Browns + MNF = Disaster?

By Paul Belfi

Well, it looks like the Kellen Winslow 'mystery illness' has taken him out of tonight's game against the NY Giants on Monday Night Football.

That being said... the analysts, the 'guys in the know' and everyone you may be listening to on TV and radio or reading online or in the paper give the Browns a snowball's chance in hell.

On paper, it sure doesn't look good. Injuries and a 'mystery illness' have not done the Browns any favors. Questionable coaching, game-time decisions, and - frankly - uninspired play on the field would lead most people to predict an impending defeat to the Giants.

The Browns' last Monday night game came in 2003 against St. Louis. Tim Couch replaced a hapless Kelly Holcomb and almost led the Browns back from a 16-point deficit to victory.

History and current circumstances make this an obvious loss for the Browns, right?

Not so fast.

The Browns are at a crossroad right now and tonight's game will define how the rest of the 2008 season will go. Redemption or fraudulence?

My money is on redemption. A close loss (or an upset win) would clearly give this team the spark of confidence it desperately needs. The Browns are too talented to be in this situation (regardless of who you think should be starting at QB).

The nation will be watching tonight... will the real Cleveland Browns please stand up?

Video Clips: Fun Timewasters

By Rick Morris

From time to time, we try to accommodate our Lounge content consumers who just want some fun, light entertainment. Hence this edition of our Video Clips series, entitled "Fun Timewasters."

These are simply some video clips that you can enjoy and consume in the form of good, mindless entertainment. On with the show!

Here's an oldie but a goodie. Did you know that Screamin' A. Smith loves him some cheese doodles?




In this year's NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns did not get a chance to make a selection until the fourth round due to previous deals. Their pick in Round Four, UNLV ILB Beau Bell, sure plays like a beast, though. Dare I say "mad dog in a meat market?"




If you had any exposure to pro wrestling in the 1980s whatsoever, I only need three words to set up this next clip: "Piper. Snuka. Coconut."




Here's something hugely inspirational: the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" USA Hockey team lights the torch at the 2002 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Salt Lake City.




OK, this might be in somewhat questionable taste, but hey, it's Vince Vaughn! Who doesn't love a little Vince Vaughn comedy? It's UnAmerican not to chuckle appreciatively!




Is the nickname "Human Highlight Reel" already taken? Well, I think Henrik Zetterberg just claimed it for himself. Nice to see the Avs cough up another one.




On one of those political TV talk-fests, Pat Buchanan tells an annoying woman to shut up:




Larry King gets schooled by Jerry Seinfeld for his ignorance:




After watching this clip, I'm convinced that mean ol' Zell Miller would have absolutely pummeled everyone's favorite TV talking dough boy Chris Matthews:

How Good or Bad is Derek Anderson?

by Jason Jones

With Cleveland Browns fans excessively excited about the upcoming season, there are still some questions. My biggest question is, “How good, really, is Derek Anderson?” I have no doubt that the Derek Anderson I think I know is capable of leading the Browns into the playoffs. However, I do not think he is capable of winning a Super Bowl. I also do not believe the Cleveland Browns are a Super Bowl-contending team going into 2008. They are a serious playoff team. The idea that they can own Pittsburgh, beat New England, beat Indianapolis, and/or Jacksonville is still a far-fetched idea to me. Today, the NFL Network replayed the Browns vs. Bengals game from Week 2. I decided to Tivo the game then go back and analyze each and every offensive play (especially since there was next to no defense played in that game). I am going into this project with my eyes open and no bias. Most who know me or have read anything I’ve written on this subject are aware of my bias to Brady Quinn over Derek Anderson. This time, I will objectively look at DA’s best game to decide just how good he really is. Keep in mind I am watching an NFL Network Replay, which means we will only see the plays they deem worthy as to fit it into a nice 90 minute block. There may be some skips in time.

CIN-7 CLE-0, 7:57 1^st Qtr

First Possession

7:57-J.Lewis 7 yd dive

6:52-J.Lewis 3 yd lt. guard

6:03-DA 28 yd pass to a flipped Edwards called incomplete (not DA’s fault) the announcer’s criticized the throw claiming it set up Edwards to get hurt.

5:51-J.Lewis HB Sweep 5 yds

5:12-DA sits in the pocket until he inexplicably fumbles the ball with no one touching him, then scrambles to his right and wildly throws the ball to a relatively open Jurevicious and misses him by 7 or 8 yards. The ball ended up just in front of the camera men. He didn’t even look at the 3 receivers he had wide open running intermediate routes.

5:02-39 yd FG attempt is good by Phil Dawson

CIN-7 CLE-3, 3.24 1^st Qtr

Second Possession

3:24-DA throws over the middle 22yds to Kellen dropping it into a zone of a 4 yd radius for a 20 yd gain.

2:46-J.Lewis lt. counter for a 4 yd gain.

2:03-DA bootleg lt. throws on the run to Jurevicious in a closing window of defenders for a 13 yd gain.

1:20-DA steps up in the pocket and throws a bullet just before getting hit to Edwards (who had to lay way out to catch it) into a zone with a 7 yd radius. Edwards should not have had to dive for the ball; had he caught it in stride, he could’ve taken it to the endzone.

0:56-J.Lewis off rt. guard for a 3 yd gain.

0:18-DA short-hops this pass a good 6 yds. to Edwards on a very tightly-covered curl route. Terrible decision in double coverage when at no point was his receiver ever open.

0:13-DA throws this one directly to the linebacker 6 yards in front of Edwards never even looking at another option. It was read perfectly and should have been intercepted. Caleb Miller was clearly in view, while Edwards didn’t come into view until the last second.

0:09-39 FG attempt is good by Phil Dawson.

CIN-7 CLE-6, 14:36 2^nd Qtr

Third Possession

14:36-DA hands to J.Cribbs in a make shift end around for a 9 yd gain.

13:07-DA throws over the middle to a streaking Kellen for a 20 yd gain. This ball was actually thrown really well, up top where only Kellen would be able to adjust to get it.

11:44-J.Lewis rt. stretch play for 3 yds.

11:03-DA throws to Jurevicious in the lt. corner of the endzone for a 17 yd touchdown. Another very nice throw. If Jurevicious was 2 inches shorter it would have been incomplete, but he put in front of the receiver so the DB would have to go through Jurevicious to get to it.

Let’s pause from the QB analysis for a Josh Cribbs moment…

7:33-Josh Cribbs receives the kick off in stride just rt. of the hash marks, cuts back toward the middle of the field, finds the first seam between two blocks at the 20. He watches the seam close at the 30, and proceeds to bounce outside to the left bypassing 6 Cincinnati defenders. He regains his balance passing a linebacker and turns up the speed and the field en route to splitting the kicker with only Leon Hall to beat. He lays a stiff arm on Hall and proceeds to drag Hall the better part of 15 yards. He is eventually knocked out of bounds at the 12 yard line. This kid is amazing. He sets up blocks like he is playing a Madden video game.

CIN-14 CLE-13, 7:20 2^nd Qtr

Fourth Possession

7:20-J.Lewis runs off lt. guard for a 1 yd gain.

6:43-DA throws to his rt. to Edwards who didn’t have anyone within 8 yards of him in any direction. If Braylon Edwards is 6’3, DA threw it as if he were 13 feet tall. Just a terrible throw. It couldn’t have been a throw-away because Edwards was so very open.

6:37-DA on 3^rd and 8 from the 9, throws to a wide-open Jurevicious just having a picnic all by himself in the back of the endzone. Joe had the entire endzone all to himself.

The next play of note as I fast forward through the Bengals offensive drive is the wide-open touchdown pass to Chad Johnson. Mr. Endzone Celebration spent the time to figure out that he was going to jump into the Dawg Pound, but didn’t take the time to find out which endzone they were in.

CIN-21 CLE-20, 2:48 2^nd Qtr

Fifth Possession

2:48-DA throws to Edwards in the flat. Edwards had to wait for it for a couple seconds, but found a way to get an 8 yd gain out of it.

2:11-J.Lewis runs a HB Slam play off lt. tackle, then cuts inside a Jurevicious block and makes the first DB miss. He eventually gets knocked out at the CIN 48 for a 17 yard gain.

2:00-DA takes a 5 step drop while CIN blitzes the kitchen sink. He throws it across the middle to Kellen who had to dive outward to catch it for a 9 yd gain.

1:34-DA throws the ball high to Edwards who reaches out for it in triple coverage and tips it into the air. As Edwards fall behind all three CIN defenders, he turns his body just enough to catch the ball on his back. Miraculous. Color Commentator: “This ball SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THROWN, what a concentration by Braylon Edwards”

1:11-DA throws another nice ball in perfect stride with Kellen between two DB’s; they never had a chance. Touchdown.

CIN-21 CLE-27 Halftime

Sixth Possession

15:00-DA steps back and fires one to Edwards separating from his defender. DA didn’t notice the other DB eyeballing him the whole way. Interception Dexter Jackson. Terrible read. He had good protection, had he waited one or two seconds Edwards would have been all alone 10 yards further down field.

CIN-24 CLE-27, 12:04 3^rd Qtr

Seventh Possession

12:04-J.Lewis takes the handoff off rt. guard for a tough 4 yds.

11:17-DA locks in on Edwards and throws a strike to his outside shoulder and Edwards does the rest. With Jerry Rice-like precision Edwards toe taps the sideline for a beautiful reception. He still had to dive for it.

11:00-J.Lewis gets a solid 10 yds. on a lead draw play up the middle.

9:08-DA in shotgun, fires it just outside of Kellen who brings it in just past the first down marker for an 11 yd gain.

8:25-DA sets back, he could’ve had a beach chair out there, pump fakes short then lobs one to the endzone with Edwards in perfect stride leaving two DB’s in his dust to coast in for a touchdown. Not DA’s best ball in this game, but a very nice throw.

Chad Johnson finally gets into the Dawg Pound and apparently thought it would be more fun than it was. To think, arguably the most arrogant WR in the game thought he would just jump into a crowd of the most rabid fans and WOULDN’T get doused with whatever they had with them at the time? Interesting.

CIN-31 CLE-34, 6:04 3^rd Qtr

Eighth Possession

The following is the case study example for anyone who thinks Jamal Lewis is old, slow, over the hill, or flat out doesn’t have it anymore.

6:04-From the 34 yd line (1^st and 10) J.Lewis takes the handoff cuts from the guard to outside the lt. tackle, makes it through the seam of 3 Bengals and on to daylight. The rest is Lewis trucking for 66 yards and one short possession but one long Touchdown run (66 yards).

CIN-38 CLE-41, 13:07 4^th Qtr

Ninth Possession

13:07-J.Lewis 3 yd dive play.

12:28-DA steps back and fires one hard down the middle of the field to a wide-open Steve Heiden with a cushion of 4 yds in any direction (albeit, 3 DB’s around him). The Color Commentator spent at least 30 seconds talking about how he was certain that play would be a short conservative run or pass. Yeah, conservative, if by conservative you mean a 30 yd. pass into loose triple coverage.

11:42-J.Lewis takes the handoff on a dive play and busts it up and over no less than 4 immediate tacklers for an 11 yd gain. (it was at this point during the live action of this game my mother called and said, “he looks a little like Jim Brown”).

10:54-DA bootlegs rt., finds L.Vickers at the last second, then Vickers puts a nasty spin move on the linebacker for a first down.

10:06-DA rolls back looks rt. then lt. and throws of his back foot to a WIDE OPEN Edwards who has to lay out like he was diving into a pool and proceeds to roll his way to another touchdown. ClevelandBrowns.com refers to this one as the “keep it rollin” play.

CIN-38 CLE-48, 8:29 4^th Qtr

Tenth Possession

8:29-J.Lewis does it again. On a delay with a great block from Vickers, he splits the seam and shakes in and out for a 48 yds. gain. No gas left in the tank my arsecheek!

7:56-DA looking very relaxed sends a pass over the middle that looks overthrown. DA wasn’t looking for Jurevicious though, it lands nicely in the falling arms of Kellen on the 5 yd. line.

5:54-DA drops back under pressure and lofts the ball out of the back of the endzone. With a second look, Winslow was covered and if he had thrown it low enough Edwards could have caught it on his curl route and fallen down shielding the ball from the two defenders close to him. The third read was Jurevicious basically running the baseline (basketball analogy) with the closest defender trailing a good 6 yds. behind him. A good QB would’ve seen that.

5:44-18 yd FG attempt is good by Phil Dawson

CIN-45 CLE-51, 3:36 4^th Qtr

Eleventh Possession

3:36-J.Lewis cuts outside for a 3 yd gain. (the most yards rushing by a Brown is 34 years-Jim Brown 223-Nov 3, 1963)

3:24-DA throws one across the middle to a waiting Edwards who has to adjust his run after the catch and caves under 3 defenders for a first down.

2:00-J.Lewis runs up the middle for no gain.

CIN-45 CLE-51, 0:28 4^th Qtr

Just for fun…

0:28-Carson Palmer steps back looking for Chad Johnson only to have Leigh Bodden catch the ball Willie Mays-style over his should and toe tapping the sideline shades of Braylon Edwards’ catch from earlier in the first half to end the game.

This was the second highest-scoring game in the history of the NFL. The idea was to take Derek Anderson’s best statistical performance and analyze just how good it was.

End of Game Stats:

Derek Anderson: 20/33 (60.6%), 328 yds passing, 9.9 avg per comp, 5 TD’s, 1 INT

Jamal Lewis: 27 carries, 216 yds, 8.0 yds per carry avg, 1 TD, long run of 66 yds.

Braylon Edwards: 8 receptions, 146 yds, 18.3 yds per rec, 2 TD’s, long rec of 37 yds

Kellen Winslow: 6 receptions, 100 yds, 16.7 yds per rec, 1 TD, long rec of 25 yds

Joe Jurevicious: 4 receptions, 44 yds, 11 yds per rec, 2 TD’s, long rec of 11 yds

Clearly, no one should knock 20/33 for 328 and 5 TD’s. The issue I am stuck on has nothing to do with what Anderson does, but what he doesn’t do. If reading this one time didn’t get the point across, read it again. Take note of how many times players are described as “diving” or “laying out." Note how many times the ball is not even close. Then take note of the descriptions of the big plays he did make. You will notice that a great deal, probably in the ball park of 80% the players he is throwing to are more responsible for making the plays. I am not completely down on Anderson. There were about 5 throws that he made, that I did not think he was capable of making going into this game. Every now and then Anderson will surprise you with a gem of a throw. As I mentioned early in this post, DA is good enough to take this team to the playoffs, he is not good enough to win a Super Bowl. Super Bowl winners don’t miss as badly as DA tends to miss. Yet, they make the plays that DA made in this game with much more precision and a higher frequency. Now for the angle almost no one wants to hear…Brady Quinn can make every throw from this game that DA made and at least half of the mistakes.

Example 1: 5:15 of the 1^st Qtr. Quinn doesn’t fumble the ball all by himself with no contact by a defender. That one is nitpicky though, chalk that one up to bad things happen to just about anyone. Same play, when he eventually threw the ball, DA sent it via UPS to the cameraman, overthrowing Jurevicious. Now I could say that it is a hard throw to make. But later on, he completes a much more difficult pass to Jurevicious on the other side of the endzone.

Example 2: 6:03 of the 1^st Qtr. Quinn generally doesn’t put his receivers in a position to get tagged and ultimately hurt. The only time he ever risked it was throwing to his now turned Cubs minor leaguer former Notre Dame teammate Jeff Samardjia. But he was huge, a young Joe Jurevicious.

Example 3: 0:18 of the 1^st Qtr. Quinn is exquisite at putting the right touch and softness on his short and intermediate passes. With the exception of getting the first time jitters out, I cannot fathom a world where Quinn would short-hop a pass as poorly as DA did here. Edwards was running a curl route through the teeth of the secondary. Even if the throw wasn’t short hopped, chances are one of the 3 DB’s would’ve intercepted it.

Example 4: 0:13 of the 1^st Qtr. A good QB rarely ever throws the ball directly to a defender because he has his blinders on for his target. Good QB’s on occasion will throw the ball directly to a spot that a defender is converging on. This example, the defender didn’t move on foot for about 6 seconds leading up to the throw. When the ball came, he didn’t have to move an inch to catch it. Luckily for us, he cannot catch.

Now these are only the mistakes in the 1^st quarter. They continue throughout the game. In this instance, since CIN cannot play defense any better than we could in this game, they are mistakes that ultimately didn’t cost us the game. All you needed to read was Browns win 51-45 to get that. I ask you, what happens when Anderson is playing against the Steelers (Week 3 and 11), the Colts (Week 5), the Cowboys (Week 6), the Giants (Week 7), the Jaguars (Week 12), the Eagles (Week 14) --all of which have substantially better defenses than CIN. Granted, with the improvements on defense, he may not have to put up 51 points, but these are mistakes that could/will cost the game next season. I don’t want to sound like a pessimist, but I as a fan want as much improvement as anyone else. I am not suggesting that Quinn be given the job. However, I do hope the coaching staff look at the spot with an open mind. If DA justifiably wins the job, I’m OK with that. But if we go into a game and DA is struggling, I hope they don’t stick with him for loyalty's sake. Quinn is a much more headstrong QB, who is less likely to make risky mistakes.

All-in-all, I am ecstatic for next season. If DA starts and plays the entire season, I still believe the Browns are a playoff team. The only question is, “what happens once we get there?” This team should be realistically looking for a Super Bowl run in 2009-10, I just hope the QB position is figured out long-term by then.

The 3rd Annual Cleveland Browns Comparison

by Jason Jones

Since 2006, I have heard fans complain that Phil Savage and his scouting staff have not lived up to their reputation. Each year this annoys me immensely. Phil Savage, in my opinion, is the best talent evaluator/GM in the game today. When you look at various draft picks (considering that 40% of them in the first 2 years were wasted) and the free agent moves made, he has steadily improved the Cleveland Browns quicker than any other franchise in professional football. Four years ago the Browns were the laughing stock of the NFL. Today there are countless "analysts" who have no hesitation in saying that the 2008 Browns are the clear favorite to win the AFC North and on paper are a top 5 team in the AFC. We will see, as they say, "That's why they play the game".

This evening, while the Mrs. was out, I decided to watch the Monday Night Football replay of the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders from 2003 -- widely considered to be the greatest game Brett Favre ever played. Naturally, I could not help but notice some of the names on these teams that are no longer with these teams. So, I figured, what better time than to introduce my 3^rd annual Cleveland Browns then vs. now. In this, every year I compare the 2004 Cleveland Browns to the upcoming year’s squad. The reason for this goes back to having to play goalie to the anti-Phil Savage comments. As it has been mentioned to me, this is much less of a problem going into the 2008 season as it was four years ago. However, as I deal with some level of obsession relating to my favorite team…I visit various message boards almost nightly during high anxiety times throughout the offseason. These areas would be most commonly the Free Agency period and the NFL Draft. Needless to say, there are still plenty of people who want to question what Phil Savage has done and claim that he is a hack and should be fired. As long as Phil is employed and there is even one person who wants to entertain this thought the comparison will continue. My first thought is how much better on paper are the Browns over the last four years. Got that nestled in your mind? Then ask yourself how improved the Baltimore Ravens are over the last four years? Now ask yourself once you’ve come to the conclusion that the Browns have improved almost 3 fold while the Ravens have gradually gotten worse over the same time span, ask yourself what is the singular move/decision that effects both teams? Answer: Phil Savage becomes the GM of the Cleveland Browns and stops making the scouting and personnel decisions for the Baltimore Ravens.

Let’s get into it…

QB Jeff Garcia vs. QB Derek Anderson

Both of these, technically are Pro Bowl quarterbacks, I personally would not want either of these quarterbacks leading my franchise into the future. Jeff Garcia was old when he got into this league. Derek Anderson is the biggest David Copperfield impression in the NFL. With that being said, Derek Anderson is a closer facsimile of a prototype QB. Anderson is a pocket passer with a cannon for an arm. The downfall is that if DA is not throwing a deep pass, he is marginal at best. Jeff Garcia is a round peg. He doesn’t fit every system. Jeff Garcia in the right system is very good, anything short of said good system, he is dog crap.

Edge: Derek Anderson

QB Kelly Holcomb vs. QB Brady Quinn

I shouldn’t have to even expound on this one, but I really shouldn’t have to make this post either. Believe it or not, there are people who think DA is a godsend and clearly better than Quinn. Leaving that alone, there are still people who believe that Kelly Holcomb would have gone to the Pro Bowl given the 2007 Browns. If that is the case, why not put in Spurgeon Wynn? Holcomb was a surprise, meaning once the game tape got out on him, teams knew exactly what to do.

Edge: Brady Quinn

QB Luke McCown vs. QB Ken Dorsey

McCown, when he was in Cleveland, was very green. He was a scrawny little QB with good potential. If you ask me, he was another Butch Davis pick that was just bad. At this point in his career, he is an insurance policy for someone’s starter. Now Ken Dorsey is by no means a prize as a starter in the NFL, but he may be one of the first QB’s of this era to transition into a coaching career. Whenever his playing career is over. If we are talking skill of backups, Ken Dorsey takes it by miles. The reason is that Dorsey is a very smart football guy who gets it. McCown is just a body in case the starter goes down. Dorsey is a mentor, and unlike most QB’s, he relishes the role.

Edge: Ken Dorsey

FB Terrelle Smith vs. FB Lawrence Vickers

Take your pick here based on preference. Do you want a FB who blows up holes for the featured tailback, or do you want a FB who is another offensive weapon? I like Vickers now, but would prefer Terrelle Smith opening holes for Jamal Lewis.

Edge: Terrelle Smith

RB William Green vs. RB Jamal Lewis

Willie Green was on the sidelines when Jamal Lewis rushed for over 500 yards against the Browns. William Green wouldn’t even vote for himself on this one. It comes down to Green (a never was) vs. Lewis (a future Hall of Famer).

Edge: Jamal Lewis

RB Lee Suggs vs. RB Jason Wright

Let’s assume there are no injury issues for either. Lee Suggs would probably win this one with a respectable margin of victory. Wright has shown some signs of promise. But Lee Suggs has shown some explosiveness.

Edge: Lee Suggs

RB Andy Echimandu vs. RB Jerome Harrison

Echimandu had a cup of coffee in the league if I’m not mistaken. Harrison was an explosive back in college. His small stature gives him a low center of gravity, but if he wants to contribute he is going to have learn how to do things he is not accustomed to.

Edge: Jerome Harrison

TE Kellen Winslow vs. TE Kellen Winslow

Don’t blink, its not a typo. Going into the respective seasons, Winslow was the projected starter. Granted he got injured in 2004. As crazy as it sounds, I take Kellen Winslow, injured or not. If I could only have Winslow every other year for 10 years I take it with no hesitation.

Edge: Kellen Winslow (2008)

TE Steve Heiden vs. TE Steve Heiden

Again, same situation. Heiden is a very good #2 TE. He was featured more in 2004, but I prefer him to be a blocking TE and second to Winslow.

Edge: Steve Heiden (2008)

TE Aaron Shea vs. TE Darnell Dinkens

We were able to see Shea deliver in spots earlier. Darnell Dinkens too often is seen wearing a boot or not able to play for some strange reason. Production alone dictates this goes to Aaron Shea.

Edge: Aaron Shea

WR Antonio Bryant vs. WR Braylon Edwards

Let’s give him his due. Bryant did go over 1,000 yards. Honestly, I could go over 1,000 yards if a QB threw to me enough. Bryant dropped a lot of passes. Braylon is the truth. And probably the only Michigan WR to live up to any amount of hype. Braylon statistically is a top 10 WR in the league (actual: 7th). He is a great deep threat. With the addition of Donte Stallworth and moving Jurevicious to the slot should improve the one on one matchups. Thus, improving his big play capability.

Edge: Braylon Edwards

WR Andre Davis vs. WR Donte Stallworth

Andre Davis just got a contract extension with the Texans. I am virtually positive that the extension is due to his return ability more than his receiving ability. Donte Stallworth, on the other hand, is a prototype #2 WR. His is fast, shifty and catches the ball as well on the outside as he does in traffic. He never has reached the 1,000 yard mark, but in Cleveland, they won’t need him to.

Edge: Donte Stallworth

WR Dennis Northcutt vs. WR Joe Jurevicious

I like to call Northcutt, “Mr. Glass”. Northcutt will just as soon catch a ball that will get him hit as you or I may jump in front of speeding 18-wheeler. Joe on the other hand is arguably the best possession receiver in the game. Joe’s big body and sure hands make him a great slot receiver. Northcutt should have played baseball.

Edge: Joe Jureviciuos

WR Frisman Jackson vs. WR Joshua Cribbs

The only time Jackson showed any sort of promise was against the 3^rd or 4^th stringers in various playoff games. Josh Cribbs, however, is no worse than the 2^nd best kick returner in the game. Cribbs is electrifying. Comparing Cribbs to Northcutt…Northcutt tried to make a hundred cuts and generally only netted a 15-25 yard starting point. Cribbs generally gets the team to their own 40…that is if he doesn’t take it to the house. Cribbs is not shifty, he finds his crease and goes, regardless of whether or not he is going to get hit.

Edge: Joshua Cribbs

OT Ross Verba vs. OT Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas has done more in his rookie year than Verba has in his entire career and counting. Verba is famous for one thing, demanding best OT in the league money and being told to hit the bricks. Thomas came in and worked hard. And became a top 10 LT in the league by season’s end.

Edge: Joe Thomas

OG Melvin Fowler vs. OG Eric Steinbach

Wow, what a difference a few years makes. Fowler was drafted as a center and moved to guard. From day one he was a below average O-Lineman. Steinbach, however, is a fringe Pro Bowl caliber guard. He may not be Alan Faneca or Steve Huchinson, but he is worth every penny.

Edge: Eric Steinbach

C Jeff Faine vs. C Hank Fraley

Faine is NOW a good center. Ask Tampa Bay, who made Faine the highest paid center in the league. Hank Fraley should win Cleveland’s Lunch Pail Award. Fraley is not the biggest guy, but he comes to play every day. This one is closer than you might think.

Edge: Jeff Faine

OG Kelvin Garmon vs. OG Ryan Tucker

I’m not even going there. Ryan Tucker is a converted RT who has played very well at RG. He started his career as a guard, which may have something to do with why he has excelled there. Kelvin Garmon is a joke, period.

Edge: Ryan Tucker

OT Enoch DeMar vs. OT Kevin Shaffer

It took a while for Shaffer to deal with his plight. Shaffer was traded from Atlanta. Where he played LT for Mike Vick. Let that settle in for a moment…which arm does Vick (when he’s not in prison) throw with? His left. Which means Shaffer is really a RT with a right handed QB. Enoch DeMar, again, is a joke.

Edge: Kevin Shaffer

OL Joaquin Gonzalez vs. OL Lenny Friedman

Gonzalez didn’t last. Friedman is a plug guy. As a backup, Lenny can play at least 3 and maybe even 4 of the OL position.

Edge: Lenny Friedman

The rest of the Offensive Lineman go to the 2008 Browns barely. In all fairness, I’m going to skip it. Barring injury they wouldn’t matter for either team.

DE Courtney Brown vs. DE Corey Williams

Courtney Brown should have walked to the podium on draft day in a hospital gown and booties, since he would spend most of his career on IR. Corey Williams is a guy who was drafted for D-Line depth most likely at DT. He has proven his worth in a very deep D-Line team. In the 3-4 he will be a very effective DE. Unlike Brown, Williams will play and accumulate stats. Easy decision, though had Courtney Brown been able to play, he would have been a beast.

Edge: Corey Williams

DE Kenard Lang vs. DE Robaire Smith

This is a system question. When the Browns ran a 4-3, Lang was probably as serviceable as Robaire in a 3-4. Problem was that Kenard was forced to move to OLB in the 3-4 scheme. In a 4-3 Kenard Lang is undersized at DE. In a 3-4 which was the eventual reality he is terrible. Robaire could and has excelled in both systems.

Edge: Robaire Smith

DE Ebenezer Ekuban vs. DE Simon Fraser

Ebenezer is not very good. Let me reset. Ekuban is one of those DE’s who should be a career backup merely because he is big and not a wimp. There is no specific skill to speak of. Simon Fraser would probably be better suited in a 4-3, but I like his heart. He knows he’s not the top guy at his position, and he doesn’t care.

Edge: Simon Fraser

DT Gerard Warren vs. NT Shaun Rogers

Big Money Warren my ass. That’s all Gerard does effectively is cash checks. Warren was supposed to be the next Warren Sapp. No chance. Here’s the rub…Some believe that Shaun Rogers has motivation issues. If both of these had no motivation or consistency issues, then Rogers would be the most effective interior lineman in the league and Warren would be good enough to start on a 4-3 team.

Edge: Shaun Rogers

DT Orpheus Roye vs. NT/DE Shaun Smith

I like Roye, especially back in 2004. As a fan I can appreciate what he did year in year out. Shaun Smith, in the beginning, felt like a throw in for depth. He has shown production, so much so that we could see him starting at NT had we not pursued Rogers.

It comes down to consistent effort from Roye vs. better than expected production from Smith.

Edge: Shaun Smith

DT Alvin McKinley vs. DT Louis Leonard

McKinley is a lot like Roye with much less statistical production regardless of system. Leonard I believe has played two games at most. It comes down to a question of sample size. Alvin has it and Louis doesn’t.

Edge: Alvin McKinley

MLB Andra Davis vs. ILB Andra Davis

Not to confuse you again, but this is a landslide for Andra Davis the Middle Linebacker. In his first couple of years as a starter in the 4-3, Davis showed good ability and promise. As a an ILB, he is drastically lacking. There is too much movement and coverage required of an ILB compared to that of a MLB.

Edge: Andra Davis (2004)

OLB Ben Taylor vs. ILB D’Qwell Jackson

D’Qwell Jackson, although underachieving his hype, is still a better LB than Ben Taylor will ever be. Ben Taylor was the worst case of yards after first contact. I don’t think another LB in the game has been drug for more yards than Taylor.

Edge: D’Qwell Jackson

OLB Chaun Thompson vs. ILB Leon Williams

Although Thompson may have been the biggest reach in NFL history, he has evolved into a nice player. The difference in this one, is appropriate value. Leon Williams was drafted where he should have been. Not to mention Leon stepped in when called upon, and played very well. Williams has worked into his role nicely and much quicker than Thompson

Edge: Leon Williams

OLB Warrick Holdman vs. OLB Kamerion Wimbley

Bottom line, not one single player on the 2004 team has more ability than Kamerion Wimbley…period. Wimbley is the cornerstone of a 3-4 system that demands particular types of players. He is the first in the progression from then to now.

Edge: Kamerion Wimbley

OLB Kevin Bentley vs. OLB Willie McGinest

If this were 2004 vs. 2004 then it would be a landslide in McGinest. It is not. The fan in me wants to say Bentley because I loath what McGinest has become. However, as many old men has said during various sports arguments, McGinest has forgot more about football than Bentley will ever know. McGinest’s football mind takes this one over

Edge: Willie McGinest

OLB Barry Gardner vs. OLB Antwan Peek

Peek was an absolute stud for his value in Houston. Then Houston moved a 4-3 and put in on the line and he suffered. He is a very solid run stuffing 3-4 OLB. Barry Gardner has never really spiked to that level. Gardner is average at best.

Edge: Antwan Peek

S Earl Little vs. S Sean Jones

Earl Little was nice for a stretch. At times Little showed great promise, and some would say he was one of the stalwarts of the 2004 team. In a very childish manner, Little couldn’t hold Joneses jock strap in regards to rushing the passer and tackling. Little was much more of coverage safety and ultimately average at that.

Edge: Sean Jones

S Robert Griffith vs. S Brodney Pool

Brodney Pool is the 2008 version of Chaun Thompson if Thompson had not progressed the way the staff had wanted him too. Pool is another in a line of Oklahoma players this staff just loves. Brodney looked nice in the draft, but just hasn’t gotten it. Pool makes me pray for a first round FS for the future to set my mind at ease. Griffith although not the same player he was in Minnesota, was still just a better S than Pool at this stage of the game.

Edge: Robert Griffith

S Chris Crocker vs. S Nick Sorensen

Sorensen who was just signed to an extension, at least for now, is a stud Special Teamer. He has potential to become a rotation player at Safety (keep in mind, Crennel does not play FS or SS, he just plays 2 safeties at one time). Crocker was intriguing but never really progressed past intriguing. Based on upside alone, I take Sorensen.

Edge: Nick Sorensen

CB Anthony Henry vs. CB Eric Wright

Considering Henry’s rookie season, one would be inclined to give him the nod. However, compared to Eric Wright’s rookie season, Wright showed more potential to be a shut down corner. Anthony Henry will never be more than a #2 CB. Wright has the ability to be the #1 on most teams. Call it upside if you want.

Edge: Eric Wright

CB Daylon McCutcheon vs. CB Brandon McDonald

McDonald as the incumbent #2 may be a stretch. McCutcheon has proven, regardless of his diminutive stature, that he can be a #2. McDonald seems to be a homerun hitter of a CB. You will remember his big plays, but do you remember when he got beat? Granted, this may seem like an upside pick, but I think it is more related to the respective talents. McDonald in much less time played showed the ability to make big plays.

Edge: Brandon McDonald

CB Lewis Sanders vs. CB Kenny Wright

Here’s were it gets a little hairy. Lewis Sanders was an unproven commodity. Kenny Wright has been in the league for a minute, specifically as a nickel back. Based on talent, I believe it is not even close. Lewis Sanders was available in the 2008 FA period. I desperately hoped the Browns could bring him back.

Edge: Lewis Sanders

CB Leigh Bodden vs. CB Daven Holly

Savage and Crennel really like Holly in his current role, possibly to expand said role with the loss of Bodden. The difference is Holly is depth, while Bodden was the #1 CB on the team as of a month ago. This is a no contest when compared to now. However, we are talking Bodden of 2004. When he almost never played. If we give Eric Wright the edge for upside, we absolutely have to give Bodden the Edge.

Edge: Leigh Bodden

K Phil Dawson vs. K Phil Dawson

What can you say? Dawson is the most consistent and steady Cleveland Brown since their reemergence in 1999. The question is, which Phil Dawson do you prefer. I take the battle tested, pull a miracle out of your pooper Phil Dawson. Remember the Ravens game that was sent to overtime care of the crossbar support in 2007? Enough said.

Edge: Phil Dawson (2008)

P Derrick Frost vs. P Dave Zastadil

This one is as no brainer as starting RB or starting WR earlier discussed. On one hand, in 2004 you have a mistake prone numb nuts in Derrick Frost. On the other you have the former Pro Bowl Punter in Dave Zastadil. I don’t know that Zastadil has ever had an 11 yard punt, I know that Derrick Frost has.

Edge: Dave Zastadil

End Result, or Final Score?

2004 Cleveland Browns - 7

2008 Cleveland Browns - 31

Final Thoughts? Anyone who believes that Phil Savage has not vastly improved this team since taking the job should seriously reconsider that line of thinking. Even if you don’t agree with all of the previous assessments, chances are no one can close the gap that is the margin of victory for the 2008 team. It really is not even close. As I type this, Phil Savage is entertaining a contract extension. We, as fans, should be so lucky. In a four-year period, Phil Savage may have done the best job in that amount of time in NFL history. I have no analysis to back that up but I cannot imagine any other GM who has molded a team to what I believe is a 442% improvement on the 2004 team.

The Voice of the (so-called) Fan

By Tony Mazur

My grandfather was a huge Browns fan. I'm not quite sure if he followed the Cleveland Rams from 1936-1945, but I do know he was a Browns fan from the beginning. When he wasn't patrolling the rough, pre-Civil Rights Movement Cleveland streets, he was listening to those championship teams on the radio. My father can recall my grandpa sulking all day after a Browns loss. In his later years, the Browns made it to three AFC Championship games, only to fall to John Elway and the Denver Broncos. He passed away on June 29th, 1990, leaving behind a devoted wife and four successful children. He cared about his family. But he certainly loved his Browns. To this day, I wonder how he would have reacted to the news on November 6th, 1995 that the Browns were relocating to Baltimore.

Eddie Mazur was a true fan. He supported the teams no matter how well (mid-'40s to mid-'60s) or how poorly (mid-'60s to early '80s) the Browns were performing. I know my grandfather wasn't the only Clevelander crazy about his football team. I'm sure each family has their share of stories, whether they be about heading down to Cleveland Municipal Stadium on those frigid November/December days by Lake Erie, or listening to the radio after attending Sunday mass. Fans nowadays cannot relate.

I really do have a problem with sports fans in this day in age. Unlike the "old days", if their team isn't performing well on the field or court, they'll pretend they don't exist. In some cases, folks will completely boycott the organization via petition or blog.

I can recall going to a relative's house back in 2001, a year to forget for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Hey, the Cavs game is on."

"The Cavs?! They're terrible. I don't want to waste my time." (instead, we watched Everybody Loves Raymond, a show that I still cannot get into)

Five years later, he's one of the biggest Cavs fans around.

Fair-weather fans do not just exist in Cleveland. They're everywhere. From 1995-1998, the newly-relocated St. Louis Rams weren't drawing well. Then came "The Greatest Show on Turf". Fans packed the Edward Jones Dome for the next few years following their Super Bowl XXXIV victory over the Tennessee Titans. After the downfall of Marshall Faulk and the departures of Kurt Warner and many other players, the Rams have been bottom dwellers for the past couple seasons. As a matter of fact, during the 2007 season, a couple of Rams games were blacked out locally, due to the lack of sell-out crowds.

2007 brought a lot of success to the Cleveland/Ohio sports teams. The Ohio State Buckeyes football team started off the year playing in the BCS National Championship Game, only to lose to the Florida Gators. Fast forward a couple of months to April as we see another Ohio State team fall to another Florida Gator team, this time in basketball. The Cleveland Cavaliers made their first NBA Finals appearance in team history, only to get swept by the San Antonio Spurs in four games. The Indians lost to the Boston Red Sox in seven games of the ALCS. And finally, the Browns had their best season since 1994.

For the first time in a Blue Moon, fans showed up to the playing facilities. While I was downtown working for another radio station, I saw so many people with LeBron James jerseys (most likely the kind you see hanging at JC Penny's) during the Cavs' run to the Finals. I saw more Grady Sizemore and Brady Quinn T-shirts than I can count. I saw through the phoniness. I was able to pick between the bandwagon fans and the true fans. The true fans had "Hot Rod" Williams jerseys and Cory Snyder garb.

What's going to happen to these "fans" if 2008 doesn't work out? What if the Indians' mediocre team blows its chance to reclaim another Central Division title? What if injuries hold down the Cavaliers? What if the Browns lose 11 games (which I think they will)? They won't show up. They don't care. They only want to root for a winner. And you call yourselves fans. Ha!

However, there are fans who do stick with their team. Some follow the team and cheer for the good times, but critique the bad times. Others will praise the good times and blatantly ignore the bad times. When a questionable move is made, these fans will justify the said move and attempt to turn it into a positive. These are the fans that will slam you if you say ANYTHING remotely negative towards their team (see DiaTribe Blog).

In the Cleveland area, we have some untouchable personnel. When I say untouchable, expect to get your behind reamed if you decide to critique ANY decision making. Here are Cleveland's Untouchables:

Grady Sizemore, Indians' center fielder: Grady is a terrific athlete. He can hit 30+ home runs, steal 50 bases, and make incredible catches in center field. But that's all anyone looks at. Sure he won a Rawlings Gold Glove Award in '07, but I watched him the entire season. On many occasions, Grady took bad routes to the ball. Balls that he should catch were overrun or misplayed. But that doesn't come up in the box score. What does is his low batting average and high amount of strikeouts. Don't get me wrong. I like Grady. However, his strikeout numbers and poor reads on the baseball have got to go. But we all love Grady Sizemore because he's so damn cute!

Mark Shapiro, Indians' GM: Former Indians GM John Hart took home six Central Division titles in seven years, and made two World Series trips. How did he accomplish that feat? He went out and spent money on veterans (Orel Hershiser, Dennis Martinez, Paul Sorrento), picked up top prospects (Kenny Lofton, Omar Vizquel, Carlos Baerga, Sandy Alomar, Jr.) and drafted pure hitters and sluggers (Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez) to help lead his team to victory. After the 2001, season, he handed his job over to his assistant, Mark Shapiro. Since '01, the Indians got rid of every player mentioned above in favor of younger (and cheaper) talent. Since '01, the Indians have been to the postseason ONE TIME. After the Red Sox celebrated their World Series victory, Mark Shapiro has refused to make moves. Instead, he has resigned the guys who blew the 3-1 ALCS lead. Why do you have to rip on Shapiro? They won 96 games! I'm sick of hearing that line.

Jim Tressel, Ohio State football coach: Jim won a BCS National Championship Game in 2003. He was blessed to have a talented quarterback (Troy Smith) lead him to many wins. But if you think about it, Jim Tressel has not won a National Championship with HIS RECRUITS. They lost two straight National Championship Games to SEC teams. Tressel loves to recruit within the state of Ohio, which is fine if other schools weren't importing recruits from other areas. If the game plan fails and the Buckeyes lose, it's not Tressel's fault. His assistant coaches should be fired for not doing their jobs.

In the three major professional sports, fans have the opportunity to vote for the starting lineups in their respected All-Star Games. Name recognition is huge when it comes to the voting process. Detroit Tigers' catcher Ivan Rodriguez started in the 2007 MLB All-Star Game. Not only should he have not started, but he shouldn't have been in the game. There were four to five better catchers than I-Rod last season, but since everyone knows "Pudge", we'll put him in the game. The same goes for Penny Hardaway. His best years were behind him, but fans STILL voted for him, based on his history with the Orlando Magic and his nickname.

No matter how you put it, fans annoy me. If you're going to support your team, go ahead. Don't make excuses as to why they may not be performing well, but also don't ignore or boycott them if their season is in the crapper.

Meanwhile, I cannot wait to see all of the die-hard Tribe fans come out to Progressive Field to cheer on their team....in April. 10,000 people and 32,000 ass-less green seats.

Reliving the days of Bozo-Choke

By Rick Morris

To the long sad list of Cleveland sports futility we must add one more: the looming specter of the first perfect NFL team in 35 years, the same franchise that has already been crowned the "team of the decade" -- coached by a man run out of the North Coast in a cloud of futility 12 years ago. Why did Bill Belichick fail in Cleveland?

The question is often posed by people who did not have an up-close seat to the sorry state of the Browns franchise in the early and mid-90s. Those of us unfortunate enough to remember the coach once known as "Bozo-Choke" purposely designing bootlegs to humiliate his starting quarterback Bernie Kosar, kicking a field goal at the end of a game that his team would still lose by several touchdowns and blazoning in our minds forever the putrid phrase "Metcalf Up the Middle" -- well, we can tell you that the "genius" you're seeing in New England bears little or no resemblance to the goof we suffered through for five interminable years.

It's easy to miss this point on the surface. Now, as then, Belichick displays no social graces. He has a great mind for defense now, as he admittedly did then. But there are many subtle nuances in the job The Hoodie has done over the last several years with the Pats that indicate lessons that he learned the hard way in C-Town. Gene Wojciechowski does an excellent job in this ESPN.com article of breaking down everything that we in Cleveland observed during those painful years. In the long line of infamous Cleveland sports heartbreaks, the huge success of this man after using the Browns as a pathetic "training wheel" start to his pro career has to rank high on the list.

How To Fix The Cleveland Browns In One Offseason

by Jason Jones

-Resign Jamal Lewis...3-4 years 5.5 mil per with a 1 mil signing bonus

-Sign Devery Henderson, 1.7 mil (which would be almost a 300% raise)

-Make respectable offers to...

Albert Haynesworth (prob get the franchise tag)-wont happen

Justin Smith (a legit DE in a 3-4...weak side)

Jared Allen (probably will cost too much)-wont happen

Terrell Suggs (if he's pissed off enough at Balt. and the offer is respectable, it might work-T.Suggs and K.Wimbley on the outside-SEXY)-probably won't happen

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.6.

The NFL Draft...

no first round pick? trade the Derek Anderson to Atlanta for their 1st and 3rd round picks. Thus, giving us the following First Day and Second Day Draft order (note: the 1st round will be held on Friday night in prime time. Round 2-4 on Sat. and 5-7 on Sun.)

after trading with atlanta, we then trade back again to detroit at 15. As well as, trading our original 4th round #22, 3rd round #15, Andra Davis, and Daven Holly to Arizona for their 16 pick in

the second round. All told..

1st Round-15th pick

2nd Round-15th, 16th, 22nd pick

3rd Round-4th, 22nd pick

4th Round-4th, 15th pick

Round One, Pick 15-Frank Okam, NT, 6'5 330lbs Texas Longhorns

Round Two, Pick 15-Kentwan Balmer, 3-4 DE, 6'5 290lbs UNC TarHeels

Round Two, Pick 16-Rey Maualuga, ILB, 6'3 250lbs USC Trojans

Round Two, Pick 22-Tyson Jackson, DE, 6'5 292lbs LSU Tigers

Round Three, Pick 4-Jamaal Charles, RB, 6'1 200lbs (4.41 40 Time)Texas Longhorns

Round Three, Pick 22-Wesley Woodyard, SS, 6'1 220lbs (former OLB, led the SEC in tackles) Kentucky Wildcats

Round Four, Pick 15-Patrick Lee, CB, 6'0 195lbs (4.34 40 Time) Auburn Tigers.

Day 3 possibilities..

QB-Colt Brennan (after the bowl game, he should fall...far)

QB-Matt Flynn (born to be a backup, no controversy here)

DE-Alex Boston (another FL ST DE who didn't start..K.Wimbley?)

OLB-Brandon Miller (already played OLB, then moved to DE for Georgia)

MLB-Jeremy Leman (152 tackles 19 for loss with an ankle injury)

After that, I don't care what else they do in Free Agency or the thrid day of the draft. For some of the draft pick trades, some day three picks may need to be traded according to the value chart. The first 3 or 4 picks could start yesterday based on our performance in 07 on defense.

Starter in Bold

QB-Brady Quinn-Ken Dorsey-Matt Flynn(R-rd 6)

FB-Lawrence Vickers-Charles Ali

RB-Jamal Lewis-Jason Wright-Jamaal Charles(R-rd 3)

WR-Braylon Edwards-Devery Henderson(FA)

WR-Joe Jurevicious-Josh Cribbs

TE-Kellen Winslow-Steve Heiden

LT-Joe Thomas-Nat Dorsey

LG-Eric Steinbach-Lenny Friedman

C-Hank Fraley-LeCharles Bentley?

RG-Ryan Tucker-Seth .McKinney

RT-Kevin Shaffer-Kelly Bulter

DE-Robaire Smith-Kentwan Balmer (R-rd 2) start by week 4-6)

NT-Frank Okam(R-rd 1)start immediately)-Shaun Smith

DE-Justin Smith (FA)start immediately)-Tyson Jackson(R-rd 2)

OLB-Kamerion Wimbley-Willie McGinest

ILB-Rey Maualuga (R-rd 2)start immediately)-D’Qwell Jackson

ILB-Leon Williams-Jeremy Leman(R-rd 5)

OLB-Antwan Peek-Brandon Miller(R-4)

SS-Sean Jones-Wesley Woodyard (R-rd 3) BEAST!)

FS-Brodney Pool

CB-Leigh Bodden-Brandon McDonald

CB-Eric Wright-Patrick Lee(R-rd 7)

That's five new players for our disastrous defensive front 7. A little cornerback help. A long-term solution at the career backup QB position, and the early appearance of true depth. The best part is, this drastically improves the team and when we look to the 2009 draft, we can look at a Patrick Willis-like ILB to go with Maualuga (who is nasty), or one of the top 2 or 3 OLB's to go opposite Wimbley, maybe a GOOD starting Right Tackle or just add to the depth of the team we didn't have this season. When you see what can be had by trading Derek Anderson, I just can't see how anyone would advocate keeping him for the sake of keeping him. It would be nice to have 2 QB's but not at this cost. If we could all but fix the Cleveland Browns for the long-term, especially defensively, it's worth parting ways with one player…even if he did throw for 3,700 yards and 29 touchdowns.