The Browns running backs need to perform – WFNY Podcast – 2015-08-12
August 12, 2015Ball Played: Broken Bats, Bloopers, Bunts, and Brantley; Indians outlast Yanks in 16
August 12, 2015
Happy Wednesday, Blawg Pound — but perhaps not for long. Ray Rice might be a Cleveland Brown soon.
It’s far, far, far, far, far from a done deal, and it’s a long shot to happen at all. But there’s enough smoke there to suspect that one little flame might-could catch. To wit: the Browns running backs have been decidedly unimpressive thus far in training camp. Rice played under current Browns running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery while he was a Baltimore Raven. Rice is very available, having been released by the Ravens after it came to light that he physically attacked his then-fiance/now-wife in an Atlantic City elevator.
It came up Tuesday, and Browns coach Mike Pettine addressed the possibility:
“Of course it’s a natural question here because of [Browns running backs coach] Wilbert [Montgomery], and because I was with Ray when he was a Ravens rookie (in 2008) and know a lot of people in Baltimore,” Pettine said. “Obviously Wilbert was his position coach for Ray’s first six years in the league (2009–12). I’m not going to say it didn’t come up in discussion, but at this point we’re not there yet.”
The smarter — and more ethically acceptable — thinking is that this Rice rumor is a warning shot across the bow of the Browns current running backs. Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell were up and down last year, while rookie Duke Johnson has been hurt in training camp this year, as has veteran Shaun Draughn. No one has seized the starting job yet. With Josh McCown at the helm, the Browns will have to lean heavily on their running game.
Still, the current iteration of the Browns front office doesn’t seem set on making the entire fan base mad just yet. Wait for Week 9 or so before that happens. I expect to see what the kids can do. West and Crowell showed flashes last year, and it’s not unreasonable to think that one of the three young’ns (those two plus Duke Johnson) can be at least semi-productive. We should be safe on this one.
(A scary thought exercise: What if the Browns did sign Rice and he ran for like 1,200 yards? Eesh.)
The Indians won a 16-inning thriller last night over the New York Yankees. Carlos Carrasco got a tough luck no-decision after pitching eight strong innings. The bullpen pitched eight more strong innings. Then Michael Brantley ended the game after five hours of play, driving in Jose Ramirez with a single to right. Here’s Tom Hamilton’s call:
You wanted to hear Hammy's call? Here you go. pic.twitter.com/wU5GgniuR6
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) August 12, 2015
About the only thing worse than the Browns signing Ray Rice would be if someone did to Joe Thomas what New York Jets rookie linebacker Ikemefuna (IK) Enemkpali did to quarterback Geno Smith: he clocked him in the face so bad that Smith is out for at least six weeks with a broken jaw. According to reports, Enemkpali bought Smith a plane ticket so that the QB could come to his football camp in Texas. Smith wound up not attending the camp, and the 2015 sixth-round pick wanted his money back.
The full story, via Adam Schefter and Rich Cimini for ESPN:
Smith, who will miss at least six to 10 weeks with two fractures in his jaw, accepted a $600 plane ticket from IK Enemkpali to appear at the reserve linebacker’s football camp in Pflugerville, Texas, according to sources. Problems arose when Smith did not show to the camp, which took place days after someone close to Smith died in a motorcycle accident in Miami, sources said.
After Smith did not attend, Enemkpali demanded that the Jets quarterback refund him the $600 he allegedly used to purchase the plane ticket. Smith told Enemkpali he would reimburse him the money, but he had not as of Tuesday morning. Enkempali confronted Smith on Tuesday about the money, and the confrontation ended in a punch and a broken jaw.
The Jets promptly released the rookie, with first-year head coach Todd Bowles saying, “You don’t walk up to a man and punch him in the face.” Good to know.
Related, here’s a behind the scenes look at Jets training camp thus far:
In other news, the Olympics may have some competition in terms of sport being played at the, ahem, highest level. I learned yesterday that there is a marijuana-friendly sporting event in the world called the 420 Games. It isn’t a unified, single-location event like the Olympics, but rather a collection of competitions spread across the country, in weed-friendly states like California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
Think Dan and Dave crossed with Cheech and Chong. That’s how it appears at first glance, anyway — founder Jim McAlpine writes that it isn’t just burning a bunch of j’s and chucking a javelin around. The games are meant to educate and chip away at stereotypes surrounding marijuana users.
The 420 Games does not advocate that everyone should use cannabis. We are focused on teaching those who choose to do so how to do so in a healthy and responsible manner. We are equally focused on education and prevention for those who should not use cannabis, most importantly minors. We do not endorse the illegal or irresponsible use of marijuana.
The 420 Games participants are not ‘stoners’. While some of us use cannabis, some of us do not use it at all. The 420 Games are sporting events, NOT ‘smoke ins’. If you choose to use marijuana before, during or after our events, please make sure to do so discretely, legally and respectfully. All of us are responsible people who want to create a more positive outlook on cannabis use.
As someone who partakes in the occasional bowlski heard in a documentary once that marijuana can be a nice thing from time to time, I’m for this. I don’t expect it to become a grand phenomenon, but it’s yet another small step toward decriminalizing a drug that frankly isn’t all that dangerous. It should be used in moderation, and you wouldn’t want your kids diving into it too early, but you could say the same things about fried food or smart phones. In the meantime, a bike ride or golf tournament won’t hurt anyone.
That’s all for today, gang. We’ll be talking about the Browns’ first preseason game in less than 48 hours. Hopefully we will not also be talking about the newly acquired Ray Rice. Enjoy the day. Responsibly.
43 Comments
Not even Chuck Norris could break Joe Thomas’ jaw.
“…The 420 Games are sporting events, NOT ‘smoke ins’…”
http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/yeah_sure_jon_hamm.gif
Kinda surprised…..the 420 games don’t have ultimate frisbee (which was granted full IOC recognition last week.)
If Enemkpali sucker-punched Joe Thomas, he’d be out 6-10 weeks with a broken hand.
The Rice situation is tricky. Yes, he did a disgusting thing and he comes with a lot of negative pr attached to him. But if a man has paid his debt to society, shouldn’t he be allowed to pursue his craft?
The NFL is in a tough position when it comes to disciplining players who break the law. Is it the NFL’s responsibility — or right — to enforce their own serious punishments? From strictly a legal standpoint, shouldn’t players be allowed due process before any significant punishment is handed out? Surely, player conduct rules are appropriate, but determining punishment is a many-faceted issue.
I don’t know the answers. But the NFL has been winging it with these player conduct punishments, and that isn’t working. They need to develop a coherent policy that covers a broad range of issues, and all interested parties should have a role in the development.
It’s an awkward position to be in. You can easily imagine realistic scenarios going both ways….there will be scumbags who probably did the unsavoury action (but we know thorough legal proceedings, especially for serious felony accusations like Ray Rice and Patrick Kane, are not quick) but there will also be your proverbial gold-diggers and other crazy people harassing athletes for their own ends.
Also, the Muni lot will not allow drinking this year.
https://waitingfornextyear.com/2015/08/icymi-city-of-cleveland-releases-muni-lot-rules-for-2015/
If Ray Rice can actually play football better than the RBs we currently have, then I have no problem signing him. How many times does a guy have to say “I’m sorry, please forgive me” before folks are willing to do so? If his wife is willing to do so, then what cause do I have to hold a holy grudge? He just better be able to play football. That’s my only caveat.
They obviously need to have a better overall methodology, but entertainment ventures are largely based on PR, so they cannot ignore PR issues.
I am still weary from the days of the Browns signing a nearly broken down Jamal Lewis. I don’t want the unwanted scraps of the Ravens, and I certainly don’t want to cheer for him. That is before even getting into his off-field affairs.
It hurt my feet to watch Jamal run like he was on a field of broken glass
Those Raven-related issues are truly my only hesitation. We cheered our guts out for the Women’s National Team this year despite (or partly because of?) the presence of a goalkeeper with “questionable” off-field character. Good thing she’s the best in the world, huh?
“…the presence of a goalkeeper with “questionable” off-field character.”
Questionable?
That chick is batshit crazy.
Thus the quotation marks. I was trying to be kind. But “batshit crazy” is what I was really saying.
you guys are giving batshit a bad name
I did not. I previously would have watched at least the final couple of games, but instead chose to ignore the team since they chose to ignore the on-going legal matters in their coverage.
I struggle with the “judge not” part of the equation sometimes though.
Well, she only allegedly showed up at her sisters house drunk and assaulted her sister and nepher with household items, while never apologizing and making herself out to be the victim while all police reports and evidence are to the contrary (that has been thus far released).
And, she is married to Jeremy Stevens. His past is not exactly sparkling clean either.
Lest we forget…
…throwing her coach and teammate under the bus during the 2007 WC.
…drunk on Today Show.
…nude pics on the net.
…married to Jerramy Stevens. Do we really need to go into this jokers epic list of douchebaggery?
Well, the “judge not” advisory comes with a proviso. If you’re willing to accept the proviso . . .
Though it is not my own, I can accept your position on the USWNT. It’s certainly consistent with the description of the goalkeeper’s non-admission of actions that you provided above. The general inconsistency in the whole thing is in the comparison with Ray Rice, whose post-incident conduct has been pretty much the exact opposite of hers. I don’t like the guy, but I’m certainly willing to give him a second chance in his job. It’s weird to me that the world (not you) rejoices at Solo’s success while somehow asserting a hypocrite’s high road in adamantly standing against any chance for Rice.
We all rooted for Joey, errr, Albert Belle.
Personally, I think if he served his time he is definitely able to sign somewhere. I just don’t want it to be in Cleveland. I personally like the squeaky-clean draft picks and signings this year, after taking some gambles last year. Shelton, Erving, Orchard, Etc all seem like HIGH CHARACTER guys. As a result, it’s been a quiet, drama-free camp focused on football. I like that. Let’s wait for the Browns culture to be established before taking on this risk. Besides, dude spit on Phil Taylor’s face. F-him.
Hot though…
I hereby adopt this as my official position. (Alas, like a politician, I am apt to change it – but for now, this is where I FIRMLY stand. Until I don’t.)
Yes, I fully am behind Ray Rice admitting and serving penance for his wrongs and living his life in Godly way. And, I even would not be upset if a team such as the Jets gives him a chance to play. I would just really, really prefer it not be with the Cleveland Browns.
And, that is the thing. By all accounts, she has a serious personal problem. I will pray that she realizes it and takes steps to correct it. However, I cannot get myself to cheer for her athletic endeavors while she and those covering the sport refuse to acknowledge said problems.
The counter position: If Rice truly has changed, then I would hope it is the Cleveland Browns that are willing to extend grace. (If, of course, he can still “play football.” It seems my magnanimity only goes so far.)
She violates every rule of the Hot/Crazy Matrix.
All of them.
And it’s not even close.
Some things are unforgivable. If Hitler said I was sorry a billion times it would not be enough to say, let’s move past this.
Hmmmm, I don’t think that any sin is unforgiveable (though certainly to get to the point of some as you mentioned it is getting into the waters of if that person would ever repent to the point of being forgiven).
However, there certainly are sins that are not forgettable. The penance that a person might need to live with is accepting with humility their wrong-doings. That is more where I think Ray Rice is at.
Beyond the available room for theological disagreement on the scope of forgiveness, we’ve officially reached the end of the discussion when we’ve gone to Reductio ad Hitlerum. Good thing Hitler isn’t an available free agent. (But what if he had the moves like Barry Sanders and the power of Hershel Walker? Would be tempting,
wouldn’t it?)
Here is another nuance to the Ray Rice situation. He didn’t “serve his time.” He got off on a New Jersey technicality.
I think part of the PR issue with a NFL team bringing him back is that the public can both see the video and the fact that NJ could not prosecute him. Had he actually gone to trial and gotten off by a jury, then I think that there would be far less backlash.
Legal technicalities are still the “law,” though.
Yes, in that particular state. It is “the law” but the public can see that in this case they law may not have been “just’ by their standards. The public is allowed to hold a higher moral standard than the law of the land and act accordingly, which is why this is a PR issue in the first place.
Godwin’s Law.
Yes. That’s better. I couldn’t remember its name (and I liked the official legal sounding name of the other, even if it was wrong).
Totally agree. I guess I was specifically referring to the NFL universe – he served his suspension. Law is law, and football is football. I like to keep my escapes separate from my harsh realities as often as possible.
I am always amazed and amused when a politician or other public figure drops the latest Hitler analogy into the news cycle, where it invariably blows up in his face. Hitler analogies never work. They are always met with condemnation. And the person who made the comparison winds up looking like a fool and apologizing for it. We’ve seen it over and over again.
And yet they still do it! The only reason that I can think of is that the perpetrator of the newest Hitler analogy thinks that his Hitler analogy isn’t like all the other Hitler analogies. No, his Hitler analogy is brilliant. His Hitler analogy will put all the other Hitler analogies to shame, and he will be celebrated near and far as the statesman di tutti statesmen. And he never is.
yeah, wondered myself about that. I think it’s a politician who doesn’t trust that any specifics he/she might mention could ever sufficiently describe the evil, so, “How can I ever convey the danger in my gut that I cannot adequately verbalize? Um … Hitler!”
yeah she’d have to look like (whoever you happen to think is the hottest woman ever) plus be brandishing a (favorite sandwich) and a 6 pack of (your favorite beer) to even come close, and still its doubtful
If you take the New Testament at face value, Jesus forgives the men who literally killed God. I don’t think there’s a bigger infraction than that. So personally I don’t think there are things that are unforgivable, at least in the Christian tradition. Your mileage may vary.
That said, granting forgiveness doesn’t require one to associate yourself with the person. So no thanks, Mr. Rice. Sports are an escape and I don’t want to experience a moral quandary every time the Browns break off a 20-yard run.
Oh, and Jim Brown…..
Even with my already lowered expectations about national coverage of the Browns, I found this somewhat shocking: an AFC North preview that doesn’t even mention us! (Well, technically the team is mentioned once, in reference to the 2014 season.) We’ve almost reached non-entity status.
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/afc-north-how-the-ravens-will-regain-the-throne/
Huge oversight on the lack of ultimate Frisbee.
it was mentioned a bunch of times in the planning discussions, but somehow they forgot…
Basing 2015 predictions solely on 2014 pythagorean expectations. Oh Barnwell. Never change man, never change.