January 9, 20241 yr espn guide to the playoffs — afc 5. Cleveland Browns (11-6) Odds to win Super Bowl: +2500 FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 2.4% https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39228975/nfl-playoffs-bracket-wild-card-preview-stats-schedule-super-bowl-lviii-odds
January 9, 20241 yr stephen a. gets punked by america over the browns -- lol i love it -- 😂 https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=39272671
January 14, 20241 yr Welp… that sucked. This’ll put a bit of a damper on the Watson vs. Flacco noise. Cleveland is married to Watson, for better or worse. Flacco will likely get picked up by another team.
January 14, 20241 yr hardly flaccos fault. they came out doing what hes been doing and thats scoring touchdowns. He made two bad decisions, but they shouldve never been down 24-14. What happened to the D? Whya re they giving up long plays? they lost the game, going to have to figure out what went wrong there. Frankly i never bought into them being the best, i felt like it was a house of cards
January 14, 20241 yr 4 hours ago, unusualfire said: wow you can hear that Stephen A. Smith laugh now. And rightly so. The Browns traded 7 picks and gave up $300 million to trade for a player from the team that eliminated them from the playoffs. Like @surfohiosaid...cursed. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 14, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, KJP said: And rightly so. The Browns traded 7 picks and gave up $300 million to trade for a player from the team that eliminated them from the playoffs. Like @surfohiosaid...cursed. Not cursed. That wasn't luck, that was stupidity. Fire Jimmy Haslam!
January 14, 20241 yr 7 hours ago, X said: Fire Jimmy Haslam! I wish fans had some sort of recourse to do this.
January 14, 20241 yr 5 hours ago, Luke_S said: I wish fans had some sort of recourse to do this. He gets to ruin the franchise until he says he's done.
January 16, 20241 yr The Football gods delivered some serious karma to the Cleveland Browns this wildcard weekend.
January 16, 20241 yr It's wild how quickly some of y'all turn on a dime. The Browns took a badly injured team who faced some wildly tough circumstances to 11-6. The managerial skill and tact it took to accomplish that feat is nothing short of miraculous. The fact of the matter is, QBs today are going to get paid. I'm not quite sure how we can say anyone is ruining a franchise with a highly-sought-after young GM and a COTY candidate... not to mention the success his other franchises have seen. And if this is still about the moral grievances with Deshaun that you have, it's convenient to ignore the (based on my informal quick count) 13 members of still-alive playoff teams who've faced allegations (and some times arrests) for domestic and/or sexual abuse and somehow chalk this up to the Browns being "cursed".
January 16, 20241 yr I am not a psychologist, but I can't help wondering if the early "clinch," with it's temporary release of pressure to win, and the non-serious treatment of the Cincinnati game took some of the "edge" off.
January 16, 20241 yr 12 minutes ago, urb-a-saurus said: I am not a psychologist, but I can't help wondering if the early "clinch," with it's temporary release of pressure to win, and the non-serious treatment of the Cincinnati game took some of the "edge" off. And the previous game vs. the Jet was on Thursday, so there were a few additional days of rest.
January 26, 20241 yr 3 hours ago, OhioFinest said: I have been to a hundred Browns games...and while i appreciate the THEORY that an open air stadium provides a "Home Field Advantage" for the Browns....it simply does not lol. Playing outdoors hasn't made this franchise better...AT ALL!!! Show me the proof...ill wait lol. Also, i remember reading that a dome on the current site is not doable due to the stadium being on a land fill and it cant support the weight...correct me if i am wrong on that! That is why i fully support moving the stadium across from the Muni Lot where the current FBI location is. I fully understand and I know that may be the harder site to acquire...but it's the right plan...plain and simple. Anyway, its time for Cleveland and the state of Ohio to make a domed stadium happen. No more cheap stadiums. Build a dome and make it a game changer for the Cleveland Browns franchise and the city of Cleveland. Browns were 8-1 at home this year. With wins against warm weather opponents including Jacksonville, Arizona and particularly San Francisco where their QB struggled MIGHTILY in our conditions. The Browns struggles for 20+ years has zero to do with the weather and ALL to do with poor management at the top. Edited January 26, 20241 yr by Silent Matt
January 26, 20241 yr Browns were 8-1 because they had a good team with a great defense (most of the time). NFL players spend their winters in the south if not in the Caribbean. There's no weather advantage in the NFL except for the warm weather teams having another hook to attract more free agents. Give me a dome at home. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 26, 20241 yr 1 minute ago, Silent Matt said: Free agents go to whatever team pays them the most. End of that story. Teams like Cleveland have to overpay to overcompensate for their real and perceived shortcomings. I believe weather is a "tax" on the Browns. A domed stadium helps reduce that tax. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 26, 20241 yr 20 years of losing and mismanagement and 1-31 is why we had to over pay but yeah the weather doesn’t help.
January 27, 20241 yr 17 hours ago, KJP said: Browns were 8-1 because they had a good team with a great defense (most of the time). The Browns were 8-1 at home and 3-5 on the road. Your logic doesn't explain that away. As mentioned, opposing QBs struggled in the games with less than ideal conditions, and a team that can run the ball effectively certainly has an advantage when it's cold and rainy or snowy. I'd hate to see a dome. Part of the fun of going to a game is bundling up and braving the conditions for the two or three home games a year where it's very cold or rainy. Also, the weather is nice for at least half the season, and the bad weather doesn't really hit Cleveland often anymore until the playoffs start. Snow before Christmas seems to be getting to be more rare. The biggest reason we have to overpay for free agents is the 20+ year history of dysfunction that has nothing to do with the weather. Edited January 27, 20241 yr by jam40jeff
January 27, 20241 yr The Browns are 84-117-1 at home since 1999. A .418 winning percentage. And 54-147 away since 1999. A .269 winning percentage. I don't know if a dome or roof would make a difference, my hunch is no. Their record is pretty rough either way.
January 27, 20241 yr In my opinion, the weather is very minor disadvantage for the organization. By and large, money is what matters most to free agents. There are exceptions, like everything else. I do not believe the Browns pay much of a premium for free agents. And I don't believe a dome will move the needle in attracting free agents. The Browns dysfunction has been the result of management, not weather. The Steelers haven't had a losing season in forever. They have very similar weather with an open air stadium and it's a similar town. They've simply been managed better. I also don't believe the Browns 8-1 record vs 3-5 on the road had anything to do with weather. We just happened to face much better QB's on the road this season. That being said, I selfishly want a dome if I could just snap my fingers and make it free. I also want the new stadium downtown. I'm not certain it's conclusive, but from what I understand, study after study show that downtown stadium deals are not worth the cost. So if I put my selfish "what do I want" hat on, I say tax the crap out of everyone so I can have the domed stadium downtown that I want. But if I am looking at what the right thing to do is, I admit it's not worth the cost, especially if it means that people who are struggling may have to contribute towards it.
January 27, 20241 yr 5 hours ago, TBideon said: The Browns are 84-117-1 at home since 1999. A .418 winning percentage. And 54-147 away since 1999. A .269 winning percentage. I don't know if a dome or roof would make a difference, my hunch is no. Their record is pretty rough either way. Yes, it was. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 29, 20241 yr The Browns hired the one OC candidate who was fired midseason only to watch his former offense perform better without him. If there's a silver lining I'm sure he won't have any power or much of an impact at all, so there can't be too much damage he can do. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 29, 20241 yr 17 minutes ago, KJP said: The Browns hired the one OC candidate who was fired midseason only to watch his former offense perform better without him. If there's a silver lining I'm sure he won't have any power or much of an impact at all, so there can't be too much damage he can do. It bears repeating; the biggest reason we have to overpay for free agents is the 20+ year history of dysfunction that has nothing to do with the weather.
January 29, 20241 yr 10 hours ago, KJP said: The Browns hired the one OC candidate who was fired midseason only to watch his former offense perform better without him. If there's a silver lining I'm sure he won't have any power or much of an impact at all, so there can't be too much damage he can do. This feels like Stefanski putting a recently humbled "yes-man" in the seat. So basically an assistant for his offense.
January 29, 20241 yr On 1/26/2024 at 5:12 PM, KJP said: Teams like Cleveland have to overpay to overcompensate for their real and perceived shortcomings. I believe weather is a "tax" on the Browns. A domed stadium helps reduce that tax. Every team has to overpay now. The fact of the matter is, with the exception of Green Bay, every team is in a major city with any needed/wanted amenity. The best players try to curate a balance between who can pay them the most with what gives them the best chance of winning. The "Browns are the Browns" mantra really isn't valid anymore. They're 37-30 since 2020, there's 15 teams with worse records than us in that span.
January 29, 20241 yr On 1/26/2024 at 5:12 PM, KJP said: Teams like Cleveland have to overpay to overcompensate for their real and perceived shortcomings. I believe weather is a "tax" on the Browns. A domed stadium helps reduce that tax. BUt what about the players who want to play on grass and hate playing on turf? Wouldn't a dome stadium be a negative in their opinion? Unlike Arizona and Vegas, you do not get enough sunshine in the late Fall in Cleveland to have a moveable field that can grow outside when not in use.
January 29, 20241 yr It's never been confirmed, but it's long been rumored that a big factor in "The Decision" was Florida's lack of a state income tax.
January 29, 20241 yr 44 minutes ago, E Rocc said: It's never been confirmed, but it's long been rumored that a big factor in "The Decision" was Florida's lack of a state income tax. I'm sure every big time athlete factors that into part of the decision making process. In addition to Ohio State income tax, the City of Cleveland also levies a tax on entertainers and athletes.
January 29, 20241 yr 3 hours ago, Brutus_buckeye said: Unlike Arizona and Vegas, you do not get enough sunshine in the late Fall in Cleveland to have a moveable field that can grow outside when not in use. ...what am I missing that having a field that moves outside to inside would be any different than our field now as it specifically relates to the amount of sunshine affecting how the grass grows in late fall?
January 29, 20241 yr With how much money pro athletes are earning nowadays, it's hard to believe any of them are worried about taxes.
January 29, 20241 yr Just now, LibertyBlvd said: With how much money pro athletes are earning nowadays, it's hard to believe any of them are worried about taxes. They are only making that money for a few years. They have agents and accountants who justify their roles on many ways, tax minimization among them.
January 29, 20241 yr They are some of the few rich people that get paid in "wages" so they get actually get taxed at that 39.6% rate talk radio goes on about endlessly that for almost everyone else is pure fiction.
January 29, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, Luke_S said: ...what am I missing that having a field that moves outside to inside would be any different than our field now as it specifically relates to the amount of sunshine affecting how the grass grows in late fall? you're right, i guess it could be done (as long as they have the space to do so). I am not a grass expert, and I imagine the grass in Cleveland is more of a hybrid type grass anyway.
January 29, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, LibertyBlvd said: With how much money pro athletes are earning nowadays, it's hard to believe any of them are worried about taxes. when you are talking about millions of dollars a year in some cases, I think they would be very concerned about that. Remember they are earning a living too, for the short period of time where they can maximize their earnings. If they can keep an extra $10 million over that period, that can benefit them long term. 14 minutes ago, GCrites said: They are some of the few rich people that get paid in "wages" so they get actually get taxed at that 39.6% rate talk radio goes on about endlessly that for almost everyone else is pure fiction. They are probably the only group of people who can earn 8 figures in a given year and have it all as W2 income. Most other professions, even high paid CEO's do not receive that type of income on their W2. I don't know if you saw the California AG losing her Sh*t over the Ohtani contract because it is structured in such a way that will allow him to avoid California's high income taxes on 99% of the contract.
January 30, 20241 yr 20 hours ago, Brutus_buckeye said: They are probably the only group of people who can earn 8 figures in a given year and have it all as W2 income. Most other professions, even high paid CEO's do not receive that type of income on their W2. I don't know if you saw the California AG losing her Sh*t over the Ohtani contract because it is structured in such a way that will allow him to avoid California's high income taxes on 99% of the contract. My guess is the larger earners with long term contracts are not on W2 and are subcontractors to realize the tax benefits, especially avoiding the local taxes levied on athletes in many NFL markets.
January 30, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, Cleburger said: My guess is the larger earners with long term contracts are not on W2 and are subcontractors to realize the tax benefits, especially avoiding the local taxes levied on athletes in many NFL markets. I am pretty confident that athletes compensation for play qualifies as W2 income. Now certainly, their endorsement income is all 1099 but it would make sense that they are employees of their teams. I know from back in my days doing workers comp, NFL teams often had to deal with workers comp claims from injured players while on the job which speaks to the employer/employee relationship. Everyone laughs at the Bobby Bonilla contract, but it appears to be a shrewd move on his part to avoid paying NY taxes on a lot of his income for many years if it was structured as a deferred income.
January 30, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, Brutus_buckeye said: I am pretty confident that athletes compensation for play qualifies as W2 income. Now certainly, their endorsement income is all 1099 but it would make sense that they are employees of their teams. I know from back in my days doing workers comp, NFL teams often had to deal with workers comp claims from injured players while on the job which speaks to the employer/employee relationship. Everyone laughs at the Bobby Bonilla contract, but it appears to be a shrewd move on his part to avoid paying NY taxes on a lot of his income for many years if it was structured as a deferred income. Compensation absolutely qualifies as W2 income--if the player is paid as an employee of the team. I'd be willing to bet that many of the high-earners negotiate otherwise and are paid via a 1099, supplying their own insurance etc. @YABO713may be able to help verify with some friends in the coaching world.
January 30, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, Cleburger said: Compensation absolutely qualifies as W2 income--if the player is paid as an employee of the team. I'd be willing to bet that many of the high-earners negotiate otherwise and are paid via a 1099, supplying their own insurance etc. @YABO713may be able to help verify with some friends in the coaching world. It would be interesting to see if there is a carve out on the employment laws for Professional Football players, but in general: If you have set hours where your employer determines when you have to be at work and they provide the equipment that you use to work, the bulk of their income comes from a single source (i.e. team), the person is held out to the public as being part of that organization, amongst a few other factors. It is a balancing test.
January 30, 20241 yr On 1/29/2024 at 1:50 PM, Brutus_buckeye said: when you are talking about millions of dollars a year in some cases, I think they would be very concerned about that. Remember they are earning a living too, for the short period of time where they can maximize their earnings. If they can keep an extra $10 million over that period, that can benefit them long term. They are probably the only group of people who can earn 8 figures in a given year and have it all as W2 income. Most other professions, even high paid CEO's do not receive that type of income on their W2. I don't know if you saw the California AG losing her Sh*t over the Ohtani contract because it is structured in such a way that will allow him to avoid California's high income taxes on 99% of the contract. Controller, but pretty funny: https://www.taxnotes.com/featured-news/ohtanis-dodgers-contract-draws-california-controllers-ire/2024/01/09/7j274
February 9, 20241 yr https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-earn-four-awards-at-nfl-honors Browns earn four awards at NFL Honors Kevin Stefanski, Jim Schwartz, Myles Garrett and Joe Flacco honored for 2023 season Feb 08, 2024 at 11:36 PM Kelsey Russo Staff Writer The Browns were recognized by the Associated Press at NFL Honors for the success of the 2023 season.....
February 12, 20241 yr seems a couple slots low, but who knows? the espn trotty blurb: Early NFL power rankings 2024: Where do Chiefs, 49ers land? NFL Nation, ESPNFeb 11, 2024 Welcome to the first edition of the 2024 NFL Power Rankings. After the Kansas City Chiefsbeat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, we are now looking ahead to next season. Sure, it's way too early to know what the teams will look like in the fall. After all, free agencydoesn't start for another month, and the NFL draft is more than two months away. But let's take stock of the early outlook for each team and preview what the offseason has in store. In addition to our way-too-early rankings, our NFL Nation reporters offer up three words to describe this offseason for every team. Eight teams have new head coaches, other teams need to find a quarterback, and a few have more than 20 looming free agents they must make a decision on. … 11. Cleveland Browns 2023 record: 11-6 Offseason in three words: Get Watson right Once again, everything in Cleveland comes back to quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has played in only 11 games since the 2020 season. Next season, Watson's cap number alone will be $64 million, and he'll be coming off surgery to his throwing shoulder. Still, Cleveland's future outlook ultimately hinges on whether Watson can become the elite quarterback he showed he could be in 2020. Watson has had a few flashes, notably leading a second-half comeback in Cleveland's November win in Baltimore (when he suffered the season-ending shoulder injury). Otherwise, he statistically has been among the league's most inefficient passers since being traded. -- Jake Trotter https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39479402/nfl-way-too-early-power-rankings-poll-2024-plus-offseason-three-words
February 16, 20241 yr espn chat — What is one move you want to see this offseason? Walder: The Browns trade for QB Justin Fields. This is a wild one, I know. But if I were the Browns, I would look at Deshaun Watson as mostly a sunk cost and try to upgrade at quarterback. With no first-round pick and so much money already heading Watson's way, this would be tough to do. But trading a second- or third-round pick for Fields (still on his rookie contract) is feasible, and I'd like to see Fields in Kevin Stefanski's offense. The alternative is simply hoping that Watson improves and, if not, wasting another year of a talented roster.
March 1, 20241 yr behold the belichick pb&j — 😂 https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2NXjn3Lr82/?igsh=MThrc3R3dmYwd2JrdA==
March 4, 20241 yr ‘memba bottlegate? 💥 https://www.instagram.com/reel/C06gx9SgJRc/?igsh=d28wN3hpNjVxc2R6
Create an account or sign in to comment