1218 replies to this topic

[Oriole85]

Browns sold to Jimmy Haslam III http://espn.go.com/n...leveland-browns

If the Browns can get sold for over a $1 billion, wonder how much the Ravens would go for?

[Icterus galbula]

Browns were valued at 977 Million by Forbes this year: http://www.forbes.co... ... erycontent


Ravens at 1.08 Billion
http://www.forbes.co... ... erycontent


(100TH POST, SON)

[DJ MC]

The NFL is going to start looking like the Premier League soon; the only people able to afford the clubs will be oil sheikhs and Russian "businessmen".

The most interesting part of this is, of course, that the new majority owner is a Steelers diehard (and I believe I read a former part owner of that team). Browns fans must be conflicted beyond belief.

[Oriole85]

The NFL is going to start looking like the Premier League soon; the only people able to afford the clubs will be oil sheikhs and Russian "businessmen".

The most interesting part of this is, of course, that the new majority owner is a Steelers diehard (and I believe I read a former part owner of that team). Browns fans must be conflicted beyond belief.

Yes, he was a minority owner with the Steelers that's why he was such a fan of them. He also said previously he was a Cowboys and Colts fan. His brother is governor of Tennessee and his company is based in that state. I don't think he has any real ties to Cleveland other than general business interests(his company has locations in 43 states), just wanted to own a team.

[DJ MC]

Yes, he was a minority owner with the Steelers that's why he was such a fan of them. He also said previously he was a Cowboys and Colts fan. His brother is governor of Tennessee and his company is based in that state. I don't think he has any real ties to Cleveland other than general business interests(his company has locations in 43 states), just wanted to own a team.

Ah, I had heard only the Steelers' part. I guess it doesn't really matter then.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Richardson getting an MRI, will miss their preseason opener.

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN: Richardson returns to practice
http://espn.go.com/n...es-ahead-opener

[BSLChrisStoner]

Despite losing by just 1 to Philadelphia, Cleveland's opener was pretty ugly.

There were some things for Browns fans to like in their 34-27 loss to Cincinnati yesterday.

Weeden was 26-37 for 322 yards, and 2 TD's. Richardson 19 carries for 109 yards, and a TD. Massaquoi had 5 grabs for 90 yards. Ogbonnaya, and Little combined for 11 more receptions.

The Cleveland defense also combined for 6 sacks. Jackson had 3, Hughes 1, Rucker 1, and Parker 1. In addition to his 3 sacks, Jackson also had a pick.

[BobPhelan]

Solid defense and Richardson is for real. They're not a good team but they're not pushovers. I see them pulling some upsets.

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Mike Holmgren to leave Browns

http://espn.go.com/n...s-sale-official

I'm not sure if he's "retiring" so much as new ownershipw wants their guy and he would return to the NFL if the situation presents itself.


ESPN: Joe Banner joins Browns as CEO

http://espn.go.com/n...kert-likely-out

General manager Tom Heckert's future in Cleveland is uncertain. Banner and Heckert worked together in Philadelphia.

League sources, however, told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Heckert is unlikely to return to Cleveland next season.

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Evaluating Holmgren's legacy with Browns

http://espn.go.com/b...acy-with-browns

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Mike Holmgren might leave early

http://espn.go.com/n...browns-win-more


ESPN: Holmgren always better suited for coaching

http://espn.go.com/b...or-the-sideline

[Mike B]

I wanted to see if anyone else noticed all the empty seats in Cleveland yesterday.

The national media always makes it a point to acknowledge the dog pound and the great Cleveland fans but everytime we play there it seems that they have 15, 000 or more empty seats.
The weather seemed good yesterday, the Browns had a big win and the team they love to hate was in town. Where were the great Brown fans?

[Oriole85]

I wanted to see if anyone else noticed all the empty seats in Cleveland yesterday.

The national media always makes it a point to acknowledge the dog pound and the great Cleveland fans but everytime we play there it seems that they have 15, 000 or more empty seats.
The weather seemed good yesterday, the Browns had a big win and the team they love to hate was in town. Where were the great Brown fans?

They have rabid fans (or did back in the day) -- I don't think it was quite the same when the team was reincarnated. Gerry Sandusky pointed out how "empty" Cleveland was the whole time he was there and how he could see why LBJ would leave.

Bottomline is when your team is winning 4-6 games every year for a decade plus, the fan support isn't going to be there with some notable exceptions like GB. Really this team hasn't been too relevant since they were let into the league. Check out some Steeler box scores, despite "sellouts" since the 70s, they've had 39k for some games.

I've only been to Cleveland twice and was there briefly a few years ago. I know some deride it but thought it was decent, the R&R HOF was great and Jacobs Field was fun. I didn't get a good sense of decent restaurants and even bars when I was there though. And I thought it seemed more shady at night. But I was out of more comfort zone so that might have played a factor.

[BSLMikeLowe]

I wanted to see if anyone else noticed all the empty seats in Cleveland yesterday.

The national media always makes it a point to acknowledge the dog pound and the great Cleveland fans but everytime we play there it seems that they have 15, 000 or more empty seats.
The weather seemed good yesterday, the Browns had a big win and the team they love to hate was in town. Where were the great Brown fans?

As Orioles fans, it shouldn't be that hard for us to comprehend what we see in Cleveland.

[NewMarketSean]

Tickets on StubHube were going for less than $20 yesterday. My friend and I were about to buy some and make the drive...but didn't.

[Chris B]

Really wish I knew about how cheap they were.

My brother and I definitely would have driven up.

[Mike B]

I did think about the Oriole connection but the Oriole fans were called out by the national media many times.

Everytime I hear or read about Brown fans people are quick to tell how rabid they are and how the venue is among the best in the NFL. Their fans are quiet and their stadium is half empty. They kept showing the dog pound yesterday and it was calm.

I know their team has been bad but their fans IMO rank among the bottom of the NFL.

[Oriole85]

I did think about the Oriole connection but the Oriole fans were called out by the national media many times.

Everytime I hear or read about Brown fans people are quick to tell how rabid they are and how the venue is among the best in the NFL. Their fans are quiet and their stadium is half empty. They kept showing the dog pound yesterday and it was calm.

I know their team has been bad but their fans IMO rank among the bottom of the NFL.

Let's a call a spade a spade here, their fanbase has been demoralized by the teams on-field product. Saying they are the most rabid isn't right, this isn't the 1980s.

Any team that has that kind of record over of 12 years period as we've seen in Baltimore, would have a pretty low fan morale.

The new stadium doesn't have the same character as the old one. I was by it when I was there, looks like your typical new stadium, nothing too special from the outside.

[Adam Wolff]

I think, relatively quietly, the Browns are doing some really good things. Sure they're still at the bottom of the division but they're no push over. If they can have another strong draft it will be very interesting to see if they can make any noise next season.