The Browns had a press conference last week and we've all either heard the clips, watched, or listened to what the coach and the higher ups had to say.  And as I listened with you, it seems it's more of the same, and then some.

The problems with the Browns are far beyond the players on the field.  The Browns have some very nice players on this team who are as good as any in the NFL.  And there are some pieces to build on going forward, but as good or as bad as they are, they are not the main problem with the Browns. The bulk of the problem with the Browns are the ones in charge of those players.  The higher ups, including their coach are living in a denial state with this team.  To hear them talk it would seem we are right there, ready to be a big winner, a few tweaks and all is great!  Then one thing jumped out at me - they don't know, or refuse to believe  - they are not winning.

The sheer amount of double talk and flowery words is simply incredible.  The past two seasons have been an exercise in underachieving and non-accountability.  And the majority of it has to be laid at the feet of the "smartest people on earth."  The ongoing decisions off the field are really catching up with the Browns.   Have you watched many of these playoff teams this week?  It seems they are playing in a different league than us. And they are.  Faster, stronger, smarter and just better overall. 

The last few drafts have been overall lousy, and the next couple drafts have been heavily compromised for Deshaun Watson.  The commitment to overrated veteran players other franchises let go with big money here has revealed few benefits.  The teams decision to play a certain type of football on both sides of the ball is well into question.  Analytics are being used on big time game day decisions that are costing this team a few games a year.  In short, this team seems to be far more bent on being right, than being successful.

Kevin Stefanski is more than likely on the hottest seat imaginable for next season. The brass sold the owner on the Watson thing so much, I feel it is believed in the Berea building that he will fix all the ills.  He won't.  And if the Browns are off to a bad start next season, that may be all for Stefanski.  The Browns also have to understand the fan base doesn't buy this whole disingenuous act they stage. They're not honest with fans, themselves or reality and think we are too stupid to notice.  Love him or hate him, Mike Tomlin is straight forward, honest and you know where he stands, where the Steelers stand, and what their reality is. 

To fix what's on the field, the Browns first have to fix what's off the field. Accountability, honesty, and the guts to do things differently.  If they fail or are unwilling to do that, then it will be more of the same next year and stand by for 7-8 wins.  When that part of this organization is adjusted it will lend itself to better decisions on players drafted, chosen, signed, committed to and the correct schemes to place them in on all sides of the ball. 

Buy the front office a mirror, look into it, and understand that you -  through your own denial, are not winning.

I remember the first time I heard this song.  I was stunned by its raw power musically and the near perfect delivery of the artist.  We all heard Gilbert had written a lot of big songs for others, but this was his real debut on radio.  Country was not this rock inspired in 2011 -  as it would become in the coming years.   I have always felt this song is among the reasons why, if not the biggest reason.  To me, it's one of the most influential songs of the last 40 years in Country.  It's an anthem for sure, and I feel there were many new artists that pointed to the radio when hearing this and said, "I wanna do THAT!"  Lyrically it pays respect to the music before it, and is sung by a guy clearly influenced by those who were here before he was.  But this song also pointed straight ahead to where we were possibly going. (Word is too the first recording was even stronger than this final version  -  and they scaled it back some) .

Last Week - #50

Other Articles I've Written Featuring Brantley

For the past few years I've been writing my Country Music Memory Lane Series and my Mega Star Series.  They post here on Thursdays and will continue to do so.

Over the past 42 years I've played Country Music continuously on the radio, I  am featuring 50 songs that are ones I have enjoyed playing the most, and in many cases still play -  on the radio.  I'll post once a week, till the end of the year!

I am NOT saying these are the BEST songs, just the ones I enjoy the most.

I have finally gotten around to beginning Season 5 of The Crown. In case you aren't in the know, this is following the Royals in the Early-Mid 90s. So far I have watched only the first two episodes. Charles and Diana are married, William and Harry are either side of 5-7 years old, and the marriage is starting to really fall apart.

The last thing I have seen to this point is that Diana is helping to "write" her 1992 tell-all book, and Prince Philip tells her it's not the best idea.

Now I know this is a show for entertainment purposes that has elements of real events and stories woven in. Looking back, it is kind of sad to see because they are a real family even though they are seen as the world's royal family. At the same time, it is intended as an entertainment venture for that purpose - to entertain. Boy does it! Definitely binge worthy material.

I love eggs!  Especially on the weekends like we just had.  A good egg breakfast to me is a very comforting way to start any weekend day, let alone a cold an wintery one.  Poached is my very favorite, but a good omelette, or scrambled is fine too.

I found this great article for all of us advanced egg-mavens and maybe we can get some new ideas, or confirm that we do indeed, know what we are doing!

LET'S MAKE SOME GREAT EGGS!!

So the other day,  I heard Scott and Sarah, (no pun intended pitching) Pitch Black Mt. Dew.  I found it and figured put a little "Gabby Barrett" in my day. ("Pick Me Up")

My overall thoughts were in the picture above...  1. Tired, 2. Hey, I have a Pitch Black Mt. Dew Energy, 3. Energy!!!! and 4. Let's "Dew" this show.

The Pitch Black Mt. Dew is described as "a blast of dark citrus punch"...  It is a light purple soda.  Tastes like a blueberry drink to me but that maybe just the finish.

It is not the same as the Mt. Dew Purple Thunder at Circle K for a limited time....  and it is nothing like the Flaming Hot Flavor, thankfully.  

Let me start with, I am not much of a movie buff...

If you are wondering what will be the big movies of 2023.  There are a lot of people on WQMX who are way bigger cinefiles than me...

But I will try my best "Siskel & E-Ben" on this one time...

'Avatar The Way of Water' seems to be holding it's own at the box office. Will it surpass Top Gun: Maverick from last year?  I'm sure it will give it a run especially with Avatar 3 already in the can.

One movie that I did not see coming was M3GAN the female Chucky Movie (or so it seems) made $30 million on opening.

They have already started a sequel.. I thought the story could have been told in 1 hour and 42 minutes.  I guess not.  It took Chucky 8 movies.

Just some thoughts for sequel names:  M3GAN's Play, M3GAN vs. Chucky, Cult of M3GAN, Husband of M3GAN, Bride of M3GAN, Seed of M3GAN...

Some other movies in 2023 to look out for..  Cocaine Bear in February, Creed III in March, Mario Movie in April,  Guardians Of The Galaxy is one that is sticking out to me in May, Barbie in July, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in August, Wonka and Ghosterbusters Afterlife 2 in December. 

Out of the 2023 movie releases, some you will want to see over and over again.  Some you will want to never see M3GAN.  

My Siskel & E-Ben Grade is: 2-Doll Hands (whatever that means.)  Sorry, I didn't watch the movie.

The Psuedo-Female Chucky Movie maybe perfectly fine.  Judge for yourself here is the trailer.  

If you own a lot of old stuff and/or enjoy old stuff mark June 6th on your calendar! The PBS show Antiques Roadshow will be in Akron to tape a total of three episodes.

The location has yet to be announced, but this should be a ton of fun! If you have that item in your attic or basement that has been handed down through the generations and you're wondering if it's worth anything, dust it off and consider taking it to the experts...and who knows, you may end up on TV!!!

Start searching your house now for that prized antique and good luck.

Jelly Roll earned his first #1 single on the country charts this week with "Son Of A Sinner" and he's already sent his next single to radio! Jelly Roll says "Need A Favor" is about "Talking to God in that darkest moment. That moment that we've all had where we've hit our knees and asked him for the biggest favor of our life knowing that we haven't talked to him in a while."

Saturday night, my friends and I met up with a friend of ours from high school we hadn't seen in about ten years! It was one of those where we just fell out of touch. People moved away, moved back, etc. Now that we're all here again, we thought we should get together and catch up.

We met at Ohio Brewing Company in downtown Cuyahoga Falls. There were a total of eight of us! It was so much fun catching up after so many years. We stayed and talked for four hours!!!

I'm glad we got back together again, and we're making more plans for the near future.

Sif had her very first grooming appointment and she is stylin! Her fur is all fluffy and her shedding has reduced significantly! She also smells really nice. Apparently she was a tad dramatic during her appointment, shiba's have a tendency to scream (search "shiba scream" on Youtube) and Sif has a bit of anxiety. She still seems a little tired from the experience but we got her her favorite treats as a reward! Hopefully she gets a little more used to it in the future.