Planning on heading up north to watch the Browns tangle with the San Francisco 49ers on October 30th? Here’s everything you need to know:
Tickets: Call the San Francisco 49er rep Paul Suchomel, directly 415-347-3585. Ask to purchase tickets in Browns Backers sections. [Sections 59, 57, 55, etc and ask for the Browns Backers Group rate price.] The 49ers will handle your ticket purchase. Paul just noted that he expects a sell out soon.
Saturday Night Party: The Bay Area Browns Backers will host a Browns Backers Party Oct 29th at the Hotel Sofitel from 6:00 pm on. Eric Metcalf & Kevin Mack will sign autographs, plus Browns Backers Global supplied raffle prizes. Open to all Browns fans & guests.
Sofitel: Stay After the Party: We have arranged a great rate the Saturday before the game at $89 or $110 with breakfast for two at the super fine Hotel Sofitel. Make reservations by calling and ask for the In-House reservation desk at the Sofitel San Francisco Bay at (650) 598-9000. Refer to “Browns Backers” group rate.
Browns Backers TAILGATE: Look for the three “Quality Assurance” motor coaches – our bus company in the bus tailgate area. We will be there about 11:25 a.m. in route from the Sofitel. Join us at the buses!
Arizona Cardinals Road Trip Info
Update, Oct 21: Download the attached Word doc for full details.
For those Southern California Browns Backers that were looking for more info on attending the Browns vs Arizona game on December 18, hereis a package opportunity offered by Ralph Andrews of Travel Time Tours. You can email him with any questions or for more details: ttt@traveltimetours.com
Our Main Package will be from our Los Angeles SCBBA area(s) and will include:
December 17-19, 2011 (Sat-Mon) (3 Days – 2 Nights)
- Deluxe roundtrip motorcoach transportation from select pick-up locations
- 2 nights deluxe accommodations in Tempe (full-service property just minutes from our Saturday Night BB Bash)
- Saturday Night Browns Backers Bash at nearby Sports Bar (guaranteed admission included but beverages, etc. will be “on your own”)
- Sunday morning Tailgate Party at Arizona Stadium in special Browns Backers area (including beer, hotdogs, brats, and burgers)
- Game Ticket
- Complimentary Happy Hour Hors d’oeuvres and ½ price beverages Sunday night back at our hotel
- Deluxe Breakfast buffet Monday morning at our hotel
I will, as always, adjust this package for those having their own game tickets and/or wanting to stay longer or arrive earlier. And just to cover EVERYBODY who may be in town (locals included) , I will be happy to accommodate those wanting JUST the Game Tickets/Saturday Night Party/Sunday Tailgate Party, etc.
And also, for those planning to arrive by plane, our hotel offers complimentary R/T airport shuttle.
Patrick’s Pub Packs ‘Em In!
The Browns Backers at Patrick’s Pub had a great turnout this past Sunday despite a Browns’ loss to the Oakland Raiders. Be sure to check them out if you’re in the Costa Mesa area.
When he was an assistant coach with the Cincinnati Bengals in the late 60s and early 70s, Bill Walsh knew he had to find the right quarterback to fit his system.
Back then, the “right quarterback” had the same attributes as the “right quarterback” does today: Tall, strong-armed, intelligent, etc. But Walsh knew that in order for his offense to work, he needed a signal caller who was accurate first and foremost, and who possessed the ability to make quick decisions in order to get the ball out of his hands in a timely manner.
In Sam Wyche, the Bengals had what some deemed a prototypical quarterback already on the roster. But Walsh clearly didn’t think Wyche was the exact fit to run what is now called the West Coast offense, so the Bengals acquired former sixth-round pick Virgil Carter from the Bears.
Unlike Wyche, Carter wasn’t your prototypical quarterback in that he only stood 6-foot-1, weighed 192 pounds and didn’t posses a strong arm. But he was smart and accurate, which is exactly what Walsh envisioned for his offense. Carter went on to lead the NFL in completion percentage in 1971 and was third in overall passing. He was the first player to successfully implement Walsh’s system.
Fast-forward to present day where Browns’ team president Mike Holmgren hopes he has found a quarterback to implement his system. Like Carter, the biggest knock on Colt McCoy is arm strength (or lack thereof). He lasted into the third round of the 2010 draft because teams were worried about whether or not he could make all the throws required of a pro quarterback. But Holmgren snatched him with the 85th pick because he too runs a version of Walsh’s West Coast system and sees a signal caller born to run his offense. Read more…
From the Desk of Mike Holmgren
The following letter was sent to our SCBBA President, Kevin Hoyt:
On behalf of the Cleveland Browns organization, coaches and players, I want to thank you for your support. We are truly grateful for your commitment and patience during this period.
Now that the National Football League and NFL Players Association have come to terms on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the 2011 season is underway. I wanted to take this time to share some thoughts with you following this great news.
We believe the terms of the new agreement are fair to the teams and players and that both sides will benefit as we move forward. Most importantly, the agreement allows us to get back on the field and provide our great fans with the excitement of Cleveland Browns football.
Our focus continues to be on improving our team and preparing for the season. I am thrilled to have new head coach Pat Shurmur and his outstanding staff in place and ready to take the players to the next step in their development — and the team to the level of success our partners, sponsors and fans expect and deserve. Read more…
Southern California Browns Backers Association | SCBBA 