Die Hard Browns Fan: Mike

This Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan feature is certainly becoming a huge hit. I've gotten so much feedback from die hard Browns fans, I could do this every day (but then, you wouldn't get to read my awesome views and opinions).

This week, I talked to an old friend of mine from high school. I haven't seen Mike — or, Magic, as we used to call him — since high school, so it was nice to not only get his take on the Browns, but to reconnect with an old friend.

Currently, Mike lives in Charleston, N.C., and yet he remains a tried and true Browns fan. As someone who used to live out of state myself, I know how much dedication it takes to continue to follow the Browns. Despite his distance from Cleveland, Mike still has his finger on the pulse of the Browns.

So, without further ado, I give you the Blawg Pound Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan.

Good Overcomes Evil

Proof there is hope for humanity: Peyton Hillis defeats Michael Vick in Madden 12 cover vote. Thank you, America!

Go Browns!

Return to Work

The Blawg Pound is back from its "spring break" and a lot has certainly happened lately.

For starters, the NFL Draft begins tomorrow evening. Now, I know for many people, this is a big event (I used to be one of them). I've heard it described as "Christmas for football fans" and it seems everyone has shared their own Mock Draft, eagerly anticipating which players each team will pick in the first round.

I'll admit, I used to be one of those people who were totally into the draft. I would look forward to NFL Draft Weekend with great excitement every year. I've attended Draft viewing parties. I've watched each and every round with great interest. Waking up on NFL Draft Saturday morning did sometimes feel like Christmas morning ... With ESPN turned on from the moment I was out of bed, I could hardly wait for the Draft to begin.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from The Blawg Pound!

Die Hard Browns Fan: Matt

I initially wondered if I'd be able to do this Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan feature on a weekly basis and, so far, I haven't had a problem finding Browns fans to interview.

This week, I talked to another former co-worker of mine who doesn't really consider himself a true "die hard," but, since he currently lives in the heart of Steelers-Eagles territory and still roots for the Browns, I believe he is.

Matt hails from Oberlin (not Firelands) and currently lives and works in York, Pa. as a sports writer for the local paper. As a journalism major at Kent State, Matt covered Josh Cribbs when he was just a MAC quarterback for the school paper.

So, without further ado, I give you the Blawg Pound Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan.

Next Generation

I had to share this photo of my nephew ... Woof! Woof!

Go Browns!

Dawg Pound vs. Dog Killer

It's the finals, baby! Peyton Hillis has advanced to the final round of voting to be on the Madden 2012 video game cover.

Last week, in the Final Four, Peyton Hillis was matched up against Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers and it wasn't even close! Hillis handily won with 61% of the vote. Take that, Cheeseheads!

This week, it's the finals and our beloved hero is taking on the pride of Leavenworth, Michael Vick. He may have "served his time," but what Vick did to those poor dogs is unforgivable in my book.

Again, this should really be not contest for Hillis — but, just to be safe, you'd better go vote!

Who cares about the "Madden Curse" ... we cannot let Michael Vick be the poster boy for the NFL.

My Favorite Browns: Never Given a Fair Shot

It's time for another edition of "My Favorite Browns." This is the last week I'm doing this and I'm highlighting some of the players who, in my opinion, could have been great if only they had been given a fair chance.

I'm sure this is going to spur a lot of debate — and, I welcome it wholeheartedly. Please, tell me if you agree, if you think I'm nuts, or who you think could have been great if only they had been given a fair shot. 

Anyone who knows me can probably guess who's on this list. It won't come as a surprise to many. Before you read further, let me just clarify: I am a Browns fan first and foremost, even if I am/was a fan of these players. They don't play for the Browns anymore, so I cannot root for them.

You may just think I'm bitter (coincidentally, these are the only three players who's jerseys I have ever owned). And, you may be right. But, in my opinion, these players were almost set up to fail in Cleveland.

Jason Trusnik is a Rarity

Basically, today, I wanted to share this awesome highlight reel of Jason Trusnik. Enjoy!

Die Hard Browns Fans: John & Jennifer

Are you ready for this week's special installment of Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan feature?

This week, I'm offering you a double feature (and, I'm back to interviewing relatives). My cousin Jennifer and her husband John are big-time Browns fans.

Both grew up in Elyria and now reside in Amherst. On Sundays in the fall, you can be sure to spot them tailgating outside the stadium prior to Browns games — they're both die-hard fans.

So, without further ado, I give you the Blawg Pound Interview with Two Die Hard Browns Fans.

Meaningless Game Opponents Announced

Get excited, football fans! The NFL has made another exciting announcement to get you revved up for a season that may or may not happen!

It's the annual press release announcing each team's preseason opponents! Keep in mind, however, this isn't the announcement of the preseason schedule, only the match-ups. The schedule will be announced at a later date as it's own special proclamation (more and more, I believe I'm right on target when I call the NFL "Masters of Media Hype").

So, who will the Browns be facing in the four meaningless, not-very-exciting, yet just as costly to attend "games" this summer?

More Reasons to Vote for Hillis

Peyton Hillis has advanced yet again to the next round of voting and is still in contention to be on the Madden 2012 video game cover.

This is it! Final Four, baby! Who would have thought? Oh yeah, Peyton Hillis would have, that's who.

This week, Hillis squares off against Super Bowl champion quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Packers, smackers! This should really be not contest for Hillis — but, just to be safe, you'd better go vote!

Remember, you don't have to worry about the Madden Curse, because Peyton Hillis isn't worried about the Madden Curse.

My Favorite Browns: From My Childhood

It's time for another edition of "My Favorite Browns." This week, I'm highlighting some of the heroes from my childhood.

One of my favorite memories as a kid was the time I got to stay up late for Monday Night Football. The Browns were playing the Bears and it was a thrilling game, to say the least. The Browns were dominant that night, handily winning 27-7. The decisive play occurred when Bernie Kosar threw a 97-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Webster Slaughter. It stood as the longest pass play in Browns history for 15 years.

The crowd of 78,722 at Cleveland Stadium was so loud and raucous that they disrupted the Bears from successfully calling out their signals. That led Chicago head coach Mike Ditka to publicly chastise his team’s fans afterward, saying he wished they were as good as those in Cleveland. 

Here's my favorite Browns from my childhood.

Colt McCoy is the Future

Basically, today, I wanted to share this awesome highlight reel of Colt McCoy. Enjoy!

Caption Contest: Cribbs

It's for another Blawg Pound Caption Contest!

Walk MS Cleveland at the Stadium

The Cleveland Browns are proud supporters of Walk MS Cleveland, which is taking place at Cleveland Browns Stadium tomorrow morning.

This event is also very close to The Blawg Pound's heart — for the third consecutive year, my brother Lou and his wife Brooke have formed a team to walk and raise money for MS. Brooke's mother has suffered from this disease for many years and, just recently, she was also diagnosed.

Having multiple sclerosis means that you may not be able to walk when you wake up. Or that you may suddenly have impaired vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. The symptoms of MS are different, and devastating, for everyone — the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

Die Hard Browns Fan: Chef Symon

Are you ready for this week's special celebrity installment of Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fan feature?

This week, I talked to none other than Cleveland's own Iron Chef, Michael Symon.

Symon grew up here, and has stayed here in Cleveland, despite the temptation to take his talents to bigger markets. He is the chef/owner of Lola, Lolita and B-Spot here in Cleveland and is regularly featured on the Food Network and makes countless other appearances. Chef Symon is a true ambassador of Cleveland.

So, without further ado, I give you the Blawg Pound Interview with a Die Hard Browns Fans — Celebrity Edition.

Making a Case for Patrick Peterson

In the Blawg Pound Draft Board, we have LSU defensive back Patrick Peterson listed as a Who We Like. And, to be honest, we're liking him more and more.

Some blog readers have pointed out Peterson's flexibility to play both corner and safety as a key reason for the Browns to take him at No. 6.

We were impressed with both Joe Haden and TJ Ward last season, and the Browns could solidify their defensive backfield by choosing Peterson.

10 Reasons to Vote for Hillis

Our very own Peyton Hillis has advanced to the next round of voting and is still in contention to be on the Madden 2012 video game cover.

In the last round, he narrowly defeated Atlanta's Matt "Matty-Ice" Ryan. Of course, there was no doubt he could beat someone nicknamed after a crappy beer.

This week, Hillis squares off against Kansas City's Jamaal Charles. This should really be not contest for Hillis — but, just to be safe, you'd better go vote!

Now, I know what you're thinking ... "If Hillis gets on the cover, he and the Browns will suffer from the Madden Curse!"

Nonsense, I say! Nonsense!

My Favorite Browns: Before My Time

It's time for another edition of "My Favorite Browns." This week, I'm highlighting some of the heroes that were before my time.

There are many legends that, at one time or another, suited up in the brown and orange and gave Clevelanders a lot to cheer about. Obviously, it's been a while since the Browns were considered unstoppable.

Those with short memories (I'm talking to you, Steeler fans) seem to forget this era of football. True football fans — Browns fans — remember the good ol' days when football was more about the game and less about the hype.

Even those of us who weren't alive to witness this era can appreciate it. Most Browns fans have favorite players from throughout history even if they never actually saw them play. Here's my favorite Browns from before my time.

Josh Cribbs is a Natural

Basically, today, I wanted to share this awesome highlight reel of Josh Cribbs. Enjoy!

Caption Contest: Holmgren/Shurmur

It's for another Blawg Pound Caption Contest!

Changing Hats for Opening Day

There's a chill in the air and thousands of people will be heading to the stadium in downtown Cleveland today. That can mean only one of two things: Either the Browns are playing, or it's Indians Opening Day!

Yep, it's Tribe Time and today, in honor of Opening Day, I'm taking a break from taking football in The Blawg Pound.

Don't get me wrong, this is and always will be a Cleveland Browns fan blog, not a Cleveland sports blog. Cut me some slack today, though. I mean, it's freakin' Opening Day! It's the one day of the year when you can be excited about the Indians!