Landscape of the AFC North

[Giambiwannabe7]

No, not really. I would argue, however, that booing everything the second things turn a little sour does.

You act as if players aren't affected by the fans because they shouldn't be. Well, I'm here to tell you that football players are, too, humans. When they hear people bitching and moaning about every little mishap, that can and does effect the mentality of the human player.

Most any dedicated footbal, or any sport, town will react to crap teams by booing them. Players may not like it, but I'm pretty sure they know it comes with the territory. It's just a part of the gig.

Sometimes, though, it can be used as a bonding, us against the world, mentality.

 

[Chris]

Believe me, if the Browns compete for the division I'll be the first one doing body shots off Jigo.

 

[Selby]

We would have been 8-8 last year if it's not for Pat Shurmer.

Prove it.

 

[Giambiwannabe7]

We would have been 8-8 last year if it's not for Pat Shurmer.

And I would have won the mega millions if I would have just picked 3 different numbers.

But, seriously, there's no way to quantify what we would have been by changing coaches, players, systems. etc.

 

[Triplethreat]

And I would have won the mega millions if I would have just picked 3 different numbers.

But, seriously, there's no way to quantify what we would have been by changing coaches, players, systems. etc.

We SHOULD have been 8-8 WITH Pat Shurmer.

We most definitely would have reached that mark with a better play caller..

 

[FiveThous]

Dont the Browns have a cupcake schedule* this year?


*on paper, obviously this changes every year

 

[Scholar]

We "see the signs there" every goddamned off-season. When are we going to win games?

I'm not trying to be negative. I could see the Browns not being complete and utter trash this season. To me, that means like 7 wins at most. Not a laughing stock. But 7 wins isn't going to win the division, and losing a handful of solid starters isn't going to turn the Ravens into the basement of the AFC North.

That is incredibly pessimistic. Just the one years experience gained from this past season for all of our young players is likely to account for us earning 7 wins this season. The Browns had a roster that was composed of over half of it's players as either rookies or players with one years experience. That fact can not be understated. We were the youngest team in the league this past season. There will be a natural improvement from that season of experience. Plus, that's not even factoring in the management and coaching changes, the ongoing free agent additions, or anything we gain from this upcoming draft. I think 7 wins is the total they end up with if things go wrong. I am not ready to prognosticate my expected win total yet. But, it is going to be at least 7 wins.

 

[Selby]

Doesn't stop you from rooting for South Carolina. :chuckles:

I kid, I kid.

Hey now, they are finally kind of relevant. Took them like 50+ years...but they got to relevancy. Only 50+ more years and maybe they can be a serious NC Game contenders :chuckles:

 

[Selby]

That is incredibly pessimistic. Just the one years experience gained from this past season for all of our young players is likely to account for us earning 7 wins this season. The Brown's had a roster that was composed of over half of it's players as either rookies or players with one years experience. That fact can not be understated. We were the youngest team in the league this past season. There will be a natural improvement from that season of experience. Plus, that's not even factoring in the management and coaching changes, the ongoing free agent additions, or anything we gain from this upcoming draft. I think 7 wins is the total they end up with if things go wrong. I am not ready to prognosticate my expected win total yet. But, it is going to be at least 7 wins.

I think expecting that 7 wins is the worst they do is incredibly optimistic.

This team hasn't won more than 5 games in the past five years. But now all of a sudden we are going to win no less than 7?

 

[MoFlo]

We "see the signs there" every goddamned off-season. When are we going to win games?

I'm not trying to be negative. I could see the Browns not being complete and utter trash this season. To me, that means like 7 wins at most. Not a laughing stock. But 7 wins isn't going to win the division, and losing a handful of solid starters isn't going to turn the Ravens into the basement of the AFC North.

Wait, all the Ravens lost is a "handful of solid starters"??

One of the best safeties in the game, 3 starting LB's (including one of the best in the game & the heart & soul of that defense), their most reliable WR, Pollard, and possibly more (Pitta is still a FA) is a lot more than just "solid starters"

I don't mind that you're pessimistic about the state of the team, but let's not underestimate how huge these losses are for the Ravens.

 

[Binkster]

I think expecting that 7 wins is the worst they do is incredibly optimistic.

This team hasn't won more than 5 games in the past five years. But now all of a sudden we are going to win no less than 7?

What does our record five years ago have to do with our team in 2013? You are slipping kid. Look forward, be positive. I can promise you it's a much more enjoyable lifestyle.

 

[Selby]

Wait, all the Ravens lost is a "handful of solid starters"??

One of the best safeties in the game, 3 starting LB's (including one of the best in the game & the heart & soul of that defense), their most reliable WR, Pollard, and possibly more (Pitta is still a FA) is a lot more than just "solid starters"

I don't mind that you're pessimistic about the state of the team, but let's not underestimate how huge these losses are for the Ravens.

And what do they still have? A franchise QB. One of the best running-backs in the game. One of the best linebackers in the game. One of the best defensive linemen in the game.

Plenty of people on here seem to think the Browns can win the division with Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Josh Gordon, and a decent defense.
So why does everyone think the Ravens will become the bitch of the AFC North with Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Torrey Smith, and a decent defense?

 

[Selby]

What does our record five years ago have to do with our team in 2013? You are slipping kid. Look forward, be positive. I can promise you it's a much more enjoyable lifestyle.

Well we have been trash for a long minute. I'm not about to become giddy about going from five wins to winning the division just because we signed an outside linebacker and a defensive end.

 

[Giambiwannabe7]

And what do they still have? A franchise QB. One of the best running-backs in the game. One of the best linebackers in the game. One of the best defensive linemen in the game.

Plenty of people on here seem to think the Browns can win the division with Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Josh Gordon, and a decent defense.
So why does everyone think the Ravens will become the bitch of the AFC North with Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Torrey Smith, and a decent defense?

They just lost, arguably, the greatest leader in the history of sports. I hate the guy, really, but it's true. That cannot be discounted. They will probably lose one of the greatest S to ever play the game. That's some pretty big shoes to fill in the middle of your D. I'm not sure anyone can definitively say anything about that team right now.

 

[Binkster]

Well we have been trash for a long minute. I'm not about to become giddy about going from five wins to winning the division just because we signed an outside linebacker and a defensive end.

Plus the best coordinator staff in football? Plus the sixth pick in the draft? Plus a year of experience under the belts of our young guys? Plus our best offensive threat now fully healthy? Need I continue?