Tunch Ali Ilkin is of Turkish descent and played tackle for the Steelers back in the 1980s, twice making the Pro Bowl. He was a pretty fair player. Tunch was in on some hits, I dunno he sounds pretty coherent to me — maybe it’s that Midwestern accent? He does get a little excitable at times.

Actually I made the comment about Quinn. Seriously, should your “future leader” be all smiley-faced and stuff on the sidelines when your team is getting embarrassed on national TV? Is this really the demeanor to have, and the example to set? You tell me, it’s your team, your QB.

No prob, JRod. As a wise man once said “I feel your pain; I probably caused it.”

Obviously you suffered from some unrealistically high expectations. Which is what I tried to tell so many back in August. No big deal though, who hasn’t experience this from time to time? Ah, but if you all had only listened to me back then, how much easier to take things would be now…

It happens every year of course. Every year I hear, this is our (insert trendy-pick North team here) year, and the Steelers are going down because they lost a) Cowher b) Bettis c) any other player or coach such as Alan Faneca the team just “can’t do” without. And every year the Steelers wind up taking the division. Ho hum.

The ‘08 Brownies just happened to be this year’s trendy-pick team.

Your summary of the Browns game was not too far off from mine.

What is “Tunch’s” real name? Was he on too many big hits in his day? Sounds like a punch-drunk ex-fighter.
Wisconsin, huh? He does sound a bit like Lenny and Squiggy.

And administrator: Why shouldn’t Quinn be “yukking it up” as you say, it will be (should be) his team in 2009.

And I beliee the Browns could be at least 8-8 — maybe 9-7 if Quinn were given the reins at the start instead of farting around with Derek Anderson for so long.

I am beyond trying to defend the Browns right now. This season is so completely opposite of what I expected it to be, I am just too in shock to even come up with coherent thoughts or reasons for what has happened.

Right now I am just trying to remove it from my mind as much as possible, but we keep having to play every way and remind me of just how far we have fallen from last season.

It has just been a sad, sad, pathetic season. And to make matters worse, Pittsburgh and Baltimore have both been better than expected coming into the year. Insert knife and twist.

Well, if I were a Brownies fan (insert obligatory “thank God I’m not” here) I think I’d be posting a different kinda recap.

I’d wonder what my guy was thinking doing a somersault and a hey-look-at-me! dance into the end zone scoring a garbage-time TD down 30-3 at the time. Scoreboard anyone?

I’d worry about Brady “Future o’ the Franchise” Quinn yukking it up with a teammate on the sidelines, down 30-10 at the time. I dunno, maybe the Browns were standing at a bad angle to see the scoreboard all night?

I’d wonder who was in charge of the kindergarten here. But hey, what do I know? I follow a team that doesn’t have those kind of happenings. But if they did — you can be sure I’d be doing some grilling right now.

But that’s just me. I’m funny that way.

Just remember, you’re the one who invited me here in the first place.

Game summary: The Browns offense was terrible with the only bright spot being Mr. Monday Night Braylon Edwards actually catching passing. The D could not get a consistent pass rush, but Brandon McDonald had a really good game. Browns get killed again.

There’s your summary.

Will we see your game summary anytime soon? Can’t wait!

Excellent work on the prediction there, JRod. You’re now ready to graduate from the Rusty Russell (aka “Nostradumbass”) School of Prognostications.

I believe you’re referring to Bill Hilgrove and Tunch “Not Punch” Ilkin. Bill has a classic kind of voice in the tradition of Jack Fleming (long-time partner of your fave Myron Cope). Tunch played O-line for the Steelers and was pretty good back in the day. As for his language skills, what can I say? I believe he’s from Wisconsin or one of those other Midwestern states. We’re doing our best to educate him in the proper use of the language.

I’m a bit confused here. Didn’t the Steelers already beat Dallas, or did I watch a game played in some far-off alternate universe?

Just wondering.

Gloat, now, if you like.

But there is no way Pee-burg will beat Dallas or make it to the Super Bowl.

So have your fun, now, but be ready for the letdown.

By the way, do you actually live in Pittsburgh or in the Midwest and are one of those folks who root for a team that is winning.

I don’t know why…I’m feeling it. Josh Cribbs scores a special teams TD, 4 Dawson FGs, huge performance from the D.

Go Browns!