You're the GM...
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Exactly. I mentioned barfsonhisblooger completely missing on seeing his wr/te? WIDE OPEN IN THE END ZONE. that is, COMPLETELY.
Maybe somebody should post a screen shot of that, and say the squealer qb is only average.............
Big Ben is a below average QB and a shell of himself. If he was any other player Pittsburgh would have benched him by now. But he's being allowed to go out on his time and terms.
And I don't need a screenshot to prove that.
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Regarding beating the Steelers in the playoff game... We were up 7-0 after about 20 seconds, and how many turnovers did we get? We hung on to win....
BTW, What if that magical 2020 season IS the outlier? Remember that Derek Anderson guy? Or Tim Couch after defective o line play turned him into a pinata? Shoulder aside, Baker took quite the beating, um because (see below) he holds on to the ball far too long in a lot of cases. I can't count the number of times this year I was screaming... THROW IT AWAY!!! Tia has posted plenty of screen shots where Baker didn't see guys who were wide open, and he threw into double coverage instead. Can't use the injury excuse on that stuff.
What part of my post did you miss Tom? I fear Baker has been "figured out". Sure the injury was responsible for his lousy play. FWIW, I totally agree that the below is an extremely accurate description of stuff Baker needs to improve on. But can he?
I worry that Baker doesn't have any major plus traits to compensate when his surroundings or his body aren't 100 percent. His biggest shortcomings -- holding the ball too long, converting pressure into sacks and not seeing the field -- have remained consistent throughout his career."
Okay, 48 points minus 7 = 41 points Larry. You're upset about that? Derek Anderson? Really? That was a Cinderella story with a very early midnight; and he went 0 for Pittsburgh. Baker beat them 2 out of 3 times in successive weeks; and the Browns beat their starters easier than they beat their backups. And how did he respond Denzel Ward's pick 6 on Joe Burrow got us the same kind of early lead? The Browns ended up scoring 34 more points while both the offense and defense played better the rest of the game right? Funny how that works sometimes.
Next, which one of us lost count how many different OCs and offenses Baker has had to learn and de-program in 4 years after being drafted by an 0-16 football team? You really didn't see a promising young QB to mold during the rookie season that excited a lot of our fanbase with some reminders of that in 2020? That's why I need 1 more year before I join you in giving up on him
YES, I agree Baker holds onto the ball too long and he takes too many avoidable sacks. Some years we've seen more of that than others, which means I share your frustration about consistency. Nobody is making him out to be the next Dan Marino in terms of instant success.
Like I said, if Baker comes back in the final year of his contract looking like he did in 2021 - I will have seen enough to be cozy with it's time to move on.
YES, I agree Baker holds onto the ball too long and he takes too many avoidable sacks. Some years we've seen more of that than others, which means I share your frustration about consistency. Nobody is making him out to be the next Dan Marino in terms of instant success.
Like I said, if Baker comes back in the final year of his contract looking like he did in 2021 - I will have seen enough to be cozy with it's time to move on.
Please don't make me look up the game log of the Steelers game where those turnovers gave us a short field to work with.
You might want to think that after four years, in all likelihood Baker "is who we thought he was"... You just keep on keeping on about 2020, ignore the other three seasons, and keep making excuses for him. That blub I posted from NFL.com where "Baker needs to be 100% healthy, and everything around him needs to be perfect" pretty accurately describes our 2020 season. Or you want to disagree about that too? His pathetic performance in crunch time with the game on the line, and his league leading interception totals are plenty enough reasons for serious concern.
NO ONE outside of the the most ardent Baker homer observers outside of Cleveland are all saying that Baker is NEVER going to be an "elite" QB on the level of a Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, or Josh Allen. Those guys ALL posses elite traits that Baker has yet to show- and incidentally- he's had four stinking years to prove that he does.
Go look up Baker's career stats on Pro Football Reference- I just did, and they scream "average". Yup, the comparisons to the Bengals Andy Dalton are apt. So am I pulling for Baker to revert to 2020 form? Of course, I'm not in the mood to add another name to the failed QB jersey, and I'm getting far too old for that.
BTW, read between the lines of Joe Johnson's exit interview. You can bet he was pretty pissed off (I suppose I should be too) that Baker and the offense pissed away two stellar defensive efforts against the Ravens and Packers. Even average QB play and we beat the Steelers if not the first, then certainly the second time around this year. 1-12, a sack, and an interception- and mush for brains Kev still refuses to bench him. Stef bears part of the blame letting wounded wing Baker play when he's got one of the top rushing offenses in the league- against the worst rush defense in the league. Stefanski has to learn how to not outsmart himself on a regular basis.
BTW, doesn't matter if "medically cleared", "I feel fine", "looks great in practice"... If said quarterback is playing like crap when the live bullets start flying. Four out of six sub 60 qbrs in the last six games is street free agent level play.
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I added one anyways.
As much as I'd love to pile it on, the dude wears my number 7, has given 17 years to the league and I've also been in the spot where your last game is a letdown and you just sit in silence feeling physically and emotionally exhausted.
I have no love for Pittsburgh, but I have a healthy respect for anyone who has competed for that long. I hope Ben sails into a healthy retirement and Pittsburgh has shitty QB play for the next 20 years.
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I added one anyways.
As much as I'd love to pile it on, the dude wears my number 7, has given 17 years to the league and I've also been in the spot where your last game is a letdown and you just sit in silence feeling physically and emotionally exhausted.
I have no love for Pittsburgh, but I have a healthy respect for anyone who has competed for that long. I hope Ben sails into a healthy retirement and Pittsburgh has shitty QB play for the next 20 years.
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I think Baker is playing for a little over $18 mil this upcoming season. I would offer him a 2yr, $40 mil deal. I do this to find out how interested he really is in returning to Cleveland. It is a mid level deal we can live with which would have a easy out in 2023. He hasn't earned a $35 mil per year deal over 5 years. If he balks, I look for a QB.
To me the 2 biggest starting deficiencies are at WR and DT. Naturally I would look towards FA. With the draft, I would be more inclined to go DT at pick 13. The WR group in pretty deep and IMO it is easier to find a good receiver later in the draft over finding another DT later in the draft. Combine that with the fact we aren't a big passing offence, I question exactly how much of a difference a top receiver is going to make.
I am not going in to much detail here, but those are the big areas I would address. Oh..I probably spend a 4th or 5th rounder on a kicker. Just draft the guy, then stick with him for at least 2 season unless is turns out to be impossibly bad. Both of Georgia and Alabama have good kickers. I don't know if they are available to draft. If so, take one of them.
Combine that with the fact we aren't a big passing offence,
You judges think everything is an offence. lol
IMO, therein lies the problem. YOU HAVE TO BE a big passing offense. You can't run yourself back into the game if things don't go your way and you fall behind. As we've seen.
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Never gets old
I could swear that guy was at Smokey Bones the night I got kicked out after the Browns drafted Manziel.
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Never gets old
I could swear that guy was at Smokey Bones the night I got kicked out after the Browns drafted Manziel.
Pretty sure that guy was at Smokey Bones the night I got kicked out after the Browns drafted Manziel.
The entirety of the Browns fan base should have rose up and burnt the Browns Headquarters to the ground that night.
But I'm sure I can guess who on this board was totally stoked that night.
WE GOT JOHNNY FOOTBALL! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
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YES, I agree Baker holds onto the ball too long and he takes too many avoidable sacks. Some years we've seen more of that than others, which means I share your frustration about consistency. Nobody is making him out to be the next Dan Marino in terms of instant success.
Like I said, if Baker comes back in the final year of his contract looking like he did in 2021 - I will have seen enough to be cozy with it's time to move on.
Please don't make me look up the game log of the Steelers game where those turnovers gave us a short field to work with.
You might want to think that after four years, in all likelihood Baker "is who we thought he was"... You just keep on keeping on about 2020, ignore the other three seasons, and keep making excuses for him. That blub I posted from NFL.com where "Baker needs to be 100% healthy, and everything around him needs to be perfect" pretty accurately describes our 2020 season. Or you want to disagree about that too? His pathetic performance in crunch time with the game on the line, and his league leading interception totals are plenty enough reasons for serious concern.
NO ONE outside of the the most ardent Baker homer observers outside of Cleveland are all saying that Baker is NEVER going to be an "elite" QB on the level of a Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, or Josh Allen. Those guys ALL posses elite traits that Baker has yet to show- and incidentally- he's had four stinking years to prove that he does.
Go look up Baker's career stats on Pro Football Reference- I just did, and they scream "average". Yup, the comparisons to the Bengals Andy Dalton are apt. So am I pulling for Baker to revert to 2020 form? Of course, I'm not in the mood to add another name to the failed QB jersey, and I'm getting far too old for that.
BTW, read between the lines of Joe Johnson's exit interview. You can bet he was pretty pissed off (I suppose I should be too) that Baker and the offense pissed away two stellar defensive efforts against the Ravens and Packers. Even average QB play and we beat the Steelers if not the first, then certainly the second time around this year. 1-12, a sack, and an interception- and mush for brains Kev still refuses to bench him. Stef bears part of the blame letting wounded wing Baker play when he's got one of the top rushing offenses in the league- against the worst rush defense in the league. Stefanski has to learn how to not outsmart himself on a regular basis.
BTW, doesn't matter if "medically cleared", "I feel fine", "looks great in practice"... If said quarterback is playing like crap when the live bullets start flying. Four out of six sub 60 qbrs in the last six games is street free agent level play.
Please don't make me look up the game log of the Steelers game where those turnovers gave us a short field to work with.
You might want to think that after four years, in all likelihood Baker "is who we thought he was"... You just keep on keeping on about 2020, ignore the other three seasons, and keep making excuses for him. That blub I posted from NFL.com where "Baker needs to be 100% healthy, and everything around him needs to be perfect" pretty accurately describes our 2020 season.
You're still going on after I agreed with the majority of the problems you had with Baker? Where we differ is I saw enough promise in him in 2018 and 2020 to not join you in giving up on him before he plays the final year of his contract. Again, if 2022 becomes a rinse and repeat of 2021 it won't be tough to give up on him at all. Thought I took the time to carefully explain all the reasoning I had; but you were more interested in trying to win an argument.
I'm not going to apologize about Baker when the Browns scored 48 points in the playoffs AT Pittsburgh; because you're more worried about where each possession started rather than how many of those ended with points (we already subtracted the 1st TD of the game the defense scored so we're only talking about the other 41 points). I agree Baker got a lot of short fields but if the Browns offense only played for FGs instead of TDs - Pittsburgh's 37 points might have been enough to beat us. Would you have rather had the QB that threw 4 INTs for Pittsburgh than the one that threw 0 INTs for Cleveland? What's next Larry? Are you going to attack the Browns' QB when Tim Worley's 3 turnovers gave the Browns 21 points toward their 51-0 victory over Pittsburgh in the late 80s? I'd rather have you research how many times you've seen Cleveland beat Pittsburgh in the playoffs rather than explain why you think Baker didn't contribute at all to the victory.
Let me ask you this about your NFL.com blurb, how was Kyler Murray doing before he lost DeAndre Hopkins and injured his ankle? And how has he done since? Seems to me they were unbeaten with a healthy QB when everything around him was perfect. It's been a drastic difference.
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Pretty sure that guy was at Smokey Bones the night I got kicked out after the Browns drafted Manziel.
The entirety of the Browns fan base should have rose up and burnt the Browns Headquarters to the ground that night.
But I'm sure I can guess who on this board was totally stoked that night.
WE GOT JOHNNY FOOTBALL! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The entirety of the Browns fan base should have rose up and burnt the Browns Headquarters to the ground that night.
But I'm sure I can guess who on this board was totally stoked that night.
WE GOT JOHNNY FOOTBALL! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
There was a seven or eight year period where I didn’t like any first round pick except for Trent Richardson and then Jim Brown called him average and he went downhill after that early season Bengal game.
admittedly I wanted us to take Brett Huntley and Aaron Murray when they entered neither did a lot.
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The entirety of the Browns fan base should have rose up and burnt the Browns Headquarters to the ground that night.
But I'm sure I can guess who on this board was totally stoked that night.
WE GOT JOHNNY FOOTBALL! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
There was a seven or eight year period where I didn’t like any first round pick except for Trent Richardson and then Jim Brown called him average and he went downhill after that early season Bengal game.
admittedly I wanted us to take Brett Huntley and Aaron Murray when they entered neither did a lot.
There was a seven or eight year period where I didn’t like any first round pick except for Trent Richardson and then Jim Brown called him average and he went downhill after that early season Bengal game.
admittedly I wanted us to take Brett Huntley and Aaron Murray when they entered neither did a lot.
I made so many old jokes at Brandon Weeden's expense the year they took Richardson... man I really, really hated that pick.
Here's one: Brandon Weeden is so old, the reason he wears #3 is because that is his social security number.
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Pretty sure that guy was at Smokey Bones the night I got kicked out after the Browns drafted Manziel.
The entirety of the Browns fan base should have rose up and burnt the Browns Headquarters to the ground that night.
But I'm sure I can guess who on this board was totally stoked that night.
WE GOT JOHNNY FOOTBALL! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The entirety of the Browns fan base should have rose up and burnt the Browns Headquarters to the ground that night.
But I'm sure I can guess who on this board was totally stoked that night.
WE GOT JOHNNY FOOTBALL! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
No, they should have burnt Haslam's house to the ground... I suspect he was behind that pick.
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The entirety of the Browns fan base should have rose up and burnt the Browns Headquarters to the ground that night.
But I'm sure I can guess who on this board was totally stoked that night.
WE GOT JOHNNY FOOTBALL! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
No, they should have burnt Haslam's house to the ground... I suspect he was behind that pick.
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Well, he did take advice from some random homeless guy, so....
Well I was just hangin' around that day and had a few too many.??
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Never gets old
I could swear that guy was at Smokey Bones the night I got kicked out after the Browns drafted Manziel.
I could swear that guy was at Smokey Bones the night I got kicked out after the Browns drafted Manziel
I wish I could meet that bad a$$ mofo and say thanks for laughs buddy. Air humping while playing air guitar and never spilling a drop of his beer. Classic!
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Exactly. I mentioned barfsonhisblooger completely missing on seeing his wr/te? WIDE OPEN IN THE END ZONE. that is, COMPLETELY.
Maybe somebody should post a screen shot of that, and say the squealer qb is only average.............
Big Ben is a below average QB and a shell of himself. If he was any other player Pittsburgh would have benched him by now. But he's being allowed to go out on his time and terms.
And I don't need a screenshot to prove that.
Big Ben is a below average QB and a shell of himself. If he was any other player Pittsburgh would have benched him by now. But he's being allowed to go out on his time and terms.
And I don't need a screenshot to prove that.
But didn't you just love those screenshots of the Steeler faithful showing him some love at the end of the game? ??? Oh, Ben's fallen down to just maybe "average". Watt, (DPOY), Heyward, and the Steeler D managed to keep it close for 15 minutes... Then Mahomes figured out... just throw it somewhere Watt isn't.
PS- Haden should call it a career too....
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Big Ben is a below average QB and a shell of himself. If he was any other player Pittsburgh would have benched him by now. But he's being allowed to go out on his time and terms.
And I don't need a screenshot to prove that.
But didn't you just love those screenshots of the Steeler faithful showing him some love at the end of the game? ??? Oh, Ben's fallen down to just maybe "average". Watt, (DPOY), Heyward, and the Steeler D managed to keep it close for 15 minutes... Then Mahomes figured out... just throw it somewhere Watt isn't.
PS- Haden should call it a career too....
But didn't you just love those screenshots of the Steeler faithful showing him some love at the end of the game? ??? Oh, Ben's fallen down to just maybe "average". Watt, (DPOY), Heyward, and the Steeler D managed to keep it close for 15 minutes... Then Mahomes figured out... just throw it somewhere Watt isn't.
PS- Haden should call it a career too....
Probably so.
Time doesn't stop for anybody. Things change.
For one of the games this year I went down to the flats, To The Lot!!....well, no lot any longer. Something is going in there. I walked over to the Flatiron, knowing some of the gang went in there before games....nobody I knew in there. Drank a non-alcoholic beer downstairs, had one upstairs, said cheers to old times, and walked to the stadium.
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But didn't you just love those screenshots of the Steeler faithful showing him some love at the end of the game? ??? Oh, Ben's fallen down to just maybe "average". Watt, (DPOY), Heyward, and the Steeler D managed to keep it close for 15 minutes... Then Mahomes figured out... just throw it somewhere Watt isn't.
PS- Haden should call it a career too....
Probably so.
Time doesn't stop for anybody. Things change.
For one of the games this year I went down to the flats, To The Lot!!....well, no lot any longer. Something is going in there. I walked over to the Flatiron, knowing some of the gang went in there before games....nobody I knew in there. Drank a non-alcoholic beer downstairs, had one upstairs, said cheers to old times, and walked to the stadium.
Time doesn't stop for anybody. Things change.
For one of the games this year I went down to the flats, To The Lot!!....well, no lot any longer. Something is going in there. I walked over to the Flatiron, knowing some of the gang went in there before games....nobody I knew in there. Drank a non-alcoholic beer downstairs, had one upstairs, said cheers to old times, and walked to the stadium.
Yes 'Peen, I knew "The Lot" was no more... We didn't even have a Board Reunion this year. Cancelled due to lack of interest? Not sure if Ed has permanently relocated to Florida. I also knew Howie and the G-Man weren't going to be able to make the trip either.
By default, I went to Steve's Gnats Tailgaters once over in the Burke Lot. Nice Tailgate, but I'm seriously averse to paying $50 bucks to park there. We found an El Cheapo $5 lot in the vicinity of East 9th, headed over to Heinen's and spent the $45 buck difference on wine instead.
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Time doesn't stop for anybody. Things change.
For one of the games this year I went down to the flats, To The Lot!!....well, no lot any longer. Something is going in there. I walked over to the Flatiron, knowing some of the gang went in there before games....nobody I knew in there. Drank a non-alcoholic beer downstairs, had one upstairs, said cheers to old times, and walked to the stadium.
Yes 'Peen, I knew "The Lot" was no more... We didn't even have a Board Reunion this year. Cancelled due to lack of interest? Not sure if Ed has permanently relocated to Florida. I also knew Howie and the G-Man weren't going to be able to make the trip either.
By default, I went to Steve's Gnats Tailgaters once over in the Burke Lot. Nice Tailgate, but I'm seriously averse to paying $50 bucks to park there. We found an El Cheapo $5 lot in the vicinity of East 9th, headed over to Heinen's and spent the $45 buck difference on wine instead.
Yes 'Peen, I knew "The Lot" was no more... We didn't even have a Board Reunion this year. Cancelled due to lack of interest? Not sure if Ed has permanently relocated to Florida. I also knew Howie and the G-Man weren't going to be able to make the trip either.
By default, I went to Steve's Gnats Tailgaters once over in the Burke Lot. Nice Tailgate, but I'm seriously averse to paying $50 bucks to park there. We found an El Cheapo $5 lot in the vicinity of East 9th, headed over to Heinen's and spent the $45 buck difference on wine instead.
There ya go! As a non-drinker, I do miss some wine from time to time.
I started doing this last year (20). I drive from the Marriott Courtyard off Bagley and drive to the Brookpark RTA station. Maybe 3-4 miles. Park there for free and buy a $5 day pass and ride the train to the terminal tower. Basically $5 to park the car and you don't have to hassle with traffic on the way in or out of town. The lot is well lit and there is some security patrolling, cameras, etc, so it is pretty secure. You might want to consider that as an option. I wish I had been doing that sooner. The train takes maybe 15-20 minutes from the terminal to the station I park. I am sure you do, or can come up I-71. If so, you basically pass the lot as you swing past the airport towards downtown. It has become my routine. Screw paying $50++ to park your car, then have to inch your way out of town. If Brookpark doesn't work for you, you can ID a station that works for you. Obviously don't start at the airport or you pay airport parking which isn't a bargain. I stay till the end of the game....maybe cut out a few minutes early if it is settled. I walk with purpose to get to the terminal. I have yet to have to stand on the return trip. If it is crowded, they stack 2-3 trains in a row. Maybe 7 minutes apart to get people out of town. It's well worth it IMO. I'd bet if you timed it out, you'd be running on nearly the same timeline as parking downtown.
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Yes 'Peen, I knew "The Lot" was no more... We didn't even have a Board Reunion this year. Cancelled due to lack of interest? Not sure if Ed has permanently relocated to Florida. I also knew Howie and the G-Man weren't going to be able to make the trip either.
By default, I went to Steve's Gnats Tailgaters once over in the Burke Lot. Nice Tailgate, but I'm seriously averse to paying $50 bucks to park there. We found an El Cheapo $5 lot in the vicinity of East 9th, headed over to Heinen's and spent the $45 buck difference on wine instead.
There ya go! As a non-drinker, I do miss some wine from time to time.
I started doing this last year (20). I drive from the Marriott Courtyard off Bagley and drive to the Brookpark RTA station. Maybe 3-4 miles. Park there for free and buy a $5 day pass and ride the train to the terminal tower. Basically $5 to park the car and you don't have to hassle with traffic on the way in or out of town. The lot is well lit and there is some security patrolling, cameras, etc, so it is pretty secure. You might want to consider that as an option. I wish I had been doing that sooner. The train takes maybe 15-20 minutes from the terminal to the station I park. I am sure you do, or can come up I-71. If so, you basically pass the lot as you swing past the airport towards downtown. It has become my routine. Screw paying $50++ to park your car, then have to inch your way out of town. If Brookpark doesn't work for you, you can ID a station that works for you. Obviously don't start at the airport or you pay airport parking which isn't a bargain. I stay till the end of the game....maybe cut out a few minutes early if it is settled. I walk with purpose to get to the terminal. I have yet to have to stand on the return trip. If it is crowded, they stack 2-3 trains in a row. Maybe 7 minutes apart to get people out of town. It's well worth it IMO. I'd bet if you timed it out, you'd be running on nearly the same timeline as parking downtown.
There ya go! As a non-drinker, I do miss some wine from time to time.
I started doing this last year (20). I drive from the Marriott Courtyard off Bagley and drive to the Brookpark RTA station. Maybe 3-4 miles. Park there for free and buy a $5 day pass and ride the train to the terminal tower. Basically $5 to park the car and you don't have to hassle with traffic on the way in or out of town. The lot is well lit and there is some security patrolling, cameras, etc, so it is pretty secure. You might want to consider that as an option. I wish I had been doing that sooner. The train takes maybe 15-20 minutes from the terminal to the station I park. I am sure you do, or can come up I-71. If so, you basically pass the lot as you swing past the airport towards downtown. It has become my routine. Screw paying $50++ to park your car, then have to inch your way out of town. If Brookpark doesn't work for you, you can ID a station that works for you. Obviously don't start at the airport or you pay airport parking which isn't a bargain. I stay till the end of the game....maybe cut out a few minutes early if it is settled. I walk with purpose to get to the terminal. I have yet to have to stand on the return trip. If it is crowded, they stack 2-3 trains in a row. Maybe 7 minutes apart to get people out of town. It's well worth it IMO. I'd bet if you timed it out, you'd be running on nearly the same timeline as parking downtown.
I used the Brook Park rapid station many times, and love the fact that for $5 I can get dropped off in front of the Stadium.
If you happen to go to the Brook Park station and it’s full, you can take I-71 north to the W150th St exit and catch the rapid there.
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Yep. this past year the lakefront line was closed. I think it was bridge maintenance or some such thing. I was told it should be up and running by next season.
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