Today the Browns play the Broncos in Denver and no matter what kind of season the Broncos are having, it's always a tough place to play.  The Browns are built for this with great defense and that should keep them in most any game.  Although, huge kudos to DTR who played well enough to win a big game at home.  But the Browns QB situation is an interesting one.

Lets talk about that for a second.  With Watson missing the rest of this season, it got me thinking about the future of the Browns and his role.  This year Watson showed very little of the great player many claim he was in Houston.  Same goes for last season after he returned from suspension. But there have been flashes of greatness, but most would agree, not enough of them.  A lot has been made of his "lack of reps" in practice and games, and I agree.  It's hard not to play and expect great play from a QB in the NFL.  So we look to next season, using this year and the last two seasons as our historical guide.

If his surgery and rehab goes well and he's cleared to start camp on time this is the scenario.  He will enter the 2024 season having played in only 11 of the last 51 regular season NFL games since 2021.  I'm not beating on him, I'm stating math facts.  Remember, he sat out the entire 2021 season on his own because of his problems with the Texans, and they were glad to let him if you remember.  Then in 2022 he was suspended for 11 games for the massage therapist scandal.  Now this year, it's a pair of shoulder injuries that have him missing the balance of this season.  You can't help injuries, no one can fault him for that. But things could have handled very differently by him in 2021 and 2022. 

Watson is 28 years old and has 3 more years on his contract.  So we have to ask, if the lack of reps and rust that he has been shaking off for the past 1.5 years, will it continue next season?  Very possibly, that's been his track record.  So if he's healthy, stays healthy, gets on the field, by about 6 games into the schedule NEXT season, should we see the old Watson?  That's about the best outcome with his own history being our guide.  If that ends up being true, his 235 million dollar contract will be about half over.

The contract Watson signed will follow and dog him here forever.  Being honest, I personally couldn't care less about his money, the contract is not a factor to me.  But for many the only thing that will take away that bad taste is a Superbowl WIN!  Fans here are living paycheck to paycheck, they spend big money to watch the Browns and many are not happy with Watson and his Bezos-sized bank account, then watching him sit yet again. 

But Watson is in a position of his own volition.  Again facts, he sat out 2021 out of personal anger.  He sat out most of 2022 because of personal bad behavior and now he's injured.  It's fair to remember, he had zero interest in playing here until "fully guaranteed" showed up.

That single decision, by the BROWNS and not him, will dog the Browns for years, as other owners are still ticked off and will be in zero hurry to help us out with trades or transactions.  So we put faith in a great defense to keep us in the fray as we make a playoff push without the guy acquired to lead it.  It's also fair to point out the Texans used the Browns front office to put on a clinic on how to rebuild a franchise that was in shambles.  And they get to do it one more time in 2024 as the trade will finally conclude.

Is the trade a bust?  I honestly feel no one can say yes or no yet.  Being fair, the final answer will come at the end of 2026. 

GO BROWNS!

About a year ago I did a two part series called The Influencers and it was very popular.  It was a two-part series talking about those over the years in Country that were heavily influential to the next few generations. Seems like a good time to revisit it, in case you missed it the first time around.

Thanks for reading and thanks for listening!

The Influencers (Part 1)

The Influencers (Part 2)

Southern Pacific  - Any Way The Winds Blows  - 1989 -  (Album -County Line)

Southern Pacific was the first artist I featured in my Country Music Memory Lane Series here at WQMX.com 4 years ago.  These guys were amazing musicians as they were made up from former members of the rock bands Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Pablo Cruise.  They had a nice run of country hits for a few years and collaborated with Emmylou Harris and Tom Petty.  This was not their biggest hit, but it was a top ten.  Country was shifting more traditional when they showed up and the stars were coming on fast and furious.  These guys were great, but we may not have been ready for them quite yet.  Many times, timing is everything and they may have been ahead of their time.  But there is no denying they made a lot of great music in a very short time. The songs, and thier incredible harmonies are sensational.  This song was also in the Clint Eastwood movie, Pink Cadillac.  This was their last big hit and it's my favorite song from them, as it was just outside of my 50 Favorites From 40 Years Series. But it is close, maybe #51.  If you've never heard of them or this song, I urge you to take a listen to this gem of a song.  If you like the sound of say, the Doobie Brothers, the Eagles, Alabama, you'll love this. This one is terrific, worth a listen or two!

My Full Profile On Southern Pacific

#4 - Reba McEntire - You Lie - 1990

As I put this list together it was a big job going through 40 plus years of songs.  Some were no brainer's and others I knew would be high on the list.  There were also some surprises on just how much I liked them, and this is one of those.  I rounded up the artists and picked a few songs from each.  Then some songs I was considering had to go through "brackets" like a basketball tournament to see who would win and this song just kept climbing, all the way to #4.  Reba had some great songs, but truth be told she had some that missed with me over her many years.  I was always drawn to Reba songs that showed her more natural voice, her true emotion, her sheer ability, and her total conviction to the song.  I always loved, Whoever's In New England, Up To Heaven and others.  But this is in another league still, by far my favorite Reba song.  It's strong, sad, honest, grown up, and country.  This is amazingly honest, it could cut too close to the bone for many, but that's why I love it.  This is the most surprising song on my 50 Favorites list because it just kept climbing and passing songs I originally thought I liked better.  To me, Reba's best performance of her remarkable career.  A big #1, her 14th, and a work of country art.  At this time of her career, she was untouchable.

Last Week #5

My Full Profile On Reba (Mega Star Series)

Yeah I know, just what we need is more food after that huge food weekend. But stuffed mushrooms are great and delicious.  And according to this, not super hard to make, so lets get busy.

The BEST Stuffed Mushrooms There Are

You have heard the news today of Deshaun Watson being out for the season, and I'm sure it made you feel some way.  Mad, sad, disappointed, angry, apathetic, or numb.  Seems they are calling it an additional shoulder injury in the same shoulder.  He's out, and now we move on. I'm sure the team is down about this, hard not to be. But this is not a team injury, this is an organizational injury, and it's head shaking.

First off, it's football, injuries happen and a guy can't play in the NFL if he's compromised.  So you can't blame a guy for getting hurt.  All teams deal with injuries.  Second, it's the QB so it's really a big deal.  And third, it's to a guy the entire kingdom was given to and now he can't perform.  This situation right here is the biggest difference between the Browns and really successful teams. As a team on the field, we match up with anyone. But off the field, it's a very different story.

I have said it since my first article, gutting the QB room was a huge error.  Making your backup QB a kid who has never taken a NFL snap was lunacy in this situation.  Now he's your guy.  Then bringing in a journeyman QB to start a few games and get away with it was extremely lucky. Now he is benched and he kid is back in. This franchise is thinking about a Superbowl run and was banking on not needing a solid backup QB.  Incredibly naive for any team, and now the team is wounded by total ineptness in the office.

On the record, I am not a Josh Dobbs fanatic, but it's hard to argue with his incredible success after we basically gave him away in favor of a kid with no experience.  At one time he was here with Jacoby Brissett who played 11 games here last year and was serviceable.  We let him walk, then tried to get him back only to be laughed at by Washington, who joins the ranks of teams not anxious to do us any favors after guaranteeing Watson 235 million.  Dobbs is doing what we needed him to do just in case here.  Dobbs is replacing Kirk Cousins whose out for the season and the Vikings are making a playoff push.

The trade deadline has passed, plus we have nothing of any value to trade for another year and teams are simply giddy and laughing at our misfortune and lack front office smarts after we broke the bank on Watson. Today in a press conference our GM said that this situation is an "incredible opportunity" to show what kind of team we are.  He also said they were "comfortable" with the QB room and they have faith in the players in there.  If that was anywhere near true that you're fine with Walker and DTR, you should have saved 230 million on Watson.  And he would not comment - to you -  on their ridiculous off season moves leaving this team with absolutely NO safety net just in case.  I'm sure they had a few bucks to pay a decent backup, AND those guys were actually in our building, but chose otherwise.  They did the same thing to the running back room, but were lucky Kareem Hunt had no job at the time. 

So now you have this darn good team with very big dreams, playing well, now with no real QB to lead.  This, today is a mess.  And the absolute worst part is, without any question  -  they accept no accountability  - to you  - the paying fan, and to those watching every week.  

Good organizations do things differently.  Wish DTR and Walker the best.  What lies ahead for them is a rough road to be sure.  But they will get their chance to shine.

GO BROWNS!

As I sit here drinking coffee at my home in Cape Coral getting ready to celebrate another Thanksgiving, I am thinking of many from my past.  There is nothing wrong with a pool view and some music playing right now as preparations are getting underway in the kitchen.  I am thinking of how lucky I am on this Thanksgiving 2023. But even though Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday, I am thinking of how many different ways I have spent it.

My first Thanksgiving away from my hometown was a quiet one, I was alone and watching Detroit Lions on TV when a neighbor, Susie brought me a plate or two from her family's celebration.  I was very moved and thankful, and that meal sure tasted good, even if I are it alone.   As I moved around the country, I spent 23 Thanksgivings with other family's and I am thankful for every single one.  In Richmond one year a bunch of us young radio people in the same boat had a big feast as we were each others family that year. 

I spent it with some family's I hardly knew, some with new girlfriends then and their family's.  Some with my lifelong friend Tim in Florida, and another few with my life long friend Ray there too.  My life long friend Don, (Beef) has had me over for more holidays than I can count.  And for all of them, I am eternally thankful.  

I guess family can be big and ever expansive.  I am thankful today for my weekend here at my home with the beautiful Windy who makes holidays yummy and fun for me and us.  And to the other family's. Ray's, Tim's and Don's all who I consider family as well, even though our names are not the same.   I love all of them very much.

Wherever you are today or whose family you're with be thankful.  And if you are that hero inviting someone over who is far from their own immediate family - you are doing something more special than you may know.   Take it from me, a journeyman for many years, it means so much to get that invite and be thought of on a special day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Vince Gill  - You And You Alone  - 1997

As decorated as Vince Gill is, it's tough to imagine there are songs of his that might be in the Forgotten Jukebox.  But most artists  -  regardless of their status have a few songs in there.  This song is one of my favorite Gill songs, and even though this only went to number 8 on the charts, it's a wonderful ballad.  It was the fifth single from one of the best country albums ever recorded, his High Lonesome Sound masterpiece.  This album is so insanely good that 4 other singles were released before it.  Gill was hosting the CMA's then, and he performed this song on the awards show that year and it's one of the best performances I have ever seen on the broadcast.  Gill was really on top at this time as he hosted the CMA's many times and was winning them at an even faster pace.  This song did not win one, but this is a beautiful ballad from country's best decade.  Incredible background vocals too from Shelby Lynne, and she sang it with him on the CMA's as well.

My Full Profile On Vince Gill

Luke Combs - When It Rains It Pours -  2017

Hit songs don't get much bigger or better than this.  This was the catalyst for making Luke Combs the gigantic star he now is.  His first single, Hurricane is great and a big number one.  But many times what you do next is the big move.  What I am saying here takes nothing away from the greatness of his debut song, or the incredible line of terrific and creative number ones that continue still. But this is the song that every new country artist prays for every night when they go to sleep, but seldom get.  We have to remember in 2017, we didn't know Combs - he was a new artist.  But this song elevated Combs, as the sales of this song world wide are nothing short of staggering.  This is fun, relatable, makes you smile and a perfect match for who he is. This is extraordinarily visual and when you hear it for the first time you picture a dude like Combs singing it.  This of course was a #1 and sold millions upon millions and topped charts all over the place.  In short, in my 43 years behind the mic in country radio, this is one of the very best country songs I have ever played. It's really tough not to love this terrific song.

Last Week #6