SB Nation User Blog: DallasDawgPounder

Win One for Marinelli - Fan Support from Outside the Pride

DallasDawgPounder — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:24:04 -0000

I am a Cleveland Browns fan visiting the Pride, and with more on my mind than simply commiserating with a fan base whose pain I can feel and relate with. Let's just get it out of the way right now: perhaps no other fan bases in the last 30 years in the NFL have suffered more than fans of the Lions and Browns.

With that said, I read a terrific blog post at a Midwest blog I follow that covers the Browns pretty extensively. His basically says that for a whole host of reasons (Marinelli, the players, the fans) he wants to see the Lions win a game this year and not go winless. He put up a poll up there asking fans how "sadistic" they are, and whether or not they wanted to see the Lions go 0-16.

I wanted to share it with you, in case no one here keeps tabs on that blog:

Do You Want to see the Detroit Lions Go 0-16 in 2008?

I think he just posted it late last night because it doesn't have many views, but the current vote stands at 11-5 in favor of "yes" -- wanting to see the Lions go 0-16. Personally, I just don't understand it. I hate seeing teams and fans suffer like the Lions are this year, probably because I can empathize and now all too well the heartache and frustration of such a terrible season. And I agree with the writer that Rod Marinelli seems like an upstanding and decent guy who works his butt off.

But I wonder about his assertion that the Lions players have not quit, and have been playing hard. I know that I watched that Thanksgiving Day game, and they looked absolutely pathetic. It was my only time viewing the Lions this season, and I was honestly embarrassed for them. By all accounts, the team has played hard and desperate over the last few weeks, but I can't shake the impression of the Thanksgiving game out of my head when thinking about this year's Lions.

I am wondering what your thoughts are. Do you feel like this team is laying it on the line and playing with pride? What are the feelings towards Rod Marinelli? I'm sure everyone is frustrated with him, but does everyone else see the same passionate guy that I see? Or have I missed too much?

Either way, I will be strongly pulling for the Lions for the rest of 2008 because I don't think any team or fan base deserves the ignominy of finishing a season 0-16. And it does look like the final two opponents give you guys a pretty good chance to pull out a W.

Thanks for letting me visit the board and post. From one fan of a crappy team to another: I'm pulling for you. And may the Dolphins and Falcons be a lesson to all of us: with the right leadership and the right QB, any team can make a run at the playoffs any season.

Hopefully the Browns and Lions are taking notes.

No Playoffs, but Packers Still in Good Hands with Rodgers

DallasDawgPounder — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:16:30 -0000

Good morning Packers nation. I have posted once on the site before, and while I do not consider myself an official Packers fan (I am a Browns fan...ugh), I do watch the team with interest and root for them as my "NFC team."

I do have plenty of friends who root for Green Bay, and being a Midwesterner, it is hard to avoid following the Packers intently. And I realize that this season is not going well for you all (but remember, it could be worse -- you could root for the Browns), and that it is hard to see Brett Favre performing well for the Jets, but don't you think the team made the best decision for its long-term interests by turning things over to Aaron Rodgers?

A site that I read often is called Midwest Sports Fans, typically because they cover the Browns a lot, but I've noticed more Packers coverage on there lately. I read a good post there this morning that lends some perspective to what I am sure is a disappointing Monday morning for every in GB. The basic premise of the post is that while losing Brett Favre hurt, and still does, the team is still in pretty good hands with Aaron Rodgers moving forward.

Aaron Rodgers proves he can lead Packers

2008 has been disappointing for both Browns and Packers fans -- but at least going into next year you can be confident in your QB situation. Remember, if the Packers D had played this poorly last year, Favre's final season might not be regarded with the high esteem that it is.

I appreciate you all giving me a forum to discuss the Packers, even though I am not officially "one of you." At the very least, being a Packers fan gives you all legitimate hope going into the season that your team can make the playoffs. The Browns provide me with no such thing.

I know that there will be much sorrow in Packerland today, but just know that plenty of fans would gladly take the QB who has been so maligned by so many Packers fans this season. Missing Favre is understandable, but make sure that you don't take for granted what you do have in Aaron Rodgers. A lot of us Browns fans would gladly trade you both of our QBs for Rodgers...although that probably doesn't sound like much of a deal anymore.A

Poll

Based on the first 13 weeks of this season, do you think the Packers made a good move in turning the team over to Aaron Rodgers?

Yes

23 votes

No

7 votes

30 votes | Poll has closed

Ugh - Brady Quinn Visits Dr. James Andrews

DallasDawgPounder — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:44:11 -0000

The hits just keep on coming for the Browns.

Just caught a few stories online that Brady Quinn flew down to Birmingham to visit the grim reaper of fantasy football, Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his injured index finger.

Brady Quinn Visits Dr. Andrews

Interestingly, in seems as if Quinn did this on his own and not in concert with the wishes of the Browns. Not sure if there is more to that than meets the eye, or if people are making too big a deal of it.

The key is that the finger injury may have impacted Brady more on Sunday than he wanted to let on, and hopefully it won't force him to miss anymore action.

I hate it when players have to visit James Andrews. It is rarely a good thing. The man is obviously a surgery wiz, but it's frightening to see players' names linked to a trip to Birmingham.

Hopefully Brady is okay. Not sure we have much of a prayer on Sunday, but we need Brady getting experience to end this horrid season.

Poll

Are you concerned that Brady Quinn had to fly down to see Dr. James Andrews?

Yes

11 votes

No

6 votes

17 votes | Poll has closed

Colts Legit Contendors in AFC again?

DallasDawgPounder — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:04:08 -0000

Greetings Colts fan...Browns fan visiting from Dawgs By Nature in anticipation of the game this weekend. I noticed a post down below asking if Browns fans were still upset about the Colts "screwing us out of the playoffs last year." For me -- no. We didn't take care of business against Cincinnati. No one to blame but ourselves.

Caught a post over another blog I visit that I figure would interest you all. A rabid Colts fan not understanding why the Colts are not getting more respect. (And he thinks the Colts are legit contenders in the AFC again).

Colts Back in the AFC Race Even if No One Respects Them

I have to say that I think the Colts are close. But I think it somewhat of a house of cards. If Bob Sanders is playing, they have a chance to make a deep run. And I think the running game needs to pick up.

Of course, as long as you have Peyton Manning, it'd be hard to count the Colts out.

Good lord, as a Browns fan, I wish I could get frustrated about a 7-4 start!

Best of luck this weekend. I hope the Browns put up a fight, but I am obviously not expecting much.

Donald Driver's Father in Hospital after Police Beating

DallasDawgPounder — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:53:33 -0000

Just caught wind of this story - Donald Driver's dad was apparently beaten up by police after they arrested him for outstanding traffic tickets (I think).

Not sure about all the details, and apparently ESPN is staying away from this story (at least, according to the account I read) but I Donald Driver and his family are obviously pretty upset about it. Here's the account I saw:

Driver's Father in Hospital after Police Beating

Does anyone else have more information on this story? I hope he's okay. Sounds like he didn't do anything to warrant the treatment he got from police.

Phil Savage Sends Angry Email Response to Fan?

DallasDawgPounder — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:20:10 -0000

Wow...totally unbelievable story starting circulate on the web. Deadspin, Midwest Sports Fans, ProFootballTalk...it's popping up everywhere. I thought it was pretty ridiculous at first, but now I'm not so sure.

Apparently Phil Savage told a fan to F--- himself and root for Buffalo after getting a frustrated email calling out the coaches and poor performance by the team. Deadspin.com apparently broke it first, at least according to the account I just read:

Phil Savage Cusses Out Fan in Email?

My goodness, if this is true it absolutely ridiculous. Part of me thinks it is just too ridiculous, but I can see how frustrated he must be, and maybe it just got the best of him in the heat of the moment.

A lot of sites are picking up on the story though, so there has to be something there. Interested to know what everyone thinks on this one. It doesn't really seem to pass the sniff test at first glance...but would Deadspin put their credibility on the line? If this isn't true, I'm thinking Savage would have some sort of recourse if the rumor keeps flying and somehow damages his reputation.

I'm not a lawyer though, just a frustrated Browns fan. Hopefully it's not true so the team can focus on Houston. Good lord, it's always something with this team.

Poll

Believe the Savage rumor?

Yes

12 votes

No

15 votes

27 votes | Poll has closed

Kellen Winslow to have MRI on shoulder

DallasDawgPounder — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:38:11 -0000

Last night's win provided a huge sigh of relief for the Browns and their fans -- but not all of the fallout from the game is positive. No word on the severity or expected severity yet, but Kellen Winslow will have an MRI on his shoulder according to NFL.com.

All Romeo said was that they would have to see what Kellen will be able to do. He was wincing in pain after making the huge catch on the final drive. I think he came in for one more play and then went back out.

Hopefully Kellen is okay as he and Brady seem to have a nice rapport. Only 3 catches for 40 yards last night, but Brady definitely looks to Kellen in key situations.

In other Browns injury news, Jerome Harrison and Shaun Rogers also got dinged up.

They provide a rundown of the injuries from last night:

Browns Injury Update

Let's hope everyone can get healthy for the Houston game. It is a very winnable game, and if we can somehow win a shootout against Indy (I know, not likely) we'd be 6-6 and back within binocular distance of playoff contention..

MNF Preview and Prediction: Browns-Bills

DallasDawgPounder — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:35:01 -0000

Well here we go, another national TV game for the Browns in which we come in with very low expectations. Last time, we knocked off the Giants -- still the only team to do so all season. Can lightning strike twice?

First, here's a pretty detailed Browns rant and preview of the Monday night game:

Browns-Bills MNF Preview and Prediction

I'm not really sure what reasons there are to be positive heading into tomorrow's game. Even if we are up by 3 TDs in the 4th quarter, can there be an any confidence???

I do expect the team to come out and fight and try to put all of the infighting and disappointment of the last two weeks behind it. Goodness, let's hope so because the last two weeks have been awful.

I do think that if we win, Jerome Harrison, Joshua Cribbs, and Eric Wright will have a lot to do with it. Jerome is averaging more than 8 yards per touch, and surely one of these games the coaches will realize that he should get a minimum of 10-12 touches per game. Eric will need to play well against Lee Evans and keep him from getting deep. And Josh Cribbs is always our biggest advantage in every game.

If these three guys make some big, timely plays -- and if Brady plays in his first road start -- this is a very winnable game. 4-6 is still miles away from playoff contention, but at least it would be something to feel good about for a night.

What does everyone think? Is there any confidence left?

Poll

Will the Browns beat the Bills?

Yes

19 votes

No

11 votes

30 votes | Poll has closed

UFC 91 Review - It was awesome

DallasDawgPounder — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:28:01 -0000

Caught UFC 91 and it was unbelievable. I knew that HD was the way to go, but 91 was the first one I'd seen in true HD...and it blew my mind.

Caught an interesting review over at Midwest Sports Fans. Guy gives a good description of some of the more memorable hits:

UFC 91 Review

I think 91 might have the best one overall. Obviously the Lesnar-Couture fight was awesome, but the undercard was stacked with awesome fights too. Hazelett and Kenny Florian were unbelievable.

What do you think? Best ever?

Poll

Was UFC 91 the best over ever, overall?

Yes

20 votes

No

20 votes

40 votes | Poll has closed

Jimmie Johnson Looks to Join Idol Yarborough

DallasDawgPounder — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:15:03 -0000

JJ is heading to Homestead this weekend needing only to finish 36th or better to win his 3rd straight NASCAR title. He would join his idol Cale Yarborough as the only other drivers to do so.

Learned another interesting tidbit today. Apparently JJ was such a Yarborough fan growing up that he used to go to Hardee's hoping to catch Yarborough and his car there.

JJ Closes in on Idol Cale Yarborough

I've always liked JJ a hell of a lot more than Gordon or some of the other poseurs in NASCAR. I hope he gets the crown this weekend, and then we can start really talking about him as perhaps the greatest driver in history.

Poll

Is Jimmie Johnson the greatest NASCAR driver ever?

Yes

2 votes

No

2 votes

4 votes | Poll has closed