Company

We usually keep our music conversations to ourselves at WFNY.  A few of us have joked about starting a music blog.  It wouldn’t be a joke if we all had more time to write on a weekly basis, honestly.  Anyway, there are a lot of musical opinions amongst the writers at WFNY, so it is kind of fun when music and sports intersect at the Super Bowl Halftime show.

The halftime show was on a roll.  We all know what happened in 2004 with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake.  Well, actually most of us didn’t know what happened until it was in the new cycle constantly for the subsequent weeks, months and even years.  Regardless, that was a clear turning point in the show.  In 2005 Paul McCartney took over those 12 minutes of performance time between the 2nd and 3rd quarters.  In 2006 the Rolling Stones played “Start Me Up,” Rough Justice,” and “Satisfaction.”  For me, personally, 2007 was the greatest halftime show ever as Prince finished his set with “Purple Rain” as the rain came down in Dolphin Stadium.  2008 Tom Petty did a very nice job with “American Girl,” “I Won’t Back Down,” and “Free Fallin.”  I am not a big Springsteen fan, but even I can’t denigrate the fact that he opened with “Tenth Avenue Freeze-out.”  As I said, the Super Bowl halftime show was on a roll.  The key word being “was.”

As the Browns quarterback situation remains in peril, one team that Cleveland will be tied to until the start of this season (and perhaps beyond) is the Philadelphia Eagles.  Not only do they have three quarterbacks that could very well be starting in the NFL, but their former general manager Tom Heckert now presides over the same position in Berea while Mike Holmgren’s relationship with Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid is very close.  Alas, it comes as little surprise that the latest news out of ESPN lists the Browns as one of three teams that have contacted the Eagles in regard to quarterback availability.

The Cleveland Browns have announced their decision to part ways with wide receiver Donté Stallworth. After one season of activity with the Browns, Stallworth missed all of last season following an automobile accident which resulted in the death of a Miami, Florida pedestrian and a DUI manslaughter conviction. He was in the third season of a seven-year contract.

As most Browns fans are aware, their team is now one of four teams remaining in the NFL that have never been to the Super Bowl.  Two of the teams are modern era expansion teams in the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, the third is our friends up north in the Detroit Lions.  And while the Browns find themselves drafting in the top 10 spots once again come April, fans should remember that the Saints were there not all that long ago. 

In 2005, the New Orleans Saints finished the season 3-13.  Two of their wins were by the skin of their collective teeth, and seven of their losses featured point totals less than 14.  Sure, they were playing for a city that was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, and played their home games at Louisiana State’s Tiger Stadium.  But they were also a team that was led by quarterback Aaron Brooks and a pair of 33-year olds in Antowain Smith and Joe Horn.  Their defense was a bit of a disaster aside from a guy that was drafted one year prior in Ohio State’s Will Smith.  There were rumors that the team would move, and few wanted to help rebuild the franchise.

Four seasons later, the Saints are lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy thanks to a few successful draft selections and key free agent additions.

Shortly after season’s end, the apocalypse was upon us as Joshua Cribbs was allegedly not a part of the Cleveland Browns plans going forward.  One month later, it appears that all is well in the world as contract negotiations between Cribbs and the Browns front office is reported to be going very smoothly, leading to very high optimism.

The OBR reports that a deal should be in place by the mid-April draft, and there is even a chance that the ink has dried on a new contract prior to the official start of the 2010 season in March.

Recall that Cribbs and his team were looking for a contract extension to be discussed approximately four days following the official end to the 2009 season.  Team president Mike Holmgren had not had the chance to unpack his bags before player representation was looking to discuss numbers.  When numbers were discussed, Cribbs’ team was put off by the alleged low-ball offer of $1.4 million per year.  The words “final offer” were attributed to then team executive Dawn Aponte while Cribbs was reportedly looking for $2.5-$3 million annually. 

Browns defensive back Brandon McDonald has been accused of assault via his alleged ex-girlfriend Sabrina Parr. Parr, a personality on WKNR’s Really Big Show tweeted the following this afternoon:

From: @MsParrTheHost
Sent: Feb 7, 2010 3:46p

I have never been hit so hard in my life but I promise he WONT get away with this!

Later, she followed with the confirmation that it was in fact McDonald.

From: @MsParrTheHost
Sent: Feb 7, 2010 3:46p

So Brandon Mcdonald put his hands on me & went crazy! I’m definitely pressing charges & sewing his [edited]!

One of the great things about this site is the submissions that we get from readers, other bloggers, and friends. Sometimes, these three worlds collide, and we end up with a Triple Venn Diagram situation. This post is a vision, if you will, based on a submission that came from the center of said Triple Venn territory. A bit of prose, for you to enjoy on this snowy Sunday. It is sports related, Cleveland Browns related, in fact, and I hope you enjoy it.

Sometime in recent years, in a small factory somewhere in Hong Kong, a worker named Liu Wei puts the finishing touches on an orange stuffed bear. This bear has been made in anticipation of the American football team in Cleveland, Ohio picking a footballer early in the first round of that year’s draft. There are many like it, but this one is mine the one we’re going to follow.

Liu Wei transports the bear, along with 200 of his orange bear bretheren to an embroiderer. The bears will be customized with the name of the man who is to save lead the newly formed Cleveland Football Browns. Children will laugh with joy as they play with their stuffed bears that BEAR (get it?) the name of their hero. These bears will accompany American children as they grow up along with their hero – the man that will help lead thier favorite football team for years.

After what would be considered by many to be another season of football futility, the Cleveland Browns will not raise ticket prices for the 2010 season. 

Browns president Mike Holmgren feels that this decision will help mend the Browns relations with fans, a group he feels is a key part of the equation.

“Having faced the Browns several times in Cleveland as a head coach, I know what a home field advantage our stadium can provide,” said Holmgren. “We’re excited about continuing to build the type of team that our fans can be proud of. I know that they will be an integral part of any success that we have and that is why we are pleased to keep our ticket prices as affordable as possible for our fans.”

Donte Stallworth is still technically a Cleveland Brown. According to NFL commissioner Roger Godell, Stallworth will be allowed to rejoin his team after the Super Bowl. There is no official indication from the Browns whether Stallworth will be welcomed back or not. Craig had a twitter chat with Donte recently that might shed some light on that situation however.

Whatever your opinion of Stallworth is, Michael Smith of ESPN sat down with him and asked some tough questions in an interview that can be seen here.The video is worth a look.

Trying to take the moral question out of the picture, Stallworth wasn’t very effective in his first year as a Brown. He has had limited success in the league (his season in New England) but a mostly down career after being picked by the New Orleans Saints. Football wise, it would make sense to let Stallworth find another job. Even with the slim pickings we have at the WR spot.

While the false alarm was raging via Tony Grossi a few weeks back, the Browns have now officially traded front office capologist Dawn Aponte to the Miami Dolphins.  In exchange, the Browns received Matt Thomas.  Earlier this week, he was introduced as the VP of Football Administration – the role previously held by Aponte.

Per the team:

Thomas joins the club after spending the past 12 seasons with the Dolphins (1998-09), including 2009 as Vice President – General Counsel and Football Administration. During his tenure with the team he held numerous football administrative functions, which included assisting with the management of the salary cap, player contract negotiations, football budgeting and acting as a liaison with the NFL Management Council on salary cap compliance and other labor and legal matters. Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver, University of South Dakota School of Law and the New York University School of Law.

In return, Aponte accepted the position of Senior Vice President of Football Operations with the Miami Dolphins.  Most fans will remember her for her role in the Joshua Cribbs contract debate.  However, there is no doubt that she is held in high regard throughout the league having spent a good chunk of her career in higher level roles, taking yet another with Bill Parcells and the Dolphins

With that said, Mike Holmgren’s presidential cabinet continues to take shape.

It didn’t take long for the rug to be pulled out from underneath Browns fans that were excited about the latest Mock Draft that was put out by Scout.com’s Chris Steuber.  Along side Joe Haden at No. 7 overall, Steuber had the Browns selecting Michigan’s Brandon Graham in the second round – something that many were very excited to see.  However, with Graham excelling in this year’s Senior bowl, it appears that his stock has risen to a level that could see him selected in the middle of the first round.

“There’s occasionally one player at the Senior Bowl who makes himself look like a man among boys–even though the field is filled with a star-studded cast,” said Scout.com’s Ed Thompson.  “On Saturday, that man was Brandon Graham, who won MVP honors.”

Because I too have a fantastic helmet of hair (and Lord knows I love ALL THINGS DRAFT!!), I decided to briefly channel my inner Mel Kiper and describe the NFL Draft and quarterbacks.

Notes of interest:

ONE) Contrary to popular belief, Jake Locker and Ryan Mallett ARE NOT IN THE DRAFT.

TWO) All other things are unrelevant. If you refuse to believe this, continue below.

Stop us if you have heard this one before: Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is rumored to be a trade chip, going to Denver for wide receiver Brandon Marshall.  This weekend, The Denver Post threw the Cleveland Browns as a possible destination for the disgruntled receiver and managed to add Brady Quinn’s name into the mix.  And  as fans know, it only takes one bout of speculation for the Internet tires to start spinning…

One year ago, we discussed Quinn trade rumors.  He (and teammate Braylon Edwards) spawned our creation of the “alert” system.  But in the end, Quinn stayed put with Eric Mangini opting to turn down any offers which he was presented.  The man donning the No. 10 jersey started the bulk of the Browns games but managed to finish strong thanks to a solid running attack down the home stretch.  Denver’s Marshall accompanied Quinn in the trade rumors folder.  He too stayed with his team, but went on to have another amazing year (101 receptions, 1120 yards, 10 TDs) and capped it off in Miami this weekend for his second Pro Bowl bid.

Former Ohio State Buckeye and Heisman winning quarterback Troy Smith is unhappy with his situation in Baltimore and feels that he would have a better chance to prove his worth if he moved back home to Cleveland Ohio.  The former fifth-round draft pick would like the chance to start under center, and current Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco does not appear to be relinquishing his duties any time soon.  Given the situation in Cleveland, and his ties to the area, Smith says that his dream would be to play for the Orange and Brown.

“There is no doubt about it,” Smith said  ”It has always been a childhood dream of mine.  It’s funny how we always talk about Cleveland.  That’s the first thing that comes to mind with anything I do whether I get a chance to come home and be a part of that organization or not.

The Browns have been out of it for what seems like an eternity.  Josh Cribbs is in his hotel in Miami prepping for the Pro Bowl.  All that we really had to cheer for last week was against people.  But I am going to go out on a limb and guess that you are all still watching some NFL.

On Overtime…

The Saints vs. Vikings game went into overtime and all of a sudden the world explodes into “controversy” about whether the current system for deciding tied NFL games is suitable.  Everyone goes to the stats to decide whether it is “fair” or not.  The thing that occurs to me is that it has to be fair because everyone (other than Donovan McNabb) knows the rules that govern the overtime before going into the game.  Don’t want to go to overtime?  Try going for two a couple times during the game.  I honestly don’t really care if the NFL changes the overtime rules or not.  I am willing to listen to anything.  At the same time, I just don’t find the current system to be anywhere near the “travesty” that many are making it out to be.