Archive for June, 2009

I’ve shared my connection to one of the Browns’ newest WRs before. I went to high school with Mike Furrey. He was a great guy then, and I’m so pleased that he hasn’t changed. He and his wife Koren (whom also attended Hilliard High School with me) founded the Mike Furrey Foundation, which is described in its mission statement as “a non-profit organization designed to improve the lives of those that are Hungry, Homeless, Hurting, and/or Hopeful”. Sounds good, right?

While he was still on the Detroit Lions roster, he hosted the foundation’s first annual Mike Furrey Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit the charity. This year’s outing was today yesterday, right in my backyard at Dublin’s Tartan Fields. It was a who’s who of sports celebrities with ties to Central Ohio; and that included our very own Brady Quinn. I believe this is Brady’s 3rd charity golf tournament in as many weeks.

When did I learn about it, really? During the late local news when they ran a story on the event, complete with interviews with Mike and Brady. Brady talked about relishing the opportunity to prove himself during the upcoming QB competition with DA. Nothing we haven’t already heard him say. Just more proof of his great character and positive outlook.

And no, I didn’t record it. I couldn’t! I wasn’t prepared for anything post-worthy at 11:20 PM and I was painting my nails anyway! That aside, it was nice to see Brady lending his support to yet another great cause. He never ceases to impress me with his off-the-field contributions.

Oh, and before you ask, the article isn’t online, nor is the interview. There is a possibility that some press will be published in time for tomorrow’s paper (Dispatch, I’m looking at you!), or on the station’s website even later. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the piece that aired tonight is the only mention that anyone sees from the charity tournament.

So this was just minutes from my house, and I didn’t even know until it was over! Although, really, what would I have done besides stargaze? I don’t play golf. In fact, I can’t stand it. Oh well! Just thought I’d share a bit of BQ news since there actually was some, for once.

Writer James Walker maintains the AFC North blog for ESPN and he shared his Q&A with Brady earlier today. I thought this deserved its own post, rather than just a sidebar link.

It is not a stretch to say Brady Quinn waited most of his life to be the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.

Raised in Columbus, Ohio, Quinn was a die-hard Browns fan growing up and dreamed of someday leading the team. His travels took him to a successful football career at Notre Dame before eventually becoming a first-round pick of the Browns in 2007.

But since joining the Browns, Quinn’s career has yet to get off the ground. He stood on the sideline for a majority of his rookie year and started just three games in 2008 before breaking a finger on his throwing hand.

While competing with teammate Derek Anderson, this year will be the first legitimate chance for Quinn to win the job he’s coveted since a youth. Recently Quinn sat down with ESPN.com’s AFC North blog to discuss his approach heading into the 2009 season.

Read the full Q&A here. Very nice interview that will make Brady Quinn fans everywhere smile. Drink it up, because it’s probably going to be pretty quiet from now until Training Camp starts August 1!

Browns Family Day 2009 Set!
Where? Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 9. Family Day includes a “Brown and White Scrimmage”, which will allow Browns fans of all ages see the team take the field at the stadium for the first time in 2009.

by flyte44

Ok, just a tad sensationalist, but not much. Our admin and myself have been to Cedar Point before. My last time Brady was still attending Notre Dame. I would be hard pressed to find two things better than a day at Cedar Point and Brady Quinn together. Just ask these folks sharing a ride with Brady on the Millenium Force.

Brady Quinn Day at Cedar Point

Fans were able to get pictures and autographs with the Notre Dame alum and several lucky fans joined Quinn on Millenium Force for a couple rides on the roller coaster.

Can you think of a better way to celebrate Flag Day?

Staying true to his college roots, Brady will head to St. Paul, MN to help out one of his former Notre Dame teammates, Ryan Harris, run a football camp.

The Minnesota Pro Camp, for players between the ages of 14 & 17, takes place June 20 at St. Paul Central’s Griffin Field.

Harris enlisted assistance from several other former Notre Dame teammates besides Brady. John Sullivan (Vikings), John Carlson (Seahawks), and Trevor Laws (Eagles) will also help out. Visit www.mnprocamp.com for more information.

It’s nice to see Brady helping out a friend. But my question is, when will we see a “Brady Quinn Football Camp”? Or is there already one? With how active in the community Brady is, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he starts his own charity or football camp.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Terry Pluto shared his thoughts, thus far, on QB Competition 2k9 and I just had to pass it a long. A link on the sidebar just wouldn’t suffice.

1. I asked Eric Mangini what things mattered most when judging a quarterback, and his first two points were “huddle presence and the ability to run the offense. … Who can look at the defense and understand what the coverage is and go to the right places with the ball.” The coach talked mostly about the mental approach, about poise, about dealing with pressure and making the right decisions. Could be wrong, but that seems to favor Brady Quinn.

2. Mangini will play the QB guessing game as long as possible. Part of it is not just to confuse the opposition, but in respect to Derek Anderson. He is the incumbent. He did make the 2007 Pro Bowl. I sense Mangini wants Anderson to truly have a fair shot to win the job.

3. That said, I sense it still will be Quinn. Part of the reason both QBs have not looked good in the summer sessions is Mangini is overloading them with new plays and other changes to pile up the mental pressure and see how they react. The coach is convinced much of the game is mental, that keeping cool in the heat of battle and remembering assignments often is the difference between winning and losing. It’s more than raw ability.

There really isn’t much for me to add to this. Just pointing out positive news whenever I can. That’s my job here, right? Especially when there isn’t a whole lot else going on.

We’ve been preaching for a long while that Brady’s strengths were the intangibles he brings as a leader, student of the game, and overall competitor. Mr. Pluto’s thoughts pretty much confirm that we aren’t alone in that thinking.

Advantage Brady Quinn? The saga continues!

I already know the answer to that, but I thought I’d ask anyway! It makes a great post title, does it not?

EAS, in conjunction with Men’s Fitness Magazine, is asking fans/readers to vote for the EAS® Athlete Workout they’d most like to see in the September issue. The two choices? Brady Quinn and Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald.

Also, by submitting your vote, you are entered into a contest to win a personal training session courtesy of Athletes Performance.

Check it all out here!

Pro Quarterback Brady Quinn and Budweiser Clydesdales to Visit Cedar Point This Week

SANDUSKY, Ohio , June 6 — Special visits by pro quarterback Brady Quinn and the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will highlight the weekend’s activities at Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio .

The park will hold “Brady Quinn Day” on Sunday, June 14. During his visit, Quinn, the third-year quarterback for the Browns, will hold a Q & A session for fans beginning at noon outside the Game Day Grille, located in the Blue Streak Courtyard.

Afterward, Quinn will pose for pictures until 1:15 p.m.

A native of Columbus, Quinn starred at Notre Dame where he set 36 school records during his college football career for the Fighting Irish. He also received the Maxwell Award for being the College Football Player of the Year in 2006. He was selected in the first round (22nd overall) in the 2007 pro football draft.

On Friday, June 12, two days before Quinn visits the park, Cedar Point will showcase the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales.Highlighting the day will be a parade along the park’s midway beginning at 2 p.m. The Clydesdale will travel along the midway from the Sky Ride to the front of the park before ending at the Wicked Twister roller coaster.

Be on the look out for this!!  A whole day of Brady…  sigh. Now that is a great way to start the summer!!

Brady Quinn Day

Sunday, June 14 - Meet Brady Quinn at Cedar Point! (12:00-12:10 p.m.) – Brady makes an appearance in front of Game Day Grill. (12:10 – 12:25) – Special Q&A session with guests. (12:25 – 1:15) – Meet & Greet with guests.