Sorry, Steve: The Browns window against the Steelers is far from open

You know its June when you hear crazy boasts from Cleveland Browns fans saying this could be the year, followed by the reality of another 4-12 season.

But you know it’s really weird when the Northeast Ohio media starts sharing the flawed logic.

Canton Repository sports reporter Steve Doerschuk took a stab at the faulty reasoning Saturday with “Browns window of ending misery to Steelers could be opening.”

Doerschuk’s assertions include close games between the teams over the last two months of the season, the Steelers upset loss to Denver in the playoffs, the release of James Farrior, an older defense, no Rashard Mendenhall and the uncertainty of draft pick Mike Adams.

His contention also rests on the assertion that Browns general manager Tom Heckert can produce quality drafts. The Browns have appeared to make better picks than in the past, but that hasn’t translated into the team’s won-loss column.

Here’s a point-by-point analysis of the faulty logic.

— Doerschuk is the only writer I know who cites close losses as reason for hope.

— Yes, the Steelers were upset in the playoffs. It happens. Not everybody wins every playoff game. The Steelers make playoff appearances routine. Steve, remember the Browns last playoff game? The Browns tanked a 12-point lead to the Steelers nine years ago. The Steelers will be back, I’m not sure about the Browns.

— James Farrior is one of the most-recognized faces of the Steelers, but was starting to show his age. Larry Foote was a better linebacker for most of last year.

— The Steelers defense isn’t the youngest in the league, but you can’t question its effectiveness. The Steelers led the league in total defense last year.

— Mendenhall has been inconsistent throughout his career. I really believe Isaac Redman is an improvement. In his first start last year after Mendenhall’s injury, Redman ran for xxx against a strong Denver defense.

— It’s funny how only Mike Adams was mentioned, when the Steelers top pick David DeCastro was ignored. DeCastro was projected to go as high as No. 11 in the draft and the Steelers found him at No. 24. Even if DeCastro and Adams are busts, they should be a dramatic improvement over the nightmare of the Steelers offensive line last year.

In a league that emphasizes parity, it’s embarrassing that the Browns have only mustered a 18-46 record in the past four years.
Steve, the window for the Browns has been shut for years.

It’s going to take a lot more than 4-12 seasons to open it.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Monday’s View From The Pugh column features sports news and commentary. E-mail viewfromthepugh@yahoo.com to submit an item for consideration for a future column).

Why it helps to have a company social media policy (and why do we put so much stock in what pro athletes say)

We sure love our sports in America.

Not only do we spend lots of money and time idolizing people for their athletic abilities, we heavily contemplate every word they say.

And with the advent of Twitter and Facebook, athletes have the platform to comment on any issues around the world.

That’s when issues start to happen.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is the latest example.

One day after U.S. Special Forces killed Osama bin Laden in a raid, Mendenhall shared the following series of thoughts which show sympathy toward bin Laden:

• “What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side. I believe in God. I believe we’re ALL his children. And I believe HE is the ONE and ONLY judge.”

• “We’ll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style”

• “Those who judge others, will also be judged themselves.”

• “For those of you who said you want to see Bin Laden burn in hell . . . I ask how would God feel about your heart?”

Mendenhall is taking his fair share of criticism for his comments from the media and Steelers officials.

Mendenhall has since taken down his tweet, but in honesty, why do we place such a high value on what athletes say?

I’m a Steelers fan in full disclosure, but Mendenhall commenting on bin Laden is like me commenting on nuclear physics.
We’re all entitled to our opinions, but that doesn’t make them always intelligent ones.

The interesting question here is if the Steelers have a social media policy for their players?

We’re entitled to our opinions, but we have a responsibility for what we say when we’re representing a larger organization.

How about your company?

Your employees may not have the name recognition Mendenhall has, but what they say in social media effects your company and your bottom line.

I would recommend your company or organization takes a serious look at adopting a social media policy.

This is important not just for what they say about your company or products, but on how they represent themselves.

Think Mendenhall’s comments have an effect on the Steelers?

Your employee’s words on public sites can have the same effect on you.

I’m available for consulting for company social media policies for a nominal fee. Contact me at here for more information.

UPDATE: Mendenhall clarified his comments Tuesday night. Here is a story about the blog he wrote about the matter.