or two away from maxing out on the suck meter.

now about that weird feeling your having you may want to go to your doc and get that checked out...I've heard those rashes can spread pretty quickly

Formerly Sane said:

One thing you have to realize about the stats you just listed is that they tell a true story, if you're just willing to listen.

1. The run D was bad statistically because teams didn't have to score many points to beat the Browns offense. They could play ball control from the opening kickoff.

2. The pass D was good statistically because teams didn't have to score many points to beat the Browns offense. They could play ball control from the opening kickoff.

3. The scoring D was good statistically because teams didn't have to score many points to beat the Browns offense. They could play ball control from the opening kickoff.

If you put a decent offense on the field with the exact same defense as last year you would all of a sudden see that the defense could be had. Teams would occasionally be behind, forcing them to pass and score thereby blowing up the "good stats" the Browns D had in those areas.

It's like a scale with D on one side and O on the other. If either of those components is exceptionally bad, or good, it will falsely make the other look the opposite.

How many times, in recent history, have you seen a team who's D and O "both" ranked at the top, or the bottom, of the league statistically? It just doesn't happen because if one is great, or horrible, the other will be at the other end of the spectrum statistically.

Good Point here...examples would be:

Green Bay

New Orleans

No one talks about their stellar defense...

Baltimore

Chicago

No one talks about their stellar offense...

Even teams like the Giants or Steelers have deficiencies that balance them out.

No running game with a decent passing game, or Steelers, no D line but great pass rush from the safety/LB position. Giants have a good D line but their corners are suspect.

No team is superstar from top to bottom, its all about schemes to cover up the weak areas.

Where are our schemes???

@feartheroo said:

Honestly wouldn't mind seeing Randy Lerner buy the Indians. Before I get torn apart, hear me out. During his 10 years with the Browns we were bad, no one is denying that. But I don't think we can say he didn't put money into the team. He spent money on coaches, but with the NFL's salary cap you can only spend so much to build a winning team. If he's willing to spend money to win, wouldn't the MLB be a great place for him? He could be trying to restore his family's image. Even just buying the team and adding 2-3 big signings, Cleveland will be back on his side. He probably has no interest in buying another Cleveland team, but I honestly think he would be a much better MLB owner than NFL. Obviously he would be my 3rd choice behind owners like Gilbert and Cuban. Both of which have shown interest into buying an MLB team in the past. Our sellout streak shows that this city cares about baseball, we just don't care for the Dolans.

I agree with you for the most part, Randy's money would put the Indians in better financial shape. Nevertheless, I think Randy cares less about baseball than he does football so he probably has no interest. He's a soccer lover (note that I am being politically correct here by not using the typical pejorative), so maybe he can bring an MSL team here...for far less cost than buying a baseball team. Though, in reality, I am not sure he cares that much about sport.

Gilbert can never own an MLB team because of his casino interests (nor NFL). Cuban probably would only do something if he thinks he can make a big splash....and a guy like that probably thinks that Cleveland is too small potatos for him.

@nickers said:

The only way I can ever enjoy baseball is...The Dolans have to sell the team..because as owners..they simply suck ass.

Honestly wouldn't mind seeing Randy Lerner buy the Indians. Before I get torn apart, hear me out. During his 10 years with the Browns we were bad, no one is denying that. But I don't think we can say he didn't put money into the team. He spent money on coaches, but with the NFL's salary cap you can only spend so much to build a winning team. If he's willing to spend money to win, wouldn't the MLB be a great place for him? He could be trying to restore his family's image. Even just buying the team and adding 2-3 big signings, Cleveland will be back on his side. He probably has no interest in buying another Cleveland team, but I honestly think he would be a much better MLB owner than NFL. Obviously he would be my 3rd choice behind owners like Gilbert and Cuban. Both of which have shown interest into buying an MLB team in the past. Our sellout streak shows that this city cares about baseball, we just don't care for the Dolans.

@ballpeen said:

I like baseball, so I don't have the problem you do, but since the kids moved out, I don't watch much of it anymore.

As you, I really look forward to football. The Browns are my passion, but as a brand, I like college football. If the Browns aren't playing, I don't watch many NFL games with much interest.

I can sit in my easy chair at 11am on Saturday morning and watch college football gameday and games until I fall asleep in that same chair sometime that evening....usually about halftime of the 8PM game.

The only way I can ever enjoy baseball is...The Dolans have to sell the team..because as owners..they simply suck ass.

For some strange reason though, I think the Browns pull off the upset Sunday. The Eagles are the NFC's Chargers- you never know which team will show up. Somehow, if we jump out of the gate with a good first quarter, we steal it.

As you, I really look forward to football. The Browns are my passion, but as a brand, I like college football. If the Browns aren't playing, I don't watch many NFL games with much interest.

I can sit in my easy chair at 11am on Saturday morning and watch college football gameday and games until I fall asleep in that same chair sometime that evening....usually about halftime of the 8PM game.

@feartheroo said:

I agree with you. Our defense wasn't very good to begin with, and suffering all the injuries this offseason hasn't helped. The weakest part of the team is run stopping. Last season it felt like our opponents were pounding out 10 yards per carry and going over 200 for each game. It made our pass defense look better, because in reality no one really felt the need to pass against us.

Our offense has potential, the defense is just bad and the only decent players are either hurt or suspended...

I disagree that our defense wasn't very good. Obviously, we gave up a lot of yards on the ground and finished ranked 30th, but we did finish 2nd in pass defense which is a # that could be scewed. The biggets problem was that we allowed other teams to control the clock, but our D kept us in games by not allowing many points. We finished the year 5th in scoring defense. That is a good number and shows that our D has great promise. We loose Gocong for the year and Taylor for 6 games, but we get Fujita back (who didn't play much last year) and a healthy TJ Ward. As long as Haden isn't suspended, I expect our D to be similar to last year's which means our offense will have a chance in almost every game.

Here's to Weeden, TRich, and Gordon having impressive rookie years, and a few balls bouncing our way.

@brownrebel said:

I am more worried about our defense taking the field this year than our offense. This is probably more due to injuries/suspensions but I feel our offense might be our "strength" for at least the first few games.

Hypothetically, if we had our d from last year with our offense this year (healthy t rich included) would your optimism change this year?

(ready for the season to start, tired of thinking about this kind of stuff)

I agree with you. Our defense wasn't very good to begin with, and suffering all the injuries this offseason hasn't helped. The weakest part of the team is run stopping. Last season it felt like our opponents were pounding out 10 yards per carry and going over 200 for each game. It made our pass defense look better, because in reality no one really felt the need to pass against us.

Our offense has potential, the defense is just bad and the only decent players are either hurt or suspended...