from the president

Greetings SEMBBers!Well, with the loss on that cold, cold Christmas Eve the Browns are officially eliminated from the play off hunt. But there are still two very winnable games left in the season to end it on a semi-respectable 8-9 record. So, here are a few thoughts about last week, a wish for this week and for the new year.   COAL FOR CHRISTMASDespite a somewhat exciting first half performance in the freezing weather, the Browns ended up giving us lumps of coal for our Christmas stockings this year, ultimately losing to the Saints 17-10.Not sure if Kevin Stefanski–in his OC role–was trying to show he was smarter than the average bear, but he only proved he wasn’t as smart as the Saint’s DC and that he couldn’t fool Mother Nature. That was some of the most head-scratchingest offensive play calling I’ve seen in a long time–especially when one takes into account that the weather was a tremendous factor!Of course, Stefanski’s ‘punishment’ of Myles Garrett (keeping him out the first defensive series of the game) has had everyone scratching their heads all week. The explanation for the disciplinary action just doesn’t ring true.The second half defensive letdown–allowing 17 points–I think reinforces the fact that Joe Woods

Greetings SEMBBers!I hope the victory last Saturday against the Ratbirds is keeping everyone warm during this frigid cold spell. It wasn’t a barn burner of a game, but it had its moments…and, of course beating the hated carrion-eating feathered vermin from Baltimore was the icing on the cake! Although the defense did give up a ton of yards on the ground, they were still able to keep Baltimore out of the end zone and relegate them to only three points. Several key defensive stops and a key Denzel Ward interception also helped keep the Ratbirds stymied. The Brownies also gave Justin Tucker–AKA Mr. Automatic–a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day with both a missed field goal at the end of the first half and, more importantly, a key blocked field goal in the fourth quarter. So, the Browns now sit at 6-8, with three winnable games to go. Even though they also have a very, very longshot chance to make the playoffs, I’d just be happy for them to run the rack and end the season at 9-8…something to build on for next year.  HAPPY HANUKKA AND MERRY CHRISTMASFrom the Club officers to all of you here’s wishing you all a

Greetings SEMBBers!Well, we knew our dominance of Joe Burrow couldn’t last…I just wish it had lasted one more game. But, more on that later. I do want to thank the 18 folks who came out to the Northville Sports Den to watch the game with me last Sunday! Now on to this week’s email blast. BANGED UP BY THE BUNGLESI don’t know about the rest of you, but I am getting sick of good teams picking apart Joe Woods’ zone defense. And, as much as I am loathe to admit it, Cincy is a good team. they proved that point last Sunday in a convincing win against us. And it was obvious they were well prepared and planned well offensively. Of course, the rather simplistic zone schemes Woods has doesn’t really offer that great a challenge for any really good team and I do feel very sorry for all the talented players on the Browns Defense that have to put up with such an unimaginative and mediocre D Coordinator. Not sure if it is Woods’ poor coaching or bad luck, but we lost Jeremiah Owuso-Koramoah for the season, this after losing Sione Takitaki the week before and making it the fourth linebacker

Greetings SEMBBers!Well, the Browns are 5-7 and have a two-game win streak going after a very entertaining defensive and special teams display last Sunday. Unfortunately, it came with a cost–stalwart LB Sione Takitaki is out for the season with a torn ACL. Additionally, Anthony Schwartz has been placed on IR, but it is debatable if that is a good or bad thing. A WIN WITHOUT WATSONTo say that Deshaun Watson’s performance was rusty in his first game back after nearly two seasons would be an understatement. Thankfully, he did little to damage our chances (the INT in the end zone notwithstanding) but he certainly didn’t perform as the elite-level quarterback touted by club management this preseason (12/22 – 131 yds.; 0 TD/1 INT; 1 SK; 53.4 RTG). And his running of the offense was, at best, anemic–174 yards running and 130 yards passing…that’s 304 yards total people! Granted, Houston’s total offense was even worse at 283 yards. Let’s hope the offense has no where to go but up. Thank God for the Special Teams and Defensive units!Donovan Peoples-Jones continues to impress. This was a great pick last year and has proven his versatility and worth to the team. The 76 yard punt

Greetings SEMBBers!Just a brief blast this week. First, I believe last Sunday’s game was representative of how the team should have been playing all season. Personally, I think the players took matters more into their hands–especially on defense. It was an exciting game for the most part, with a bit or heartburn here and there. But, in the end, the Browns pulled it out and got a win against a good Tampa Bay team. I think it was a potential fitting swan song for Jacoby Brissette. I’ve heaped some criticism on him during the season, but I will admit that he did all he could to keep the team competitive during games. But, this may the the only season we see him in a Browns uniform. ON TO HOUSTON AND WATSON’S DEBUTSo, the Browns are in Houston to take on the Texans tomorrow. And, yes, it is the debut of the off-season’s most controversial Browns pickup–Deshaun Watson. Now begins the critical review of that offseason deal–over the next six games we’ll see the worth of it. Kickoff is at 1 pm. The game will not be televised in the Metro area…in fact, it appears that the NFL has taken great pains in minimizing