Conference hbahba::cam_sports

    
    In the Globe this morning, under the transactions, there was a note
    that Baltimore had fired Bill Belichek.
    
    You know, it's funny.  I haven't been able to stand Belichek for
    a while, and have called for his ouster.  Now it finally happens,
    and I just don't care.
    
    Joe

Anyone read any projections on how Modell will come out of this
financially ?  With the amount he's paying Cleveland, and having to
leave his team identity (and its merchandising value) behind, you
have to wonder if it was worth it.  I don't remember the money
and gifts Baltimore is giving him, but for a guy who was supposedly
so much a part of the Cleveland business and civic community, it
seems strange that he's basically starting an expansion team.

I read this morning where Baltimore is going to build a $200 million
stadium, and may want Modell to kick in $24 million of it.  He says
he doesn't have the money - after the sweetheart deal he's getting to
move.

The guy doesn't have *any* shame.

  >> Anyone read any projections on how Modell will come out of this
  >> financially ?  With the amount he's paying Cleveland, and having to
  >> leave his team identity (and its merchandising value) behind, you
  >> have to wonder if it was worth it.  

     What merchandising value? Modell gets a 1/30th share of the total 
     NFL merchandising revenue. It doesn't matter if the Browns are
     immensely popoluar (which they were) or if they don't sell squat.
     Modell stands to lose only whatever amount his measly 1/30th
     share decreases. If he got a more fair share of the pie he might
     not have been compelled to move. Then again with the offer that
     was pitched him, his greed would've kicked in anyways.
    

    
    	Somebody better start checking the Swiss bank accounts, listed
    under his dogs name.  :^)
    
    Ron

I just can't believe the lack of integrity, lack of character and lack of
anything resembling shame of Art Modell.

In my opinion, he owed something to the fans of Cleveland.  They supported that 
franchise for years and years, through thick and thin, through sickness and
in health, till greed and ultimate avarice do them part.

I can't believe that ugly little smirk on Taglibabue's face when he announced a
commitment to the fans of Cleveland, with a promise of a team by 1997.
He just doesn't get it.

The fans and the city wanted the Browns.  

I'd hate like hell to be an owner of the "new" Cleveland franchise.  I'll bet
those folks are gonna boycott like hell.


'Saw

    
    
    
       I feel bad for the fans, that supports their Pro teams (Rams,Browns,
    Oilers,Seahawks).  Art Modell will do very well money wises.  He's
    renaming the team.  That means more dollars, marketing.  Kids in
    Baltimore will run out and have their parents buy jackets, t-shirts.
    Maybe he should call Buddy Ryan to coach. 

    
    
       Modell has named Ted Marchibroda (he of Indianapolis fame) the new
    coach of the Baltimore BrownsOriolesColtsModells.
    
    
    
    Chap

Any truth to the rumor that Bert Jones is coming outta retirement?

I always like Marchibroda. I think it's real mean spirited for him to be
hired by that idiot Modell. Of course, after a couple of years with the
Irsays, maybe ol' Art won't be all that bad...

TTom

    
    	Modell is now trying to get Indianapolis to give up the name Colts
    and the team colors. So we can have the Baltimore Colts again. The NFL
    owns the trademarks to the horseshoe and name Baltimore Colts. So
    the Irsays wouldn't be losing anything.
    
    Ron

>    	Modell is now trying to get Indianapolis to give up the name Colts
>    and the team colors. So we can have the Baltimore Colts again. The NFL
>    owns the trademarks to the horseshoe and name Baltimore Colts. So
>    the Irsays wouldn't be losing anything.
    

Does this guy get more slimey everytime he opens his mouth, or what?

He screws Cleveland, now he wants to screw the fans in Indianapolis.

Go figure...

    	Wouldn't it be the ultimate of ironies if the team that ends up in
    Cleveland is the Patriots?  If that were to happen would the next team 
    that ends up in New England have to inherit the Pats sorry history?
    
    				   /Don
         

 Any news on Belicheck? If I'm Belicheck, I'd go with the Patriots. I think
 if he goes to the Pats he stands a better chance at eventually getting the
 HC's job than he does if he goes to the Dolphins. My guess is that now that
 JJ's right there near his home he'll be coaching there for a long time unless
 he has a falling out with Wayne H. Parcells on the other hand is unpredictable
 and couild retire an moment..............

    
    
    	Actually what I'd like to see is Ole Danny (I'm bad for football)
    	Reeves to take a hike and put Bill on the G-men sideline where
    	he belongs.   However George Young....nuff said!
    
    
    
    							Shark
    
    

Well, you all know by now that Belichick is in New England on Parcell's staff.

Reeves still stagnates in New York amidst wild rumors that he's leaving, 
and George Young sits there smug with attitude obesity, content in the
(incorrect) thought that he is the most knowledgable man about football and
turf that ever existed.


'Saw

    Belichek will do well in Foxboro.
    Until someone is dumb enough to let him have any influence on
    the offense. If/when he becomes head coach, the Pats are done.
    As a life-long Browns fan, I couldn't be happier with the way
    things turned out. We got rid of that cretin Modell, his lackey
    (now fallen from favor) Belichek, that sorry (how the Heisman has
    fallen) Testaverde, and that whole no-offense organization.
    And we get to keep the name and the cool orange hats.
    
    I'll miss Eric Turner, but he's probably gone via free agency
    anyway. 
    
    Pray, Patriot fans, that Belichek doesn't get a promotion.
    He'll make Rod Rust look like a firebrand.
    
    dr.a
    

	The Baltimore Ravens.

	Kevin

    
    
     Sounds like a CFL team.

    Well there's many a bleak December ahead with little balm in Gilead to
    to change those dreary dreams to the saintly days of yore.

    
      Me thinks I heard they're going to be called 
    
                 The Baltimore Bulldogs.
    
     How's that for a swift kick in the a$$ to the oafs in the dawg pound?
    
    
                                      Lil Ed

    
    Nope, it's the Ravens.  Which I actually happen to like a lot.  Gotta
    lot of prospect for cool themes (how 'bout an annual Halloween game?).
    
    Nice to see some teams using a little creativity with names/logos.  The
    new Pats one was a major disappointment and the Panthers and Jaguars
    have to be 2 of the most *uninspired* selections ever (snore).
    
    - Sean

Most folks round here think that name sucks.  Kinda like an Arena Team's name.

    
    I guess yet another jungle cat would have made them feel more
    professional.
    

>    
>    I guess yet another jungle cat would have made them feel more
>    professional.
>    

No.  I don't really know what other possibilities folks had in mind.  I've just
heard the universal dislike for "Ravens".

As far as I'm concerned it does have ONE redeeming value:  it's plural.


'saw

    
    I thought there was some kind of vote by the city actually, so I'm
    surprised that so many disklike it.  I was told it was done by a phone
    in.  Anybody know for sure?  
    
    The vote was between three choices:  Marauders (now that's an Arena
    name), the Americans, and the Ravens.  I've always liked the Americans
    (Rochester hockey team) as a name, too.
    
    - Sean

>    I thought there was some kind of vote by the city actually, so I'm
>    surprised that so many disklike it.  I was told it was done by a phone
>    in.  Anybody know for sure?  

That city probably likes it, but up here in CT (where we have an arena team
believe it or not) no one I've talked to likes it.

    
>    The vote was between three choices:  Marauders (now that's an Arena
>    name), the Americans, and the Ravens.  I've always liked the Americans
>    (Rochester hockey team) as a name, too.
    
Americans is a GREAT name except for one thing -- this IS Modell's team
we're talking about...8^)

    
    It's too bad - Baltimore is such a great city (imo) and deserving
    of a team, hopefully they can rise above the ownership and bring
    back a nice tradition despite Modell...
    

    My local paper commented on the team name "Ravens"...why would a team
    want to be named after a bird known for feasting on carrion?
    
    And, yes, they did allude to the connection to Edgar Allen Poe, who
    lived in Baltimore on and off.  I believe he may be buried there as
    well.
    
    		Ted

    But since sadness and  despair is the theme of the Raven it's
    appropriate for a Cleveland team moving to Baltimore.  Think of it:
    Wonderful memories of the past and now this overstuffed,pompous ingrate
    telling Baltimore that it's never going to happen again.

    The good people of Baltimore deserve better.
    

    
    "Ravens" is actually original and fairly cool.  It is totally
    Baltimore, and the E. A. Poe reference is correct.  You want stupid,
    irritating, insulting, then "Marauders" would be your choice.  And 
    what kind of merchandising possibilities would there be with 'Muricans?
    Do you put Joe Six-Pack with the Gun Rack on the helmet? ;-)
    
    glenn
    

I can see it now, whilst ol' Edgar Allen spins in his grave:  A huge, black
"furry" mascot prancing around on the sidelines with a raven-head.

Too funny.

	Just as an FYI, but SPORT magazine printed in last months issue
	that the Washington Bullets (since Bullets is no longer a politically
	correct nickname) were going to change their name next season ... 
	and the likely choice was "Ravens" ... so it looks like Art even 
	stole that name!

	Vinny

>>                -< I agree with Paul. Wizards is what I heard >-

	... they did decide on "Wizards" ... but "Ravens" was one of their
	choices ... just pointing out that Modell did not think up this
	name, they just took it from the Bullets rejected list ...

	Vinny

     I read in my local paper that the defensive line is going to
    be nicknamed......
    
                       " The Never mores "
    
    
    		Lil Ed

So the Washington Bullets (which IMO was a perfectly fine name) are going to
call themselves the Washington Wizards?

That ought to go over well with the Christian Right.

8^)

    what is wrong with the name "Bullets"?  

>                                -< dare i ask? >-
>
>    what is wrong with the name "Bullets"?  

I agree.

To me it's just another namby-pamby PC effort to make everyone in the world
happy, which you're never going to do anyway.


The way I see it:

	"Bullets don't kill people, and the Washington Bullets have
	 never killed anyone"


8^)

If Washington Bullets has such a negative connotation shouldn't 
they have changed the name to Bullets?

daryll

    
    	You mean there are more than 3 million nazi radical americans
    	in this country?  Please Paul, get started again.  We'd love
    	to read your insightful views on this organization.
    
    Claybone

>    People should be allowed to own automatic weapons for hunting purposes?
>    
>    Just becaues 3 million people feel its right, doesn't make it right.
>    Are there more firearm deaths in homes with or without firearms?

Who cares?

Who brought up anything about guns?  Who said anything at all about the NRA?

I simply made a joke about the lack of caliber of the Bullets basketball team
and you're in hear starting all this baloney about guns.  If you failed to see
the humor in my post -- and I admit it was a stretch -- fine.  But that doesn't
mean you have to start a gun debate when we've been all through that.


'Saw

  I saw the humor 'Saw and I admit it gave me a small chuckle, but if I could
offer a traditional word of advice, if you're thinking trying your hand at
stand up fine just don't quit the day job.

  George

    
    Paul,
    
    	And just how does any of your blather support your claim that
    	the NRA is bunch of Nazis?  
    
    Claybone

    It's ridiculous to get sucked into this, but, ever go fishing Groaner? 
    If not, have you ever eaten fish?  Was it caught with your bare hands?
    OK...
    
    					Steve 

    
    What does hunting for deer have to do with the NRA being bunch of nazi's?
    I guess this is typical Groaner logic, it never makes any sense to
    anyone but you.

    
    	He won't answer the question because he knows he's wrong.  Nuff
    	said.
    
    Claybone

George, I have my moments.

There was one time I thought I might like to be a stand-up comic, because I
love to make people laugh, but that's a hard, hard thing to do.

But you're right, it won't do to give up the day job.....


Regarding the rest of the stuff, guys, please, give it a rest.


'Saw

  Oh no. A battle of "'nuff said"s. Both sides have fired off at least one of
those. This can't be good. 
    
  George

    
    
       Don't forget a "give it a rest."