Village II: A New Era (2017 and Beyond)

[Subby]

<font face="tahoma" size=3>2017 Cleveland Browns</font>

<font face=arial" size="2">year end score: 80/80/40/71<font>

<font face=arial" size="2">Retirements:

Blaine Davies (see the AP write-up at FOFCentral).
BJ Carr (17-years, 4 rings, not bad for a cornerback, eh?)
BJ Bushon (Speedster never met the lofty expectations placed on him by GM Subby after the 2007 draft).

Please welcome the following players for induction
into the Hall of Fame this season:
Jason Elam
Jason Ferguson
Mark Smith
Fred Taylor
Doug Brown
Buddy Shaw
Dan Peters

Some of these guys were DTs whose numbers were no better than Mudgett's. And did you know?

Harvey Wallace us the League's career LEADER in receiving yards (12,931) and touchdowns (80), and Burt Milne (451) is the career leader in FGs by 50 over the nearest competitor, Jason Elam (who just made the HOF).

We are the third ranked franchise in terms of value. Our stadium is still killing us.

Player bonuses went up by 300% last year and the team broke even by a scant 400K.

We raise ticket prices across the board, but we are still not the highest ticket in the league.

I have a soft spot for the old school guys, so I give the designation to CB Christian Ferderer, our career leader in INTS.

After last season's poor showing, we decide it is time to part company with Martin Force. He is offered a job upstairs, but turns it down. Force will go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of FOF. He molded the likes of Blaine Davies, Donnie Sheen, Harvey Wallace, Rufus Duke, BJ Mudgett, Matt Champion, Christian Ferderer, and others into a dynasty. He won 4 Bowls in 6 trips in just (I think) 16 years.

Meet the new boss: Horace Paniagua, former coach of the Dallas Cowboys. An offensive genius (like Force), Paniagua has significantly higher ratings, but at the same salary as Force, and he is eight years younger.

QB: EX K: VG
RB: EX YT: VG
REC: G MOT: VG
OL: EX DIS: G
DL: VG OCALL: EX
LB: EX DCALL: FAIR
SEC: VG INJ: G

Erik Johan is the cream of the crop and stays put as Head of Scouting.

<font face=arial" size="2">Free Agency

Going into Free Agency, our main objective is to resign our starters.

Then I look at our draft picks. Holy shit are we STOCKED. 3 first round picks per year for the next three years, This year we have 2, 4, and 11 - plus a bunch of 2nd and thirds. So many picks that we cant sign free agents - the commish says we need 24 mil to sign draft picks. Im sick of rookies, so its time to get some kick ass vets.

1. We trade our 2 (32) and 3 (21) to Arizona for a 2 (7).
2. We continue to unload picks, trading our 2 (7), 2 (4), and 3 (4) to Cincy for next years 1 and 2.
3. We need to dump salary, so we cut overpaid backup RB Don Casey
4. With all due respect to Bobby Lofton, we need a young franchise TE, so we package him and his big salary plus 4 picks (2,2,3,5) to Carolina for 3rd year TE Bruce Pearson (83,100,100, 92, 95, 100, 91).
5. Finally, can you say coup de grace? I knew you could. We ship our first this year (11) and a first from next year plus 13 year DE Timothy Burnim for the higest rated WR in the league, second year WR Burt Porter (100, 100, 98, 94, 100, x, x, 98). The best part is that we are off the hook for Porter's bonus. Coupled with Max-Out man WR Robbie Jeffries, and future star TE Pearson, our guy Lee Clark will have folks to throw to for the next 10 years.

We still have the 2nd and 4th picks in the draft, but now we also have money to spend in FA.

Unfortunately, we dont have enough money to be competitive and we lose WR Garcia, LB Monroe, LB O'Donnel, and G Eric Urquoila. Luckily, we do retain legend K Burt Milne, who will be back for his 17th season, still going strong (90/85/96).

<font face=arial" size="2">Draft

Going into the amateur draft, we look for a stud DE and LB. We have the 2nd and 4th overall picks. This draft is absolutely STOCKED with wide recievers - there are probably 7 or 8 maxed out ones. We may pick up one, but again, look to trade as a way of lessening our cap hit and geting help now. Just our luck there are no LB or DE in this draft.

1. We move down a bit, trading the #2 pick to San Diego for the #5 pick and a 1st next year.

2. We trade our 5th pick to Dallas for their first rounders next year and in 2019. We now have 9 first round picks over the next 2 years. Moves are imminent.

With visions of wide-open, high rolling offenses dancing in our heads, we turn our attention to our one remaining draft pick.

1. Desmond Cole, WR, Virginia Tech, 46/90, 97, 48/98, 100, 94, x, x, 98.

We trade 5th WR Hardy Dougherty and his salary to the Houston Texans for a first round pick in 2019, bringing our total first round picks over the next two years to 10. Hardy was in his 13th year and we felt we needed to get value for him before he retired. He was a great backup for a long time.

<font face=arial" size="2">Training Camp

We have 4 first rounders to dangle in trade, and we would like to add a short yardage back, a young DE, a pass rushing LB, and a young Safety.

We renegotiate most everyone on the roster, giving us 21 million in cap room to play with.

The going price for a fully-developed DE is very high, but we are prepared to pay it. We dont want a rookie - we need someone who can contribute - now. Our offer of three first round picks for a DE is rebuffed, however - so we wait until after training camp to offer up our booty of picks. We decide to wait until after training camp to see what we can get.

In the meantime, we sign a couple of grizzled veterans off of the waiver wire. Welcome DE Lester Foreman and LB Norman Faulk. Foreman has 57.0 sacks in just five years and Faulk has two years of over 100 tackles.

We do trade old and pissed C Dexter Gaylon and G Donny Ellard to Charlottesville for young and studly C Darren Small.

We continue to get younger by trading old pissed off T Donovan Hanson, Nice but medicore DE Dennis Clinton and a first round pick to Kansas City for 2nd year DE Clifton Duncan. We now have our book ends at DE with Duncan (84/78/91) and Sedrick Copeland (91/92/83).

We fill out our roster with undrafted rookie free agents.

<font face=arial" size="2">Exhibition Season

The retirements of Davies and Bushon, coupled with our youth movement, put a crimp in our cohesion - particularly in the passing game. We want to do 4-wide receiver sets, but we may have to wait a year. Thank god for Rodriguez.

Game 1
Dallas 14
Cleveland 34

QB Clark 10-17, 139 yds, 1 td, 0 int in a half of action
RB Rodriguez 21-108
TE Pearson 5-74, 1 fumble return for a TD
S Dunkleberger 2 ints, 1 td
DT Hamilton and LB Porter each get a sack

Game 2
Cleveland 24
Atlanta 18

Offense bogs down as we only get 200 total yards. Rodriguez goes for 2 tds, but only gains 24 yds on 20 carries. Luckily our defense holds them to 240 yds. Clark is 6-13-68-0-1.

Game 3
Cleveland 31
NY Jets 17

Rushing defense holds them to 26 yards.
Clark 14-18-130-0-0
Rodriguez 22-90-1

Game 4
San Francisco 28
Cleveland 26

Rodriguez 17-92-0
Clark 8-18-144-2-1
WR Cole (rookie) 6-126-0

We finish the exhibition season 3-1, encouraged by the play of our offense. Our offensive cohesion is still terrible, so we will concentrate on a balanced offense, hoping for more magic from Rodriguez (80-314-3 in the preseason) and some stability from Clark (
38-66-481-3-2 in about 9 or 10 quarters of action). Our defense seems to be playing well, although we worry about Paniagua's defensive playcalling ability.

Here is our starting lineup with year they joined team and CURRENT ratings:

QB: Lee Clark 2013 (76,75,73,68,67,95,74,73,100,94)
RB: Rico Rodriguez 2014 (58,67,65,82,78,92,83,80,81)
FB: Clarence Lee 2016 (76,81,95,68,83,68,78,98,93)
TE: Bruce Pearson 2017 (82,100,100,92,95,100,92)
WR: Burt Porter 2017 (94,99,91,93,99,x,x,96)
WR: Robbie Jeffries 2016 (89,97,95,99,96,x,x,99)
C: Antoine Coleman 2014 (79,86,79)
G: Norbert Page 2009 (86,91,93)
G: Cory Corbett 2008 (87,81,94)
T: Stanley Hamilton 2013 (86,100,99)
T: Mitch Banks 2013 (88,74,90)
P: Harris Kindred 2013 (60,81,96)
K: Burt Milne 2013 (83,82,88)

LDE: Matt Champion 2004 (68,70,74)
RDE (Run): Clifton Duncan 2017 (59,54,91)
RDE (Pass): Lester Foreman 2017 (47,85,61)
DT: Phillip Hamilton 2012 (100,86,100)
DT: Cornelius Eddings 2012 (86,58,100)
OLB: Norman Faulk 2017 (48,79,84,90)
MLB: Alvin Wheeler 2012 (99,100,100,95)
OLB: Freddie Kobeski 2008 (88,58,90,87)
CB: Christian Ferderer 2005 (90,88,88,33,50,93)
CB: Roy Mathews 2013 (87,85,98,x,x,80)
S: Trevor Foster 2012 (90,97,96,x,x,99)
S: Gerald Dunkleberger 2013 (63,72,97,x,x,96)
Returns: Gerald Stegeman 2015 (96,88)

Matt Champion and Christian Ferderer are the last links to the early days and serve as the Defensive team captains. Clark and Rodriguez captain the offensive side.


[This message has been edited by Subby (edited 11-25-2000).]

[Subby]

Regular Season
Game 1
Miami (0-0) at Cleveland (0-0) -2
We decide to play conservative - short passes to our receivers and a ground game behind the left side of our line. The game is almost over before it begins as the Brown dominates both sides of the ball. Cleveland wins 33-3.

Clark 21-28-210-1-1
Rodriguez 21-70 (3-17-1 receiving)
Backup RB Stone 5-35-2
Our blockbuster receiving trio (Porter, Jeffries, Cole) manage to grab 8-103.
Milne (4-4 FG, 51 long, 3-3 XP)
Champion grabs a sack, S Foster 2 ints.
Defense recovers 4 turnovers and holds Miami to 222 yards.

Injuries: Starting OL Kobeski and Backup CB Whiting out 2-3 months. 4th WR Marc Francis is hurts his knee and is doubtful.

Game 2
Cleveland (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-0) E
A huge division matchup early in the season. Pittsburgh looks good on offense and is likely playoff bound. It turns into the Gerald Stegeman show as he starts of the Cleveland scoring with a 74 yd punt return - followed several quarters later by a 104 yd kickoff return. The defense gets into the act as D captain Ferderer intercepts a Brendan Tomich pass and returns it 82 yds for a td.
Cleveland wins 47-31.

Clark 19-30-228-1-1
Rodriguez 22-32-1 (4-64-1 receiving)
Wheeler 9 tckls
Ferderer 2 ints 1 td
Champion 2 sacks

Injuries: Kobeski, Whiting, and Francis show no improvement, but G Corbett has recovered from a preseason injury.

Game 3
Jacksonville (0-2) at Cleveland (2-0) -5
Another early division matchup. Jacksonville is an inferior opponent though and we lead 17-0 after three quartersm cruising from there.
Cleveland wins 27-3.

The defense allows a lone field goal for the second time in 3 games (in addition to 9 first downs and 177 total yards).
Clark: 18-28-214-0-1
Rodriguez: 18-120-2 (Game MVP)
Rookie WR Cole: 8-106
MLB Wheeler (who came in questionable): 8 tckls.
Foster and Dunkleberger get picks (Foster's third of the season).

Injuries: Our offensive line is getting banged up - G Corbett goes back on inactive, along with understudy T Stanley Hamilton. Kobeski and Whiting remain out. S Foster is given a game off as well to rest his sore ankle.


Game 4
Cleveland (3-0) -8 at New York Jets (1-2)
With a couple of starters nursing injuries, we go into the Meadowlands a bit banged up and apprehensive. 400 total yards later we walk out of the stadium in great shape - with no new injuries. Giving a couple guys the week off against a weaker opponent pays off. The defense has now allowed 40 offensive points in 4 games - partially allaying fears about Paniagua's defensive coaching abilities.
Cleveland wins 27-10.

Clark 16-33-204-0-0
Rodriguez 17-105-2
Backup RB Stone 2-87-0 (20-147-2 on the year).
S Swift 8 tckls and 3 ints! (game mvp, def player of the week)
OLB Faulk 5 tckls, 1 sack
DT Hamilton 5 tckls, 1 sack

Injuries: No new ones, Whiting and Kobeski still long term.

Game 5
Cleveland (4-0) -11 at Jacksonville (0-4)
Jacksonville comes in winless but with a good defense. We racked up the rushing yards against them in the last game, but resist the temptation to change our heretofore balanced approach. A missed extra point and 2 ints almost kill us, but we take a 23-13 lead in the 4th quarter and are able to hold it.
Cleveland wins 23-20.

Clark 15-24-168-1-2
Rodriguez 20-112-2 (3-43-0 receiving) Game MVP
Wheeler 11 tckls, 1 sack
DT Kirk 2 sacks

Injuries: No new ones. Whiting and Kobeski may be out the whole year at this rate.

Game 6
Cleveland (5-0) -8 at Kansas City (1-4)
Kansas City jumps out to a 6-0 lead, but our offense starts to click and we cruise to the tune of 23 first downs and 310 yards of total offense. The defense has now allowed 66 offensive points in 6 games.
Cleveland wins 21-6.

Clark 16-32-173-2-0
Rodriguez 21-125-1
WR Jeffries 6-81-1
MLB Wheeler 9 tckls
S Foster 7 tckls and a pick (4 on the year)
Champion and Duncan pick up sacks.

Injuries: Still trying to get well. No new injuries.

Game 7
Tennessee (3-3) at Cleveland (6-0) -8
Another division rival - this one is a bit scary because we have moved our game plan around a bit so that CLark can throw down field more. Titans lead lead 7-6 after three quarters, and are able to hol d it. Our defense still plays well, only allowing one offensive touchdown.
Tennessee wins 20-14.

Clark 15-34-205-1-0
Rodriguez 18-40-0
Jeffries 6-119
Faulk 7 tckls
Wheeler 6 tckls, 4 assists
Dunkleberger 6tckls 1 int

Injuries: Kobeski and Whiting have ben upgraded to Doubtful.

Game 8
Cleveland (6-1) -8 at Carolina (3-4)
A moderately difficult out of conference road game. We get a couple of early field goals, but our defense gets no real supportfrom the offense for the second straight game. Carolina takes a 10-6 lead late in the third quarter and we can only muster a 4th quarter field goal the rest of the way. We drop back into a tie with Cincinnati for the AFC Central lead.
Carolina wins 10-9

Clark 15-29-212-0-1 (7-40 rushing)
Rodriguez 17-4-0 (last two games 35-44)
Wheeler 8 tckls .5 sack
Dunleberger 7 tckls, int
Foreman 1 sack

Injuries: Miraculously, no new injuries.

Mid-Season Key Stats
Clark 135-238-1614-6-6 75.5 (42-194 rushing)
Rodriguez 154-608-8 (17-181-2 receiving)
Jeffries 29-443-2
Stegeman 11.4 punt returns, 1 td - 28.4 kick return, 1 td
Milne 18-20 FG, 19-20 PAT
Wheeler 61 tckls, 1.5 sacks
Dunkleberger 37 tckls 3 int
Foster 4 ints
Foreman 5.0 sacks

5th in points scored, 2nd in points allowed

Power rating 67 (3rd in AFC)

Game 9
Houston (2-5) at Cleveland (6-2) -11
Yuk. Once again our offense stinks out the joint against an inferior opponent. The fans begin to sour on Rodriguez after his third straight miserable game. Three straight losses and this team is reeling. Backup Stone may play for Rodriguez next game. Luckily, we have a bye week coming up.
Houston wins 17-10

Clark 16-33-215-0-0 (7-39 rushing)
Rodriguez 23-52-0
Jeffries 8-139-0
Wheeler 10 tckls
Foster 8 tckls
Champion 1 sack

Bye Week
We rest and Cincinnati loses. We are tied with them and Tennessee for the division lead.

Game 10
We go into the 4th quarter with a 13-3 lead but cant hold on and lose 16-13 on a last second field goal. Luckily we are not struck with any major injuries and go nto our division tilt with Cincy fully healthy.
San Francisco wins 16-13

Clark 18-26-176-0-1
Rodriguez 13-50-1
Jeffries 5-71
Hamilton 1.5 sacks

Injuries: none.

Game 11
Cleveland (6-4) -5 at Cincinnati (7-3)
We adjust our game plan slightly to look for more stuff up field. We decide to balance the attack, instead of playing to Cincy's defensive weaknesses. Something clicks as we control the ball for 39 minutes and force 4 turnovers. Clark throws 2 touchdowns for the first time in weeks. Our defense bends (400 yards allowed) but doesnt break. A huge win for us. The four game losing streak is over.
Cleveland wins 38-21

Clark 18-25-198-2-1
Rodriguez 29-67-2
Jeffries 4-39-1
Porter 5-72-1
Hamilton 2 sacks
Ferderer and Matthews get picks

Injuries: C Coleman gets a concussion and is listed as doubtful for the next game.

Game 12
Pittsburgh (6-5) at Cleveland (7-4) -3

We toy with the idea of leaving Rodriguez on the bench, but we figure he is due. We were right. We jump out to a 24-0 lead and coast the rest of the way in a huge divisional win. We gain over 400 yards total with a balanced attack and our defense plays tough, for three quarters, allowing two meaningless tds near the end of the game.
Cleveland wins 31-23

Clark 19-26-208-1-0 (5-20 rushing)
Rodriguez 25-135-2 (4-49 receiving)
Wheeler 8 tckls
Ferderer 1 pick
Hamilton, Champion and Foreman each get a sack.

Injuries: Once again we have zero injuries.

Game 13
Cleveland (8-4) -8 at Baltimore (6-6)
One more in a seemingly unending string of must-win division games. Baltimore is known for stuffing the run, so we decide to loosen the reign on Lee Clark and see if he can win the game for us. We take a 20-0 lead on two Clark td passes and cruise the rest of the way for a 30-10 win. We rack up 23 first downs and 425 yards of offense, while forcing 4 turnovers on offense. We also controlled the ball for 5 more minutes than the Ravens - and our winning streak continues. We stand atop our division once again with a 6-1 divisional record. We are also second in scoring defense (1 point out of first).
Cleveland wins 30-10.

Lee Clark 19-30-295-2-1
Rodriguez 20-59-1
The trifecta: (Porter 4-83-0, Jeffries 3-72-0, 3-54-1)
Wheeler 6 tckls
Foster 2 more ints (the former DROY has 6 on the year).
Dunkleberger 6 tckls 1 int
Faulk, Kirk, Champion get a sack a piece while Hamilton and Foreman each get .5 sacks

Injuries: Keeper DE Champion is questionable for our upcoming matchup with Tennessee.

Game 14
Cleveland (9-4) at Tennessee (8-5) -4
If we can win at Adelphia we will control the divsion. We get out to a quick 10-0 lead, but a couple of Danny Dayoc passes and we are down 24-17 at the half. We go down 34-17 in the 4th quarter and any chances of a comeback are dashed as Clark gets knocked out and his replacement throws two picks in two attempts. Tyrone Turnbull's slow-motion 85 yard int return in the 2nd was a morale crusher.
Tennessee wins 34-17

Clark 23-37-296-1-2
Rodriguez 16-49-1
The Trifecta: (Porter 5-50, Jeffries 7-106-1, 2-29)
TE Pearson 3-61
Wheeler 8 tckls (now over 100 for the year)
Faulk, Hamilton, and Copeland each get a sack.

Injuries: None.

Game 15
Cincinnati (8-5) at Cleveland (9-4) -5
Lee Clark completes his first 3 passes for 85 yards, gets his nose broken, and goes out of the game. Backup QB Wesley Peterson plays the rest of the game and completes 10-21 passes for 180 yards. The Bengals lead 9-7 going into the 4th quarter where the teams trade tds and the Bengals come out on top by two. Milne misses 2 field goals. A season of streaks and the umpteenth mediocre game from Rodriguez. We are now tied for second in our division.
Cincinnati wins 23-21

Clark 3-3-85-0
Peterson 10-21-180-3-1
Rodriguez 12-43-0
The Trifecta (Porter 4-119-1, Jeffries 3-102-1, Cole 1-5)
Kindred 4 punts for 203
Kobeski 11 tckls 5 assists
Wheeler 10 tckls
Ferderer 1 pick
Hamilton 1 sack

Game 16
Baltimore (7-8) at Cleveland (9-6) -5
If we want to go to the playoffs, we must win this game. We open up the offense again and hope Clark, The Trifecta, Pearson and the pass-catching Rodriguez can carry us home. They can't, but our defensive captains can, as CB Christian Ferderer and DE Matt Champion both step up to the plate with 2 ints and 2 sacks, respectively. Thrid string RB Irving Alcott catches 5 passes for 73 yards and 1 td during game in which Cleveland jumped out to a 17-0 lead. Rodriguez has another miserable week and his status will definitely be evaluated in the off-season. I suspect a large part of our offensive problems this year are due to low cohesion - so perhaps patience should win out. Anyway - time to prepare for Oakland.
Cleveland wins 20-7

Clark 17-32-191-2-1
Rodriguez 14-43
Alcott 5-73-1
Faulk 8 tckls
Dunkleberger 6 tckls 1 int
Champion 2 sacks
Ferderer 2 ints

Injuries: Starting G Corbett and 4th WR Francis done for the year.

[This message has been edited by Subby (edited 11-25-2000).]

[Subby]

Playoffs

Wild Card Round

Arizona 19
Atlanta 38

Cincinnati 10
New England 34

Green Bay 7
New York Giants 31

Oakland Raiders (10-6) at Cleveland Browns (10-6) -3
Cleveland jumps out to a fast start, paced by a 63 yd run by Rodriguez and 2 tds by Clark. Oaklands prized DE Ferderer (no relation) gets knocked out of the game, but on the very next play, Clark is knocked out for the rest of the playoffs with a friggin broken nose of all things. The entire stadium holds its breath. Cleveland goes into the locker room with a 20-3 lead and 290 yards of offense. Our offense picks a good game to break out of its cocoon. Rodriguez quickly scampers 73 yds for a score and the rout is on. We rack up almost 500 yds of offense and Rico Rodriguez earns game MVP honors. The Conference leading Seahawks loom.
Cleveland wins 41-9

Clark 13-19-146-2-0
Peterson 12-18-122-1-0
Rodriguez 18-215-2 (4-27 receiving)
The Trifecta (Porter 3-49-1, Jeffries 5-88-0, Cole 1-2-0)
Foster and Ferderer grab ints
Kobeski and Copeland record a sack a piece

Injuries: QB Clark and G Corbett done for year.

Quarterfinal Round

Atlanta 14
Chicago 26

New England 13
Tennessee 31

New York Giants 32
New Orleans 29

Cleveland at Seattle (-5)
We go into this game without our QB of the future and one of our key linemen. Our defense has been playing strong, but we decide to go neutral and not overplay this balanced offense. Seattle strikes first with a first quarter field goal. Our run keeps getting stuffed, but we manage to move it down the field with short passes and close out the first quarter with a 1 yard td pass to backup TE Cornehl. Defense looks like it will win the day as drive after drive ends in punt. We are doing an exceptionally good job at shutting down their vaunted passing game. We get another 1 yard td pass near the end of the first half - this time to our starting TE Pearson. The Seahawks get the ball back with 2 minutes left in the first half, but go three and out and we get an unexpected series. Rodriguez, who up to this point is getting his ass handed to him on every play busts off tackle for 3 yards and scores! We head into the half with a 21-3 lead. Our defense tightens the screws in the second half and Seattle can't do anything (gaining just 220 total yards) - we add another Rodriguez td and Milne FG and pull a major upset! Our defense has allowed just 12 points in two playoff games.
Cleveland wins 31-10

Peterson 21-31-183-2-0
Rodriguez 27-116-2
Kindred 8 punts for 359 (5 in 20)
Wheeler 7 tckls
Champion 2 sacks

Injuries: Starting S Dunkleberger is doubtful with a broken foot, so we pick up a FA from waivers to take his spot on the roster. Pass rush specialist Foreman is also doubtful. He sits. Backup LB Martin is doubtful. He also sits. QB Clark is still doubtful and hopes of him returning for the playoffs dim.

League Finals

New York Giants 13
Chicago 3

Cleveland at Tennessee -5
The game starts off poorly as we fall behind 14-0. The workhorses for Cleveland's playoff run K Milne and RB Rodriguez get us to 14-13 before the half and we look to take the lead for good in the second half. Peterson has a hard time in the red zone and we can only manage a couple of long field goal tries - one of which Milne makes, but which put us in the lead, 16-14. DT Phillip Hamilton goes out of the game with a knee injury and we get soft up the middle - they run it at will for several series and go up 24-16. Peterson gets two more opportunities to bring the team back, but throws an interception in the endzone, and an interception inside the 20 that ends the game. We go freaking 0-3 against the Titans this year.
Tennesse wins 24-16

Peterson 23-44-295-0-3
Rodriguez 19-157-1
The Trifecta (Porter 6-64, Jeffries 2-15, Cole 6-119)
Wheeler 4 tckls, sack
Foster 7 tckls

Super Bowl

New York Giants 33 (2 wins in three years)
Tennessee 27 (defending champ)

Honor Roll
CB Christian Ferderer 49 tckls, 7 ints, 1 td 1st Team Cornerback
MLB Alvin Wheeler 118 tckls, 1.5 sacks 2nd Team Linebacker

Individuals
QB Lee Clark 268-450-3,278-14-12 81.3 rating (346 yds rushing)
RB Rico Rodriguez 306-1,106-15 (321 yds, 2 tds receiving)
WR Robbie Jeffries 63-1,016-5
WR Burt Porter 49-741-2
WR Cole 30-400-3
TE Pearson 43-479-1
KR/PR Stageman 9.8 pr, td/ 28.0 kr, td
K Milne 29-35 fg, 40-41 xp
P Kindred 41.4 avg, 32 in 20
S Dunkleberger 70 tckls, 5 ints
DT Hamilton 42 tckls, 9 sacks
DE Champion 34 tckls, 9 sacks
S Foster 61 tckls, 6 ints

Team
Scoring Offense: 381 (11th)
Scoring Defense: 254 (2nd)

Rushing Offense: 131.1 (11th)
Passing Offense: 216.1 (26th)

Rushing Defense: 118.4 (18th)
Passing Defense: 208.4 (3rd)

Turnovers: +13

Analysis: We need to improve cohesion, plain and simple. We need a third safety and another OLB. We will lose backup CB McElroy and backup S Swift in Free Agency (they are a tad pissy). Every starter is signed through next year.

[Syrinx]

Way to turn around the team after last seasons Davies/Clark drama took the team into free-fall.

Tough luck loosing Clark there in the playoffs, we had a chance to go all the way with him.

Shame to see Rico slide, he averaged less than 20 carries per game this season, and ended with under 4 ypc (after averaging 4.8 over his first 3 years). (although it is nice to see him finding the endzone more) What was the rushing cohesion like? We didn't seem to have too many new faces.

Great to see Jeffries break 1K yards for the first time... I hope to see great things from this kid, as our first receiver keeper. Maybe he can make a run on Wallace's records!

[WebEwbank]

Crazy year. The D was great, Rico came back to earth, and Lee is still developing. Hopefully he can develop a little toughness as well.

Considering the way the O just stopped in mid-stroke, we did extremely well to get to the playoffs at all. Great trading, and the four fine receivers will help down the road.

Perhaps trading Rico and a pick or two for a c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-t RB would help. Or, as I've said all along, perhaps keep him as the #2 change of pace back, if we can afford the cap space. When you look at his season totals (15 scores on the ground), it's very deceptive. He did most of his damage when we needed it least. Realistically (I'm not anti-Rico by any means) he has far over-acheived his original ratings at draft time.

[Syrinx]

I thought about replacing him when I had him, but he was better then any of the backs coming out of both drafts I had.

[Darkiller]

Ok Subby we're back on track : the AFC Championship game is familiar territory for us Browns http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

I was astonished to see us have a 4 game losing skid after winning our first 6 in convincing fashion : it looks like it had to do with Rico's lack of production which brings me to that controversial point, who's the team's most valuable player ?

or, reformulated, who carries this team on offense ? is it Lee Clark or Rico Rodriguez ?
My guess here is that when Rico played well we were on a roll, then he failed to produce for some games...which we all lost then when he recovered his burst, he became awesome again in the postseason (check the stats)and we went all the way to the conference title.

As for Lee, he play was average from Game 1 to Game 16.
the good thing about him is that he never had a really "bad game" but he was never very good either.

It seemed to me that Rodriguez was the decisive factor for us to win or lose this year. What do you think ?

Also, i agree that Rico has probably over-achieved his capacities (in terms of rating) but what he has done so far for us is GREAT (never had a sub-1000yard season) so he deserves a spot on this roster;
Is he the automatic franchise RB ?
YES until someone else PROVES ON THE FIELD that he's a better runner than him.

Also, i'm glad to see Ferderer earn All-League 1st-team Corneback honors. He really deserved it for his career.

And finally, what about Lee Clark's 14 TDs/12 INTs in a season ?
Not to knock him at all but I said some time ago that i wasn't keen on 6"6-tight-end-like QBs so until he proves me he can play for real, I won't be totally sold on him.

Wait and see http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

GOOD LUCK Subby for 2018 !
GO BROWNS !!!!

[Subby]

Well, I tend to think we are absolutely solid up and down our roster now. Lee Clark is about a season away from being maxed-out (Paniagua is EX for QBs) and according to conventional wisdom, height does not matter in FOF2, unless you are switching someone to a new position. Clark has three monster WR, a monster TE, a monster FB, and a monster pass-catching RB to throw to. In addition, the O-Line averages in the 90's for pass blocking. Many of the backups are pretty studly too on offense. Running backs with lower ratings than Rodriguez have just as good or better years. Same with Clark and other QBs. So what is the problem? Two things. Cohesion and Game plan.

If we want to turn this team back into a dynasty, we absolutely HAVE to lose no more than one starter per season, for whatever reason. There is probably too much turnover on the team and that has defintiely taken its toll. I would recommend going out of our way to keep starters signed, particularly since they are all good enough to be starting.

Game plan is another story. Other than switching run/pass tendencies based on opponent, I am at a loss at which formations (Sngle Back, Pro, Shotgun) and sets (2 WR, 3 WR, 4 WR) to use - not to mention at what percentages they should be set. I realize there is a strategic advantage to changing these every three games (thereby throwing off the scouting report of the opponent), but I dont understand how we can maximize our devastating offense. Again, hopefully Cohesion boost will solve everything.

On the flip side, our defensive cohesion is HIGH and we have several bonafide HOF candidates as starters (DT Hamilton, LB Wheeler, S Foster, CB Ferderer).

[Darkiller]

Yeah I know height doesn't mean anything in FOF but still, i don't know, for myself I just can't pick 6"6 QBs (for example) because playing this game, i imagine my roster and the people and their faces and their bodies and everything...lol

I imagine the players on the field...and i just can't bear picturing in my mind a buldozer quarterbacking my team...lol
but that's just u know, my way of seing this things in FOF...
For example, talking QB : i always pick a QB who's between 6"1 and 6"3 in FOF.
I consider 6"0 and 6"4 but it's rare when i choose them.


http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

[WebEwbank]

Cohesion: are you suggesting one starter overall, or one for O and one for D ? The latter seems like a lofty enough goal; the former just too tough - it would mean our men would need to average 22 year careers.

Rico: exactly why I drafted him ! There was no one better. And yes, until we get a more productive player he holds down the job. But I reckon there are probably 3-6 younger backs with higher ratings available for trade right now...

Lee: QBs take a year or three to burn in, especially when they've been warming the bench. Hopefully he's due to break out. Take a look at how tall Peyton Manning is. He and Bledsoe would have been DEs in the 1970s.

The Blahs: I had the same feeling - the talent should equate to a few more wins per year. But hey, the ball isn't round.

[Subby]

I just took another look at the the league offensive averages and see that my settings were a bit skewed in comparison - for instance - I ran waaaay too much on 2nd and 8-10 and ran way too little on 3rd and 1-2. Anyway - Ill adjust for this upcoming season and see what happens.

I think it chould be our goal to lose only one starter per year - but not the rule - although I realize that is a lofty goal indeed...

[TheRoyalOne]

It's good to be back in familiar territory, but the Browns have made a reputation of settling for only the best and we want back in the bowl http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

It also makes me feel all tingly inside that you consider my 3 defensive draft studs of 2012 all future HOFers http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

Go Browns!

[Subby]

Pre-Season 2018

67/86/67/71 - 74

No one retires (yeehaw).

Please welcome the following players for induction
into the Hall of Fame this season:
Charlie Batch
Levon Shepherd
Andy Ross
Justin Miller
Jackie Lane
Roy Groves
Glen Saathoff
Ernest Muerch
Burt Hampton
Mo Feusse
<font size="3">Harvey Wallace 83%</font>
<font size="3">B.J. Mudgett 83%</font>
<font size="3">Donnie Sheen 91% (highest non-real NFL player %)</font>

We retain Johan and Paniagua. Our franchise value is 5th in the league. Our profits increase 23,378%. Our attendance was at 99.5% (3rd). In order to maintain cohesion, we franchise starting C Antoine Coleman (even though we dont intend on starting him next year).

Free Agency
We are only 11 mil over the cap going into free agency, so we need to unload some contracts.

1. We deal a first round pick (24) and DE Lester Foreman to NY Jets for our new starting OLB (and 2nd Team All League LB) Lenny Spano (79/92/100/96). Our starting LB corps of Kobeski, Wheeler, and Spano is SCARY. We also pick up some cap room because we arent paying Spano's bonus.

2. Since our Guards are all over 10 yrs in the league, we need a future starter - so we offer a first pick from this year (20) and next year (ours) to Miami for 4th yr Guard Duane Hanson (90/100/94). He'll be on our line for years to come.

3. We still have 7 picks over two years, so we continue to move. We trade our remaining two first round picks and backup LB Sammy Fujimoto to Houston for the third pick in the draft.

We resign backup FB Mel Chinn to a 2-year deal. S Joseph Swift will not sign with us.

Draft

We trade our 1st round pick (3) and a first round pick from next year to Kansas City for two first round picks this year (6&26) and a first round pick next year.

We turn around the late first rounder from this year (26) and the Chief's first rounder from next year for the 9th pick in this year's draft.

1. (6) Seth Gordon, LB, Syracuse (91,100,89,95). Kobeski's understudy - he'll join Wheeler and Spano in two years to wreak havoc on the rest of the league.
1. (9) Arnold Storey, S, Southwest Louisiana (77/100/73/x/x/82). Insurance at Safety if something happens to Foster or Dunkleberger.

We fill out our roster with free agents and go through training camp, focusing on receiving sets.

Matt Champion has slipped something awful in his old age, so we decide to get a decent backup DE to step into the third spot behind our stud bookends. Recent LB moves have made LB Norman Faulk expendable, so we move him and a 4th rounder in 2019 to New England for DE Jimmie Willis (62/69/65).

Exhibition Season

Cleveland 17 at New Orleans 34
Not as bad as it looks - they return 2 ints and a kickoff for a td - so our defense only allows 13 points and 125 yards. Clark looks good, Peterson was dismal (4-21 throwing).

Clark 15-23-194-2-2
Rodriguez 15-77
Jeffries 6-66-1
Cole 6-69-1
Porter 3-42
DT Hamilton 1.5 sacks
DE Copeland, DE Duncan a sack each.

Philadelphia 29 Cleveland 14
Yuk. Back to the game plan drawing board.
Cole 7-141
Spano 8 tckls

Atlanta 17 at CLeveland 13
Growing pains. We change around some formation percentages.
Peterson 13-17-186-1-0
Cole 3-79-1
Porter 5-82

Cleveland 31 at San Francisco 24
Peterson 16-23-175-2-0
Clark 5-12-78-0
ROdriguez 10-69-1
Pearson 4-72-1
Wheeler 9 tckls
DE Copeland and DE Duncan 1.5 sacks each

Burt Porter dislocates his shoulder and is out 3-5 weeks.

Here is the starting lineup for the 2018 season with ACTUALS:

Offense

QB Lee Clark 2013 (74,81,79,79,76,95,80,80,87,95)
RB Rico Rodriguez 2014 (52,61,68,89,71,85,88,74,86)
FB Clarence Lee 2016 (84,86,96,84,90,72,80,99,94)
TE Bruce Pearson 2017 (83,100,93,86,96,100,94)
WR Robbie Jeffries 2016 (95,97,98,95,98,x,x,100)
WR Burt Porter 2017 (98,99,96,94,98,x,x,95)
WR Desmond Cole 2017 (65,100,71,96,100,x,x,96)
C Antoine Coleman 2014 (89,87,79)
RG Cory Corbett 2008 (74,84,93)
LG Norbert Page (76,91,82)
LT Stanley Hamilton (73,88,90)
RT Scott Fleming (86,75,83)
P Harris Kindred (62,78,93)
K Burt Milne (84,82,88)
RET Gerald Stegeman (92/84)

Defense

DE Sedrick Copeland (88/71/94)
DE Clifton Duncan (93/72/93)
DT Phillip Hamilton (85/85/100)
DT Louis Kirk (61/69/100)
OLB Lenny Spano (75/86/94/76)
MLB Alvin "Eighteen" Wheeler (95/94/94/99)
OLB Freddie Kobeski (78/57/94/83)
FS Trevor Foster (94/97/95/x/x/96)
SS Gerald Dunkleberger (71/84/98/x/x/97)
CB Christian Ferderer (88/88/87/32/44/94)
CB Roy Mathews (91/94/98/x/x/81)
Salary Cap 189.9 million
Room Under Cap 25,490,000 (everyone is resigned through at least next year except for Rodriguez and Foster).

Passing Cohesion: 69 (27th)
O-Line Cohesion: 86 (6th)
D-Front Cohesion: 83 (7th)
Secondary Cohesion: 87 (8th)

QB Strength: 72 (9th)
RB Strength: 94 (4th)
FB Strenth: 85 (5th)
TE Strength: 93 (3rd)
WR Strength: 100 (1st)
C Strength: 77 (4th)
G Strength: 91 (2nd)
T Strength: 99 (2nd)
P Strength: 100 (1st)
K Strength: 78 (8th)
DE Strength: 100 (1st)
DT Strength: 100 (1st)
LB Strength: 100 (1st)
S Strength: 100 (1st)
CB Strength: 100 (1st)

On to the season...

[Darkiller]

Donnie Sheen is a Hall of Famer !
as well as BJ Mudgett and Harvey Wallace !
Whaaaoo
man o man.

We all knew Donnie was a lock but what about Mudgett and Wallace ?
honestly i didn't think they would both make it...i'm so happy.

I think it is now time to reload the Donnie's retired-number topic.
We said we would wait for HOF induction.

So i suggest we retire his #35 jersey, that no one else ever on the Browns will wear that number.

Good luck Subby for the regular season !

[Subby]

I think we should retire anyone's number that gets into the Hall, but that could get confusing and complicated - so maybe we should reserve that provolege for players who get inwith over 90% of the vote...what do you guys think?

Also - I never got any comments on the firing of Martin Force and the hiring of Paniagua...how does that sit with everyone?

[This message has been edited by Subby (edited 11-28-2000).]

[TheRoyalOne]

3 HOFs in one year, WOW! I had a good feeling that Wallace would be inducted by Mudgett kind of surprised me. I agree that retiring all HOFs #s could get tedious, so only those with over 90% could eliminate that but honestly some positions its hard to get that high. Perhaps 85%?

As for Force, I'm actually all for it. I wanted to fire him back in my first stint as GM in 2001-2, but never could find anyone better and you really can't complain, he led us where we needed to go every year.

How about our defense? It doesn't matter that Paniagua can't all a defensive game, when you have the best talent at EVERY position on D, you have some room to mess up a little.

Go Browns!!!

[Darkiller]

Firing Force was the thing to do...we needed some new blood to begin the post-Blaine Davies era.

As for what numbers we retire, i don't think it's about 85 or 90% of HOF percentage...
it's about how WE General Managers feel about those players that we had and coached for any number of years....

It's pretty much sentimental only.
In Real NFL, some players have their jerseys retired by their team but don't make the HOF. Also some HOFers don't have their numbers retired...

I think we decided that the player has to make the HOF for us to make him "eligible" to seing his number being retired by the Browns.
Once he becomes eligible to it, i would say it's up to us to decide wether or not we retire his number.

[Syrinx]

I'm all for retiring Sheen's number 35 jersey. I think we shouldn't settle on a hard and fast % for retirement, we should discuss each candidate as they are enshrined in the League's HOF.

For example, if/when Blaine Davies is inducted and he gets 84%, 89% or 99% of the votes does it matter? We will all be discusing the possibility of retiring his jersey.

[Darkiller]

yup

[TheRoyalOne]

Actually, Davies is a foregone conclusion http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

As for Sheen Mudgett and Wallace, I vote to retire all of their numbers as they were cornerstones that led us to what 4 bowls?

What does everyone else feel?

[WebEwbank]

I agree; let's discuss retiring numbers.

I agree; retire Wallace, Sheen, Davies, and Mudgett, right now, even before Blaine makes the Hall. It may help him in his Senate campaign.

I never liked Force - too intense for me. Guy thought he was Bill Parcells or something.

How about Norbert "Turn The" Page, Harris Kindred "Spirits", Louis "Captain" Kirk, and "Dink Dunk" Dunkleberger ?

[Subby]

Shit.

4 games into this new season my computer froze and I only saved after the first game. So, when you get the team after me there will be an additional game 2,3, and 4.

FWIW, we were 3-1...

Sorry about that - I usually save after every game.

[This message has been edited by Subby (edited 11-28-2000).]

[Subby]

Regular Season

WEEK 1

Cleveland (0-0) -2 at Baltimore (0-0)
We trade punts in the first quarter and things look sketchy when Clark hits the best fourth WR in the league (Marc Francis) for 19 yd td strike. A Milne FG makes it 10-0 at the half. A FG in the 3rd Q gets the Ravens on the board, but a Rodriguez 8 yd run and Clark pass to Desmond Cole stake us toa 24-3 lead. Our old nemesis Jesse Sieh makes things interesting with two td strikes, but time runs out and we start off the right way. Clark earns player of the game and offensive player of the week!
Cleveland wins 24-17

Clark 19-41-301-2-1 (6-54 rushing) (PoG, OPoW)
Rodriguez 14-69-1
Cole 9-120-1
Jeffries 6-60
MLB Alvin "Eighteen" Wheeler 8 tckls
DE Duncan 2.0 sacks
OLB Kobeski and CB Mathews with a pick each.
Injuries: RB Rodriguez and WR Francis are probable, WR Porter still out.

WEEK 2

Jacksonville (1-0) at Cleveland (1-0) -8
A defensive struggle as Jacksonville stuffs our running game. Return man extraordinaire Gerald Stegeman comes through with a clutch punt return in the 4th quarter and we are able to eke out a win. Our defense makes plays when it has to, collecting sacks and turnovers. S Foster is obviously in a contract year and picks off 2 passes to prove it.
Cleveland wins 17-10

Clark 17-26-142-1-0
Rodriguez 22-40
Eighteen Wheeler, Kobeski, and Spano combine for 22 tckls
Hamilton and Duncan pick up a sack
Foster picks off two passes
Injuries: Burt Porter will return to the lineup next week.

WEEK 3

Cleveland (2-0) at Cincinnati (2-0) E
A must win game early in the year, our boys respond by jumping out to a 24-0 lead behind a ferocious defensive front. The only bad news is that Clark, on his way to a great day, gets knocked out half way through. He's ok, though and will start next week. Our defense holds an opponent to 10 or less points for the 3rd straight week and holds Cincy to 280 total yards. Our offense has a nice balance to it too, as we run 32 rushing plays and 29 passing plays.
Cleveland wins 24-6

Clark 11-16-152-0-0
Peterson 5-13-0-1
Rodriguez 21-97-2
Jeffries 5-97
Cole 5-103
DE Bookends Duncan and Copeland get 1.5 sacks each
DT Hamilton picks up a sack
Future star CB Matthews gets a pick
Injuries: No one beyond probable.

WEEK 4
New York Giants (2-1) at Cleveland (3-0) -8
Turnovers kill us against a defensively inept team. We get as close as 17-14 in the second half, but our defense can't hold them in the 4th quarter. Rodriguez seems physically incapapble of running around end and Clark is 0-10 on passes from 21-30 yards. This team will get its ass worked off in practice this week. In addition, we lose Captain Christian Ferderer for 2-3 months. WR Bruce Porter aggravates his injury and will sit for another week. Luckily we are deep at CB and WR.
New York Giants win 31-24

Clark 20-37-304-3-2
Rodriguez 15-42 (5-48)
Cole 3-60-1
Jeffries 5-101-1
Alvin "Eighteen" Wheeler, Kobeski, Spano, combine for 25 tckls
Injuries: CB Ferderer - OUT, WR Porter - Doubtful, C Coleman - Doubtful

WEEK 5
Cleveland (3-1) -1 at Tennessee (3-1)
Another huge tilt in the AFC Central. Tennessee beat us three times last year and we look for revenge. A defensive battle ensues as teams trade field goals and we go into the second half tied 3-3. The Browns defense wakes up as Lee Clark connects on a 19-yd pass play to Robbie Jeffries. The Titans put one more score on the board and we can't score - Milne misses a FG from our 2 - and the game goes to OT. We kick off but quickly get the ball back. Rodriguez runs for 18 yds, CLark passes to Cole for 24 yds and Francis for 30. We get stopped in our tracks, and Methusla (aka Burt Milne) trots onto the field. The snap, the kick is up. The kick is good. Milne adds to his career league leading total and the Browns win!
Cleveland wins 10-7

Clark 11-22-185-1-0
Rodriguez 22-117
Jeffries 3-55-1
Cole 3-63
LB Kobeski 13 tckls!
DE Duncan 2.0 sacks
DT Hamilton 1.5 sacks
Injuries: DE Copealnd and TE Pearson join the mounting injured list. Good thing we have a Bye Week coming up.

WEEK 6
BYE - We are 4-1. 4-0 in our div and 4-0 in our conf.

WEEK 7
Dallas (1-5) at Cleveland (4-1) -11
We give some of our injured guys the week off and set up our defense to key on the run - Dallas runs a lot. Our strategy pays off as we run out to a 17-0 lead. The offense rolls up 30 first downs, 423 yards and no turnovers. The defense picks up 5 sacks, 2 ints, while allowing just 220 yds of offense.
Cleveland wins 33-7

Clark 16-23-210-2-0 (10-63-1 rushing)
Rodriguez 20-116-1
Jeffries 6-82-1
Foster 6 tckls 1 int
Kirk, Duncan, Champion each get a sack
Hamilton gets 1.5 sacks
C Small 5 KRB, no Scks allowed
Injuries: Still nursing, but with a big division game coming up, everyone plays except for Ferderer.

WEEK 8
Cleveland (4-1) -1 at Pittsburgh (4-2)
Pittsburgh has a tough 3-4 defense, so we try and play smashmouth behind the Tackles. Milne, who has been shaky this year, comes through with two 41 yd field goals in the 2nd half. The defense rises to the occasion once again with 5 takeaways, 3 sacks, and 282 yards allowed. We have the number one rated defense in the league with respect to scoring offense. Trevor Foster gets 3 picks and is named Defensive Player of the Week.
Cleveland wins 13-6

Clark 18-29-209-1-2 (11-48 rushing)
Rodriguez 14-57
Porter 16-97
Foster 3 ints (DPoW)
Duncan 1.5 sacks
Injuries: Wheeler gets a case of shoulder tendonitis and goes on the shelf for a week or two. Ferderer is still 2 games away.

WEEK 9
Tennessee (6-2) at Cleveland (6-1) -5
The biggest game of the year to date, we spend about 30 minutes scouting individual players on the other team as we tinker with our game plan. We find the weak link, as the left side of the Titans D-line looks soft. We also gamble a bit by reducing our running % on 1,2,and 3rd down (to 60%). When Rodriguez busts a 73 yd run for his 3rd touchdown and its still the 2nd quarter, we realize the gamble has paid off. We dominate in every aspect of the game and I get giddy thinking that this team may have gelled. Our defense holds them to 12 first downs, 39 yds rushing, and 14-40 passing. They throw non-stop in the second half and our prevent mode fails us, so they get into the endzone a couple of times - but its never close. We end up rolling up 591 yards of total offense. Rico Rodriguez is the OPoW as he ties the record for most tds in a game. We reward him with a 3 year 21 million dollar contract.
Cleveland wins 46-25

Clark 20-33-314-0-1
Rodriguez 34-255-5 (OPoW, 5th most rushing yards in a game, most tds in a game)
Jeffries 8-187
Copeland 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
Duncan 2.0 sacks
Injuries: Wheeler and Ferderer still listed as doubtful for next week.

Mid Season
QB Lee Clark 142-228 (62.2%), 1,817 yds, 10td, 6int, 90.7 rating (3rd)
RB Rico Rodriguez 162-799-9 (3rd in yards, 1st in tds)
WR Robbie Jeffries 39-662-4
DE Clifton Duncan 11.5 scks (2nd)
S Trevor Foster 6 ints (2nd)

4th in rushing offense, 10th in passing offense
11th in rushing defense, 16th in passing defense
7th in scoring offense (194), 1st in scoring defense (112)
Power Rating: 89

WEEK 10
Cleveland (7-1) -7 at Arizona (4-4)
We play neck and neck for the entire game and an Arizona FG with 6 seconds left puts the game into overtime. Three punts later and we get the ball back on Arizona's 44. CLark shows his inexperience though, and throws and interception. Arizona marches down the field in eight plays and scores. A terrible follow up to our previous game - maybe there was a hangover because our defense got torched for 454 yards.
Arizona wins 29-23 OT

Clark 19-40-263-2-1 (6-45 rushing)
Rodriguez 19-64
Jeffries 5-73
S Dunleberger and Foster 8 tckls each
DT Kirk 2.0 sacks
DE Duncan and Copeland one sack
Injuries: Ferderer and Wheeler remain doubtful.

WEEK 11
Cleveland (7-2) -8 at Oakland (4-5)
After leaving our Blitz % at 50 for the year, we amp it up to 58 for this game. It pays off with 6 sacks and 4 ints. Rodriguez gets back on track and we dominate another opponent - its 28-3 at the half and Oakland never manages a td. It doesnt even matter that CLark gets knocked out early (he's fine).
Cleveland wins 37-6

Clark 4-7-100-1-0
Peterson 11-19-130-0-1
Rodriguez 20-119-2 (fumble recov for a td)
Jeffries 3-48-1
Foster, Dunkleberger, Matthews, Whiting each get a pick
Copeland 2.0 sacks
Eddings and Kirk 1.5 sacks
Injuries: T Mitch Banks is out for the year with a broken jaw. We hit FA.

WEEK 12
Pittsburgh (7-3) at Cleveland (8-2) -2
Only a game up on the Steelers, we look to maintain our perfect record in the division. The Steelers probably have the best D in the league after us. Its a defensive struggle as expected - we take a 17-7 lead into the 4th quarter, but we hold them to field goals on three series and we squeak by with a win.
Cleveland wins 17-16

Clark 13-25-187-1-1 (6-25 rushing)
Rodriguez 14-45-1
Jeffries 2-56
Foster 9 tckls, 1 pick
Dunkleberger 9 tckls
Copeland 2 sacks
Injuries: Wheeler, who we brought back from this game, aggravates his shoulder injury and is out til the playoffs.

WEEK 13
Baltimore (3-8) at Cleveland (9-2) -13
The Ravens have a deceptively good rushing defense, but we swarm with 8 sacks, 3 takeaways - and Lee Clark has a big game. It shouldnt be close and its not. We rested some hurt guys this week but we suffered some major losses. Starting G Norbert Page is done for the year and starting LB Lenny Spano is done til the playoffs.
Cleveland wins 41-14

Clark 20-28-302-1-0 (3-15-1 rushing)
Rodriguez 16-62-1
FB Lee 6-12-2
Cole 5-124-1
Copeland 4.0 sacks
Duncan 2.5 sacks
Foster another Int
Matthews another Int
Injuries: Page, Banks gone for the year. Wheeler, Spano gone til the playoffs.

WEEK 14
Cincinnati (3-9) at Cleveland (10-2) -15
Let's cut to the chase and just say that this was another tough loss in OT - 2 of our 3 losses have come in OT. I won't metion that Milne missed two FG. Ooops. We remain but a game ahead of the Steelers in the division, but still hold all of the tie breakers.
Cincinnati wins 20-17

Clark 16-32-192-1-1
Rodriguez 16-64 (3-20-1)
Porter 10 tckls
Foster 8 tckls
Gordon 7 tckls, 1 int, 1 td
Hamilton 3.0 sacks
Duncan and Copeland 1 sack each

WEEK 15
Cleveland (10-3) -2 at New England (9-4)
We fumble the ball on our first possesion and NE returns it for a td. Lovely. We manage to score 3 touchdowns in the second quarter and go into the second half with a 21-7 lead. We hold them of in the secind half with three Milne fgs. A big win.
Cleveland wins 30-17

Clark 21-34-194-1-1
Rodriguez 21-51-1
Jeffries 8-94
Hamilton 5 tckls, 1 sack
Kirk 5 tckls, 1 sack
Foster, Matthews, Dunkleberger 1 int each
Copeland 1 sack
Injuries: none - hoping Wheeler, Spano, and Ferderer get healthy for the playoffs.

WEEK 16
Buffalo (4-10) at Cleveland (11-3) -15
It's 26-0 in the 4th quarter - Buffalo beats the prevent but doesnt come close as our defense gets 3 sacks, 4 ints, and holds Buffalo below 300 yards.
Cleveland wins 36-14

Clark 21-32-217-1-1
Rodriguez 20-54-2
Porter 5-61
Copeland 8 tckls
Foster 1 int
Dunkleberger 1 int for a td
Matthews 1 int
Duncan 1.5 sacks
Injuries: Pearson goes on the shelf for the last game. Hopefully we get a first week bye and some of these guys get healthy.

WEEK 17

Cleveland (12-3) at Jacksonville (8-7) E
Jax needs this game more than us - we have a first round bye no matter what. We get a shoot-out as the two teams combine for over 800 yards in offense and 67 points. Lee Clark has perhaps the best day of his career as he cooly drives the team down the field for the game deciding score. We lose Trevor Foster to a broken hand - hopefully the Bye week will help him heal.
Cleveland wins 35-32

Clark 20-31-241-4-0
Rodriguez 24-109 (2-15-1)
Jeffries 6-74-1
Porter 4-49-1
Duncan 1.5 sacks
Injuries: Wheeler, Pearson, Spano, Ferderer, and Foster now have a week to heal.

Playoffs

Wildcard

Detroit (9-7) 3
New Orleans (10-6) 28

Milwaukee (10-6) 17
Oakland (9-7) 24

Philly (8-8) 31
Tampa Bay (10-6) 41

Tennessee (11-5) 25
Pittsburgh (11-5) 31

Quarterfinal

Oakland (10-7) 13
New England (10-6) 23

New Orleans (11-6) 3
St Louis (11-5) 13

Tampa Bay (11-6) 27
New York G (10-6) 28

Pittsburgh (12-5) at Cleveland (13-3)
This might be the scariest team in the league because their defense is so damn good. They struck first and it looked like the route might be on, particularly when our starting CB Whiting went down. But as so many times before, our defense came through as Gerald Dunkleberger intercepted a Brendan Tomich pass and returned it 57 yards for a td. We tacked on another td pass and 2 Milne FGs in the 2nd quarter and held on thanks to 4 takeaways and 3 sacks. Clark also played a flawless game.
Cleveland wins 22-14

Clark 20-37-238-1-0
Rodriguez 17-46
Cole 3-65-1
Burroughs 8 tckls, 1 int
Dunkleberger 1 int for td
Duncan 1.5 sacks
Injuries: Everyone stays stubbornly doubtful. TE Pearson goes down and joins them.

League Finals

New York G (11-6) 13
St. Louis (12-5) 21

New England (11-6) at Cleveland (14-3) -8
New England takes a quick 17-0 lead and things look grim. It is 17-3 going into the 4th quarter, but we are able to add another FG and TD, but miss the conversion, making the score 17-12. Our defense, missing Foster, Ferderer, Wheeler, and Spano, can't hold the Pats, who score a td on a 4 yd pass play. Lee Clark marches us back down the field and hits Burt Porter with a 10 yard pass to make the score 24-19. New England gets the ball, goes 3 and out and Lee Clark gets the ball at his 36 with 21 seconds on the clock. He completes a short pass to Porter - Porter has daylight - 40...50...40...30...and he gets tackled from behind on the 26 to end the game. Son of a bitch. Our defense got 4 sacks, 2 takeaways and held them to 240 total yards, but we couldnt get the ball into the endzone when it counted.
New England wins 24-19
Clark 16-31-217-1-1
Rodriguez 26-106
Jeffries 5-71
Copeland 6 tckls, 1.5 sacks
Duncan 1.5 sacks
Hamilton 1.0 sacks
Matthews and Story 1 int

Super Bowl
New England (12-6) 17
St Louis (13-5) 16

Our natural enemy wins again. They are tied with us for most Bowl wins. THey are the only team with a better playoff record than us. I hate the Pats.

Post Mortem

Honor Roll
Qb Lee Clark 276-457, 60.3%, 3,513, 22 td, 11 int, 90.4 rating, All-League First Team QB
DE Clifton Duncan 19.0 sacks All-League Second Team Defensive End
CB Roy Mathews 46 tckls, 7 int, 1 td All-League Second Team Cornerback
S Trevor Foster 81 tckls, 11 int All-League Second Team Safety

The Other Guys
RB Rico Rodriguez 312-1,367-4.3-16 (39-325-2) ROBBED
TE Bruce Pearson 30-281-1 (injured for 5 games)
WR Burt Porter 26-394-2 (injured much of the season)
WR Robbie Jeffries 68-1054-7
WR Desmond Cole 50-847-4
G Cory Corbett 29-73-39.7%
DE Sedrick Copeland 34 tckls, 15.0 sacks
DT Phillip Hamilton 49 tckls, 11.0 sacks ROBBED
DT Louis Kirk 58 tckls, 6.5 sacks
LB Freddie Kobeski 78 tckls, 1 int
LB Alvin "18" Wheeler 46 tckls in 8 games
LB Lenny Spano 51 tcklsin 11 games
S Gerald Dunkleberger 77 tckls, 4 int, 1 td
PR Stegeman 11.1 PR avg, 24.3 KR

Foster is the only starter not signed - MAKE SURE HE GETS FRANCHISED!!!!!

[WebEwbank]

Fantastic season. Fantastic ending. I think Porter stumbled over a paper cup on that last run; check the replays. How is he rated for flout-out Bob Hyes SPEEEED ?

I guess Rico made a believer out of you, since you reupped him so generously. Lee broke out bigtime, as I hoped he would, and our D played up to it's press clippings. We probably need to start thinking about youth on the OL, signing Foster, as you noted, and trying to keep our people healthy.

It was a little unclear: were the hordes of defensive injured playing in the playoffs ?

Your writeups are great: extraordinaire and Methusla.

I definitly plan to write a strong letter to the commissioner to get a waiver so that Wheeler can wear "18". What do you guys think ? I assume this isn't one of the retired numbers...

[Syrinx]

The only number I think we all agreed to retire is 35 of Sheen. But #13 of Blaine shouldn't be worn, as we await the official retiring of the number to coincide with his expected League HOF induction in 3 more years.

Jersey #18 for LB Alvin Wheeler, sounds great to me. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/wink.gif

I personaly disagree with retiring all HOF players #'s. Mudgett and Wallace never reached that next level, in my opinion, and should not have their numbers retired. (Also it's hard to retire a WR's number with only 10 to really choose from)

As for the season, great job! - those damned Patsies...

I've noticed something interesting about Clark and the Ravens. Clark is 6-0 as a starter against the Ravens, averages 2.66 TD's and 282 yards per game against them. He has a 4 to 1 TD to INT ratio when playing them. All in all he has a 107 QB rating against them!! Glad we get to play them twice a year. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Syrinx (edited 11-29-2000).]

[TheRoyalOne]

Damn Pats, have we ever beat them in an AFC Title game? I know I lost to them in the 2001 and 2002 Title games.

How did Foster only get 2nd Team Safety? 11 picks is incredible.

18 sounds like a great number for the Truck Stop, Alvin Wheeler.

What is our keeper list looking like? Considering we don't name a keeper until our turn, maybe we should name a keeper every turn as it takes 10 years to go through a rotation and usually 12 years is tops for most careers, we go 8 years without having a keeper.

Anyway, the list is?
Darkiller: None
RoyalOne: None
Web: Clark
Syrinx: Jeffries
Subby: ?

I would have named Foster or Wheeler mine when I drafted them but Mudgett was still finishing his career.

By the way, what is Paniagua's injury rating? We seemed to play and stay banged up all year.

[Darkiller]

Two great seasons Subby. congratulations. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

making back to back AFC title games couldn't be better for us to be a winning back on track franchise (upon our own high standards...)

Rico had another great season and as you said was definitely robbed of not having any distinction. This is something we should clearly complain to the voters...cuz it's not the first time as far as i can remember.
actually i don't recall him having had any All-League seasons in otherwise an exceptionnal career so far...

Now, let's get on the Lee Clark topic :
First of all, I must admit that I was impressed by his All-League 1st team QB selection.
In only his 2nd full season as a starter he already won that precious distinction. So i guess the boy can play.
He completed over 60% of his passes and had over 3500 yards and only 11 INTs...this is very good.
BUT (lol I can already see some of you thinking "what the hell is he gonna say again about him") he only had 22 TDs...
and last year he had how many ? 14 ?
Ok this is a progress but still he is no gunslinger. Although, as I said, I recognize his All-League 1st team award means something (that he IS a good QB) I believe maybe he was also awarded the prize thanks to having a great team around with a great record (13-3). That helps whatever your stats are...
3500 yards, 22TDs and a 90,1 rating : Does these(stats-wise)deserve All-League 1st team selection ?
i'm not so sure...
Anyways he did fine this year and I estimate him a more now than last year.
I need a couple more strong seasons to be totally convinced for good though http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

Now, about retired numbers :
Let's retire Donnie's #35 now that he is in the Hall and let's make sure nobody wears #13 until Blaine's HOF induction.

(a bit like the 49ers who said during Young's retirement ceremony that they would retire his #8 someday (aka when the 49ers play on national TV)and until then no one will wear #8 though it is not officially retired by San Francisco yet.)

Just like Syrinx, i'm not keen on retiring Mudgett and Wallace's numbers.




[This message has been edited by Darkiller (edited 11-29-2000).]

[Darkiller]

Well i'll wait mu turn to select my next keeper now that the Mighty Blaine has retired

[Syrinx]

Subby's Keeper is still DE Matt Champion, unless he retired without our noticing.

The way it was supposed to work: When your keeper retires you may slect a keeper at the end of the first full season without that keeper (ie for the next offseason). If you want you can wait until as late as the end of your next turn, but you do not have to wait for your turn. If your keeper retires right after your turn, you can name a new keeper (most likely somone who you drafted durring your last turn)

If we want to change this to naming a keeper each turn we can take a vote on that.

[Subby]

Clark had so few td passes (in comparison to Blaine) because I played a very balanced, very conservative offense - Clark's high completion rate and low interceptions are testament to that - I thought it was best to take this approach until passing Cohesion got over 80 (it was 70 last season).

DE Champion is still my pick, but I have a feeling he will retire next year - he was 4th string and not happy about it.

Rico's contract was huge, but you should have seen what he was asking for...I figured we had enough cap room that we could swallow something like that ...and I am still pissed at how robbed he was in the post season awards - the man had 18 total tds and almost 1,700 total yards from scrimmage!

I'm also digging our bookends at DE (34.0 sacks combined) and Safety (158 tckls, 15 int).

Anyway - I would tend to agree on not retiring Wallace and Mudgett - they received their honor by making the HOF - Jersey Retirement is for the Sheens and Davies of the world.

Our coach has a Good rating in avoiding injury - kind of a weakness they may need to be addressed. In that final playoff game we were missing 6 starters: 18 Wheeler, Lenny Spano, Christian Ferderer, Trevor Foster, Bruce Pearson and Norbert Page.

[Darkiller]

I received the file today...thx

[Darkiller]

We have just ended our 20th season of Browns football.

I noticed, browsing through our files, that we reached (at least) the AFC Championship game 15 times out of 20 seasons !!!

but we are only 6/15 in those games (40%) ;
and a good 4/6 in SuperBowls.

[Darkiller]

For those who still don't know (how could that be possible ? LOL)

Subby did a great job creating our Village Challenge II Website.

here is the url :
www.villagechallenge2.fr.st (http://www.villagechallenge2.fr.st)

[TheRoyalOne]

Hey Darkiller, How are things coming? Am anxiously awaiting the return of the Browns franchise.

[WebEwbank]

Any news on the next season ?

Our season ticket-holders are anxious...

[Darkiller]

season will be posted tonight guys http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

[TheRoyalOne]

We must have had a lockout...

[WebEwbank]

Take no prisoners, especially from New England !

[Subby]

ok, its tonight in France... http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

[WebEwbank]

See, if the game only allowed tinkering with player names we could draft a great QB prospect, and rename him Napoleon Darkiller.

But does the Ecole Polytech have a Division 1 program ?

[Darkiller]

man you know your history http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

[WebEwbank]

Vive L'Empereur !

The greatest offensive genius in history, even better than Lombardi, Collier, Landry, or Gilman.