AFC North Headline of the Day...

You know, I really am trying to spread the love around the division. But the Browns headlines just keep on giving. How can I ignore them?

First off, nice work on the obvious joke, Associated Press. Must've taken you at least two minutes to dream up that one. And I give you my no money back guarantee that it's never been used before. But secondly, are we all that surprised?

Look, every year the media wants to find a team to be the trendy pick for playoff contender. And almost every year, they're way off.

"I think the Cardinals are going to explode this year with Denny Green at the helm and Edgerrin James in the backfield, Leinart at QB."

"The Texans look strong with the acquisitions of Matt Schaub and Ahman Green, not to mention their first round pick, Amobi Okoye and incumbent Mario Williams."

"Hey, how 'bout them Bengals? The conversation begins and ends with Carson Palmer."

Give me a break. Someone should remind them that there are certain constants in this life. Death, taxes and the Cleveland Browns sucking.

Am I wrong?

Either way, perhaps the headlines below will prove a hair more clever...

Someone paid $7,000 bones to watch last Sunday's game with Greg Lloyd...How'd that work out for you? [Sean's Ramblings]

Troy Polamalu - Defensive POTW. You've just been MS Painted! [PSAMP]

J Peezy - Someone else's problem [Joey Porter's Pit Bulls]

Visual evidence the the O-Line in fact, is not sucking right now [Hockey, Football and Stiletto Shoes]

Pretty sure the only thing Tyler Thigpen should be studying is his playbook. Certainly not how to properly take a skeleton from behind...unless that skeleton is Larry Johnson [Deadspin]

AFC North Headline of the Day...

Ok, so instead of JUST a headline today, I got a little artsy-craftsy and pieced together the video montage you see above. You know, just a few images of slaughters memories passed to get you fired up for Sunday. Set to one of the best Jock Jams of all time. I sincerely hope you enjoy.

And if that ain't enough, check out these links...

Ladies and gentleman, I give you - Black & Golddust [PSAMP]

Words cannot even begin to describe this (Careful, not safe for work) [Joey Porter's Pit Bulls]

Rutgers got MURDERED by Butch Davis...not surprisingly these dudes from Jersey were none to pleased by the results [Deadspin]

Have YOU ever negotiated a contract...ON WEED?? [AP]

Pats-Colts and Eagles-Cowgirls over Steelers-Browns? Oh, John Clayton. Thou hast forsaken us...[ESPN]

The Browns Are Now A Defensive Juggernaut!

Thanks to the NFL Network's "NFL Replay," last night I was able to re-watch the Browns vs. Steelers round two from the 2007 season. What a great way to win the 9th straight game against our "bitter rival." Watching Big Ben run the ball for 30 yards to score that touchdown put a giant smile on my face...

By now, we all know the Browns have become media darlings after posting a 10-6 record last year, yet falling short of the playoffs. But really most of this attention is because the Browns have retooled their Defensive Line by adding Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams, and welcomed another weapon to their "vaunted" Offense, signing Donte' Stallworth. What's more, Donte' was signed to a 7 year deal...and I'm still scratching my head. Do the Browns see something in Stallworth that the Eagles and Patriots didn't see after the one year he spent on each club? Can someone explain this to me?...I mean seven years!?!

Anyway, the Browns finished the 2007 season ranked 30th in total defense. (Did you notice who was #1?) Rogers and Williams, on paper, look like solutions to the Browns' inability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The only question mark about Williams is his ability to transition from a 4-3 defense to Cleveland's version of the 3-4. And Shaun Rogers has shown flashes of brilliance in Detriot (as brilliant as anyone could be in Detriot that is), but has been known to get lazy and take plays off. To get Rogers the Browns had to give up a third round draft pick and starting Cornerback Leigh Bodden.

Additions aside, the Bodden deal will really hurt Cleveland's defense. And just to make matters worse, Cornerback Daven Holly recently sustained what could be a season-ending injury. Not to mention last week they cut backup Cornerback Kenny Wright, who was arrested on drug charges. So this leaves the Browns' defensive backfield, to put it diplomatically, depleted. There have been talks about reaching out for big name free agent Cornerbacks like Ty Law and Lito Sheppard, but the massive amount of spending by the Browns this year will make these signings very difficult to pull off.

To add insult to injury, Tight End Kellen Winslow Jr. is nowhere to be found during the Browns' voluntary workouts. After one productive season, Winslow is demanding a new contract with help from super-agent, Drew Rosenhaus. He's also "rehabbing" an injury in his hometown of San Diego. After being the 6th overall pick in 2004, Winslow broke his fibula - year one, pulled a Big Ben (read: motorcycle injury) - year two, and finally had a Pro Bowl caliber year in 2007. Oh, and he's also known for his big mouth.

Thanks to a commenter in the link above, Kellen has been spotted hanging out in a nightclub. If you want to see the picture go to this website....click on media, then confidential, the picture is under the date 4-16-08 Wednesday-picture 66. (I know its a lot of work, but looks like some serious rehab...LOL!). The only person in the picture that is cool is the guy with the Pirates hat on. The girls aren't too bad as well, good for you Kellen.

Finally, did I mention that this is Willie McGinest's last season?

I'm sorry you had to read about the Browns, but I love being the bearer of bad news. Now, it's your turn. What do you think about all this? Will the Browns win the AFC North, as many have predicted? Will Rogers and Williams solve all of the Browns' defensive problems? Does anyone have any memories of other Steelers vs. Browns games? (I was there for the 42-0 debacle in Cleveland a few years back...CLASSIC!)

Happy Friday everyone, enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

I'll Bet Crennel Eats A Lot More Than Questions for Breakfast...

"Until we can beat Pittsburgh, we probably won't win the division."
- Romeo Crennel

So this guy Jeff Schudel at the Morning Journal of somewhere in Ohio (still not sure where) wrote a piece yesterday entitled, "Crennel Eats Steelers Questions for Breakfast." The basic premise of which was the ever-popular, "Look at the Browns now." But with a twist - see quote above.

Now first, before I even begin to talk about this, I'd like to point out that whoever posted this little gem to the interweb conveniently misspelled "Steelers" in the headline...always the mark of credibility...

But anyway, the central argument here is that while the Browns have lost the last six straight meetings against the Steelers under Crennel, the additions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams (among others I'd assume) will help the Browns get "over the hump" if you will, and "win the division," as apparently the majority of NFL head coaches have projected (not sure where Schudel got this fact...would love to hear his source).

Ok, I'll indulge objectivity for a moment. Yes, the Browns have clearly made some moves that they hope will propel them to an AFC North Championship. And yes, if not for the two losses to the Steelers last season (or even just one of them), the Browns would have won the division. So one can reasonably infer that bringing in help along the Defensive line where they were in need of it would put them a lot closer to a Division title than ever before.

However, what we often overlook is - football is just as much mental as it is physical. Pittsburgh has a winning mentality. The Steelers walk into football games ready to secure a win. They know that what's on paper or what's being discussed in a TV studio really has very little bearing a game's outcome. They are confident in their abilities and don't get phased by hype (well most of them anyway). That's how you win games.

The Browns on the other hand, eh, I don't know...Derek Anderson seems to have the right attitude, and maybe he'll be able to foster more of this in Cleveland's locker room. But I just don't know if they have this same mentality yet. Nonetheless, in all fairness - what do I know about the Browns mentality? Really what do I know about the Steelers mentality? I'm just commenting here from my own, somewhat skewed, somewhat ill-informed, perspective.

But look, the bottom line is - let everyone in the known universe think the Browns are going to win the AFC North. That doesn't change the fact that who actually wins will be determined on the field next season. As I remember it, this time last season the so called "experts" were picking Baltimore or Cincy to win the division, and look how that turned out.

What about you guys? Worried about the Browns winning the division? And come on, what do you think Romeo Crennel REALLY eats for breakfast???

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Crennel Eats Steelers Questions for Breakfast [Morning-Journal]

Phil Savage'll Make It Rain On You Hoes...

One man's trash is another man's treasure I guess. Something like that, right?

Seems like the Browns M.O.

We ship 'em out, they bring 'em in -- the latest being former Miami Guard/Center, Rex Hadnot, who the Steelers interviewed last Thursday and declined to offer a contract.

You know - I will say, the Browns have made some smart moves this off season, beginning with the re-signing of Derek Anderson. But before we, as Steeler fans, begin to get all cold war and shit, let's take a step back and put things into perspective for a minute.

Face it, this isn't exactly the 2006-2007 Patriots acquiring Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Adalius Thomas, and Donte Stallworth here. It's the Cleveland Browns trading for Corey Williams and Shaun Rodgers, and signing Rex Hadnot, and...well, Donte Stallworth. I'm not saying these moves don't raise my eyebrows a bit. I'm just saying that it's the Browns.

If all remains right with the world, the Steelers will have an excellent draft as usual, while the Browns will watch from the sidelines for the 1st three rounds. The Steelers will continue to pay lots and lots of dollars for pro bowlers like Big Ben and Troy Polamalu, and the Browns will pay lots and lots of dollars for guys who've never really lived up to their potential(s) (see Rodgers, Stallworth). Also, let's not forget the LeCharles Bentley experiment. See how that worked out for them?

...Always good when the best thing you have to talk about is the Cleveland Browns...yep.

PS - Forgot to mention yesterday, but I will be paying a visit to the left coast this weekend, leaving Thursday for LA. So while that probably won't stop me from posting here on OFTOT, it does give any of you Californians fair warning. Bring me to your hot women with fake boobs leader!

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Hadnot Opts for Browns Over Steelers [Tribune-Review]
Browns Sign Hadnot to 2 Year Deal [Associated Press]
Savvy Savage Has Browns Ready to Challenge Steelers [CBS Sportsline]
File Under "Not The Answer"...[OFTOT]