Wait, wait, wait, didn’t the Cleveland Browns miss the playoffs this past season, in fact having their hopes dashed in Cincinnati last year?
Oh, that’s right, they did.
So, tell me how the hell the NFL has fallen in love with the Orange and Brown Clowns and awarded them some serious air time this upcoming season?
Cleveland will also be “featured” in a few national TV games, including its opening game at home versus the Dallas Cowboys at 4:15pm. They will then follow that up with a Sunday nighter at home on NBC against the "Pissburgh Stealers."
Further Prime Time matchups including Cleveland include hosting Monday Night Football against the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants Oct. 13, the opening Thursday night NFL Network game of the season come Nov. 6 again at home against the Denver Broncos, on Monday Night Football the following week at Buffalo, and then again gracing MNF at Philadelphia Dec. 15.
Holy Crap.
Of course, what I am hoping for is a wholesale collapse by the Browns and a severely disappointing season as a Bengals fan and as a fan of the NFL.
Enough already with so few teams playing in so many high profile games. Then again, as those games will be on late at night (actually early morning for me) over here in the U.K., that’ll be just fine by me.
Holes in the 2008 NFL Schedule: Better like Pittsburgh, San Diego, Indianapolis, New England and oh yeah, those Brownies and Iggles
The whole Prime Time setup to me is something of a joke. I’m not a fan. And neither are a handful of teams that you’d think might be perhaps deserving of such exposure to a national audience.
Sure, sure, those flex games will perhaps fix that, but leading up to that, we’re kind of going to have to swallow a few teams. And, a few of those including the Browns aren’t exactly my favorites.
That would include the Pissburgh Stealers.
In fact, in Prime time as scheduled thus far, there will be a healthy dose of the Stealers, who along with the Browns, Chargers, Eagles, Patriots, and Colts will be seen five times in Prime Time while both the Cowboys, Giants and Packers will be seen four times.
Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Chicago and New Orleans will get modest respect with three appearances each.
Like the Browns, what the hell did the Eagles do to get so many looks along with the teams that you expect to see on TV so much? In fact, by the time they meet on MNF in December, it will be both teams’ fifth time in Prime Time.
The Super Bowl Champion New York Giants don’t even get a home Monday Nighter all season after their debut at home on Thursday night against the Washington Redskins.
Good to see that the NFL still is socking it to ESPN and us MNF fans
The NFL did throw the fans a few bones here and there. And those bones, scraps really, got tossed to ESPN for their typical lineup of Monday Night Clunkers.
They don’t have the ability to “flex” schedule any games either in their uber-expensive TV contract. Why in the hell would the NFL want to see some of these games they’ve tossed out there in Prime Time?
I mean, can’t they get over ‘Playmakers’ already?
Can they really hold a grudge on ESPN that long to actually deliver them a double bill of a really dull Minnesota Vikings team and a Brett Favre-less Green Bay team in Week 1 bundled with the dreadful Oakland Raiders hosting Denver in the second half of the double header?
Or, perhaps the matchup you all can’t wait to see: Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh in Week 4? Or San Francisco at Arizona in Week 9?
Try on Cleveland at Buffalo a week later and Jacksonville at Houston a few weeks after that.
Or my favorite, that Browns/Iggles matchup, which should by then be a game featuring Brady Quinn getting his first start of the season, as the (5-9) Browns play the (4-10) Iggles with Koy Detmer at QB after Philly has run through four or five guys by then.
The season will come to a merciful end for ESPN with a battle of draft position between the hapless (4-11) Packers at the Bears who’ll be (8-7) and resting all of their players as NFC Central Champs.
NFL, America's and soon the world's game
Sure, sure, it’s all too early to really complain. I mean the season doesn’t start for months and here I am finding chinks in the armor in the just hot off the press schedule.
Of course, true NFL fans couldn’t wait to get their eyes on the thing and that’s the beauty of the NFL. It’s a year-round thing and even the most disgruntled and die-hard Texan fan can now look forward to the week that Monday Night Football comes to town and the Jags put a whipping’ the hometown team.
The NFL is a year-round interest generating machine and is the national pastime for certain.
The draft isn’t even here and the talk has been of the release of the schedule and who might pick who.
I know I’ve been waiting with bated breath for the release so that I can plan my trip home to the states in order to utilize some of my Bengals season tickets.
Yep, I’ll miss my first regular season home opener since 1995 and perhaps most of the regular season games for the first time since 1998 when I first had a full regular season ticket.
Now I can’t wait until the weekend of the draft where you will find Big B and I live blogging an ocean apart while watching the NFL college player selection show.
Please check out www.kegeratornation.com to read more of my stuff.
Feel free to contact me at cbusmike@hotmail.com
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3 months ago
Well as far as the Eagles go they command one of the largest fanbases in the NFL and a television Market that rivals that of New York. The Patriots and Colts for obvious reasons get a good share of prime time coverage. Why no Giants primetime coverage? Well in case you weren't paying attention to free agency the giants most likely will not make the playoffs this year. Also along with the Cowboys the Giants and their fans are an evil empire that most people would rather not have to watch in primetime. They are both disgusting organizations, with disgusting players, and finally with disgusting disloyal fans. You never here Giants or Cowfaggot fans when their teams are having lackluster or losing seasons. It's only when they win that you have to listen to their bullshit. I for one am glad to see teams like the Eagles, Steelers, and Browns who have loyal diehard and vocal fans regardless of whether or not their teams are winning. You're probably a closet Cowboys fan aren't you? Unless I just have never been exposed to Bungals fans and they are as big of whiney pussies as Cowturd fans are.
from 3 months ago
Wow, you've really outdone yourself “I HATE”. I Quote: “the Eagles go they command one of the largest fanbases in the NFL”?????? WHAT? The Eagles command nothing. And it is a known fact that the Dallas Cowboys have the largest fan-base in football, look it up. Eagles fans, fans of all Philly teams fans for that matter, are some of the filthiest, most obnoxious fans in the League. Your problem is that you are, like a true idiot, associating being a loud drunk asshole EVERY YEAR and at EVERY MOMENT (as all Eagles fans are) with being a loyal fan. Just because we Dallas fans know when to cheer and know when to we ought to just shut up does not make us un-loyal. But hey, you can’t really blame a franchise (or city) that hasn’t won a ring since God knows when for being as loathsome as they are, that’s their card, the only one they have to hang on to, since their teams clearly haven’t been getting it done. Wasn’t there a jail in Veteran’s Stadium…..
from 3 months ago
I HATE...you sure do....allow me to let you in on something, I HATE..
I'm the king of caustic responses on this site...and you are living a fantasy
NY Giant fans are as loyal as they come. They happen to respect the game and understand how to behave in a civil manner. That cannot be said for fans of many other teams. The average Giants fan is over 40 years old and is a respectable citizen.. He/she is not some 20 or 30-something trying to relive their college years by getting intoxicated and abusing other fans.
Most Eagles fans are great fans. But there is a faction - a growing faction - that does not have brains they were born with - or are simply classless. Your post is evidence of that....
3 months ago
I'd flag this if it weren't so funny and so true. The problem is, your description of Cowboy and Giant fan is oddly very similar to that of the Clowns and Stealers. In fact, Stealer fan is perhaps amongst the most vile and ignorant group I've ever encoutered. Browns fans are simply stupid yet typically able tp be ignored as soon as they go back to sucking. As for Bengals fans, I cannot and will not stand united with all of them as there are waaaaaaay too many of them from Kentucky which is like a backward third world country. I've been a fan since the age of 6, and that's my team end of story. I'm loyal and die-hard and very skeptical and synical where they are concerned. Perhaps 17 of 18 losing and or non-winning season will do that to you.
from 3 months ago
Dear Mr. Bungholes Fan,
The reason why the Cinntucky Bungholes will not be shown as often as say, the Browns, in prime time NFL games is because the Bungholes were awful last season, and they're generally known to be a bunch of thugs, criminals and otherwise stupid morons (especially their head coach and owner). The reason why teams such as say, the Browns, will appear in prime time NFL games is because they were a successful team last year with an exciting offense, kind of like the Bungholes of a few years ago, and they’re not generally known to be a bunch of thugs, criminals and otherwise stupid morons. I agree that with you that notion of the Browns receiving 5 prime time NFL games is a little surprising but, being a Browns fan, I can't say I'm displeased. Here's to the Bungholes organization impending implosion and a swift return to their rightful place as the AFC North bottom feeders.
Sincerely,
Cleveland Brown
3 months ago
Actually, i'm looking forward to that "Dreadful" Monday night matchup you detest, Mike. The Raiders and Broncos have had some good games in the past, and right now the Raiders-Broncos contests have been close, drag out matches. Granted, they don't share the excitement, of say, the Patriots blowing out Miami, or say, the Water Bowl between the said Fish and the Steelers, but a lot of it will come down to the fan's perspective.
And I think about 70,000 fans in Oakland will watch the Dreadfulness, either in the stadium, or on TV...I know I will.
3 months ago
Dear Mr. Bungholes Fan,
The reason why the Cinntucky Bungholes will not be shown as often as say, the Browns, in prime time NFL games is because the Bungholes were awful last season, and they're generally known to be a bunch of thugs, criminals and otherwise stupid morons (especially their head coach and owner). The reason why teams such as say, the Browns, will appear in prime time NFL games is because they were a successful team last year with an exciting offense, kind of like the Bungholes of a few years ago, and they’re not generally known to be a bunch of thugs, criminals and otherwise stupid morons. I agree that with you that notion of the Browns receiving 5 prime time NFL games is a little surprising but, being a Browns fan, I can't say I'm displeased. Here's to the Bungholes organization impending implosion and a swift return to their rightful place as the AFC North bottom feeders.
Sincerely,
Cleveland Brown
from 3 months ago
I wasn't making a case for the Bengals in prime time, they sure as hell don't deserve it after last years performance. But how about a bit more of teams that might be a bit more deserving like say teams that made the play-offs and didn't have a fluky season with a one year wonder at QB? Like Seattle or hell, the Super Bowl Champs?
And your reasoning for the Browns getting such attention because they are upstanding citizens? Thank You Brown fan for proving me point about most of you not being very bright. Jamal Lewis: Convicted Fellon for Drug Trafficing. Kenny Wright: Recently arrested for assult and battery, resisting arrest and drunk driving, Kellen Winslow: Moron and Soldja!!! and Brady Quinn screaming offensive gay slogans outside of a Columbus night club even though he himself is a homosexual (not that there is anything wrong with that.)
Right back at you with the implosion of the Browns. I fully expect a spectacular fall from "grace" this season with a lackluster excuse for a head coach, a one hit wonder QB and a fluky offense that at times couldn't get out of their own way (see they're late season loss against a bad Cincinnati team when they should have been hungry for the play-offs.).
And finally, don't ever insinuate and insult me that I or the team I love has anything to do with that third world country they call Kentucky.
3 months ago
I can see the Eagles - they draw...and I can see the Browns, because they are exciting
no complaints about this matchup
in fact - every team should get a crack at prime time...
3 months ago
OMG....of all the states I've lived or traveled Mike I'd have to say Ohio is the most, well, shitty. I'm mean Ohio matters for...? Well it's flat, has hell holes that puts one in mind of Mogadishu (Dayton, Clev., Toledo, etc), assuming you've never been there, just take my word for it or watch Black Hawk Down. Has to be home to the worst drivers known to mankind. It just seems to be a state which you pass thru to get somewhere else. I think it has an identity crisis. I'm mean the best part of Ohio is that it borders nice states like KY. Hell at least they have terrain, bourbon, horse racing, corvettes, gold, etc. And the impoverished there won't jack your car for crack. You need to get out more (and find a better team)
from 3 months ago
Get out more? How's England for "out more"? You would have to go and point out the warts on the beauty queen's feet now wouldn't you? Dayton, Cleveland and Toledo are toilets, that I will not deny. I grew up with the stench of Dayton to the south of me for 18-years. But, Columbus and Cincinnati are what Ohio are really about any way. And it's not all flat, heck even Lil' Mogadishu...er...the mistake by the lake has hills near by. And, the identity crisis you speak of is, the various parts of the state are all quite different and unique. You can tell where someone is from as soon as they say "hey fuck head!" by their accent.
It's clear that you are either from the inbred state of West By God, KY or Indiana. If you were from Meatchicken you wouldn't know how to use the computer. There is nothing earthly good in Indiana but tons of meth labs and we all now what those are good for: that's right, blowing up and killing red necks. As for Kentucky, sure, sure, it's purdy and all, I drink all of their bourbon, I smoke their tobacco, I bet on their horses and occasionally a cute chick from their escapes north without her 4-kids in tow or a creditor after her about her late trailor rent. But, come on, You're defending Kentucky? And by "impoverished" you mean to say "redneck" or "hillbilly" or poor people who like sitting on their asses and not working and get gov'ment checks. Hmmm.
Oh, and carjacking and crack are just population control.
3 months ago
Waa Waa Waa. Cry a little more.
And if the NFL has taught us anything, its that there is a huge turnover from year to year of good/playoff teams. The beauty of the league is that it is difficult to accurate predict the good teams from the bust teams. Hence, the flex scheduling in the later part of the year.
from 3 months ago
Yeah, but the freakin' Browns and Iggles 5-times each? And you can't flex that MNF schedule. That line-up is a turkey. And, why do you have Charlie Weis as your profile pic? OMG! Are you The Genius head coach at Notre Shame?
3 months ago
The Browns are going to be good this year, they will probably make the playoffs because they are young and only barely missed the season before. They have a strong nucleus and could be very strong for years to come.
3 months ago
If the Browns were in the NFC, they'd be in the playoffs. It's tough to have them in in the AFC. So many great teams fighting for a few spots.
3 months ago
The Browns were rewarded for having a good season and have a young, exciting team. The Steelers have been the class of the AFC North for quite some time and until someone knocks them off that perch wil continue to be featured on national TV. That's how it has always worked, you get rewarded for your past performance. So the Browns and Steelers, for now, are interesting. The Bungals are not.
If you are grumpy that your precious Bungals are not featured nationaly then you have some options. You could buy a DirecTV dish. As a Browns fan living out of state, this was the only way to watch them for the past 9 seasons since they were horrendous.
But here's a better plan. Call Mike Brown, who continues to embarass his father's good name, and tell him to spend some money on scouting and personnel, since he spends the least amount of money in the NFL on that. Then maybe the Bungals wouldn't be the perennial punching bags, minus one year they have been since Boomer Esiason left town. Then you can have some national games.
Next, you should get some new uniforms. Seriously, that helmet was, and always has been, awful. When the uniforms were changed I was honestly hoping they would come up with something respectable, I really was, but sweet lord the helmet was kept and the pants and jersey were made to match. It's like you want everyone to make fun of you. So you shouldn't be surprised when it happens.
And a lot of your fan base, just like part of the greater Cincinnati area, IS in Kentucky so don't deny it. As a fan of tOSU you should suck it up and acknowledge it.
Don't be grumpy that the Browns and Steelers are up now. Football is cyclical for everyone. Well, not the Bungals.
from 3 months ago
I never made a case for the Bengals in the article. If anything, they should be hidden away from the country at large and their players kept away from the general public for safety reasons. And as for what games are on TV or not, well, I am very accustomed already. After living in Columbus for 10-years, I had to flee to sports bars to watch road games up until the last couple of years and having grown up in the Miami Valley, it was a 50-50 proposition whether they played the Bengals or Browns over the years. The magic of the internet fixes my troubles this year living in England.
As a Bungles fan, I was really hoping Mike Brown dead by now. It is a joke that they have the smallest scouting department in the league. But, they are my team thru and thru.
Some people find the Browns uniforms dull and boring. Different strokes for different folks there. I like the simple classy look for one, but I also like the unique approach of the Bengals. Always have.
As for the Kentucky issue: Most of the extended family is or was from that state from one time or another. So, my slamming Kentucky is a bit far fetched. However, as a Buckeye through and through, I must slam the blue grass state's fans. You can instantly recognize the KY fans in the stands at the games. And, I'm not all down with the inbreeding, 12-year old mothers, bare foot, toothlessness and general ignorance of the masses. I don't vouche for Bengals fans in general, just the ones I know and myself. Most so called Bengals fans are as fair weather as they come and band wagon jumping morons.
Thanks for the comment though.
3 months ago
Mike, the reason why the "Clowns" and "Iggles" are getting these games because they're fun teams to watch. Browns went 10-6 and barely missed the playoffs where everyone all over the world thought they would be a cellar team. Eagles they're getting the games 'cause of their history. Plus, the Browns had six players go to the Pro Bowl for the first time since the '80s. And, the Browns are gonna be a good team this because of the chemistry, Romeo's coaching, Chud's offense, and the defense ain't gonna be the same defense everyone's seen over the years. Also, the media wants fresh blood for these games besides the Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Steelers, Cowboys, Giants, Packers, etc. To be honest with you, that s*** get's tiring and boring after a while. Plus, too many people aren't gonna watch some of those teams that made the playoffs last year like Tampa Bay because they don't have that player that sells fans to watch the games. The only teams that would have that advantage is the Jags. To me, it sounds like jealousy because you and Steelers fans were so use to clowin' the Browns as a joke, they'll never make it, they'll never be good and now the tables have turned and they're an up-and-coming team. As far as cities, I would give you Columbus but Cincy you missed me with that one because there's a lot of crime there, too. If you don't read the paper or watch the news, like Cleveland it's one of the poorest cities in the U.S. So, get your facts straight and read up on before you start shootin' trivia.
3 months ago
When the Browns win the AFC North this year, We'll know why they got some time on MNF.
Coming from someone who lives in Cincinnati.. the Bengals are HORRIBLE. Their only good part of their team last year is now gone.
Do you know what's ironic for the Bengals..? Once, they used to have the best WR core 2 years ago.
Now, the Browns I believe hold that rank.
It doesn't matter who is throwing the ball when you have Donte Stallworth, Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicious, and Kellen Winslow to throw the ball to.
Not to mention an amazing offensive line to protect you.
Bengals fans, get ready for the next Great Depression.
2 months ago
What is great about or has been proven by Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth or Kellen Winslow? I'll even give you Joe Jurevicious...but come on! Puh-lease!
Edwards spends more time dropping passes than proving he was worth such a high pick, Donte Stallworth hasn't been able to stick anywhere due to his inconsitant hands and so-so work ethic and for the love of Christ, Kellen Winslow? Soldja!? He's all bark and no bite Browns fans and you should know that by now. Isn't he hurt yet?
Let me make a bold prediction: the Bungles and Browns will be battling for the celler all year in the AFC North. I'll still take my chances with Cincinnati though!
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