Mike

@tour2ma said:

Yeah! We even have a national team called "The Outback". Doesn't mean we are any good though

@canton-mike said:

Welcome aboard!

I had a lot of fun with some Aussie friends in VungTau Vietnam on an R&R.

You folks are MADE to be NFL fans! LOL

Mike

Thanks mate, haha Australians just love voilence.

Part of our convict history I guess The English are fools, you'd think you would move everyone to Australia who wasn't a criminal, and leave the criminals in the shit weather!

@londonbrown said:

So... basically its the PBR of England? Very good...

Never thought till now to ask... are there any American Football clubs in Australia?

@hoorta said:

I agree Foster's "oil can" tastes like it has oil in it. One of my favorite brews is Steinlager from New Zealand- but I haven't seen any in Ohio in a long time.

As the Board's resident wino- I have a fair acquaintance with Aussie vineyards.

Foster's is nasty...

Not big on Aussie wines... Kim Crawford's UnOaked Chard was a regular a couple years ago, but no longer...

@slowburn said:

You and the rest of the 7th Fleet.....

@tudeski said:

I didn't even notice this post. Keep this in mind, there are good athletes then there are good football players. The former are people with great physical blessings and the later those with the mindset, toughness and instincts. The latter is constantly more successful. A great football player is a combination of these two. This game is far more cerebral than is given credit for outside of America. Which, I can understand. To many other countries its a game in pads where large men just run full speed at each other and collide. That cannot be further from the truth. In my experience as I've played soccer, basketball and football (though football I took a bit further in life) that football (gridiron) is, IMHO, the greatest collective TEAM sport in the world.

It requires not only intense preparation physically, but mentally as well. 11 men have to be working in sync otherwise things can go horribly awry.

Can I get the Tasmanian beers at Cotsco?

I had a torrid love affair with a hot little firecracker from Perth while in the military.

I'm an international player pimp

I had a lot of fun with some Aussie friends in VungTau Vietnam on an R&R.

You folks are MADE to be NFL fans! LOL

Mike

@tudeski said:

Haven't had any beer from Tasmania- yet. One pretty nice cheese called Roaring 40s Blue. I agree Foster's "oil can" tastes like it has oil in it. One of my favorite brews is Steinlager from New Zealand- but I haven't seen any in Ohio in a long time.

As the Board's resident wino- I have a fair acquaintance with Aussie vineyards.

And welcome.

@tiamat63 said:

I'll put up a youtube video for you later

@tudeski said:

Haha I actually like Hoyer, love the idea of a homegrown guy slogging it out in the big league and getting shit done!

My favourite Brown thus far has actually been Mingo!

Please, please just say out loud " Mingo ate your baby" - I'd laugh myself to sleep knowing an Aussie somewhere is blurting that line.

Not sure if that is measured from a static position or already running but that's fast. He may get some calls, if only al Davis were still alive....

I have recently made the switch from League to Gridiron, and it's not easy, not used to getting hit from behind, and the plays are significantly more complicated.

He will have to learn to carry the ball differently and not to kick the ball to himself to elude getting tackled. Wish him luck keep us posted.

@mld-woody said:

Haha I actually like Hoyer, love the idea of a homegrown guy slogging it out in the big league and getting shit done!

My favourite Brown thus far has actually been Mingo!

Zombo said:

No problems my American brother, have to share the love.

You actually cannot get Fosters in Australia, from what I have heard from Aussie mates that have had it in the UK, they say it

's the worst beer on earth and it's a shame it represents us. Tasmanian beer is the best, Boags Premium Lager is an export to the US I believe, now that is a beer.

Guys, this may seem like a really stupid question, but is there any way to talk to a club recruiter?

Australia's most impressive athlete is leaving Rugby League to do trials for the NFL.

I really want the Browns to see what he can do, as I'd be upset if he went anywhere else (He is leaving my favourite team). He just won the MVP in the NRL and has won it twice.

His agility, strength and speed are all on freak levels, he'd make the perfect running back if he could get used to the game quickly enough.

If you want to see his capabilities in getting through tight spaces, check out 1:43.

As long as you don't think Manziel is the next football Jesus, you wont be considered a bandwagon fan

And ... are there any Outback Steakhouses?

Oh, and thanks for this:

@tudeski said:

I sort of feel bad, for not having experienced the kind of adversity you guys have over the years. I feel like a bit of a bandwagoner.

Plenty of room since many Manziel fans seem to have lost interest.

Like my Australian Rules football team...

Love the white-coated refs and their gunslinger signal for a good try...

I hope you guys don't mind me asking a few questions; actually here's a few now:

What do you believe Mike Pettine has brought to the Browns?

Do you think Manzeil will translate into an NFL level QB?

and

What has happened to our defense that was apparently so strong last year?

I'll take a shot at your questions as well, as opinions vary...

Pettine has a calm that our two prior coaches had. But where they could often be mistaken for comatose, I think Pettine has brought a steely mindset and a genuineness his predecessors lacked.

Jury is still out on Manziel, but most of his fate is in his own hands. He has to mature as a person as much as a QB. I think that he was unable to out duel a "journeyman" QB with his athleticism and past accomplishments was a rude awakening. What he now chooses to do is up to him.

Our D has been a puzzlement, but we are just beginning to understand how different the Pettine/ O'Neal scheme is from Ray Horton's. It's still early, but perhaps Sunday's (or Monday morning's) Steeler game was a turning point.

Again... welcome... and if we ever have "translation" issues, we have some Brits that may be able to help... or not...

***************************************

Leadership and toughness, attitude.

Didn't think so, but now, I'm seein it - he isn't ready to step in maybe, yet, but the kid

has already shown he can make plays in the NFL, too.

Changes take time to become instinctive. The cutbacks were pretty successful against the defense

til yesterday, containment of rothlicksbooger, gaps filled, and coverage led to sacks at crucial times. Pass defense got it all straightened out, for the most part - hope it keeps improving.

Didgeridoos for EVERYBODY !!!!

(what the heck is a didgeridoo anyways? ....)

WSS

@jcam222 said:

I sort of feel bad, for not having experienced the kind of adversity you guys have over the years. I feel like a bit of a bandwagoner.

I have experienced this kind of stuff with other sporting teams I have followed though, so I know how it feels.

Like my Australian Rules football team, the Essendon Bombers. Been undergoing one of sports biggest drug sagas of all time.

Not the same thing as lack of success, but being the butt of many jokes is the thing in common.

Look forward to reading many posts here!

I hope you guys don't mind me asking a few questions; actually here's a few now:

What do you believe Mike Pettine has brought to the Browns?

Do you think Manzeil will translate into an NFL level QB?

and

What has happened to our defense that was apparently so strong last year?