GaryPinC

Sounds like all the NFL preseason games use local guys (especially retired players) to do their games. Cleveland's no different and if you think all these other guys are bad you should see Bernie Kosar on the air. The guy does this bad attempt at a combover, looks unkept and uncomfortable in front of the camera, and has this scratchy, gravelly voice. Grammar isn't that good and usually ends up slurring his words by the second half at the latest. The real kicker is that he's IMO one of the best analysts I've ever listened to. The guy is hugely insightful, explaining formations on both sides, what the QB's trying to do and is thinking etc. Just painful to listen to though.

I haven't been able to see all our quarterbacks perform this preseason, but given the uncertainty of how the OL will perform this season, and Trent's history with injuries it makes the most sense to keep your 3 most experienced qb's and chance your rookie to the PS. Unless Brown's really close to Brohm's level of play, which it sounds like he's not.

I agree, Saw end of 1st and full 2nd quarter of game yesterday. O-line finally seems to be finding some cohesiveness, I am most heartened by Chan's ability to run a dynamic offense. Both characteristics have been sorely missing for many years. Certainly they will have their problems and breakdowns, but I came away feeling there's truly something to build on this year. Seeing Trent play, one of the things that impressed me is he's showing a real feel for the pocket, pressure, and when to move out. I strongly suspect Jauron strictly coached him and JP to stay in one spot as long as possible. Thank God for new coaching. On D, our front line will need some time to find consistancy but there is some ability there. Linebackers (especially OLB) will really be a problem this year, expect teams to exploit it. Definitely reasons for hope and optimism this year. First 4 games should tell us whether we can hope to flirt with the playoffs. Either way should be a fun year to see what develops.

Here's a new story about McCoy: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/08/cleveland_browns_colt_mccoy_wi.html He's not going anywhere this year.

Holmgren has taken control of the Browns franchise and after the draft he made clear McCoy was his choice. I guess they could try and get him on the practice squad, I just don't see it happening because Ratliff hasn't been much better and so I think Brett will be the one out. It's clear from watching McCoy that he hasn't adjusted to the NFL game plus his injured shoulder still hasn't regained all its strength. Holmgren's known for mentoring quarterbacks and I think that'll happen with Colt this year. To me, it's a bit early to judge the QBs in this year's draft.

Personally, I think Ellis was showing some promise last year (consistent separation and control on the LOS). He seemed fairly solid in preseason but coaches decided not to use him much. Probably didn't want to break him in given their defensive/team woes. But I think he really needs to get some real games under his belt and will show some good upside. To me, Maybin gets this year and next preseason. If he's at least a solid #2 backup by the end of next preseason give him another year (because he's so young) just in case. As pointed out, we're not spending to the cap so it's not like he's tying up someone else's $$.

I'm an optimist but favor a heavy dose of reality. This season I will mostly ignore the first 8 games (unless they can win more than 1 or 2) and focus on the second half of the season. You've got an entirely new offensive system that will be scaled down to start the season with no major additions to the unproven quarterback, offensive line, and receiver postitions. They've completely altered their defensive system and terminology and are relying on rookie D-linemen and converted DE's to OLB. Beyond the talent debate, it will simply take time for both sides of the ball to get comfortable calling and executing plays. I'm expecting the offensive coordinator to be villified here shortly after the first game for being too "boring", when in reality they are running a base offense out of necessity. You can still be an optimist PTR but give it time.

You're right. Let's fire the trainers and S&C coaches, it must be their fault.

That, to me, is the biggest problem with Edwards during the game. He only wants to throw to guys he sees are open. He seems to have never learned that in the NFL you have to see the defense and decide which receiver will get open and put the ball there. He really needs to trust his receivers, hopefully he learns it this year.

Don't underestimate the entrenched local political system either. The attitude of the people reflects the tone set by the local govt. As I've gotten older I realize how much this can kill a city. In a depressed area, local politicians wield the power of guaranteed jobs and have long standing networks of nepotism, favoritism, and patronage. They are entrenched and thus favor maintaining the status quo, as bringing in new, diverse businesses could disrupt their power base. The FBI has a major effort to take down some of the worst offenders in the Cleveland local govt. I only pray that it enables a better system or people to take its place.

Right on. Cleveland also underutilizes its waterfront, the problem is we have a freaking airport occupying most of our prime lakefront. People are trying to move it, the problem is they'd have to pay the US govt a ton of money to move it/shut it down. The recent Continental/United merger may end Cleveland Hopkins' status as a hub airport and reduce airline traffic, ironically it might allow airtraffic from the lakefront to be redirected to Hopkins and free up the land for the city to develop Buffalo would help themselves tremendously putting more effort into their waterfront. As much as people complain/degrade cities like Cleveland and Buffalo, it always amazes me they fail to maximize their most valuable asset, the lakefront. At least Chicago gets it right.

Mike, First of all, thanks so much for these reports. Reporting the good, bad, and ugly PLUS explaining why seems so much beyond the recaps most of the other reporters provide. It's a fantastic resource for people like me who can't be there and besides, it's what I'm most interested in. Lee and Trent never seemed to hit it off from the moment Trent arrived and perhaps it influences things on the field.

Other than jettisoning our loser head coach, how do you think we're improved? Just because we added Spiller? What if he ends up getting pasted in the backfield the entire season? What if he can't grasp the offense in his rookie year or just straight up gets injured? We're still hoping like last year Bell can get it done at LT. Our line hasn't proven anything yet except that there is some talent there. Chances are, we're going to be running basic plays and there'll be lots of mistakes the first half of the year because we have an entire new offensive system and terminology in there. Getting the O-line to gel and work together as a unit takes time, especially considering many of the current projected starters missed significant time due to injury last year. We're hoping Gailey can put lipstick on a pig and make it work at quarterback. Sure, he has a history of being able to pull it off but I thought McNally could have done the same thing with our O-line. We won't know till we see it happen. We've switched our defensive system and are now trying to convert our DE's to outside linebackers. Other than Maybin (who has the size and speed to play out there, but can he play at all?), the rest completely scare me. We're also relying on a couple of draft picks to really help solidify our D-line. Stroud sounds about as happy to be converting to a 3-4 as Langston Walker was to be playing left tackle. I'm not confident we'll be any better against the run. Lastly, we've got an entire new coaching staff who will be turning almost the entire roster over the next couple of years to get "their" people in here. In my mind I think things are equivalent to last year when you factor in the new offensive and defensive systems. I hope to hell I'm wrong and they can contend for a playoff spot but can't realistically buy into that thinking. This year is about finding some hope and things looking up, 3-6 wins. I do think the guy in the article is a bit harsh throwing us at #31 but he could easily be right. Go easy on him.

I also suspect TE is not very good at accepting his fair share of the blame, but if he was strictly coached that way (which I can easily believe) why should he on this one? Where was Jauron in all this? He could have backed Trent up but challenged him to throw downfield more. Did he ever directly address this with the fans/media? Did he ever take responsibility for the crappy playcalling? No, he was all too content to say he's responsible without demonstrating accountability. He hung all his offensive coordinators out to dry with the fans and even the players, so why not his quarterback too? Personnally, I think Trent's done simply because he's too gun shy now but I am willing to give him another chance because of Dick Jauron's putrid offensive philosophy.

I don't think Kelly's throwing AVP under the bus. I think he's acknowledging that Jauron was an idiot managing the offense. It really didn't matter who the coordinator was, offense was strictly limited because of Jauron. Seems like Kelly only realized it sometime in 2010.

Your second-last sentence plays a large part in all this IMO. You've all heard the expression "running around like a chicken with its head cut off", well early in my career I got to witness this phenominon with rodents. While the bodies of these headless animals thrashed about and a couple actually looked like they were jumping around when set on a flat surface, all of this seemed to be a simple random and complete firing of stored nervous action potentials (impulses). It always seemed that once the brain was separated this happened almost immediately. I suspect something similar happens with the head involving jaw and eye muscles, but who knows. It would be interesting (though an inhumane experiment) to do EEG monitoring of decapitated heads and see if the electrograms are organized enough to be considered brain wave patterns or if they are just random firings. Never seen any data on that but it would certainly help answer this question. I suspect it's random firings in the decapitated head but who knows?

The fact that Jauron is not prohibiting his QB's from audibling out of bad plays, there will be a variety of motions and sets installed, hopefully more play action passes and screens, and the probability that Gailey has a sense how to orchestrate an offense (set up certain plays, etc) should keep the opposing defense from knowing what the Bills offense is going to run. This all should make a big difference IMO. Only bad news is that with the new system we will probably have to wait till mid-season before it's all installed and the offense can execute it properly.

They wouldn't have to worry about their legs because they'd have back problems.

great topic. Can't say I prefer just one beer though with so many great ones available. A partial list of my fondest: Most Belgian beers, these guys really know how to make good beer. Delerium tremens, Chimay, Duvel, etc. German Heffeweizens-Franziskaner, etc. Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter. It's from England but if it's not skunked it's simply the best porter IMO. Bell's Two-Hearted Ale (Kalamazoo, MI) -Probably the most unique pale ale I've ever had. Damn good too. Great Lakes Brewery here in Cleveland brews a fantastic Red for those who love hops called Nosferatu. Their Christmas ale is pretty good also.

I was wondering the same thing. Got to be their fault somehow.

Here, read this and be sure to check out his qualifications and that of the Doctor whose info he borrows: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drsquat12.htm "Squats can be bad for your knees. Period. But they're good for everything else." "Among bodybuilders who have knee problems, however, squatting is the only culprit. In both cases, squatting properly can reduce, prevent or ameliorate many, many of the common knee problems inherent in sports. That they will make you a better bodybuilder or athlete is an unquestioned fact." While proper form is essential, even these guys acknowledge knee problems will still happen. Funny how they don't discuss lower back problems.

Thanks for all the good points. Sorry to hear about your back troubles. Once the damage is done it gets especially difficult because you'd like to strengthen the muscles to help support the frame but it's difficult to do without pain or further damaging your spine. In my 20's I used to work a job clearing trees and we had to hand carry 6-10 foot sections up to 12" in diameter over to the chipper for grinding. I'd put in an exhausting 10 hour day and then head to the gym to workout for a couple hours. Definitely lucky to have avoided troubles like yours.

You should be able to leg press almost twice as much as you squat because of the 45° angle of the machine. You're not working directly against gravity with the leg press. I will never argue that the squat is not a great all around exercise, simply that it can be hard on your back and knees and there are alternatives. Leg press, abducter and adducter leg machine, leg curls, leg extensions, back extensions, and sit-ups when done together can all be a pretty good substitue for squat without putting as much strain on your back in particular. I did find one paper that compared squat vs leg press by recording electrical activity (EMG) at selected muscles of the leg and lower back. Realize that this paper has a number of major shortfalls. Besides being poorly written and the data poorly explained/presented, they failed to account for the fact that the leg muscles were doing much less work at the leg press because they failed to increase the weight to account for the angle of the machine. Also, their standard deviations are monstrous, in the normal group some SDs are larger than the mean! How the hell they claim some of their P values is beyond me, I can tell you as someone who works as a researcher that when your standard deviations overlap the means of your comparitor groups there is no statistical significance unless you're manipulating your data. Bottom line is that even though they show substantial differences between squat and leg press the huge variability in the data means there may be little or no difference between any of them. Anyways, my point is that this paper does show that squat works the muscle more than leg press, but that leg press does work many of the same muscles as squat, including the gluts and lower back muscles. If they had weight compensated the leg press machine I would bet that those EMG #s would be much higher. Here's a link to the paper: http://www.med.und.edu/depts/pt/PT%20Websi...ressvsSquat.htm And here's another site where this woman does a decent job of comparing squat and leg press and also suggesting leg press + partial deadlifts as a squat substitute which I thought was an interesting idea. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/shannon1.htm BTW, I played soccer until sophmore year of high school. I weighed around 185 pounds but everyone thought I weighed 135 because I had no upper body. I made the switch to football and started weight lifting for the first time. Our lifting coach grouped us according to how much weight we could lift. Pretty quickly I was squatting with the linemen, but all my upper body work was with the younger quarterbacks/receivers. Took me most of the way through college to correct that imbalance.

My point of my lengthy post is that squats CAN be very bad for the knees and back even when using good form. I didn't say it had to be so, simply that it depends on a number of factors, some of which I discussed in my lengthy post. If you refuse to recognize that variations in the inflammatory pathways, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, or overall joint structure will not allow some healthy people to properly perform this lift without incurring injury, I'm sorry I find that ignorant.

There's no debate, I agree with you completely and they're all very good points. My attitude about machines is that they're a great finisher after a free weight workout. But no matter how conservative or how much prep work you do, you can look at a given lift and find someone whose body can't handle the movement involved very well.