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  2021 Cleveland Browns

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Merry Christmas to everyone, if you don't celebrate this, then happy belated holiday to you

The Browns are preparing for the 2021 season, after losing again to their arch nemesis, and now most gloried franchise with 5 champioinships, the New England Patriots, they have a drive to succeed.

2020 report:
Team Performance: 72
Franchise Value: 100
Profit/Loss: 47(one more year until the renovation is complete)
Difficulty: 73
Overall: 75

Retirees: T Mitch Banks, TE Austin Bauer, DT Cornelius Eddings.
Banks played in 84 games, starting 72, all fot the Browns, with a 38.2% in career blocking, he will be missed.
Bauer was a one year fill in, hope he had fun in Cleveland.
Eddings was drafted in the same year as the great Phillip Hamilton. He could have been a real star for any team in the league but ours as he sat behind Hamilton and Kirk for a lot of games. Still, he played in 107 and started 55 games, amassing 22 career sacks and 176 career tackles. He will be missed.

The formalities are overwith, announcing to the 2021 NFL Hall of Fame, with the highest vote percentage of any modern day(i.e. fictional) player, Blaine Davies. His 91% is the exact same vote total tallied by his longtime teammate and fellow Hall of Famer, Donnie Sheen, very fitting.

Davies amassed 59,303 yardsand 397 TD passes in his career, both NFL records. He had a surprisingly low 86.2 career rating, though his 110.5 in 2004 is the 2nd highest rating ever, in addition, his 102.7 in 2002, his 4th year in the league, is 5th all time. He also holds 3 of the top five TD seasons, the most yardage in a season, 4,979 in 2002, and is simply the greatest Brown to ever live.

We have 9 UFAs this year, and only one starter, TE Bruce Pearson. He is the target of the Tag. We will be active in this off season.

I begin to search through the Coaches to see if perhaps there is an upgrade available. While I don't find one, I do find something VERY disturbing. Since being fired by the Browns, Martin Force has joined forces with New England and lead them to 2 SuperBowls and thus has 6 championships between the Patriots and the Browns. That makes the rivalry all the more intriguing.

Enter Free Agency. I jump on a deal sending G Phil Booker who is an extremely talented backup to Green Bay for the 12th overall pick and a scrub.

I then turn that scrub into a 6th rounder from Tennessee.

I make some trades to beef up our draft situation and sign some high quality free agents to replace what is lost. I don't trade away anybody with any kind of tenure with the team.

2021 Draft:
1(4) 5'11" 220lb QB Roger Brentlinger-Maryland
1(6) 5'11" 202lb RB Casey Beyer-Notre Dame
1(12) 6'6" 349lb T Norman Sanderson-Alabama
2 6'3" 265lb DT Riddick Tubbs-California
2 6'5" 306lb C Jimmy Misner-Washington State
2 6'2" 224lb RB Timothy Parten-Washington
2 5'11" 205lb K Moe Riley-Massachusetts
5 6'6" 261lb TE Max Harris-Kansas

This was a VERY GOOD draft for us. The two top picks are able to step in if need be, but will definately at least push Clark and Rico to play their very best. The "Gunslinger" Roger Brentlinger was a huge surprise falling to #4, two tackles were selected 1 and 2 and still we have the mountain Sanderson. Beyer and Parten will duel it out for the primary backup role to Rico.

Cohesion:
Passing 69
OL 82
DF 100
Sec 93

Roster:

Front Office Football from Solecismic Software 
From the desk of Erik Johann of the Cleveland Browns
  
  Position/Player         Current Est  Future Est     Exp   Sgnd
  QB  Lee Clark                    19          19       9   2022   
  QB  Kyle Fiala                   13          17       7   2023   
  QB  Roger Brentlinger            13          18       1   2025   
  RB  Casey Beyer                  13          17       1   2025   
  RB  Rico Rodriguez               13          14       8   2021   
  RB  Timothy Parten               10          15       1   2023   
  FB  Clarence Lee                 18          17       6   2022   
  FB  Mel Chin                     11          11      12   2021   
  TE  Bruce Pearson                18          17       7   2023   
  TE  Max Harris                    6          10       1   2022   
  WR  Burt Porter                  17          17       6   2023   
  WR  Robbie Jeffries              17          16       6   2023   
  WR  Desmond Cole                 15          16       5   2023   
  WR  Percy Colleran               14          14      11   2021   
  WR  Kenyon Jelinek               13          13       7   2021   
   C  Antoine Coleman              16          17      13   2022   
   C  Jerome Hankton               14          15       5   2022   
   C  Jimmy Misner                  7          16       1   2024   
   G  Norbert Page                 17          17      13   2022   
   G  Duane Hanson                 16          17       7   2022   
   G  Ben Vanderclute              15          18       3   2024   
   G  Harvey Gretzky               13          13      15   2023   
   T  Scott Fleming                17          18       6   2021   
   T  Stanley Hamilton             16          17      10   2022   
   T  Norman Sanderson              8          18       1   2025   
   P  Curtis Norris                13          13       5   2023   
   K  Moe Riley                    13          20       1   2024   
  DE  Clifton Duncan               16          16       6   2022   
  DE  Kurt Wiese                   13          18       2   2025   
  DE  Sedrick Copeland             13          15       7   2022   
  DT  Louis Kirk                   18          15       8   2022   
  DT  Phillip Hamilton             18          17      10   2023   
  DT  Riddick Tubbs                11          20       1   2024   
  LB  Alvin Wheeler                18          17      10   2022   
  LB  Seth Gordon                  14          18       4   2022   
  LB  Freddie Kobeski              13          13      14   2021   
  LB  Richard Porter               12          14       7   2021   
  LB  Shane Martin                 11          14       7   2021   
  LB  Mel Dillon                    8          15       2   2022   
  CB  Roy Mathews                  17          16       9   2023   
  CB  Charles Whiting              16          17       6   2023   
  CB  Stephen Peters               11          14       3   2021   
  CB  Jamie Burroughs              11          13       7   2021   
  CB  Walt Gordon                  10          14       2   2021   
   S  Trevor Foster                19          18      10   2023   
   S  Gerald Dunkelberger          18          18       9   2022   
   S  Arnold Storey                14          17       4   2022   
   S  Gerald Stegeman               3           4       7   2021 

Let's bring the ring back to Cleveland.

2021 Preseason:
With the rookies and added depth at the skill positions, I take the opportunity to see the rooks play and give the vets some rest and injury avoidance.

In the first preseason game, Seth Gordon dislocates his shoulder, 3-5 weeks, hopefully it'll heal by week 1.
Beyer got 25 carries and 117 yards behind some tremendous blocking by young Ben Vanderclute. Brentlinger was miserable in his debut. 29-0 Win vs New Orleans

Game 2 sees Gordon heal well but Duane Hanson hyperextend his knee. Again only 3-5, could return by week 1.
Beyer gets 22 carries and 119 yards while Brentlinger improves to a much more acceptable but not inspiring game. Wiese has 2 Sacks. 31-21 win vs Dallas.

Game 3 goes injury free, Beyer comes back to Earth, the two backup QBs are very respectable, the defense combined for 6 sacks but we lose 27-21 to Atlanta.

Game 4, everyone is healthy going into the regular season, Beyer 16 carries, 108 yards, rookie Kicker Moe Riley goes 5 for 5 to finish a perfect preseason, Wiese gets 3 sacks and we win 29-21 vs St Louis.

Regular Season:
Part of me wants to start Beyer since he is rated currently with Rico and future ahead and played very well in preseason, but I will stick with Rico as he doesn't deserve to lose the job because I chose to rest him in the preseason.

Game 1 at Baltimore EVEN
Rodriguez 16/79
Clark 17/25 278 3TD
Jeffries 6/87 3TD
Dunkleberger INT TD
CLE 34 BAL 31

Game 2 at Dallas(0-1) 3pt Fav
Rodriguez 29/79 1TD
Clark 9/15 194 1/1
Brentlinger 10/18 74
Porter 8/166
Duncan 2 Sacks
CLE 26 DAL 20

CB Charles Whiting broke his foot, out 2-3 months.

Week 3 at Cincinnati(0-2) EVEN
Rodriguez 12/18
Clark 14/24 225 1TD
Brentlinger 3/5 50 1TD
Cole 6/126 1TD
CLE 20 CIN 30

Week 4 at Philadelphia(2-1) 1pt Dog
Rodriguez 22/98 1TD-injured, out 2-3 months, dislocated shoulder.
Clark 20/36 297 3/1
Cole 5/96 1TD
5 Team Sacks
CLE 37 PHI 3

Clark has been having a spectacular season, 111.8 rating so far, let's hope it continues.

Week 5 vs Pittsburgh(3-1) 1pt Fav
The computer coach started putting in everybody in this one sided affair
Beyer 11/125 2TD
Clark 10/14 118 2TD
Brentlinger 8/10 155 2TD
Fiala 4/7 52 1TD
Cole 7/136 2TD
Defense 105 Total Yards allowed, 46 plays
CLE 61 PIT 10-Their one TD was a 107 yard Kickoff return.

Week 6 vs Jacksonville(2-3) 8pt Fav
Beyer 22/129 1TD
Clark 13/34 267 3TD
Cole 6/185 3TD
Wheeler 10 Tackles(first 10 tackle game by any player on our defense this year)
CLE 37 JAX 24

Week 7 vs Washington(3-3) 6pt Fav
Beyer 18/39
Clark 12/28 170 1TD
Gordon 11 Tackles
CLE 12 WAS 15

Week 8 Bye

Week 9 at Pittsburgh(5-2) 3pt Dog
Rodriguez returns 19/116 1TD
Clark 18/24 272 2TD
Cole 6/91 1TD
Wiese 2.5 Sacks
CLE 34 PIT 10

Let's do a quick mid season stat rundown of our 6-2 Central Division leading Browns.
We're one game up on the Steelers thanks to that last game. New England is a perfect 8-0.

Clark 113/200 56.5% 1821 16/2 109.5-An 8/1 ratio is phenomenal, truly a breakout year for Lee, finally.
Brentlinger has a 120.6 rating in limited duty though

Rodriguez 110/445 4.0 3TD
Beyer 77/347 4.5 5TD
Beyer looks better for now, but its still too close to call, edge goes to the vet.

Cole, only started once Jeffries went down with injury after game 4, 36/739 10TD, will be a starter from here on in even with Jeffries back.

Kobeski leads the team in tackles with 43
Foster has 3INT
Duncan and Wiese both have 5.5 Sacks.

I will return to this tomorrow, time for Christmas Dinner.

I looked through the coaches because I was unhappy with Paniagua's performance. I just couldn't find anyone else I liked, except for Force and his now 6 rings.

As for the draft, so far I'm unsure if this is the best draft, ya I had lots of top picks but some of Darkillers drafts could be considered better, BJ Carr and JR Farmer being GREAT late round pickups. I'm still really fond of the year I goofed and took 4 #1's. That was the year that saw Foster, Hamilton, and Wheeler start for our defense and they are still mainstays for our team.

I do think that this years draft has a lot of potential, but if Rico and Lee continue to perform, they are nothing but overpriced backups. Sanderson will be a big help and I think Riley will be a great kicker that I'd like to see in Brown for a while.

Cole is simply stunning this year. Only 4 starts and he has 739 yards and 10 TDs in 8 games. He is a major reason that Lee has finally shined.

What about the defensive performance in week 5 against Pittsburg? Only 46 plays(meaning ALOT of 3 and outs) and 105 total yards allowed, the offense was allowed to do whatever they wanted and they did for 61 points.

Let's see if I can finish this tonight and get the file onto Web.

Week 10 @ Tennessee(2-6) 4pt Fav
Rodriguez 16/93
Beyer 6/96 1TD
Clark 18/34 224 2TD
Duncan 2 Sacks
CLE 31 TEN 14

I'd love to see the two backs share the load like that every game.

Week 11 vs San Diego(3-6) 8pt Fav
Rodriguez 12/33
Clark 13/30 247 1/1
Cole 4/104
Wheeler 13 Tackles
Gordon 11 Tackles
Wiese 1.5 Sacks
CLE 12 SD 28

Very disappointing loss, inconsistency.

Week 12 vs Tennessee(2-8) 6pt Fav
Rodriguez 24/195 2TD
Clark 13/23 197 3/1
Wiese 3 Sacks
Kirk 2 Sacks
CLE 41 TEN 23

Clark broke his nose, listed as out 3-5, it's time to see how the kid, Brentlinger can do.

On a much more serious note, Phillip Hamilton hyperextended his knee as is out until the playoffs.

Week 13 vs Baltimore(4-7) 6pt Fav
Rodriguez 19/75 1TD
Brentlinger 10/17 151 1TD
Dunkleberger 2 INT
Kirk 4.5 Sacks!!!
CLE 41 BAL 20

Rodriguez reinjured his shoulder so we'll see how the two rookies play together in the next game.

Week 14 vs Cincinnati(7-5) 1pt Fav
Beyer 20/73
Brentlinger 15/23 216 2/1
Wiese 3 Sacks
CLE 41 CIN 31

Clark is up to 0-2 Weeks and both he and Rodriguez will lead us into this weeks HUGE game against undefeated New England.

Week 15 vs New Englad(13-0) 3pt Dog
Rodriguez 21/96
Clark 15/32 250
CLE 16 NE 23

Nobody shined and New England capitalized on the lone turnover, a fumble by Rico to pull out the victory. Otherwise the game was very even, but nonetheless, we lose again to the damned Pats.

Week 16 at Indianapolis(10-4) 4pt Dog
We lost 14-17 but when I went to check the box score the game crashed. I'm going to reboot the computer. Wish for luck...

It appears we're lucky/unlucky in the same breath. Lucky is that the game is OK through week 15, my last save, unlucky that the game with Indy doesn't count so now we have 2 boxscores for that game.

Week 16 at Indianapolis(10-4) 4pt Dog-TAKE 2
Rodriguez 18/123
Clark 11/24 223 2TD
Porter 4/112 1TD
Wiese 4 Sacks

Week 17 at Jacksonville(7-8) 1pt Fav
Rodriguez 24/96
Clark 17/26 245 2/1
CLE 36 JAX 14

We finish the season 12-4, but that's only good enough for the 3rd best division winner slot and are forced to host the Colts in our first playoff game. We beat the Colts in a game earlier this year(and lost to them in the same one for that matter) but this game marks the return of Phillip Hamilton to a defense that already boasts three of the most feared pass rushers in the league: Wiese, Duncan and Kirk.

Sadly, because of the crash, I'm probably going to wait until tomorrow to do the playoffs.

By the way, the Pats went 16-0 on the regular season...

Onto the playoffs...

SF(9-7) 28
CHI(10-6) 33

PHI(9-7) 3
STL(10-6) 14

PIT(10-6) 30
MIL(10-6) 7

WILD CARD GAME vs Indianapolis(10-6) 4pt Fav
Game begins with the Browns in possession, we move down the field with a couple first downs then a couple penalties force us to punt.

The first defensive play sees a returning Phillip Hamilton assist 18 Wheeler on the tackle for a 2 yard loss. The secondary gets burnt a couple of times but they finally hold them to a missed 41 yard FG attempt.

Quick 3 and out

Again the secondary is getting burnt before penalties catch up to the Colts and they must punt.

Again not much production from Rico or Lee.

Kirk and Duncan team up to get the sack and end the next drive.

The running game begins to click as Beyer begins to see a few more carries and the drive ends with Clark finding Pearson from 11 yards out. 7-0 Cleveland

3 and out, the punt is fumbled but recovered by Kirk.

Rodriguez takes the first play 22 yards to the Indy 48 and the Browns have momentum. Clark to Jeffries for 17. Rodriguez runs for 15 to the Indy 20, 2 minute warning. They stall and Riley misses a 42 yard attempt.

The Colts immediately hit a 45 yard pass and they are in business. Hamilton sacks Stone on the next play, forcing a fumble that is recovered by the Colts. After an Off Pass Interference penalty, Duncan gets to Stone and its now 3rd and 33 from the CLE 46 with :36 secs in the half. Illegal use of the hands on the Browns, 5 yard penalty, automatic 1st down, the Colts are alive again. The position themselves for a 46 yard FG, but it is wide right. The wind must be blowing heavily in Cleveland as the kickers are 0-3.

Cleveland 7 Indy 0 at the Half.

Opening Kickoff of the 2nd half and LB Dillon forces a fumble, recovered by S Storey at the IND 24. The offense isn't in sync but Riley hits the 48 yarder to extend the lead to 10.

3 and out.

3 and out.

Indy gets a couple big pass plays to get to the get to the Cleveland 1 but the defense holds on 3 straight plays, they take the 20 yard FG, CLE 10 IND 3

Again, our offense sputters.

3 and out but Whiting is hurt. Because of a bad punt and a decent return, the Colts kick a 52 yarder to pull within 4.

Rodriguez is really getting things going as he is now over 100 yards on 14 carries and the Browns are inside the 20. 2 Incompletions and a Rico fumble later, and the Browns leave empty handed.

After another productive drive, the Browns get the ball back, now in the 4th quarter.

The Browns are running the ball, 6 straight carries to Beyer, Lee and Rico and the Browns go from their 40 to the Colt 12. The next give is to Lee who romps in for the score. CLE 17 IND 6

A couple more 1st downs, then Peters picks off Stone and returns it to the IND 29, time to put them away. Offense again sputters, Riley forced to try one from 55 and is short.

8:25 to go in the game. More passing, more first downs, Stone finally gets over 300 with a 22 yard TD strike, then the 2pt conversion and the Colts are now back within 3 with 6:36 to play.

3 and out.

The Colts move up the field and with 2 minutes left, Holmes attempts a 50 yard FG attempt for the tie.

The kick is up

It is

short.

The commentators say that "He's clearly angry, must be those new hard leather balls"

We run the clock out and backup Center Jerome Hankton gets the game ball as the team rushed for 239 yards.

CLE 17 IND 14
Rodriguez 21/166
Clark 12/31 164 1TD-not the big game we needed to see.
Wheeler 10 Tackles 1 Sack
Kirk 1.5 Sacks
Duncan 2.5 Sacks
Hankton 10 Key Run Blocks!!!

STL (11-6) 20
ATL (11-5) 14

CHI(11-6) 27
GRG(10-5-1)21

PIT(11-6) 10
NE(16-0) 17

ROUND 2 @ Oakland(12-4) 3pt Dog
Browns start with the ball. 3 and out.
Oakland 3 and out.
Browns 3 and out.
Oakland 3 and out. Exciting eh?
Guess what?
Browns 3 and out.
Oakland gets 3 first downs this time, to the Cleveland 38, then punts.
Browns 3 and then a a 44 yard pass to Cole, then 3 and intercepted at the OAK 23
Oakland begins to roll, getting some more 1st downs and ending with a 33 yard FG with 12 minutes left in the 2nd quarter.
Browns 3 and out, we have -2 rushing yards this game.
The Raiders are in rhythm, march down the field and this time punch it in from the 7 to go up 10-0.

We get our 2nd first down of the game on this drive, then a couple more, getting to the 8 but settling for a 28 yard FG.

Oak 3 and out and the half is over.

OAK 10 CLE 3 at the half.

Oakland comes out hot then get hit with some yellow flags and sputter.

Browns 3 and out.

Raiders avoid the flags and march again, finishing with a 9 yard pass for the TD

One nice pass from Clark to Cole sets up another Riley FG, OAK 17 CLE 6, we need to get busy.

The Raiders again march the field, but Dunkleberger steps in at the 6 and saves the game. Nearing the end of the 3rd quarter.

We get a couple first downs and prepare to punt, roughing the kicker and the drive is sustained. 11:21 left in the game. 2 minutes later Rico scores from the 11, and we're back in this game. OAK 17 CLE 14 following a 2pt conversion.

The Raiders maul our secondary, eat up 5 minutes and score again, things look bleak.

Browns 3 and out 3:27 to go.

Raiders 3 and out 2:13 to go.

Cole hits a 57 yard pass to Porter, then a 27 yard pass to Porter for the TD, 1:51 left.

Onside attempt failed, Oak ball on CLE 40, 1 Timeout left.

Cleveland holds them to a missed 51 yard attempt and has :16 seconds left for a miracle.

Clark hits Cole for 29 yards but he fails to get out of bounds, the clock expires and the Raiders win.

CLE 21 OAK 24
Rodriguez 16/29 1TD
Clark 16/33 301 1/1
Cole 6/122
Porter 5/152 1TD
Foster 13 Tackles
Gordon 11 Tackles

STL(12-6) 17
CHI(12-6) 24

OAK(13-4) 20
NE(17-0) 27

FOF BOWL
CHI(13-6) 17
NE(18-0) 31

The Patriots go undefeated and capture their 6th World Championship, 3rd under Martin Force.

We had a good season, but again failed to reach our goal. Clark had his best season thus far, making the picture again unclear as to the teams future with him at the reigns.

Season stats:
Team:
Rushing Offense 2406(1st)(4.3 ypc)
Passing Offense 3905(5th)(8.6 ypa)
Rushing Defense 1919(18th)(4.1 ypc)
Passing Defense 3621(27th)(7.0 ypa)
+21 Turnover Margin(1st)
32.5% 3rd Down conversions(25th)
29.3% Opp 3rd Down conversions(1st)
120 penalties(13th worst)
515(1st) points scored, 308(8th) allowed.

Individual:
Clark 200/369 54.2% 3207 26TD(3rd) 5INT 101.2(2nd)
Brentlinger 46/73 63.0% 646 6TD 1INT 113.1
Rodriguez 247/1230(8th) 4.9ypc 7TD
Beyer 127/550 4.3ypc 7TD
Cole 60/1117(3rd) 14TD(1st, NFL Record)1st Team
Porter 45/892 6TD
Wheeler 96 Tackles led team
Gordon 89 Tackles 3 Sacks 1 INT 1TD 2nd Team
Foster 71 Tackles 6 INT(5th)
Dunkleberger 6 INT(5th) 3TD(1st)
Wiese 19 Sacks(5th)
Duncan 13.5 Sacks
Kirk 12 Sacks
Riley 37 FGs(2nd) 57 yard long(2nd)
Norris 42.5 punt avg(5th)
T Stanley Hamiton 2nd Team 32 KRB 39.5% 9 Sacks allowed

Clark is robbed of even a 2nd team berth. The file is on its way to Web. Good luck.
My keeper is DE Kurt Wiese.

     
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