Here’s an all-Browns sampler platter for Steelers’ week:
HOYER HYPE!!!
I stated in this NFL pre-season blog that Brian Hoyer’s likely upside would be another Kelly Holcomb: display moments of greatness to spark the team, but over the long haul, the warts of mediocre talent and poor decision-making would show through.
But after watching him in four games this year, I find that if I squint just right, and imagine a black compression sleeve on his right elbow, I can almost picture another Browns’ QB…
Siper Bowl!!! Brian Sipe was an undersized (6’1”, 195 lbs.) and undervalued (13th round draft pick) who persevered as a back-up to eventually become a Cleveland institution. What was his key to success? A big heart and big knack for making big plays in crunch time.
Sound familiar?
Our current Brian wins the tale of the tape, measuring in at 6’2″, 215 lbs. He was an undrafted free agent out of college. Of course, there were only 7 rounds the year that Hoyer was eligible to be drafted, so I say Sipe wins the undervalued award.
Hoyer has definitely more than lived up to Sipe’s late game theatrics so far this year. Game one was coming all the way back from a 27-3 halftime deficit to tie the Steelers, only to lose on a last-second field goal. Game 2 was crafting an epic game-ending drive to beat the Saints on the last play of the game. Game 3 had Hoyer keeping his team in the lead for most of the game, only to lose on a field goal as time expired AGAIN!!! Last week’s game was a bit of a yawner, as the game-winning points were scored with a whole 69 seconds left. Of course, the Browns dug themselves into a bit a hole, trailing 28-3 at one point, which led to the greatest regular season comeback by a road team in NFL history. While staring at that deficit had things looking glum, there is one stat my buddy Steve pointed out that all but guaranteed a Browns’ comeback victory…
“A quarterback with a ponytail has never gotten a first down rushing”.
Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt should have considered that statistic when he decided to have Charlie Whitehurst try a 4th down quarterback sneak in the closing minutes. Did he really have any chance while doing his best Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow pirate imitation?
What’s with Chuckin’ Charlie’s ponytail and scruffy beard look. It kinda reminded of this old gunslinger…
Whitehurst disrespected the game and the greats that have played it by going out on the field looking like that. You have to earn the right to look that Pirate-like! Whitehurst’s career achievements don’t even qualify for right to wear those eye back stickers!
I have a new rule for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Let’s call it the Stabler Rule:
“No quarterback shall be allowed to have hair protruding more than 1 inch out of the back of his helmet, nor display unkempt facial hair, until he has won at least started one play-off game.”
Roger, I think my legal jargon will hold up in any court of law.
Can this season be declared the long awaited sequel, The Return of the Kardiac Kids?
“On the 1st Day of Christmas, Art Modell gave to me, A Rutigliano Super Bowl Team.” Do you rememer that song from the airwaves of December, 1980? What were the other 11 days? I am gonna give it a try. I apologize for not knowing the exact order
Brian Sipe a passing, Dave Logan leaping, Darden intercepting, Newsome a catching, both those Pruitt’s moves, Alzado attacking, Don Cockroft kicking, DeLeone a hiking, The Browns in the playoffs.
I am missing two!! Dieken a blocking might be one. Wait….I got the last one! Kardiac Kids a winning! Time to .google search to get the results…
12 for 12!!!!!!!! Yeah baby!!!!!
Those last couple paragraphs epitomize how crappy the Browns have been in the Super Bowl era. Us fans get all nostalgic for a 1980 team that didn’t even win a play-off game!
They were a fun team to watch though, winning 9 of their 11 games by a touchdown or less. I got to see Dave Logan catch a 46-yard TD with 16 seconds left right in front of me in the old bleachers to beat the Packers. Their last four losses were by 3, 3, 5, & 2 points, including the Red Right 88 play-off heartbreaker to the Raiders.
Every breakfast, the Browns’ Corners must get together to eat this…
while listening to this…
because they have been getting toasted and smoked all year! Ist round picks Joe Haden and Justin Gilbert have provided about as much covering as a Jennifer Lopez dress. In fact, let’s have a role call of our last 4 defensive 1st round picks: Gilbert (2014), Bakevious Mingo (2013), Phil Taylor (2011), and Haden (2010). Not exactly the Steel Curtain. Luckily we skipped the D in the 2012 draft 1st round and went offense twice to get these ‘superstars’…
(BTW, I have gotten alot of blog mileage out of this Weeden pic! I think this is that 5th blog with Captain America an his pug buddy have appeared in!)
With that draft record, is it any surprise the Browns have been stuck in the basement?
PROPS TO THE RUNNING GAME
Ben Tate looked terrific running last week. Rookie backs Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell have been the talk of the first 3 games. And the offensive line has been a beast up front, controlling the line of scrimmage. His rookie guard Joe Bitonio been the key spark to this physical mentality? Speaking of mentality…
COACH MIKE PETTINE HAS SET THE TONE
Win or lose, his team has fought to the last second. Coming back from 24 and 25 point deficits speaks highly of the coach’s motivational skills and faith in his system and players. On the other hand, falling behind by 24 and 25 points doesn’t exactly flatter his image as a defensive mastermind.
ROY JONES JR. POUND FOR POUND TOP 10 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS (how Tusc./Stark/Carroll County football teams measure up in relation to teams it’s own size as well as their play-off run potential)
10. 5-1 Tuscarawas Central Catholic (last week #6): dropped from unbeaten ranks by perennial IVC power Ridgewood, 30-14.
9. 4-2 Perry (unranked): Coach Wakefield has them on a 4-game win streak. Great turnaround from last year’s 0-10 season.
8. 4-2 Dover (#10): Nice win over Zanesville sets up for a big week 10 vs. rival Quakers
7. 4-2 GlenOak (#4): Close loss to two-time defending state champion Akron St. V’s. Battle improving McKinley squad this week.
6. 5-1 Aquinas (#8): Star QB Moeglin was back in action last Friday
5. 5-1 Indian Valley (#7): Time to face Manchester
4 5-1 Louisville (#5): Destroyed West Branch
3. 5-1 Massillon (#1): Needs to put heartbreaking loss to Austintown Fitch behind them as they face 4-2 Youngtown Ursuline
2. 6-0 Garaway (#3): big game with 5-1 Tuscarawas Central Catholic this week
1. 6-0 Canton Central Catholic (last week #2): outscored Northwest 35-0 in the first half!
MAC SNACK SURVEY OF THE WEEK:
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