Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Cribbs interview on Clevelandbrowns.com


If you haven't seen it already, it's worth your while to check out the Josh Cribbs post game interview on ClevelandBrowns.com. It's hilarious. I love this kid. He's dancing on the stage showing how be ducked and dodged would be tacklers, which, after a loss like that would make most people angry, but Cribbs is so sincere you love him for it. He also talks about the team and how much they care about each other. It makes you pretty psyched about the future of Browns football, and about our chances to rebound against Baltimore this coming Sunday.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Mediocraty is OK

The Common Man


Maybe mediocrity isn’t so bad. I look at myself. I have always had a good head on my shoulders, but I’m not Harvard (pronounced Hahvahd with a snooty accent) material. I have done well in my career, but I’m no where near independently wealthy. I have always been pretty good at sports, but rather limited due to my body type (Think skinny extremities with a tire around the waist). Like Joe Walsh (from Cleveland by the way) "I'm just an ordinary average guy." And still, I like who I am. So maybe mediocrity is OK. The way I see it, it could be worse. I could be a high school dropout, unemployed, and always the kid picked last in gym class. So, maybe having the Cleveland Browns, (who blew a chance to establish themselves as one of the NFL’s ‘good teams” yesterday), arrive at mediocrity in the league is good enough. Lets be honest, the alternative, (last years pathetic 4-12 record) just sucks. To be able to be Phil Dawson’s lame 49 yard capacity leg away from beating a very good Steelers team in a finally meaningful game is a huge step for me and the city of Cleveland. We finally found a way to win a close game against a good team last week. Recently, in this rivalry against the Steelers, we have taken it on the chin worse than any late night cinemax starlet, and here we were again with a chance to do something special for the city of Clevelend. I had nightmares about this week. The Browns have come into games like this in recent years, with the city behind them, and serious momentum, and took a collective dump on us by laying an egg. They fought real hard yesterday, and for that, I applaud them. We have a real shot at being in the wild card hunt, and after last year’s pathetic season, that’s a huge step. So, I am proud of my mediocrity and of the Cleveland Browns. And the Tribe, and the Cavs, and my job, and my men's league hockey talent. All good but not great.

Let’s talk about the game now. I watched the game on the speed replay on the NFL ticket so I didn’t hear any commentating and didn’t see any replays. I think this allowed me to see the game in a new light without any outside opinions. Here are my thoughts.

After all of these years of drafting and developing special team’s players, it has finally paid off. We have had a team full of special team caliber players for the past few seasons. Now, we have a more complete bunch, and these kids can play. Mike Adams is making great tackles. And Josh Cribbs had probably one of the finest plays in the Browns history yesterday turning a disaster into a beautiful run. Watching him smoke those first two defenders at the ten, and then watching the entourage direct traffic and escort the man to the end zone was a thing of beauty.

Eric Wright is a fine player. Great play in the end zone in the first half. Some of the finest tackling on the team. He doesn’t go for the big hit, but tackles smartly and confidently. His tackle on Rothlisberger was just awesome. Unfortunately, stopping Heath Miller on 3rd and 18 wasn’t such a nice play for anyone involved.

The Jamal Lewis fumble should have been whistled for forward progress.

Sean Jones needs to start leading. Too many times during defensive breakdowns, he is yelling and bitching at other players. That has to stop. On the other hand, I love his intensity at the end of the game on the kneel down to leave a tough taste in the mouth of the players for next week.

The Browns defense played tough in many spots today. They were flying into the line of scrimmage, and generally attacking. Brodney Pool's int was evidence of that. However, too many mistakes and big plays on 3rd down. That 3rd and 18 was disgusting. Willie McGinest was atrocious. We also got caught on play fakes like crazy as a result of our aggressiveness. I would rather keep up the attacking nature though. Sitting back and watching our DB’s try to cover for 7 seconds is unbearable.

I don’t know about the hold on Dinkins, but the refs really let the Steelers get away with a lot. On that 3rd and 18, Peek was tackled as he was about the get to Big Ben. I saw Wimbley get absolutely dragged down on a few plays. Don’t know how obvious that was on replays, but could have used a few of those calls.

Finally, welcome to reality DA. He didn’t throw one good pass today. Even the easy ones across the middle were low, behind, or in the dirt. He just sucked. Plain and simple. He had more time than any Cleveland QB has had against the Steelers that I can remember, and he was shaking in his size 17’s.

Next week is another chance to prove ourselves. Maybe this mediocre bunch can do something that resembles greatness.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

I Can't believe it.

I literally can't believe it. I watched it. The whole game. And still it doesn't make sense.

What a let down. I can't really write more right now because I'm so pissed. Great run by Big Ben at the end though, damnit.

Friday, November 09, 2007

Latest Browns News 11.09.07

Attack, to break the Steelers' spell

Rivals again: Browns, Steelers play for division lead

Team Report: Inside Slant

CRUCIAL CLASH IN PITTSBURGH

Browns are pushovers no more

Former Coventry High and Kent State star James Harrison leads Pittsburgh Steelers against Cleveland Browns

NFL Expert Picks - Week 10

Browns' guards feeling pain

Cleveland Browns' starting guards may miss game against Pittsburgh Steelers

Holly still sore over Ward hit

McManamon: Browns don't have history on side, but ...

Defending the Defense

NFL Preview - Cleveland (5-3) at Pittsburgh (6-2)

Meager pass rush burdens Browns

Cleveland Browns might start Ryan Tucker at right guard

Preparing for 'Blitzburgh'

Steelers put Winslow on alert for Sunday

Steelers: Browns have to win for it to be a rivalry

Browns' Bentley parked for 2007

Browns find some direction, but where will it take them?

Thomas turning into a sure thing for surprising Browns

He's all heart

Browns better than Week 1

Dear Metcalf Up the Middle:

It’s good to be back. I probably post on this site more than on my own blog, but that’ll happen.

So guess what’s going on this Sunday? You’ll never guess. Guess yet?

That’s right, it’s just as you feared.

5-4 isn’t that bad. Still above .500, still respectable, still a sign that Derek Anderson is playing out of his mind, even if he did get sacked 6 times and was picked up and carried into the end zone and body slammed by up and coming Ohioan James Harrison.

So you got that going for you.

You’ll nurse your injuries, and then beat Baltimore for sweet, sweet revenge. You’ll get over it. You’ll probably even make the playoffs. The Wild Card is an accomplishment! Don’t sell yourself short! I mean, Kellen Winslow’s a soldier. He really is. Dr. Z even feels sorry for him. May I quote:

"The Browns' Kellen played in pain the entire way, made big catches to set up two touchdowns, including the final one. A correspondent who was in the postgame locker room described the scene as follows: "Someone asked him, 'Is this your sweetest day as a pro?' He put his head down for a few moments. When he looked up there were tears running down his face. 'I'm sorry,' he said." You think that after something like that, I'm not going to raise the Brownies to the top 10?"

Yeah! You are in the Top 10, Way to go Girl! I hope—really—that game will not be your sweetest game as a pro. Because that would be sad. Really.

Good luck Sunday. You’re gonna need it. Don’t let this be you!




Posted By SteelSkins

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Browns Ranked in TOP 10...Among Winning Teams!


Ahh...WHAT? Holy Cow! How did this happen? It's all too much too soon if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but geez...top ten? On SI.com Dr. Z's NFL Power Rankings, (who I can't believe still has a job solely based on how bad his pre-season picks usually are) the Cleveland Browns are ranked 10th in the league! And it gets better! On ESPN.com Mike McAllister's Power Rankings has the Browns at 9th in the league! Here are some of the teams that are ranked BELOW us! The Saints, Jaguars, Redskins, CHARGERS, Eagles, Bears, Broncos, and Bengals! Um...hello! Because the jaded, beaten little boy of a Cleveland fan will always have a strong voice inside me this whole thing just gives me the willys. It's like that good looking girl (most of you can feel free to take out the "good looking" part, and some of you "good looking" and "girl".) you meet in college who you hook-up with and the next thing you know she's talking about going to watch the school's soccer team the next day followed by dinner with her friends and maybe seeing a movie in her dorm. Um...this was pretty sweet for a bit, but now you're just freaking me out. I had sleeping in till noon, playing PS2 and hitting the bong on my schedule...got to go. It's too much too soon. Why can't we stay under the radar a little bit? Just have us float around 16th or 18th for a few more weeks. Maybe meet up a few more times and see if this thing has legs? I know our record says we should be where we are, but I still feel very uncomfortable with it. I'm definitely not used to the feeling that we're supposed to win games. And how about actually coming back to win a game? It's like we're suddenly a real team. But I just can't believe it, not yet. If we beat the Steelers, then yes, I believe. But for now I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. As sad as that is, it's the truth.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

MUTM Week 9 Pick'em Picks

Bird
Kansas City
Detroit
Cincinnati
Atlanta
Carolina
Arizona
Washington
New Orleans
San Diego
Cleveland
Oakland
Indianapolis
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh


Top Dawg
Green Bay
Denver
Cincinnati
San Francisco
Jacksonville
Tampa Bay
Washington
New Orleans
San Diego
Cleveland
Oakland
New England
Dallas
Pittsburgh


Maxx
Tennessee
Tampa Bay
Washington
Jacksonville
San Diego
San Francisco
Green Bay
Denver
Cincinnati
Cleveland
New England
Houston
Dallas
Pittsburgh

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Steel Skins Boast Post...

Since the SteelSkins (http://steelskins.blogspot.com/) have handed yet another loss to Metcalf Up the Middle (http://www.metcalfupthemiddle.blogspot.com/), we thought we’d honor this occasion with some foreshadowing: Don’t worry NFL, the Steelers (once again) have got your backs.

What the dismal Browns (albeit, at 4-3 they’re not as dismal as they usually are) failed to do back in Week 5—what some pundits are now calling for (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/29/AR2007102902167.html?sub=AR)—the Steelers sell in dime bags.

Yes, it’s about time we take the pundits seriously. Finally, people are calling for Tom Brady’s knees (http://kissmesuzy.blogspot.com/2007/10/effective-immediately-bounty-on-tom.html). And why not? Belichick and his cheating (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI_zhsVWyAU) Patriots have now run up the score on all 8 of their opponents (what, with their fancy fake spikes and keeping their starters in despite a 42-point lead). And while Cleveland, along with the rest of the league, failed to do much of anything to their former coach while happily accepting their 34-17 defeat, the Pittsburgh Steelers have never failed to excel in the “accidental low hit” category.

You may ask, why the Steelers, and why not the Browns? Excellent question. And to be honest, we here at SteelSkins are equally stumped as to why the Browns’ veins, which normally flow with red vengeance toward the countless teams that have embarrassed them (insert Broncos, insert Steelers, insert Art Modell, insert…the league), why were those same veins flowing with pink pansy goodness during Week 5 against the Pats? The Brownies should have been foaming at the mouths for the opportunity to crush Tom Brady and give their former coach his first loss of the season. It just goes to show, if it’s Brown, flush it down.

The Steelers, on the other hand, proved two things this pre-season (http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0807/451055.html): 1. You don’t need a fatty named Kimo von Oelhoffen to put a quarterback’s season in jeopardy; and 2. Just like Charlie Hustle in an All-Star game (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/07/10/SP51494.DTL), we always go all out.
So let this be a warning to you, Coach Belichick: If you keep up the shenanigans, you’ll pay a hefty price, come Week 14. A price not paid since Ralph Macchio last met up with Billy “Sweep the Leg” Zabka.

Latest Browns News 10.30.07

DA Highlights - video

Browns' comeback effort pleases Crennel

Refreshed Seahawks go back to work

Starting over with a clean slate

Browns: Big Three looming large for 4-3 team

Derek Anderson, Browns' QB Audio ESPN.com (1 day ago)Anderson passed for 248 yards and three TDs in Cleveland's 27-20 win over St. Louis. Anderson complimented Braylon Edwards and the offensive line.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson flourishes

Upon Further Review: Browns vs. Rams

Browns fans climb aboard

Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson second in NFL in touchdown passes

Seahawks extend time off

TD tandem has own star quality

Podcast: Tony Grossi talks Browns

Crennel has highest approval rating on ESPN

Romeo is tied with Marinara, Tomlin, and McCarthy.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfl/sportsnation/ratings?seasonYear=2007&seasonType=2&week=8

Parcells on Browns and Crennel

Although this seems a little forced, it's nice to see the Browns are starting to turn some heads around the league!

Friday, October 26, 2007

MUTM loses to Steel Skins in W7

Boy this was a tough one. We lost to the Steel Skins this week 27 wins to 28. Our scores were:

MUTM: 27-15

Steel Skins: 28-14

It's obvious the guys at Steel Skins are into performance enhancing drugs. I've got a good feeling about this week though, and we gladly await their post. Below are Team MUTM's individual scores.

Maxx: 10-4

Overall Record: 46-25

Bird: 9-5
Overall Record: 40-31


Top Dawg: 8-6
Overall Record: 39-32

Team MUTM: 125-88

MUTM Week 8 Pick'em Picks

Bird's Picks

Cleveland

New York Giants

Philadelphia

Indianapolis

Chicago

Cincinnati

Tennessee

Tampa Bay

New York JETS

San Diego

New Orleans

New England

Denver

Maxx's Picks

Chicago

Pittsburgh

Tennessee

Cleveland

New York Giants

Minnesota

Indianapolis

Buffalo

San Diego

Tampa Bay

New England

New Orleans

Denver


Top Dawg's Picks:

Chicago

Pittsburgh

Indianapolis

Tennessee

Cleveland

New York Giants

Minnesota

New York Jets

San Diego

Jacksonville

New Orleans

Washington

Denver

Monday, October 22, 2007

Bitter Taste

Here is good read about the Indians collapse. One quote stands out.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=3073814

"If sport is to have any value at all, the road traveled, even when it leads to a dead end, should always be a trip worth taking. Without the pain, the champagne, when it finally flows, will have no taste."

My concern is that I won't be thirsty when I finally get to take a sip.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

MUTM W7 Pick'em Picks

Top Dawg
Houston
Tampa Bay
New England
New Orleans
New York Giants
Baltimore
Washington
Oakland
Cincinnatti
Philadelphia
Seattle
Dallas
Denver
Jacksonville

Bird
NE
Wash
NO
Baltimore
Dallas
Giants
Tampa Bay
Houston
Oakland
Cincy
Chicago
Seattle
Pitt
Indy

Maxx
Baltimore
Tampa Bay
New England
NO
NYG
Washington
Tennessee
Cincinnati
Kansas City
Dallas
Philadelphia
Seattle
Pittsburgh
Indy

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

"Manny being a Douchebag"




Most Red Sox fans probably reveled in Manny Ramirez's pose last night and probably elbowed their buddy and said "That's just Manny being Manny". Like somehow, because he is stupid and aloof, his ridiculous behavior is somehow justified. To me, that was "Manny being a douchebag."


That's like watching a pedophile standing outside of a jungle gym, and excusing his behavior because, "That's just a pedophile being a pedophile." Or forgiving Edi Amin for all of the atrocities he was responsible for in Uganda. He was an eccentric character just like Manny. But hey, genocide was OK too because that was just "Edi being Edi."


Go Tribe

Team MUTM Individual Pick'em Scores Week 6

Maxx: 8-5
Overall Record: 36-21

Top Dawg: 6-7
Overall Record: 31-26

Bird: 7-6
Overall Record: 31-26

Team MUTM: 98-73

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

MUTM Loses Week 6 Pick'em

Team MUTM went 21-18 this past week, but it wasn't good enough to beat those sketchy "guys" over at Steel Skins who went 23-16 to take the win. (We caught a photo of one of them this weekend posted here)




Sadly, they've earned the write (oh the puns!) to post on MUTM, so here's their post:










Your team's name reminds us of our last bowel movement

I come not to praise Metcalf Up the Middle but to bury them. As the victors of the Week 6 pick em, I duly note that all of us at SteelSkins picked the Browns to win. And what's not to like about the Browns? Classy, retro uniforms with ugly colors perfectly suited to black and white television, a legacy of greatness that no one remembers because it was before the advent of marketing and the televised Super Bowl, a more recent legacy of gut-wrenching losses, like The Drive, The Fumble, and the 2002 Loss to the Steelers in the Playoffs Despite the Fact the Steelers Couldn't Cover a Tackle Eligible on a Fly Route, Plus We Had Tommy Maddox. I watched that game with 2 Browns fans and, to be honest, I felt a little bad as I repeatedly pelvic thrusted the sweet, sweet air of victory while screaming STEELTOWN FOREVER at the top of my lungs. Just a little. And how can we forget Art Modell's Fly By Night and Subsequent Super Bowl Win in Baltimore? Or the Saga of LeCharles Bentley?

The Browns are the girl from high school you swooned over until you forgot about her in college, and when you returned back to live in your small town 15 years later, you found out she had been left by 3 men who also left behind 3 kids. But she's doing her best, earning a promotion at the insurance company despite fending off the boss's advances, giving her kids the right values, and really proving that she's not the ditzy sophomore who spurned you for the Senior Jock so she could win homecoming queen. She's showing her resiliency, and while she's not the bloom on the high school rose, she's a real woman, and she's still got it, despite throwing on an extra 20 pounds (but you like the thickies, yo!). So you take her out to lunch, and man does she chow down, like a horse at a feedbag! It's captivating and sickening all at once…maybe you will make a go at her…But then you remember that you're already married, with bonds formed of STEEL.

Derek Anderson, you got to like this kid. Braylon and Winslow are shutting up and playing, Kamerion Wimbley is the real deal, and so might be Joe Thomas. But Jamal Lewis? Get rid of that guy.

I have no doubt that the Browns will give the Steelers a tougher game at Heinz Field, but it won't be as close as you think it will. Until next week!

Week 6 SteelSkins rankings:
Aaron: 7-6
Adam: 8-5
Sean: 8-5
Overall Score: 23-16

Straight from the rectum of: Aaron P. Diddy

Monday, October 15, 2007

Happy OctoberFest

So I was in Chicago this weekend for my annual Octoberfest Party. After passing out in full lederhosen with burrito cheese and lettuce stuck to my shirt (don’t remember stopping for food on the way home) I awoke for the showdown with the lowly Miami Dolphins. That damn central standard time gave me only a 6 minute window to get up and get ready for the game. I’m too old to be sleeping until 11:50 AM, but really how could I sleep after the Tribe game. I can honestly say I haven’t felt that hungover for a Browns game since two weeks ago for the Baltimore game after trying to party with Winthorpe, that playboy Todd, and some other Harvard kids.

Anyways, it is usually a good gauge as to how the Browns are playing by how quickly I turn back to the sauce when things start sucking. Well, the Browns quickly got out to a 24-3 lead and things were looking good, and my body was thanking me. All of a sudden, our defense allowed the highly tauted Miami offense led by Cleo MacDowell Lemon, whose buns have no seeds, march up and down the field and bring the game to a three point decision.

And so, I had to turn to my good friend who lives in a 12 ounce brown bottle for the rest of the game. The Browns, and the Miller Brewing company didn’t disappoint. We finally are winning games were supposed to and finishing off teams. 3-3 into the Bye week, and here are some thoughts on the game.

-Someone finally realized if you just throw the ball up high to Braylon Edwards, he is going to get most of the balls. He is playing awesome. Could he be the first Brown since Jamir Miller (Wow that’s sad) to visit Hawaii?

-I must admit, although DA throws the ball into coverage often, he does like to throw when defenders are turned around. And he has the gun to get it there before they get there heads back to the ball. He is really rolling right now. Remember Jeff Garcia's 0 quarterback rating in a game for the Browns. DA had a 150 yesterday. And DA likes woman.

-Watching Joey Porter get burned by Winslow was just awesome. You can now insert your foot into that giant mouth of yours. And remove K2’s stiff arm that is still in your chest from last year when he douched you.

-Did you see Lawrence Vickers block on the kick off return in the second half. He knocked a Dolphin 6 feet in the air. It was the most impressive block I have ever seen. Josh Cribbs is good, but Vickers has been great opening holes for him too.

-On that same note, I bet the guy next to me 10 bucks we give Vickers the ball on 3rd and 1. Granted he got the first, but I am a little concerned that if I can call the plays, defensive coordinators should be able to sniff it out too.

-Welcome Jerome Harrison. The ghost was a “Phantom” menace (bad joke, bad movie). He was tough to tackle, and had a burst that really sparked us when the 'Phins were making there way back in the game.

-What is up with the defense. I don’t think the Dolphins have any other players than Ronnie Brown. We should have been spying him the whole game. Get eight guys in the box, and make Cleo Lemon beat you. I am disgusted with our game plan. Did you notice when Marty Booker or Chambers, not sure, just walked to the middle of our zone for a first down. I love Grantham's fire, but he’s not giving me a lot of confidence right now.

-Another good game for Eric Wright. He is starting to feel his way out there. However, two critiques. One, get your head around to defend the ball. Too many times he is still

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Chud For MVP!


Wow! I love Chud! Chud for MVP! Amazing...scoring points with this offense! It must take a genius! Kellen Winslow...Braylon Edwards...Joshua Cribbs...where did he find the play makers??
What a pleasure to watch the Browns roll to a comfortable win. Obviously...there are some issues on defence these days, but to have the offense to cover those lapses is really nice. This team isn't going any where significant with a defence this porous, but it's still nice to put up some points. And if Savage is for real, and next year is all about he defensive line, we might be pretty scary come half season next year.