Former longtime Cleveland sportswriter. Proud Dad, Cleveland guy. Friendly banter encouraged. No room for hate. Words "stick to ..." an automatic block. Slainte
Fired Paul Brown.
Ran off Jim Brown.
Traded Paul Warfield.
(That’s three Hall of Famers.)
Moved team out of Cleveland to avoid bankruptcy.
The Hall is supposed to be for the true greats of the game.
IMO, I just don’t see it.
The Indians again are the underplayed story in town. Three starting pitchers MIA for extended time, overhauled lineup, yet they are eight over .500 and playing well. Doing it, not talking about it. Amazing what a sound organization and great manager can do.
#Indians
#Tito
I’m not sure what reality Mike Tomlin was residing in when he said the Steelers had no role in starting Thursday’s melee, but it wasn’t the same one I was living in
#Browns
#Steelers
Cannot think of a fan group that goes through more promises and letdowns than Browns fans. Every year, they believe, then they get smacked in the face. Inexplicable, and so unfair.
LeBron said something recently about the universe making the inexplicable happen. Maybe there was a reason he went to LA that we didn’t understand, until this week.
No one alive has seen anything like this, so it's understandable that it's taking awhile for people to wrap their heads around this. It's my job to be as honest as I can with people and tell our citizens what we know when we know it.
#COVID19
#COVID19OhioReady
The Browns playoff chance right now is 6 percent, per the NY Times. However, if the Browns win out AND on Sunday Baltimore beats Buffalo, the Cardinals beat the Steelers, and the Raiders beat the Titans, the chance jumps to 69 percent. So … there’s that.
My last story for ESPN was one I was proud to write ... it details how (even after he was fired) Hue Jackson has maintained his commitment, in Cleveland, to help the victims of human trafficking through his foundation
#Browns
#Bengals
Excited, humbled to join
@TheAthleticCLE
as contributing writer. Ready to share more
#Browns
fun with all of you on an exciting new chapter. Join the fun by subscribing to what I call the nation’s sports page, save 40 percent with link in this story.
As bad a loss as I can remember, to a 2-6 team playing a QB who has never played, with a chance to win, with this talent. Fans have every right to every frustration and bit of anger.
#Browns
My daughter was in college with a young woman who was shot in the face. She wrote her mother’s phone number on her arm before she lost consciousness. What this rep said is next-level sick.
ICYMI … Election day is tomorrow, so I’m reupping this thread about Issue 1 in Ohio (with some links added at the end). Because the misinformation and garbage being spread is too thick to accept. (1)
We are witnessing the greatest playoff performance in the greatest season of one of the greatest players ever. Consistent excellence. He’s never been better.
#LeBron
Christian Kirksey
@kirko58
gave all he had on (and off) the field every day he was a Brown. Committed teammate, committed professional, committed to the young people in Cleveland. Godspeed and all the best to a good man.
1) The refs missed that call
2) If you want to win a game, do it to the point one call doesn’t matter that much. Take officiating out of it.
3) The Saints had a lot of chances to win
4) The Rams deserve credit for their finish
All the above can be true simultaneously.
And are.
After reflection: Well
@KingJames
, it is disappointing, but what a ride it’s been. Four years in the Finals, one unforgettable championship and parade. Your off-the-court commitment to the community is impeccable. Thanks for all you did for CLE and Akron, and all the best.
It’s a bad way to see it end, no doubt. But I still salute this team for persevering through so much. And Tito absolutely deserves Manager of the Year.
#Indians
Well our president wouldn’t do it, so I guess it’s up to nobodies like us. White supremacists have no place in our society. Our personal values and our nation’s values condemn them, and anyone who supports them. I condemn them, personally and in any way I can publicly.
Jarvis Landry: "This may have been the most talent that you‘ve seen in one room for this amount of time. And you still have more time. And you don’t want to lose that. You want to take advantage of it when you have it.”
#Browns
Still trying to process the Dorsey move. He assembles the most talent the
#Browns
have had in 10, maybe 20 or 30 years. He missed on the coach. So can him?
What a moment last night n what a guy. Ive been blessed to be in n out of Cle clubhouses n lockerrooms over the last two decades and this dude
@JoshNaylor44
is at the top of the list for being a great teammate n isn’t dead we just need to tell the stories
One last thought: We can (and do) offer a lot of thoughts on the Haslams, Jimmy and Dee. One thing they have been great about is giving life to the Rooney Rule. Their record on diversity hiring has been excellent.
#Browns
BREAKING: WI Gov. Tony Evers (D) breaks a Republican gerrymander, signs new legislative maps into law:
"Wisconsin, when I promised fair maps, I damn well meant it ... People should get to choose their elected officials, not the other way around.”
DeShone Kizer will join the My Cause My Cleats effort Sunday by wearing cleats that promote The Andrew Weisher Foundation, which fights pediatric cancer. Weishar is the older brother of Nic Weishar, Kizer's teammate at Notre...
We should all sit back and appreciate the fact we are watching the greatest season of LeBron James’ career. Which is saying something. Incredible sustained level of play.
Folks who say kickers can’t affect a team don’t understand Phil Dawson. He epitomized the best of the Browns long history. Reliable. Trustworthy. Humble. Dedicated to team. The truest professional. He would have fit in every era. It’s right he retire as a Brown.
#respect
John Dorsey saw James Campen up close when the two were in Green Bay. That he's interviewing with the Browns is a positive sign. Campen is considered one of the better offensive line coaches in the league. His hire would be a major positive.
The Browns are in discussions with Mike Mularkey about the team's offensive coordinator position. Mularkey coached the Tennessee TItans for three seasons, but he and the team parted ways this morning. Mularkey would bring an experienced voice and...
Chills. I recall Rivera on his last trip to Cleveland requesting a lengthy pregame meeting with stadium ushers, concession workers, others behind the scenes to thank them for what they did for him and baseball. Did it at every visiting stadium. Class act.
#HOF
This amendment puts decisions in the hands of the woman and her medical team. It states abortion can be banned by the state after viability. It says nothing (repeat: nothing) about abortion through the ninth month or parental rights. That’s nonsense concocted to scare people. (4)
Random thought, at the risk of overselling … Nick Chubb in the “Shanahan” zone blocking scheme that Kevin Stefanski will install could be scary good. Let him pick his spot and go … he might have a bigger season than he did in ’19.
#Browns
I have this image of John Dorsey, smoking a cigar in a Browns office (no idea if he smokes cigars). He has a young and eager intern stationed by a white board with a list of needs. “Son,” Dorsey bellows, “check off that running back spot for me, will you?”
In his last four games, Baker Mayfield has completed 69 percent with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. His passer rating in those four games: 104.6. After the win over Atlanta, Mayfield improved his season rating from 81.5 to 87.5
Assuming Bills-Patriots game is played Sunday, perhaps the
#Bills
could introduce their medical staff in pregame introductions. Allow them to trot on the field and hear most deserved appreciation from the amazing Buffalo fans. Just a thought.
That is a painful loss, but the Browns leave Baltimore having reaffirmed their statement that buttressed by their young quarterback, they are back and can play with anyone. There is much to be excited about in 2019.
Chiefs released five-time Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry. Had Berry been on KC’s roster Friday, $7.25 million of his salary would have become fully guaranteed.
No idea why safety Ron Parker was not flagged for either a) a late hit or b) hit to the head on Baker Mayfield on sack. Mayfield now being checked for concussion.
#Browns
Will be away from the Browns for a few weeks to have a medical issue taken care of. The plan is to return fully healthy. In the interim,
@Isley23
will be covering for ESPN. … Slainte.
Browns get their season back in alignment with this win. Offense back on track (500-yards plus!), Baker Mayfield excellent, Nick Chubb better than that and defense oppprtunistic. Universe is getting back in order.
#Browns
The Browns have scored 28 points in the first half for the first time since Dec. 1, 1991 when they led the Colts 31-0 at halftime, per ESPN Stats and Information.
Mike Tomlin on if his team can learn anything from what happened at end of
#Browns
game:
"No."
Why?
"Because I don’t know if we did anything to make it happen in the first place."
The Browns have Baker Mayfield, yes. But they could have had a draft with a first round of Myles Garrett and DeShaun Watson.
#moredeterminedthanevertogetitright
Two tidbits on Jarvis Landry: Only Antonio Brown and Julio Jones have more catches than he has since he arrived in 2014, and he led NFL w/ 112 receptions in ’17. Browns have never had 100-catch WR.
GUS PERNA, the general running logistics for Operation Warp Speed, takes sole responsibility for a big problem with Pfizer vaccine rollout: states report they’re getting less than they were promised.
“It was my fault,” Perna says. “It was a planning error, and I am responsible.”
'This can't be real': How the Browns acquired Odell Beckham Jr., the story behind one of the biggest trades in Browns history, written with my colleague
@JordanRanaan
That should have been a Browns recovery and touchdown return. Score should be 20-14. It's not going to be, though the Browns will get the recovery. Still ... whistle for touchdown came way too fast.
We all vote how we choose. It’s what Democracy is about. But spreading misinformation and using scare tactics to engender fear and hysteria to entice a vote … that’s wrong. And that is what some of our elected leaders are doing. (2)
Mike Pereira was right on broadcast. Hit him early and hit him helmet to helmet. Plenty of chances for Saints to win in entire game, but man oh man 🤦🏻♂️
We can all read what is in the amendment. Here it is. The actual amendment that will go in the Constitution if passed. This is what it says. The actual words. (3)
If there are any TSA folks out there who had to work the holidays without pay, this is one traveler grateful to you for your effort and dedication to keep us safe. I just wish good thoughts like this paid the bills for you.
#respect
Underrated factor in decision by George Paton to stay with Vikings could well be how much people love living in the twin cities. Great community vibe, lots going on, weather does not sway anyone. Once folks move there, they love it and stay. My two cents.
Nick Chubb's 92-yard touchdown run is the longest run by a player in Browns history. Bobby Mitchell held the record with a 90-yard (TD) run. Chubb now has TD runs of 92, 63 and 41 in his rookie season, and has 158 yards rushing in the game.
Freddie Kitchens’ rise has been meteoric, but his hire maintains continuity for the Browns offense. Defensively, Gregg Williams is no longer with the Browns and will not return, per sources to me and
@DanGrazianoESPN
… there will be a new staff on that side of the ball.
Off the dribble, on the run, wrong foot, floats in the air, casually banks it in, time expires with ball in the air. One day we’ll all be able to say we were around for this era. LeBron James’ finest season will take him to The Finals again.