On The Mark 1.4.16: #Browns v. #Steelers Recap

Another year, another loss to the Steelers who beat the Browns 28-12, advance to playoffs
By @MarkW2112


The Cleveland Browns, on what became Mike Pettine's last game as head coach, were soundly defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 28-12. Austin Davis started and was, for the most part, played OK, but was under pressure most of the game and finished 24-of-46 passing with 2 interceptions and no touchdowns.

Isiah Crowell and Duke Johnson were somewhat effective but not used nearly enough since the Steelers defense stacked the line knowing that there was no chance Davis could beat them. Crowell had 53 yards rushing on 15 carries while Johnson had 11 yards rushing and 34 passing yards. Gary Barnidge led all receivers with 66 yards. The Browns offense got to the red zone 4 times but couldn't score touchdowns, only field goals.

On the other end, Ben Roethelisberger had no problems passing the ball, going 24-of-36 for 349 yards, 187 of those yards going to Antonio Brown, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The Browns defensive secondary was MIA once again with Big Ben having his way all day.

My take: Jimmy Haslam has torched the entire organization and starting from scratch. Head coach Mike Pettine, GM Ray Farmer and President Alec Scheiner are all gone and new people will be brought in, including new executive VP of football operations, Sashi Brown. The only issue is who wants to come to a toxic situation like the Browns? For us Browns fans, this is going to be another long offseason with a lot of anger and disappointment with who is hired and which players leave the Browns. It's very possible the Browns may be even worse next year.

People of the game: Those poor Browns fans who stuck around to see Steelers fans cheering the fact that their team was going to the playoffs once again.

Next for the Browns: The unknown as the Browns will have the #2 pick in the draft and lose many players like Alex Mack and possibly Joe Thomas.

As a side note, it's been fun writing once more for Triple Threat Cleveland. Hope to see you next season!

#Browns Preview 1.3.16: Pittsburgh #Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

By @mrgroce

Happy New Year Browns' fans!!!! We have finally reached the final week of the season and it could not have come at a better time. For the third season in a row the Browns will be have their third string quarterback behind center. Austin Davis gets the opportunity to keep the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the playoffs. Pittsburgh needs a victory and a Jets loss to make clinch a spot in the postseason. Since 2008, the Browns and Steelers have faced off against each other five times with Pittsburgh winning every single contest. 

The Browns will be without both of their starting corner backs this week and might be forced to start Justin Gilbert and Pierre Desir against Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant. That's gonna get ugly. The last time these two teams faced each other, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger came off of the bench and threw for 379 yards and 3 touchdowns. Running back DeAngelo Williams was held to 54 yards on 17 carries, which was one of the best performances by the Browns' run defense this season. 

As stated earlier, Austin Davis will get his second start of the season. In his lone start against the Bengals in early December, Davis threw for  230 yards with one interception. Like the other quarterbacks before him, it's really hard to get a read on the man behind center when he doesn't have any weapons to help him win. Add Marlon Moore to the list of receivers who who will be out this week for the Browns. That could lead to more playing time for Terrelle Pryor or Dwayne Bowe, maybe. One thing to look out for is the fact that Travis Benjamin is only 87 yards short of the 1000 yard mark. 

Personally, I'll have my eyes on Cameron Erving, Danny Shelton and Nate Orchard. They are the rookies who've had the most playing time lately and I'd like to see how hard they compete in the final game that means nothing overall, but hopefully will one day in their futures as members of the Cleveland Browns. Rumors have swirled all week stating that GM Ray Farmer will be fired and coach Pettine will be retained followed by another rumor that both men will be let go after the season ends. I'm not a fan of either guy but whatever happens I don't wish for any man to lose his job. I am a fan of the Cleveland Browns though, and whatever is best for the team will hopefully get figured out by Jimmy Haslem quickly. 

What: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
When: Sunday January 3, 2015 1:00 PM
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium Cleveland, Ohio
TV/Radio: CBS/ 850 ESPN Cleveland, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX

Leadoff with Lee 12.29.15

By @cleeverizon

Rumors of Browns general manager Ray Farmer being fired and head coach Mike Pettine being retain started Monday morning and gained momentum throughout the evening. That also sparked a report that former Packers general manager Ron Wolf has will become consultant for the Browns and the club will hire his son Eliot Wolf as the new general manager.

During a interview with ESPN Monday evening, Wolf said he has spoken with Haslam, but there is no truth right now that he was offered a consulting position by the Browns. In my opinion if they spoke, I'm sure becoming a consultant for the team was talked about and they would rather wait until the end of the season before announcing any changes to avoid any distractions to the team. During yesterday's conference call with Mike Pettine he said he hasn't been given any assurances by owner Jimmy Haslam that he'll return as coach next season. But to according to multiple media reports and sources it seems as if Pettine is safe.

According to another report, if/when Ray Farmer is fired the top candidates would be Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin, Chiefs director of football operations Chris Ballard, and Vikings assistant general manager George Paton.

One last name within the organization to remember is Bill Kuharich, who serves as executive chief of staff. He served as interim general manager when Ray Farmer was suspended for the first four weeks of the season due to text-gate. There are a lot of names floating around right now with silly season ready to start in 6 days.

Pettine was asked about the Johnny Manziel Christmas video and said, "I have not seen it. I'm concerned anytime a player is cast in a bad light." I don't have all the facts with it. "I'm not going to get into it at this time''

A video posted by @bustedcoverage on Dec 27, 2015 at 3:29pm PST

- Just to clarify how this Sunday's games will effect the 2016 NFL draft: 

If the Titans lose next Sunday, they pick 1st in the the draft.

A Titans win and Browns loss and Cleveland will own the 1st pick.

If the Browns lose next Sunday, they will own either the No. 1 or No. 2 pick plus the No. 32 overall pick (first pick in the 2nd round).

- Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott was cited Sunday for driving with a suspended license,failure to control & operating a vehicle without a license. A OSU spokesman said the car accident will not affect Elliott's status for Fiesta Bowl, as he will enter the NFL draft.

Defensive end Joey Bosa has made his decision about entering the draft. During his press conference from Scottsdale,Arizona home of the Fiesta Bowl Bosa stated, “I am just trying to focus on the game right now along with I don't want to take any attention away from the team and be a distraction,”  “I have my decision and you guys will know after the game.”

- Former Major League Baseball player Dave Henderson passed away Sunday after suffering a heart attack. He was 57.  Henderson played 14 seasons in the majors with five teams.The Seattle Mariners (1981-86), Red Sox (1986-87), San Francisco Giants (1987), Oakland Athletics (1988-93) and Kansas City Royals (1994). He hit .258 with 197 home runs and 708 RBIs. He went to the postseason four times with Boston (1986) and Oakland (1988, 1989, 1990) advancing to the World Series all four years. His only All-Star appearance came as a member of the Athletics in 1989. The same year he helped Oakland win its first title in 15 years.

- Famous Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon died at the age of 83. He was inducted into the basketball hall of fame in 2003.

- Raiders fullback Marcel Reece has been suspended for the team’s next four games for violating NFL performing enhancing drug policy. A 2016 Pro Bowl selection is no longer eligible to participate in the game.

- With 6,472 career assists, LeBron James is now 22nd in all-time assists (passing Stephon Marbury: 6,471).