From Club President - Kevin Herbst:
"It was a vocal crowd of 76 Browns fans, who enjoyed a solid performance by the Browns, a good game by Johnny Manziel, and a fantastic game by Travis Benjamin at The Blitz today. I enjoyed seeing the defense show Marcus Mariota, "it ain't that easy, son", and the Browns evened their record at 1-1 and now find themselves tied 2nd with Pittsburgh. The Bengals sit at the top at 2-0 while the Ravens sit firmly at the bottom at 0-2. In club activity, the Portland Browns Backers want to thank Brenda Bokenyi for her work as Vice President over the last few years. A replacement was nominated through the process, and Michael Fell, will be incorporating all of his social media activities and combine it with the Vice President position. Make sure when you see either Brenda or Michael you express your appreciation for what they have done, and will do for our club. I had many positive comments on the "new breakfast", which seemed to be more timely, better quality and was provided at a moderate price. In discussion with Dana, the manager at the Blitz, is a tailgate party, which would be held prior to one of our late games in November. The dates in question are: Thursday 11/05 versus the Bengals, or Monday 11/30 versus the Ravens. The Blitz would coordinate some activities and food and drink specials for all in attendance, and festivities should kickoff around noon, the day we choose. Game time for both is 5:25/5:30pm. Voting today seemed to favor the Thursday night game but, we will roll out a poll soon to get a better idea about what folks think. Next Up...the Raiders @ 10:00AM. Go Browns!" Kevin H. Hello Everyone,
Michael and myself had a very positive, and awesome meeting with the Blitz Ladd, today. I came away encouraged by the Blitz's recognition of some first game hiccups, but also their offer of remedies, which should be seen immediately as of week 2. While it would be easy to dispute the problems or make excuses, Dana (Blitz Manager) recognized and apologized for any shortcomings, and assured they would never again become an issue. Michael and I also got to talk with the new kitchen manager and the feeling is that service and timeliness of food will be addressed and hopefully significantly improved. While the Blitz is not a breakfast bar Dana has, however, put together a brief breakfast menu for us that will include three options (which look significantly better than what the buffet offered us). Breakfast will be served 9-11, and pricing will be $7.00 (bacon will incur an additional charge). In addition to the breakfast, the full lunch menu will be available beginning at 11:00AM. There is one new addition that is available...those of you who go to the Buckeye games, they will have a Browns Backers beer special. The special is 5 bottles of Budweiser product in an iced bucket for $12.00. You will see additional changes over time this season...so, stay loyal, be patient and stay the course (sounds like the Browns doesn't it?). Go Browns! Kevin Herbst President Greetings Fellow Browns Fans!!!
I hope your off season has been very enjoyable and full of fun. With training camp opening July 26th, we are looking forward to the 2015 season. During last season we mentioned the interest of those who may have wanted in to go to the Browns-Seahawks game in Seattle. However one thing that didn't occur at that time but Seattle is the toughest ticket in the NFL. If you still intend on attending that game, we wish you great success securing your seats and represent. So, the Portland Browns Backers have been making plans on those interested parties, to attend the October 4th game at Qualcom Stadium in San Diego, when the San Diego Chargers host our Cleveland Browns at 1PM PT. To my knowledge, outside of a group of Portland Browns Backers going to games in Seattle, we have never attempted an outing, for any road game further afield. What we need from you, is your firm commitment on the number of tickets you will need. We will be making a group purchase - the group area we will receive are mid-level goal line area seats, at a group rate cost of $75.00 per ticket. So make sure what you order you intend on using and paying for. To give you an idea of an itinerary, we have looked at several things for people to do. Those activities will be suggested but your participation is strictly up to each individual. Airfare, lodging, and activities are all up to each individual, however lodging options and information will be provided on our NEW website. So go to the website for further information and how you can go see your Browns play in beautiful San Diego. There will be many fellow Browns fans, including many from the largest Browns Backers faction of all, The Southern California Browns Backers, so again, check out the website on how to join in on all the fun. So, those wanting to arrive Thursday October 1st, we don't really have any activity suggestion, just allow those arriving early, to get settled. Longtime PBB member Butch Keyser has already arranged a group of 8 people to fly in from Cleveland (where he will attend two home games prior to San Diego) and his arrival will be Thursday. Thursday Oct 1st....open Friday Oct 2nd..tour of the USS Midway..USA's longest serving aircraft carrier in the US Navy Saturday Oct 3rd... (day)The World Famous San Diego Zoo... (night option A) Browns Backers Party with Southern California Browns Backers (night option B) San Diego State versus Fresno State Sunday Oct 4th...tailgater.....Game Day So please consider the opportunity and contact Michael if you want to attend and how many tickets you will require (use the email on this website in the "Contact" section/tab). Thanks and Go Browns! Kevin Herbst (President, PDX BB) ********************************************************************************************* Hotels (ALL OF THESE HOTEL OPTIONS ARE 10-20 MINUTES FROM THE ZOO, USS MIDWAY AND QUALCOM) ****Four Star ($179-$369) Town & Country Resort (619)291-7131 500 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA Handley Hotel & Resort (619)298-0511 960 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA Hilton San Diego Mission Valley (619) 543-9100 901 Camino Del Rio South San Diego, CA Double Tree Hilton San Diego (619) 881-6900 1515 Hotel Circle South San Diego, CA ***Three Star ($61-$319) Holiday inn Express Mission Valley (619)795-7705 635 Hotel Circle S San Diego, CA Best Western Seven Seas (619)291-1300 411 Hotel Circle South San Diego, CA (This location provides a complimentary bus to USS Midway and the San Diego Zoo) Butch and Mark of the PBB are staying here) Crowne Plaza San Diego (619)297-1101 2270 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA Mission Valley Resort (619)298-8281 875 Hotel Circle South San Diego, CA (this did have one listing of a $61.00 rate on one site despite it's three star rating) **Two Star ($60-$200) King's Inn Hotel (619)297-2231 (619)313-4508 1333 Hotel Circle South San Diego, CA Hampton Inn San Diego (619)295-7600 2151 Hotel Circle South San Diego, CA Motel 6 Mission Valley (619) 296-1612 2424 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA LaQuinta Inn & Suites (619) 295-6886 641 Camino del Rio South San Diego, CA Super 8 San Diego Mission Valley (619)692-1288 445 Hotel Circle South San Diego, Ca ********************************************************************************************* Excursions: San Diego Zoo- The 100-acre (40-hectare) Zoo is home to over 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. Ages 12+ $48.00 Ages 3-11 $38.00 USS Midway- Prepare yourself for a lifetime memory aboard the USS Midway Museum. You'll explore a floating city at sea and relive nearly 50 years of world history aboard the longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Admission includes a self guided audio tours to 60 exhibits throughout the historic aircraft carrier. General Admission $20 Adults (18+) $17 Seniors (62+) $15 Students (13-17 or w/ college ID) $10 Retired Military (with valid ID) $10 Youth (ages 6-12) Children under 5 are free Online Price $18 Adults $15 Seniors (62+) $13 Students (13-17 or w/ college ID) $8 Retired Military (with valid ID) $8 Youth (ages 6-12) Children under 5 are free On Offense
The Browns have many holes to plug, but it appears that they have made some acquisitions that are interesting. When you add veteran WRs like Dwayne Bowe, and Brian Hartline you are saying you need more veteran leadership for your younger receivers to feed off of and you are likely going to dip into the WR talent pool in the 2015 draft after much to the disdain of the fans during last years draft. Further trying to read the tea leaves, I think with Bowe on the downside, and Hartline at his apex, they will likely take a quality WR earlier, rather than later in this seasons draft. While Hawkins is a veteran, he is a young veteran, Gabriel is only going to be a second year player, and obviously with Austin gone, and Gordon suspended all year, they need some veterans to lead the way, and Bowe and Hartline could provide that help. Also, so far, they have yet to make any significant changes on the OL, and I think they need to address that by perhaps taking as many as two OL, one for the right side and another that can fill in at center or guard. In the event they do not draft any, expect them to sign veterans for those roles. The bigger change on offense is a new OC, for the umpteenth time. We see a couple of things happening. First off John DeFillipo now becomes the newest OC, and with him, he brings a great deal of diversity, throughout his many different coaching stops. But also Kevin O'Connell has been hired as the new QB coach, who previously has handled Manziel and another top prospect at QB, in combine preparation. These additions will be also be made with a veteran presence, that comes to the Browns with familiarity of John DeFillipo, in the addiiton of Josh McCown. McCown worked with DeFillipo with Oakland. In the last two years, the Browns have added two Arizona veteran TE's, last year Jim Dray and this year Rob Housler, and those two plus Gary Barnidge you have a trio of average TE's. This is why I think it is paramount that they add one of the top three TE's in this years draft, after losing Jordan Cameron in free agency to Miami. On Defense After the loss of Atiyha Rubin to Seattle, a couple things need(ed) to happen. The first thing we needed to do was to resign John Hughes. He is greatly underrated and is our best run stopper in the middle of the line when Phil Taylor is not. What they had to do was to replace Rubin with a veteran. Secondly, and more importantly, what they had to do was to replace Rubin with a veteran. A veteran who could perhaps help some other big guys do the things that keeps them healthy. Little techniques and training ploys and tricks that allow them to stay healthy, enter Randy Starks. Dude has started 92 of his last 95 games, only missing three games in that time frame as well. In the secondary, while the loss of Skrine initially seemed like a big loss, the addition of Tramon Williams does two things. First off, it brings us a starting CB opposite Joe Haden, but it also puts immediate pressure on Justin Gilbert to improve, otherwise he will never see the field. I think Pierre Desir will also pressure Gilbert, this is without even talking about the excellent K'waun Williams. Sounds crowded but equals quality depth. Draft thoughts are done without trade scenarios #12....Danny Shelton NT Washington...the addition of Shelton would give a Browns defense the first interior DL to rush the QB since Michael Dean Perry. With that it will provide more chaos from the outside pass rush as well. Shelton is as disruptive as BJ Raji was in his prime. Kruger and Mingo's output will be better with his addition, especially with two quality CBs to cover in the passing game. Shelton started all 39 games over the last three seasons.Had amazing production from the NT position for Washington in his true senior season. 88 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks and 5 fumble recoveries FROM THE NOSE TACKLE POSITION. #19....Todd Gurley RB Georgia...despite the tandem of West and Crowell entering their second year, neither is a game breaker like Gurley can be. Gurley was just pronounced fit and ready to be drafted and healthy enough to enter camp. At 6'2 225 he is the biggest quality back in the early rounds. Gurley would give Cleveland a unique trifecta of backs to control any game. At Georgia he had 36 rushing and 6 receiving TDs. Averaged 6.4 yards per carry in his three year, 30 game career in the SEC. #43...Garret Grayson QB Colorado State...athletic, above average arm...played some in a pro-style #77...Josh Harper WR Fresno State...outside of Tyler Lockett of Kansas State Harper is the most productive WR over the last two seasons in receptions and yardage and TDs #111...Shaq Thompson LB Washington...is the closest to a Cam Chancellor as there is in this draft. #115...Jesse James TE Penn State at 6'7" 255 lbs. he offers a size advantage, and useful in a goal line setting #143...Ali Marpet OL Hobart...Dominant D-III left tackle that projects inside at C-G. Has lots of upside and athleticism and a farme that could add 20-25 lbs. and not lose athleticism. #189... Tayo Fabuluje OL TCU...monsterous OL, dominant run blocker and at 6'7" 355 lbs. with good straight line quickness #202...Zack Wagenmann DE Montana...33 sacks total at DE in a 4-3 with 17.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles coming last year, with pass rush skills and high motor he could be a good situational pass rusher and good nspecial teamer #229...Dres Anderson..WR Utah...Flipper Anderson's son 134 catches in four years at Utah....could be a solid #3 capable of playing wide or in the slot, has good hands in traffic Players I like that are perhaps slightly off the radar: QB Taylor Heinicke Old Dominion...although smallish (6'1" 210 lbs.) he completed 68.7, 68.7, 70.0 and 63.2% in almost 2,000 attempts.Had 132 Tds, 39 Ints, plus 1,300 rushing and 22 Tds RB David Johnson Northern Iowa...had 6,300 yards total offense, 4,500 rushing, 1,800 receiving and had 64 TD's combined rushing and receiving, solid three down ability, as much as I like Charles Sims in last years draft as a dual purpose RB, I like Johnson even more...big enough, could project to an H-back or Fb and provide a unique catching skills, perhaps a Tom Rathman comes to mind (6', 225 lbs.) WR Darren Waller Georgia Tech, despite the offense they run his unique size at 6'6"/240 provide a good goalline threat. Very athletic, and matchup problems exist. TE Nick O'Leary Florida State, outstanding pass catcher, bit slow and undersized, reminds me of Owen Daniels...four year starter... OL Jake Fisher Oregon, high quality player who will likely move to RT in the NFL Corey Robinson South Carolina, enormous at 6'8" 345 #, better run blocker than pass blocker DL Ellis McCarthy UCLA, has the size to play inside or outside in a 3-4 at 6'5" 330, very good feet for his size LB Hauoli Kikaha Washington, 30 sacks in last two seasons, situational prospect, led NCAA in sacks 2014 CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Oregon Ball hawking corner who had an amazing 8 FF for a CB. Kevin Herbst, President Portland Browns Backers Well draft day is less than a month away, and some within the club have discussed the possibility of the club changing. The change will come from the State we reside. There is a distinct chance that one of three QBs with local ties could be drafted by the Browns. Three different prospects, with three different levels of interest would follow them to the Browns and to our club.
#1....Marcus Mariota....possibly the most polarizing player the Oregon Ducks have ever had, and if drafted by the Browns, he will bring with him a huge amount of interest from those whop want to follow him to the next level. As much as Manzielmania struck the nation last year, locally I would think that amount of interest may come to the Browns locally here in Portland and impact the growth of our club. #2....Sean Mannion...I doubt the Oregon State intrigue will be anywhere near the level Mariota would bring, but with a difference of offense they run, Mannion may have a chance of starting sooner than Mariota. Mannion is a pocket passer with a more pro style offense and a few Oregon State QBs are currently in the NFL. #3....Garret Grayson....the wild card....played his high school football at Heritage High School in Vancouver Washington, and then his college football at Colorado State. Grayson maybe brings the most local interest, simply because he lives in Vancouver. Below is his wiki page: EARLY YEARS: Grayson attended Heritage High School in Vancouver, WA where he was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and track. In football, he was a three-year starting quarterback and three-year letter winner, also played free safety, cornerback and wide receiver, and served two seasons as a team captain. He guided the Timberwolves to three straight Class 4A playoff berths and a GSHL championship in 2008. He broke most of Washington's Class 4A state passing records, and had the nation's highest completion percentage as a senior (73.2 percent), topping over 10,000 yards in total offense during his career. He garnered consecutive Greater St. Helens League MVP honors, in 2008 and 2009. Also a standout track & field athlete, Grayson lettered all four years competing in sprinting, hurdling, jumping and relays events. He won district titles in both the 110 hurdles (15.20 s) and 300 hurdles (40.57 s) in 2008 and 2009. In sprints, he ran the 100-meter dash in 11.03 seconds and the 200-meter dash in 24.00 seconds. In addition, he also clocked a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, bench-pressed 290 pounds, squatted 430 and had a 38-inch vertical jump. Recruiting Grayson was ranked by Rivals.com as a three-star recruit and the 22nd best dual-threat quarterback in his class. He was ranked the No. 17 overall prospect from the state of Washington. He chose Colorado State over scholarship offers from Miami (OH), Eastern Washington and Idaho State. College careerAs a true freshman at Colorado State University in 2011, Grayson started three of four games he played in. He completed 43 of his 77 pass attempts for 542 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions. Grayson entered his sophomore season in 2012 as the starter until he was injured in the teams fifth game against Air Force. He appeared in only one game as a backup after that. Overall he appeared in six games, going 78 of 138 for 946 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Grayson started all 14 games as a junior in 2013. He finished the year with a school record 3,696 passing yards. He also had 23 touchdowns. Grayson returned as a starter in 2014. In the game against Utah State, Grayson passed Kelly Stouffer to become Colorado State's all-time leading passing yards leader. So, is there a possibility of one of these three guys being drafted by us? I'd say 30-40% of a chance one of these guys plays for the Browns. What it means to the club? Some bandwagon fans will jump on board, which is not something we saw until Johnny Manziel got drafted. But it is something some of the more staunch supporters have shown a concern over. That said, it would lead to growth of our turnouts, and afterall....the more the merrier may be a better way to look at it. If any of the members have any thoughts, concerns or suggestions, please bring them up on draft day at the Blitz Ladd, and we'll gladly take your concerns into consideration, and ALL suggestions will be looked at. Soon to follow will be some key Draft Info on specific players and positions the Browns may (or should be) targeting. Go Browns!! Kevin Herbst I'm taking time to reflect. Reflect back to the days when this club got its start. It was spring 1988. I was a bit restless, 3 something in the morning and on TV was this guy named on Don Lepre. He is most well known as the guy who would buy late night time on TV to tell us continually over and over, that you can do anything in America, by placing simple one inch ads in your local daily newspaper (boy how that has changed).
So I decided that night I was never going to have a Seahawks game forced upon me. So it was then that I decided to place an ad in the Oregonian. So there it began. Calls came in, and I recall the first, John Seifert, a Portlander never to Cleveland yet a Browns fan (I recall John finding a Browns fan because John subscribed to the Browns News Illustrated, and by accident the post office had another subscribers copy inside John's, so John took the copy of BNI, to Tony Doody, and it was things like that, that allowed our club to grow.) I thought I might have not started the most avid of clubs. But as the days went by calls came in, One here, two there, and then after the fifth ad, came a call from Scott Lynn. Local TV sports guy, and was on KEX doing a sportstalk show. Oddly enough the only person to call from my appearance of that show, was C. David Hall. More on Dave later. So as the numbers came in with a few calls every week, I also placed an ad in The Browns News Illustrated, and it seemed to be steamrolling. As the season neared, and my negotiations on a bar, led me to Sinnott's on 57th and Halsey. It was a small place, yet large enough I thought for our meager needs. Was I wrong. That first game we packed the place. People had heard by word of mouth, and there were close to fifty people that first game. We had people coming from as far away as the Seattle and Eugene areas to watch the game. Little did we know, that first game was also pretty much the beginning of the end for a native son and fan favorite. That first game, Bernie went down, and on came the Danielson's and Strock's to lead the way. Week one went well, with the club, but on the field not so. Week two took a turn for the club. Back in the day, you had to have those huge screen mesh dishes for your satelite, and with it, you had to know what transponder you had to point the dish to. With week two we were not able to get the game and in that event, the panic began. Pat Ludwa, who ended up assisting me with the publication of a weekly newsletter, saw a place out by where he resided, in Gresham, Puff's Pub became our home from week three on. Pat who did the newsletter would have the newsletter done by Wednesday morning, and I would go out, pick it up, go to Kinko's after work on Wednesdays, usually at 10pm, in time to go downtown Portland and drop them in the mail so they could get to the members before the games each week with updates and assuring viewing would happen. Puff's Pub, became a solid club location, with enough room, opening early and making us a priority. I recall one time when there was an issue of reception, and one of our members in Hillsboro had the game, so I had him record it, members lingered, not hearing the scores....easier to do in 1988....raced back at halftime with a tape of the first half....80% remained...a bit drunker....and we watched the first half....and in a rare order for Radio Cab....we had them bring the second half tape to the club, passed the hat and I think the cabbie got a $100 tip that day. Every week I would call Vern, aka Charlie Chan the satellite man and he would give me the coordinates and the game would appear. Puff's was a place where we did our most successful fundraiser of raising 2,000 pounds of dog food for the Humane Society. Puff's was a place where the club grew swiftly. With the local TV stations taking turns covering those crazed Browns fans meeting at a local bar, the Oregonian came out and did an occasional story. In fact, the picture that graced our 25th anniversary orange club shirt of a year ago, was at the clubs most intense growth, and the 180 people on the front of that shirt.(Since 1998 we have lost a few members to the Dawg pound in the Sky, President's and friends, and rather than omit some I just want to say we miss you all, and appreciate the hard work, loyalty and passion you took in building this club.) In the years that progressed Dave Hall and myself would eventually team up and form a Sports Talk duo that for 10 years promoted the Backer Club to the degree fans of other clubs would call and ask about our club and how to begin theirs. Not only locally but also in other areas, local we had calls from Packers, Bears, and many others to the degree where there was a flag football league formed with 8 teams, sponsorship from Pepsi to pay for officials and rent a field, and also get the leagues scores printed in the Oregonian. Duane DiCola was President then and did a fantastic job with forming that league. I got calls from Boise Idaho from Jim Gajdos who wanted to know how to start their club and it now is in it's 20th + year as a backer club. As far as fundraising went, we ended up having a unique one, when the Browns played the Cowboys - HOFer, and former Duck player and Dallas Cowboy, Mel Renfro graced us with an appearance that we had a donation for those who wanted an autographed picture of Mel, and the monies raised Mel donated to the Boys and Girls Club. One of the bigger events we did was when we had a trip to Seattle for a Browns game. It was the National Browns Backers convention and Browns fans and Backers from all over the country came to party and meet each other. Eric Metcalf's family was there as were some former players who found their way to Seattle to join in on all the fun. The down side was that it was the first game, without Bernie on the team, and oddly enough there was a guy in a Browns #19 jersey who looked like a Bernie clone. So there you go a little history, and little silliness, and a lot of passion from the best, most loyal, and true fans in all of the NFL. In our time we have not always stayed in the same place, with a total of 11 different locations, it appears we may have found a home that will be home for us for a long time. So again, a big hand and round of applause to all who have shown their passion and helped make this club what it is. Go Browns! Kevin Herbst Portland Browns Backers, President & Founder |
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November 2021
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