As the Reds (2-year extension to manager Dusty Baker) & Indians (new manager Terry Francona), both head into the off-season, the weekly Boomer Report will be all about the Cleveland Browns and what's going on up on the lake, along with a preview for the upcoming game of that week. Enjoy!
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New President (Joe Banner, left) along side
newly named Browns owner, Jimmy Haslam III. |
For the 1st-time since the team came back into the league in 1999, the Cleveland Browns are owned by someone else then the Lerner family. After Al Lerner, the original owner passed away in October of 2003, his son (Randy), had been the owner ever since. That changed earlier this week, when the NFL approved the deal between Lerner and Jimmy Haslam III, awarding the franchise to Haslam, who was previously the CEO of a truck stop franchise, and had a share of ownership with the Pittsburgh Steelers (boo!). Now with Haslam III in charge, front office moves have already been made. The first, naming Joe Banner the new President of the Browns organization, taking over for former-prez Mike Holgram, who will retire at seasons end (or what Browns fans like to call, YOU'RE FIRED!). Next for Haslam III & Banner will be finding replacements (hopefully) for current GM (Tom Heckert) & Head Coach (Pat Shurmur). Those moves probably won't happen before the off-season. Again, hope is renewed up in Cleveland, as fans think Haslam III, will be the right owner to get this team turned in the right direction. Only time will time, and remember owners don't play the games, they leave that up to the players on the field still.
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Two of the Top 3 picks from the 2012 Draft, square off
vs. each other. |
Cleveland Browns (1-5) at Indianpolis Colts (2-3) Game Preview
The Browns look to end another long losing streak, as they try and win on the road for the 1st-time since Week 2 of last season (10 straight road loses). Ironically, the last time they won on the road, the Browns beat the Colts in Indy, 27 to 19. The Colts, who are now Quarterbacked by #1 overall pick, Andrew Luck will be a stiff test to the Browns secondary & defense overall. Trent Richardson, looks to be ready to go, after missing most of the 2nd half a week ago vs. the Bengals after suffering a rib cage injury. If Richardson is health, I look for him to have his best game on the ground of the season, as the Colts come into this game giving up 159 ypg on the ground to their opponents. Last week, I was impressed with the way the Browns where able to move the ball down the field, and cap drives off with touchdowns and not settling for field goals, like they are accustom to. If the Browns want to win their 2nd game in a row, they will need to finish off drives, like they did a week ago. Sunday starts a two-game stretch of games, that look to be winnable for the Browns and could get them to 3-5 by the end of the month (at Colts, vs. Chargers). Well, the Browns ended a couple of bad losing-streaks a week ago, and I look for them to end another in Indy on Sunday afternoon. HERE WE GO BROWNS, HERE WE GO!
