DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Call from the Browns today for season ticket holders?

Did anyone else get a call from the Browns today about a conference call on Thursday? I got a call around 4pm saying that there was going to be a conference call with Heckert and Holmgren on Thrusday at 4pm and that I would be getting a call from the same number that this recorded message came on at that time.

Did anyone else get this? Or was it some sort of random selection possibly?

I got it too. From Jamir Howerton or whatever his name is. I may listen in.

Maybe we're pulling off a trade for Jason Campbell.

There's a phone call I missed, and of course if it did come on my home line the kids promptly erased the message and will have no recolection of any such call.

I got the call too.

Yup! I got that that call too. If I'm in my office, I'll listen in.

Just got the call. Listening to Mike Snyder talk to David Bowens.

Yup - just got it too. Listening in as well.

Pretty neat idea. Interactive.

FYI to all, David Bowens thinks we should bolster the skill positions in the draft.

Holmgren on the line now. I think I'm going to ask him if he'll come to a cookout at my house.

I liked him saying "now don't tell anyone this. This stays within this call". lol

Question: How define success?
Holmgren: Improvement over last year. Tough to completely flip around.

Question from Mike Snyder: Who are you going to draft (tongue in cheek)
Holmgren: As long as it doesn't leave this room, ha ha ha. Pretty much reiterates that trying to get good starters, we're in good position in draft, etc. etc. etc.

Question: Why Jake Delhomme?
Holmgren: QB play last year needed to improve. Sometimes change takes place, and it's not always fair. Needed to make change. Once decided that change had to happen, who was available? Able to get Seneca, then not sure what to do. Then Jake became available. Valuable because a great leader, good experience. Likely not going to play a lot more years, so always looking for next "great" Browns QB.

Question: Delhomme worst QB in the league the past few years.
Holmgren: Can't argue with that. But, very satisfied with Delhomme's interview.

Question: Considering putting up banners, anything around stadium, regarding championships, etc.
Holmgren: In meetings about that, whether banners, or acknowledging great players. Remind people about browns tradition.

Question: What areas focusing on early in draft?
Holmgren: Able to get a good player at 7, but whether we go offense or defense is the question. Some areas more urgent than others. Secondary, transactions don't preclude taking LBs. Want to get good value.

Question: Will Seneca be on the field in certain packages?
Holmgren: Will see him on field in certain packages. Is a good passer, in addition to being a good athlete.

Question from Snyder: You still want to draft QB every year?
Holmgren: Generally like to. Bradford is a "franchise" type QB, but usually, can't get that kind of guy unless you had such a bad year that you're picking high. *Edit* Would like to have a young QB out of this draft, but if one isn't there that Holmgren likes, won't force it.

Now this guy is telling Holmgren what he should do in the draft (trade down).

I'd like to hear Holmgren say "wow! we never thought of that!"

Question: As develop team, what type of philosophy going for? Possession, power running, etc.?
Holmgren: Coach Mangini runs 3-4, so have to get players who fit that system. On offense, run a type of New England system. Holmgren has system he believes in. Working to combine the 2. Due to weather, have to run the ball effectively. But, when weather nice, have to be able to throw. Need to get some big play people on offense. Not necessarily a different style, but more balance.

I'd have a hard time not making a smartass comment back to a fan who was telling me how to do what I've done for years with great success.

I wonder what Delhomme said to Holmgren about why he had such a terrible year? He's mentioned that twice now.

Lack of a run game.

Question: Done with FA market? Considering veteran WR?

Holmgren: Think done, but "never say never." There is value in a veteran WR, but emphasis on draft right now. Could do more in FA, but probably not.

Snyder: Happy with moves so far?

Holmgren: Able to get good players, able to improve team. Understand what fans are saying about Delhomme. Delhomme agrees his season was bad, but there were more reasons that people don't know about why his season was bad (personal stuff that Holmgren won't go into).

Question: What do you think of new OT rules?
Holmgren: Actually spoke against it. Commish wanted to see it changed and a lot of owners, too. Want both teams in OT in the playoffs to at least get a chance to get the ball. Came up every year in the past, this year finally changed. Creates a lot of decisions for the coach who already has a lot on his plate. Just winning coin toss isn't as big a deal.

Question: What brought Browns together for winning streak?
Holmgren: Tough to turn things around like Browns did. Browns players didn't just throw in the towel. Said a lot about coaches and players. Team come in with great attitude because of how team ended the season.

Snyder: Home field advantage?
Holmgren: Turned Seattle into that. Want things to be safe for families and hardcore fans alike. Want Sundays to be celebration, but also enjoyable and safe.

Thanks for all these! Youre on point!

Now done with Holmgren. Waiting on Heckert who is finishing a hopscotch tournament with Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Dawson.

Heckert: Very busy time, still trying to put finishing touch on draft.

Snyder: How does process work?
Heckert: Fine tuning draft board. Have about 250 guys on the board, so just putting finishing touches on it. Talk with coaches if difference of opinion.

Snyder: Player moving up draft board?
Heckert: First started setting board in Feb when he first got here. Board hasn't changed much since then (going to trade to no. 1 to take the rights to Maurice Clarett).

Question from a guy whose BAC may be about 1.8: need to get our "future" QB now?

Heckert: Jake's getting older, always looking for younger QB. It's a possibility. Never try to force a player or make a player "better than he is" Will likely stick with BPA in draft.

Question: Matt Nichols, QB from E. Washington as a late round pick? Also LB guy from Kent State?

Heckert: Those are types of guys looking at in later rounds. Spent a lot of time with people who may be FAs, too.

Question: After reviewing tape, why did WRs struggle?

Heckert: Combination of youth and poor QB play. High expectations for WRs (Robo, MoMass, Stuckey). Would like to find a WR who can catch 50-60 passes, but hopefully can get that out of current guys.

Question: How draft preparation change with 1st 2 rounds on 2 separate days?

Heckert: Little less pressure, but teams will be more available for trades. Able to regroup after 1st round.

Question: QB is no. 1 position on team. What is no. 2 and no. 3 position on team?

Heckert: left tackle, then maybe DE/OLB, but probably CB. (I wish at this point, he'd take the opportunity to talk about what a terrible player Corey Fuller was).

Question: Right side of offensive line. Pashos solidify, or is OL priority in draft?

Heckert: Possibility could take OL at 7, but feels good about Pashos, Pork Chop, and St. Clair (for some reason).

Question: Way to go with Cribbs. Also, in draft, consider weather and how people may play in the weather in Cleveland?

Heckert: Don't look at conferences per se, but just what player can contribute. Certain positions, like QB, look at it a little bit, but mostly just overall potential.

The End

It was good, I like that we have communication from the Front office.
But it seems to me before & definitly after call that season tickets sales must of really fell off, and they polling us to see if we're still buying.

Like I told my rep, after April 15th if I have $, after April 22& 23rd if I like it.
The check will be in the mail ...........No I don't want a VISA card

Lack of wins, lack of QB, lack of tackling, well, lack of wins is enuff, I suspect.

At least you talked to your ticket rep! Mine wouldn't respond to 2 voicemails that I left and then it took 3 days to reply to my e-mail. To top it off, I was interested in upgrading my seats to another more expensive section, and told them that in my messages/e-mails, and it still took them forever to respond.

If it is taking them that long to reply to requests for new season ticket requests as well no wonder sales are down! I would think that they would be very, very responsive to anyone inquiring anything about season tickets with as bad as the team has been!

Thanks for posting the questions/responses. Appreciate it.

Thanks for the recap bronsfansince79


But what was this about?

Quote:

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(going to trade to no. 1 to take the rights to Maurice Clarett).

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Browns team President Mike Holmgren, GM Tom Heckert join Cleveland fans in high-tech huddle
By Bill Lubinger, The Plain Dealer
April 09, 2010, 4:08AM



CLEVELAND - Halfway through last year's dismal Browns season, two rabid but frustrated season-ticket holders felt they had to get the whole stadium to boycott an opening kickoff on national television just to get the team's attention.

On Thursday, the Browns invited their best customers -- holders of season tickets and club suites -- to speak directly to team President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert by teleconference from their Berea headquarters.

tom heckert.jpgView full sizeGus Chan / PDBrowns General Manager Tom Heckert.Just call in and ask them anything, fans were told. No topic is off limits. And they did, about the upcoming college draft, about offensive and defensive philosophy, about why veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme?

"It's really cool that you're doing this," said Dan from Toledo, a six-year season-ticket holder. He asked whether new free-agent quarterback Seneca Wallace would have special plays drawn up for him or just be a backup.

Wallace wasn't brought in just to hold a clipboard, Holmgren assured him. "It's fun to have him," he said, "and our offensive coordinator can get very creative in this area, and Seneca's excited about it."

Why sign Delhomme, who "arguably was the worst quarterback in the league for the last year-and-a-half?" wondered Bill of northern Virginia.

"Well, you know what, I can't argue with you too much," said Holmgren, though he praised Delhomme's leadership. Holmgren said that after a confidential conversation with the former Carolina quarterback, he was convinced Delhomme could help the team.

With the draft just two weeks away, several fans sought hints of the Browns' wish list.

Holmgren apologized for being cryptic, but made it clear their top choice might not necessarily plug a glaring hole in the roster.

"We're going to take the best player available to us," he said. "If it happens to fit at a position we need, great, but I don't want to reach and stretch to get a player just because of a need at a position. We want to get good value."

Fans learned that:

• They should expect to see their team play coach Eric Mangini's 3-4 defense, but with a more balanced run-pass offense next season.

•That the Browns don't plan to pursue a veteran free-agent wide receiver.

•From Heckert's perspective, after quarterback, the most important positions in football are left offensive tackle, an "edge" pass-rusher, either at defensive end or linebacker, and then cornerback.

Teams routinely hold fan focus groups and solicit feedback in other ways. But with Thursday's session, the Browns joined about a dozen NFL teams, Heckert's old team, Philadelphia, among them, that are combining technology with a little old-school customer relations: Make the fans feel like they matter.

It's also good business. Last season, as the Browns started 1-11 before winning their last four games, the team played to half-filled stadiums, under the threat of having home games blacked out on local television for waning interest.

Since the Browns returned in 1999, they've had nine losing seasons, five head coaches and almost as many team presidents. Meanwhile, the number of season tickets held slipped to about 55,000 last season, from 60,000 the year before.

Sports business executive Marc Ganis said the teleconference was just one of the many steps the Browns must take to let fans know they're working hard to get the organization on track.

"Let's be blunt about this," Ganis said. "These are some of the greatest fans the NFL has ever had, and they've had to endure bad football and regime change after regime change, and I know for a fact that the NFL feels they deserve better."

About 3,800, or 23 percent of the nearly 17,000 season-ticket accounts invited to participate, checked in for at least part of the hour-long teleconference, peaking at about 1,300 callers at one point.

The Browns also used the teleconference to gauge fan interest, asking participants to indicate whether they've already renewed their season tickets, plan to or will not. They also were reminded the deadline to re-up was May 1.

Holmgren has talked to fans on his Seattle radio show, but this was his first team-orchestrated teleconference. After spending about a half hour answering questions, Holmgren said, "There's a certain fan base that is always going to be there. Then I think there are fans of this team -- I could be wrong -- that are kind of worn out. I think this gives that guy a chance to hear from us how it might be different this time."
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I'm grateful that you posted that Grateful

Seriously, that's great that they did that with the Teleconference today.. I wish I could have been on it.

I know I keep saying it, but it sounds as if they have a plan.. let's see how it goes..