Edward Stefanyak's Cleveland Browns fan blog

Taking the Browns to the Toilet Bowl...

Really? Really, Cleveland? You came back to the NFL, and you still haven't produced a professional football team! As a Browns' fan, it's embarrassing, truly embarrassing.

Year in and year out, I watch the Browns regress. I watch my beloved Browns get spanked by the Ravens and Steelers. If we actually beat those teams, made the playoffs, and won the Super Bowl, I wouldn't know how to act. I'm so numb to losing that I'm not sure how to react after a win. I just expect to lose-how pessimistic. It's difficult being a Browns' fan, so I feel your pain as a die-hard fan. I can't even accept the Steelers or Ravens as our rivals. You have to win some games against your opponents to consider them rivals.

So, what is the actual problem? Coaching, management, players, a combination of all three? Let's take a look.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns"

I was sitting in my living room yesterday, watching the Eagles-Packers game, and my Dad--out of nowhere--said, "Can you believe that it has been about 20 years since we had a good team? Earlier today I saw a stat about how Bernie Kosar took us to the playoffs in his first three years in the NFL."

I started to think about it, and he was right. Yes, Bill Belichick took us to the playoffs, but didn't the Steelers knock us out in the second round? Yes, Butch Davis took us to the playoffs, but didn't the Steelers knock us out in the first round? Yes, Romeo Crennel led us to a 10-6 record, but didn't we fail to reach the playoffs? If anything, we have been consistent-consistently bad.

How bad are we?

Our new team has been back in the league since 1999, and we are still the laughing stock of the AFC, possibly the NFL. It's truly debatable. For argument's sake, just look at the teams in front of us in the draft.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: The Losing Continues"

Are you kidding me? Did you watch that game? It was a tale of two halves...well, kinda.

First Half:

Well, we looked pretty good in the first quarter. Even with Pork Chop Floyd and John St. Clair anchoring the right side, we still moved the chains. Peyton Hillis ran tough, Jake Delhomme looked sharp, and the defense played with an attitude. Unfortunately, we didn't play flawless football. We turned the ball over and Delhomme tweeked his right ankle. But, that didn't stop our team. We not only dominated the stat department, but we took a 14-3 lead with two minutes left in the second quarter. It was feasible that we could punch in one more score before the half, but that didn't happen. Around mid-field, Delhomme was chased out of the pocket and made an ill-advised chuck which was intercepted. Ronde Barber, who made the pick, took the ball down to the three yard line. One play later, the Bucs punched in a TD, making the half-time score, 14-10, Browns. That's right. Instead of taking a 17-3 or maybe even a 21-3 into the half, the Browns hung on to a 4-point lead. Boo!

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Are You Kidding Me? We Couldn't Even Beat the Bucs!"

Okay, after I posted that we haven't done anything in free agency, we made a little splash!

Offense:

It was no secret that we were going to release DA; it was just a matter of time. If the Browns would have kept him, they would have owed him bonus money. Also, I wish we would have gotten more for Brady Quinn. Peyton Hillis, FB, is a nice player, but how does he fit in our backfield? Furthermore, who will start at QB? If money talks, free agent, Jake Delhomme, will start over Seneca Wallace, who we got from Seattle in a trade. Delhomme spent two years in a West Coast Offense, while Wallace has six years of experience--all with Mike Holmgren.

In my opinion, Ben Watson was a nice pickup. Hopefully, we will get into the end zone more, and Watson could help us get there. Who else could help? Tony Pashos, anchoring the right side of the line. I could see Floyd Womack at right guard and John St. Clair moving to a backup role. I don't think that we will miss Hank Fraley, but why didn't we make an offer to Rex Hadnot. He seemed like a serviceable lineman.  

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So, free agency began last Thursday, and we signed no one.

Defensively, what are our needs? Many believe that we need a safety, a cornerback, and a linebacker who could put some pressure on the QB. So, what was or is out there?

As far as CBs, there aren't many A-listers. Maybe, that's why some teams, like the Jets, traded for one. However, there are some quality unrestricted FAs like Dunta Robinson, but he signed with the Falcons. Another FA is Leigh Bodden, but does he really want to come back to the Browns? The other FAs are either restricted, aging vets, or inconsistent players, such as Dre Bly, Nick Harper, and Ken Lucas. But, don't we have enough of those types of players?

As far as safeties, Antrel Rolle signed with the Giants. So, what's left? Would you take a flyer on Ryan Clark of the Steelers, an aging Darren Sharper, or an inconsistent Roy Williams, who last played for the Bengals? Ryan Clark seems to be an interesting find, especially if we steal him away from one of our division rivals. But once again, many of these FAs are restricted, aging, or inconsistent.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Free Agency Begins..."

Let's face it; if you're a Browns' fan, you already know that we have many needs. Our new GM, Tom Heckert likes to build through the draft, and we have 11 picks but is that enough? Probably not. We need some free agents to fill some holes, or we could also trade for players.

Offense:

After reading Amari Harris' blog, he's right. We need a solid QB. Keep in mind; I love DA's strong arm, and I want Brady Quinn to succeed but I'm not convinced that either one is the answer. But, what options do we have? We could look to free agency, but did you see that list of free agent QBs? The list includes Jason Campbell, Kyle Orton, Mike Vick, and Chad Pennington. Good luck with all that. Another option is to trade for a QB, but who is available? One option could be Kevin Kolb from Philadelphia. GM Heckert has ties to Philly, so maybe this could be an option....for a steep price of course. Kolb has a nice arm, and he has some experience running a WCO. Now, according to Harris' blog, he likes Sam Bradford...later in the draft, but I'm not so sure. I like Tony Pike from Cincy, Jevan Snead from Ole Miss, and Dan LeFevour from Central Michigan. All three QBs have had some success with less talent around them. Other QBs like Bradford, Tebow, and Clausen were surrounded by talent, and talent should win you games. Winning games equals success; success equals ESPN falling in love with you. 

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: What's more exciting? Free Agency or the Draft? Let's focus on the offense today..."

Okay...I'm a die-hard Browns' fan, but I find myself throwing up on game day.

DEFENSE: 

1. With two LBs out for the season--D. Jackson and E. Barton--out for the season, we will continue to struggle on defense.

2. Is it just me, or does Brandon McDonald hit more like Ronald McDonald? Sorry, that might be offensive to Ronald.

3. I know that we are blitzing more, but we still aren't getting to the QB on a consistent basis. Furthermore, when we drop more players back in coverage, the QB somehow picks our D apart. How does this happen?

4. On a positive note, it seems like DC Ryan will do all he can to turn this around. I like the fire in his gut; he's very animated and some of his players feed off of this.

OFFENSE:

1. Okay...Brady Quinn had an awful game against the Ravens and a great game against the Lions. Now, he has three difficult games to prove himself...Bengals, Chargers, and Steelers. Will the real Brady Quinn show up? Here's hoping that the line blocks and the OC Dabol calls some decent plays.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: 1 and sucks? Will Charlie Weis be our next OC?"

ANALYSIS

Okay, we are 0-3. In most cases, you want your team to progress each game. Unfortunately, our team seems to be regressing.

First, we had the lead 13-10 at the half of the Vikings' game, and then we collapsed.

Next, we played about 2 decent quarters against Denver, we were losing at half, and then we collapsed.

Last week, we put up a good fight against the Ravens....right up until the kickoff. That was ugly.

TODAY'S GAME: Bengals

offense...

1. The right side of the offensive line, including John St. Clair, must play better. If not, DA will have no time to pass the rock. If we give him some time, I think DA and the receivers could have a big day against the Bengals. Speaking of the issues at right tackle, is Jon Runyan available. I know that he had off-season surgery, but I think that we need to explore other options like Runyan, especially if St. Clair does not improve.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Are we as bad as our record?"

Predictions:

Obviously, expectations are high for Browns' fans. Many expect a huge turn-around immediately, and why not? We have a new coach, a new attitude, a new atmosphere, a revamped "O" line, a restocking of WRs, and new blood on "D." Many fans believe that we are ready to compete. Are we ready to compete at a high level? Who knows. We will just have to wait and see.

Now, while some sports fanatics see the Browns in the basement again, other critics see the Browns going 8-8, at best. Yes....8-8...that's not a far reach, just look at their schedule. Why can't we beat Denver, Cincinnati twice, Buffalo, Detroit, KC, Jacksonville, and Oakland?

Defensive Playmakers? 

Outside LBs:David Bowens, Kamerion Wimbley, Alex Hall, Titus Brown, and David Veikune. Hopefully, Bowens will be solid because Wimbley and Hall have yet to prove themselves. Truthfully, Hall and Brown should be given a pass for now. They haven't had too many opportunities to develop into quality players. For some unknown reason, Hall lost playing to Willie Mcginest.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Time for Camp...Any Predictions?"

Well, I just purchased my Browns/Bills tickets and made my first payment to the NFL ticket. It's a steep price to pay, but I'm a die-hard fan.

With training camp around the corner, it's time to talk about the Browns again. Last month, I wrote about the offense, particularly the skilled-position players. Obviously, with a new and improved line, these skilled-position players have the opportunity to be successful.

OL: To start, Ryan Pontbriand will continue duties as the long snapper. Rookie, Alex Mack, should take over at the center position. Hank Fraley (10-yr vet) was serviceable, at times, but most of the time, he got pushed around. Obviously, Joe Thomas will hold down the right tackle position, and the rest of the positions are up for grabs.

After reading some of the articles on Cleveland's Plain Dealer, it sounds like Eric Mangini is looking for the rest of the linemen to compete for three positions: LG, RG, and RT. Who are the favorites? Eric Steinbach (7), Floyd Womack (9), John St. Clair (10), Rex Hadnot (6), and Ryan Tucker (13). Steinbach is versatile but small, Womack and St. Clair were signed as FA, Hadnot struggled last year, and Tucker is probably the best lineman when he's not battling injuries. Another FA was signed after Womack and St. Clair; he is George Foster (6), and he might have a better shot at winning a starting position when compared to the following: Isaac Sowells (4), Dustin Fry (2), Kurt Quarterman (1), and rookies Marlon Davis and Branndon Braxton.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns...Training Camp is Right Around the Corner!"