What is wrong with the cleveland browns
by: Brittany gehlmann
By Brittany Gehlmann
The Browns have been plagued with relentless jokes, awful seasons, bad general managers, and coaches, horrendous decisions, and destroyed draft picks, just to name a few issues. The largest issue I have is the fact that these problems don’t get corrected. You have a team that continuously suffers in the NFL and fails to have a winning season. The last time the Browns had a winning season record was 2007. 2007 was 9 years ago… this situation really needs to be resolved and quickly.
Cleveland is fed up with the team on the lake who cannot seem to do anything right. Ever since the expansion team started in 1999 the Browns have been one of the worst teams in the NFL every single year. It really bothers me when you get a top first round draft pick and waste it on someone who never benefits the team. Most of Cleveland’s first round picks are either gone, or don’t show much. One of the biggest draft botches of the modern Browns would be Johnny Manziel. Cleveland has had many many issues with keeping a starting quarterback or having a quarterback that does well. Once Mr. Johnny football walked onstage with the money signs, I knew we just trashed another pick. An athlete who thinks it’s ok to still act like it is the college heydays is going to have many off the field issues, just as we saw with Johnny. He will not have the best comeback in history because that requires actually changing something that seems impossible for Manziel to realize.
Most team fanbases get excited with having a top draft pick after an awful season, but in Cleveland it is just another chance for the Browns’ front office to mess up. Cleveland has gotten many high picks thanks to their poor seasons, but they always end up either trading the pick away or wasting it. For example, the 2016 draft the Browns had the number two overall pick, something Browns fans were excited about but also wary knowing how the Browns usually make decisions. The Browns made a lot of offseason moves due to the contracts of several key players being over, needing a key pick was crucial. With several quarterbacks in this draft it wasn’t as important to go for one with the number two overall, however Joey Bosa who was the top defensive end in college out of Ohio State was projected to go top three. With the Browns at number two everyone was stoked about the possible chance of getting the best defensive end as well as an Ohio State athlete. But low and behold what does Cleveland do, they pull a typical Browns move and trade down to fifteen and pick wide receiver, Corey Coleman. Browns fans nationwide collectively rolled their eyes once again.
The 2016 season does not promise much, with a previous season record of 3-13, the Browns can most likely hope for such a record this upcoming season. RGIII is doing better than I predicted, but that still does not change the fact he will most likely get injured this season unless the Browns line stands strong. Josh Gordon is getting a lot of hype during the preseason and I suspect that is because fans are nervous about how he will be dealt with and if he lives up to the potential, therefore the team is doing everything possible to get him opportunities to make good plays to relax fans. But once the season starts we will see if that actually happens. Josh Gordon will be suspended for the first four games but will be back for his first game when the Browns host the Patriots. The Pats will, more than likely, annihilate the Browns especially considering it will be Brady’s first game back as well and he will be looking to have a stellar performance. Several “stars” for the Browns were either lost to free agency (Alex Mack, Tashaun Gibson, Travis Benjamin), traded (Barkevious Mingo) or let go for unknown reasons (Paul Kruger).
The Browns always figure out new ways to lose each week as seen in the 2015-16 season. With the exceptions of their win against the Titans and seven sacks on first rounder Mariota, the Ravens, and my personal favorite, the large win over the San Francisco 49ers. Other than those three there was the spectacular losses that showed creative ways to lose each week.
With the 2016-17 season looming closer Cleveland is beginning to get ready to move onto watching the Browns on Sundays after watching the Cavs up the street have a phenomenal season and ending the championship drought. In no way shape or form can the Browns make the playoffs this season, but they have some big shoes to fill. This season people are not going to want to watch their team have another 3-13 season or possibly worse, it’s time to shape up Jimmy Haslem and get the city of Cleveland a season with at least a .500 record.
The Browns have been plagued with relentless jokes, awful seasons, bad general managers, and coaches, horrendous decisions, and destroyed draft picks, just to name a few issues. The largest issue I have is the fact that these problems don’t get corrected. You have a team that continuously suffers in the NFL and fails to have a winning season. The last time the Browns had a winning season record was 2007. 2007 was 9 years ago… this situation really needs to be resolved and quickly.
Cleveland is fed up with the team on the lake who cannot seem to do anything right. Ever since the expansion team started in 1999 the Browns have been one of the worst teams in the NFL every single year. It really bothers me when you get a top first round draft pick and waste it on someone who never benefits the team. Most of Cleveland’s first round picks are either gone, or don’t show much. One of the biggest draft botches of the modern Browns would be Johnny Manziel. Cleveland has had many many issues with keeping a starting quarterback or having a quarterback that does well. Once Mr. Johnny football walked onstage with the money signs, I knew we just trashed another pick. An athlete who thinks it’s ok to still act like it is the college heydays is going to have many off the field issues, just as we saw with Johnny. He will not have the best comeback in history because that requires actually changing something that seems impossible for Manziel to realize.
Most team fanbases get excited with having a top draft pick after an awful season, but in Cleveland it is just another chance for the Browns’ front office to mess up. Cleveland has gotten many high picks thanks to their poor seasons, but they always end up either trading the pick away or wasting it. For example, the 2016 draft the Browns had the number two overall pick, something Browns fans were excited about but also wary knowing how the Browns usually make decisions. The Browns made a lot of offseason moves due to the contracts of several key players being over, needing a key pick was crucial. With several quarterbacks in this draft it wasn’t as important to go for one with the number two overall, however Joey Bosa who was the top defensive end in college out of Ohio State was projected to go top three. With the Browns at number two everyone was stoked about the possible chance of getting the best defensive end as well as an Ohio State athlete. But low and behold what does Cleveland do, they pull a typical Browns move and trade down to fifteen and pick wide receiver, Corey Coleman. Browns fans nationwide collectively rolled their eyes once again.
The 2016 season does not promise much, with a previous season record of 3-13, the Browns can most likely hope for such a record this upcoming season. RGIII is doing better than I predicted, but that still does not change the fact he will most likely get injured this season unless the Browns line stands strong. Josh Gordon is getting a lot of hype during the preseason and I suspect that is because fans are nervous about how he will be dealt with and if he lives up to the potential, therefore the team is doing everything possible to get him opportunities to make good plays to relax fans. But once the season starts we will see if that actually happens. Josh Gordon will be suspended for the first four games but will be back for his first game when the Browns host the Patriots. The Pats will, more than likely, annihilate the Browns especially considering it will be Brady’s first game back as well and he will be looking to have a stellar performance. Several “stars” for the Browns were either lost to free agency (Alex Mack, Tashaun Gibson, Travis Benjamin), traded (Barkevious Mingo) or let go for unknown reasons (Paul Kruger).
The Browns always figure out new ways to lose each week as seen in the 2015-16 season. With the exceptions of their win against the Titans and seven sacks on first rounder Mariota, the Ravens, and my personal favorite, the large win over the San Francisco 49ers. Other than those three there was the spectacular losses that showed creative ways to lose each week.
With the 2016-17 season looming closer Cleveland is beginning to get ready to move onto watching the Browns on Sundays after watching the Cavs up the street have a phenomenal season and ending the championship drought. In no way shape or form can the Browns make the playoffs this season, but they have some big shoes to fill. This season people are not going to want to watch their team have another 3-13 season or possibly worse, it’s time to shape up Jimmy Haslem and get the city of Cleveland a season with at least a .500 record.
is there a chance jimmy Garoppola takes the starting job from tom brady
by jackson hett
The New England Patriots star quarterback, Tom Brady, accepted his 4 game suspension for probably being knowledgable of deflated footballs.
On January 18, 2015, the Patriots defeated the Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship game. That night, reports surfaced that the NFL was looking into a possible deflated football scandal and on May 11, 2015, the NFL suspended Tom Brady 4 games. This suspension was lifted then put back on to Brady after he was able to play the entire 2015-2016 season.
On July 15, 2016, Brady announced he had, "made the difficult decision to no longer proceed with the legal process." This means Jimmy Garoppolo will be the Patriots starting quarterback for weeks 1-4. Brady is 39 and clearly only has a few elite years left. Many Patriots fans believe Garoppolo is the Patriots future QB and this suspension is good to see what talent Garoppolo has, but there is a 0% chance Brady's starting spot is taken away from him after his suspension is lifted.
Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL. He has led the Patriots to 4 Super Bowl victories and had 8 4,000+ passing yard seasons. He is also a 2x MVP and 11x Pro Bowl selection. He has broken tons of records and shattered millions of dreams. Love him or hate him, Tom Brady is a legend, and still one of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL. He will start for the New England Patriots until he retires.
On January 18, 2015, the Patriots defeated the Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship game. That night, reports surfaced that the NFL was looking into a possible deflated football scandal and on May 11, 2015, the NFL suspended Tom Brady 4 games. This suspension was lifted then put back on to Brady after he was able to play the entire 2015-2016 season.
On July 15, 2016, Brady announced he had, "made the difficult decision to no longer proceed with the legal process." This means Jimmy Garoppolo will be the Patriots starting quarterback for weeks 1-4. Brady is 39 and clearly only has a few elite years left. Many Patriots fans believe Garoppolo is the Patriots future QB and this suspension is good to see what talent Garoppolo has, but there is a 0% chance Brady's starting spot is taken away from him after his suspension is lifted.
Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL. He has led the Patriots to 4 Super Bowl victories and had 8 4,000+ passing yard seasons. He is also a 2x MVP and 11x Pro Bowl selection. He has broken tons of records and shattered millions of dreams. Love him or hate him, Tom Brady is a legend, and still one of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL. He will start for the New England Patriots until he retires.
NFl hall of fame game....... super bowl preview
By:Owen noland
On a weekend where legendary Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame it is only fitting that Packers fans get to see Favre's predecessor, another great Packers Quarterback who could very well find himself being inducted into the Hall of Fame someday Aaron Rodgers, play in the 2016 NFL Hall of Fame game. Indianapolis Colts fans also get to see their longtime coach and wide receiver Tong Dungy and Marvin Harrison get inducted. Along with seeing these players get inducted into the Hall of Fame both of these fan bases will get to see theirs respective teams play in the 2016 NFL Hall of Fame game. Of course in this game fans will see a lot of second and third stringers take the field but could this be a potential Super Bowl Preview?
Starting of with the Indianapolis Colts. they now have the highest paid player in NFL history and if Andrew Luck can stay healthy this year I think could have a very legitimate shot at winning the AFC. The Denver Broncos don't look as good especially without Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler at the helm of the offense. I don't thing that Mark Sanchez can lead a team to a Super Bowl and I also don't think that Paxton Lynch the rookie out of Memphis is ready to lead his team deep in the playoffs. As for the New England Patriots it will be tough without Tom Brady for the first four games especially when week 1 they have to travel to Arizona and face a Cardinals team that is one of the best in the league. Luckily for the Patriots the remaining three games of Brady's suspension will be at home. I think they can beat the Dolphins without Brady but I think that is the only win they will get. I have them loosing to the Texans and the Bills. With three loses right of the bat it will be hard to get the number 1 seed in the AFC. That is where the Colts have an advantage and I think will get the number one seed in the AFC thus giving them home field advantage throughout the playoffs. That could pave the way for the Colts to be crowned AFC champions.
As for the Packers they are a team that has won the Super Bowl before with Aaron Rodgers as the quarterback and are always in contention for the NFC title. I think they can Cruz to yet another NFC North division title and will in all likely hood get a first round bye in the playoffs. I don't think the Panthers can repeat the success they had last year especially after loosing Josh Norman to the Redskins. The Cardinals who knocked out the Packers in lasts years playoffs are a good team but if they have to travel to Lambeau in January I think that the Packers will come out victorious. That being said I think the Packers should be the favorites to come out of the NFC.
Starting of with the Indianapolis Colts. they now have the highest paid player in NFL history and if Andrew Luck can stay healthy this year I think could have a very legitimate shot at winning the AFC. The Denver Broncos don't look as good especially without Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler at the helm of the offense. I don't thing that Mark Sanchez can lead a team to a Super Bowl and I also don't think that Paxton Lynch the rookie out of Memphis is ready to lead his team deep in the playoffs. As for the New England Patriots it will be tough without Tom Brady for the first four games especially when week 1 they have to travel to Arizona and face a Cardinals team that is one of the best in the league. Luckily for the Patriots the remaining three games of Brady's suspension will be at home. I think they can beat the Dolphins without Brady but I think that is the only win they will get. I have them loosing to the Texans and the Bills. With three loses right of the bat it will be hard to get the number 1 seed in the AFC. That is where the Colts have an advantage and I think will get the number one seed in the AFC thus giving them home field advantage throughout the playoffs. That could pave the way for the Colts to be crowned AFC champions.
As for the Packers they are a team that has won the Super Bowl before with Aaron Rodgers as the quarterback and are always in contention for the NFC title. I think they can Cruz to yet another NFC North division title and will in all likely hood get a first round bye in the playoffs. I don't think the Panthers can repeat the success they had last year especially after loosing Josh Norman to the Redskins. The Cardinals who knocked out the Packers in lasts years playoffs are a good team but if they have to travel to Lambeau in January I think that the Packers will come out victorious. That being said I think the Packers should be the favorites to come out of the NFC.
Training camp battles
by:vann noland
This is the first week of NFL training camps and all around the league players are battling to claim a starting job.
The first battle that comes to mind for me is the Cleveland Browns QB competition. This battle is between Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown. With new members to the Browns coaching staff it offers Griffin III a chance to compete for a real shot as a starter. According to head coach Hue Jackson he has been very impressed with the way Griffin has played in OTA's. However if you were to go by what some Cleveland reporters have said that may not be the case. When McCown was healthy last year he played like an NFL starter passing for 2,109 yards and had a 63% completion percentage throwing 12 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. My prediction is that Robert Griffin III will win the starting spot at least in the beginning. However if he starts to struggle Josh McCown is a very solid backup in the NFL and has done good in his times as a started through his career.
The Denver Broncos QB battle between Mark Sanchez and first rounder Paxton Lynch. Paxton Lynch will be entering his rookie season and after the spring workouts he was 3rd on the Broncos QB depth chart behind Trevor Siemien and Mark Sanchez. Mark Sanchez is the favorite because he is a veteran in the league and has postseason experience. Gary Kubiak said that Sanchez looked good early on in training camp. With the Broncos offensive weapons like Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Saunders, and
CJ Anderson you don't need a pro bowl QB.
With Matt Forte now in New York the Chicago Bears need a running back. There are four with a potential shot at winning this job Jeremy Langford, Jordan Howard, Ka'Deem Carey, and Jacquizz Rodgers. Jeremy Langford played very well last year when Matt Forte was injured. Jordan Howard is the rookie of the group but has a high upside and has the potential to be a good running back in the league. Jacquizz Rodgers is the one with the most experience of the group but is mainly a pass catcher out of the backfield and won't see much time unless there are injuries. Carey also is a young running back with good potential and looks to add good depth to the Bears backfield.
Many position battles are won during the preseason but these are just some that have the potential to be decided during training camp.
With Matt Forte now in New York the Chicago Bears need a running back. There are four with a potential shot at winning this job Jeremy Langford, Jordan Howard, Ka'Deem Carey, and Jacquizz Rodgers. Jeremy Langford played very well last year when Matt Forte was injured. Jordan Howard is the rookie of the group but has a high upside and has the potential to be a good running back in the league. Jacquizz Rodgers is the one with the most experience of the group but is mainly a pass catcher out of the backfield and won't see much time unless there are injuries. Carey also is a young running back with good potential and looks to add good depth to the Bears backfield.
Many position battles are won during the preseason but these are just some that have the potential to be decided during training camp.