Q: Hey, Tony: I know you always answer questions about the Browns, but how about some of your Browns thoughts? How and why did you ever start following the Browns? What is your favorite Browns memory and game that sticks out in your mind.
While Montario Hardesty has turned heads in his OTA and minicamp work with the Browns, he has also gotten along well with likely starter Jerome Harrison (left).HEY, TONY!
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Q: Hey, Tony: I know you always answer questions about the Browns, but how about some of your Browns thoughts? How and why did you ever start following the Browns? What is your favorite Browns memory and game that sticks out in your mind? Who has been one of your favorite players over the years, and which has been the biggest disappointment in your mind: The Fumble, Drive, Red Right 88 or other aside from "the move"? And finally, what is your timetable/belief concerning when you think the Browns will get to the Super Bowl? Thanks, Tony; it would be nice to hear some of your thoughts from a personal level. -- Eric Myers, Victoria, Minn.
A: Hey, Eric: Like any native Clevelander, Browns games were always on our TV when growing up. My earliest memory is of my dad expressing amazement at a Jim Brown run. "He's an animal," is one comment I easily recall. My favorite Browns memories are embedded in the Bernie Kosar playoff years. The Jets playoff game (Jan. 3, 1987) is unforgettable. But two regular-season games might be tied for my all-time favorite Browns games (while on the beat) -- a win over the Giants in 1985 and a win over the Oilers in 1989. Both came on the road with playoff implications. Both were filled with incredible drama. And both presented me with tremendous writing opportunities. You can look them up in our Browns database on cleveland.com. My favorite players also come from that era. The biggest disappointment was the loss to John Elway in "the Drive." I maintain had the Browns won that game, they -- not Denver -- would have appeared in the Super Bowl three times in four years in the late 1980s. As for the future, I don't think the Browns can realistically think about the Super Bowl until they locate a franchise quarterback.
Q: Hey, Tony: Do you think that Montario Hardesty's injury history will make it more likely that the Browns keep another running back in addition to Lawrence Vickers, Peyton Hillis, Jerome Harrison and Hardesty? -- Paul Thiel, Crescent Springs, Ky.
A: Hey, Paul: What's important is the present, not the past. If Hardesty is healthy going into the season, I would expect the running backs to be Hardesty, Harrison and either James Davis or Chris Jennings. The fullbacks would be Vickers and Hillis.
Q: Hey, Tony: OK, this is not a question but an opinion about a recent issue, although perhaps you would like to comment. [Art] Modell does not belong in the HOF for the following reasons. (1) He nearly destroyed one of the oldest and most storied teams in football history. He lied to move the team and hid his plans from the city of Cleveland. If he had ever said, 'I need a new stadium or I will have to move the team,' the city would have done it. What Modell did ask for is for the city to refurbish the stadium, which the city was in the process of obtaining the funding for, when Modell, realizing he was in a trap, suddenly made the underhanded, secret deal with Baltimore because he need the cash due to his failures in non-football business matters. Of course, Modell lies about this to the Baltimore media, and they are too lazy to check out the facts. Modell is an arrogant, underhanded, conniving SOB. (2) If the fans of Cleveland did not put up such a fight, then the city would not have retained a football team, the colors, or the name Browns. Again, Modell lies about this to suggest it was his doing. Total BS. Would the Baltimore and national media please stop taking Modell's word for what happened. The man is the world's biggest self-promoting liar. (3) The great Cleveland Browns teams were the product of Paul Brown, who Modell fired. (4) If anyone belongs in the HOF, it is the fans of the Cleveland Browns who have ardently supported the team through good and bad times, and saved it for future generations from Modell's incompetent, deceitful, destructive management. -- Sam Fields, Euclid
A: Hey, Sam: There are many Hall of Fame selectors who feel the same as you.
Q: Hey, Tony: Whatever happened to former Browns player, Ohio native, and Steelers head coach, Chuck Noll? It seems like he disappeared from the face of the earth. -- Steve Bohnenkamp, Geneva, Ill.
A: Hey, Steve: The last I heard of Noll was that he indeed was keeping a low profile, ostensibly due to poor health.
Q: Hey, Tony: I've been reading about how good David Veikune has looked in the minicamps. I also read where he has lost around 20 pounds since last season. Are you impressed with Veikune's performance so far? Does he look better physically since losing the 20 pounds? -- Greg Dineen, Middletown, Ohio
A: Hey, Greg: I confess to not even taking notice of Veikune at the OTAs and minicamp last month. If he lost 20 pounds, I don't know how he's going to tackle 225-pound running backs, but we'll check him out in training camp.
Q: Hey, Tony: Are there any unrestricted free agents out there you think would be worth bringing to camp? I believe former Philly OL Shawn Andrews is still available. He's huge, young (only 27) and has multiple Pro Bowl nods on his r sum . Even with his past back injury, wouldn't the Browns be wise to bring Andrews into camp and at least "kick the tires," so to speak? Worst case scenario, he is cut and the team doesn't lose anything in terms of a contract or guaranteed money. Best case scenario, the Browns add another young stud to the OL, which will only improve the running and passing game (in theory). Thoughts? -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.
A: Hey, Tim: I was told by a club source that the Browns had no interest in Andrews. Keep in mind that Andrews was drafted in Philadelphia by current Browns GM Tom Heckert.
Q: Hey, Tony: After you've seen the OTA's, does the team as a whole seem much more organized than you seen in years past? Without training camp even starting yet I have to be optimistic because of the way the Browns ended last season and with the coaching staff staying intact. To be honest ,the New York Jets got as far as they did on a tenacious defense and a very strong running game. I know Mark Sanchez got a lot of hype and credit, but in my opinion he was not very good last year, even though he did play well in the playoffs. The Browns have, I think, a very good offensive line, and I also believe that they will have a much-improved defense with the new additions that we brought in. For the last few years, I always say the Browns will usually win about six games a year. This year I think the Browns will win more games and get more respect. I also believe the Steelers are on a decline this year. I believe we can split with the Bengals at least, Baltimore looks loaded but I think the Browns will give them a game. Go Browns 9-7, or 10-6. -- David Johnson, Lorain
A: Hey, David: You are entitled to be optimistic at this time of year.
Q: Hey, Tony: I have a question regarding this year's no-cap season. In the past, GMs and team executives would be reluctant to cut an overpriced, underperforming player if it resulted in a huge hit on the team's salary cap. So for example, when the Browns released Derek Anderson this year was there any "hit" to the team's payroll since there is no salary cap for this season? -- Zach Allen, Columbus
A: Hey, Zach: Anderson's release did not result in any "cap hit" because there is no salary cap. That's why so many high-priced players (Cory Williams, et al.) around the league were released or traded. Recall that trading a player with a big contract also had cap ramifications. This is also why Commissioner Roger Goodell did the Browns a big favor last year by suspending Dont Stallworth for the 2009 season. It allowed the Browns to wait until 2010 to release Stallworth without any "cap hit."
Q: Hey, Tony: When do the two-a-days begin? Last year it started on a Saturday, so I was wondering when it will begin this year! -- Michelle Sulzer, Cleveland
A: Hey, Michelle: The first double practice is Saturday, July 31.
Q: Hey, Tony: How many games do the Browns have to win for the Mangini regime to be in Cleveland for the 2011 season? And do you want to see the team dump the brown pants as much as I do? -- Gordon Rogers, Charlotte, N.C.
A: Hey, Gordon: I suspect the Browns would have to win at least as many games as they lose for the coaching staff to return in 2011. I break my moratorium on uniform questions/comments to give you a surprise answer: I actually am OK with the brown pants. Don't love 'em, but don't hate 'em.
Q: Hey, Tony: Do you know whether the Browns are planning to have a "Meet The Rookies" event this summer? -- Jack Stabile, Hermitage, Pa.
A: Hey, Jack: I don't believe so. Come and meet them at training camp beginning July 31.
-- Tony