With the Browns picking 5th and the Bengals picking 6th in the NFL Draft we here at OST figured it would be a good time to run a live blog for the first hour or so of today’s draft… and with the Browns involved in so many potential trade rumors we might need to come back and throw in some additional updates later in the day.

6:28 - Alright, it’s been a fun two-and-a-half hours, mostly thanks to the Browns many trades. That’s it for the Live Blog, hopefully it was enjoyable.

6:24 - Pick - The Cleveland Browns (finally) at #21 take C Alex Mack from Cal. I’m glad that it’s not Beanie, but I was hoping for defense. That said Mack is supposed to be a very good Center, which is a position that the Browns had a lot of trouble with last year. Build the line. Gotta like it.

6:24 - We’re back from commercial and Cleveland is still on the clock… So far so good!

6:22 - Browns are on the clock for the 4th time today, and they’re yet to pick a player. I’m still rooting for Clay Matthews III. If it’s Beanie Wells I will not be happy.

6:19 - Pick - The Detroit Lions take TE Brandon Pettigrew at #20. Pettigrew is a complete TE and an option for Stafford for sure. Now here come the Browns again. Will they pick this time!?! A friend just texted me and joked that they just want every single pick in the 6th round.

6:17 - Man, this has been nuts. I’m really glad I decided to live blog this.

6:15 - The Browns only had to move down two spots. So really they can still take a USC LB. Same theory perhaps? Here’s wondering if it’s another 6 rounder in return.

6:13 - Pick - The Browns trade the pick to the Eagles who select Jeremy Maclin WR from Missouri. Still waiting on trade details. Now I’m getting antsy, though at least they hung onto Quinn and Edwards I guess (so far).

6:12 - Pick - It’s a trade!!!!!!?????

6:10 - And the crowd makes a TON of noise as ESPN throws it to commercial. Tell me there wasn’t another trade…

6:09 - And ESPN spends another 5 minutes bashing the Broncos organization in the head with a shovel about the Cutler saga.

6:06 - Pick - The Broncos take DE Robert Ayers. The Browns had no interest in Ayers, so this should work out. You’d think Cleveland will actually make a selection here at #19.

6:01 - Pick - And Tampa Bay takes Josh Freeman from KSU at #17. The Bucs were apparently spooked by the possibility of the Broncos taking the QB, and the Browns were able to pick up a 6th Rounder to drop down two spots, not bad value at this point, while guaranteeing that Maualuga or Matthews will still be on the board.

5:58 - The Browns have traded down two slots and picked up a 6 rounder from the Tampa Bay for their trouble. The thinking has to be get Matthews or Maualuga, and you might as well trade down and see who’s still there in two picks since the Bucs want a QB.

5:58 - Pick - It’s a trade!!!!

5:53 - I think the pick is between Maualuga and Matthews III here, and I’m expecting (and would be happy to see) Matthews III. It wouldn’t be the biggest shocker ever to see the Browns trade down again however.

5:51 - Pick - The Chargers take Larry English from NIU at #16. I think this is a huge reach. Boomer of course loves it. Kiper calls it interesting, but doesn’t really vomit all over the pick like he’s apt to do when he disagrees with a pick. Kiper actually says he can’t argue with it. I’m hoping they go to McShay for his take, but the Browns are on the clock, so I’ll let it slide.

5:49 - I almost hope the Browns don’t take Clay Matthews III just because I don’t want to listen to Berman make a bunch of idiotic comparisons to one of the Browns greatest, Clay Matthews II.

5:45 - Pick - The Texans at #15 take USC LB Brian Cushing. Not fantastic news for the Browns who really could have used “This Cush” (name that movie). The Chargers are all that’s standing between the Browns and a linebacker here. They could go in pretty much any direction here.

5:44 - It’s going to be Cushing, which will be a blow to the Browns.

5:39 - Pick - And the Saints take Jenkins at #14. So, nevermind on that hypothetical. Well, 2 more picks before the Browns are up again. At this point that means one of the USC linebackers will certainly be on the board here, if ManKok is thinking the same thing as Browns fans.

5:37 - Getting a DB, Elam in the #5 pick trade probably rules out the need for Jenkins at #17 (if he’s on the board still) for the Browns. It depends if ManKok sees Jenkins as a safety, then no chance. Or a CB, which means he could challenge McDonald and Wright and at least be a nickelback. NFL minds are split on Jenkins as a Safety vs a Corner.

5:35 - The Saints can’t be happy that Moreno is gone, but they could also use all kinds of defensive help. Maybe a USC linebacker, maybe Malcolm Jenkins… maybe Beanie Wells.

5:33 - Pick - The Redskins waste no time at #13 getting DE Brian Orakpo. And the Browns lose a possibility at #17, but to be honest he’s a lot like Kamerion Wimbley, so maybe it doesn’t matter. Fingers are crossed that Cushing makes it to #17, and that Beanie Wells does not.

5:31 - Pick - The Broncos take Knowshon Moreno. And everyone on the ESPN panel spends 5 minutes performing the equivalent of bashing the Broncos organization in the head with a shovel (about the Cutler saga, not the pick necessarily.) Kiper has concerns on Moreno’s size and speed.

5:27 - Pick - And the Bills take DE Aaron Maybin. Maybin’s a solid choice though a lot of teams were a little scared of him as he was a bit of a one-year wonder at Penn State, not to mention everyone is becoming a bit dubious of Penn State defensive players (like standouts in basketball at Duke). Browns fans are getting nervous that Beanie Wells could be the guy at #17. They’re still praying for defense.

5:25 - Cleveland beat writers are claiming that DA could be out of Cleveland by the end of the day (seriously there could be a ticker tape parade in C-Town at this point). That could mean Cleveland adds… maybe a 3rd rounder in exchange. Browns fans are salivating. Especially as Cushing, Maualuga, Matthews, and Orakpo all still on the board.

5:21 - Pick - San Francisco takes Crabtree (finally) at #10. Hopefully slipping to #10 might learn him some humility (again I’m basing this on reports of his diva-attitude throughout the draft-workout process).

5:17 - Everyone thinks Crabtree is going to the 49ers here. I hope it’s Maclin, just because it would be funny.

5:14 - Pick - The Packers take BJ Raji. He’ll be a really good fit at DT, and was one of the players I was hoping the Browns would consider at #5 if Curry was gone and they couldn’t trade out.

5:05 - Pick - And the Jags take Eugene Monroe OT from Virginia. Great value at the 8th pick, there are some injury concerns on Monroe that could come into play later in his career. Given all of the issues that the Jags had on their line last year though, you really can’t fault this pick. Green Bay has some interesting options here with Crabtree and Raji two players who are starting to slip staring them in the face.

5:03 - Two quotes from Peter King’s Twitter feed. “The Jets pay a ransom for Sanchez.” and “(QB) Brett Ratliff is no throw-in, Mangini likes him a lot!” Very interesting!

4:58 - Word out of Cleveland earlier this week was that Crabtree was an incredible diva when he came to town and there was no way that ManKok was going to select him (of course this could have been a smoke screen). It makes you wonder if other teams were feeling the same way about the personality of Crabtree and decided that he wasn’t worth the trouble. I wouldn’t be so shocked about the Raiders pick if they hadn’t ignored Maclin to take Heyward-Bey as well. All the talking heads think Crabtree goes to the Jags next, they go to the studio though who’s talking OT Monroe, who of course is still on the board as well. Jacksonville has an interesting choice…

4:57 - Pick - The Raiders pass on Maclin and Crabtree to take Darrius Heyward-Bey. So, they take a super-duper fast receiver who’s extremely raw. Classic Al Davis pick. Mel Kiper is almost spitting he’s so shocked and incredulous right now. Al Davis… He’s just fantastic.

4:54 - The Bengals did what they need to, getting Carson Palmer some protection though, and at this point everyone has their fingers crossed that Andre Smith will be a professional. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Bengals draft for the line again when they pick in the second round.

4:51 - I understand that Eugene Monroe has a slight injury red flag, but I think it’s funny that there were two very good OTs staring at them at the #6 slot and Mike Brown selects the one with character question marks. Should fit right in…

4:50 - Pick - The Bengals take OT Andre Smith. Smith was fantastic at Alabama this past season, but his stock plummeted through the workout process prior to the draft.

4:45 - The Browns get the #17, The Jets 2nd rounder, DE Kenyon Coleman, QB Brett Ratliff, and DB Abram Elam. I know nothing about the players, but the Jets fans did not sound thrilled (the sound was bordering between surprised and shocked I’d say).

4:44 - The Bengals are on the clock. Smart money says OT Eugene Monroe. It’ll be interesting to see what happens though with Crabtree still on the board and Bengals fans almost catatonic about taking a RB.

4:43 - We’re still waiting on details of the trade. All we know right now is that the Browns will be picking 17th in the first round. Possibilities in that range would include the three USC Linebackers, Malcolm Jenkins the OSU DB, and…. I’ll need to check, but let’s go to the Bengals until these trade details are announced.

4:42 - From TV coverage I’d say Jets fans are 80-20 excited vs sad. That’s not bad.

4:40 - Pick - The NY Jets take Mark Sanchez Browns fans have to be happy, NY fans in Radio City are crazy-happy. Details of the trade coming, and the Commish still hasn’t taken the podium to announce the Jets picks, but judging from everything we’re seeing on TV it’s Sanchez. Jets fans are going to go insane when this gets announced on stage (insane in a good way for a change).

4:39 - Pick - IT’S A TRADE!!!

4:36 - Am I the only one that noticed when they showed Sanchez in the predraft coverage he was standing in front of a framed, Cleveland signed #84 Joe Jurevicius jersey? Coincidence? Perhaps…

4:34 - There’s been word that New England is looking to move up into the top 10 to take an OT. San Francisco and Washington have shown interest in Sanchez. A trade down is the best thing Cleveland can hope for here. DT Raji is probably the second best. QB Sanchez is probably the 1,000,001th best.

4:32 - Pick - #4 Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest. So the Seahawks take Curry and fans in Cleveland can’t be happy. It would be shocking if they didn’t take the entire 10 minutes to explore their trade options here.

4:30 - The Bengals should have a lot of options at #6 as well depending on what kind of craziness the Browns pull at #5. One of the OTs will almost certainly be on the board, Crabtree could be an interesting pick for a team who just lost Houshmandzadeh in free agency, Raji would be a good fit for them at DT…

4:26 - The analysts think Curry goes to the Seahawks next. Cleveland fans are praying that Seattle fixes their WR problems by taking Crabtree here… Or they could take an OT… Or they could take Sanchez. Lots of options here for Seattle.

4:25 - Pick - Tyson Jackson, DE LSU Browns fans breath a sigh of relief. Curry or Raji will be there at 5. It’s gotta be a trade down or a pick one of those two at this point.

4:22 - They’re interviewing Herm Edwards and asking for his opinion right now. Listen to whatever he says and do the opposite… based on his coaching success I say that’s the strategy.

4:21 - Funny, while no Browns fans (or very few) want Sanchez they’re split on if they want him to last to the 5. Some are incredibly fearful that if he’s there at the 5 the Browns will take him, others think Sanchez lasting to the 5 is the only chance of trading down (which most Browns fans would love to do). Ah, life of a Cleveland fan…

4:19 - The mock drafters all think that Tyson Jackson, the DE from LSU will go at this spot. If not, he’d be another option for the Browns at 5. At this point the Bengals will just be happy to see a non-OT come off the board.

4:16 - So we talked about what the Bengals and Browns should do. Here in Ohio a ton of losing has made both fan bases extremely jaded (you can’t blame them) so let’s talk about what fans are extremely scared of. Bengals fans are headed to Paul Brown Stadium with pitchforks if they take a running back, especially Beanie Wells at 6. Fans all want to see the line fixed so Carson Palmer, a great thrower, but someone without much mobility has time to pass.

In Cleveland fans are scared of many scenarios, but I would say tops on the scare-list are the prospects of bringing in USC QB Sanchez. Browns fans love Brady Quinn and don’t want to see him traded. Bringing in Sanchez would almost certainly mean the end of Quinn. On top of that it’d be a wasted two years of getting Quinn pro experience in addition to using a high pick on a player who (probably) won’t help this season.

4:15 - Pick - And the Rams take Jason Smith… They used all 10 minutes for that? All the serious Mock Drafters; Kiper, McShay, Peter King, have had them taking Smith for the past week.

4:12 - At this point nobody knows what the Browns are going to do. Mangini and Kokinis (ManKok) treat football like global espionage, so it’s impossible to get a read on them. My thoughts as a Browns fan say improve the defense, and if Curry is there at #5 you MUST take him. Smart money has the Bengals taking one of the 3 highly graded offensive tackles, with their line woes last season they have to be hoping one of those guys makes it to the #6.

4:11 - The Rams are on the clock and I’d be shocked if they didn’t take OT Jason Smith, though the ESPN talking heads are going on about Sanchez.

4:04 - Pick - And it’s official, the Lions take Stafford, which has technically been on the books since last night

4:03 - We’re underway and the Commish stumbles through his opening remarks… That bodes well.

It was a slow day for Ohio sports teams as only the Cincinnati Reds were in action on Monday, April 20th. The Reds were looking to take 3 of 4 @ Houston and improve to 7-5 on the season and jumped out to a early 2-0 lead. But Bronson Arroyo was unable to hold the lead as the Astros took a 3-2 lead in the 6th, but a Joey Votto 2-run double put the Reds ahead for good and Francisco Cordero preserved Arroyo’s win with the save. The Reds now head to Chicago to face the Cubs in a 3-game series after winning 5 of 7 on the road trip so far.

Cleveland Cavaliers - The Cavs prepare for Tuesday night’s Game 2 of their First Round series against the #8 Detroit Pistons. Meanwhile, Mike Brown was named the Coach of the Yearin the NBA on Monday.

Columbus Blue Jackets - Columbus looks to get back into their series wit hthe #2 seed Detroit Red Wings as they host the Wings in Game 3 @ Columbus on Tuesday night.

Cleveland Indians - The Indians begin a 9-game homestand on Tuesday as the Kansas City Royals come to town.

Cleveland Browns & Cincinnati Bengals - The Browns & Bengals continue to prepare for Saturday’s 2009 NFL Draft. The 2009 NFL team schedules were released last week.

It was rumored for some time that the Cleveland Browns had put a price tag on the value of Kellen Winslow II this offseason, and it was no secret that Winslow had issues with the Browns’ front office in the past. The extremely talented tight end’s tenure in Cleveland ended on Friday as the Browns have reportedly dealt Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks. Rumors online stated that Cleveland was looking for a 2nd and 3rd round pick for Winslow, who had 43 catches for 428 yards and 3 TD in 10 games last season.

So what is next for the Browns? With a new GM and new head coach in place, fans are uneasy about the future of this franchise. It did not seem that the Browns were far away from contending in the AFC after a 10-6 season in 2007, but 2008 led to yet another regime change in Cleveland. With their best defensive player unhappy (Shawn Rogers) and the new staff poised for yet another Cleveland quarterback controversy it leaves this fan lacking optimism but still hopeful that one day we will finally return Cleveland Browns football to the top of the NFL standings.

www.dictionary.com defines curse as:

•  the expression of a wish that misfortune, evil, doom, etc., befall a person, group, etc.
• a formula or charm intended to cause such misfortune to another.

We, the sports fan, are all too familiar with it.  We breathe it, live it, and become immersed with it.  Any true fan knows the story of the famous Billy Goat Curse, William “Billy Goat” Sianis bought two tickets to the 1945 World Series to watch the Cubs vs. the Detroit Tigers.  Sianis’ 2nd ticket was to take the goat to the game.  Cubs owner Mr. Wrigley objected to this because the goat smelled (he evidently hasn’t been to a Cincinnati Reds game in the middle of August, the goat would be a pleasant smell).  The story continues that Mr. Sianis placed a curse on The Cubs (to read more on the curse please visit http://www.karlschatz.com/yearofthegoat/archives/000092.shtml).  Yada Yada Yada, The beloved Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908.

The other famous professional sports curse is that of the Bambino.  The Boston Red Sox traded away the greatest player in the history of the sport, Babe Ruth to the hated New York Yankees   At that point in time, 1920, the Red Sox were a power house and the Yankees an afterthought.  Although many skeptics (see Mike Golic) don’t believe in curses, hard core fans (see Mike Greenberg) certainly do.  With the curse in place, the Red Sox went from 1918 to October of 2004 without a championship while the hated Yankees went on to win 26 titles during that time frame.  That has to sting.

There are plenty of moments to be told of both curses.  Most notably, Bill Buckner’s error in game 6 of the 1986 World Series vs. The New York Mets (replayed far too many times on every World Series history show known to man) which led to a Mets come back and ultimate victory.  For the Cubs, a fan comes to mind.  Yeah, a fan.  With 5 outs to go for a World Series appearance, innocent, loyal fan Steve Bartman reaches for a foul ball and steals it from Moises Alou, see picture.  Bartman was vilified and his life has been dramatically changed.  A little harsh but I understand.  Sick, I know.

All of this may sound like too much to take.  Oh contraire my friend, oh contraire.  That is nothing compared to what I have in store for you.  But first, let’s dissect the misery of Chicago and Boston fans.
Cubs and Red Sox fans, oh please.  You have it so rough.  In Chicago, Da Bears steam roll through the 85 season on their way to a Super Bowl victory.  Then to top it off, Michael Jordan falls into your lap bringing 6 championships in the 90s.  Oh boo hoo, I sympathize. You call that a curse? I don’t want to hear it from you either Boston fans, you pompous jerks.  How do you survive?  Not only did you end the curse of the bambino by winning the World Series in 2004, you followed it up with another in 2007.  If that isn’t enough, The Boston Celtics managed to win 16 championships up until your stinking Red Sox won the 04 title.  Then guess what, they add another banner to the rafters in 2008.  Sickening, some curse you got there.  Even worse, Mr. Personality, Bill Belichick comes to town in 2000.  He proceeds to win 3 Super Bowls by drafting a QB in the 6th round from all places, Michigan.  That hurts…yeah, what a curse.

Other teams have claimed to be cursed, but its mere jealousy.  All teams want a curse but few really have it.  I guess enough has been said.  Now, I give you the ultimate story of a curse and yes, it’s a painful, real curse.  You may want to take a walk, grab something to drink prior to reading this one.  Go hug your wife, kiss your kids, pet your dog.  Anything, and I mean do anything but don’t grab a drink.  When you start reading, you will only want more drinks.  It’s not worth it.  No pills either, far too dangerous in this situation.

Here we go, I’m a Cleveland fan.  There, I said it.  Go ahead and laugh, get it out of your system.  Live it up jokester; I hope you are having fun.  Not only have I put up with the misery of the Browns, I’ve also been fortunate enough to live through the horrors of the Indians and Cavs.  In Cleveland they name their points of misery. You want to talk curse?  Come on Cubs fans I’ve got your curse.

As a point of reference my days as a hard core, intense, passionate, far too obsessed fan really starts in the early 1980s.

Let’s start with the Cavaliers.  The Cavs started in the NBA in 1970.  Yep, you guessed it, no championships.  There have been several good teams over the years but none reached the pinnacle.  In May of 1988, in Cleveland, the Cavs managed to take a one point lead in the decisive game of the 1st round of the playoffs.  Misery resulted in such fashion, that it’s now named, “The Shot”.  Everyone on the planet knew Michael Jordan would take the last shot with his team trailing by a single point.  Wisely, the Cavs doubled MJ on the inbounds play.  Wow, you are such an incredible guesser.  You are correct; he got the ball anyway and knocked down an incredible shot at the buzzer for the win.  The Cavs are sent home.  Painful and nauseating…
If by chance you want to share in my misery or maybe you are gloating, here is a link to “The Shot”:

Despite the excruciating loss, the Cavs appeared to be heading for a title.  Instead, multiple injuries to star players resulted.  The curse is alive (more details to follow).  The Curse is so strong it drove Cavs All Star Center, Brad Daughtery (retired due to injury) from a college basketball analyst to a Nascar analyst!!!  Incredible…

The Cavs finally caught a break, quite possibly the biggest break in the history of the franchise.  They won the 2003 draft lottery which gave them the rights to local phenom, The Chosen One, Lebron James.  James, as a high school player, donned the cover of Sports Illustrated.  Finally, the jackpot.  James exploded on the scene and greatness was sure to follow.  Quickly, the Cavs arrived on the NBA scene.  In June of 2004, the Cavaliers agreed to help out young stud Carlos Boozer by letting him out of his minimum contract.  Boozer was drafted in the 2nd round and proved to be vastly underpaid and was outplaying his contract.  What did the Cavs get for their kindness? Boozer, in one of the shadiest moments in sports, signed with the Utah Jazz!  The Cavs could have paid him the minimum another year and had him for years to come!!  Of course, the curse wreaks its ugly head.  Go back to Alaska you back stabbing, Benedict Arnold *#&$(*&@.  Sorry, drinking yet?  You can relive the nightmare here:

Thankfully, with the best player in the league, Lebron James, the Cavs quickly bounced back making it to the NBA Finals in 2007.  Wow, nice guess you *&#*($#.  Yeah, hilarious.  The Cavs were swept mercifully by the Spurs.  Then in 2008 they were knocked out of the playoffs by eventual champion, The Boston Celtics.  Simply disgusting.  2009 looks like a whole new season as at this time, the Cavs have the best record in the NBA.  Did I mention, their All Star Center has a chipped bone in his ankle and is out for an extended period of time? Stinking curse.  Even with Superman wearing#23 on his uniform,  jumping centers with a single bound, we must remain cautious.  After all, we are Cleveland fans.

On with the depression.  The Cleveland Indians last won a World Series title in 1948.  That is hard to even fathom.  Can you imagine? 1948!!!  Of course there is heartbreak here as well.  How about game 7 of the 1997 World Series for starters.  Second baseman Tony Fernandez, known for his defensive prowess, instead of turning a double play, you guessed it an error.  Tribe loses yet again…The 97 Indians were loaded with talent but couldn’t pull it off.  The 99 Indians were the same, check out this roster! Basically a freaking all star team and still couldn’t win one lousy title.  All we want is one title!

To top it off, Manny leaves for the cursed team, the Red Sox.  You guessed it, wins two titles.  Jim Thome lies to all of Cleveland stating he loves it there, it’s not about the money blah blah blah, he leaves.

Then the incredible happens.  Slow talking, boring errrr Charlie Manuel, former manager of the Tribe, wins the freaking Series as the manager with the Philadelphia Phillies.  I believe Charlie’s  postgame press conference is still going on.  Cry me a freaking river Philadelphia fans.  Oh that’s real funny a river that catches on fire.   Haha, you’re a freaking comedian (Cuyahoga river caught on fire).  Shove a Philly Steak right up your *#$&*#(&$@.  ROCKY IS NOT REAL.  Deal with that Philly fans.

Ok, by now, you probably think you have a good feel for what incredible pain is.  Not even close, the worst is yet to come.

The Cleveland Browns last won a championship in 1964.  They were led by the greatest player in the history of football, Jim Brown.  After Brown’s retirement in 1966, at the age of 29(only in Cleveland), the Browns were subpar until the early 80s.  Then came The Kardiac Kids led by gunslinger Brian Sipe.  The team caught the eye of the sports world.  In January of 1981, the Browns were trailing 14-12 in the final minutes of a frigid game with the Oakland Raiders.  You are probably expecting a missed attempt at a winning field goal, nope, even worse.  Instead, for some unknown reason, the Browns attempted a pass play that was intercepted in the end zone.  Yep, its named, Red Right 88.  Wow…

The Browns went through several lean years which led to drafting local hero (my all time favorite player) Bernie Kosar.  Kosar, in 1985 quickly got into the starting QB role and led the Browns to a division victory, ultimately losing to Dan Marino and the Dolphins.  Not too depressing considering Kosar is but a rookie and will lead this team back!

In 1986, he did just that.  The Browns faced the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game in Cleveland.  The Browns take a 7 point lead with around 5 minutes left in the game.  The Broncos have 98 yards to tie the game.  Yep, another named misery, The Drive.  Elway led the Broncos the length of the field and won the game in overtime.  A very painful loss indeed.  But most Cleveland fans, as was I, were proud of the Browns and knew Bernie would lead us back.

In 1987, he did just that.  The Browns started horribly this time around in Denver.  In the 2nd half, it looked like our turn.  Kosar, calmly led the troops down the field looking to tie the game.  With little time left, Kosar hands the ball to Byner (note: I stand up and yell touchdown at this moment), the crowd is stunned, Browns players raise their hands, exuberance in all of Browns land.  Announcers Enberg and Olsen, “wait a minute the ball appears to be loose, the Broncos have it.”  This happens at the 3 yard line.  Yep, another named misery, The Fumble. Oh my, the misery.
At the end of the 1988 season, Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer has had enough and resigns.  We have a guy named Bill Cowher who played in Cleveland and coached under Marty that could have been hired.  Nope, the Browns don’t hire Cowher.  Eventually, Cowher goes to arch rival The Pittsburgh Steelers.  You guessed it, Cowher wins a Super Bowl.
The Browns make it back to the AFC Championship game in 1989 but this time they are no match for the Broncos.  After the season, the Browns trade Earnest Byner (remember The Fumble) to the Washington Redskins for Mike Oliphant.  Who??? Mike “Freaking” Oliphant.  Incredible…You guessed it, Byner goes on to win a Super Bowl.

Things only get worse.  In 1991, the Browns hire Bill Parcells’ disciple, Bill Belichick.  The Browns improve under “BELICHOKE!” but things get worse.  In his infinite wisdom, in 1993 he simply cuts Brown’s legend Bernie Kosar with no credible back up.  The city is in an uproar.  Man, I hate that guy.  In 94, Belichick leads the Browns to the playoffs, maybe this guy isn’t so bad, they get smoked by the hated Steelers.  Man I hate that guy.

Then, everything fell apart.  The most hated man in the history of Cleveland sports, the low life bag of wind no good stinking lying filthy human being, if he even qualifies for that, Art Modell, meets with Baltimore politicians under the cloud of darkness and agrees to move The Cleveland Browns to Baltimore.  The entire sports world was surprised and crushed.  Even Pittsburgh fans were outraged.  What a despicable low life coward Modell turned out to be.  He moved the team to Baltimore and called them the Baltimore Heathens, I mean Ravens. So 1995 is the end you must be thinking.  You probably have had enough of this melancholy epic.  Sorry to tell you, there is plenty more.

Belichick is fired at the end of the Browns as we then knew it later to be hired by The New England Patriots.  You guessed it, Belichick goes on to win 3 Super Bowls…errrrr.  Boston fans I hope you choke on clam chowder.  The ultimate proof life isn’t fair, Art Modell and the Heathens win a Super Bowl.  Modell goes from 1964 to 1995 and cannot win a title but does in 2000 with the Ravens.  Unreal.  Baltimore fans, I hope every crab cake in your pathetic city rots!!  I bet Cal Ripken was on roids like the rest of them!!!  Take that, the streak’s a fraud!!!  I don’t really mean that.  It’s not Cal’s fault.  Baltimore’s star LB Ray Lewis was arrested on murder charges during the previous Super Bowl in Atlanta.  Yep, he walked.  If he was a Brown, no doubt the curse would have him playing prison ball with Michael Vick and Rae Carruth. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/features/bloody_monday/news/2000/02/25/part1/

However, I do believe the curse wasn’t the reason the Browns moved. I believe the curse wanted the Browns to stay so it could punish us even more.  The curse expressed its anger at Modell moving the team by tearing his scrotum.  Ouch!

The Browns kept their history and colors, returning as an expansion team in 1999.  Still no Super Bowls and only 2 winning seasons.  Here is a quick recap of the Browns since 99:  A QB who cried- Tim Couch, A RB named Ben Gay-no joke- #1 pick Courtney Brown hurt entire career, Spurgeon Wynn-Who?, Cut opening day starting QB after 1 game, 3 coaches fired, so on so forth.  The worst is probably losing a game because of a helmet toss.  No joke, Dwayne Rudd thought he sacked the KC QB to end the game, instead the QB threw the football straight up in the air, a player caught it and continued to run, eventually tackled with time expired.  Of course, Rudd was flagged for a 15 yard penalty, the game cannot end on a defensive penalty, KC kicks a field goal with no time on the clock, Browns lose.  The curse is alive.  In 2007, the Browns go 10-6 with a young, talented team.  In 2008, they play horrible and a ton of injuries occur.  To the glee of all Browns fans, the future, QB Brady Quinn finally gets his chance.  Quinn plays well, then breaks his finger which requires surgery.  Amazing…To top it off, while is finger is in a splint, a Browns defensive lineman punches Quinn during a skirmish in the locker room.  Only in Cleveland…only in Cleveland.
So you may wonder what caused the curse.  Many theories exist.  It’s possible someone did it unknowingly.  Many theorize, Jim Brown himself caused the curse in anger of how Modell treated him when he was filming The Dirty Dozen.  Could be…
But after years of suffering and asking God why, I think I found the truth.

The curse didn’t start in 1964, the last year Cleveland had a champion, it started sometime in the 1969 time frame. The curse will now forever be known as the Raquel Welch curse!!!  She starred in 100 Rifles with Jim Brown which included steamy scenes.  At that point, an interracial scene like that stirred up a lot of talk and was viewed as highly controversial.  Somewhere in the moment of the hype, Raquel got angry and said something to the effect, “Curse that damn Cleveland!!!!!”  Today, I come with meekness and humbleness and ask with all sincerity, Raquel, Please think about everything you have said and take the curse back.  We beg you Raquel, we beg you.

As I’ve spilled out my heart, I think all of you “cursed” cities realize your curse is simply a small drought and really not that bad.  You now understand that only Cleveland has a curse.  So when you get down, frustrated and want to find Bartman and string him up in Wrigley, just remember, Cleveland has it worst.  We own and will cling to our curse, you cling to your championships.
I leave with a motto that all Cleveland fans are very familiar with: WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR…

By Scott Dryden
DFN Sports Staff Writer

Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner said that the Browns would hire a GM before a head coach after the firings of Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage. Something made Lerner change his mind. The Cleveland Browns announced today the hiring of Eric Mangini, the former New York Jets head coach. “Man-genius” as he was called two years ago after leading the Jets to a fantastic 1-year turnaround was 23-25 in 3 seasons in New York but was fired after his team began the season 8-3 only to fall out of the playoffs with a 9-7 finish in 2008.

While I like the hiring of Mangini, I wonder why the rush to do so, and why did they hire a coach before the GM? Any good businessman wants a major say in who works for him, and now a GM will have to be brought in with his head coach already in place. The move would have made more sense had the Browns not fired former GM Phil Savage, the man who turned the Browns’ roster into a respectable one with the drafting of Braylon Edwards, Brady Quinn, Joe Thomas & more as well as the free agent signings of Eric Steinbach, Dave Zastudil & Jamal Lewis. Savage was also responsible for trades that brought linemen Hank Fraley, Corey Williams & Shaun Rodgers to Cleveland.

So now the Browns have to replace Savage and already names are falling from consideration. Eagles’ GM Tom Heckert has withdrawn his name after the hiring of Mangini and it is likely that Patriots’ VP Scott Pioli will also withdraw his name from consideration after the hiring of Mangini.

It’s official. Both the Ohio State Buckeyes & Cincinnati Bearcats will be bowling in BCS games this holiday season as bowl games were announced earlier this evening. Cincinnati, the Big East Champions, will face Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl on January 1st. Meanwhile, the Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Texas Longhorns in the Fiest Bowl on January 5th for their 4th Fiesta Bowl appearance since 2002. The BCS was not without controversy as the 10-2 Buckeyes, ranked #10 in the BCS rankings, was chosen ahead of the 12-0 Boise State Broncos. Of course it was Boise State who knocked off Oklahoma in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl to complete another undefeated season.

In a 6-3 game in the 4th Quarter on Sunday, the CBS announcers said that the Indianapolis Colts were patiently waiting for a Cleveland mistake to make their move. With Cleveland’s defense keeping Peyton Manning & Company in check, it was the Browns’ offense that handed the game to Indy; almost literally. When 315 pound tackle Kevin Shaffer was run-over by 245 pound Robert Mathis and ran it 37 yards to the end zone in the 4th Quarter it put the Colts up 10-6; a score that would hold up to the end for a Indianapolis win. To add injury to insult, Browns QB Derek Anderson, already playing for Brady Quinn who is out for the season, sprained his MCL and is likely done for the season. Anyone who has watched the Browns in the preseason of the past two years and watched 3rd strong QB Ken Dorseystruggle against 2nd & 3rd-team defenses know that Cleveland will be lucky to win another game in 2008.

After the game ESPN.com reported that Romeo Crennel is in hot water and likely to be fired at season’s end. The former New England defensive coordinator’s lack of emotion & obvious lack of results has the Cleveland fans ready to see the end of his time in Cleveland.

Ten teams in the NFL have started the 2008 season at 0-2 and unfortunately the Cleveland Browns are one of them. The Browns, losers by scores of 28-10 vs. Dallas and 10-6 to Pittsburgh, face a must win @ Baltimore on Sunday. While the Browns are not the only team facing a must win situation (Brett Favre & the NY Jets apparently face a must win situation according to NJ.com), the odds are highly stacked against 0-3 teams and making the playoffs.

Baltimore had an extra week off to prepare for the Browns as they sat at home last weekend after the Ravens’ game @ Houston was postponed due to Hurricane Ike,while Cleveland comes off the Sunday night loss at home against Pittsburgh. If the Browns are going to get back on track it would be nice to start with QB Derek Anderson who has completed just over 51% of his passes in two games for 1 TD and 2 INTs. While star WR Braylon Edwards has not helped by dropping as many balls as he has caught, getting the passing game going should help RB Jamal Lewis who has just 100 rushing yards in two games and a 3.1 ypc average.

The Browns (0-2) and Ravens (1-0) face off in Baltimore on Sunday @ 4:15 pm ET, and fans can find Cleveland Browns jerseys & apparel online through DFN Sports.

Saturday is the big day for Ohio State fans as the game that is being labeled the “Collision at the Collesium” feature #5 Ohio State @ #1 USC in Los Angeles at 8 pm. For those who watch ESPN, you’re lucky if you go more than five minutes without an update on the most famous toe in football history, that toe belonging to Ohio State’s Beanie Wells, but no matter who plays and who does not, College Sports Fans now has their preview for the game. Ohio State vs USC: The Homers Chime In, is a unique preview with both and Ohio State and USC writers telling why the <em>other</em> team will win. This is a worth-while read so be sure to head over to CollegeSports-fans.com and check it out.

Ohio State’s close-call in the Horseshoe on Saturday may not have hurt the Buckeyes’ record, but the 26-14 win over the Ohio Bobcats did drop Ohio State from 3rd to 5th in both the AP and USA Today polls. Ohio State (2-0) trailed 14-12 heading into 4th quarter to the Bobcats (0-2) but took the lead early in the final period as they held on for the win. The college football rankings are released each week at the conclusion of the weekend’s games, but the AP voters and coaches that vote in both polls are notoriously inaccurate and uninformed. An example of this is that Ohio State actually received a single #1 vote in both polls, despite the close-call against Ohio.