Dawg Pound Lounge ,

It’s obviously not something that we planned,” Browns general manager Tom Heckert said last Saturday. “We wanted to keep the best 53 or what we consider the best 53 no matter what position, if we have to go light at one position or heavy at another one, we were willing to do it so I think it worked out that way at least right now and we’ll see how it goes.”

Liar ..Heckert your lying of course you planned it that way when you treated free agency like a red headed step child . when you had 13 draft picks to work with this season you knew that a young roster was going to get younger . dont tell me that you didnt plan it that way .


Holmgren said that he expects a big jump this year ?? really ??  it may happen but with all these youngsters and no veterans to help bridge the gap i have my doubts .

I hope TD , Irish are right and that i am wrong on this season but Bluez only sees growing pains . at times excruciating hair pulling throwing things at the TV ranting & raving like a lunatic at all the mistakes excruciating !

we will find out Sunday ..get your popcorn ready . at least they should be watchable this season . they had better be prepared to play . they werent last season in the Puppets first . what a total embarassement .


just gimme 7 wins this year . be ready to play on gamedays . act like you know what your doing out there . have a pulse . cut out the hair pulling mental mistakes that drive me crazy .i cant stand a lack of discipline in anything .

Give me hope that this thing will work . like Poision said in one of there tunes ..give me something to believe in .

 

Hey Bluesz. Sorry I didn't get to my baseball team before deadline today - won't happen again. Crazy frickin' weekend!

Beach i understand with the Holliday weekend . its crunch time for those fighting for playoff slots .

i know i am in & am pretty sure that the Monsoons will get in as a WC . that leaves two slots up for grabs .

you guys & gals have gone at it pretty good this season . i hope you all enjoyed it . i will do it again next year . i am kicking the recliner ..he is outta here .he was on me all winter long to start a league so whats he do ? screw the pooch . he hasnt been to work in a month . i dont know how he has kept his job . some are just lucky like that i guess .

 

dont forget your picks or rosters as the NFL Kicks off this Wednsday  night .

Beach i just checked the scores .i might have spoken to soon about the Monsoons getting in . he didnt set his either and Irish is kicking him good ..count that as a 4 game losing streak for the Monsoons as i am sure Irish has this week won with one more to go before playoffs start . good stuff .

count that as a 4 game losing streak for the Monsoons as i am sure Irish has this week won

Kiss of death!!

Thanks bluez!!

Pat McManamon on the unique challenges of the ownership change.

[2 Comments]

Article courtesy of [FOX Sports Ohio]. Follow Pat on Twitter by [clicking here.] Follow his revived "Beside the Point" blog by [clicking here].

BEREA -- Mike Holmgren will join Jimmy Haslam to represent the [Cleveland Browns] when the NFL owners meet in October in Chicago.

There the league’s other 31 owners will no doubt vote to approve the sale of the Browns from Randy Lerner to Haslam.

Which puts Holmgren in the unusual position of attending the vote that might lead to him being removed as Browns president.

Holmgren shrugged, but briefly acknowledged this is a unique environment for anyone working for the team.

“This is a time period that’s a little unusual,” Holmgren said Monday as met the local media prior to the season opener. “It’s a little different for everybody involved.”

There is one precedent for this oddity.

When Daniel Snyder bought the Redskins he sent Charley Casserly to an owners meeting to cast a vote in favor of a sale that was going to cost him his job. Asked how it felt, Casserley said: “You know the answer to that question.”

Holmgren, though, said he does not know how the vote will affect his future. Haslam has steadfastly refused to talk about what changes he might -- or might not -- make with personnel, front office and otherwise, and Holmgren said he hasn’t asked.

When a couple hypotheticals were posed to him -- ‘Would you accept a different role’ was one -- he said to hold on and see how things played out.

But he started his news conference by saying he intended to finish his five-year contract -- which is in the middle of its third year.

“I’ve never quit at anything in my life,” he said.

Holmgren said he’s seen just about everything in his NFL life, and this experience of working with uncertainty is just another thing to accept. He recently met with all the Browns employees and told them: Keep on keeping on.

“We’ll see what happens,” Holmgren said.

Holmgren’s attitude is almost vital for the team because teams follow their leaders. And Holmgren leads the Browns -- at least through October. If he gave up, the inclination for everyone would be to give up.

But, a sale of a team brings great uncertainty. New owners almost always want their guys in charge, and if a coaching staff or front office feels its future is unknown it can spend half its time wondering about where it will be, or can be, next season. And that can happen while a staff still works hard to win this season.

That’s simple human nature -- in any job.

And it’s one of the Browns greatest challenges as the team tries to build off a miserable 2011 season that ended 4-12. But a difficult schedule combined with uncertainty means winning while building might be more of a challenge than usual.

That does not dissuade Holmgren -- winning with uncertainty might be more rewarding in some ways -- or shake his belief in the people he brought in and hired.

“I’ll stick with what I’ve said all along even prior to this happening,” Holmgren said. “My expectations are that we are better this year. “

Since the sale of the team was abruptly announced the first day of training camp, things have progressed more normally than not.

“I think the players. I think the coaches have handled things beautifully,” Holmgren said. “Who knows what’s in the deepest thoughts of people’s minds, but on the surface and how we’re preparing and how we’re putting the team together, I like what I see.”

The one unusual element has nothing to do with the sale -- and that is the Browns decision to keep 15 rookies.

“In this locker room my three-year-old is old,” said tight end [Ben Watson]. “Golly, we are a young team.”

Strange as it sounds, the Browns insist they were not aware of that fact as they chose the guys they felt were the best players. Holmgren said he didn’t want to admit he was “startled,” but added “it’s a pretty young group.”

“We’ve chosen to build a team that way,” Holmgren said. “We’ve said it before: We’re building a foundation so the team can be good for a long time. We’re just in the beginning stages.”

That implies the management knows it will be around to reap the rewards of building young, but nobody other than perhaps Haslam knows - or if they do they aren’t admitting it. What the present Browns do say is they are not distracted by the sale.

“Maybe it should be harder, I don’t know,” GM Tom Heckert said. “Did we talk about it when it first happened, yeah we did. It is what it is. We’ve got to do what we do. Hopefully we’re going to be better and hopefully we show that we know what we’re doing.”

“You can drive yourself crazy thinking about that stuff.”

Haslam has been smart enough to support the people in place, though he’s also not come out and guaranteed their future beyond saying the Browns win or they don’t.

But the Browns will try to win with a formula set up for the long-term, not the short: With a rookie at quarterback and running back, against a brutally difficult schedule, with 15 rookies.

Can it be done? Stranger things have happened, though clearly not often.

“This football team,” Holmgren said, “even though it’s young is much better.”

The question is whether ‘better’ shows in the record and what exactly “better” means to the guy taking over in October.

With football season upon us now, NGS has made some changes and additions. Firstly, I would like to welcome all the new users. With almost 100 new users in the last month, it's been fun to see all the action. For those users who haven't used us in a while, or haven't figured out how to navigate, come back and try it again. We have modified the layout and look. It's very easy to get around now! Also, there are all the pick 'ems games just waiting for more people to play!

The NFL Team boards are back! So bring your team cheer and knowledge in, and maybe a bit of divisional banter to the other teams!

Remember if you visited us before, and you weren't sure of the layout or posting methods we are here to help! Many users didn't have the easy "quick reply" box after the last post. So they have been turned on for everyone. It makes posting very easy.

Hope to see you all "on the boards" very soon!!!

Regards,

The Admin team at NGS Forums

[http://ngsforums.com/forums/index.p
hp]

Get your rosters set .

get your picks in


football starts tonight


Gooooo G Men

Giants LB Chase Blackburn kick azz tonight buddy ! we are all pulling for you

Just wanted to say, Good Luck this season against everyone except Pittsburgh.

Bluezy - u might be getting your wish soon. Art Modells about ready to croak 

Bluezy - u might be getting your wish soon. Art Modells about ready to croak 

Woooooooo Hooooooooooooo


i just read that



what took the miserable SOB so long



only question i have is where do i pee next


who is going to get me out of jail ?


better yet who will be in the cell with me

Sol ..thanks buddy ..long time no speaky

 

good luck to you ...not the Steelers

Local news media...bah

All were gonna hear for a wk now is how great Modell was  

I have what may appear as an odd request . . .

The Rat Bastard has a family.  Let's try to keep it civil until at least the SOB is pushing up daisies and then anything is fair game.

The Rat Bastard has a family.

Reason I have been silent so far lym...good post my friend!

I have what may appear as an odd request . . .

The Rat Bastard has a family.  Let's try to keep it civil until at least the SOB is pushing up daisies and then anything is fair game.

A very reasonable request Lyman.  And normally I would agree.  But in this instance, I'm not so sure.  I can't seem to recall his family ever talking Art out of making the deal to move the team.  The city was ready to (or did - I can't remember) pass taxes/levees (sp?) to help out the Browns and keep them in town.  Modell turned the dagger in the backs of a million-plus fans when he said he wouldn't move the Browns and then made the deal behind the scenes.  Do you think his family tried to stop him?  I think it may have been quite a difficult decision but I'm pretty sure nobody in his family said "Don't do it."  They consoled him afterwards and helped him to live with his decision.  As far as I'm concerned, they are just as guilty by "aiding and abetting" that S-O-B.  They thought more of him than the people of Cleveland and helped Art line his pockets with Baltimore's cash and in turn served their own self-interests of a continued comfortable life-style and a future inheritance.

To hell with all the Modells.  I can't hold my tongue on this one.  And I will apologize to any I may offend with my lack of respect towards his family.  For his family to not be outspoken and outraged with his lying straight to the face of all of Cleveland, telling them he wouldn't move the Browns, is absolutely unforgivable.

Heartless, soul-less, scum sucking SOB!  Rot in Hell Art!

Moot point now.


The Bas-turds dead!!!!!

I have what may appear as an odd request . . .

The Rat Bastard has a family.  Let's try to keep it civil until at least the SOB is pushing up daisies and then anything is fair game.

Not odd at all Lym.  I can respect that he does have a family and they probably did care for him.  I'll hold off on handing out the party favors and allow for a brief period of mourning...  


















P.S.

Has anyone started up a collection for Bluez's bail $$

P.S. Has anyone started up a collection for Bluez's bail $$

50 cents from every Kool-Aid sold this season goes towards the Bluez Bail & Defense Fund.

R.I.H. Art..... you Worthless Bas-Turd!!!!
(Rot In Hell) 

respect for his family ? how much respect did we get in 95 ? that weird kid of his still makes my skin crawl 

 

i bought all the books on the move . grant it the politicians were also at fault but he is the one who pulled the trigger . i have no spmpathy for him or his family . dont belive the crap that he left our colors out 0f the goodness of his heart they were packed and ready to leave as well untill we marched in the streets shouting our team our colors !! shutting the league down to the point they left them .

 

the stadium deal was offered in November 95 but it was to late as he alreaday pulled the trigger on the move or sell out . the miserable SOB stole a bid piece of my childhood that day and more . we havent been the same since . my passion hasnt ben the same since . maybe its the way this franchis has stumbled around the last 12 years ?. but that move ripped something out of me that may never be replaced .


its funnt as i liked the old BMore Colts ans was upset when they were moved in the middle of the night . its hard talking with Ratbird fans . most dont remeber that . most just want to spew there crap . all i want to do is smack them in the mouth .


its a hatred ..

no sympathy from me for him his wife or those weird kids

ROT IN HELL Art you effing rat bastard !

I bet they cremate the miserable SOB


I will pee on something somewhere dammit

I just came over to see what Browns fans would say about Art Modell croaking. I remember how bitter you fans were when he sold out the best fans in the NFL with a Swift kick in the nads. I'm not disappointed. Looking forward to reading more post when you guys play the Steelers. Those are awesome.

Art Modell, former owner of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens passes away at the age of 87.

[3 Comments]

BALTIMORE (AP) -- One of the most influential owners in the history of the NFL, Art Modell helped mold the foundation of the league.

The innovative Modell, whose reputation was forever tainted when he moved his franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore, died early Thursday. He was 87.

David Modell said he and his brother, John, were at their father's side when he "died peacefully of natural causes."

"'Poppy' was a special man who was loved by his sons, his daughter-in-law Michel, and his six grandchildren," David Modell said. "Moreover, he was adored by the entire Baltimore community for his kindness and generosity. And, he loved Baltimore."

Modell was among the most important figures in the NFL as owner of the Cleveland Browns, who became the Ravens after he took the team to Baltimore in 1996 -- a move that hounded him the rest of his life.

The Ravens won their lone Super Bowl in January 2001, less than a year after Modell sold a minority interest of the team to Steve Bisciotti. In April 2004, Bisciotti completed purchase of the franchise but left Modell a 1 percent share.

During his four decades as an NFL owner, Modell helped negotiate the league's lucrative contracts with television networks, served as president of the NFL from 1967 to 1969, and chaired the negotiations for the first the collective bargaining agreement with the players in 1968.

He also was the driving force behind the 1970 contract between the NFL and ABC to televise games on Monday night.

At one time one of Cleveland's biggest civic leaders, Modell became a pariah in Ohio after he moved the team.

"I have a great legacy, tarnished somewhat by the move," he said in 1999. "The politicians and the bureaucrats saw fit to cover their own rear ends by blaming it on me."

The move was also believed to be the main reason why Modell never made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was one of 15 finalists in 2001 and a semifinalist seven times between 2004 and 2011.

"I believe Art belongs in the Hall of Fame," former New York Giants owner Wellington Mara, now deceased, said in 2002. "I don't think I know a person who has done more for the league than Modell, especially through television."

Modell's Browns were among the best teams of the 1960s, led during his first few years as owner by legendary running back Jim Brown. Cleveland won the NFL championship in 1964 -- Modell's only title with the Browns -- and played in the title game in 1965, 1968 and 1969.

Modell said he lost millions of dollars operating the Browns in Cleveland and cited the state of Maryland's financial package, including construction of a $200 million stadium, as his reasons for going to Baltimore. The Ravens replaced the Baltimore Colts, who moved to Indianapolis in 1984.

"This has been a very, very tough road for my family and me," Modell said at the time of the move. "I leave my heart and part of my soul in Cleveland. But frankly, it came down to a simple proposition: I had no choice."

Ironically, the cost of the move to Baltimore left him financially strapped and left him no choice but to put in motion the chain of events that enabled Bisciotti to assume majority ownership of the franchise.

Bisciotti has since poured millions into the team, financing construction of a lavish practice facility in Owings Mills, Md. As a tribute to Modell, Bisciotti insisted that a huge oil painting of Modell be hung above the fireplace at the entrance to the complex.

Modell wasn't the kind of owner who operated his team from an office. He mingled with the players and often watched every minute of practice.

"Art talked with me every day when I played in Baltimore," former Ravens tight end Shannon Sharpe said. "He knew everything about what was going on in my life. He showed real concern. But, it wasn't just me. He knew the practice squad players' names. He treated them the same. He was out at practice when it was 100 degrees and when the December snows came. I loved playing for him."

Born June 23, 1925, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Arthur B. Modell dropped out of high school at age 15 and worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard cleaning out the hulls of ships to help out his financially strapped family after the death of his father.

He completed high school in night class, joined the Air Force in 1943, and then enrolled in a television school after World War II. He used that education to produce one of the first regular daytime television programs before moving into the advertising business in 1954.

A group of friends led by Modell purchased the Browns in 1961 for $4 million -- a figure he called "totally excessive."

"You get few chances like this," he said at the time. "To take advantage of the opportunity, you must have money and friends with more."

Aside from his work with the Browns, Modell became a leader in the Cleveland community. He served on the board of directors of a number of large companies, including the Ohio Bell Telephone Co., the Higbee Co. and the 20th Century-Fox Film Corp.

Modell and his wife, Patricia, continued their charitable ways in Baltimore, donating millions of dollars to The Seed School of Maryland, a boarding school in Maryland for disadvantaged youths; Johns Hopkins Hospital; and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. The couple also gave $3.5 million to the Lyric, which was renamed the Patricia & Art Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric.

Patricia, his wife of 42 years, passed away in 2011.

Modell was beloved in Baltimore, and hoped one day the people of Cleveland would remember him for what he accomplished in the city. Long after the move, Modell pointed out that Cleveland ultimately got the new stadium he coveted, and that the expansion version of the Browns could draw on the history he helped create.

"I think that part of my legacy is I left the colors, the name and the records in Cleveland," Modell said. "The fans in Cleveland were loyal and supportive. They lived and died with me every Sunday for 35 years."

Lying miserable SOB ..You left no colors we fought like hell to keep those

if they ask for a moment of silience Sunday all i want to hear is ..


Jump Art Jump !

even after he left the stupid miserable SOB was STILL Broke ???????????

 

he had to sell his majority share of the Ravens ..it would have been funny if they would have moved them again

By [Fred Greetham] OBR Senior Browns Reporter
Posted Sep 6, 2012

Browns' head coach and offensive coordinator are excited about rookie QB Brandon Weeden's demeanor and skill set as he is set to begin his NFL career Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

[0 Comments]

BEREA —There are several [Cleveland Browns] players who will make their NFL debuts on Sunday, including top picks [Trent Richardson], [Mitchell Schwartz] and [Josh Gordon].

However, the biggest debut will be of quarterback [Brandon Weeden], the 22nd overall pick from [Oklahoma State].

Weeden knows this is not the same stage as when he made his professional debut as a pitcher in the Yankees organization in Tampa in a Class A game.

“I realize how big of a stage this is, and how important it is to this town and to the guys in the locker room,” he said. “This is the big leagues. This is the show.

“I don’t think there was a person in the stands when I pitched my first game in Tampa when I was with the Yankees. So I’ve got a lot more on my plate, a lot more on my shoulders, but I’m extremely excited to play this first one against Philly.”

Offensive coordinator [Brad Childress] said he thinks Weeden’s experience in baseball will help him because when you give up “a homerun, you can’t blame the shortstop.”

“He never lets you see him sweat,” Childress said. “He’s wired the way you want him to be.”

Shurmur said he likes the way Weeden handles adversity.

“That’s one of the traits that you like to see in a guy that’s very competitive,” Shurmur said. “…You don’t want a player that’s going to reel. We’ve seen it with quarterbacks and other players, how many times have you seen a guy make a mistake and then turn around and make another one?

“There’s something about the way these guys train themselves when you don’t want to see that. The fact that he can get rid of a mistake, because he’s going to make a few Sunday, let’s just face it. Every player out there’s going to make a few. Now, they’ve got to limit the ones they make, so that we can win. When you make one, you’ve got to get it correct, forget and move on.”

Childress said he hasn’t seen anything that makes him think Weeden is over his head.

“He’s plenty smart,” Childress said. “He’s probably his own worst critic. It remains to be seen how he does over 16 games. He’s a tough enough kid.”

Shurmur says he’s been around Weeden enough to feel he can handle to pressure of an NFL game.

“I’ve seen him operate here in the offseason,” Shurmur said. “I’ve seen him operate in training camp. I’ve had a chance to interact with him on a daily basis for a very long time now. I’m very confident that he’s going to do a good job.”

Shurmur said he’s seen the maturity in Weeden, despite being a first-year player.

“I think there’s a veteran presence there even though he’s a rookie, which you need because sooner or later you’re standing out there in the middle of the field, and it’s the crowd and the opponent and you have to make a play,” Shurmur said. “There’s just got to be something in you deep that’s just going to help you do that. I think I see that.”

Shurmur said he has not seen the ‘deer in the headlights’ look or ‘rookie stare’ from Weeden.

“I think when you watch him play in practice there are times when he’ll make a rookie mistake,” Shurmur said. “I haven’t seen the rookie stare though. That’s a good phrase.”

Childress concurred.

“By all measures, this is the next step,” he said. “I think he has come along about as expected. He’s a flat line guy and you appreciate that.”

Weeden said the task at hand for the Browns isn’t monumental, but they are going up against a very good team in the Eagles.

“Obviously, their defensive line is solid,” he said. “You’ve got to get the ball out quick. But you’ve got to protect them. That’s really the moral of the story. In order to be able to win, you’ve got to be able to run the football and you’ve got to be able to throw the ball down field-- you’ve got to do the small things.”

Albeit the preseason, Weeden got a rude awakening when the Eagles pressured him the majority of the time he was in the game, causing a strip sack and fumble.

“But it all starts with protecting, especially with out front five, including our backs,” he said. “Obviously, they’re extremely fast off the football and their main objective is to hit me in the chin, so they’re good. They’re great football players.”

Notebook

Modell’s Passing: Former Browns owner Art Modell died early Thursday morning in Baltimore. Modell owned the Browns for 34 years before moving the team to Baltimore in November 1995.

The Browns released a short statement on Modell’s passing:

“The Cleveland Browns would like to extend their deepest condolences to the entire Modell family.”

“When I first came into the league, (Modell) was one of the owners that reached out to me,” Mike Holmgren said. “I knew David (Modell) and my heart goes out to the family.”

Holmgren said he was to interview with Modell in 1999 with the Ravens before he took the job with the Seahawks and Modell always teased him about that.

Injury Report: Did not practice: OL [Oniel Cousins] (ankle), OL [John Greco] (calf), LB [James-Michael Johnson] (ribs/oblique). Limited in practice: TE [Jordan Cameron] (groin), DB [Eric Hagg] (illness), QB [Thaddeus Lewis] (thumb), RB [Chris Ogbonnaya] (ankle), DB [Dimitri Patterson] (knee), DB Ray Ventrone (hamstring), TE [Ben Watson] (thigh) and DB [Usama Young] (thigh).

Jauron Wary of Vick: Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said the defense will have a tough time trying to contain the weapons of the Eagles starting with QB [Michael Vick].

“Not many people really ever have (contained him),” Jauron said. “He’s an extremely talented player, who can do it all. I believe you have to play your game. He’s going to make plays and hopefully you can limit him.”

Mike Holmgren said the other day that he was confident the defense would be all right despite missing several starters to start the season.

“That was nice of him to say that,” Jauron said. “I’ll thank him when I see him. I don’t make any plays. I like our guys. I like our staff a lot. I believe we’ll be tested.”

Childress Appreciates Richardson: Offensive coordinator Brad Childress coached RB [Adrian Peterson] as a rookie and said the Browns are on a different path with Richardson because of his injury. However, he is looking forward to seeing him play.

“He’s gifted,” Childress said. “I don’t think you get an appreciation and full measure until you see him in pads.”

if they ask for a moment of silience Sunday all i want to hear is ..

Sunday??? He died on Thursday...I was talking about a moratorium up until the life force left the rotting flesh...

They would be dumb to ask for a moment of silence, because it will be followed by a minute of Boos...NO ONE in that stadium will go quiet, or lose a moment of their lives worrying about it...Guess what else? The national media won't blame us one bit!


The best option would be just ignore the fact he is gone and let it pass...