Fumble : The Browns, Modell, & the Move [Hardcover]

Michael G. Poplar (Author), James A. Toman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book explores the reasons behind the move of the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore, Maryland in 1996.

From the Publisher

The author is the former executive vice president- treasurer of Cleveland Stadium Corp, a company formed by Browns owner Art Modell, to operate the stadium under a 25-year lease with the City of Cleveland. The book "Fumble !" chronicles the difficulties that went with operating the aging and obsolete city-owned stadium, as the writer describes from the many diaries and transaction summaries which he maintained since 1975. Along with the interesting tales of the conditions of the building and the other interesting events held there, Poplar also weaves in 20 years of Browns football memories under five head coaches........ranging from Forrest Gregg in 1975 through the end of the reign of Bill Belichick in 1996. The book is sure to rekindle fond memories of those exciting Kardiac Kids finishes, and the not-so-memorable climaxes, including the "Drive"and the "Fumble", along with the terminations of those five head coaches.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 334 pages
• Publisher: Cleveland Landmarks Pr; 2nd printing edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936760117
• ISBN-13: 978-0936760117
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #801,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good for an accountant's tale of what happened, November 12, 2004

By	Frank M. Henkel (Fabulous Las Vegas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Fumble : The Browns, Modell, & the Move (Hardcover)

This was one of the most interesting books that I've ever read. Poplar's inside info on the move of the Browns will keep any reader turning the pages as fast as they can! A must for any Browns fan, I believe Poplar didn't pull any punches, and told the readers what he really thought, even if it was something they didn't want to 'hear'.

The photos he selected were relevent to the text, and the cover design is outstanding. I'd probably rate the 'readability' a 4.5 if there was a rating. Some of the book is a tale told by an accountant, and some of the figures and background info he presents is hard to get through, but it's well worth your time by the end of the book, so don't skip it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More understanding of Modell, but proof for no Hall of Fame, May 6, 2004

By	"the_floater" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fumble : The Browns, Modell, & the Move (Hardcover)

Though this book tended to get off track, was not tied together all that well and at times bogged down by numbers, it was a very interesting read and offered a lot of insight of how Modell lost control of his organization.

We learn that Modell depended too much on his image in the eyes of others and what ultimatelty lead to the teams demise on Cleveland. By taking on the dual roles of managing the Browns and StadiumCorp in the 70's, Modell eventually fell under a disadvantage as cities begin to pony up sweetheart deals for new stadiums. But the book outlines that most of his lack of success with Cleveland politicians and the business community was HIS OWN FAULT because he did not want to lose face or stature with them. The book outlines that although Modell was a crafty businessman, his own downfall was mixing the preservation of his own image into his business dealing for a new stadium. And as the Indians left as a tenant and eventually rose to prominence, he could not attract the same support because of new image of protecting his own self-worth and perceived greediness.

After relocating to Boston in late nineties, my disdain for Belicheck only grew more, but after this read you begin to see that other external forces that Modell entrusted ultimately came back to hurt the Browns the most. Personal finances, non-football people running the show (Bailey & Lombardi), and Modell's losing gambles chasing that one last dream of a Super Bowl while getting further in debt are what stole our team from Cleveland.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Did Modell "Have No Choice?", February 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fumble : The Browns, Modell, & the Move (Hardcover)

Author Poplar gives an insider's view of the financial crisis that caused American's Team, the Cleveland Browns, to move to Baltimore. It shows how Modell's formation of the Cleveland Stadium Corp. caused him to take out millions of dollars in loans to pay for stadium upkeep and upgrades. Then the city/county gave the Indians and Cavs multi-million-dollar playpens, while leaving Modell to find ways to compensate for the loss of Stadium Corp.'s major tenant, the Indians. This resulted in even more loans. Then came free agency, and Modell had to go to the banks again to get cash to pay big bonuses to stay competitive. From his perspective, maybe Modell eventually "had no choice" to move. However, he is not absolved from his most tragic mistake: not being forthright with the fans and the public about his financial straights and asking for help. A good read for Browns fans who want to know more about what happened to their heritage.