It hurts to love football yet live in Ohio

[Fazor]

Oh come now, it's not that bad. We've only had 16 quarterbacks since the "new" Browns started in 1999.

On second thought...

You sure it's 16? I think it's more than that. I kinda thought McCoy was 18 or 19. And with Mr New Guy (I can't ever remember his name) sounding like he's supposed to get the start, that'd be another +1.

Sadly, the number of head coaches isn't far behind. It feels like we've had more starting QBs and Head Coaches than we've had wins since they've come back to Cleveland. I know that's not true, but has to be a ratio that beats any other team by miles.

[Swift]

Does 16 quarterbacks equal four backs? <big stupid grin>

[NEOWatcher]

You sure it's 16? I think it's more than that.

Could be, I don't have that many fingers.

Does 16 quarterbacks equal four backs? <big stupid grin>

Or 32 bits.

[Trebuchet]

That's an interesting point. It doesn't make sense when the entire league is pulling from the same talent pool, from players to front office and everywhere between. I know that getting a good crop of players puts you in a good position to trade and so on, but dynasties that seem to last forever don't make sense to me.

In the case of baseball, at least, it's money. There's no sharing on TV revenue so teams in major markets, such as the Yankees, pull in a lot more bucks and can buy the best players.

[primummobile]

In the case of baseball, at least, it's money. There's no sharing on TV revenue so teams in major markets, such as the Yankees, pull in a lot more bucks and can buy the best players.

Yep. That's why I've always argued that baseball should have revenue sharing just like they do in the NFL.

[Swift]

Yep. That's why I've always argued that baseball should have revenue sharing just like they do in the NFL.

Yes.

I think the way that is structured in the NFL is excellent. It really has done a good job of leveling the field, so that at least from a financial standpoint, no team will dominant for a long period, and bad teams can rebuild within a few years to be playoff caliber.

[primummobile]

Yes.

I think the way that is structured in the NFL is excellent. It really has done a good job of leveling the field, so that at least from a financial standpoint, no team will dominant for a long period, and bad teams can rebuild within a few years to be playoff caliber.

The Yankees would never make the money they do if other teams didn't play them.

[Swift]

The Yankees would never make the money they do if other teams didn't play them.

LoL

Maybe we should just stop doing that. Are the Indians and the Mariners "enablers"? <wink>

[Trebuchet]

The Yankees would never make the money they do if other teams didn't play them.

But then who would we give all our best players to?

[primummobile]

But then who would we give all our best players to?

I don't know, and I know this sounds crazy... but we could keep them instead of just giving them the experience they need to play for a better team.

[Swift]

I don't know, and I know this sounds crazy... but we could keep them instead of just giving them the experience they need to play for a better team.

Except that we can't. The way the labor agreement is with the Baseball Players Association, at some point in time a player becomes a free agent, and can go to whatever team he likes, for whatever that team is willing to pay. And that usually seems to happen just as they are reaching the prime of their careers. And so the teams with the money can get these guys, and the small market teams just can't outbid them.

The better small market teams can sometime manage to get it done (into the playoffs), with combinations of young, relatively inexpensive, and relatively cheap talent (usually signed to long term contracts at an early point in their careers), and past their prime veterans, who may be good for one last stand. But if you guess wrong on the value-benefit curve, a lot of your salary may be tied up with someone who can't perform, and you don't have the money to go find a substitute. At best you do this for a few years, till your young talent graduates to free agency, and you start all over again with rebuilding.

Teams like the Yankees, with deep pockets, if they guess wrong, or have some critical injuries, just write a check for another free agent. And do it year after year.

[mike alexander]

There is a reason the musical wasn't named "Damn Indians".

[Fazor]

There is a reason the musical wasn't named "Damn Indians".

Because they never listened to the sweet melody of swears that leave my lips anytime I watch a Cleveland game? (Baseball or football.)

[primummobile]

Except that we can't. The way the labor agreement is with the Baseball Players Association, at some point in time a player becomes a free agent, and can go to whatever team he likes, for whatever that team is willing to pay. And that usually seems to happen just as they are reaching the prime of their careers. And so the teams with the money can get these guys, and the small market teams just can't outbid them.

The better small market teams can sometime manage to get it done (into the playoffs), with combinations of young, relatively inexpensive, and relatively cheap talent (usually signed to long term contracts at an early point in their careers), and past their prime veterans, who may be good for one last stand. But if you guess wrong on the value-benefit curve, a lot of your salary may be tied up with someone who can't perform, and you don't have the money to go find a substitute. At best you do this for a few years, till your young talent graduates to free agency, and you start all over again with rebuilding.

Teams like the Yankees, with deep pockets, if they guess wrong, or have some critical injuries, just write a check for another free agent. And do it year after year.

I understand that. I just think the majority of professional athletes now are more in love with the money than they are the game so the revenues that rely on every team should be shared among every team. I know you know this, but no one is going to tune in to watch the Yankees play a college team.