Daily Dawg Tags: 52 days and another Hall of Famer
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns will open the 2017 NFL season in 52 days, a uniform number worn by Hall of Fame lineman Frank Gatski.
The Cleveland Browns will open the NFL regular season on Sept. 10, which is now just 52 days away.
Fifty-two is also the uniform number worn with distinction by lineman Frank Gatski, an eight-time champion who played for the Browns from 1946 to 1956, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
According to his bio on the Hall of Fame’s website, Gatski was:
"Strong, consistent, blessed with a great attitude and exceptional pass blocking abilities, Frank was also durable. He never missed a game or a practice in high school, college or the pros. He was named to the All-NFL honor roll in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1955 and played as a starting center in the 1956 Pro Bowl. Perhaps because he played at a comparatively obscure position, Gatski was relatively unsung through most of his career. Many of his more publicized teammates on both the Browns and the Lions preceded him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, Frank can claim one signal distinction – he played in 11 championship games in 12 seasons with his team winning eight times."
Heck of a career from the greatest to ever wear No. 52 with the Orange and Brown.
Cleveland Browns news:
Over/Under bets on the Browns quarterback
Cleveland Browns fans want consistency at the quarterback position, but it won’t stop some from placing bets on how many players will start in 2017.
Isaiah Crowell primed for a big season in 2017
The Cleveland Browns established a running game in 2016 under head coach Hue Jackson’s guidance. Now running back Isaiah Crowell is excited and confident the Browns will build on that success.
Browns: 5 most difficult road games in 2017
The Cleveland Browns have a long road ahead to improvement in 2017. Which games away from FirstEnergy Stadium will give them the most trouble?
Browns wowed by versatility of Jamie Collins (clevelandbrowns.com)
"Back in June, on the final day of offseason workouts, the Browns held something of a lighthearted skills challenge where offensive linemen tried to field punts and linebackers tossed footballs into kicking nets. It was all no sweat for Jamie Collins, who threaded a pass with ease and promptly celebrated with his teammates."
What Le’Veon Bell’s contract situation could mean for Isaiah Crowell (Dawgs By Nature)
"Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell will have to wait until 2018 to get a long-term deal—the same year Browns back Isaiah Crowell is set to hit free agency. What does that mean for Crowell’s next potential payday?"
NFL news:
Jaguars Dante Fowler arrested in St. Petersburg (Tampa Bay Times)
"Former Lakewood and Gators star Dante Fowler, entering his third season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was arrested Tuesday night in his hometown of St. Petersburg on misdemeanor charges of simple battery and mischief."
Ranking the NFL’s current rebuilding jobs (Bleacher Report)
"They might not use the word “rebuild,” because doing so would create the perception that they don’t believe they can compete right now. But regardless of how they spin it, somewhere between five and 10 NFL franchises are typically in rebuilding mode. Right now, I see six clear-cut rebuilds. This is how I rate those ongoing jobs as we prepare for the 2017 season."
Former Panthers GM Marty Hurney is back, promising things will be different (Charlotte Observer)
"Marty Hurney blinked, chuckled, then blinked again with a half-shake of his head. And a smile. And a promise that this time around, things will be different."
Chargers first-round pick Mike Williams’ injury situation unclear (Los Angeles Times)
"Mike Williams might need season-ending surgery on his lower back. Or, Mike Williams might be improving from nonsurgical treatment and will avoid surgery that would have cost him his rookie season. Right now, anyone who says they know for sure probably doesn’t."