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Originally posted by The Soldier:
Came across this article in the Sporting News. I don't believe there is a "Browns Way" of doing things. Maybe losing the team had a lot to do with it. However, with all the free agents, and mix and match we do, i think our young players miss this type of opportunity, mentorship and a orientation that says, "This is Cleveland, You're a Brown, and this is how it's done."


PITTSBURGH -- Every time Willie Parker sees Steelers rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall, he cannot help but think of Jerome Bettis.
The thought has nothing to do with Mendenhall's running style. It has to do with the way Bettis -- a future Hall of Famer -- embraced and tutored Parker as a rookie, which eventually led to Pittsburgh winning a Super Bowl their second year together in 2005.

"JB always kept it real with me,'' Parker said glowingly. "He told me as long as I passed the blueprint on to somebody else and not be selfish, that's the only way we can have the running back tradition that we've had here. So, yeah, it's my turn."
Parker's mentality has the potential to bring a smile to coach Mike Tomlin's face.
The Steelers' second-year coach says there is "great chemistry" and an "unwritten rule" of mentorship in Pittsburgh. The veterans teach the rookies the Steelers' way of doing things as soon as they get in the door, and the rookies are better off because of it. It's one of the reasons Pittsburgh remains one of the NFL's steadiest and most successful franchises.

Parker is not alone. Veteran receiver Hines Ward expressed the same sentiment about his relationship with Pittsburgh's second-round pick, Limas Sweed. Ward sat out of minicamp following offseason knee surgery but was very hands-on with Sweed throughout the weekend, as he was in the past with Plaxico Burress and current teammate Santonio Holmes.
Ward cited former Steelers such as Courtney Hawkins and Charles Johnson as reasons he was able to produce early in his career.
"Those guys brought me in,'' Ward said. "Unfortunately, they left and I was the leader in Year 3, and it was me just learning on the run. But I remember vividly just coming into the league. In my time it was [looking up to] Kordell [Stewart] and Jerome, now these guys, they see Ben [Roethlisberger] and Troy [Polamalu] and they're in awe.''
Mendenhall, 20, is in awe mostly because he never thought he would become a Steeler.

One of the most memorable things Bettis told Parker in his rookie season was that he should always push the veteran as hard as he could, Parker said. That way, Bettis remained sharp as the starter, and Parker in turn became a better running back. Years later, that same advice is being passed down to Mendenhall.

Memo to Bettis: "Fast Willie" is keeping his promise.
James Walker covers the NFL for ESPN.com

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Maybe losing the team had a lot to do with it.

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Something the Browns are missing

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Originally posted by Steeler SChuck:

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Something the Browns are missing

Nads?

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Something the Browns are missing


Nads?

One for the other thumb coming up next.

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This was an insult in sheep's clothing, BTW. Soldier is a Steelers fan, as is Rich (and you know I love you, my fellow Democrat).

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I respect the Steeler success and the way they run their team.

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This thread is cool like drinking coke at Coca Cola headquarters in Atlanta