Transparency, Browns style

Make sure you read this Grantland piece. Although it’s not what the writer came for, he does offer an entertaining first-person account of the way the new Browns operate. It’s worth it for the character descriptions alone: CEO Joe Banner: “a little more sarcastic than necessary. But you can just tell he’s hypercompetent.” GM Mike […]

Best Browns roster page ever

Now that the Browns are stocked with all manner of fresh draftees, rookie free agents, and assorted newcomers and returnees, it’s helpful to put the roster in spreadsheet format. This makes it easier to filter, sum, average and otherwise slice and dice the team as it takes shape. It also provides a single handy landing […]

“He knew it all along. Loved it.”

Just hours after my post on the Haslam/Pilot Flying J legal troubles, the FBI — no doubt irked at Haslam’s “very insignificant” comment — released the 158 pages of goods it has on him and the company. Matt Wood at Dawgs By Nature has combed through the document and provides a detailed, distressing summation. His […]

To say the least

I’ve let all kinds of Browns news fly by without comment, but I do want to keep my hand in this blog and my voice in the mix of conversation about this rapidly-transforming franchise. So I can’t just ignore the strange fact that the family company run by the team’s new owner was raided this […]

Chud’s hire hits homeroom

I didn’t expect that my lifelong allegiance to the Cleveland Browns would suddenly, in one day’s time, vibrate at an entirely new emotional frequency. I’ve lived, felt, and shared all the hopes, heartbreaks, inspirations, and frustrations of decades under the peculiar pull of this football franchise. I still fantasize how my inner life might transform […]

Titan pride

If this news doesn’t stir this derelict blog, I may as well pull the plug, because nothing ever will. Seems my old high school classmate has just been named the HMFIC of our very own Cleveland Browns! Here’s what I wrote nine years ago when Rob Chudzinski joined Butch Davis’ staff as the tight ends […]

Backfield out of balance

Of the many mystifying choices that should result in Pat Shurmur’s dismissal a month from now, this one has escaped notice: the Browns are overusing their workhorse running back. That’s right, Trent Richardson is carrying too much of the load. This diminishes his effectiveness and carries real risks for the longevity of this franchise skill […]

Repainted Peyton

Ready to revisit the Peyton Hillis fiasco? ESPN chimes in with an extended look at how the 2010 folk hero turned into a 2011 disaster. The piece plays up the rise, fall, and primed-for-redemption angle. Hillis and those close to him are named sources, and the article — while not entirely glossing over his myriad […]