Saturday, July 26, 2008

OBR News-o-rama

OBR News-o-rama

An Unfair Jab at Cleveland, Lerner

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 12:31 PM CDT

Rick over at Waiting For Next Year reminded me of an article from Yahoo which ranked NFL owners from best to worst.

Here's part of what it said about Randy Lerner.

Some people in Cleveland, noting the promise displayed by the organization last season, might argue that Lerner should be higher on this list. I would argue that Lerner probably isn't one of those people. Chances are, he'll read this and shrug. He seems far more concerned with Aston Villa, the soccer team he owns in the English Premier League, and the frequent trips to London that gig necessitates. Perhaps because his late father, Al, was such a prominent figure in Cleveland – or perhaps because it's, you know, Cleveland – the younger Lerner doesn't appear to share the same enthusiasm for the home of the Browns.

Rick handled this in his post very well, and quite rightly made the salient points regarding the cheap shot taken at Cleveland. It was an easy joke, I guess, but pointless.

What bothers me is the inference that Lerner just doesn't care. That's garbage.

Of course, I have no problem with the media going after owners. We had one who caused a bit of trouble here back in 1995. They should be held accountable for their franchises.

Both of you who read this blog know that I've been on a tear about Larry Dolan of late, and the media's culpability for not properly highlighting his role in the moribund state of the Indians franchise.

But there's a difference between criticism made out of passion and concern for your team, and criticism borne out of simple lack of knowledge. What you're seeing from Yahoo is the latter.

I've not always been on Randy's side, and a couple years ago I got very frustrated with the team's lack of progress and vented at him a bit. He didn't agree with my opinion, and that's fair. For a lot of people around the franchise, including the publisher of a niche magazien, things had gotten very frustrating. Lerner has largely done the things I told him I felt he should do in 2004. He hired Phil Savage. He has involved Browns alumni in the organization. He has stayed out the way.

I have repeatedly had people who have left the Browns organization - and who have no reason to pimp themselves out for Lerner – tell me that there's no question about his desire to give Cleveland a winner. None.

He's not above criticism. No one in pro sports is, or should be. But Lerner does not scrimp and save on the organization. NFL teams have to work within the bounds of a salary cap, so owner contributions tend to fall more along the lines of hiring the right front office personnel, spending on quality facilities, and so forth. Lerner has done this.

Assuming that his interest and passion for UK soccer infers a lack of interest about Cleveland or the Browns is spurious logic, and completely at odds with the facts.

Browns Hosting Blood Drive at Camp Sunday

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 09:30 AM CDT

From the Browns media relations department:

The Cleveland Browns are once again teaming up with the American Red Cross and American Sickle Cell Anemia Association to host the 8th Annual Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive. The blood drive is scheduled for Saturday, July 26th from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM located at the Browns Training Camp in Berea at Baldwin-Wallace College, behind the Kleist Center for Art and Drama. Browns fans are encouraged to come out and donate blood to help boost the local supply.

All who come to donate will receive a free Browns t-shirt and will be automatically entered to win great Browns collectibles. Registered donors of the Cleveland Browns Dr. Charles Drew blood drive will also receive a voucher to buy one ticket get one ticket free for the Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets game on August 7th. Browns alum, Bob Gain, will make a one-hour appearance at the Cleveland Browns Training Camp Baldwin-Wallace location between 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM to sign autographs. Also, all who come to donate blood until September 1 will be automatically entered to win Gas for a Year (a $3,000 value) or one of five additional $500 gas cards.

The Cleveland Browns blood drive comes at a crucial time for the Red Cross as local blood supplies typically reach low levels during the summer months.

The Cleveland Browns 8th Annual Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive will be held simultaneously at 15 sites in northeast Ohio, with guest appearances by Browns alumni at select locations. For other participating Cleveland Browns blood drive sites, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.RedCrossDonor.org. Donors must be at least 17 year's old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and provide a Red Cross donor card or a valid state-photo ID upon donation. Donors can safely give blood every 56 days.
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