Author: OwenSixteen016

So, We’re doing Josh Allen?

Well this morning I got some unfortunate news regarding the Browns choice of Quarterback.

Oh boy!  A guy who knows a guy says the Browns are going to pick Josh Allen and Saquon Barkley in round one of the 2018 NFL draft.   I guess I am not surprised rumors of this nature are spreading like wildfire.  With there being 4-5 Quarterback Options, and the Browns picking 1st overall it was bound to happen.  While I don’t love this news, because I hate the player, I am not too surprised to be hearing it.  From now until draft day I am sure there will be a tweet, story,  or media clip that has the Browns leaning on picking the Browns with each of the top 5 QB’s (Mayfield, Rosen, Darnold, Allen, Jackson).

Honestly, I do not even really care who they pick.  After years and years of trading down, settling for the 4th or 5th guy, or picking project guys in the middle rounds, I just want them to identify a guy and pick him #1 overall.  If that is Josh Allen then so be it.  I do not love the player overall, but he does have positive qualities.

Obviously, you have the large frame and a rocket arm.  Those things make any fan, coach, and wide receiver droll.  The problem is, he has issues with his feet within the pocket, and he has horrid accuracy.  At the 2:27 mark of the video Allen misses his a wide receiver deep down the field in single coverage.  Josh slings it so far he couldn’t put it within 5 yards of his target.  With his arm he should be throwing guys open, especially when they are in single coverage.  Good example of positive footwork however. Allen avoided pressure in the pocket, and stepped up to give himself more time to hurl it. Not good, but not great.

The throw at the 2:31 mark is more alarming.  Allen couldn’t hit his Wideout on a simple swing pass.    Not only was his ball inaccurate, but he threw the poor kid right into the Linebacker.  Put that ball on his back shoulder, the Receiver should be able make that linebacker miss for a big gain, or at the very least a first down.

1:36 Mark, Allen has two receivers bunched to his right, the outside receiver on the hash mark runs a 5 yard out.  The receiver has the corner beat, but Allen throws a jump pass off his back foot.  The ball was picked off easily by the Iowa Corner.  You’d think a guy who can supposedly throw the ball 90 yards from his knee’s would try setting his feet?  If he sets his feet, squares the shoulder, and fires the fucking thing his receiver probably has a catch there.    Sometimes with this kid, it looks like he has absolutely no clue with his feet sometimes, and sometimes he looks like a tap dancer moving throughout the pocket.  The first throw I highlighted is an example of Allen using his feet to buy time within the pocket, stepping up, and hurling it deep.  Problem was he overthrew his receiver.  Still, it was a good example of his footwork looking good.

The great part of being a Browns fan is, I can talk myself into ANY QB at ANY time. Problem is, I can talk myself out of them as well. None of the Quarterbacks this year are slam dunks, but Allen has the most questions. That scares me. The good news is Baker Mayfield has his visit in Cleveland today, and would bet that there will be a report of Baker Mayfield being the leading QB in the Clubhouse by my morning shit. While I don’t take this report 100% seriously, it was written by as credible source as they come (MMQB/Peter King). Josh Allen will get a serious look from Dorsey and Co. It’s a matter of whether or not he can pass Darnold and Mayfield. We’ll see where that rocket arm takes him.

(DraftJoshAllen.com)

Sports are the Best.

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Last night something amazing happened in Chicago during the Blackhawks vs. Jets clash.   It was one of those moments that make everyone realize why we love sports, it was just the best.  The Blackhawks are down a bunch of goalies due to injury this season, so they signed 37 year old Scott Foster to be the teams EBUG (Emergency Backup Goalie)

They were down so many goalies, the starter (Collin Delia) was making his own NHL debut.   A little background on Scott, he is an accountant that plays in a Men’s League nightly.  It is not uncommon for a Men’s League Goalie to practice almost daily with an NHL team.  Sometimes, you’re farm team is too far away to call any one up, and an average Joe gets to step in.  Scott has been the teams Emergency Backup before, but watches the games from the Press Box, and leaves right after the game has concluded.  Occasionally they have to suit up, and park their ass on the bench to sit there and be the backup.

Image result for emergency backup goalie

Image result for emergency backup goalie

All these guys look the part, but none of them really get to play.  Once in awhile, you’ll see one get in for the last face-off.  Last night with about 13 minutes left to go in the third period, Delia had to leave the game with cramps.  In Scott Foster, Accountant.  With the Hawks leading 6-2 Foster had to come int the game, and close it down.  Close it down he did.  He stopped all 7 Winnipeg shot attempts keeping the 4 goal Hawk lead in tact.   He will retire with the NHL’s best all-time save percentage of 1000.  The guy will go down as an all time great EBUG.

I mean this is just fucking awesome.  This every single Hockey Goalie’s dream.  Stopping shots from beer leaguers they picture themselves shutting down Sidney Crosby.  Foster was able to live a dream of millions of hockey players out there.  Here’s to average Joe’s out there!  The Blackhawk regulars really seemed like they embraced the moment, and really rallied with their new teammate.  They even gave him “The Belt” a wrestling belt that the players pass around after each win.   In this dark season for Chicago this is a moment I’m sure they will never forget.  Again, this is why I love sports.  Look at his fucking Men’s League teammates watching him play!

https://twitter.com/AndyGlockner/status/979577127900086272

“I think I am just hitting my prime” -Beauty.

You Can’t Beat Us!

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Bruins fans were treated to another win over the Big Bad Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night, at TD Garden.  With the 4-2 victory the Bruins move into first place in the Atlantic Division, and Eastern Conference.  It is the first time since October 18th that a team not named the Tampa Bay Lightning are in first place.  This is the third time the Bruins have beaten the Lightning this season, and they haven’t lost to them since 2016.

Charlie McAvoy and Zdeno Chara were both game time decisions, and Butchy decided to give them both one more day to rest.  Neither suited up for this one, but David Backes returned to the lineup after missing about a week due to a cut on his leg.  Matt Grzelyck surprisingly suited up for this one after taking the brutal hit from Josh Morrisey just two nights prior.

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The first period saw the Bruins come out with major jump in their step.  They were all over Tampa, generating turnovers, and quality scoring chances.  The Bruins out-shot the Lightning 17-6 in the first period.  Finally with less than a minute to go, Tim Schaller buried home a rebound that was sitting behind Andrei Vasilevskiy to make it 1-0 Bruins.

Less than 40 seconds later David Pastrnak added another Power Play goal to make it 2-0 Bruins.  At the end of the period the Bruins scored two back breaking goals.

The two goals lit a fire under Tampa’s ass, as they picked up their skating in the second period, and the game got physical.  Just under 2 minutes into the Second Period J.T. Miller re-directed a gorgeous Nikita Kucherov cross-ice slap pass to make it 2-1.

This is where this one got interesting.  Both teams ramped up the physicality in the second period, and this lead to tempers flaring.  Bruce Cassidy has had a motto throughout the season which is, “No Passengers” .  Everyone must contribute, everyone must be emotionally invested.  Boy, did Tuukka Rask every show that he was emotionally invested into this one:

AHL MVP Cory Conacher overstayed his welcome in Rask’s crease, and well, Rask lost it.  A mini melee ensued, and Vasilevskiy even tried to get down to the Bruins end of the Ice to challenge Rask, but the officials would not let it happen.  There’s an unwritten rule in hockey that when there is a brawl/scrum, there should never be an odd man situation (one guy standing free).  That’s generally when the goalie from the opposing team has to skate down and challenge the other goalie.  We were robbed of a goalie fight here thanks to the fucking stripes.  Although, it is good to see there is a hatred brewing between these two teams.  Hell, David Backes challenged Bolt players on their own fucking bench!

The kicker?  David Pastrnak dropped the mitts with Lightning Defenseman, Dan Girardi.  Girardi leveled Bergeron in the Neutral Zone, and Pasta was willing to go with a much bigger, more experienced fighter in Giradi.  It was Pastrnak’s first career fight, and it would top off his Gordie Howe Hat-trick(goal, assist, and fight in same game). Pastrnak had never fought before, and obviously isn’t expected to be good at it.  Well he isn’t.  It wasn’t much of a fight, but it showed these guys are more than willing to stick up for one another.

With 8 minutes left to play in the third, and the teams playing 4 on 4 hockey, the Bruins completed the sexiest passing play I have seen in my 25 years:

Just a beautiful fucking goal, in which the Bruins toyed with the Big Bad Lightning.  A beautiful triangle passing play ending in a goal to make it 3-1.  First place was within sight late in the third.  The Bolts wouldn’t make it easy, as Victor Hedman squeaked home a wrist shot to make is 3-2.   This coming mere minute after the Bergeron goal.

Brutal fucking goal to give up.  Rask was locked in all game giving up that goal through his armpit is inexcusable.  The B’s would hold on to win 4-2 and take over first place in conference and division.

They may not finish the season in first place as they are only 1 point ahead of the Lightning, but the Bruins showed that they are ready for postseason play, and are in the Bolts heads.  You could see the frustration as the game went along.  The Bruins bullied them, and I cannot wait for the playoffs to start.  Initially I had thought the Lightning were a shoe-in to win the Eastern Conference and Stanley Cup.  Tampa Bay is fucking soft.  The Bruins beat them soundly in each of the three match-ups this season, and haven’t lost since 2016.  For whatever reason, the Bruins have always matched up well with Tampa no matter how good or bad they are.  Tampa looks like a team that is starting to slowly run out of gas.  It will be interesting to see how far they are able to go.  They absolutely 100% have the talent to make it to the Cup finals.  It’s whether or not they have the balls.  The Bruins certainly showed they have the balls to beat you physically and on the scoreboard.

Bruins will take on the Florida Panthers tomorrow at TD Garden.   It looks like Cassidy is going to sit Chara and McAvoy again on Saturday, but they will travel to with the team to Philadelphia on Sunday.  Jake DeBrusk is slated to return per Butchy:

The Panthers are fighting for playoff position, as they come in 6 points out of the final playoff spot.  Should be a good one, let’s go Bruins!

Bruins Re-Sign Captain, Zdeno Chara.

Early Wednesday morning the Boston Bruins announced that team Captain, Zdeno Chara re-signed with the team. The deal is a 1 year $5 million dollar deal with incentives.

This move doesn’t come at much of surprise. Many of the beat writers had been hinting all season that the belief was an extension was imminent. It’s great news for Bruins fans, and Zdeno Chara. The captain has had an enormous (pun kind of intended) impact on the Bruins since arriving in 2006-2007. The man has been team captain since Day fucking one.

For most of his Bruins tenure, Zdeno Chara has been a top 10 defenseman in the NHL. His size helps him be one of the best shutdown Defenders out there, and being one of the biggest dudes out there has helped him offensively:

In his prime, Big Z could launch missile’s topping at 108 mph. Up until a few years ago, Z was a regular 40-50 Point getter. He won the Norris Trophy (NHL’s best Defenseman) one time in 2009, and has of been nominated an additional 5 times. Of course, Z’s best achievement is the award he brought us all in 2011:

Big Z isn’t a top 10 Defenseman in the NHL anymore at his young age of 41, but he’s still in the top 30. He’s not going to get 40-50 points, and he doesn’t fire it 108 MPH any more. That all doesn’t mean Big Z isn’t still a fucking monster. He still shuts guys down, kills penalties, and occasionally chips in with a goal or two. The main thing is he averages 23 minutes TOI this season. That’s insanity! Chara biking to work all these years has really paid off

I am so glad they reached this extension. Hopefully, the team will Queue up a 1 year extension every April, until Z decides to hang em up.

He won’t be in the lineup tonight, as he’s still recovering from an Upper-Body Injury. Tune in to catch the Bruins take on the Lightning tonight from TD Garden. First place on the line.

Let’s go Bruins!

What a Fucking Gong-Show.

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It was a spirited game last night in the Great White North.  The Bruins lost a barn burner 5-4 to the surging Winnipeg Jets in a shootout. A lot happened in this game, most of it wasn’t positive either. The Bruins got torched by the league video review center in Toronto, and lost another key player to injury.

Let’s start it off with the guys in Black and White.  They worked hard to earn the Jets first goal of the game.  Jet fourth liner, Brandon Tanev was banging the puck against Khudobin’s pad on a wrap around attempt.  Dobby held strong and the puck NEVER crossed the goal line completely.  For some unknown reason the Linesman patrolling the Blueline WAY away from the play, decided to call it a goal.  There is 0% chance a linesman standing at the Blueline or even Redline could clearly see if the puck went it.  The referee next to Khudobin called it no goal, but he was over ruled. Technically the original call on the ice was a good goal.

To break it down simply:  1-Tanev was banging the puck on Dobby’s pad, and the ref with the best angle waived “No Goal”. 2-A linesman in no mans land overruled the referee, calling it a goal. 3- The play was reviewed, and the goal stood because there is no conclusive evidence that the puck stayed out. It’s also pretty clear it didn’t go in, as the ENTIRE puck has to cross the line. You must see white between the goal line and puck.

The Bruins managed to keep their cool, and continue to play their game despite piss poor officiating. Later in the first period, the Bruins forechecking/tenacity really paid dividends.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/978796835774062592

What a great play by all of those involved here.  Savy David Krejci pressured the Jets defender, won the puck inside the attacking blue line, and tapped the puck to a streaking Ryan Donato.  Donato undressed Joe Morrow with a forehand to backhand fake, and fired a backhanded seed top corner.  It was 1-1 in the final minute of the first period.

The second period saw the Jets take a 3-1 lead.  Brandon Tanev added his second of the game and ex-Bruin, Joe Morrow netted his 6th of season.  The story of this period came at the very end of it:

Josh Morrisey slammed Grzelcyk into from behind in a textbook cheap-shot.  Not only did he launch himself into the back of Grzelyck , he turtled like a fucking fairy when Kevan Miller wanted to rip his head off. The NHL is so focused on removing fighting from hockey that players never have to worry about standing up for themselves after taking a cheapshot.  Morrisey should’ve had the piss beaten out of him by multiple Bruins but the stripes got in the way. Morrisey received a 5 minute major penalty and a game misconduct.  This meant the Bruins would start the third period with a 5 minute power play.  Josh Morrisey will not receive any sort of discipline for his hit.  Why? Who the fuck knows.  It was a dirty hit plain and simple.  Matt Grzelyck has been diagnosed with an Upper-Body Injury, and there have not been many updates to that diagnosis.  It’s a shame he got run like that, because Gryz was having a great season, quietly molding himself into a key defender.  He plays power play, penalty kill, and 5 on 5.  The kid can skate, and has incredible passing vision.  He will be missed.

The Bruins managed to score twice on the 5 minute Power Play to start the third period. Danton Heinen and David Pastrnak each scored to tie the game at 3 with a mere 2 minutes gone in the third.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/978816116918292480?s=21

https://twitter.com/caseybake16/status/978820912756723713?s=21

Then, Nick Holden finally decided to show up.  It’s been almost a full month since the trade deadline, and Nick Holden was able to control himself for the most part:

While still on the Power Play from the Morrisey hit, Anton Khudobin was behind his own goal looking to stop a puck that was dumped in behind the net. Dobby fired it around the boards for Nick Holden at the hashmarks, and Nick Holden proceeded to handle the puck like a frag grenade. Winnipeg pounced on the loose puck, and scored short handed. Less than a minute after the tying goal from Pastrnak. The Bruins managed to secure another Power Play with about 13 minutes left to play, when Torey Krug stepped into a howitzer:

The two teams exchanged scoring chances for the remainder of the regulation, and overtime. The game would move on to a shootout.

Mark Schiefele scored on Winnipeg’s second shot attempt, and then Bruins Rookie, Ryan Donato showed he belongs by burying his first NHL shootout attempt:

https://twitter.com/caseybake16/status/978829608563994624?s=21

Finally Patrik Laine ended the game by slipping a backhander through Khudobin’s pads:

Overall the Bruins battled hard against a team that’s just as good if not better. It’s a shame the game turned into a yard sale because of the officials, and someone like Matt Grzelcyk got hurt because of it. The officiating is still no excuse for the short handed goal that was given up in the third, or the other two legitimate goals the Jets scored.

Tune in on Thursday to watch the Bruins take on the Tampa Bay Lighting from TD Garden. Tampa has 106 points, and Boston has 105. Can the Bruins continue to slap around the Bolts? Let’s go Bruins! First place on the line!

Browns Sign Ex-Cardinals Stiff, Drew Stanton.

Image result for Nick Young meme

The Browns made a bit of surprising news here on Sunday, by signing long-time Backup Quarterback, Drew Stanton.  What this move tells you is: 1-Quarterback taken at #1 is almost guaranteed, and 2-Dorsey is making it damn clear that guy will not play for at least 1-2 seasons.  I don’t necessarily have an issue with this signing, as the Browns go through QB’s like…………well I don”t know, they go through a lot.

Image result for browns injured quarterback

Image result for browns injured quarterback

Image result for browns injured quarterback

As you can see, Stanton will come in handy next season.  The Browns aren’t known for keeping Quarterback’s healthy, so adding a guy with experience is never a bad thing.  Stanton will provide that insurance in case Tyrod goes down, and mentor whichever guy is picked at #1.  This free’s up Tyrod to focus on solely on improving the actual team on the field, and focus on winning each week.   I am not saying Tyrod should ignore the Rookie coming in, but I’d rather him focus on producing a few wins than mentoring a Rookie. A few interesting notes about Drew:

1-In 2009 Drew was the Backup for number 1 overall pick, Matt Stafford.

2-In 2012 Drew was the Backup for number 1 overall pick, Andrew Luck

3-Since 2013 Drew was the Backup for former number 1 overall pick, Carson Palmer.

That makes this signing a little more clear to me.  This guy has a history of working with rookie QB’s, and more specifically rookie QB’s that went first overall.  That seems like it will be valuable experience. The only issue I really have with this deal is the fact that we committed to a Backup Quarterback for over 1 season.  I just think that is unnecessary to commit to any Backup for more than one year.   I guess a two years would mean that Drew Stanton is considered a strong Backup?  That’s great and all, why not just go year to year with him?  Weird move going for two years.

One thing is for certain, this man is a fucking GIF machine, and I absolutely love it.

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Hopefully we won’t have to see this guy play, but if we do I am sure there will be entertaining moments.   Also, to be fair to Drew he is 4-1 in his last 5 starts, and that’s about as much as you can ask out of your Backup.

Go Browns.

Nothing is Coming Easy.

Image result for Bruins comeback stars

The Bruins continued to limp around the country during their late season Road-trip, and had a clash with the Dallas Stars on Friday Night.  This reunites us with old Friend, Tyler Seguin (I am not going to go any further into Tyler Seguin).  Anyway,  it was yet another third period comeback for the Black and Gold.  This time they were missing a total of 8 regular skaters for this one, and they still won.   Dallas booked their tee-times for early April, as this loss puts them out of Playoff contention.

Just 2:26 minutes into the game Stars Defenseman Esa Lindell fired home a Snap-Shot through traffic to beat Tuukka Rask.  The Bruins were caught running around in there own end.  The Forwards and Defense all got sucked in below the Face-off dots, and Lindell had all day to fire a shot once the puck was given to him at the Left Point.

Things got much worse for the Bruins in the second period with the Bruins on the Power Play:

Brutal goal for the Bruins to give up with just barely over a minute left in the second period.  Hoping to tie the game up before the start of the third, Grzelyck fell at his own attacking Blueline.  The puck slipped free, and Jamie Benn took it Coast to Coast to make it 2-0 Stars at the end of the 2nd period.  Seemed like this one was over, as a Short Handed goal in the final minute of a period is just back breaking.  Once again the 2018 Boston Bruins slapped us all across the face.

Just barely over 1 minute into the 3rd period the Bruins got on the board thanks to Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak:

Great work by David Pastrnak skating through virtually the entire Stars defense, and Brad Marchand was doing Brad Marchand things.  Going to the net drawing bodies his way.  Initially rules Pastrnak’s goal, it re-directed off Marchand prior to going in.  Early on in the 3rd it was 2-1 Stars.

The Bruins continued to press hard for a tying goal, but Dallas was hanging on by a thread.  Later on in the period Dallas was on a 5-4 Power Play, when Marchand got the puck with a head of steam.  Marchand generated a 2 on 1 with Tim Schaller on his left.  The Stars Defenseman tried their damnedest to get between the puck, and Schaller.  It found Schallers stick, who made a little move to tuck the puck into the net.  Tie game.

Looking like overtime was coming, the Bruins amped up the attacking pressure in the final minute of the third.  Any time a Star’s Defenseman touched the puck behind his goal, they were being hounded.   This would pay off as the Stars began to ware down, and David Pastrnak was wide open in front of goal with the puck on his stick.  Patiently he wrapped the puck around Kari Lehtonen’s leg to win the game with 11 seconds to go.

That should just about do it for the Dallas Stars, who were fighting for their playoff lives.  They sit 5 points out of the last Wild Card spot with 6 games remaining.  They’re going to have to win-out, and get some help from others.  The Bruins would continue their road-trip on Sunday Night in Minnesota.

The Bruins were welcomed with the return of Mr. Perfect Hockey Player-Patrice Bergeron.  Boy did he not miss a beat.  Nearly 20 minutes played, flawless in the dot, and two points to go along with the win.  Just an incredible hockey player.  Sounds like more of the M.A.S.H. will be returning in due time as McAvoy, Chara, Debrusk, and Backes have all resumed skating.

Late Sunday evening the Bruins played an overtime period against the Wild.  Much of this one was a fucking snoozer.  With the game tied at 1 just seconds into overtime Brad Marchand and Tory Krug will do all talking for me:

They keep on winning in ugly fashion and I do not care.  Winning is winning, and this team sits at 104 points.  It is crazy to think the past two-three seasons the Bruins have been like this seasons Dallas Stars.  They were hovering around 80 points with less than 10 to play, and having to win out to get in.  This year being comfortably in has allowed injured guys to take a few days off and get healed.  They may be winning ugly now, but when they finally get healthy……look out.

Go Bruins!

Browns Sign Ex-Bills Cornerback, E.J. Gaines.

The Browns continued to add to their Roster yet again, as Free-Agency is slowly coming to a halt.  Friday, they reached an agreement with former Bills and Rams Cornerback, E.J. Gaines.  Gaines was originally drafted in the Sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.  Gaines was traded to Buffalo this past season for Wide Receiver, Sammy Watkins.  When healthy, this dude has been a solid contributor to both the Rams and Bills.

Lovely!  The Browns have added a young corner with the potential of being a number 1.  At times he’s showed the ability to play up to that level.  Injuries, and Tre’Davious White have prevented him from blossoming into a number 1.  The money and term on the deal is just perfect too.  Gaines missed all of 2015 with Lisfranc, and missed 5 games in 2016 with a Thigh Injury.  1 year at $4 million seems like a reasonable amount to pay.  If he gets injured, or sucks they will move on, and it will be fairly easy.  If he performs at a high level, then they’d probably look to an extension.  Lets take a look at what Gaines brings on the field:

The nerds had E.J. scoring an average of 86.6 in 2017.  That’s good for the 13th best average score among corners.  But what does any of that really mean?

Well that certainly means more to me.  This guy appears to be one of the better cover corners in the league.  He’s good at keeping guys quiet while going somewhat unnoticed, as E.J. only has 1 interception in his entire career.   The Gaines signing makes it look like the three corners the Browns will go with next year are as follows: 1. Gaines 2. Carrie 3. Boddy-Calhoun.  That seems like an upgrade from 2017.  The Cornerback crew the Browns rocked with in 2017: 1. McCourty 2. Taylor 3. Boddy-Calhoun.  Boddy-Calhoun has developed into a very good slot corner, and at times McCourty played like a true number one corner.  Despite all this, the Browns clearly wanted to get younger and faster.  Bringing in Carrie and Gaines likely means the end of Jamar Taylor in Cleveland.  Taylor struggled last season with an increased workload.  He was bumped to the number 2 corner spot after Joe Haden was released from the team.  Taylor is most remembered for being completely emasculated by T.Y. Hilton this past season.

The Browns are continuing to add solid pieces to their roster.  In the week and half since the league New Year began the Browns have added: Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry, Damarious Randall, Donald Stephenson, Chris Hubbard, Chris Smith, Carlos Hyde, T.J. Carrie, Terrance Mitchell, E.J. Gaines, and Darren Fells.  Some names are bigger than others on that list, but all have contributed to winning programs in the NFL.  These are the players the Browns needed to fill out the roster, that way they are not relying on Rookies so often.  They will use rookies to supplement the talent they already have, rather than force them to be starters right away.  The Roster is substantially better than it was just two weeks ago, and we still have the draft to go.  Go Browns.

Is Johnny Manziel Back?

There goes that man, Johnny Fucking Football.  Johnny made some steps to a comeback yesterday when he took part in the University of San Diego Pro Day.  It doesn’t really mean all too much in terms of an NFL return, but it was nice to see Johnny in the news for something positive.  According to a multitude of outlets, 13 NFL teams sent a scout attend the event.  Keep in mind this was USD’s Pro Day.  This was mainly for USD prospects, so I would bet a number of those 13 teams were there more or less for those players, not Manziel.

Interesting to see what teams were in attendance.  The New England Patriots caused a stir when they brought Johnny inside to get an exact measurement.

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Oh boy would that ever be interesting! I think the weirdest aspect of this whole event was that the Browns sent a scout to USD.  We paid a scout to watch a player we had in the building for 2 years, and no matter what happens he ain’t coming back.  I am going to assume the Browns sent their area scout for the other players working out.  If not, well then that’s just very Cleveland Browns.  Let’s pay a guy to scout a guy we had for two years less than 2 years ago.  Brilliant, Jerry!

Schefty here saying that it went well, which is great to hear.  Johnny has been ramping up the comeback train for the last few months.  He has a CFL Offer on the table (Hamilton Tiger Cats), and he is scheduled to play in a development league this spring.  It will just be a few weeks, but it will be a chance to see Johnny running around in pads again.  I for one cannot wait!

I may be alone in this opinion, but I loved Johnny when he was on the Browns.  It was a marriage that was never meant to be, but it wasn’t all bad.  Outside of one game (his debut against the Bengals) Johnny wasn’t half bad on the field.  In some games he actually carried the offense on his shoulders.  Problem was his top two receivers were under 6 ft tall.  He never got to work with Josh Gordon, and there was no running game support.  It was all Johnny running around, and slinging it.  He actually showed progression from year 1 to year 2 and that had me hopeful.  But alas, it wasn’t meant to be.  Off the field is obviously another story.  I still believe to this day that if he hadn’t gone off the rails (Boom. Roasted!) he would’ve developed just fine.

Here’s to hoping we get to see Johnny Football scramblin’ like Tarkenton again.  He puts asses in seats for good reason.  Can you imagine what this rinky dink flag football league coverage will be like this spring?

So……..We’re Doing Darnold?

So, yesterday was Sam Darnold’s Pro Day at the University of Southern California.  These events are fucking stupid plain and simple.  Sam’s was especially stupid, because it was pouring rain out (Does USC not have a bubble?) which got all the analysts hot and bothered.  Whatever Sam did on the field during this workout is absolutely 100% irrelevant.  I could care less how far he throws, how tight the spiral is, and if he can hit an uncovered dude wearing shorts.  I simply don’t care.  NOTHING and I mean nothing matters football wise, until I see it on the field in an NFL game. I am more interested in finding clues as to who the Browns are leaning to picking come April. This Pro Day was interesting for that reason.

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Well well well!  Looks like there may be a leader in the Clubhouse for the number one overall pick?  Jimmy Haslam swapping spit with the Darnold family, while Sammy was slingin’ the rock in the rain.  Many share the belief that draft stock doesn’t necessarily go up after a pro-day, but your stock can go down.  Pro Day’s are seen as a way to solidify your standing with teams.  It is sounding like Sam really solidified himself as the top Quarterback Prospect in this years draft.  The overwhelming thought around the league is that the Browns will take Sam Darnold 1st overall.

I truthfully don’t know who this guy is, but he strongly believes the Giants are on the clock.  This would mean Darnold locked in as the first overall pick.  This whole thing reeks of taking him first overall.

I mean that is one hefty contingent travelling out to  watch this kid run around in shorts. Sounds like there was a dinner held with Darnold and the Browns brass the night before his workout as well.  It just seems like this guy is the guy, and everyone is doing their due diligence prior to being selecting their guy. I saw some people griping that Jimmy Haslam was meddling again, and to that I say fuck off.  The number 1 pick of the 2018 NFL draft is the most important single event in the 18 years since the Browns have returned.  You bet your ass he’ll be there. The Browns finally control their own destiny in terms of who to draft. They don’t have to see who trades up and down, they don’t have to worry about guys not falling to them, and they don’t have to settle for the third or fourth best Quarterback option. They haven’t have this opportunity since ’99 when Tim Couch was drafted 1st overall, and the Browns as we know them hadn’t played a single game yet. This year, the Browns have the pick of the litter.

In other news, it appears Sam Darnold actually wants to play in Cleveland? Albert Breer published an article documenting Sam’s day with the Browns.  Darnold had some interesting thoughts with throwing coach, Jordan Palmer (Yes, Carson’s brother).

darny

All the signs are there, and it really does appear that Sam Darnold will be chosen first overall.  Better yet, Sam seems excited about playing for the team and likes the idea of sitting for a year.  So here I am on 3/22/2018 saying the Browns will pick Sam Darnold.  For the get-go he’s been regarded as the unanimous best Quarterback (among writers/analysts), and his Pro Day solidified that, and all of the Browns major decision makers where there to see it.

It’s gotta be Darnold, right?