The Kentucky derby is May. Welkers test is weeks after Gordon's

Plus Amphetamine is generally out of your system in days

 

Edit: oops just reread what KJP posted. We're screwed.

A few reports I see out there today that, with approval of the new drug policy, Gordon's suspension will be reduced to 8 games.

 

The new drug policy would likely take effect retroactively for the 2014 "league year" which began in March. Gordon's failed test was in February. The NFL ruled against him in April. So which one will the NFL account for?

 

Gordon's 'failed' test was in 2013

The NFL under Goodell is like a 1950's dad. Hammered on liquor all the time, beating his wife... but puff a J or show up wearing the wrong socks and you're out of the house.

Great analogy GCrites and sadly, very accurate.

If this Browns season is a wash (sorry we've only had one game, but I'm not optimistic), wouldn't it be better for the Browns if Gordon was out the entire season anyways? I mean, if he plays just 4-6 games or whatever, it doesn't really help the team make a playoff push, and it will cost the franchise a year of contractual control, right?

Fair point. However, I think we need to see what this offense can look like with Josh on the field so that any necessary adjustments can be made in the offseason

Who's all going tomorrow?

After seeing the Stillers man handled on Thursday night, I don't feel as optimistic about the second half last week. New Orleans had a chip on their shoulder going into the season and it's doubled in size after losing to Atlanta last week. Our only hope is that the Saints are historically a horrible team outdoors and on the road.

Who's all going tomorrow?

After seeing the Stillers man handled on Thursday night, I don't feel as optimistic about the second half last week. New Orleans had a chip on their shoulder going into the season and it's doubled in size after losing to Atlanta last week. Our only hope is that the Saints are historically a horrible team outdoors and on the road.

The funny thing is we play better against good/great teams,  we rarely  get blown out so it should be an interesting game.

I'm predicting a home opener loss!

I'm going and not real excited at our prospects.

 

Edit: did we just win a game like a good team should?

 

Takeaways from today's game:

 

1. Justin Gilbert played much better.

2. Joe Haden was awful today. He was completely out of position on the TD pass to Jimmy Graham to end the first half. He was unable to cover Jimmy Graham at all today and his play very well could have cost us the game. Buster Skrine is our best coverage CB so far this season.

3. There was little pass rush most of the day.

4. The Browns offensive line won the game for the Browns

5. We may have the worst receiving corp in the NFL. I counted six drops (all by WRs) today. There may have been more.

6. Hoyer's passes looked like they had little or no zip on them all day today. I'm being serious when I ask this; is he capable of throwing the ball more than 30 yards? On the plus side, he's an intelligent QB who doesn't make a lot of mistakes.

7. Our two rookie RBs are awesome. The running game is so much better than last year. There's really no comparison.

8. We have some really weak tacklers on our team. Outside of Sheard, Dansby, Haden & Taylor, we have a below average defense in regards to tackling.

 

I'm predicting a home opener loss!

I was sure we were going to lose until I saw your post and knew your track record for predictions lately. [emoji14]

^haha. It was entertaining enough just to watch a competent Team. The win was the icing on the cake

^^ Haden had a rough day but nobody is goin to cover graham solo in that situation I was yelling at the TV that he was not double covered

^^ Haden had a rough day but nobody is goin to cover graham solo in that situation I was yelling at the TV that he was not double covered

Haden gave up catches to at least 3 different WR's?  Graham just simply abused him.

I'm predicting a home opener loss!

I was sure we were going to lose until I saw your post and knew your track record for predictions lately. [emoji14]

 

I did that just for you, Boo!

Id like to point out that Graham has 8 inches and 75 pounds on Haden. 

Id like to point out that Graham has 8 inches and 75 pounds on Haden.

How many inches & pounds did Antonio Brown have on him?

Haden gave up catches to at least 3 different WR's?  Graham just simply abused him.

 

I thought the Browns' defensive game plan was brilliant. They put Haden one-on-one on Graham, who is one of those guys who can take over a game with 200 receiving yards. To borrow an often overused phrase -- you can't stop Graham, you can only hope to contain him. Haden was shadowing him everywhere and contained him and allowed the rest of defense to shut down everyone else. Guess what? It worked. We won. Next game.

 

BTW, for those who thought Manziel was a lock to come in after the bye, Hoyer isn't going anywhere. He's earned the right to keep his job. And he's doing it without the team's three best skill players -- Gordon, Cameron and Tate.

^^However many inches and pounds Brown needed to push off (without a flag being thrown).  I won't expect such a Negative Ned like you to notice stuff like that.  Cheer up..... we won!

 

NOBODY covers Jimmy Graham 1-on-1.  Nobody.  That is why he is such a weapon.  Way too fast for LBs.  Way too big for CBs.  Haden was right there with him on his catches, just like he was right there with Brown on his catches.  With the new rules in the league, basically hand-cuffing DBs in coverage, perfect throws are going to beat good coverage every time.  There is absolutely no shame in giving up a TD to the combo of Brees and Graham.  None at all.  For those who want to criticize Joe for Graham doing what Graham does each week, stop being such a wet blanket on Victory Monday.  We win our home opener for the first time in nearly a decade and you still can't find a way out of your misery.

 

I'm predicting a home opener loss!

 

First Lebron is not coming home and now this.  Could you do us a favor and predict that we don't make the playoffs?

We win our home opener for the first time in nearly a decade and you still can't find a way out of your misery.

 

Thank you. I think some Browns fans don't know how to rejoice after a win, especially in beating a team that was favored by almost a touchdown on the road (although some big money came in at the end and pushed the line down to 5 right before the game). This win was a HUGE upset. If you can't enjoy a victory, I feel very sorry for you.

Richard Sherman got roast toasted by the Chargers yesterday.  It is going to be a very hard transition for NFL DBs this year.

We win our home opener for the first time in nearly a decade and you still can't find a way out of your misery.

 

Thank you. I think some Browns fans don't know how to rejoice after a win, especially in beating a team that was favored by almost a touchdown on the road (although some big money came in at the end and pushed the line down to 5 right before the game). This win was a HUGE upset. If you can't enjoy a victory, I feel very sorry for you.

Personally, I've thoroughly enjoyed the win.  It was great seeing the Browns establish a run game and open up the passing game, creating opportunities for any WR that could catch as the Saints focused on trying to stop the run.

 

My issue with Haden is that he's cost us or come close to costing us many games over the past few seasons in crunch time.  He's eating up a ton of salary and needs to start winning just some one on one battles with the game on the line, when games are won and lost.  Thank goodness for Dansby yesterday, 12 tackles and a huge sack when it mattered most.

There were also a bunch of plays where Brees had to get rid of the ball because nobody was open.  They made a top five quarterback look ordinary.  In this league, points will be scored.

I think you are going to find yourself in a lonely spot on that Haden analysis.  He has had several clutch plays and done enough to propel himself into a consensus top tier CB in this league.  CB is perhaps the most difficult position in all of sports, IMO.  Not only are you expected to stay step for step with some of the best athletes in the world, you are supposed to do so when they know exactly where they are going, exactly when they are going to cut, and you are no longer allowed to keep one hand on them while your eyes are on the QB.  Haden is asked to guard the best WR on the opposing team.  You are nuts if you think he is not going to give up some big plays from time to time.  When you are in his position, games could be "won or lost" with one single misstep.

BTW, I thought Gilbert played alot better (when he wasn't trying to stop the phone in his head from ringing!), both on coverage and in tackling. Best game so far among preseason and regular season for him.

Coverage was very good all day. I enjoyed being able to see the whole field at the stadium and focused on the coverage, given that Brees can kill you through the air.

 

The renovations to the stadium are a huge improvement to the experience. I really like the continuous lower bowl. And the screens are beautiful. It took me a few minutes to locate the down markers on the ribbon screens but once I knew where they were it was no problem.

 

I completely agree with 8 Titles. I also agree that no one can cover Jimmy Graham one on one. I also agree that CB Is the most difficult position in football.  There still was no excuse for the touchdown at the end of the half. Haden was behind him in the end zone leaving himself zero chance of making a play on the ball. In addition, there were three other non Graham related plays when Haden got smoked.  He bites on the inside stutter step every time. The fact is he's not an elite coverage corner which makes him grossly overpaid. He's a very above CB and an excellent tackler.

 

I agree with CBC on the renovations. The scoreboards make a huge difference. Just my opinion but I thought the sound system changes and internet access changes were negligible. Then again, I'm half deaf so the old sound system worked just fine to me. Internet access is still terrible.

That winning drive may be the turning point in Hoyer's career... and Johnny's too.

Ah sh!t, I just realized that I have let my guard down and actually allowed myself to get excited about this team, as I sit here reading my Browns feed on Bleacher report over my oatmeal. I am loving Pettine's demeanor and his press conferences . I believe he has fixed the culture in the locker room of losing. , although I am still waiting on how they react to getting blown out.

 

I don't think this team is quite a contender yet but a good team that could compete for a playoff spot this year and get better over the Next few years. It could be fun.

INCREDIBLE scene outside the stadium yesterday! #GOBROWNS! http://t.co/Vf9t311mga

 

I completely agree with 8 Titles. I also agree that no one cover Jimmy Graham one on one. I also agree that CB Is the most difficult position in football.  There still was no excuse for the touchdown at the end of the half. Haden was behind him in the end zone leaving himself zero chance of making a play on the ball. In addition, there were three other non Graham related plays when Haden got smoked.  He bites on the inside stutter step every time. The fact is he's not an elite coverage corner which makes him grossly overpaid. He's a very above CB and an excellent tackler.

 

Not a good cover corner?  Is that a joke?  If Haden is not an elite coverage corner, I don't know who is.  The experts and statistics agree with me on that front

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000364079/article/buckys-best-joe-haden-aqib-talib-among-top-cover-corners

http://cover32.com/2014/06/30/top-10-in-2014-the-best-cornerbacks-in-the-nfl-today/4/

http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/07/23/richard-sherman-patrick-peterson-nfl-best-cornerbacks

http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news/2014/cornerback-player-ratings

 

Graham is a double edged sword.  If you play in front of him, Brees will just loft the ball up and Graham can go up and get it like no one else..... perhaps ever.  Due to the fact that the DBs are no longer allowed to touch the WRs/TEs, the best way to keep an eye on the person your covering and the QBs eyes is to keep the receiver between you and the QB.  You also shouldn't underestimate how difficult it is to get position on Graham.  The dude is huge and really strong.  He is an absolute beast...... perhaps the most dangerous weapon in the league right now.

 

And what were the three other non Graham related plays where Haden "got smoked"?  We might have a very different definition of that term.  I recall one play to Meachum which was a quick hit across the middle.  I wouldn't call that getting "smoked".  That is just a All-Pro QB making a quick read and delivering a pass on the money.  No other WR had more than 30 yards in the game (Meachum had 37).  We must have a different definition. 

Cincy folks really hate us.  I mean they REALLY hate us.  I'll never know what Cleveland did to that corner of the state.

 

Meanwhile, the Browns have a loss and a razor-thin win and the fans are excited about being playoff contenders.

Cincy folks really hate us.  I mean they REALLY hate us.  I'll never know what Cleveland did to that corner of the state.

 

Meanwhile, the Browns have a loss and a razor-thin win and the fans are excited about being playoff contenders.

It's easy to be jealous when you're the second best city in the state.

 

And I say that as someone who likes Cincinnati.

Bungals - They win, nobody cares. They lose, nobody cares. Just look at the empty seats in their stadium each Sunday....

OK, we're not going to do intra-state one-up-manship unless you volunteer to clean up this thread when it starts to get out of hand. And it will.

She started it.  But point taken.

If you want to read a superb analysis of Joe Haden's 2013 season, read the link below. It's a little more substantive than providing a link to a video game.

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2068784-joe-haden-breaking-down-the-high-priced-cornerbacks-2013-season.

 

 

^Bleacher Report?

 

 

 

Now, hate on Joe all you want, but don't you dare try to disrespect Madden.  Blasphemy.

 

 

Hahahahaha!!! Sorry, no disrespect to Madden.  I'm not hating on him at all. I think he has games when he plays at an elite level but other times not so much. Just my personal opinion. The N.O. game may not be the best game to state one's case either way.

 

What's wrong with the Bleacher Report? They're a bunch of armchair quarterbacks just like us. A few happen to know what they're talking about concerning football.

Cincy folks really hate us.  I mean they REALLY hate us.  I'll never know what Cleveland did to that corner of the state.

 

Meanwhile, the Browns have a loss and a razor-thin win and the fans are excited about being playoff contenders.

 

Says the guy who comes into the Bearcats thread to talk ish. :roll: At least I kept it in the Bengals thread. :P

 

Also, in context, the quote you posted came right after my expression of doubt about the Bengals, who have objectively had a better season so far.

Rumored Browns helmet from @TheRealTRizzo

I like the concept if this is legit. But I would like to see the reverse of this, with the helmet being brown with some orange. I am not a traditionalist when it comes to this, I want something new. And I know most wouldn't agree but I think the main color should be brown with orange being the accent color. Same with the uni's. But I do like this.

^ I like the metallic or fluorescent orange as the primary color. I think a brown helmet would be hard to spot of you're a QB looking for your guys. Stick with something bright. The new unis need to work on the field first, look good second. Not that they can't do both...

Rumored Browns helmet from @TheRealTRizzo

I like the concept if this is legit. But I would like to see the reverse of this, with the helmet being brown with some orange. I am not a traditionalist when it comes to this, I want something new. And I know most wouldn't agree but I think the main color should be brown with orange being the accent color. Same with the uni's. But I do like this.

 

That's horrible.  I strongly oppose any significant uniform changes except replacing the brown pants with orange, but the helmet in particular s iconic (it is indeed the de facto logo) and should not be messed with.

 

The Browns are a traditional team, like the Packers and Bears, and should embrace that.  Leave trendiness to newcomers like Jacksonville and Baltimore.  Or Cincinnati.

Rumored Browns helmet from @TheRealTRizzo

I like the concept if this is legit. But I would like to see the reverse of this, with the helmet being brown with some orange. I am not a traditionalist when it comes to this, I want something new. And I know most wouldn't agree but I think the main color should be brown with orange being the accent color. Same with the uni's. But I do like this.

 

That's horrible.  I strongly oppose any significant uniform changes except replacing the brown pants with orange, but the helmet in particular s iconic (it is indeed the de facto logo) and should not be messed with.

 

The Browns are a traditional team, like the Packers and Bears, and should embrace that.  Leave trendiness to newcomers like Jacksonville and Baltimore.  Or Cincinnati.

 

Agreed.  That helmet looks like it was dragged behind a truck on some fresh asphalt.  I'd let the Bengals have a design like that. 

Listening to Kylie and Booms. Sounds like the police have been directed to crack down on tailgating at the Muny Lot. To their credit they were grilling Cimperman about this. Interestingly Cimperman does not know who is behind this crackdown, and he encouraged fans to write and email the Mayor, Police, Council - basically everyone you can think of to say that cracking down on tailgating is a misuse of police resources.

joecimperman @923TheFan hi guys, I don't support the current action re muni lot, pls get your facts straight , and go @Browns !!!

Rumored Browns helmet from @TheRealTRizzo

I like the concept if this is legit. But I would like to see the reverse of this, with the helmet being brown with some orange. I am not a traditionalist when it comes to this, I want something new. And I know most wouldn't agree but I think the main color should be brown with orange being the accent color. Same with the uni's. But I do like this.

 

That's horrible.  I strongly oppose any significant uniform changes except replacing the brown pants with orange, but the helmet in particular s iconic (it is indeed the de facto logo) and should not be messed with.

 

The Browns are a traditional team, like the Packers and Bears, and should embrace that.  Leave trendiness to newcomers like Jacksonville and Baltimore.  Or Cincinnati.

 

Or Seattle? Oh well to each his own. But I am ready for a change. Paul Brown was a genius when it came to football. When it came to uniform design..not so much.

I'm all for some tweaks to the uniform to modernize, but the helmet is untouchable

I don't love it, but it's light years better than the supposed "Dawg" logo that's been thrown around recently. Personally, I think they should mimic Ohio State's alternate helmet and incorporate some minor, albeit noticeable adjustments... Wider stripes, more modern shape, metallic shine.