Shutdown Corner - NFL

On Nov. 16, the Cleveland Browns are hosting a Monday night game against the Baltimore Ravens. It will likely be an ugly game, because that's what the Browns do, and they will likely lose. One Browns fan is fed up with the fact that these are already foregone conclusions.

A fellow who calls himself "Dawg Pound Mike" is organizing a protest for that night, and he's trying to get fans to stay out of their seats for the opening kickoff. He'd like fans to stay in the parking lot, in the concourse or wherever, so long as when the ball is kicked, they are not in their seats (more info on the protest here, at Dawg Pound Mike's website -- hope you like Caps Lock).

From the AP:

Sickened by the nearly constant losing since the NFL team’s return in 1999, Randall hopes the sight of empty seats for the start of the nationally televised Monday night game will send a loud message to owner Randy Lerner and club officials that fans have had enough.

“We’re tired of losing,” the 39-year-old Randall said. “We’re tired of the booing, of seeing fans leave in the fourth quarter. There are fans who have had tickets for 30 years who are turning their seats in because they can’t take it anymore. So many fans are fed up.”

You know Browns fans are serious when they're talking about missing kickoff. That's one of the few plays in any given game where they're not trailing.

I kid, I kid. I completely understand your frustration, Browns fan. The Browns are 1-6 this year, and have had exactly two winning seasons since they returned to the NFL in 1999. That's a great big steaming pile of futility. Any fan would have the right to be upset.

As someone who generally supports the idea of quality football, I support the protest. It's not that it will accomplish anything tangible -- it's not like ownership will see the protest and think to themselves, "Whoa whoa whoa ... what's this? You want us to get better football players? You want us to win games? By golly, that's a splendid idea! By how many shall we beat the Ravens this evening? Is 35 good for you? Perfect. We'll do that."

But that's not the point. Sometimes, when you've been let down, hurt, disappointed and ticked off so many times, you just need to know that you're being heard. You want someone to acknowledge that yes, they recognize and understand your frustration, and they're trying to do something about it.

It's about forming a collective voice, and making sure it's heard. Best of luck with your protest, gentlemen.

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501 Comments

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  1. Butt Pirate
    1. Posted by Butt Pirate Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:50 am EDT

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    How can you have tickets for 30 years for a team that has only existed for 10?
    When did the Dawg Pound get so whiny? They should go back to doing what they do best - throwing bottles onto the field and generally acting like Neanderthals.
  2. Doom Tints
    2. Posted by Doom Tints Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:53 am EDT

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    Let's all respond to this blog with complete silence.
    Thank you all for cooperating.
  3. t_sun1
    3. Posted by t_sun1 Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:57 am EDT

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    Good luck Browns fans!
    Go Steelers!
  4. It never counts
    4. Posted by It never counts Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:06 am EDT

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    Well Butt Pirate, the Cleveland Browns joined the NFL in 1950. They had 3 years with no team. This expansion has been in existence for 10. And most fans know who Dawg Pound Mike is.
    Yeah, throwing bottles is pretty much what they do. They're tougher than their team.
  5. Glenyrd
    5. Posted by Glenyrd Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:14 am EDT

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    Showing up late to the game? That's nothing. Dodger fans have been doing that for years.
  6. J B
    6. Posted by J B Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:46 am EDT

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    Why show up at all? The fans should do like the Real Cleveland Browns did; move and change your name.
  7. Travis
    7. Posted by Travis Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:50 am EDT

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    See every game played in Florida outside of Orlando. All sports apply, success of team does not.
  8. Boyer
    8. Posted by Boyer Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:21 am EDT

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    People who are not Browns fans can not fully understand. Or maybe this is too hard of a concept for most to understand, in this day and age of front runner fans, but we love our team unconditionally, no matter what. This is why the Browns sell out regardless of record. To not watch or attend games would be reverting to the pain of those 21 long Dawg years (3 human years) that we were without a team. It is painful to lose but it was even more painful without any team at all. We want the team to know that the fans are behind them but we also want a change in atmosphere to one of winning. This is the perfect way to achieve that goal in front of a national audience and the perfect environment given it is against the hated Ratbirds who stole our team. Hopefully this awakens ownership to the concept of hiring a President of Football Operations and other necessary changes because if it doesn't we fear that we might lose our team again.
  9. SoCalBrowns
    9. Posted by SoCalBrowns Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:21 am EDT

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    They should wait till the 2nd quarter to take their seats. It should be 14-0 by then anyways.
  10. Kevin E
    10. Posted by Kevin E Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:12 am EDT

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    It's Cleveland.....who really cares Boyer? Get over the three year gap pal, the NFL protected your city, team name, and colors....you all supplied the continued losing by supporting an NFL franchise that gladly cashes your check and gives you nothing in return. If you want to cry, go see Tom Brady. I'm hoping the Ravens put a a$$ whooping on the Browns and further your misery....nothing like getting your lunch handed to you by Ratbirds huh?! And honestly, who throws a shoe anymore?
  11. TeeDawg
    11. Posted by TeeDawg Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:50 am EDT

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    1) Dog Pound Mike (aka Charlie's Fyes) will do anything for attention. This probably just a trick so he can be on TV at his seat in an empty pound on MNF.
    2) Browns fans are usually still filing in through the first quarter anyway. So what DPM's statement prove? Nothing. Except maybe that the party at the muni is way more fun.
    3) There is no Dog Pound anymore. What is there now is some sanitized corporate imitation. The real Pound was lost forever when the old Municipal Stadium was torn down.
  12. Mark
    12. Posted by Mark Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:54 am EDT

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    Why is it that fans from other cities feel that they would bee any different? Can you tell me that if you were in our place you would not be raising H^%$? God forbid there ever be a long losing season say in New York or LA. You would think it was the end of the world. The Browns had a rich heritage before the previous owners cowardly move in the middle of the night to Baltimore. The Browns fans deserve better and Mr. Learner is not willing to go the extra mile to have a winning team then maybe it is time for him to sell it to someone who is! Go Browns fans make your voices heard!
  13. Mark G
    13. Posted by Mark G Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:13 am EDT

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    You go back to driving down the Hershey Highway...
  14. bfrank27
    14. Posted by bfrank27 Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:19 am EDT

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    your =/= you're
  15. Eric
    15. Posted by Eric Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:46 am EDT

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    At this point in the season the Browns only have two fewer wins than the Ravens. What's the big deal? The season is still young. Go Browns!
  16. Bigun
    16. Posted by Bigun Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:50 am EDT

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    Lewis wants accountability, well how about being accountable for one yard a carry almost every time you handle the ball. we have renamed jamal lewis--aka riverdance lewis because that is about all he does behind the line. i have been a browns fan for the last 50 years and can not remember any time that we were this miserable as a team... browns lover in amherst
  17. brownsfan_7897
    17. Posted by brownsfan_7897 Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:03 am EDT

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    Fire Mangini, Hire Mike Shannohan Pllllleeeeeaaaaaasssseee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  18. brian b
    18. Posted by brian b Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:25 am EDT

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    What's going on with dude in the picture? Looks like he popped an ecstasy pill before the game.
  19. brian b
    19. Posted by brian b Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    And if Dawg Pound MIke wasn't so stupid, he would have boycotted the Browns since 1984.
  20. Dave
    20. Posted by Dave Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    hire John Gruden !
  21. brian b
    21. Posted by brian b Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    MJD, your using the old I kid, I kid phrase to much. Change it up my friend.
  22. William M
    22. Posted by William M Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:34 am EDT

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    I'm a Pirates fan....call me when you reach 17 losing seasons and then maybe I'll give a crap.
  23. Wil
    23. Posted by Wil Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:45 am EDT

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    Look at the bright side Cleveland, they aren't as inept as the Pirates.
  24. Randy Lehner is Destroying the Browns
    24. Posted by Randy Lehner is Destroying the Browns Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:45 am EDT

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    butt pirate... your an idiot.... your not allowed to post anything anymore...10yrs....??? wtf rookie... go back to watching soccer.. effin d-bag............
  25. brian b
    25. Posted by brian b Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:51 am EDT

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    When was the last time the Browns had a winning season? It might be up there with the Pirates.

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