Go Browns Pittsburgh SUCKS...

My sentiments exactly, Bluez.  Happy Thanksgiving Wednesday to all.  Be safe, festive, and grateful for all that has been given, often by people we will never meet.  May your families be safe and thrive throughout the holiday season, into 2013, and beyond. 

The Morning Kickoff …

This day has come: When Jimmy Haslam was introduced as the new Browns owner on Aug. 3, he was asked about his affiliation as a minority ownership partner (12 ½ percent) in the hated Pittsburgh Steelers the previous four years.

“Let me say this,” Haslam responded. “Even though I understand the rivalry between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, I get it … and our main goal is to return that to a real rivalry.”

In Haslam’s four years as a Steelers’ minority owner, he attended all eight meetings with the Browns and watched them win seven times, outscoring the Browns, 170-64. In those seven losses, the Browns scored fewer than 10 points five times. Their only double-digit scoring sprees amounted to 10, 13 and 14 points.

In those four years of apprenticing for his eventual role as a majority team owner, Haslam watched the Steelers reach the playoffs three times, appear in two Super Bowls and win one.

The only time the Steelers didn’t make the playoffs was in 2009 when the Browns beat them in Cleveland, 13-6. In fact, every year the Browns won a game against the Steelers in the expansion era – 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2009 – the Steelers failed to make the playoffs.

Sunday marks the latest date on the calendar for the first of the usual two meetings with the Steelers. (The Browns conclude their season Dec. 30 in Pittsburgh.) Right now the Steelers, 6-4, would qualify as the AFC’s second wild card and sixth seed.

The Steelers arrive in Cleveland Browns Stadium reeling, needing to play their third quarterback in three games and still without their best defensive player. With games next week at Baltimore and another game Dec. 23 against Cincinnati, which is breathing down their necks a game behind, the Steelers know that a loss to the Browns this Sunday – or even in the season finale on Dec. 30 – could derail them and knock them out of the playoffs.

The Steeler Way: In his introductory press conference, Haslam talked of the Steelers doing things “the right way.”

“They have the Steeler way of doing things,” Haslam said. “They build through the draft and those are the things that I learned there.”

The Steelers are also among the most resilient teams and organizations in the NFL. They don’t panic when adversity hits. They are 6-4 and in the AFC playoff hunt despite losing:

* Their star quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, in their ninth game with rib and shoulder injuries. He is out indefinitely.

* Their No. 1 running back, Rashard Mendenhall, for seven of 10 games because of offseason ACL surgery.

* Their No. 2 wide receiver, Antonio Brown, for two games (probably three on Sunday) with a rib injury.

* Their top draft pick, guard David DeCastro, for the season, and starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert, for most of the season, with injuries.

* Their top outside linebacker and pass rusher, James Harrison, for all of training camp and three games with a knee injury that required two procedures. Harrison, the league’s most intimidating head-hunter of his era, who has knocked out three Cleveland players in the past three years, has not been the same player because of the knee problems.

* Their premier play-making safety, Troy Polamalu, for eight games with a torn calf injury.

All this and the Steelers are in the playoff hunt.

Reality check: Haslam has infused the organization, team and long-suffering market with his Type A personality. According to a report by ESPN Cleveland’s Will Burge, Haslam intends to debut a new player introduction production on Sunday with pyrotechnics orchestrated by the same firm employed by the Baltimore Ravens.

The smoke and fireworks won’t hide the fact the stadium will be far under the listed capacity of 73,200. The Browns have had 28 consecutive home games below an announced paid attendance of 70,000. The actual in-house figures are generally much less. Stadium corporate suites are about one-third empty. How this team avoids a local TV blackout is a mystery.

Steelers fans routinely have occupied a large portion of the stadium seats during the current lopsided turn in the rivalry. They make their presence known because their team almost always wins. The game usually ends with an embarrassing display of yellow Terrible Towels waving the Browns bye-bye for another year.

This game on Sunday, if it turns ugly as it usually does, will give Haslam a valuable first-hand look at where the Browns are and how much work there is to be done to return this stale franchise back to relevance, dignity and innovation.

It’s an organization thing, not just a team thing, and it all starts at the top.

Steelers fans routinely have occupied a large portion of the stadium seats during the current lopsided turn in the rivalry. They make their presence known because their team almost always wins. The game usually ends with an embarrassing display of yellow Terrible Towels waving the Browns bye-bye for another year.

This game on Sunday, if it turns ugly as it usually does, will give Haslam a valuable first-hand look at where the Browns are and how much work there is to be done to return this stale franchise back to relevance, dignity and innovation.

It’s an organization thing, not just a team thing, and it all starts at the top.

here i go again . there was a time when teams fans wouldnt even think about acting up in OUR HOUSE . they would set down by the first base line and keep there mouth shut ..there was no waving pee yellow towels .. not without them getting taken away and stuffed down there throats .

the wussification of the NFL & the Browns continues

I miss the old stadium

By [Fred Greetham] OBR Senior Browns Reporter
Posted Nov 21, 2012

Without their starter and backup because of injury, the Steelers are expected to start third-string quarterback Charlie Batch, who has yet to throw a pass in the 2012 season.

[3 Comments]

BEREA — The bad news is that [Ben Roethlisberger] is 14-1 against the Browns in his career.

The good news is that he’s not going to play Sunday against the Browns after suffering a shoulder and rib injury two weeks ago. Last week, his replacement, [Byron Leftwich] broke two ribs and will miss this game.

The Steelers are expected to start their third-string quarterback [Charlie Batch] Sunday. On Tuesday, the Steelers signed former St. Ignatius quarterback Brian Hoyer to back up Batch. Batch will turn 38 on Dec. 5. He has yet to throw a pass in the 2012 season.

In fact, Batch is well-rested having thrown no more than 53 passes in a season since 2001. He threw 53 passes in 2006. In 2011, Batch appeared in four games and was just 15-of-24 for 208 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. In 2009, Batch threw one pass and none in 2008.

The Browns respect Batch and what he brings to the Steelers.

“We know Batch from years previous,” Pat Shurmur said. “I think when veteran quarterbacks come in they tend to do well. I didn’t see them do much different with Leftwich. They’re style won’t change. They like to run the football and I don’t see them changing much.”

Shurmur said there are obvious differences between Roethlisberger and Batch.

“Ben is tough to bring down and he can extend plays,” Shurmur said. “That’s one of the things that makes him tough to defend.”

Roethlisberger missed one game of his career against the Browns in 2005. Batch stepped in and delivered a 34-21 victory for the Steelers.

“There are very few people that are Ben Roethlisberger,” defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said. “Charlie Batch has played a lot in this league and has a lot of experience. He certainly will control their offense. He doesn’t have the arm strength of Roethlisberger, but we’ll have our hands full.”

Notebook

Haden Back: The Browns are hoping that two of their top cornerbacks are back this week. DB [Joe Haden] (oblique) and DB [Dimitri Patterson] (ankle) missed last week’s game. Haden was on the practice field during the time open to the media. However, Patterson was not. Two other defensive backs, [Buster Skrine] (head) and [Ray Ventrone] (hand/calf) were also not on the field.

Skrine, who suffered a head injury against the Cowboys is believed to have suffered a concussion.

“He’s working through the process,” Shurmur said.

Another Rookie Captain: The Browns will have their third rookie captain of the season. DB [Johnson Bademosi] was named for this week’s game. Earlier this season, RB [Trent Richardson] was a captain, as was QB [Brandon Weeden].

Bademosi, an undrafted free agent from [Stanford], made his mark on special teams, but was pressed into service at cornerback last week when DB Buster Skrine was injured.

Jauron was asked if Bademosi will play cornerback against the Steelers.

“It depends on the injury situation,” Jauron said. “He obviously did a nice job. We really like Johnson and he’s a tough guy. He wants to do it well. He works at it all the time. He’s a terrific young man.”

Jauron said that Bademosi will continue to develop and the reason he hasn’t played more in the secondary is because of his lack of experience.

“It’s really due to lack of experience and technique,” Jauron said. “It will take some time. The experience last week was invaluable to him.”

Jauron Not Down on Skrine: Second-year CB Buster Skrine is coming off a tough game where he not only was injured but was flagged for three penalties that gave the Cowboys first downs. He also was beaten throughout the game by WR [Dez Bryant], who had a career-best day.

“Buster is the type of player you like to coach,” Jauron said. “He battles and never quits. He’s at a disadvantage against some of the bigger receivers, but you have to battle because the offense is pushing and shoving.”

Plaxico’s Impact: The Steelers signed veteran WR [Plaxico Burress] to shore up their receiving corps. Burress, 35, was not signed after playing last season with the Jets. He is expected to play Sunday.

“Much like Charlie Batch playing, veterans tend to come in and make an impact,” Shurmur said. “I’ve known Plaxico since high school and at [Michigan State]. I’ve watched him and have a great deal of respect for him and I’m sure they’ll get him up and running.”

Shurmur knows it will nearly impossible for Burress to know the entire playbook in one week.

“When you’re brand new to anything, nothing is seamless,” Shurmur said. “They have good coaches and they’ll bring him up to speed quickly.”

Shurmur was asked if the Browns considered signing Burress in the off-season.

“We considered him and talked about him,” he said. “Obviously, he was a big name free agent, but I will keep those personnel decisions private.”

Running Room: Shurmur was asked about RB Trent Richardson perceived lack of production in the second half of last week’s game as he had just 33 yards after picking up 62 in the first half. He was stopped on four occasions for no gain on third down.

“There are times when the running back gets stop for no gain,” Shurmur said. There can be numerous reasons for it. There could be no hole. A guy comes free.”

Richardson said after the game that he felt he left yards on the field.

“That’s a competitive guy,” Shurmur said. “Even though he had a huge impact on the game, he wants to do more.”

[Brad Childress] said there are different reasons for being stopped.

“Would he want a couple plays back?” Childress said. “Yeah, but he had 95 yards. I think they were all different kinds of plays from different spots on the field. By and large, he’s going to do the right thing.”

Childress likes the fact that between Richardson and RB [Montario Hardesty] the Browns were able to run the ball 33 times.

“I like the fact that we had 33 rushing attempts,” he said. “(Trent) didn’t have all of them. Hopefully, he’s the guy we’re talking about rushing the ball most of the time.”

Waving the White Flag: The Browns as part of a promotion are giving away inflatable white flags at Sunday’s game with the Steelers. The promotion is sponsored by Ticketmaster. The Steelers are known for their ‘Terrible Towels’ and the Browns are giving away white flags with the Browns helmet on the flag.

-IO Happy Thanksgiving LoungeHounds!!!

Happy Turkey Day lounge hounds  

Gobble gobble gobble...

I mean Woof Woof Woof  

The Steelers are expected to start their third-string quarterback [Charlie Batch] Sunday. On Tuesday, the Steelers signed former St. Ignatius quarterback [Brian Hoyer] to back up Batch. Batch will turn 38 on Dec. 5. He has yet to throw a pass in the 2012 season.

I wanted the Browns to bring in Hoyer.  I would have taken him over Colt McCoy and our third stringer any day.  Hell, he might even give Weeden a run for his money. 

The Browns will have their third rookie captain of the season. DB [[Johnson Bademosi]] was named for this week’s game. Earlier this season, RB [[Trent Richardson]] was a captain, as was QB [[Brandon Weeden]].

“It depends on the injury situation,” Jauron said. “He obviously did a nice job. We really like Johnson and he’s a tough guy. He wants to do it well. He works at it all the time. He’s a terrific young man.”

Forgot to mention Bademosi in the Good, The Bad, The Ugly section.  I think this guy is going to do big things as well.  I like his hard-natured style on the field and he seems have a knack for coverage.

“Much like Charlie Batch playing, veterans tend to come in and make an impact,” Shurmur said. “I’ve known Plaxico since high school and at [Michigan State]. I’ve watched him and have a great deal of respect for him and I’m sure they’ll get him up and running.”

Hmm, a veteran that makes an impact.  You know I wonder if I would have liked some kind of thing on my team at wide receiver to start the year.

“When you’re brand new to anything, nothing is seamless,” Shurmur said. “They have good coaches and they’ll bring him up to speed quickly.”

Hmm, good coaches bringing players along quickly?  That does sound nice.  Did he just say that? No, but seriously I respect the Browns coaching staff overall, but some of these playrs look like they have never played defensive back before and they're veterans!

Browns win this week....pittsburgh is not in any shape to make a playoff run(Charlie Batch---nah)...they will most likely miss the playoffs, while cinci will get in...don't forget, the last week of the season is cinci at balt....Baltimore MAY have the choice of allowing either cinci or pitt in the playoffs....hmm, wonder who they will choose....pitt should lose the next two and have a 6-6 record with 4 to play..This would tie cinci and pitts with the same division record, but put cinci with a one game overal lead on pittsburgh....


  

Be safe in your travels this Holliday weekend. may your bellys be full of the good stuff you so look forward to . be thankful for what you have . be aware of those who are less fortunate . not all are bad people . some are down on there luck due to no fault of there own .

Think of our troops who are serving our Nation  so that we can enjoy our Holliday meals with family & friends  . its because of them some of you will go all Stupid on Black Friday ..shop shop till ya drop ..i guess

Same sentiments from here as well. 


Take care all.  Have a safe and pleansant Turkeyday. 

Happy Thanksgiving everybody.  Hopefully a safe holiday for you and your families.


And a win over the Steelers wouldn't hurt either.

Hey Duff, what does everyone think about Weeden?

November 21, 2012 

CLEVELAND Browns

PatMcManamon

[] , Ohio — The Pittsburgh Steelers have the Terrible Towel. This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns will have the white flags.
Seriously.
The Browns announced on Wednesday on the team’s offficial Facebook page that fans who attend the game against the Steelers will receive an inflatable flag, which just happen to be white. (It does have the orange helmet on it.)
The inflatable flags will be given away by Ticketmaster.
Perhaps this is what happens when a team loses 16 of 17 to its “rival,” including the past four in a row. It has reached the point that the Steelers admitted that they have stopped looking on the Browns as a rival; former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter said that several years ago.
Included in the many Cleveland losses was an embarrasing shutout on Christmas Eve, and last season, when the Browns put Colt McCoy back in the game after James Harrison tried to drive his helmet through McCoy’s jaw.
Now comes the white flag.
Word spread quickly on Twitter, where fans were either laughing or aghast at the notion of the flag being white.
"Unreal. White flags?" wrote one fan. And he was among the kinder folks.
The Free Dictionary online defines the white flag as a “white cloth or flag signaling truce or surrender.”
And it goes back a ways. Slate reported that historians from ancient China and Rome wrote of soldiers using white flags to surrender. The tradition is believed to have started with the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 A.D.), though Tacitus mentions the white flag in his Histories.
The Geneva Convention recognizes the white flag, and the Italians have guidelines that mention the white flag as an indication of surrender talks.
Most recently, Iraqi soldiers waved white handkerchiefs when surrendering to US Forces in the first Iraq war.
The Browns aren’t surrendering, but one of their sponsors wants their fans to wave the white flag.
Only in Cleveland.

what idiot came up with waving a white flag around ? its a sign of surrender


what a MORON ..did you go to college to learn how to be an idiot .


Musta went to M*CH*GAN

==========(_)

 

 

Wild Turkey is free today through Friday .



I always do a traditional shot of Gobble Gobble 101 on Turkey Day eve .


off to get my hangover ..Thanksgiving dinner is never the same without it ..its tradition.


enjoy your day tomorrow . please be safe if your traveling . watch out for the Scoccer moms in mini vans on Black Friday



Goooooooooooo Buckeyes

Goooooooooooo Browns

Gooooooooooooooo Golden Domers

Hey Duff, what does everyone think about Weeden?

A work in progress ..under construction .maybe he is maybe he isnt .


we need to sign a veteran QB to compete with him next season .



WOOF WOOF WOOF



OH -

Even with the Pittsburgh Steelers down to 37-year-old Charlie Batch and newly signed Brian Hoyer at the quarterback position, few are giving the 2-8 Cleveland Browns much of a chance to upset the 6-4 Steelers this Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The list of doubters apparently extends to the Browns marketing department, who will be handing out white -- yes, white -- flags to fans entering the stadium this Sunday as part of a promotion with The NFL Ticket Exchange.
"Arrive early Sunday. All fans in attendance will receive a Browns Inflatable Flag courtesy of @NFLtixExchange," the Browns official Twitter handle announced on Thursday.
Your team name is "Browns." Your team's helmets are orange. Each of those colors would have made for a far more suitable choice for a flag than white, which is the universal sign for signaling truce or surrender. Then again, the Steelers have won 21 of the last 23 matchups between the two franchises, including 10 of the last 11 meetings.
H/t to @ClevelandFrowns, via Deadspin.com