After some seven months of the kind of inactivity that would make even Brian Robiskie blush, football has returned to the sports-starved masses.  And just in time…I almost caught myself watching an Olympic-trial basketball game. 

Never again.

So, on the dawn of the NFL season kicking off, and on the heels of these…

Cleveland Reboot – 2010 NFL Preview – Part One

Cleveland Reboot – 2010 NFL Preview – Part Two

…let’s tell it like it is regarding what 2010 may bring.

Call it the This I Believe of the NFL….minus the pompous celibacy.

1. Redemption is dead in the NFL….along with second chances.  As an example, you can pretty much cast out the Vikings and Jets from next February’s Super Bowl.

2.  Both the Vikings and Jets are one missing QB away from a Super Bowl.  The Vikings’ QB will be lucky to survive through October, while to the best of my knowledge, Mark Sanchez will be throwing passes to Braylon Edwards.

3.  Also, disregard the Curse of the Super Bowl Loser.  Considering the Colts are actually a series of futuristic robots, nothing short of a Peyton Manning short-circuit will stop this team from returning to the title game.

4.  Let’s extend this theory to the Saints, who are still the NFC’s most dangerous team.

5.  Never underestimate the toughness of a team’s schedule.  Just compare Miami’s road schedule to New England.  Or Pittsburgh’s to Baltimore’s.

6.  Never underestimate the weakness of a team’s schedule.  There’s a reason why every year a team who previously finished third or fourth in their division advances to the playoffs.  Candidates to continue the trend in 2010 include Pittsburgh, Kansas City and the NY Giants.

7.  Those who finish last (at least one of “them”) shall finish first.  I’m looking at you, Kansas City.

8.  Those who finish last (at least one of “them”) shall finish last again….and then enjoy a truly easy 2011 schedule.  I’m looking in the mirror, Cleveland.

9. The criteria to advance into and through the playoffs remains having only two good teams in a division.  Perfect candidates to meet these qualifications include the Colts, Packers and Saints.

10.  The criteria NOT to advance into and through the playoffs remains having two or more good teams in a division.  Targets here are playoff contenders from the AFC East, AFC North and NFC East.

11.  The criteria for a quick playoff exit remains being the only good team in a division.  Examples include San Diego and San Francisco.

12.  Regarding #11, let’s just ignore Kurt Warner’s Cardinals of two years ago.

13.  Speaking of which, who would have thought that Derek Anderson will become an opening day starter yet again?

14.  And who wouldn’t have thought that Brady Quinn would be wearing a visor on the sidelines?

15.  Speaking of more things expected – and depressing – the Browns will compete with the Lions for the league’s “team on the rise” billing heading into 2011.

16.  Which means that there probably won’t be any football played in 2011.

17.  And so much for that “uncapped” year.

18.  Speaking of caps….if Colt McCoy ever takes his off during the 2010 season, you will know that something went terribly wrong in Cleveland.  Or if Jerome Harrison cannot “rediscover” himself….or if Brian Robiskie continues not to be “found.”

19.  And guess whose fault it will be?

20.  You guessed it.

Easier than cutting a second-round pick and better than starting a 43-year old linebacker, we’re back with part two of our fearless projections – only this time with more nasty.

For Part One, click here.   

NFC EAST  

Has there ever been an NFL division more fiercely contested – yet featuring such a variety of overranked teams?  Is there a connection here?  Much like the inter-division play in the AFC North will knock out the likes of Baltimore and Cincinnati, the winner of the NFC East will likely limp into the playoffs.

As for the actual candidates, the Giants are hoping for a defensive rebound, while the Cowboys will yet again struggle offensively – despite the genius touch being applied by one-time future head coaching candidate Jason Garrett. 

NY Giants 10-6
Dallas 9-7
Washington 8-8
Philadelphia 7-9

NFC NORTH

If you bought into the Saints last season, then the Packers make a lot of sense in 2010.  Featuring a similarly dynamic offense, playmaking defense and potential gamechanger in Aaron Rodgers – the Packers could replace the Saints as this season’s Cinderella story…minus the hurricanes, of course.

As of the first week of September, it appears that the Vikings are already unraveling physically.  Throw in Brad Childress making gameday decisions and the Vikings could be on the verge on a .500 season.  As for the bottom of the division, keep an eye on both Detroit and Chicago finishing with the same amount of wins…while completely heading in two different directions.

Green Bay 14-2
Minnesota 9-7
Detroit 5-11
Chicago 4-12

NFC SOUTH

The stories coming out of this division are pretty simple.  First, the Saints will face the toughest task in sports – in repeating, while the Falcons should take advantage of a weaker schedule to return to the playoffs.  However, in the end – a lack of defense dooms both squads.

As for the Panthers and Bucs, does anyone truly care?  Let’s call these two the Tennessee and Jacksonville of the NFC.

New Orleans 10-6
Atlanta 9-7
Carolina 6-10
Tampa Bay 5-11

NFC WEST

In perhaps the weakest division in all of professional sports, the 49ers – who will be challenged to score more points than the Browns – should have a playoff spot wrapped up in mid-December.  Of course, this doesn’t say a whole lot, since the rest of the division features two of the league’s worst teams, and one now being led by Derek Anderson.

San Francisco 9-7
Arizona 7-9
St. Louis 4-12
Seattle 4-12

PLAYOFFS

Atlanta over NY Giants
Dallas over San Francisco

Green Bay over Dallas
New Orleans over Atlanta

Green Bay over New Orleans

Only because Suicide Fantasy Football is not enough of a man’s game for the likes of Cleveland Reboot – and because of those pesky shin splints associated with actual physical movement – and because I can….I’m back for the 2010 version of the only thing guaranteed to guarantee.

That’s right – it’s time to do the nasty – some nasty prognosticating, that is.

Today, we’ll start with our cruel maiden – the AFC. 

AFC EAST

There’s a lot to like about three of the AFC East’s four teams….obviously excluding the Canadian franchise.  New England can still obviously score some points and have added some young defensive talent.  Miami is just a classic, physical Parcells-inspired group – one that can beat opposing teams up.  And of course, the Jets are the group that want everyone else to know that are a “classic, physical”…..and so it goes.

Which leaves us poor Buffalo – or as I like to refer to them – what the Browns would be had Art Modell stayed.  So…in honor of that sentiment, I say the following with a heavy heart:  Bills fans, enjoy C.J. Spiller’s 10 touches a game.

Anyway, the majority of Jets’ fans have completely forgotten the inconvenient fact that their team would have missed last year’s playoffs – if only the Colts weren’t taking games off down the stretch.  Somehow, the leap between this moment and the promise of a Super Bowl championship appears to be little more than a stepping stone.  First, they are going to have to get through their division.

New England 10-6
NY Jets 9-7
Miami 9-7
Buffalo 3-13

AFC NORTH

Much like the Jets “repeating” their Super Bowl fortunes of a year ago (at least in the mind of a Jets fan), the Ravens have somehow emerged as the team to beat in the AFC – despite being pummeled by Indy last January.  I guess the arrivals of Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth will do that for a team.

Anyway, the most significant move of the offseason relating to the AFC North are the healthy returns of Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith to Pittsburgh’s defense.  These moves alone should vault the Steelers’ defense back towards an elite level.  As for the rest of the division, Baltimore and Cincinnati should knock each other out, while the Browns make some gains.

Pittsburgh 11-5
Cincinnati 9-7
Baltimore 8-8
Cleveland 6-10

AFC SOUTH

Here’s some Vegas advice for you:  don’t bet against the Colts.  Or, stop betting against the Colts.  Unless Peyton Manning’s freakish forehead is detained at an American airport, the Colts are guaranteed ten or more wins – which will be more than enough to win the AFC South for a 32nd consecutive season.  As for the rest of the division – who cares?  Houston is the most average team in the history of the league, while neither Jacksonville or Tennessee plays the kind of defense to win any games of importance.

Indianapolis 13-3
Houston 8-8
Jacksonville 7-9
Tennessee 6-10

AFC WEST

Yet despite all of the above, either Jacksonville or Tennessee would be a major player in the AFC West.  In what could be the league’s worst division in 2010, the only certainity is San Diego – who have not exactly had the greatest offseason.  However, behind San Diego are three teams in various stages of rebuilding – none of whom will be truly able to compete with the Chargers.

Perhaps Kansas City is the closest threat to San Diego – at least in terms of having youth and a fair degree of firepower.  However, Oakland and Denver are beginning to resemble each other – as both teams have casted a weird net that has delivered either a set of too old or too raw types of players – each led by a faulty QB in a QB-driven league.

San Diego 8-8
Kansas City 6-10
Denver 6-10
Oakland 5-11

PLAYOFFS

Miami over NY Jets
New England over San Diego

Indianapolis over Miami
Pittsburgh over New England

Indianapolis over Pittsburgh

Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at the NFC.

Stuff from all over today, as we channel our inner Eric Mangini and begin to pick through the NFL scrap heap, searching for that next hidden gem.

Or eponymous fourth cornerback.  Either way.

And speaking of digging….friend of Reboot Land Loyalty was doing some major picking over the weekend – at least when they asked me for my thoughts on the preseason that was. 

Land Loyalty – Browns Roundtable

Of course, I was still lamenting this….

Bengals Cut Isaac Sowells

And completely puzzled by the idea that I would be on the receiving end of this email….

From Jeff Onoforio…

We recently launched a new fantasy football game
called Suicide Fantasy Football and we would like
your help.

Suicide Fantasy Football is very different from
regular fantasy football – you can only select
each player once, throughout the entire season
(which is a unique challenge….

We are fortunate to have Kerry Rhodes promoting
Suicide Fantasy Football. However because Suicide
Fantasy Football is so different, I would like to
ask you for your help educating your readers on
how to play. What I’m hoping for is a post on
Cleveland Reboot that describes how Suicide Fantasy
Football works and why it’s different from the
traditional leagues. 

Well, Jeff – ask for and you shall receive.

Obviously Mr. Onofrio has never actually read this site - specifically my Unabomber-esque rants regarding how fantasy football completely distorts the real value of players….

Fantasy Football Manifesto: Part One

Fantasy Football: Mailbag Edition

…but anyway, since I was asked, I will explain just how “Suicide” Fantasy Football works.

1.  The first time a fellow Fantasy player whines or shows real tears after failing to land the Steelers’ Mike Wallace - or a comparable third wideout – in the 848th round of their draft has to remove themselves from the premises and end their life Steven Seagal/Machete style.  It’s the only honorable thing to do.

2.  Talking about one’s fantasy football team in front of an actual football fan…one who is unencumbered by the delirious prospect of landing a Mike Martz-coached QB….is actually a leading cause of suicide.

3.  The stakes of this new brand of fantasy football have never been higher.  In fact, the governing board of all things fantasy has recently ruled that anyone who does not win their respective fantasy league has to be tried in front of a real-life death panel. 

4.  If you actually survive both your draft and regular season, Kerry Rhodes will personally come to your house and punch you directly in the face.

5.  The first rule of Suicide Fantasy Football is that there is no Suicide Fantasy Football….

Anyway, if you want to virtually stab yourself in the eye, take a look….

 www.suicidefantasyfootball.com

And finally, here’s some fantasy….as in a list of recently cut players who could potentially help the Browns….

NFL Transactions

Marques Douglas – DE
David Clowney – WR
Stanford Keglar – LB
Tyrone McKenzie – LB
Kynan Forney – G
Gerald Alexander – S
Tank Tyler – DT
Sam Aiken – WR
Quintin Demps – S
Donald Brown – G
Jarron Gilbert – DT
Josh Beekman – G
Kendrick Clancy – DT
Jarvis Green – DE
Nathan Vasher – CB
Justin Miller – CB

Not exactly an inspiring list.  Although since the Browns are still paper-thin regarding their defensive line depth, Jarvis Green and Marques Douglas are intriguing.  Donald Brown could be an interesting addition to the offensive line, along with the corpse of Kynan Forney. 

However, unfortunately for the Browns, since we’re already carrying 28 linebackers, adding the likes of Keglar and McKenzie could just be a bit of overkill at this point.

And poor Brett Ratliff….if only he had David Clowney to throw to in the fourth quarter of a meaningless preseason game….

And of course, since I referred to the end of the Phil Savage era yesterday, it’s worth noting that Kirk Chambers – another former Butch Davis pick – was released.

And in a fitting end to the Dwight Clark era – you’ll remember it as the one that set the expansion Browns on a course to ruin – the gem of his 2000 draft, Dennis Northcutt, has been released by the Lions.

This means that of the 23 players selected by Clark in 1999-2000, there are none left standing.

Perhaps Clark should have been the spokesperson for a brand of suicide football….

The Turk arrived a bit late in Berea, as the Browns were one of the last teams in the league to announce their “final” roster cuts – which of course, are anything but final.

Just ask Titus Brown.

Or the guy who eventually takes his roster spot.

Anyway, nonetheless, a few surprises were had….

McDonald, Mosley Head Cut List

In no particular order, here are some of the “bigger” names no longer affiliated with the Browns…for now.

Surprise Cuts

Brandon McDonald
I’ve always dreamed of this day, but still I’m not exactly sure how to feel about the news that the team’s worst tackler is no longer a Brown.

After all, McDonald had a good camp and played well in the preseason – and in a sense, had even the most of cynical of Browns’ followers thinking he could fit in as a fourth corner.  Of course, “fourth corner” is a bit of a misnomer, as the Browns currently only have three.  The next week should deliver a parade of new corner candidates into Berea.

Scott Kooistra
Considering the tenuous injury status of Floyd Womack and Tony Pashos, coupled with the presence of John St. Clair, I thought Kooistra was a lock to make the final roster, if not to actually get some playing time. 

However, the NFL being a numbers game, Kooistra was the victim of Pashos’ return and the anticipated one involving Floyd Womack.  In this case, Kooistra’s spot was taken by Billy Yates, who now finds himself as a key member of an offensive line that has become top-heavy along the right side.

Larry Asante
Perhaps this move is indicative of why we shouldn’t solely judge talent based on YouTube clips.  You’ll remember those clips where Asante was blowing up opposing college receivers.  Of course, these talents don’t always directly translate to the NFL.

However, working against Asante was the continued development of Ray Ventrone as a backup safety.  With other special teams talent like Nick Sorensen and Mike Adams ahead of him, Asante’s road to the NFL – at least through Cleveland – will only come in the form of the practice squad.

C.J. Mosley
I’m guessing when you can’t actually play, it’s hard to make the final roster.  In Mosley’s defense, this move was purely a result of bad timing.  Had Mosely been healthy enough (i.e., not vastly out of shape) to play during the preseason, he could have easily locked up a role within the defensive line rotation. 

Instead, Mosley joins Brett Ratliff as two more Eric Mangini-endorsed players who could not survive into Year Two of The Process.

Speaking of which, here’s an interesting point….

Canton Rep – Browns Cut McDonald, Get Down to 53 Players

After Saturday’s cut to the opening-day limit of 53 — not a final cut, necessarily, because the brass was scrambling to make more changes — only nine of the 44 players on the projected two-deep for the offense and defense were brought in by Savage from 2005-08.

Just two training camps later, the Browns are almost completely removed from the stain of the Phil Savage era. 

Just think about that for a moment…this is pretty much all that remains from the Savage era:

Jerome Harrison
Lawrence Vickers
Josh Cribbs
Joe Thomas
Eric Steinbach
Shaun Rogers
Ahtyba Rubin
D’Qwell Jackson
Eric Wright
Mike Adams
Phil Dawson

And let’s not forget Butch Davis’ sole contribution to the 2010 roster….you know, our former Pro Bowl long snapper.

And speaking of remains, since both Asante and Clifton Geathers were cut, the Browns’ 2010 draft class now stands as follows:

Joe Haden – Probable third corner
T.J. Ward – Likely starting safety
Montario Hardesty – IR
Shaun Lauvao – Possible starting RG, backup C
Colt McCoy – Under protective coating/Team Mascot
Larry Asante – Cut
Carlton Mitchell – Probable, Continual Inactive

While last year’s class looks like this:

Alex Mack – Potential Top 5 Center
Brian Robiskie – Starting WR
Mohammed Massaquoi – Starting WR
David Veikune – Clinging to the fringes of the roster
Kaluka Maiava – Still here…for now
Don Carey – Still upset about what happened here.
Coye Francies – Cut
James Davis – Running back, of the 2B variety

And how about that Mark Sanchez trade from April of 2009?  Two starters remain, although Abe Elam’s hold on the starting job gets more slippery by the day.

Anyway, as for some cuts that weren’t even remotely scandalous….

Routine Cuts

Bobby Engram
And somehow people are surprised by this move?

Clifton Geathers, Swanson Miller and Brian Sanford
Although I’ve been beating the drum about the abysmal situation that is the Browns’ defensive line depth, it was obvious that all three of these young linemen were far too raw to keep on the roster.

DeAngelo Smith
Smith just fit this defense so well…he couldn’t tackle and showed a tendency to get beat over the top.  What’s not to like?  Anyway…the question now is if the Browns did keep four corners, would Smith had got the nod over McDonald?

Chris Jennings
The emergence of Peyton Hillis all but sealed Jennings’ fate.  Regardless of Montario Hardesty’s season-ending injury, there is still some depth to be found at running back.  Throw in Jennings’ offseason arrest and his fate was probably cast two months ago.

Brett Ratliff
I can’t decide if Ratliff either had the easiest road to the final roster, or the most difficult one.  Considering his ties to Mangini and the already declared status of Colt McCoy – Ratliff seemed to have an easy path to at least holding a clipboard this year.

But then again, he did have actually have to play – which couldn’t have helped his cause.

The Final Cut

1.  The inclusion of McDonald on the final cut list states one of two truths regarding our Browns.

First, in so many ways, this is still Mangini’s team.  From McDonald’s horrendous tackling last year to end zone flips and dirty tweets – it’s easy to see why Browns Nation’s favorite whipping boy was finally let go.

However, in a bit of irony, one of the players who was drafted because of McDonald’s inability to tackle – Larry Asante – was also cut.  Regardless of the difference in their positions, Asante was one of the players considered to be an anti-McDonald.

2.  Speaking of which, using the phrase “the Brandon McDonald Effect” will lose a bit of its luster this season.  But then again, his absence won’t stop me from running it into the ground.

3.  Obviously, Mangini covets versatility in his players.  This may temporarily explain the reasons behind keeping only three corners.  Ideally, Sheldon Brown could play safety – while Mike Adams could fill in at corner. 

Offensively, the same bit of versatility is found with Billy Yates, Floyd Womack and Peyton Hillis.  While Yates is a backup gap filler, Womack can play either right guard or right tackle, while Hillis can fill a variety of roles.

4.  Safety is another area where we see this necesary diversity.  The sole reason for Nick Sorensen again making the roster is based on his special teams play, which is comparable to Ray Ventrone getting a “final” spot.

5.  Yet despite all this talk about versatility, the Browns still have a glut of linebackers on the roster, including the corpse of D’Qwell Jackson.  Just the basic idea that both Eric Barton and Kaluka Maiava, or even David Veikune and David Bowens all survived this round of cuts leads me to believe that the coaching staff still doesn’t know what they have at linebacker. 

6.  Which leads me to also realize that this “final” cut was anything but.

7.  And finally, the saddest day in the history of Cleveland Reboot commences with this:

Bengals Cut Isaac Sowells

As a tribute, I’ll be pouring out a sip of gravy onto the curb.

The following is the latest from Reboot contributor Brian Heise….

“A love for tradition has never weakened a nation, indeed it has strengthened nations in their hour of peril.” 

                              -Winston Churchill 
 

Tradition.  Webster’s defines it as an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior; cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions.  Most of us are able to grasp this concept.  We share traditions with our parents, siblings, and friends and in doing so establish bonds that go beyond words and explanation. 

These traditions become important to us and to who we are.  We look forward to them and more importantly, we are protective of them.  Never… ever… would we consider putting a price on them.  Yet that is the very position we find ourselves. 

If you’ve been paying attention over the past couple of weeks you’ve been aware of the massive realignment taking place in college football.  A handful of the nation’s power conferences have waged war with one another in an attempt to further increase their power in the BCS world and in doing so have laid waste to anything and everything in their paths. 

The most egregious of the offenders has been the Big Ten, looking as far west as Texas and as far east as New Jersey in order to build a super conference.  In the end they acquired only Nebraska, but that was enough.  The damage has been done. 

With the addition of Nebraska the Big Ten now has twelve teams and thus qualifies for an end of the season money grab known as a conference championship game.  Conference championships have become a gimmick that has netted other large conferences huge dollars and now the Big Ten wants a piece of that pie.  That’s all well and good except for the fact that it’s now placed “The Game,” as we’ve come to know and love, in jeopardy.   

The debate raged on whether or not to place Ohio State and Michigan in the same division, thus preserving the end of the year grudge match and eliminating the possibility of an Ohio State-Michigan conference title game. The alternative placed them in opposite divisions, opening up the possibility of the massive revenue Ohio State vs. Michigan could generate for a title conference game. 

To further complicate things the latter argument also proposed moving “The Game” from the final game of the regular season to possibly sometime in October.  This would eliminate the potential for an Ohio State-Michigan rematch as such a scenario would “cheapen” and “diminish” the significance of the rivalry.  Last I checked wasn’t there a national outcry for an Ohio State-Michigan rematch in the BCS title game in 2006? 

You can’t have it both ways powers that be… you just can’t. 

But today the decision was finally made.  Seriously, what is it with Ohio and decisions lately?  

Regardless the Big Ten decided to split Ohio State and Michigan into two separate divisions.  This establishes the potential championship game scenario that has the conference salivating.  More perplexing however, is their decision to keep “The Game” as the regular season finale.  This sets up a potential rematch in the championship game, the situation they openly said they wanted to avoid.  The huge public outcry against moving “The Game” was probably an influence on that decision, but even still the damage has been done. 

The significance of Ohio State and Michigan over the years has been built on the importance of that game to each team’s postseason aspirations.  How many times have one or both teams entered “The Game” undefeated only to have their hopes of a championship shattered?  With the potential of a rematch this matchup could become watered down. 

Say for example both teams enter “The Game” having already clinched a spot in the conference championship. 

Do they rest players? 

Does that game become less meaningful?

Is the usually intensity missing because the next game, on neutral ground mind you, has more meaning? 

Yes in college football every win matters when factored into the BCS equation, but what if both teams come in with 1 or 2 losses and are out of the title picture?  I think this is unlikely, but you never know.  We live in a world where a team gave up a shot at undefeated immortality in order to rest players. 

Crazier situations have happened. 

In addition, playing once a year allows the winner somewhere around 365 days worth of bragging rights.  Now we’re looking at potentially 2 weeks’ worth before the rematch. 

I still believe that when all is said and done the fans will get up for “The Game.”  The rivalry is that passionate.  The hatred runs deep.  There’s a reason why it’s considered one of, if not the best rivalry in all of sports. 

So yes people will say how this is terrible and how it’s a travesty.  I fall somewhere in the middle.  In a perfect world the Big Ten would have Ohio State and Michigan square off every year in the championship game.  That’s just not going to happen, especially given the current state of the Michigan program. 

We’re more likely to be subjected to several years of Ohio State or Penn State versus the likes of Iowa, Wisconsin, or even Nebraska.  The “nightmare scenario” of a watered down rivalry may happen only occasionally.  It’s going to take several years in this new system before we know for certain. 

*Brace yourselves for a mini rant* 

With that said I want to address the real issue that is so troubling about all of this.  That would be the importance of tradition.  So often my generation, those under 30, is accused of not understanding the meaning and value behind tradition. 

Our families, respective religious leaders and politicians go on and on about how the youth is ruining everything with our loose morals and care free attitudes.  They tell us we don’t value those who came before us and the things they did.  They place themselves on this grand pedestal. 

However, we’re not the ones moving the opening time of the Muni Lot from 4 am to 7 am.  We’re not the ones selling out our stadiums for corporate sponsorship dollars.  We sure as hell aren’t the ones contemplating making drastic changes to the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry in the hopes of netting a few extra dollars. 

But we don’t understand or value tradition? 

In all honesty I think our “leaders” need to take a long hard look in the mirror. 

*Mini rant over* 

When you get down to the heart of the matter, the states of Ohio and Michigan are both at a crossroads.  We face numerous obstacles involving the economy, unemployment rates, and the housing market.  Everyone pokes fun at our short comings in an attempt to make themselves feel better about their own situations. 

This is the hour of peril for Ohio and Michigan. 

In that sense we’re more alike than we could ever have imagined.  To top things off, we’re bound together through 113 years of tradition… 113 years of rivalry… 113 years of pure hatred for one another.  Ironically, it’s the love of this hatred that will strengthen us in the end.  It’s just unfortunate that to the Big Ten that strength has a price. 

By the way….Tim Biakabutuka….I still hate you.

Slower than the realization that Montario Hardesty is a lock for future induction in the Ghosts of Browns Running Back Potential, it’s time to reflect on the game that was – or wasn’t, depending on your perspective.  And in a tribute fitting a game completely void of any meaning – unless you’re James Davis – let’s go to the scoreboard.

Browns-Bears Preview

1.  Since Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace will not play – and because Colt McCoy is all but guaranteed a roster spot, will tonight be Brett Ratliff’s last best chance to make the final roster?

How about this instead?  Has there ever been a less inspiring 13-13 passing performance in the history of the league?  If only an NFL team could win a Super Bowl with a playbook full of check-down passes.  

2.  Who emerges in the battle for the last running back spot – Chris Jennings or James Davis?

How about both, considering the news that Montario Hardesty’s first NFL season has already reached its conclusion.  Or, for a better question – what exactly does this team have in James Davis?  And how about that fleeting idea of running back depth we had only a month ago?

3.  Speaking of Jennings, does the Gerard Lawson Arrest Syndrome extend to the second-year back?

Let’s not jump to any conclusions yet.  Much like the fate of David Veikune, Jennings’ inclusion on the final roster will come down to a numbers game.

4.  Can Carlton Mitchell cement a spot on the team’s roster – or at least firmly plant himself on the practice squad?

Speaking of the numbers game, how many wide receivers will the Browns carry into the regular season?  Or more importantly, how many will actually be active on a given regular season Sunday?

5.  Can Tony Pashos actually start two consecutive preseason games?

Dare I say it….is this the end of John St. Clair?  At least until Pashos re-injures his damaged shoulder?

6.  What becomes of Derrick Robinson after tonight?  Is he just an insurance against current and future injury?

Yes and yes.  I think both Robinson and Brian Schaefering have played their way onto the final roster – and possibly even into the regular season D-line rotation.  Of course, rumor has it that C.J. Mosley and Shaun Rogers are actually still on the team.

7.  Will tonight be the last sighting of David Veikune and Eric Barton?

Perhaps the incentive of getting cut, combined with playing some fourth-string talent has finally helped Veikune to turn on the light.  And speaking of which, can we now – and finally – refer to Barton as “Lights Out?”

8.  Who claims the last cornerback and safety spots?

Coye Francies?  Where have you been all of our lives?  Talk about saving the best for last.  Now, about that mysterious disappearance over the last four months….

9.  Will tonight reveal Colt McCoy’s genuine value to the franchise moving forward?

Let’s just say two things about McCoy….

First, last night was surely McCoy’s best NFL moment to date.  Second, let’s just hope that Delhomme doesn’t implode and Wallace stays healthy.

10.  Was all this necessary?

Surely you jest.

The Pick – Part Three

Perhaps a sense of preseason fatigue has engulfed my spirit, but I’m concerned about the layoff the Browns’ starting units will face before the Tampa Bay opener.  Last night showed us very little about the overall direction of this team heading into 2010.  Of course, the final preseason game of the year isn’t known for being much more than a last, best chance for the fringes of the roster.

Of course, having said that – perhaps last night’s game helped to resurrect the 2009 draft class, in the form of James Davis, Coye Francies and David Veikune showing that still have some value to contribute to this team’s future.

A future which could actually begin in the next few days.

UPDATE:  Browns Reduce Roster By Seven

Never mind about Francies….

While I am completely against the idea of the NFL expanding to an 18-game schedule, moments like tonight all but cement the logic involved in such a process.  Despite the overwhelming motivation the league has to continue to suck every last dollar out of fans – the meaningless of the fourth preseason game of the year will ultimately lead to this capitalist reality.

But in the meantime – before we face a late December matchup, pitting a 2-15 team against a 3-14 one – let’s preview tonight’s game – an early September version of running out the clock.   

The Pick

1.  Since Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace will not play – and because Colt McCoy is all but guaranteed a roster spot, will tonight be Brett Ratliff’s last best chance to make the final roster?

2.  Who emerges in the battle for the last running back spot – Chris Jennings or James Davis?

3.  Speaking of Jennings, does the Gerard Lawson Arrest Syndrome extend to the second-year back?

4.  Can Carlton Mitchell cement a spot on the team’s roster – or at least firmly plant himself on the practice squad?

5.  Can Tony Pashos actually start two consecutive preseason games?

6.  What becomes of Derrick Robinson after tonight?  Is he just an insurance against current and future injury?

7.  Will tonight be the last sighting of David Veikune and Eric Barton?

8.  Who claims the last cornerback and safety spots?

9.  Will tonight reveal Colt McCoy’s genuine value to the franchise moving forward?

10.  Was all this necessary?

The Pick – Part Two

For some, tonight is the most important moment in the history of the NFL….at least until the next moment.  For others, the prospects of tonight determining more than 2-3 final roster spots is a bit of a stretch.  I can’t imagine that a full month of training camp and three preseason games have not provided the trio of Eric Mangini, Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert with enough information to make their final decisions.

But…then again – this is why we watch.

Perhaps the biggest payoff of this site comes in the form of receiving some truly genuine and thoughtful reader comments.  Unlike the slanderous, sophomoric and sometimes savage variety that are found at other places – the comments that arrive here actually add to the conversation – rather than completely distort it.

Which as everyone knows is my job anyway….

As for some of the best – from yesterday – Tuesday Roundup: Nearly Factual Edition

On Randy Lerner….

Hamfist -

I know I’m in the minority here, but, I don’t think Lerner has done anything but his best at being the owner.

He brought in guys that AT THE TIME everyone said were good hires. (Crennel, Savage, Mangini, etc.) What is he supposed to do? Know beforehand that they will or will not succeed or fail in their jobs?

An owners job is to hire the best people he can WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE, and to cut checks.

A lot of the fans decry him for being interested in soccer. So what? It’s not like he went out and said “Who is the worst bum I can find at (x) position to save money to spend on the soccer team.” Lerner has spent a metric ton of money on trying to get the best talent in here that he could, so why does everyone constantly bash him? Is he Mike Brown? No. Is he Al Davis? No. does he care? Yes. Or he would let this team fall into disrepair and tell us to go pound sand.

Fans are always flapping their pie holes about how he “owes” us to put a decent team on the field. Newsflash: he doesn’t owe you s***. Nothing. He has a product. You buy it or you don’t. Period.

Sorry for the rant, I just get tired of hearing that Lerner is the bad guy here.

And there lies the problem with Lerner – he has only “done his best.”  While this is a great sentiment to pay to a struggling fourth-grade student – it’s a little harder to justify concerning the owner of an NFL franchise.  Much like an undersized lineman, effort will only get you so far.

As for Lerner’s “efforts” to turn around this franchise, most Cleveland fans still want to grade our continental owner on the curve….simply because he’s not Art Modell, and because “he cares.”  Of course, this message is usually delivered at the end of another coaching/management reign – which occurs every three years or so.

And because the greatest trait of Browns fans is their (our – and mine) undying loyalty, Lerner is given a free pass.  The Browns’ recent string of futility directly coincides with Lerner’s failure for seven consecutive years to build an actual competent front office.  Yet, never during this dark period of Browns’ history has Lerner ever truly been held accountable for his massive weaknesses as an owner.

And now that it appears that Lerner may have stumbled onto someone who can do his job for him – meaning Mike Holmgren – these sentiments will continue into the future.

Which means that No, Hamfist….you are not “in the minority” here.

And onto the “majority” of Browns Nation – who are quickly becoming bigger fans of Jim Brown the player, as opposed to Jim Brown the monolith…here’s this….

Keith Vlasak –

What Jim Brown needs to realize is that scene in the Dennis Quaid movie, “Everybody’s All-American” where the old guys are out on the field and he mistakes the cheers for the current team for cheers for himself. I love my Browns memories — but right now I’m excited about Delhomme and Harrison and Hillis and Cribbs. I’ll never forget Jim Brown, but if you give me a choice between watching a rerun of one of his games or can hurry up and bring me the Tampa Bay game — hey, I choose bring on the Buccaneers!

Simple enough, right?  There are virtually no Browns fans who would choose not to honor or celebrate Brown’s legacy as a player.  In fact, the idea of a Ring of Honor without Brown is laughable.

However, Brown’s recent petty comments regarding his role within the organization – or the skeleton version that Lerner has enabled – makes the Hall of Famer look like a complete joke.

Or in other words – there is a pretty clear reason why Holmgren is running this team now.

And here’s one that would have been more welcomed on some other prominent Browns’ message boards….

Terry O –

Re: Jim Brown, the real question is: Why has this long time racist and wife/girlfreind beater been working for and representing the Browns for all of these years?

His well documented woman beating goes back to the 60’s. (*)

Perhaps JB is right, the Browns are bigots. They’ve displayed their bigotry of hideously low expectations of a black man by continuing to employ this bastard for all these years.

Well then….regarding my initial thoughts, I guess Terry O is the exception that proves the rule.  These were either the stylings of a most vicious satirist or just some inane rumblings.  I can’t decide which.

Speaking of missing the message….here’s more about Reboot’s newest Hero Mike Wise….

Berlin T –

Nothing new about making up the news. H.L. Mencken almost brags about making up stories for publication in the Baltimore Sun (at that time, around the turn of 20th century one of America’s most prestigious newspapers) so he and the other reporters would have more time for serious pursuits, such as beer drinking. For his discretions he was awarded a job as columnist.

His opinion of newspapers: “A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy crazier.”
Sounds familiar to me!

Actually, Berlin T is Reboot’s newest hero for dropping an H.L. Mencken reference.  And in a great bit of history repeating itself, guess which paper “ran with” Wise’s tweet a few days ago?

And speaking of suckers….here’s more from a suddenly moral Mike Florio….

PFT – Florio’s Tuesday Visit with Mike Wise

PFT – Washington Post Ombudsman on Wise

Later, Alexander writes, “Wise wasn’t reporting.  He was fabricating, which is the greatest sin in journalism.”

So we said Wise should be glad he wasn’t fired, and his newspaper’s ombudsman said Wise is lucky he wasn’t fired.  And I said that I can imagine no greater offense to Wise’s profession than fabrication, and his newspaper’s ombudsman says that fabrication is the greatest sin in journalism.

The fact that the ombudsman and I are in lockstep on those issues possibly could be enough to get Wise to resign.

So, to recap:  Wise plays a joke and Florio’s site picks it up as a story….never stopping to consider the legitimacy of its’ source or credibility.  Then, after Wise comes clean, PFT now plays the role of moral crusader, feigning some bizarre sort of credibility of its own.  After all, this is the same site that will run anything, at any time, often by creating headlines that point to some imaginary intrigue. 

And Mike Wise is the one who should resign?

Finally, onto some firings of a different sort….

National Football Post – Browns Waive Four

The Cleveland Browns made it down to the NFL roster limit of 75 players, cutting four players and placing defensive lineman Titus Adams on injured reserve due to a lingering leg injury.

The Browns placed defensive back John Bowie, wide receiver Taurus Johnson, defensive back Gerard Lawson and offensive lineman John Malecki on waivers.

Lawson was arrested and charged with driving under the influence during training camp and pleaded no contest.

With the release of Lawson, two things have become abundantly clear in Cleveland…

1.  Brandon McDonald will continue to miss tackles in a Browns’ uniform.

2.  Looks like we have a new candidate for the D.D. Hoggard Last Man on the Roster Memorial Award.

Jake Allen, this is your moment.

Stuff from all over the Inter-Webs today, as we check in on a living legend, another who has just risen to Twitter fame and the general lifeblood of this very site.

First, regarding our favorite “mascot”, here’s this…  

Jim Brown on Ring of Honor Ceremony

In a letter delivered on Monday and obtained independently by The Plain Dealer, Brown states that while he had no formal contract as executive advisor with the Browns, he believes his agreement with owner Randy Lerner was violated because a clause in it stated he would answer to no one but Lerner.

Brown disclosed that Holmgren offered him a salary of $100,000 for an opportunity to serve the club as, in Brown’s interpretation, “a greeter … a mascot … a person that would represent special events by his physical presence.”

So..if Brown has not “represented special events by his physical presence”, then what exactly has he been doing over the past decade?

Certainly, Brown has not been a coach, general manager, scout or anything more than an irregular mentor for the likes of troubled young players, or specifically, a clueless owner.

And before this discussion digresses into some personal attack upon Brown – which it isn’t – regardless of his past off-field experiences with the Browns, he is still clearly the franchise’s greatest on-field talent ever. 

But, as for the “Lerner only” clause, isn’t Brown acting a bit naive here?  After all, the entire reason for Mike Holmgren arriving in Cleveland was to do the job that Lerner was either unable or unwilling to do. 

If you focus solely on this aspect of Brown’s frustration, then you also buy into the idea that Lerner is among the more compentent owners in the league – which as evidenced by the past decade of Browns’ futility – clearly points to the contrary.

So, without delving into the legal specifics of Brown’s exclusive services contract with Lerner, the Hall of Famer’s main gripe is that he can only serve the Browns by going through Lerner….and no one else.

Nevermind the fact that Lerner is probably overseas at the moment watching his once-burgeoning and now cash-strapped soccer franchise slip back into the abyss of the English Premiere League. 

Or, that Lerner finally realized that he had to bring in a competent football person to save his American football franchise.

And if you take Brown’s words at face value – and ignore his sheer pettiness – then Lerner bringing in an “outsider” to actually run the franchise was not the smartest of moves.

I’m guessing that this is what Brown “advised” Lerner to do last December.

As for the actual “Ring of Honor”, Brown’s inclusion as a player is a no brainer.  In some respects, he should have his own wing in such a display of past greatness.  However, unlike Brown’s idea of a “lifetime” contract, this honor should be reserved strictly for the on-field talent that have contributed to a great sense of pride and history in Cleveland.

Which is something that even the “advisor” in Brown could get behind.

And speaking of “behinds”….in the most endearing terms possible, here’s Reboot’s Hero of the Day.

Thanks to these wonderful raconteurs, we have a classic example of what passes for Contemporary Journalism.
 
First, from Washington Post writer Mike Wise…

Mike Wise’s Roethlisberger Tweet

Roethlisberger will get five games, I’m told.

And then the National Enquirer of football “reporting” falls for the bait – hook, line and sinker….at least until Pro Football Talk realized that they had been had….

PFT – On Mike Wise’s Tweet

So we went with it, labeling it as a “report” and identifying Mike Wise as the source of it.    

I’m not sure which is funnier – Mike Florio typing the words “so we went with it”….like PFT features some crack staff of fact-checkers…..or the idea that – well, actually it doesn’t get much funnier than that.

After posting the story, we began to hear from readers that Wise was claiming that the whole thing was a hoax.  MDS later provided an updated link to Wise’s Twitter page, which had multiple more recent entries after “Roethlisberger will get five games, I’m told.”

And then later on – after a few different prominent newspapers were also burned by the story – this followed….

Deadspin – Washington Post Editor None Too Happy…

And because it’s 2010 and no one can take a joke, Wise offered his apologies….

Mike Wise Apology Tweet

But in the end, it proved two things: 1. I was right about nobody checking facts or sourcing and 2. I’m an idiot. Apologies to all involved.

Mr. Wise, you have absolutely nothing to apologize for. 

Just because a faux news site like PFT fell for a hoax does not make you an idiot, but rather someone who operates at a level far removed from the info-tainment that passes for actual journalism today.

Call it a great sociological experiment, or just a fun way to pass the time, but the goal was accomplished.  Sites like PFT and even some others currently exist to provide these types of baseless speculation – all in the name of generating page views. 

Of course, in the end, it wasn’t exactly a bad day for PFT.  The stain of being unprofessional is quickly erased by the huge volume of traffic that flows to their site. 

So in the end, what have we learned from all of this?

1.  It doesn’t exactly pay to be accurate.  My “other career” reminds me of this fact daily. 

2.  If you have some type of “legitimate” media credential, everyone will take your word as absolute gospel.

3.  The majority of readers prefer entertainment at the expense of being informed.

4.  Finally, I have a source from “Lake Erie” who tells me that Jim Brown will attend the Ring of Honor induction ceremony.