DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum A Celebration!!!

Hey guys; long time--no talk!

I'm making this post for two reasons:

[1] out of respect for all of you who asked me to come back;
and
[2] I need to come clean about the team.

I've avoided posting on this board, but I have logged on and read a couple of times. I also read the fan's comments on the other board. I even listened to some talk radio. And I can't believe people are complaining.

I, for one, am celebrating this season. It reminds me of the 80s teams when Marty first took over and got us on the right track. I can honestly say that I am proud to be a Brown's fan again!

I am also going to 'fess up on a couple of things. First of all, I thought the Browns would either 5 or 6 games and I thought 5 was the more realistic number of the two. Boy, was I wrong! Secondly, I thought D. Anderson sucked and that Frye was the better option. Once again, I was dead wrong. DA is playing unreal and will probably improve as time goes on. Great move by Savage bringing him here, and great move by the coaching staff for making the switch in week one. I'm telling you, this kid is doing some unbelievable things at the QB position. His arm is outstanding, his accuracy is really pretty good, despite what some people are saying, his decision making is improving rapidly, and his leadership skills are amazing. He keeps cool and doesn't let a pick devastate him. That type of attitude rubs off on the other players. And just think......he is very young and will only get better.

Let me tell you this.........the team is really coming together and their confidence is soaring. They are finally "believing" they should win, rather than hoping to win. Hell, last year.......they hoped they wouldn't lose. That is tremendous growth in a year. It's so neat to watch. I can see the team maturing and evolving right before my eyes. It's like watching a toddler learn to do all sorts of things. I just sit back and smile and am amazed by the wonder of it all!

On the field, it all starts w/the offensive line. Joe Thomas is unreal. Like I tried saying before the draft........his presence in the lineup opens up all sorts of things for this offense.....things that we could never do before. We do not have to rely on jumbo formations, RBs who help the LT, three step drops on every play, etc, etc. I realize that a lot of what he does is not evident to those not familiar w/offensive line play, but guys.....he opens up the entire offense for us. And I do think most of you can see what he does on individual plays. He isn't fooled very often. He isn't beat by speed rushers. And he isn't overpowered either. His run blocking is much better than most experts led us to believe........isn't it? I love this kid!

Steinbach is much better than I thought. He is very agile and along w/Joe......they really excel at the second level. Steiny is also very good fundamentally and his technique is excellent. He isn't bull rushed as much as I thought he was. He is very, very good.

The rest of the line is playing great. I really think we now have one of the better o-lines in the league. Great job, Savage. You pulled it off and my hat is off to you. Now.........don't neglect it in the draft.

Btw-------yeah tab.........I do remember you pimping Tuck to play guard and he is a great fit there. He is really dominating.

Lewis is a great addition. He is running hard and he gets stronger as the game goes on. The other backs are doing a fine job in their limited opportunities. I love the toughness that Lewis brings to the team. That's really important to a cold-weather team. I hope we keep the guy.

The receivers are playing way better than I thought they would. Well, at least Edwards is. I ain't calling him Leon anymore. I heard his attitude has improved tremendously and that was my beef against him. He still drops passes, but I can live w/that. I'm just glad he isn't ripping the locker room apart again. One note about his hands. He is actually better on the more difficult catches because he has to get his hands away from his body---and he actually has very good hands. His problems come when the pass is right into his chest or stomach. He doesn't extend his hands and he uses his body to catch the ball and then cradles it w/his arms. That doesn't work.

K2 should have made the Pro Bowl and like Belichick said......."he is the one guy who can beat you..." So obviously, his presence on the field is opening up things for guys like Edwards and Joe J.

We still need a 3rd WR, but I think Cribbs can be that guy. I hope he gets more opportunities.

The defense is pretty bad, but I now have confidence that Savage will fix it. He just needs a little time and it should be better next year. We need at least two very good players on the D-line and a new FS to replace Pool. That way we can go back to playing more Cover 3 and variations of it, rather than that dreaded Cover 2. I really think if we can get those three pieces, this defense can be above average.......and that might be all we need next year to be really, really good.

Meanwhile..........I am celebrating the success this team has had this year. I get a smile on my face every time I think of them. I so proud of the Browns! My son and I drove the 600 + miles to the game against Buffalo and man.........it was worth it!!! We were barking, high fiving, yelling, screaming, dancing, and loving every minute of it. It was an experience that neither of us will ever forget. The atmosphere in the stadium was so cool......it was almost surreal. I have the images of the snow, the objects swirling in the air, the short sleeves on the offensive players, the buildings of Cleveland disappearing due to near white out conditions, DA running around like a little kid, the smiles on the faces of my fellow fans, the workers blowing away snow to find the yard lines, and so much more ingrained into my memory bank for eternity. Man, I love this team!

Dawgs----------------doesn't this beat talking about the draft during the season? Hell, in the past, we had to talk about the draft in late September. This year.........we are talking playoffs...........in freaking December!!!! Enjoy it. Celebrate! This is what it is all about.

I'm asking you all to stop ragging on: the QB; which RB plays and which doesn't; the defensive calls [btw----we didn't play a Prevent defense in any game this year, so stop that nonsense]; and anything else you might complain about.

Get behind your team. They have overachieved and our headed in the right direction. They are making watching Brown's football fun again.......and it's been a damn long time since it has been fun!

Dawgs---------------IT'S A PARTY! SO C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E!!!----COME ON!

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I, for one, am celebrating this season. It reminds me of the 80s teams when Marty first took over and got us on the right track. I can honestly say that I am proud to be a Brown's fan again!

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I am too man. When I was watching the 87 Browns/Jets game I thought about the year before when the Browns barely got in and then blew that 21-3 lead against the Dolphins. Not about the specific playoff game but how that season seems a lot like this year. And then the Browns went on that run for the next 5 years or so.
I really thought this year we would be around the 7-9 mark and we would make the big push next season. I am glad were one year ahead of that!

First Vers,.......Welcome back.

Second, Is it REALLY YOU, that was a pretty darn positive post.

Honestly, welcome back.

Hey Vers !...back just in time for the play-off talks...

I am with you man!!!

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I'm asking you all to stop ragging on: the QB;

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The QB needs to play better. I will rag if I so desire.....

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[btw----we didn't play a Prevent defense in any game this year, so stop that nonsense]; and anything else you might complain about.

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You slink away for months and then tell people not to complain???

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Get behind your team. They have overachieved and our headed in the right direction. They are making watching Brown's football fun again.......and it's been a damn long time since it has been fun!

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No duh. I think we know this already, but thanks ever so much for reaffirming it for us.

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Dawgs---------------IT'S A PARTY! SO C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E!!!----COME ON!

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Celebrate what? We got a game to play on Sunday. There is no celebration yet.

Merry Christmas.

I don't see a person on this board who is not behind this team. Again, for the millionth time, talking about our future is not "ragging" on this team.

I love what is happening and am having an absolute blast.

Go Browns!!!


Oh, and welcome back, Vers!

Heya Vers... welcome back man


I'm *loving* this season! I find myself smiling much easier these days. I find that on Gameday I'm expecting us to do well, not praying we don't screw up too bad. They've given us reason to Believe.... and I love it.

It is sooooo much fun to watch these guys play.... and the best part is that this is just the beginning

It's been hard not to grin about this season.. it's been a season of improvement which is what we all wanted to see. I don't think anyone realistically expected playoffs.. and here we are getting invoiced for the same. The timing is sure a pain in the tushy, but it's all good. If this improvement continues and Phil keeps up the good work.. coupled with our cap space, 2008 should be a hell of a lotta grins.

Welcome back.

Welcome back Vers .. Yea it feels sooooooooooo good to be all excited in the month of December !

Who are you?










I'm glad to see you back and in a good mood. It has been a great run so far and it might get even better. If we do miss the playoffs I will still be happy because I never thought we would win so many games, weak schedule or not.

Holy Smokes Batman,,, Vers is BACK! Now what are we gonna do

Overall, I agree with everything you wrote except that the D is bad.. well, yeah, I guess I do agree. But the thing is, it's playing better now than it did for the first part of the season.. So improvements were made. (funny, I seem to be able to track the improvement back to the game after we put Washington on IR,, Odd huh)

But as you say Vers, give Savage sometime, and that D will be fixed as well.

WE didn't always get along, but I'm glad your back.... Merry Christmas to you and yours!

hey Vers welcome back

Joe T u were right. I loved his pass blocking but man the kid has improved his run blocking 100% since the beginning of this year. The OL coach really has done a terrific job at teaching and utilizing the individual skill sets to make this line imho the best in football.


DA and RAC have a lot in common. Both can make some pretty bonehead decisions but they make those around them believe. For this team that may be more important than anything else.

Jamal lewis may have found a home. I was happy we signed the guy even though i thought he would likely be one and done here but it is looking like he will be back for a few more.

I have to say imho the biggest need on this team is to bring in some studs on the strong side at DE and OLB. LOLB is just as big of a need as LDE to be honest.

The positive is that this is becoming a team that free agents will have near the top of their list and not at the bottom. BTW we should all give savage his props for putting together a potent offense and some stock risers on defense.

last note the time that Edwards spent working with jerry rice has been one of the reasons for his tremendous improvement both on and off the field.

On Pool well he has improved every game out and he came up huge last week the solo tackle on Lynch was a game saver. I do think we should look to bring in competition or atleast someone that can rotate with the safeties and spell them long term in case of an injury.

Who are you and what did you do with Verse?


All kidding aside, welcome back to the fun. It's been a great ride all season long. Sunday is a very important game for our season so don't break out the champipple just yet.

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champipple

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[1] out of respect for all of you who asked me to come back;

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that was the beer talking,,,,,,, ........Just kidding welcome back..

OMG, Daman, you don't remember Fred Sanford's favorite drink? Mix a bottle of Champagne and Ripple together for Champipple.

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I don't see a person on this board who is not behind this team. Again, for the millionth time, talking about our future is not "ragging" on this team.

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I don't know about you... but I can love being 9-5 and celebrate it while simultaneously discussing what we might need to do to be 11-3 at this point next year....

Does that make me a bad person?

Welcome back Vers. Glad to see you're still hanging around. I thought I saw you trolling once or twice.

Welcome back Vers...so glad you and your son had a Brown's bonding moment.

Oh and I guess welcome back to being a 100% in the heart Browns fan again. I know how you struggled to endear the team back after it was ripped out of us. We all had our timing to adjust, yours lasted a little longer thats all.

Only thing - Pool, I still say you are wrong about him and we will not be searching for another, he's here to stay.

Shep...We've had about 4-5 6-to the max pages of Deadbate with the same old thing dragging DA through the mud during the process.

I thought one feel good - give the kid his due thread was necessary. As for not being allowed to post an opinion thats negative. My goodness if the 4-5 threads aren't enough venue. Fact is there are several posters who might not think DA is the best QB for us in the future - but really are enjoying the success he is having. And it sickened to counter the inane post of Paul Bunyanism regarding DA with reality as it seemed and has been viewed as bashing the kid. At least thats how it was for me.

Basically I understand where Vers is coming from...Playoff bound or not the fact is this team has finally arrived. Not a lucky backdoor into the playoffs of 02 and then be 20mil over the cap and disban. This team is strongly built through the draft and not complete but has paved the way in how this new era of Browns' football will be.

JMHO

Good to see your post ... glad to have you back .. at least I hope it means your back and this isn't a one time thing ..

Its been a REAL FUN YEAR .... we have plenty of time to dissect it after the year so I'll refrain from further comment for now ..

the coolest thing so far this year ... is when McKinnie went down we had not only an NFL caliber OLman to put in his place but a GOOD player to put in his place .. we used to not have starters as good as at least one of the back ups we have now .. HOW COOL WAS THAT???

Hey Vers! It's the phony coach. How was your season? We made it to the state playoffs for the first time in 19 years. It's been a hell of a year for football for me. Anyway, welcome back. Good positive post. Winning really cures all, I guess. Okay, well, good to see you back and um, if we lose to Cincy this sunday, I'm just letting you know ahead of time that it's all your fault.

Vers!

You old curmudgeon... welcome back!

Nice to see a post from you... and all smiles, no less.

Even though you've lurked a few times, you've missed a heluva lotta fun on these here boards. Despite the deadbates, second-guessing and "pins & needles" type games, it's been a much nicer place to hang out this year. (Funny what a few wins can do for a fanbase, ain't it?)

No x's & o's talk from me today... just a welcome for an old fellow Dawg.

Merry Christmas to you and all your'n...
...and don't be a stranger.

,
Clem

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Fact is there are several posters who might not think DA is the best QB for us in the future - but really are enjoying the success he is having.

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Put me in that group.

Welcome back! Man it's like the Grinch's heart grew 3 sizes today...no offense but it's refreshing to hear a positive post from you.

I'm with you about this team this year, but I'll admit to being one of the skeptical guys about DA...even though I love how things are working out.

It is SO refreshing to drive by houses and see Browns flags waving, I even saw one covering the name of an entire development today. I'm living in the moment, but also speculating on the future. We have a major issue to deal with this offseason, we'll see where it goes.

I agree 100% this has been an amazing year not just for the Browns but for all Cleveland teams and it is one that will most certainly be celebrated for a long time.

This year has been one heck of a ride and I've loved every minute of it. And if they can knock off the Bengals one more time it will make this year that much better. Who knows maybe the Rams will beat Pittsburgh tonight!

Vers I'm just going to say good to have ya back......

nordawg

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Fact is there are several posters who might not think DA is the best QB for us in the future - but really are enjoying the success he is having.

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Put me in that group.

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I would also like to apply for my membership to this group.

Bout time you come back...
Well well well..I have to take the salvo at ya...
POP!
U shoulda never left...the debates are just that..debates...nothing more or less..

Some of us kept telling U to give Phil some time..

doesn't this beat talking about the draft during the season
Yeah but I'll start as a soon as the draft sites start updating their information

we didn't play a Prevent defense in any game this year, so stop that nonsense
It's nonsense to think we didn't since Rac has gone on record and said so..

and anything else you might complain about.

Oh it's on
Within 6 months U'll complain about something:brownie..and probably my post

Shhhhh........Dont upset him....if he called it a celebration, than that means he has to supply the beer


Vers for Prez.....

Good to see you here again. It's been a while.

And it's great to see some productive football being played out there. Many positions have been solidified, some positions still left to be upgraded, but with the parity in today's football (eg. bad football teams) this one will win more than lose and will be exciting in the process.

A couple years from now is when celebrations will be in order. On to the Lombardi!

Welcome back Vers.


What are you talking about?????? DA playing well, and that he is an intregal part of the success they're having? Are you crazy? There are some who will tell you that any Tom, Dick, or Harry could do what DA has done this season considering the talent we have on offense.



Can I rub it in that I was right about Frye? LOL

Seriously, damn good to read ya again.

Ahhhh Champipple,, How could I ever forget

NICE!!! Smart man Vers... Taking time away, takng a step back, is a good thing... No matter why... Looking forward to our exchanges again...

This has been a solid and fullfilling season so far... Can't wait for the next 3 games... Maybe, hopefully more...

You know Shep... Don't mind him... He still thinks he's the boss of everybody... He's not getting better, just older, crustier, grumpier and more narrow minded...

Take care, hang in and enjoy my Browns Brother.