2007 Browns

[Don Wassall]

In 2005 the Browns opened the season with four white starters on defense. To open 2007 the number of white defensive starters is more in line with that of a typical NFL team -- none.


The Browns do start 7 whites on offense, however, including a wide receiver and an all-white line. Veteran Joe Jurevicius is the receiver, a Cleveland native who was hampered last season with injuries, as he has been periodically during his career. Jurevicius is a tall, fast target with good hands who has a knack for making big plays and ending up on Super Bowl teams (Giants, Bucs). However Jurevicius will have to be proclaimed a living saint if this edition of the Browns makes it to the Promised Land.


The starting o-line is comprised of RT Kevin Shaffer, RG Seth McKinney, C Hank Fraley, LG Eric Steinbach, and LT Joe Thomas. Thomas was the 3rd overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft; Steinbach was lured away from the Bengals with a huge contract during the offseason.


Lennie Friedman is the only white backup lineman other than long snapper Ryan Pontbriand.


Charlie Frye opens the season as the starting quarterback, but is essentially head to head on the totem pole with Derek Anderson. Both have talent and Frye has excellent mobility, but the drunk whitefans want rookie Brady Quinn to start and they will probably get their way at some point in the '07 season.


The fans were ready to boo local guy Quinn because of a short holdout, but Quinn looked good right away in preseason games and earned a temporary reprieve, as white fans are notoriously ready and eager to turn on white football players. Very few rookie quarterbacks are good right away and Quinn probably won't be either, but it's a good bet that he'll be a better NFL quarterback than JaMarcus Russell (if Russell ever signs and reports to the Raiders that is).


SteveHeiden is the backup tight end and, even though fans always seem amazed when he makes a nice play, is a good athlete.


With backup linebackers Matt Stewart and Mason Unck both on IR, third year backup end Simon Fraser out of Ohio State is the only white defensive player on the Browns roster.


NUMBER OF WHITE STARTERS: 7


APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF WHITE PLAYERS ON 53 MAN ROSTER: 15


GRADE: D-





Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[White Shogun]

I was listening to Cowturd on ESPN radio yesterday morning, and he had nothing but negative things to say about Quinn. Cowturd complained about Quinn's holdout (no mention of Jamarcus), said he wasn't sure of his sexuality because Quinn appeared in an issue of Men's Health magazine, where men pose in their underwear, etc. As usual with Cowturd, I had to turn the radio off. The guy is an idiot.

 

[whiteCB]

Simon Fraser is now starting at DE so the Browns have a token white starter on the Defense. Also lots of Jurevicious jerseys being sported around. Joe is definitely a fan favorite.

 

[White Shogun]

... lots of Jurevicious jerseys being sported around. Joe is definitely a fan favorite.

Isn't he from Ohio though?

 

[JoeV]

Yeah he went to Lake Catholic HS in Mentor.(35 min east of Cleveland) I played against him in HS. That is my only good HS football story.

 

[Don Wassall]

Was readinga Pittsburgh newspaper's account of the Steelers destruction of the Browns yesterday, which also included an article from a Cleveland paper, and what struck me is how differently the two teams' head coaches are being treated.


The Steelers gave Mike Tomlin the game ball after he won the first game he coached, and the media didsymbolicallyas well as Tomlin received most of the credit for the win.


But all the blame for the Browns woeful performance went to the quarterbacks and offensive line. Romeo Crennel wasn't among the causes, at least from what I read. Yet the Browns almost always look unprepared and poorly coached. Maybe I'm being a little rough on him, but when the boob tube shows shots of Crennel during games, his body language reminds me of that of Art Shell and Ray Rhoads when they coached, i.e,emotionless and with not a lotgoing on upstairs. Crennelis another black who is regarded as saintly and treated with supreme deference by the media. Still, this will be the last year of his extended affirmative action honeymoon and he'll probably be fired if the Browns have another bad season as the pressure on management from the drunk white fans to make changes will become intense.


I'd like to see the Browns do well on offense because they have an all-white starting o-line, Jurevicius startingand three white QBs. But I don't think it's gonna happen until the post-Crennel era begins. And maybe not even then, because the despicable Art Modell seemed to leaveCleveland cursed when he took the original Browns to Baltimore.Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[whiteCB]

Don, the fire under Romeo Crennel's hot seat is getting warmer by the week in Cleveland thats for sure. Even the black guys at work are sayin "Romeo must GO!!" If the Browns win less than 5 games(very possisble) or Quinn when he starts by mid season doesn't turn the ship; who knows who will be the coach next season. Also as a side note I really think the Browns have the best backup TE in the league in Steve Heiden. When him and Winslow are in the game the Browns can just as easily get a nice run or a good gain off a pass.

 

[Don Wassall]

Derek Anderson has been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season, something none of the Caste "experts" saw coming. I never read anything but negative appraisals of him. He was lumped together with Charlie Frye as a loser before getting any kind of chance to prove himself. Would a 6'6" black QB with a strong and accurate arm and successful college career be casually dismissed this way? No, he would be in year two of his Ten Year Plan.


Congrats to Anderson. He should be a starting quarterback for a long time, even if the Browns decide to trade him in order to let Brady Quinn play.

 

[Guest]

I also only read negative analysis of him. When he had another good game this week I looked him up, because I never heard of him before this year. I was surprised to see he was 6-6 230.

A black quarterback that big who is at least decent at throwing will never have negative scouting reports.

 

[Don Wassall]

I'm reading an article about Jamal Lewis being a game-time decision tomorrow and run across this gem:


"Uncertainty surrounding Lewis makes it likely Jerome Harrison will play a second straight game. Harrison was inactive for four games and then rushed for 57 yards on 18 carries when Lewis was idle vs. the Dolphins. He got the attention of Romeo Crennel and the other coaches by running hard instead of slouching as a player who spent that much time on the bench might have."

Says a lot about the quality of work ethic and player attitudesin the Caste NFL.


http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18962234&BRD=1 698&PAG=461&dept_id=21848&rfi=6
Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[Guest]

18 rushes for 57 yards, the kind of performance that gets a black player noticed but a white player sent back to the bench.

 

[whiteCB]

The Browns have added white journeyman DB Nick Sorerson t the roster, he's #27. Also the Browns all white o-line is clearly performing like one of the best units in the league. The additions of Joe Thomas, Seth McKinney, and Eric Steinbach are paying huge diviends for the Browies. Seattle came inot Sunday's game 1st in the NFL in sacks. Derek Anderson threw the ball 48 times yesterday and was not sacked once. Ever since the Browns came back in 1999 they've had awful offensive lines every year. Now that Cleveland finally has a legit line we are seeing the payoff. I mean Derek Anderson has a shot at actually making the Pro Bowl(behind Brady/Manning).

 

[Stonewall]

WhiteCB and others in the know, what happened to Cleveland's defense? A few years back I remember they were starting Ben Taylor and Matt Stewart at linebacker and Brian Russell at safety. I know Russell now starts for Seattle, did Cleveland make an attempt to keep him or was he released? I know Taylor's on IR, do you expect him to come back next season? I watched the Ravens game on Sunday and was disappointed that Simon Fraser didn't play more. It was good to see Sorensen on special teams. Before Virgina Tech went all black, he played for a Hokie defense that featured a good number of whites (Engelberger, Taylor, and a few others).

 

[Thrashen]

"I know Russell now starts for Seattle, did Cleveland make an attempt to keep him or was he released?"

Personally, I loved the way Brian Russell played with the Vikings (tied for the league lead in INT's in 2004). Honestly, when he came to the Browns they gave him every opportunity to start and play (like he deserved)...and he simply didn't play too spectacular in Cleveland. He made an average amount of tackles here and there, and I think about 4 INT's in 2 seasons.

I know he had some injury problems, but it almost seemed like he was just kind of there. I mean, I know someone posted something about the Browns saying that they wished Brian was back this season (due to leadership, coverage alignments, etc).

BTW, they lost out big-time not signing Brian back this season. The overrated loser safeties (Sean Jones and Brodney Pool) they have now are among the worst starting DB's I've ever seen...and that's saying something.

Brain should be playing his natural position of CB in the NFL.

 

[whiteCB]

"I know Russell now starts for Seattle, did Cleveland make an attempt to keep him or was he released?"

Personally, I loved the way Brian Russell played with the Vikings (tied for the league lead in INT's in 2004). Honestly, when he came to the Browns they gave him every opportunity to start and play (like he deserved)...and he simply didn't play too spectacular in Cleveland. He made an average amount of tackles here and there, and I think about 4 INT's in 2 seasons.

I know he had some injury problems, but it almost seemed like he was just kind of there. I mean, I know someone posted something about the Browns saying that they wished Brian was back this season (due to leadership, coverage alignments, etc).

BTW, they lost out big-time not signing Brian back this season. The overrated loser safeties (Sean Jones and Brodney Pool) they have now are among the worst starting DB's I've ever seen...and that's saying something.

Brain should be playing his natural position of CB in the NFL.

I know what you mean Thrashen. I expected Russell to pull in more INTs but it always seemed like he wasnt doing poorly but that he was just there. Like honestly he was just there quietly doing his job. So the Browns decide they'll go for Brodney Pool at FS this year because he has more potentially more "upside". The Browns now are severely missing Russell in the secondary because everyone knows that Brian was the DB captain who called out all the coverages. The Browns have been burnt by the deep ball this season more than the past 2 years combined . Coincidence? I think not! I've been reading the papers and even the best writers have pointed out how the loss of Russell has hurt the team. Brian wanted to stay but Savage just had to have his coal black defense just like in Baltimore.

 

[Stonewall]

I'm glad he's out of Baltimore. I won't sabotage this Cleveland thread, but quickly point to Ravens starters Kelly Gregg and Jarrett Johnson. Johnson has been compared to Adalius Thomas by knowledgeable, fair members of the media. It's good to see a guy like Johnson who player DT in college at Alabama come into the NFL and be converted into a multi-purpose LB and DE. As he succeeds we'll see more like him in the future. He plays very fast.


The Browns offense is so white, it's a shame the defense is in its curent condition. But, wouldn't you say it was that way in the 80s as well? Clay Mathews was a star, but the Browns lacked the number of white defensive players that the Broncos had in those 2 AFC championship games in 1986 and 1987.

 

[whiteCB]

I'm glad he's out of Baltimore.  I won't sabotage this Cleveland thread, but quickly point to Ravens starters Kelly Gregg and Jarrett Johnson.  Johnson has been compared to Adalius Thomas by knowledgeable, fair members of the media.  It's good to see a guy like Johnson who player DT in college at Alabama come into the NFL and be converted into a multi-purpose LB and DE.  As he succeeds we'll see more like him in the future.  He plays very fast.


The Browns offense is so white, it's a shame the defense is in its curent condition.  But, wouldn't you say it was that way in the 80s as well?  Clay Mathews was a star, but the Browns lacked the number of white defensive players that  the Broncos had in those 2 AFC championship games in 1986 and 1987. 


 


 

Oh yeah great call Stonewall you really know your football. Those late 80s Browns teams also had Bob Golic at DT in their 3-4 aligment with all pro OLB Clay Matthews. They also had WR Brian Brennen who had what should have been the game winning catch to put the Browns in the Super Bowl with 5:04 left in the game but we all know what happened.

Clay by the way is rackin in the dough as he has successful car dealerships all around the Cleveland area. I still see some old Matthews #57 jerseys around here and there.

 

[Thrashen]

Hey Stonewall, your posts have been really great since you joined a couple weeks ago. I'm glad to have your opinion here at CF.

 

[Stonewall]

Thanks, guys. Both of you bring a lot of high level insights to the table here on this forum as well. I appreciate the info on Brian Russell, I didn't know he was a corner in college.


While we all know that the Caste Sysytem still exists, I'm encouraged by today's present events and feel good about what the future holds. For example, when I watched LSU in 2003, I never would have predicted that 4 years later I'd be watching a white running back lead the Tigers in rushing. That's just one positive example. We're seeing advances at all levels from Sam McGuffie to the New England Patriots.


This forum allows us to honor the great white players of the past, while supporting those of today and tomorrow.

 

[whiteCB]

Whose that guy in your avatar Stonewall?

 

[Stonewall]

My apologies for the late reply, I was out of town the last few days for work.


Terry Hoage is the player on my avatar. He was a superstar safety at Georgia from 1980-1983. Terry finished 5th for the Heisman Trophy in 1983, as a defensive back. He was an unbelievable college player, based on everything I have seen and read. Unfortunately, I was too young, and don't ever remember seeing him play at the college level.


Despite the great college career, he was a mid round pick by New Orleans. The Saints let him go, and Philadelphia signed him. Here's a pretty amazing stat that really exhibits just how hard it is for white players in the Caste System: Terry Hoage led the NFL in interceptions in 1988 for the Eagles while not even being a starter!!


Despite the discrimination, he had a few solid years with the Oilers and ended up playing in the NFL for about 10 years.


I was watching ESPN Classic about four years ago, and they showed a Georgia game from 1983. As the programming begins to air, you hear Keith Jackson's voice and a still picture of Terry with Jackson proclaiming he was one of the top players in the nation.


I read a story about Terry and Herschael Walker regarding their days at Georgia. The first line read something like "one player was highly recruited coming out of high school, the other was barely recruited." We all know which one Terry was, even if you've never heard of him.


As good as Craig Steltz is, he won't finish 5th in the Heisman Trophy race.


If anyone has any more recollections and memories/facts about Terry, definitely please post.

 

[Don Wassall]

I remember when Buddy Ryan became the head coach of the Cardinals in the mid-1990s and purged the team of nearly all its white players, including Ricky Proehl, the only white starting WR in the entire league. The only white starters in '95 were Hoag on defense and Dave Krieg at QB. Even Hoag was eventually cast aside and the Cards were the closest thing to an all-black team the NFL had untilDel Rio'sJags, Haslet's Saints, and Saban's Dolphins of recent years. Hoag had to have been damn good to avoid Ryan's anti-white jihad.

 

[sport historian]

I remember Terry Hoage playing for Georgia. Once I saw something on the Sports page about how Hoage was recruited by Georgia. As I recall, Georgia did not have many scholarships left that year when a scout or somebody whose judgement Vince Dooley respected, recommended Terry Hoage. Dooley said, "Sign him up."

The announcers would describe Hoage as slow, but smart and tough. He would make a lot of plays.

 

[Stonewall]

After leaving Philadelphia, Hoage signed a contract with Washington. Prior to the 1991 season, he was expected to start at safety for the Redskins. Unfortunately, he was injured. Brad Edwards (another white safety) stepped in and had a great season for the 14-2 Super Bowl champs. It's too bad for Hoage though, being a full-time starter for that team would have been a huge feather in his cap. A national championship and Super Bowl win are always great for the resume.


Hoage was a real good hitter as well. I'd love to see him play as an in-the-box safety for a team today.

 

[Quiet Speed]

I remember Jim Mora coming into New Orleans and releasing Terry Hoage for no apparent reason. I believe Bum Phillips drafted Terry. It's been so long ago, I can't remember if Terry started as a rookie. I think he saw considerable playing time. Mora's moved instantly raised a red flag and with good concern. He was strictly caste on the defensive side of the ball during his time in New Orleans.