Giving Brady the Finger

Well, as quickly as it started, it ended.

The chants grew to a roar, the skies opened up, and God himself handed the Cleveland faithful Saint Brady. Covered in an orange and brown slate of armor he was to lead us into battle each and every week. All he was missing was the crisp white horse and a castle in which he called home.

Oh, then he hurt his finger.

He was here and gone faster than you can say IsThatDABackOnTheField?

Try saying that ten times fast. Go ahead, I'll wait.

That was Derrick Anderson back on the field. I thought my eyes had frostbite on Sunday. I thought my vision was blurred by the obnoxious girl behind me that kept screaming, "Goooooo......DOOOOOO WOOOOOOORK", during all facets of the game. Finally I think somebody put a muzzle on her. Good work, Dave.

The Season Savior, The Second Coming of Kosar, The Sexy Slinger...we can go on an on. He was on the field, and now he's done.

Hurt his finger. I'm not calling him soft. It sounds like a serious injury that can and will get worse if he plays with it.

Which makes you wonder; why did he start against Houston to begin with? Why did Romeo already announce he was the starter this week against Indy? Why is Brady giving the BJ symbol on this boat full of guys? I'm not judging, I'm just saying. What gives?

I think our front office and coaching staff is in shambles.

"Can we really start Derek right after benching him?" - Overpaid Idiot #1

"Brady's finger isn't that bad. We have to start him. He's a gamer." - Overpaid Idiot #2

"I don't know what we should do. Hell, I forgot I owned this team. Shouldn't I get free hot dogs?" - Overpaid Idiot #3

Finally someone said Brady should start. Then he came out and did his best DA impersonation and threw two interceptions. Rookie mistakes. Learning curve. Give the kid some time. Nice life jacket, dork. We're still in the game, Brady will settle down.

Then Derek Anderson drug his size thirteen cleats onto the field and all hell broke loose. Those who chanted weeks before, well, they didn't chant again. They left.

"We just lost the game." - the guy in front of me

So, I'm going to end this rant in the only way a real Browns fan knows possible:

Dear Browns Front Office and Coaching Staff,

*&#^ you. Go ruin another team.

Love,

Season Ticket Holder #301984

Leinart an afterthought while Cassel shines

Last night while watching NFL Live I saw a very interesting graphic appear on the screen.  I had to rub my eyes and shake my head once or twice because I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

The graphic compared the statistics of Matt Leinart and Matt Cassel.  You know Leinart, the millionaire party boy who had a sloppy start to his NFL career who probably spends more time than anything else these days at USC frat parties, trying to hang on to the glory years.

Before I throw out numbers, let me refresh your memory for a second and remind you that Cassel spent his entire career at USC as a backup to Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Leinart.  Leinart had the starting position on such a secure lockdown that Cassel - get this - made his only collegiate start at the tight end position.  Heck, why not?  He's listed at 6'4", 230 lbs., and that start came against a small PAC-10 defensive front.  Pete Carroll knew how good an athlete Cassel was and now he must be scratching his head wondering what might have been had Cassel gotten all the reps instead of Leinart.  Not to take anything away from Leinart.  He was a stud QB in his college days.

Now onto the numbers:

Leinart was selected in the 1st round (10th overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft.  Cassel, on the other hand, almost went undrafted.  He was selected in the 7th round (230th overall) in 2005.  Leinart got millions with his contract and millions with endorsements.  Cassel got chump change by NFL standards.  This illustrates just how highly-touted Leinart was coming out of college and how much of an afterthought Cassel was.  Leinart was drafted to become a starter and make the Arizona Cardinals contenders.  Cassel was drafted smartly by the New England Patriots for purposes of being a career backup to Tom Brady.  The Patriots already had their quarterback and knew that Cassel was good enough to back-up Brady, but that's about it.  There were no plans for Cassel to become a standout football player.

But Week 1 of the 2008 NFL season rolls around and things changed.  Leinart had lost his starting job to veteran Kurt Warner and Brady went down with a season-ending knee injury.  All of a sudden Leinart was holding the clipboard and rolling his eyes, daydreaming about beer bongs and hot tubs, and Cassel was snapping his chin strap, gritting his teeth and trying to save a season in Foxboro.

For his career thus far, Leinart has started in 16 of the 18 games he's played with Arizona, throwing to two of arguably the best wide receivers in pro football.  (Personally I would put Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin both in the Top 5).  In these 18 games, Leinart completed 56 percent of his passes for 3,209 yards, with 13 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions.  His quarterback rating is 71.2.  Those are Derek Anderson numbers.

Cassel has started 10 of the 25 games he's played over his four-year career with New England.  Most of the 15 games he's played in as a backup were only for a series or two toward the end of the game after the Patriots had all but wrapped up a win.  He barely threw the ball.  These were series where he would mostly hand the ball off to run the clock out.  Case in point: Combining his 12 games played from 2006 through 2007 and he was only 9-for-15 passing for 70 yards.  But overall, in these 25 total games played, Cassel has completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 2,868 yards, with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.  His quarterback rating is 88.6.  Let's not forget that the majority of these numbers have come this season, one of the worst seasons Randy Moss has had over his career.

With Leinart on the sidelines watching Kurt Warner lead the Cardinals into the playoffs and put together another career year, he must come to grips with the fact that the guy who backed him up at USC is now a budding star in the NFL.  And right now, that star is shining a whole lot brighter than Leinart's.

With Leinart now down to being hardly a blip on the radar of NFL quarterbacks, the only Matt that really matters is one named Cassel.

The Clevelend Palace

I want to start out by apologizing to everyone. I was hoping that my first post on believeland blogs would be more of a stirring, inspirational and uplifting expression of my love for Cleveland sports. However, due to my timing I was left with only this exhausted representation of how I am feeling right now after the Brown’s deplorable effort against Houston on Sunday.

I was there to face the lake’s onslaught of 15 degree weather at 7:00 AM. And with about 5,000 others, was there internally in shambles as I watched the game clock strike 00:00. Although it got warmer from the start of my day till the end physically, it got much colder for me emotionally, and how I now feel about the name on the front of the jersey and the name of it’s leadership.

Al Lerner purchased this team with a vision of what could be the palace of the Cleveland Browns. This was a palace that could be described as an impenetrable fortress that graced these shores for many years. Al Lerner unfortunately had a run in with Clevelend sports luck hiring individuals at the top of their game who couldn’t turn the franchise into that palace, (Policy, Palmer, Davis) or even launch a competitive run at being able to gain the first few bricks. This season, after gaining the first few bricks the season before, we had the opportunity to place the foundation that would make Cleveland Browns football a palace again, only to falter and waver, all with expressionless faces from our team leadership.

Randy Lerner has implicated a “does not care” policy on his fathers investment. He has done this by not engaging the customers (fans), or hiring someone to engage for him. He seems to have made a recent effort to disassociate himself from those underneath him who are failing. Something that I feel would make his father cringe. He is set to speak to writers the day this is written. We can only hope that he will give us some clues as to how this team will move forward.

Ownership of a company demands consistent attention, management and foresight, the ability to predict ups and downs. Owning a company means the wherewithal to hire those who embody your vision, spirit and passion for the company that you run. The best CEO’s watch over their company every day. If you have no vision, spirit and passion for the company, how do those underneath you lead? They have to create their own vision, and build their own passion for the company. If this does not happen, it will not be successful.

There is a fat line between Jerry Jones and Randy Lerner, and it is drawn with the pen of passion. Jerry Jones told his team in the beginning of the season, “I can be doing anything in the world I want to be doing. But I want to be right here with the Cowboys.”

Randy Lerner reportedly told Mike Trivisanno in a private conversation (not public) that he “hires people to do a job, that way they can’t say he didn’t let them do it, if they fail.” The problem with this is, when they fail, everyone around them fails as well. This makes it easier to release those who fail, but this pushes that company into a cycle of up and down deteriorating a little the entire way.

He needs to make the right decisions this off season, and at least steer the ship from time to time. Especially if he is not going to sell the team, which he also indicated to Trivisanno in a private conversation.

Where do we go now?

After wishing Romeo and Savage the best of luck in their future endeavors, it will be time for new leadership. I don’t think we rebuild, I think we add key pieces, keep the talent we have and mold it. We can still be a contender, there is talent on this team, and we’ve seen them with all cylinders clicking. It is just time to find the leadership, and coaching needed to get everyone on the same page. Hire a GM, talent evaluator and head coach. Make Cleveland a palace again.

~Shawn VanHuss

Thoughts For Sunday

As my morning commute took me over one hour today, it finally dawned on me:

Winter is here. Winter, who is a person by the way, is like a grade school bully that comes around for a few months, then his parents move their trailer and he's gone as fast as he came. You know what I'm saying. Anyways...

As Winter blew my car around this morning, slowed traffic to the pace of George Burns in a three mile hurdle race, my lightbulb came on. I need to make sure I have all my gear for Sunday.

Sun
Nov 23Partly Cloudy

40° High 33° Low

10%

Now, 40 isn't really that bad. You think 40 and you think cargo shorts, Browns tshirt that mysteriously "lost" it's sleeves and sandals. Don't be that guy. Bundle up, don't try to be a caveman and then stand there, shivering against your own will, while your skin turns blue.

Few tips:

Tip #1: Cover your tips. That means your toes, nose, ears and fingers. Nose you ask? Yes. A mask that cuts the wind off your face is a huge help. Wear a winter hat. Duh. For your feet, I recommend flannel socks, with some baby powder in them. Why baby powder? It keeps your feet dry. Too warm of feet start to sweat. Moisture = cold. Trust me, don't be a jerk. Get some boot warmers from your local Sporting Goods Store. Get extra, these things hold a street value somewhere between Crystal Meth and Crack Cocaine right around kick off. For your hands, waterproof gloves are a must. Try to get some with grip on them, for your cup of beer, obviously. I just bought these:

Link. Click Here. $15 w/ $7 S&H. Got them the other day, and they are all sorts of fantastic.

Hand Warmers. Hand Warmers. Hand Warmers. See their street value above.

Tip #2: Whiskey. Pretty self explanatory, isn't it? Any type will do really. I recommend Crown Royal, Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, or if the economy has you down, Evan Williams. Evan is actually really good. Check it out.

Tip #3: Longjohns. No, they aren't stylish. Yes, Megan's longjohns come up to her chin. But they keep you warm. Well worth the "Worst Dressed" vote. That being said, to all the ladies that tailgate: it's NOT a fashion show. You may think you look cute in the jean skirt with the thin orange leggings, but when we hear you bitching for 6 hours about how cold you are, your cute factor drops by 7. Therefore if you WERE a 10 before tailgating, you are now a 3. If you were a 6, well, you get the hint. Moving on...

Tip #4: Eat. Put down some food. Does the food keep you warmer? Well, maybe, I'm not sure. What I do know is if you follow #2 mixed with tips from #1 of gloves to hold your beer, if you don't eat, you won't see the game. This may be the most important tailgating tip I can ever give you. EAT BEFORE YOU DRINK. EAT WHILE YOU DRINK. EAT WHILE YOU PEE. Ok, I just crossed the line. But seriously, take a chip into the pee tent, we won't judge you. Well, maybe we will, but it'll be behind your back, so no harm no foul.

I think that's all the tips I have for now. I may have more later, but it's hard to type with these gloves on.

Why I bleed Orange and Brown

Why I bleed Orange and Brown

by Coach

Welp, here's a Browns blog for ya.

Although this year is still somewhat exciting for Browns fans – considering BB Romeo finally grew some testicles and benched the late Terry Schiavo's long-lost brother Derek Anderson, and actually started fan-favorite, hometown boy, chick magnet, football stud, Notre Dame grad Brady Quinn – the Browns still suck.

I know, it's hard to read those words. They burn your brain in cursive lettering as they do my own, but let's not kid ourselves here … the Browns have issues. One half of the season and the defense is smothering opponents while the offense chugs along like a streaking Frank the Tank. Second half of the season starts and the offense starts coming around and the defense, for whatever reason, is completely non-existent.

Aggravating, huh?

So while I remain a loyal Browns fans (registered Browns Backer, loyal Browns follower since the glory days of the mid-1980s when I was a 7-year-old with an orange dog bone painted on my face), I will take some time to remind myself of how I have come to love the most underachieving team since 1964 (the last year the Browns won a championship). Yeah, it's been 44 years.

So here are my Top 10 Browns moments …

10. Sept. 16, 1990, when Eric Metcalf returned the opening kickoff against the New York Jets for a 98-yard touchdown. I don't know exactly why, but that moment sticks out in my mind when I think back to those teams from 1985-1993. It's one of my all-time favorite Browns highlights. I remember everyone spilling chips and beer all over the place! By the time everyone calmed down I had salsa in my hair and the dog was lapping up some jalapeno pepper juice.

9. Dec. 17, 1995, final Browns game at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. One reason this was so great was because Art Modell was not there to see it. Yeah, his sorry ass was probably already in Baltimore. Either that or sitting in a plush armchair inside his Waite Hill mansion. At any rate, the Browns beat the Bengals 26-10. Testaverde had 2 TD passes and 241 yards through the air. Orange and Brown-version Matt Stover booted 4 field goals. And best of all, our beloved Earnest Byner was a Brown again and he finished the day with a laboring 31 carries for 121 yards rushing. He also had 7 receptions to lead all Browns receivers. The emotions every Browns fan had on that day were mixed. We were obviously so proud of our team to go out with a bang, but also so confused and dejected because we did not know if we'd see football in Cleveland ever again.

8. Sept. 12, 1999, the first game back! Yeah, we lost to Pittsburgh 43-zip, but the only thing that mattered to millions of NFL fans (non-Browns fans included, too) was the mere fact that the Cleveland Browns were a NFL franchise once again!

7. Nov. 4, 2008, when BB Romeo stated to the media: "I felt like we needed a different dynamic on the offense. It was just time, so I did it." Amen! Finally Brady Quinn gets to start a regular season NFL game. And this time the new quarterback seems to the long-lost Cleveland savior. Well, at least a lot more than any other of the never-ending list of starting quarterbacks since 1999. Think about that crop of down-syndrome babies that drooled their way through youth leagues, played in weak college conferences and wound up playing for the Browns and then consider how good Brady Quinn fits into the lineup. It's line night and day. First we had Tim Couch. Although when we drafted him he seemed to be the next Bernie Kosar, he never came close. Then it was Ty Detmer. Ha! Then it was Doug Pederson. Haha! Then it was Spergon Wynn. Hahaha! Then it was Kelly Holcomb. Hahahaha! Then it was Jeff Garcia. Hahahahaha! Then it was Luke McCown. Hahahahahaha! Then it was Trent Dilfer. Hahahahahahaha! Then it was Charlie Frye. Hahahahahahahaha! And then it was Derek Anderson. This guy took advantage of a super-weak schedule and a good supporting cast, had 3-4 good games last year and choked the other 20-21 games he started. The joke was on us. Hahahahahahahahaha!

6. Oct. 31, 1999. Halloween! And the Cleveland Browns earn their first win as a new franchise in a 21-16 nail-biter over the New Orleans Saints. Tim Couch connected with Kevin Johnson for a 56-yard score late in the game to turn a 2-point deficit into a 5-point victory! Browns were officially back on the map after starting out 0-7.

5. Sometime on my deployment between Sept. 1, 2005 and March 14, 2006, when I won the Browns-Bengals argument in the battle over which is the better Ohio team. Me, being from Northeast Ohio and an obvious Browns fan, took on a guy named Chris who was a Bengals fan from Cincinnati. The twist? A guy from Columbus who was stuck in the middle and was a lifelong OSU Buckeyes fan but could never decide if he liked the Browns or the Bengals more. Even his family was split. Jacob would watch Browns-Bengals games with half the family in Cincinnati gear and half the family in Cleveland gear. Yet here was Jacob, wearing Buckeyes garb, confused. For almost 6 months Chris and I went back and forth trying to convince Jacob that our team was better than the other guys team, citing all sorts of history and stats and fan details. In the end, Jacob knew he had to finally pick one team over the other. Well, he wound up choosing the Cleveland Browns. And for the last month of our deployment this guy read up on all sorts of Browns history so that he could get caught up and educated like all other Browns fans and in the end … well, let's just say Jacob is now probably the most loyal, most well-rounded, most educated, most knowledgeable and smartest Browns fans I know. This dude bleeds Orange and Brown. He even took military leave and bought tickets for the same game that I go into detail about in Top 10 Moment #3. And he actually found us in the Muni Lot, sporting a weeklong unshaven face and a Brian Sipe throwback pulled over an orange Browns hoodie, hootin' and hollerin' like a madman. Browns win!

4. Sept. 16, 2007. After losing Week 1 to the Steelers by a score of 34-7, we entered Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals and would up in a classic shootout! My in-laws were visiting from Ohio and all the girls went shopping, leaving myself and my father-in-law, Jeff Hebert, to go watch the Browns game at a Cleveland sports bar in Virginia Beach. It was MAYHEM! We drank Sam Adams like it was going out of style and by the end of the first half, Anderson had just hooked up with Winslow for a 25-yard score to put the Browns up 27-24. Holy crap! How were the Browns scoring so much??? We had no idea the Browns would have one of their most exciting seasons ever, finishing 10-6, and that made this game all the more exhilirating! It was a back and forth game for the entire second half. Every time the Bengals would make it a one-possession game, the Browns would score again, and again, and again. Edwards caught two TD passes of more than 30 yards, and Lewis had a big 66-yard TD run. By the end of the game, Anderson had 328 yards passing and 5 TDs, Lewis had 216 yards rushing and 1 TD, Edwards had 8 catches for 146 yards and 2 TDs, Winslow had 6 catches for 100 yards and 1 TD, and hometown boy Joe Jurevicius had 4 catches for 44 yards and 2 TDs. Final score: Browns 51, Bengals 45. An instant classic and one more Browns moment I will never forget!

3. Dec. 24, 2006. When my number one dawg Joe Strailey set up a perfect Sunday morning for me, then a Navy dude returning home for the holidays to visit family and friends. He hooked up tickets in the Dawg Pound for a game the Browns lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 22-7. The score and the game didn't really matter much though, because the most important thing was the fact that I got to see and catch up with old pals all morning long in the Muni Lot, tailgating like it was 1964! Everyone had on all their favorite warm Browns apparel and the cold weather on that day didn't phase any of us. We started out meeting up in Willoughby bright and early at 7 a.m. Then we stopped off at a BP fuel station in Euclid at 7:30 a.m. to load up on brews. I kicked it old school and went with the Beast Ice. Mistake. We were parked by 8 a.m. and all set up and jamming to classic rock jams by 8:20 a.m. The beers were cold but somehow made us all the more cozy as we settled into our home away from home. We played some cornhole. We high-fived each other and just about every stranger that walked by. We saw old friends who couldn't help but notice the ruckus we were creating at our camp among all the other crazy tailgaters. We owned the Muni Lot! We stood out! We bonged beers! We joked around with Cleveland PD, the roughnecks with handlebar mustaches, circa 1982. And the next thing I know I wake up in Joe's apartment back in Willoughby and everyone there is passed out. It's 6:30 p.m. and there are about 10 large pizzas sitting on the dining room table, untouched … cold. I rubbed my eyes and thought, "Holy shit, what the fuck just happened?!" Answer? Browns Fever Baby!

2. Dec. 4, 1988. That morning my Dad told me to reach into his back pocket. I was a 9-year-old boy, confused. Like, "Why, Dad?" He was like, "Just do it." So I reached into his pocket and pullet out two high-gloss, shiny, mint-condition tickets for the Browns game that afternoon against the Dallas Cowboys. I will never understand to this day, but the tickets had a picture of Herschel Walker with his shirt off in a locker room printed on them. I didn't care, I was excited because this would be my first-ever Browns game in person. I had watched the Browns every-single weekend since I could remember but I had never been to Municipal Stadium for any reason other than watching the Indians. But the Browns were different. It was early December and it was cold. I helped my Dad make some hot chocolate and boil some hot dogs and we went to the game and it was glorious (that was back when you could take your own concessions into the stadium). The Browns won the game in dramatic fashion. Reggie Langhorne started off the scoring with a huge 73-yard TD reception from none other than Bernie Kosar on the opening drive. We had our seats on the 50-yard-line and seeing Langhorne go over the middle and sprint down the field untouched was the most amazing sports highlight I had ever seen at that point in my life. Walker had a huge game, running for 134 yards and 1 TD, but Kosar had an even bigger game, throwing for 308 yards, 3 TDs and no picks. In the two years previous to this one my Dad took my older two brothers to games for some one-on-one father-son Browns bonding, but this was my year and since I was so young I never saw it coming. I will remember that day for as long as I live!

1. Dec. 25, 1987. Christmas morning! When I was an 8-year-old Dawg Chomper painting my face every weekend for a Browns party at either my parents' house or one of my two uncle's houses (a 3-week rotation of chile-tacos-chile). Well this particular Christmas my Dad went to Haney's Sporting Goods in the Painesville Shopping Center and had a Browns jersey customized for me with #86 on front and back and "B-R-E-N-N-A-N" on the back. Yes! Brian Brennan was my favorite Brown and I wore that jersey longer than I should have. When I finally realized I would no longer fit into it like a normal person I hung that brown piece of glory up in my bedroom well into my high-school years. What a moment that was. I had a customized jersey before they even had customized jerseys for fans to wear on gameday. Sure they sold Kosar and Matthews jerseys, but nobody had Brennan. I was the man! Thanks Dad!

FOOOOOOOUR!

Jerome Harrison to the outside...he's got room...he's got a step...good continuing block by Braylon Edwards...TOUCHDOWN BROWNS! 72 YARD TOUCHDOWN! Dawson kicks...and it's good. SUPER BOWL! WE LOVE ROMEO! (Once again, I could edit the above post...don't need to. Don't want to.)

Unreal. Buffalo goes 98 yards the other way for a touchdown. Romeo is screwed.

"How great is this? To run it right back and score." - Tony Kornheiser. He's a dick.

Buffalo is acting like they are winning. SCOREBOARD YOU FOOLS.

Romeo is screwed.

Cribbs is back to return the kick...I can't believe I'm going to say this: he shouldn't be. The guy is winded. Bills instead kick the ball out at the 40...very strange if you ask me. I think the Browns caught a break there.

ps: Phil Dawson does not know how to tackle. He can kick, but no tackling. Bottom line.

Jim Kelly sighting. I was a Kelly fan. Not today.

Quinn can really wing it on the run.

"Stallworth has been a disappointment for these guys" - announcer (not sure who). Yes, well put. However, wake up fans, he's ALWAYS been hurt.

Harrison with a GREAT RUN...and then a CHEAP SHOT by the Buffalo Bills. Kavika Mitchell. The announcers of course think it's a clean hit. I disagree, so do the refs. 15 yards. Harrison is fast. You heard it here first.

Braylon tied up with the DB...at least he didn't drop it. Stallworth looked to be wide open. Quinn has gotten hit quite a bit, straight through the middle. I'm just saying. Jamal Lewis up the gut, 2 yards. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Make that 3rd and 7...Quinn threads it to Harrison. WHAT A THROW. Where's the bandwagon, I call shotgun. I'm on it. Harrison with a fantastic catch and run.

"That's a pro throw" - Kornheiser. He's still an idiot. Lewis runs it to the 5. Boy did that penalty sting the Bills.

I think it's Braylons time to shine. Instead they go to the other side to Lewis in the air, overthrown.

3rd and goal...from the 5. Put it on your Pro Bowl wide receiver. Go to Braylon. Erase the hate.

Quinn threw to the back of the end zone to Edwards, not even close. Browns to attempt a FG. I'd take it over an interception.

Dawson hits a chip shot, but he still can't tackle.

11:32 remaining and the Bills fans are still ugly.

Fred Jackson with a solid return.

It's all on the defense now. It's go time. Romeo is screwed.

Quinn 11-26. Marshawn Lynch is running all over us.

Just showed a Browns fan on TV. He looks miserable. He knows Romeo is screwed.

Lynch hasn't reached 100 yards on the ground all year, let's not be a milestone, huh?

McGinest just got OWNED, he's terrible.

Orlando Pace to miss 2-4 weeks, Earnest Graham may miss the year, and Matt Schaub out another 4 weeks. Bummer.

McGinest just got juked AGAIN. Is this for real or did some fan win an "Appear in the game and wear #55" contest? If he were a boxer, they'd throw in the towel.

I wonder if it's snowing outside, then I think, it doesn't really matter. 3rd and 19. McGinest makes the tackle. Well, not really. He held Lynch, Lynch got loose and fell.

Browns REALLY need to score here.

Need for Speed Undercover looks pretty solid. I know I'd get bored of it though.

The forecast for Sunday looks REALLY COLD. I really hope Sage Rosenfels sucks the carnival cake. What's a carnival cake you ask? Forget about it.

The Bills run straight through the &*$%^@! middle AGAIN. Quinn unleashes a helium balloon, and it's picked off. Instant Replay shows that it looks like the ball hits the ground. The TV cuts to an Army commercial. Get back to the game. Marcos Pizza is gross. I had a French Bread pizza for dinner, it was good. Do you wish you had the white shoes that Clark Griswold has? If you don't, you aren't a man. Seriously, walk it off.

Back to the game. This is Romeo's FIRST challenge of the season. Glad he grew a pair. Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia.

INCOMPLETE PASS! UGLY FANS ARE CRUSHED! Boo's ensue, face paint is smeared with ice cold tears. The Browns fans sneak a low five and a slight fist pump. I didn't see it, but I know they did. 3rd and 7 and Quinn hits the Soldier, Kellen Winslow. It must be the Army commercial.

Browns desperately need to continue moving the ball. Lewis with a run to the right. I thought it was supposed to snow in Buffalo? It's clear as a baby's ass out there. The closest flurry is at McDonalds.

Quinn deep to Edwards, incomplete (shocker). Announcers are shocked we didn't run. I agree with the call - let's get into point range. Quinn goes back to Edwards, hits him in the hands, again. He drops it. That ball should've been caught. Is Edwards the new Rick Ankiel? Chuck Knoblauch?

Roscoe Parrish with a heart crushing return to mid field. They show Jim Kelly again. Did he do anything? Nice camo hat, Jim. He loves the Army commercial.

"Edwards needs to be cut" - Shawn VanHuss via text. Edwards kills another drive, after killing Derrick Anderson's career. Let's hope he doesn't do the same to our season and Brady Quinn.

Bills continue to run the middle. Where are you Rogers? He looks winded. Our whole team looks winded. Dig deep, you have 3 minutes left.

Marshawn Lynch bounces off Rogers and drives to the 1 yard line. My eyes welled up. I wish I was kidding. I feel like I just slid off my bike seat and landed on the bar below it.

Bills Stadium has been playing Journey all night. I can't complain about that, but I'm still heartbroken. Feel like I've been stood up at the big dance. I rented a tux for this?

Trent Edwards up the middle (Rogers?) for a touchdown. Edwards gives the ball to his center. Classy move, I can't dog that.

Lindell's kick is good and the Browns are down by 1. Wow, the Buffalo Chef's they keep showing should sit the &*#$ down.

The Browns have 2:25 to get at least a field goal. This is go time. This is where Brady Quinn can really make a name for himself, outside of being a pretty QB that the girls love. This 2:25 could also be the final 2:25 of Romeo Crennel's coaching career in Cleveland. Sad but true. Bills kick to Cribbs. Mistake?

He returns it to the 33 or so. They are now showing all the games the Browns have blown so far this season. Why not show The Drive while you are at it? Jerks.

Quinn to Braylon Edwards and he CATCHES IT for a first down. Announcers say we need 15 more yards for field goal range. Buffalo blitz's again, Brady throws it away. 2nd down.

Announcers are hyping Brady Quinn. Fickle. That's my word for them. Quinn SOMEHOW avoids being sacked and hits Kellen Winslow for SIXTEEN yards. Sweet sixteen. Sixteen Candles. You get the hint, it big time. Way to be, Soldier. Here's a patch.

We need at least 10 more yards, that's my thoughts.

You can get a P'Zone for $1 with a large pizza. It's not a good deal. It's basically a loaf of bread. 1 pound of bread for $1. I'm just saying.

Kellen looks like he may of hurt his shoulder. Give me my patch back.

Quinn is almost intercepted. ALMOST. What do the announcers do? "Quinn hasn't thrown an NFL interception yet." Thanks for the jinx. Jerks.

Quinn to K2, incomplete. We are 5 yards deeper than Dawson's long on the year, which is also his career long. I have that sinking feeling again. My eyes are twitching. 3rd and 10.

Quinn deep to Edwards, little high. 56 yard field goal attempt for Phil Dawson. My hands are sweating.

HOLY SHIT, he hit it! 56 yards! The Bulldog!

Downside? 1:39 left in the game. Are my hands dry? Nope.

Romeo celebrates, Brady points to the sky. We haven't won yet, but damn, that felt good.

Kick it DEEP, I'm saying out of the end zone. Nope. We allow them to get it to the 45 or so. They need 27 yards, according to Socrates, who is announcing this game.

"Phil is my boy." - Megan West via text. She wants the jersey. She'll get Cribbs instead. Sad Christmas.

Trent Edwards lights us up. Cleveland takes a timeout. Socrates is stymied.

Watching this game, to me right now, is the feeling you get when you give a street bum money. You feel good for a second, but then remember he's using it for Boones Farm. Suddenly you don't feel so hot, you feel cheated. You want your money back. You want some Boones Farm. You get neither. You get the sinking feeling, and your mouth is dry. You lose.

47 yard field goal from where they are at. Lynch gains 2. 45 yard field goal for Lindell. Socrates brings up Scott Norwood and his notorious misses. Jinxville for Buffalo? Gosh, let's hope. Romeo hopes so. Browns will have the ball back with about 40 seconds left. No timeouts.

It's NO GOOD. I'm swearing like a sailor. My dad would be disgusted. Maybe he's swearing too, we will never know.

"WIDE RIGHT". JINXVILLE! Romeo is no longer screwed! Phil Dawson for President! Dawson jersey's for all the good little boys and girls of Cleveland! Brady Quinn's first victory is on Monday Night, how fitting. I bet he's even good at video games. You know he is.

The Ugly Bills Fans are being boo birds.

29-27. Cleveland Browns win. I need to unwind, I feel like I was on the field. Dad, I'm sorry for swearing. I know you are too.

Lastly: "Hi Bob, this is Steve. I'm not going to make it in today, I think I caught a bug. Not sure how, I was even in bed early. Got a really bad cough and a nasty headache. I'll try to be in Wednesday. Sorry." - Shirtless Bills Fan

Reality.

3rd quarter...

Bills still running the ball well.

Too well in my eyes.

Boring quarter so far, really. I still really dislike their fans.

Who are some of these defensive lineman the Browns are using? I've never seen half of them before. Is that the reason they are running all over us? It's no excuse time. Man up.

Somehow the Browns look like they are afraid of the pass. LET EDWARDS THROW IT...TO US. GET IT? Remember the first quarter?

Why does this seem like a rerun of last week?

Finally the Browns defensive unit comes through with a big stop. Almost end of the third quarter.

Lindell with a 31 yard field goal. More iced tea anyone?

No team has ever lost 3 games in a row in which they led by 13 points in each game.

That happens, you have to think it's Bye Bye Romeo.

Yes, I do think they'll interview me. Did you forget this is my blog? Log off if you can't handle the reality.

2nd Quarter...

Brady Quinn is getting hot. Two receptions for Braylon, and one to K2. Jamal Lewis churning up some yards and the Browns are just outside the red zone. I think they should run a boot leg. Let's see what they do.

Handoff to Lewis, who gains the first and almost scores. Guess I was wrong. I could go back up and delete what I wrote, because it is my blog, but I am better than that. I did think about it.

Time out for Buffalo. I never did get that iced tea.

BROWNS SCORE! JOSH CRIBBS! Order your jersies now, it's going to be a Josh Cribbs Christmas! Cleveland on top 13-0. SUPER BOWL BABY!

"I LOVE CRIBBS! LOVE HIM!" - Kyle Carroll via test. She wants the jersey. So do you.

Marshawn Lynch just took a direct snap. At least he didn't throw an interception. Sorry, Trent.

Frank Jackson just diced us. Are we kidding?

Fred Jackson just diced us (twice). Are we kidding?

He played indoor football, and was a youth counselor. I'm not kidding.

Andre Davis stops the Jackson Express, and much to my dismay, I hear that weird sound/noise again from the TV.

Marshawn Lynch just made us look stupid. Who quit on that one? The entire Defense?

Jerome Harrison with a carry. They said the game plan was to get him more involved, wonder if it still is? 3rd and 6 now...incomplete to Steve Heiden. Damn it.

Shaun Rogers once again keeping us in it.

I'm wearing a Baltimore Ravens hat right now. I'm not kidding. That's what happens when your boss is from Baltimore and you run your mouth and lose a bet. Yes, you wear a Ravens hat. Shoot me in the face. Don't judge me.

Suddenly, the Cleveland Browns can't tackle. It's really, really sad. I took the hat off.

Romeo Crennel is wearing a winter hat. He looks like his mom made him wear it and he didn't want to. That's what it reminds me of at least. Mama Crennel didn't take no for an answer.

Brodney Pool almost picks off Edwards. Looked like a TD at first. Replay shows it was CLOSE.

Shaun Rogers was getting mugged. I think they stole his jockstrap, that's how all over him they were. We better get our shit together at half time.

Rian Lindell hits a 26 yard field goal. The Ugliest Fans in America rejoice. I spit up in my mouth.

Some Sights & Sounds...

From the Cleveland Browns Monday Night Football Game...

First off, the sound is off. It keeps making some very strange, almost corridor, type noise. It is officially driving me nuts. It's like an itch that you just can't scratch.

Browns with 2 interceptions (sue me, it's middle of the first quarter, and I was making popcorn, so this blog is a tad behind).

Braylon Edwards continues to kill drives, much like I want to kill the sound guy. It's Monday Night Football, not a Pee Wee Game. Get the equipment correct. Oh yeah, hey Braylon, catch the ball. It's what you're paid to do. We don't pay you to break hearts, Pretty Brady does that all on his own.

A Bills fan with his shirt off? Two words: Sick Day. I hope his boss saw him. Pink slip to go with his pink, frostbitten chest.

Willie McGinest continues to be a step too slow. They were talking about him not retiring. Are we going to pay him with a Golden Buckeye Card?

"I can't believe his bad his bands are. He runs good routes, gets open, out jumps everyone but can't catch." - Mike Yozipovich via text regarding Braylon Edwards. It's kind of like a great employee that never comes to work. Just isn't cornbread.

Shaun Rogers is being TRIPLE teamed. What did it lead to? A Brandon McDonald interception.

"Wow, Browns Defense stepping up!" - Shawn Conley via text.

Speaking of triple teamed, and the Browns defense, it reminds me of the MDP Burger. Moving on...

Brady Quinn is 1-7. Granted Braylon dropped one, but that'd make it 2-7. Just under threw K2, another Browns field goal. We must capitalize on these turnovers.

Trent Edwards with THREE first quarter interceptions? He must've warmed up with DA.

Gatorade Commercial; I do miss the glass bottles of Gatorade. I think it was better back then. However, I do like the Tiger Woods flavor or Gatorade.

Bills with a huge return to the 50 yard line. Boy are their fans ugly. People probably say that about Browns fans when we are on National TV and playing in Cleveland.

2:20 left in the 1st...

The Bills can NOT run up the middle. His name is Shaun Rogers. He'll be here all night. Go around. It's like trying to drive through an auto accident. Go around or go home.

Steve Johnson (who?) drops a Trent Edwards pass. He must've warmed up with Braylon Edwards. I'm so clever.

Cleveland Browns get the ball at the 4. The Bills ugly fans rejoice. Grab a nacho, it's going to be a long night.

At what point in your day/week do you decide you are going to lug in the wooden D and the wooden piece of fence? That's got to be a royal pain in the ass and the people behind you must say, "Great, the D-FENCE guy is back again. What a prick." I know I would.

Another TV timeout. A new Adam Sandler movie. Bedtime Stories. Sad to say, it looks like a bust. Speaking of busts, I wonder if Willie Green will text me to see where I'm watching the game. I know where he isn't watching the game at; Buffalo. Talk about a bust.

Brady Quinn can really effortlessly sling the football. Reminds me of a young Joe Strailey at Madison Avenue. Hey, it's my blog, I can write whatever I want. Get your own.

Pass Interference on the Bills defense. First down for the Browns! We'll take them any way we can.

Whoops...1st quarter ended. Gotta grab some iced tea.

Shock(er)!

This picture makes my day. I bet Bush is looking forward to being out of the White House. That way he can play his Nintendo DS as loud as he wants and nobody will give him ugly looks. You know Colin Powell hates listening to the clicking and the sounds of the DS and Bush yells at it after he loses another race to Yoshi.

for a bigger/better picture check it out. I apologize for the small one above. For the record: it's a pic of Bush throwing up the Shocker. What a toolshed.

Click here.

Salty's Deal of the Day

71% off The North Face

http://dealnews.com/Altrec-Clearance-Sale-Up-to-71-off-The-North-Face/260859.html

Salty's Thoughts: be warm, avoid the storm.

Crennel (unfortunately) Speaks...

Crennel says he doesn't think his players quit on Thursday night
Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel says he felt insulted by comments by some of his players that teammates quit in last week's loss to Denver. After the Broncos scored 21 points in the fourth quarter for a 34-30 win on Thursday, Browns running back Jamal Lewis accused some unnamed players of quitting. Lewis' sentiments were supported earlier this week by return specialist Joshua Cribbs. A displeased Crennel said he didn't think his players quit and any perception that they did was a poor reflection on him. Crennel spoke with his team Wednesday about focusing on next Monday's game against Buffalo. The Browns (3-6) have been one of the AFC's biggest disappointments after winning 10 games last season.

Salty's Thoughts: Romeo better be right, otherwise, he better be filling out applications ASAP. ps: sweet hair.

Sad Day.

Indians Announcer, Pitcher Dies

POSTED: 10:16 am EST November 11, 2008

UPDATED: 12:15 pm EST November 11, 2008

CLEVELAND -- Herb Score, a broadcaster and pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, died Tuesday morning.WTAM said the 75-year-old battled a long illness.Score, who was known as the "Voice of the Indians," served for 34 years from 1963-1997. He was the longest tenured broadcaster in the history of the Indians broadcaster. The Indians released the following statement:"Today is a sad day for the Cleveland Indians family and for Cleveland Indians fans everywhere. We have lost one of the greatest men in the history of our franchise. Generations of Indians fans owe their love of the Tribe to Herb Score, who was a powerful pitcher and legendary broadcaster. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and the Family."

More...

Salty's Thoughts: Coach said it best when I told him about it. "He'll be missed. A true legend." Sad day.

Salty's Deal of the Day

Can't beat 60% off of already discounted restaurant gift certificates.

Enjoy.

http://dealnews.com/Restaurant-com-coupon-60-off-gift-certificates/260632.html

Heisman Race...according to Gino

Gino Torretta in the news! Talk about a blast from the past. Read on, read on.

Torretta thinks Bradford is big-time NFL prospect

Former Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta joined the show to break down all the big stories in college football. Here are some highlights from the interview ...

-- Torretta thinks the Heisman race is between Texas Tech's Graham Harrell and Oklahoma's Sam Bradford. He's seen a lot of Bradford and thinks that he's a big-time NFL prospect. Torretta compared Bradford to Joe Montana -- except Bradford is 6-foot-5.

-- Torretta thinks Bradford is more likely than Florida's Tim Tebow to leave early. He says Tebow isn't in the same class throwing the ball with Bradford or Georgia's Matthew Stafford.

-- Torretta thinks that Oklahoma should be ahead of Florida, because the Sooners lost on a neutral field to Texas, compared to the Gators losing to Ole Miss.

-- Torretta thinks USC is trying to placate too many stars on offense and isn't running the plays that work. He did the USC game this weekend and said the Trojans tried not to run the same play twice.

-- On a neutral field, Torretta thinks Texas Tech could very well be the best team.

Link.

Salty's Thoughts: Been a big fan of Harrell for a few years now. I hope he wins it.

Broken Law in Cleveland?

With the Cleveland Browns defensive backs getting torched on a weekly basis, I still kind of wonder why they didn't sign Ty Law?

Injuries? Attitude? Age? Money?

Then I read today the Jets signed him. I'm not saying Ty Law would've saved the day, or been a savior of any sort, but I don't think his experience could've hurt our team. Isn't that why we are overpaying Willie McGinest? McGinest has running back bounce off of him week in and week out, yet he gets plenty of playing time. Too much time in my eyes.

Anyways, here's the link to the Jets signing. Law is in order...in New York.

Link.

D-Wade is in my Circle

Stat line for tonight:

FG%

FT%

3PM

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PTS

.500 .917 4 2 5 4 1 6 33

He's the top of my team, Arch Rivals. He's carrying the load, let's hope he stays healthy. He can have big games, until he plays the Cavs. Then he can sit out.

'til then, he can kick it with Barkley and myself.

Salty's Deal of theDay

Best Buy: Buy two Blu-ray disc movies, get PS3 remote for free

http://dealnews.com/Best-Buy-Buy-two-Blu-ray-disc-movies-get-PS3-remote-for-free/260309.html

Salty's Thoughts: Just ordered TMNT and 300. Free Remote? Forget about it.

This Is What We're Paying For?

Teammates echo Lewis' belief that Browns quit in loss to Denver
By James Walker ESPN.com

BEREA, Ohio -- With an extended weekend off to think about the state of the team, there are players within the Cleveland Browns' locker room who believe teammates quit during last week's 34-30 loss to the Denver Broncos.

In the aftermath of the Denver game, which Cleveland last after giving up 21 fourth-quarter points, Browns running back Jamal Lewis was the first to bring up the subject of quitting. On Monday, as Cleveland began its week of preparation for next Monday's game against Buffalo, several players agreed with his sentiments. "When you have a team like that that comes into our house and we're capable of beating them, that's the first thing that comes to mind,'' wide receiver Josh Cribbs said Monday. "We can't figure out what, man, but that's what it looked like -- some guys quit. ... We know if everybody didn't quit, we would have won that ballgame.''

More...

Salty's Thoughts: Players quitting? That's what we sacrifice our Sunday, our money, and our hearts to on a weekly basis? This seems like an abusive relationship. Thumbs way down.

Voted!

Waited about 45 minutes total. Not bad at all. Felt good, should be an interesting night awaiting the results.

Proud to be an American. That's all.

A chat with little Bernie ...

LITTLE BERNIE: Hi Coach.  I want to send you a letter because my dad reeded me your story when I was eating Cookie Crisp this morning."

COACH: Good to hear from you, Bernie.  It's refreshing to hear that there are still fathers out there who read the Sports page to their kids over breakfast.  As a side note, Cookie Crisp is a quality cereal.  Good to know you are keeping it real.

BERNIE: I was happy to hear that you thought Romeo the Browns coach would finally realize how inconsistent medeo core Derick Anderson is.  Im American and Americans love turkey.

COACH: It was only a matter of time before the front office decided to make the change at quarterback.  I was wondering why it's taken so long for a few weeks now.  I just don't understand how the media say this is a bad move, considering Quinn has sat on the sidelines for 24 regular season games.  Is it a good move when he's had 25 or more regular season games as a backup under his belt?  I mean, 24 games seems like enough time to learn the system and it is about time they start the guy they drafted with a 1st round pick, isn't it?

BERNIE: I like Brady Quinn because he is new and I think his name sounds like the quarterback who wins Super Bowls all the time.  He must be good.  More good than Derek Anderson who always throws passes to the other team.  My Dad says that Derek Anderson completes more passes to the ground than he does to the Browns players.  Is that true?

COACH: You and I both hope that Quinn can bring at least one Super Bowl victory to the City of Cleveland over his career.  If only he can be as good as Tom Brady ... well, that probably won't happen considering that Tom Brady is arguably the most clutch big game quarterback ever to play in the NFL.  And yes, Derek Anderson DOES throw more incompletions than completions.

BERNIE: Have you ever farted?

COACH: I've had my fair share.  In some people, such as myself, it is a talent you acquire with age.  Don't worry, farts are normal and you'll enjoy making headlines and clearing rooms in the future.

BERNIE: Will the Browns make it to the playoffs this year because my Dad and I don't think they will make it.

COACH: No.  The Browns won't make the playoffs this year.  They are 3-5 right now.  You'd have to guess that an AFC team will need to be 9-7 to make the playoffs.  The Browns would have to finish 6-2 to achieve that record.  Just look at the upcoming schedule.  Probably not gonna be 6-2 in the final 8 games.  And if for some reason an 8-8 team in the AFC can snatch up a Wild Card spot, the Browns would still have to finish 5-3.  That is possible, but an 8-8 playoff team is a longshot.

BERNIE: If the Browns won't make the playoffs, then why should I watch them and why should my Dad get excited about watching them for the rest of the year?

COACH: The new hype and excitement for the 2008 Browns is Brady Quinn.  There is a good chance the Browns won't make the playoffs.  But you have to keep in mind that Derek Anderson led the Browns to a 3-5 start.  Can Quinn muster up more than 3 wins in the Browns final 8 games?  That is the question.  It will be fun and exciting watching the young phenom take the reigns of a struggling offense and see what he can do with it.  Can he help turn the team around or not?  That is the question.  Sure, there will be some growing pains and that is expected.  But we must look at the little things.  How many times will Quinn be sacked compared to the rate at which Anderson was going down?  Can Quinn keep the INTs down?  Can he keep his completion percentage up?  If he can do all these things, then the move to bench Anderson and start Quinn was a good one because at the very least he can use the remainder of 2008 to prepare for 2009.  This is a young team and the sooner Quinn is under center doing the little things that Anderson could not do, the better the Browns will be in 2009 and beyond.

BERNIE: Thanks Coach, for making me happy again.  I'll watch the Browns with my dad and we will be happy.  I'll eat my chips and drink my juice and my dad will be happy with his beers.

COACH: One day, Bernie, and you too will be drinking those beers with your pops, enjoying the Browns on Sundays.  Just stick by them when they are down and you will love them that much more when they are up.  Trust me.

BROWNS SPUTTERING OFFENSE

By: Coach

And the Browns blow another one.

Leading 27-13 with 1:10 to go in the 3rd quarter, the Ravens scored 24 unanswered points over the final 16 minutes of the game.

Go Browns. Instead of improving to 4-4, we dropped to 3-5.

Allow me to play Devil's Advocate for a minute. Let's say the Browns hold on to beat the Ravens yesterday and the Steelers lose to the Redskins tonight. The AFC North standings would have been:

Pittsburgh 5-3 -
Cleveland 4-4 1 back
Baltimore 4-4 1 back
Cincinnati 1-8 4.5 back

We'd be right where we need to be in correcting that despicable 0-3 start to the season. Instead, the Browns lost and as our luck will more than likely have it, the Steelers will gain another game over us with a win over the 'Skins. And the standings will be:

Pittsburgh 6-2 -
Baltimore 5-3 1 back
Cleveland 3-5 3 back
Cincinnati 1-8 5.5 back

If you comb over the box score from yesterday's game you will see that Anderson completed 17 passes. Nine of those were to Edwards (4 recpt, 86 yds rec, 1 TD) and Winslow (5 recpt, 64 yds rec).

With these two marquee players clicking like they were over the first three quarters, why not throw to them when the game is on the line and potentially slipping away?

Part of the problem with the Browns' ugly 4th quarter performance yesterday was play calling. But the other issue was the fact that Anderson's field vision was subpar – as is always the case lately it seems.

Take a look at this play calling and Anderson's target receivers as the game was winding down yesterday:

The Browns ran the ball during that span eight times for 23 yards (Lewis 13, Anderson 8 and Wright 2). There was even one instance when we were losing and it was 2nd and 11, and Anderson handed off to Lewis for a 3-yard gain, leaving us with a 3rd and 8.

The Browns passed 12 times during the Ravens comeback. Anderson completed only 3 of those passes for 21 yards. He was picked off once (the one that was returned for a score). Of his 12 passes with the game on the line, look at who he targeted:


PLAYER TARGET RECPT YDS
Steptoe 3 1 3
Edwards 3 0 0
Wright 2 1 12
Sanders 2 0 0
Winslow 1 1 6
Harrison 1 0 0

Twelve pass attempts while trying to win the game, and Anderson was 1-for-4 throwing to his playmakers, generating a whole 6 yards.

The Browns lost yesterday's game because they felt as though 27 points against the Ravens was enough. It wasn't. And when the Ravens started clicking over the final 16-plus minutes, the Browns were playing to protect a lead and run the clock instead of playing to put more points on the board.

And when the Ravens had a 37-27 lead, it was too late. The offense was out of sync and the role players were relied upon too heavily.

Maybe now the light will be seen by BB Romeo and he will realize just how mediocre and inconsistent Anderson really is, and Quinn will get a shot under center.

BROWNS AND THE ELUSIVE 3-GAME WINNING STREAK
The last time the Browns had a 3-game winning streak was last season. The three teams they BARELY beat: Miami (41-31), St. Louis (27-20) and Seattle (33-30, OT).

Last 3-game win streak prior to that? Try seven years ago. It was weeks 2-4 of the 2001 season, when the Browns beat: Detroit (24-14), Jacksonville (23-14) and San Diego (20-16).

OHIO STATE HAVING NO SO BAD A SEASON: JUST LOOK AT MICHIGAN
So how spoiled are we to think that Ohio State is having an "off" year, considering they are 7-2 and ranked No. 11 in the BCS?

Our two losses came against No. 7 USC (7-1) and No. 3 Penn State (9-0). That ain't so bad. Sure, the Buckeyes don't beat up and score on teams like they used to in the late 90s. But heck, they are still strong title contender most years. And when Ohio State is not competing for a title, they still usually end up in the Top 10.

Take a gander at their final AP ranking over the last seven years compared to Michigan:

YEAR OSU UM
2002 1 9
2003 4 6
2004 20 14
2005 4 NR
2006 2 8
2007 5 18
*2008 12 NR
*currently

Look at how Michigan is doing this year and be grateful we are not in their shoes. The Wolverines are sitting pretty low at 2-7. They've lost to Utah and Toledo this year! One of their wins came against Miami (Ohio) and that score was only 16-6!

You would have to go back to 1897 to find the last Ohio State team that lost at least 7 games. In 1988, the Buckeyes had 7 games in which they did not win, but finished 4-6-1. The 1897 team finished 1-8.