NFL Championship Game Running Thread

What happened in 1956 that kept the Browns from running out the streak?

 

All those guys ever do is point out they are the only undefeated team in league history. Which they are. Eventually, some team will also do it. But as time goes on, one wonders if any '72 Dolphins will be here to see it. For that matter, will I?

 

It was the season after Otto Graham retired. George Ratterman (1-2), Babe Parilli (1-2, first action since 1953) and Tommy O'Connell (3-3, finished out the season) started at various times. The Browns finished 5-7, their first losing record ever, and finished tied for fourth in the East.

Ratterman never played in the NFL again after the first five games of the season due to an injury. Pro Football Focus says Parilli and O'Connell combined to go 2-4 with a TD and 2 INTs win a win over Green Bay.

The Browns drafted Jim Brown in '57, with O'Connell and rookie Milt Plum getting a so-so offense (1,873 yards combined with 12TDs and 14 INTs) to the championship game where they lost to the Lions by 45 points.

 

One other interesting factoid about the ‘56 Browns. Paul Brown had a small transistor radio put into Ratterman’s helmet to send in the plays. It worked, but the Giants found out before their game, got their own radio, and listened on the Browns’ frequency. The Giants won the game.

https://www.dawgsbynature.com/platf...olved-in-qb-helmet-communications-controversy

 

Brown at Super Bowl 23 told this story. The radio was installed, Cleveland goes three and out, then Ratterman comes back to the bench and said, "I can't hear you, coach, but there's a liquor store hold up at Euclid and Washington."

 

https://nypost.com/2024/01/25/sports/tony-romo-and-jim-nantz-are-a-mess-with-super-bowl-2024-coming/

Interesting analysis of the CBS booth. I tend to agree that it’s disjointed and frantic. Not as bad as the Simms era, but not a great fit.

 

Jim Harbaugh wants to know more

 

All cliches apply about never saying never, but if the '07 Patriots didn't do it during the fuck you scorched earth tour, no one's doing it, especially now that the season is 17 games and sure to go to 18 sooner than later. That's 17-18 chances for everyone having a bad week, the star player getting hurt on the first series or the team on the other side playing out of its mind for 60 minutes.

 

I think Nick Buoniconti did a few good things for spinal research in between champagne toasts.

Belichick's dad coached the Giants?

 

"What's the frequency, Harbaugh?" are your Red Zone plays, uh-huh

 

Dan Rather DOES NOT approve!

 

Wolverine helmets, Go Blue banner,
Splitting the scene
I never understood
Your tendencies
You throw on first down
With high frequency