NBA OFF TOPIC THREAD

[Shanemansj13]

doesnt help that Baker hasnt thrown a pass all week

for the last 2 weeks they have barely practiced- the facility has been closed like everyday. its ridiculous.

They are not working with much...they are going to need a borderline miracle. Steelerw still have an elite defense. Going to have to somehow run the ball against the #1 run defense and milk the clock. Still have to throw it, if they get behind early a ton of throwing. I never thought Ohio St would dominate Clemson so lets hoping I am wrong here lol.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

Sixers have 2 rookies starting today. Against the Nuggets.

Sixers are going to lose by 30 today.

Still playing with 7 lol

 

[flyerhawk]

Still playing with 7 lol

Yup. Their entire starting 5 was out. They will have at least 3 rookies that will log 35 or so minutes in this game.

 

[dtgold88]

are ward and johnson for-sure out now?

that's what I heard.

 

[trojanfan12]

OK...and the circumstances are why many might struggle. As mentioned (and not sure why you ignore) elite of the elite QBs have struggled and lost playoff games before anyone knew what Covid was.

I didn't ignore it. I addressed it. I even explained the difference between a proven franchise qb struggling and an unproven one struggling in post 2082 which you actually quoted a couple of posts later.

 

[trojanfan12]

was even worse than that if you someone wants to find exact quote.

I don't think the Browns are going to win. But I don't think they're getting blown out. I think it's going to be a close game.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Yup. Their entire starting 5 was out. They will have at least 3 rookies that will log 35 or so minutes in this game.

And they only lost by 12.

Maxey had a great game with 39 points on 18-of-33 shooting.

 

[trojanfan12]

yet knowing proven elite QBs who are still elite and have bad games might make a reasonable fan not blame Baker if the team cannot pull out a W tomorrow.

You should try actually addressing what has actually been said instead of making shit up. Find where I said Baker would be blamed if the Browns lose. I said Baker needs to play well. he needs to show that he can play well when things aren't aligned the way he likes them. That's what true franchise qb's do. It's how they become true franchise qb's.

If the team goes out and melts down and Baker is part of the meltdown...then the questions about whether or not he is a franchise qb will continue and probably get louder.

If they lose, but he plays well...there will be fewer questions.

 

[trojanfan12]

doesnt help that Baker hasnt thrown a pass all week

for the last 2 weeks they have barely practiced- the facility has been closed like everyday. its ridiculous.

I agree. But, playing well in adverse conditions and situations is how franchise qb's become franchise qb's.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I agree. But, playing well in adverse conditions and situations is how franchise qb's become franchise qb's.

Agree but these are circumstances not one QB has dealt with in NFL history...a little different lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Agree but these are circumstances not one QB has dealt with in NFL history...a little different lol

Doesn't matter. For every adverse situation there is a first time in history that someone had to deal with it. Hell, we've had college qbs have to deal with not having their play caller available this year. I'd say that, on some level, every qb has dealt with this.

I get that some of you Browns fans are preparing your excuses in case he doesn't play well and that if he does play well (and especially if the Browns win) you'll all be on here listing all of the things he and the Browns had to overcome and planning a parade for him.

Personally, I hope you get to do all of that. I'll be pulling for the Browns. I'm just pointing out that if he doesn't play well, the questions will persist and very few outside of Cleveland will be interested in the excuses.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I agree. But, playing well in adverse conditions and situations is how franchise qb's become franchise qb's.

hope he plays better than Wilson.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Doesn't matter. For every adverse situation there is a first time in history that someone had to deal with it. Hell, we've had college qbs have to deal with not having their play caller available this year. I'd say that, on some level, every qb has dealt with this.

I get that some of you Browns fans are preparing your excuses in case he doesn't play well and that if he does play well (and especially if the Browns win) you'll all be on here listing all of the things he and the Browns had to overcome and planning a parade for him.

Personally, I hope you get to do all of that. I'll be pulling for the Browns. I'm just pointing out that if he doesn't play well, the questions will persist and very few outside of Cleveland will be interested in the excuses.

honestly my biggest concern is that they go from one of the, if not the best guard in the league in Joel Bitonio- to some guy I have never heard of.

Bitonio has COVID
Their backup guard- Harrison was lost for the season
Their backup backup- Nick Harris was lost for the season

so now they are starting some guy that hasnt gotten a snap all year that I have never heard of for the first time against that Steelers defense. Thats not going to be good for business.

I mean- basically no practice for 2 weeks and missing your head coach and play caller also scares the shit out of me.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Agree but these are circumstances not one QB has dealt with in NFL history...a little different lol

this 4th string guard is going to kill us.

losing Bitonio against that Steelers D kills us.

If I would list the Browns in order the least that we could afford to lose I would say

1. Baker- your starting QB
2. Garrett- playing but hasnt been the same since hes been back from COVID
3. Ward- we are missing him with COVID
4. Chubb--- might be #2 if they didnt have Hunt
5. Bitonio- our best o-lineman.- we are missing him

Missing 2 of your best 5 players is just not good for business.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Jarvis Landry, Baker Mayfield say they’re playing for Joel Bitonio in absence

Joel Bitonio won’t be able to play for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But despite not being on the field, he’ll be on the mind of his teammates as they try to win the franchise’s first playoff game since 1994. “He’s important to our team,’’ wide receiver...

www.yahoo.com

@Shanemansj13 @dtgold88 interesting article about the guys really getting behind Bitonio. Really cool.

Joel Bitonio won’t be able to play for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But despite not being on the field, he’ll be on the mind of his teammates as they try to win the franchise’s first playoff game since 1994.

“He’s important to our team,’’ wide receiver Jarvis Landry said Thursday, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “He’s important to the Cleveland Browns and the history that we’ve accomplished this year. It sucks what he’s going through to be able to be here for the time that he’s been here and now be in this position and he can’t even play the game because of the circumstances.

“This is definitely one for Joel, absolutely.”

Bitonio, like head coach Kevin Stefanski, will not be able to take part due to a positive COVID-19 test. The team’s longest-tenured player won’t get a chance to play in the team’s first playoff game in 18 years. Bitonio has played in 95 games for Cleveland over the last seven seasons and will need to hope for a short-handed victory over the Steelers to have a chance to play in his first playoff game next week.

“I know we have other guys missing, but for Joel – somebody who’s a great person, a great leader, a father, a great husband – to have put in his time here, endured a lot of things, the longest-tenured Brown and to not be able to play in the first playoff experience, it is very unfortunate,’’ Mayfield said. “We feel for him. That would be the only thing taking away from the excitement.”

Jarvis Landry, Baker Mayfield say they’re playing for Joel Bitonio in absence originally appeared on Pro Football Talk

 

[Shanemansj13]

Jarvis Landry, Baker Mayfield say they’re playing for Joel Bitonio in absence

Joel Bitonio won’t be able to play for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But despite not being on the field, he’ll be on the mind of his teammates as they try to win the franchise’s first playoff game since 1994. “He’s important to our team,’’ wide receiver...

www.yahoo.com

@Shanemansj13 @dtgold88 interesting article about the guys really getting behind Bitonio. Really cool.

Joel Bitonio won’t be able to play for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But despite not being on the field, he’ll be on the mind of his teammates as they try to win the franchise’s first playoff game since 1994.

“He’s important to our team,’’ wide receiver Jarvis Landry said Thursday, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “He’s important to the Cleveland Browns and the history that we’ve accomplished this year. It sucks what he’s going through to be able to be here for the time that he’s been here and now be in this position and he can’t even play the game because of the circumstances.

“This is definitely one for Joel, absolutely.”

Bitonio, like head coach Kevin Stefanski, will not be able to take part due to a positive COVID-19 test. The team’s longest-tenured player won’t get a chance to play in the team’s first playoff game in 18 years. Bitonio has played in 95 games for Cleveland over the last seven seasons and will need to hope for a short-handed victory over the Steelers to have a chance to play in his first playoff game next week.

“I know we have other guys missing, but for Joel – somebody who’s a great person, a great leader, a father, a great husband – to have put in his time here, endured a lot of things, the longest-tenured Brown and to not be able to play in the first playoff experience, it is very unfortunate,’’ Mayfield said. “We feel for him. That would be the only thing taking away from the excitement.”

Jarvis Landry, Baker Mayfield say they’re playing for Joel Bitonio in absence originally appeared on Pro Football Talk

Would be a cool story if they could pull it off...seems like they get some bad news every single day

 

[WiggyRuss]

OK...and the circumstances are why many might struggle. As mentioned (and not sure why you ignore) elite of the elite QBs have struggled and lost playoff games before anyone knew what Covid was.

very true.

just watching the playoffs today---- the Seahawks had pretty much their whole team- their stud WR Metcalf, their coach, their play caller, their line, etc.....and Wilson still played very poorly today with a QBR of 17.6.

Baker will be missing his
#1 wideout in OBJ
#1 offensive lineman in Bitonio
-his head coach
-which also doubles as the teams play caller

not only that- but they have not been able to practice for pretty much 2 weeks since the Saturday before the Jets game.

not only that- but with how many people are missing on defense- the pressure is going to be on the offense to put up plenty of points.


and did you see Conklin might not play now? their stud right tackle? holy shit.

it was great going 11-5 and making the playoffs but it seems everything that can go wrong has gone wrong.

what a shit show. So anti-climatic.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Would be a cool story if they could pull it off...seems like they get some bad news every single day

the best part of this season has been that the found their coach for the future, they found their identity as a team, Baker cemented himself as their QB....

they have plenty of draft capital, and cap space and what looks like a pretty damn solid GM to keep adding to this team.

Its fair to say the Browns are back. Teams that go from shit to championship basically dont exist. The Browns gotta hit the same milestones that all these teams do on the way to becoming a contender.

they hit a lot of those milestones this year and the future is bright. WE havent been able to say that for a LONG LONG time.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Doesn't matter. For every adverse situation there is a first time in history that someone had to deal with it. Hell, we've had college qbs have to deal with not having their play caller available this year. I'd say that, on some level, every qb has dealt with this.

I get that some of you Browns fans are preparing your excuses in case he doesn't play well and that if he does play well (and especially if the Browns win) you'll all be on here listing all of the things he and the Browns had to overcome and planning a parade for him.

Personally, I hope you get to do all of that. I'll be pulling for the Browns. I'm just pointing out that if he doesn't play well, the questions will persist and very few outside of Cleveland will be interested in the excuses.

It’s not excuses, it’s reality. Not one team has more covid issues thsn the Browns but I get it, it happens. Having the head coach out it huge, the only coach out for the playoffs. The Steelers would have been favored if the Browns were 100% healthy. I just wish it was different for the first time in 18 years. If they lose, they still lose. Like I said, it would almost take a miracle vs the #1 defense in the nfl

 

[bksballer89]

great effort by WFT tonight @tlance

Refs kind of robbed them of an exciting finish by that shitty call on 3rd down. Should have been a catch and a fumble