Author Topic: Cleveland Browns Discussion (Read 339918 times)

mkeller234 · « **Reply #3605 on:** July 29, 2012, 08:48:21 AM »

Quote from: City Blights on July 29, 2012, 08:08:13 AM

Who knows, maybe this guy wants to win more than Lerner. Could be a good thing for Cleveland if he finds 5-11 records absolutely unacceptable. Current ownership does not harbor that sentiment.

Everyone says that, but I don't believe that. If Mr. Lerner accepted poor records, then why did he overturn the front office so much in one decade? Seriously, I think he understands that winning fixes a lot. It gets the public off his back and it probably increases the teams value and profit. Mr. Lerner might not be a football guy, but he has tried (and failed) to hire the right people. I'd guess that he has probably learned a thing or two since he took over. His record has been horrible, but I can't say that I would have done things much differently. I might have stuck with a staff or system longer than he has.

What can he do? He is the money guy, not the football mind. Holmgren is the football mind.

On top of that, Steve Doeschuck has written about times that he has seen Lerner absolutely livid after a real butt kicking. He is a private person and I don't think any of us know what he thinks or feels.

Clevelander17 · « **Reply #3606 on:** July 29, 2012, 09:22:58 AM »

Yeah, I'm not ready to skewer Lerner as being a bad owner. He's not a real hands-on owner, but I don't necessarily think that that's prevented this franchise from winning.

However (and I know this kind of contradicts that sentiment), I don't think it can hurt to bring in some new blood, some new energy in the owner's box.

Clevelander17 · « **Reply #3607 on:** July 29, 2012, 10:11:36 AM »

Speaking of the Lerners, it looks like they're going to retain 30% stake in the organization.

clvlndr · « **Reply #3608 on:** July 29, 2012, 11:54:21 AM »

^I'm not here to skewer Randy. After all, it was his Dad's love and, when he died suddenly, Randy was handed something he didn't create; he did what he thought was right... But I do put the blame on the Lerner's for the Browns' predicament. When Al was still alive, they started the tradition of hiring based on pedigree, and didn't look closely enough to determine younger, hungrier more emergent talent (like how the Jets, then NE grabbed a young Bill Belichick), as opposed to older been-there, done-that guys like Carmen Policy, Dwight Clark, Holmgren. Butch Davis and Romeo Crennel weren't dumb picks, but they lacked NFL head coaching experience and, unfortunately, when there were screw-ups (like the Phil Savage-Kellen Winslow staph-gate), Lerner was not around to really crack the whip... or so it would seem. Let's face it, Holmgren has been living off of his one Green Bay SB, and one appearance with Seattle; but really, he left the Seahawks in shame IIRC...I just get the sense that these has-been managers, come here to looking to score a nice payday from a team that has money to print, while not worrying about much accountability -- C'mon Mike, with a Browns'-starved fanbase sick of the screw ups, you're going to stick us with an inexperienced lug like Pat Shurmur!?... really?? -- Randy's was largely absentee until recently, and (in my opinion) the fanbase and media here is pretty soft and loyal regardless of the product put on the field, which has been hideous since 1999; the worst of any NFL team over that period.

Obviously, owner-involvement with on-field issues is a very delicate balance. We know it works both ways (too much, with George Steinbrenner during much of his career; worse, with Dan Snyder and the Redskins and Jerry Jones in recent times; just enough with wacko Mark Cuban -- Dan Gilbert, I think, is following Cuban's lead to a degree, but has learned, wisely, to both have a serious presence while giving the basketball guys space in which to operate; this is why most of us feel Gilbert will ultimately succeed.

Randy just didn't have it in him. Browns' football was daddy Al's game. It was after much media, fan criticism that Randy only recently decided to reside in Greater Cleveland. He has other priorities and I just think regular ownership was just too taxing, but to save family face (and satisfy some desire to remain a background force) he's looking to hold on to 30%. We don't know anything about Haslam. As I said, it was a bad situation here with Randy, but fans are really excited for Haslam (I feel) because they perceive him to be the Anti-Randy; that he’ll bring that Southern, good-ol-boy, redneck-y SEC in-your-face type ownership; like maybe he’ll treat the Browns like his beloved Tennessee Vols, with rabid support (and lots of $$$$).

As Browns fans, I’ll agree, we need a change from the status quo… But I’ll reserve my excitement for the Haslam regime until I see more.

KJP · « **Reply #3609 on:** July 29, 2012, 12:31:10 PM »

Quote from: clvlndr on July 29, 2012, 11:54:21 AM

I just get the sense that these has-been managers, come here to looking to score a nice payday from a team that has money to print, while not worrying about much accountability

That.

Quote

Randy's was largely absentee until recently, and (in my opinion) the fanbase and media here is pretty soft and loyal regardless of the product put on the field

That2.

Quote

As Browns fans, I’ll agree, we need a change from the status quo… But I’ll reserve my excitement for the Haslam regime until I see more.

That3.

KJP · « **Reply #3610 on:** August 01, 2012, 12:50:29 AM »

Changes ahead......

Cleveland Browns: New Owner Has Chance to Avoid Bad Pattern Set by Lerner
By David DeWitt (Contributor) on July 31, 2012

Randy Lerner has done it again. In the past 13 years under Lerner family ownership the Cleveland Browns have rebooted their coaching staff and team management, on average, every 2.8 years.

And now, just as the Mike Holmgren-Tom Heckert regime hits its stride going into their third season, Randy Lerner has pulled the rug out from under his front office yet again, announcing the day before training camp that he is in talks with Tennessee businessman Jimmy Haslam III to sell a controlling stake in the team.

People such as NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal are already predicting that with the sale yet another rebuilding effort is destined for the trash heap. With former Eagles president Joe Banner playing a role in Haslam's buyers group, it's in vogue to predict Holmgren's days in Cleveland are numbered.

READ MORE AT:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1279288-cleveland-browns-new-owner-has-chance-to-avoid-bad-pattern-set-by-lerner

musky · « **Reply #3611 on:** August 02, 2012, 03:38:23 AM »

BREAKING

WTAM is reporting the Browns have been sold to Haslam for $1 BILLION dollars (via ESPN)

Not sure if that is typo or not... but that is what is on my phone

Loretto · « **Reply #3612 on:** August 02, 2012, 04:03:10 AM »

Latest report is that a majority stake will be sold for $700,000,000 and that the Lerners will keep a minority stake until a later date. The total value of the team based upon the transaction will be in excess of $1,000,000,000.

There was no way an NFL team was being sold south of a billion dollars, the owners collectively wouldn't have let it happen, and I doubt Randy was of a mind to let it happen either.

musky · « **Reply #3613 on:** August 02, 2012, 04:03:39 AM »

Here is an up to date article (mods: please delete previous post)

Sources: Browns sold for over $1B
Updated: August 2, 2012, 11:58 AM ET
By Adam Schefter | ESPN

The Cleveland Browns have been sold by Randy Lerner to Jimmy Haslam for in excess of $1 billion, league sources said.

The sale of the Browns is laid out in two parts. Haslam will take over controlling interest of the Browns for over $700 million. Then, in the second phase of the purchase, he will pay over $300 million to complete the deal.

NFL ownership is expected to approve Haslam's purchase at the October meeting. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could expedite the process by calling a special meeting, however that is considered unlikely but not out of the question.

The NFL initially helped bring Haslam to Lerner so that the eventual sale would be completed smoothly, efficiently and with a high probability of success. Haslam had informed the NFL how much he wanted to buy a team, and Lerner -- who is more interested in his soccer team (Aston Villa in England) -- was interested in selling the Browns.

Paperwork between the two sides was completed Thursday morning.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8225861/randy-lerner-sells-cleveland-browns-more-1b-sources-say

KJP · « **Reply #3614 on:** August 02, 2012, 05:35:03 AM »

I love deleting old posts. So much power.....

ClevelandOhio · « **Reply #3615 on:** August 02, 2012, 05:40:14 AM »

Quote from: KJP on August 02, 2012, 05:35:03 AM

I love deleting old posts. So much power.....

With great power comes great responsibility

Ha!

KJP · « **Reply #3616 on:** August 02, 2012, 05:55:25 AM »

Quote from: ClevelandOhio on August 02, 2012, 05:40:14 AM

Quote from: KJP on August 02, 2012, 05:35:03 AM
I love deleting old posts. So much power.....

With great power comes great responsibility

Ha!

Thank you Cliff Robertson

Boreas · « **Reply #3617 on:** August 02, 2012, 05:58:04 AM »

Randy Lerner is going to profit by hundreds of millions of dollars over what Al Lerner paid for the franchise. It would be grand if they released the city of Cleveland from having to pay tens of millions of dollars for "upkeep" of the Cleveland Browns Stadium.

ClevelandOhio · « **Reply #3618 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:03:05 AM »

I dont understand why teams dont build the stadiums, and pay to keep them up. Well Dallas did, but they are the only one I can think of. They easily have the money to do so. How did it become common for these teams to get these sweet deals?

If every team did that they might lose some revenue of course. So cut players salaries. They have gotten ridiculous anyways. They strike? who cares. They will eventually come back to make their $500,000 to $1,000,000 a year that they would not be making doing anything else.

baseballmn907 · « **Reply #3619 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:55:32 AM »

^ Every city does it, so if one doesn't, they lose their team. Pretty simple.

Clevelander17 · « **Reply #3620 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:05:37 AM »

I believe Al Lerner's bid for the Browns was around $500 million. So his son is clearing ~$200 million AND still retaining a stake in the franchise.

eurokie · « **Reply #3621 on:** August 02, 2012, 04:17:02 PM »

What kind of wiggle room within the Browns' lease does Haslem have vis a vis stadium naming rights? I know a lot of times those things revert when the franchise is sold, or a new franchise enters, etc.

mkeller234 · « **Reply #3622 on:** August 02, 2012, 04:33:50 PM »

I hadn't considered that. "Cleveland Browns Stadium" is rather generic.... but I really appreciate that compared to all of the corporately named stadiums. I hope that doesn't change.

KJP · « **Reply #3623 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:37:43 AM »

Quote from: mkeller234 on August 02, 2012, 04:33:50 PM

I hadn't considered that. "Cleveland Browns Stadium" is rather generic.... but I really appreciate that compared to all of the corporately named stadiums. I hope that doesn't change.

The naming rights to the entrances were sold instead of selling the naming rights to the stadium. We'll see if that remains.

baseballmn907 · « **Reply #3624 on:** August 03, 2012, 02:36:05 AM »

^ You'd have to think it's going to be sold. Key Bank Stadium? First Energy Stadium? Pilot/Flying J Stadium? Or the worst I can think of... PNC Stadium? Please God no.

KJP · « **Reply #3625 on:** August 03, 2012, 05:47:14 AM »

Quote from: baseballmn907 on August 03, 2012, 02:36:05 AM

^ You'd have to think it's going to be sold. Key Bank Stadium? First Energy Stadium? Pilot/Flying J Stadium? Or the worst I can think of... PNC Stadium? Please God no.

PNC would not be smart. He seems like a smart guy.

AJ93 · « **Reply #3626 on:** August 03, 2012, 06:48:22 AM »

He seemed pretty much set on selling the naming rights in the presser.

This may be a dumb question, but if the city owns the stadium, don't they also have the ownership of selling naming rights?

Keith · « **Reply #3627 on:** August 03, 2012, 08:03:42 AM »

^I was under that impression too, but I don't really remember the details of the deal when the stadium was built.

KJP · « **Reply #3628 on:** August 03, 2012, 02:40:55 PM »

I suspect that, among the various sources of revenue from the stadium -- tickets, PSLs, luxury box leases, advertising, concessions, etc -- that one of the other revenues the team is allowed to collect from the city-owned stadium is the naming rights.

KJP · « **Reply #3629 on:** August 03, 2012, 04:38:38 PM »

Back to the field where good things are happening. The first preseason game is Friday....

http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/browns-training-camp-august-3-1.324558?localLinksEnabled=false

http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x521647697/Browns-notebook-Browns-show-promise-in-red-zone

And, a reason why some coaches/players may be trying extra-hard this season?
http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2012/8/3/3218919/cleveland-browns-training-camp-report-day-8-time-to-impress-haslam

ClevelandOhio · « **Reply #3630 on:** August 04, 2012, 04:14:50 AM »

He had a press conference and said naming rights will probably happen down the line.

KJP · « **Reply #3631 on:** August 04, 2012, 04:17:52 AM »

Some interesting assessments. When someone visits training camp occasionally as Hensley does, they can often see things that a reporter who is there everyday cannot see. Looks like he is also coming around to appreciate Josh Gordon. I think "Flash" is going to surprise a lot of people around the league this year.....

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/61068/camp-confidential-cleveland-browns-3

ClevelandOhio · « **Reply #3632 on:** August 04, 2012, 04:35:38 AM »

Flash, a-ah, saviour of the universe!

KJP · « **Reply #3633 on:** August 04, 2012, 07:55:41 AM »


Flash - Queen (Official Music Video)

BTW, speaking of.... You may like his one-handed catch in this drill (he's #86):


2012 cleveland browns training camp NICE ONE-HANDED CATCH!!!

Clevelander17 · « **Reply #3634 on:** August 04, 2012, 08:04:40 AM »

Looks like Gocong might be done for the season with an injury during today's practice.

327 · « **Reply #3635 on:** August 04, 2012, 08:29:05 AM »

That sucks, he was rather important. Now we get to see how good those 2 rookies are.

KJP · « **Reply #3636 on:** August 04, 2012, 08:29:57 AM »

Quote from: Clevelander17 on August 04, 2012, 08:04:40 AM

Looks like Gocong might be done for the season with an injury during today's practice.

Let's see what the MRI shows. He's an OK linebacker. Sorry to lose anyone to injury, but I think he's replaceable by one of the young LBs (Emmanuel Acho, James-Michael Johnson, Kaluka Maiava) or by a free-agent (Gary Brackett, Stephen Cooper, E.J. Henderson, Reggie Torbor)

Brackett: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2012-03-09/indianapolis-colts-cut-joseph-addai-gary-brackett-and-dallas-clark
Cooper: http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/638/stephen-cooper
Henderson: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1268408-5-teams-that-should-consider-ej-henderson
Torbor: http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/8/25/2384638/buffalo-bills-reggie-torbor-ir-kirk-morrison

Of those, I like Brackett the best and Henderson next. But I suspect Henderson will stay with the Vikings. Cooper and Torbor are probably finished, career-wise.

EDIT: I'm also wondering what role Marcus Benard could play? He showed more ability at outside linebacker in 2009 -- 7.5 sacks but only 28 tackles as he played only to defend in passing situations. Then he was moved to the defensive line in the 4-3, where I think he is too undersized (6-2, 256#). Then he got hurt last year in a motorcycle accident.... http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/05/marcus_benard_appreciates_new.html

KJP · « **Reply #3637 on:** August 06, 2012, 10:16:31 AM »

Understandably, Colt doesn't sound happy about Shurmur's decision....

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/08/cleveland_browns_quarterback_c_18.html

Clevelander17 · « **Reply #3638 on:** August 06, 2012, 01:24:33 PM »

He sounded pretty professional in his comments. I like him a lot personally and while I obviously don't think he's an all-pro talent, I also don't think he's gotten a completely fair shake here.

freethink · « **Reply #3639 on:** August 06, 2012, 04:49:48 PM »

Just playing around with some new uniform ideas. Make your own at http://uniforms.riddell.com/football

News:

Poll

How many games will the Browns win in 2013?

Author Topic: Cleveland Browns Discussion (Read 339918 times)