing anything will lead to a better result.  It's literally been decades since we've been in a position like we are now, so let's just enjoy what's happening right now then worry about all that come 2019.

I love your avatar!  LOL.

 

[amnesiac]

fair enough Mac, it’s just hard to get away from the elephant in the room.  

 

[amnesiac]

i’m attempting to reframe the question a bit.  

curious if the fans banging the table to keep Williams really believe he has a chance at a HC position anywhere other than Cleveland.  

 

[MAC_32]

fair enough Mac, it’s just hard to get away from the elephant in the room.  

Oh I get it. Just offering a different perspective explaining why now is not the right time to dive into the pool. If you're giving me the choice of the same names I keep hearing everytime I get in the car then quickly turn on Christmas music and the field then I'm taking the field. Who within it? But I'm hoping those names will start to leak out after the new year. 

 

[Soulfly3]

Imagine gregg becomes the new belichek

 

[daveR]

there’s a fair amount of fans that believe the Browns should keep Gregg Williams as head coach.  

Question:  if Williams is let go, do you think he’ll get interviews with other teams / get hired as HC for another team?

Yes.

 

[beer 30]

fair enough Mac, it’s just hard to get away from the elephant in the room.  

I agree with Mac on this. It's reporter fodder right now because it's a ready made topic that they know is going to create discussion.

I love what these guys are doing with the team right now but I think it's lighting in a bottle. Could be wrong but I keep thinking back to the movie Major League. these guys don't have anything to lose, neither do the players so why not have some fun and see what happens? Next year there is going to be a ton of expectations associated with this team (rightfully so) and I'm not sure this staff reacts the same way as they are now with no pressure to perform.

In the end, I come back to trusting Dorsey. As much as I'd like to get caught up in the Williams/Kitchen wave, if Dorsey isn't sold on them then I'm good with his decision.

 

[Peak]

i’m attempting to reframe the question a bit.  

curious if the fans banging the table to keep Williams really believe he has a chance at a HC position anywhere other than Cleveland.  

According to Gregg, he has been mulling over HC offers for years.  Of course he would be considered.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

The Mendoza Line cannot be set ridiculously low at Hue Jackson.  G-Will has obviously been better than Hue Jackson.  Greg Williams has been better than Greg Williams as the HC of the Buffalo Bills.  He's been a different Greg Williams than DC Greg Williams earlier in the year according to the beat writers who have been covering the team all year and we all see the W/L  results but the offense has been spark of the turnaround.

Freddy Kitchens over Todd Haley has been a revelation.

Behold the Freddie Kitchens effect on the Browns offense

From Week 9 through Week 15, no offense spiked in productivity more than the Cleveland Browns under interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.

...The before and after of the Browns offense with Kitchens are like the photos of a healthy set of adolescent lungs vs. that of a 60-year-old, 2-packs-a-day smoker:

Field Yates✔@FieldYates

From Weeks 1-8, the Browns ranked 28th in yards per play at 4.87.

From Weeks 9-15, the Browns rank 2nd in yards per play at 6.61.

No team has experienced a greater rise than the Browns (+35.7%) in that time.

3:15 PM - Dec 19, 2018

Graham Barfield✔@GrahamBarfield

Since firing Jackson/Haley, only the Saints (40.6), Steelers (40.5), Chiefs (39.0), Chargers (38.9), and Patriots (38.3) have averaged more offensive yards per drive than the #Browns (38.3).

3:42 PM - Dec 19, 2018

Baker Mayfield deserves a lot of credit as the quarterback, but several Browns players have seen their usage and effectiveness improve with Kitchens tailoring the offense to suit their particular set of skills.

Kitchens has 'reportedly' been retained as OC heading into next season.  Win over Broncos locked up OC job for Freddy Kitchens  

Fox NFL Sunday | Fox

owenlademann Jay Glazer says last night’s win didn’t assure the #Browns HC job for Gregg Williams but it did lock up the OC spot for Freddie Kitchens

4 days ago

------------------------------------

Jeff-LJ-Lloyd‏ @Jeff_LJ_Lloyd

For me one of the biggest story lines heading into #Browns Bengals is how Freddie Kinchens play calling is in his first game against an opponent who's already played him. We all love what Freddie has done, but this will be a big measuring stick for me

8:42 AM - 18 Dec 2018

-------------------------------------

Not sure about the HC but Kitchens is going to be the OC going forward and I think that is the right decision.  Don't forget Lindy Infonte and Bernie Kosar and what happened when he took over as the OC and what happened when he left.

 

[daveR]

Hypothetical:  The day Hue was fired, the Browns hired Ariens as HC.  Everything else played out exactly the same, wins/losses, etc.  Would you want him to remain as HC? 

 

[MAC_32]

Hypothetical:  The day Hue was fired, the Browns hired Ariens as HC.  Everything else played out exactly the same, wins/losses, etc.  Would you want him to remain as HC? 

The scenario you're describing is fantasy, so any question that stems from its criteria is immediately a bad one.

 

[amnesiac]

i've caught a few Gregg Williams press conferences.

i love how he starts answering questions before the reporters can even finish asking.  and how he ends each presser with "alright."

i'm starting to warm up to the guy, despite that weird whistling noise he makes when he talks.

 

[amnesiac]

Hypothetical:  The day Hue was fired, the Browns hired Ariens as HC.  Everything else played out exactly the same, wins/losses, etc.  Would you want him to remain as HC? 

Arians is 58-33-1, Williams is 21-33-0.

kinda apples and oranges, isn't it?

 

[daveR]

The scenario you're describing is fantasy, so any question that stems from its criteria is immediately a bad one.

ANY questions regarding the future HC will be hypothetical.

 

[daveR]

Do you have confidence in Dorsey?  Based on what?

 

[amnesiac]

Do you have confidence in Dorsey?  Based on what?

maybe?  putting Williams / Kitchen in place seems to have been a good move by Dorsey.

 

[daveR]

I guess I'm with Mac on this one.  Nothing's going to happen right now, so let's enjoy the next two games!  Go Browns!

 

[MAC_32]

Do you have confidence in Dorsey?  Based on what?

Much better question.  Based on his actions to date he clearly has a vision and if you're not aligned with him then he's going to remove you from blocking the forward progression of the rest of the team.  Additionally, his actions don't get leaked ahead of time.  Which is why I think any talk around the future coaching staff, including about Kitchens already having a spot locked up, is total BS.  Lots of stuff has been reported about the Browns since he got here.  Anything involving his decision making never comes to fruition.  The only piece that I can think of is the Mayfield selection, but that wasn't until about 24 hours before the draft after 2 months of nothing but Darnold and Allen.  So until there's a clear case that proves otherwise I'm not going to believe a single word that's reported about an action involving him that hasn't happened yet.

 

[Peak]

Do you have confidence in Dorsey?  Based on what?

At this point, I have no reason to doubt him.  He has a solid track record in finding talented players in the draft that are able to compliment his team vision and goal - ones who seem to contribute right away in most cases.  He also surrounds himself with smart individuals (both in football and analytics), which shows he isn't just a "it's my way or the highway" kind of mentality.  He's willing to hear other sides of each story, but once his mind has been made up it will be hard to sway him. As Mac said, he has a vision and he is working towards putting that in place.  So far, I think he's done a great job positioning this team for future growth.

 

[beer 30]

i've caught a few Gregg Williams press conferences.

i love how he starts answering questions before the reporters can even finish asking.  and how he ends each presser with "alright."

i'm starting to warm up to the guy, despite that weird whistling noise he makes when he talks.

I listen to most all of his pressers just because I have 92.3 on all day. Love how he cuts off every reporter, cracks me up. I like him, will be our HC going forward? I don't know, like I said, I trust in Dorsey.

For now we have a real opportunity to sweep a team in our division for the first time since...??? And to sweeten the pot, our former cancer is only about 50 yards away watching it all happen. Then we finish up against the team that was ripped from us all those many years ago and have a shot at sweeping them! #### yea I'm pumped! #GOBROWNS

 

[The Man With No Name]

Mayfield with 3 touchdown pases today gives him 24 this season. 2 more to tie the rookie record and 3 to set it. Going up against the tough Ravens defense next week

 

[amnesiac]

Mayfield with 3 touchdown pases today gives him 24 this season. 2 more to tie the rookie record and 3 to set it. Going up against the tough Ravens defense next week

if they had started him week one he would’ve crushed it. 

i don’t get too excited about offensive records since the rules keep skewing towards the offense, but still a great sign for his progress. 

 

[Village Idiot]

The Browns mostly, hold the playoff fate of the Steelers and Ravens in their hands.

Sorry Bengals fans but, as banged up as the Bengals are this will most likely come down to if the Browns beat the Ravens or not.

Amazing how much more the last game of this year matters.

Go Browns!

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Just dropping into say that I love Baker Mayfield and I hope he ends up awesome for a long time. 

 

[fred_1_15301]

Good luck next week fellas!

 

[amnesiac]

the Browns currently have a better record than 16 other teams.  

 

[dickey moe]

I'd love to see them in the playoffs.

 

[Insein]

I'd love to see them in the playoffs.

Well that can't happen this year. 2019 though...

 

[DallasDMac]

Well that can't happen this year. 2019 though...

Thank Hue for that.

 

[Insein]

Browns going for their first winning season since 2007 and only their 3rd winning season since they became the Browns again. Also with a chance to end the Ravens year on a bad note. I can't think of any more motivation for the Browns to have at this point in time.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Nearly every NFL HC are connected to the Parcells/Belichick coaching tree (Parcells and Belichick influenced today's NFL? -- how almost every NFL head coach can be traced back to the duo -- ) Parcells doesn't look for the bright shiny coach or latest craze. 

Parcells basic philosophy of a good NFL head coach is they don't win games, they don't lose them by making critical errors with the game on the line.

See Greg Williams time out when Denver jumped offsides then not taking the gimme FG.  Two errors that could have cost the game.

If Williams were playing Brees or Brady then go for the win by taking air out of the ball but he was playing Case Keenum.  

Greg Williams has calmed the waters and taken control and instilled discipline but is he the best choice?

Belichick took the Parcells mantra one-step further.  He isn't passive when the game is on the line he coaches for moments when the game is on the line, he calls situational football allowing his team to seize the moment.

Example.  Belichick Faked going to go for it on 4th tricking Pittsburgh into not calling a TO.  Waited till last second,  did this >>>>    Belichick using hockey line changes

ALL move in unison simultaneously wasting no time getting punt off while bleeding clock preventing Pittsburgh from calling a TO.

Brilliant.

Greg he has done OK but the search can't be forced on Dorsey.  John needs the freedom to conduct 'do-diligence'.  

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Greg he has done OK but the search can't be forced on Dorsey.  John needs the freedom to conduct 'do-diligence'.  (sic)

Browns currently doing their due-diligence

Jay Glazer reports Browns are currently doing their due diligence and making an awful-lot of back channel calls about potential candidates, despite their on-the-field success.

 

[beer 30]

#### you AB

https://twitter.com/AB84/status/1078113528861548544

 

[Peak]

I say play for the tie on Sunday just to piss them off.

With that said, I still want the Browns to beat the Ravens and win out this year.  Take this last game to break yet another losing record and get that feeling going into the off-season and next year.  I can't stand Pittsburgh, but I'd rather watch them lose in the playoffs than watch a Ravens team squeak in because we couldn't beat them.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

We are in a CAN'T LOSE situation Sunday.

If we win we beat Baltimore

• Knock Baltimore OUT of the playoffs
  
• Get our first winning season in years
  
• Become the second team in NFL history to go from a winless season to a winning season since the 1922-23 Columbus Panhandles/Tigers 
  
• Head into the off-season with an extra boost of momentum 
  

IF we lose

• Pittsburgh is OUT of the playoffs which would make it worth it IMHO
  
• Improve our draft status 
  

No matter what the final score is, we win.

 

[beer 30]

We are in a CAN'T LOSE situation Sunday.

If we win we beat Baltimore

• Knock Baltimore OUT of the playoffs
  
• Get our first winning season in years
  
• Become the second team in NFL history to go from a winless season to a winning season since the 1922-23 Columbus Panhandles/Tigers 
  
• Head into the off-season with an extra boost of momentum 
  

IF we lose

• Pittsburgh is OUT of the playoffs which would make it worth it IMHO
  
• Improve our draft status 
  

No matter what the final score is, we win.

This is me but I can't imagine ever stepping foot on a field with the intention of losing or not playing 100%. Maybe at the pro level after you've been doing it for years and years and years you can make it right in your mind but I can't see it. To me I've got more a gripe with Baltimore these days than I do against Pittsburgh. That was our team! #### them! I want to beat every team we face by 100 (Why did you go for 2 in that situation coach? Because I couldn't go for 3). I grew up during the height of the Pittsburgh rivalry but that died when they moved. Only us old timers still carry that torch because they have just owned us since the move. I can't imagine too many fans under 45 feel like Pittsburgh is our main rival other than they win the division every year.

I want them all to lose on Sunday but it starts with beating Baltimore and beating them soundly. This team can do that and set the foundation for 2019. I don't care about draft position, I don't care about who gets in or out, I care about beating Baltimore. As the immortal Indians catcher Jake Taylor said after 34 years of futility in a locker room full of misfits that no one expected anything from, "I guess there's only one thing left to do..."

 

[DallasDMac]

Would love to see a winning season. And I think it would be super motivating for going forward in to next season.

 

[Insein]

This is me but I can't imagine ever stepping foot on a field with the intention of losing or not playing 100%. Maybe at the pro level after you've been doing it for years and years and years you can make it right in your mind but I can't see it. To me I've got more a gripe with Baltimore these days than I do against Pittsburgh. That was our team! #### them! I want to beat every team we face by 100 (Why did you go for 2 in that situation coach? Because I couldn't go for 3). I grew up during the height of the Pittsburgh rivalry but that died when they moved. Only us old timers still carry that torch because they have just owned us since the move. I can't imagine too many fans under 45 feel like Pittsburgh is our main rival other than they win the division every year.

I want them all to lose on Sunday but it starts with beating Baltimore and beating them soundly. This team can do that and set the foundation for 2019. I don't care about draft position, I don't care about who gets in or out, I care about beating Baltimore. As the immortal Indians catcher Jake Taylor said after 34 years of futility in a locker room full of misfits that no one expected anything from, "I guess there's only one thing left to do..."

I agree on the last part. Getting a winning season is better than any draft position. Just changes the whole psyche of the team going into 2019. They can plan the entire off-season around winning the division realistically. 

 

[amnesiac]

if Baker can make chicken salad out of this season, there’s no limit to what this kid can do.  

 

[lod001]

Best scenario is a victory over Baltimore to secure that winning season, then watching PITT fail miserably in the playoffs like they usually do. Balt would just be boring losers in the playoffs.