The Blawg Pound

Congrats, Giants! (Wait 'til Next Year)

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:24:00 +0000

Die Hard Browns Fan: Taco

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:01:00 +0000

It's back! The always-popular Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan feature is back and better than ever.

For this installment, I talked with a coworker of mine. His name is Taco (he's the one on the left) and he's a tried and true Browns fan. In fact, he's been featured on 19 Action News for a story they did about how Mondays after a Browns loss are depressing.

Taco is a Willoughby Hills native and has loved the Browns for a long time. His opinions are thoughtful and straightforward. Like me, Taco tries his best to stay optimistic even when it appears there is no hope.

So, without further ado, I give you the Blawg Pound Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan.

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The Defense is Not Bad

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:28:00 +0000

“What,” you say, “Are you crazy?” No, I’m not crazy … I’m simply being objective. While I admit, the Browns defense still needs some big improvements, anyone who knows me reads “not bad” as pretty high praise.

Let me explain … for the 2011 season, the Cleveland Browns defense is ranked No. 10!!! Yes, you read that correctly … the Browns have a Top 10 defense.

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Colt is Not the Problem (and neither is Shurmur)

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:27:00 +0000

Don’t be shocked by my posting two days in a row or it’ll dilute the message I’m trying to get across. As a follow-up to yesterday’s post, I’ve decided to delve a little further into my opinions on the Cleveland Browns.

First, and foremost, Colt McCoy is not the problem. I repeat, Colt McCoy is not the problem. Is Colt McCoy the long-term quarterback solution for the Browns? The answer is: maybe. Maybe Colt is our QB for years to come, but it’s too soon to make that call.

Colt McCoy has shown he can compete in the NFL. He’s a great young QB who deserves a chance no other Browns QB in the past dozen years has gotten. A chance to have a team built around him … A chance to play with all the tools necessary.

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What Did You Expect?

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Obviously, I haven’t blogged much this year. I can make up a lot of excuses, but it doesn’t make any difference. It’s not that I’m a fair weather blogger, who only blogs when the Browns are playing well (if that was the case, The Blawg Pound would never have existed in the first place).

The truth is, I’ve simply been too busy and this isn’t at the top of my list of priorities. That’s all.

I still watch the Browns every single week. From start to finish, I watch every down. Unfortunately, I’ve kept most of my opinions to myself and let others do all the talking (complaining).

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Dammit, Keith! Go Browns!

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:54:00 +0000

This was good luck two years ago when the Browns beat the Steelers on Thursday Night Football ...

Go Browns!

Die Hard Browns Fan: Krissy

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:02:00 +0000

It's finally time for a female perspective in the Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan feature (and yes, I know my cousin Jennifer was already featured).

This week, I talked to a former colleague of mine who eats, sleeps, breathes and drinks ... Cleveland Browns football.

Krissy is from North Olmsted, went to Kent State and has lived all around the Cleveland area.

She is a member of the Olmsted Falls Bulldog Browns Backers and truly believes Pittsburgh is the "bad guys."

So, without further ado, I give you the Blawg Pound Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan.

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Taking on the Titans

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:50:00 +0000

Enough reveling in the glory of beating the hapless Dolphins. The Titans are coming to town and if you think they’re impressed by the Browns 2-1 record, think again.

The Titans (2-1) barely lost in Week 1 to the Jaguars, 16-14, then bounced back in a big way to beat the Ravens in Week 2, 26-13.

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Beast of the Week vs. Dolphins

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:23:00 +0000

No one player had a really stand-out performance on Sunday, so I struggled to come up with a Beast of the Week. I’d love to say, “So and so had a great game and dominated from start to finish.”

The truth is, though, I simply cannot pinpoint anyone from Sunday’s ugly win against the Dolphins who fits that description.

That said, I came up with two players to share this title.

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‘A’ for Effort Against Dolphins

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:29:00 +0000

It wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a win nonetheless. I think I can speak for Browns fans everywhere when I say, “I’ll take it.”

The Browns didn’t play great against the Dolphins, but it’s hard to give them a bad grade when they actually won.

They may not actually deserve an A, but I’m giving them one anyway. That may not make sense, especially after you read my individual grades for the day, but I don’t care.

A win deserves an A.
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One Drive Wins it All

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:24:00 +0000

After a poor performance all game long, time was running out yesterday for the Browns. Colt McCoy wasn’t ready to give up though. Since coming to Cleveland, the quarterback has had to get used to losing – something he rarely did at Texas.

Getting used to losing is one thing, accepting it is another. McCoy was not ready to accept a loss yesterday as long as there was still time on the clock.

"We need one drive," McCoy told his teammates. "One drive and we can win this thing."

The rest, as they say, is history. McCoy stepped out from the shadows of a terrible performance and conducted a game-winning 80-yard drive capped off with a 14-yard TD pass to Mohamed Massaquoi.

All was forgotten – and forgiven – after that. McCoy stepped up when it counted, and the Browns are now 2-1 this season.
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Browns in First Place – What?!?!

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:35:00 +0000

After that devastating loss to the Bengals in Week 1, I’ll admit I lost my motivation to blog. I’ve also been fairly busy and, unfortunately, hanging out in the Blawg Pound isn’t my full-time job. So, with so much going on already, losing to the Bengals was a big blow.

It was rough that week following the loss to Cincy. I thought for sure we were in for another long season. I couldn’t bring myself to write anything that week. What was I going to say? That the Browns still couldn’t finish a game? That the Browns still couldn’t win a divisional game?

I’d said it all before. I was ready to swear off blogging.

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Let's Get Pumped!

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:38:00 +0000

Who Dey in the Blawg Pound

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:02:00 +0000

The Battle of Ohio kicks off in a few days and what better way to get things started than to talk a little trash with a Bengals fan?

OK, I'm not really gonna talk some trash ... instead, I'm giving a Bengals fan a chance to give us some insight on his beloved team. Back this season is the ever-popular Blogging with the Enemy.

Today, I've traded questions with Cincinnati Bengals blogger Mickey Mentzer, who created the site WhoDeyFans. Much like myself, Mickey started his blog because he was fed up with what he heard from the so-called experts and wanted a voice. A fan's voice -- WhoDeyFans.com was born.

Welcome to the Blawg Pound, Mickey ... let's get down to business.

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Die Hard Browns Fan: Brian

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:16:00 +0000

It's time again for everyone's favorite feature — Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan. As I've said from the beginning when I started The Blawg Pound, Browns fans have opinions and they love to share them.

This week, I talked to an avid Blawg Pound reader and commenter. Even when he doesn't comment on posts, I can always count on getting a good opinion/analysis from Brian when it comes to the Browns.

Brian grew up in Lima, Ohio where he and his family were active members of the Lima Area Browns Backers. Currently, he resides in what he's proud to call "the heart of Buckeye Nation," Columbus (But, I won't hold that against him).

So, without further ado, I give you the Blawg Pound Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan.

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Bring on the Bungles

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:06:00 +0000

The Browns are back at work today, and so am I. After a couple of days off, the team is busy in Berea preparing for the Bengals.

The first game of the long-awaited NFL season kicks off this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium. What some dub the Battle of Ohio can usually also be dubbed the Battle of the Basement for the AFC North.

The Bengals are an up and down team. They’re sort of like the Cleveland Indians of the NFL … when they’re supposed to be good, they choke. When they’re supposed to suck, they surprise you with some good games. But, no matter, in the end they always end up disappointing.

And so, this year, the Bengals are not supposed to be good at all (some “experts” are picking them to finish dead last). Of course, that means they’ll surprise some teams this year and Week 1 against the Browns is a prime opportunity.

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A Meaningless Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:08:00 +0000

Now that the meaningless games, otherwise known as the NFL Preseason, are done, so I will be done with meaningless posts.

Nothing excites me more about the preseason than when it’s over!

But, before we “start with the good stuff,” we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least recap those four miserable excuses for entertainment. For efficiency purposes, I will combine my likes/dislikes for each game (that way, you only have to read one post to get it all), as well as my overall preseason grade.

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Battle of Lake Erie

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:45:00 +0000

Bragging rights are on the line tonight on the only preseason game that has any kind of meaning. That’s right, the Lions come to town tonight for the annual Battle for Lake Erie against the Browns.

Created several years ago as a way to create an annual “rivalry” between these two teams, the Battle of Lake Erie matches up two of the historically worst teams in the NFL each preseason.

A Sweatervest Would NOT Look Good in Orange

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:45:00 +0000

Big news out of Berea the other day. Huge news, I mean. Gigantic news! Are you ready? Can you handle this? Prepare yourself, because this could be the story of the year. Ready? Here it is: Jim Tressel visited Browns training camp.

OMG! Can you believe it? Obviously, this means he's about to be named the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, who will go on to routinely beat up on Michigan.

There's no other explanation, really. Hmm, well, I guess it could be that he simply wanted to stop by his hometown and visit practice, maybe catch up with some other coaches (including former rival Lloyd Carr, who was also at camp). Yes, that's another possibility.

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The Forgotten Linebacker

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:45:00 +0000

The last time D’Qwell Jackson played a game, it was October 18, 2009. So, you can’t blame me for thinking, “Holy Shit! He looks good … I forgot all about him!” when I saw him playing in Saturday’s preseason game.

OK, so I didn’t really forget about him, but I was surprised by him. Surprised at how good he looked against the Packers. I think this new defense and a great supporting cast is going to allow Jackson to really shine this year.
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Best O-Line in NFL?

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:45:00 +0000

A lot was made Saturday during the pre-game show of the Cleveland Browns offensive line. It only took 13 years, but apparently our O-Line is among the best in the league. Way to go Browns!

As a former lineman myself, this is something I’ve always paid attention to. No one can doubt that Joe Thomas is as good as it gets at left tackle. And Alex Mack at center, I mean, the guy scored a freakin’ touchdown in the Pro-Bowl!

Between those two, you’ve got Eric Steinbach. He’s been solid as well.

Now, on the right side of the line, there’s second-year guard Shawn Lauvao and Tony Pashos is back from injury.

Are these five guys something the Browns should hang their hat on this season? Colt McCoy thinks so.

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Rated M for Meaningless

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:45:00 +0000

So, the Browns extended their streak of beating the defending Super Bowl champs on Saturday when they trounced the Green Bay Packers in the first preseason game.

Now, I normally wouldn’t count this as anything official, since it was a preseason game, but since the Brownies do not face the Packers in the regular season this year, it’ll have to do. The streak has been extended. There, it’s official now.

Of course, keep in mind, the Browns beat the Packers in the preseason last year and they went on to win the Super Bowl … just saying.
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Ready for Another Browns Re-Boot

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 11:20:00 +0000

Say what you will about the ridiculousness of the NFL Lockout, the fact of the matter is, it's finally over and it's time for some football!!!

Tonight, our Browns take on the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers in their first preseason game.

Yes, these games are meaningless, but let's not forget the Browns have beaten the last three defending Super Bowl champions and tonight is their only chance to make it four in a row.

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The Lockout is Over!

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:19:00 +0000

I can't believe it! I just read the news that the NFL Lockout is finally over! By a vote of 31-0, the NFL owners have approved the revised collective bargaining agreement.

Finally, we can get to playing football!

Wait, what? You mean it's not really over? The players still have to vote on it and some are quoted as saying, "it's not a done deal yet."

WTF?

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Take That, Pissburgh!

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Grasso) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:33:00 +0000

So, you've had a bad day? Thanks to Die Hard Browns Fan Matt, this will surely cheer you up.

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