Browns' Nightmare, Cedar Point Thrills, and a Barking Good Time!

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition: 

•  Browns conclude worst season since 2017 – and this one feel much worse

• More rides, thrills, changes coming to Cedar Point

• Woof-woof: Charlie’s Dog House is barking again

• Act now: Days are numbered for the Public Square skating rink

• Warm up winter nights with igloo dining

• Big Bang is closing with one last shebang

by John Petkovic, Mark Espinosa, Victor Takakura

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IN THE NEWS

Disaster! Browns conclude worst season since 2017 — and this one feels much worse

It’s the darkest not when you hit rock bottom, but rather when you crash fast and hard from great expectations.

The Browns 35-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens caps off the worst season since 2017, when the team went 0-16. And it feels much worse.

After all, the Browns were 1-15 in 2016. It was 11-6 last season.

The team entered the season with high hopes that the offensive line would get better; Nick Chubb would resemble his pre-injury self and DeShaun Watson, gulp, would at least be above average.

None of that happened. The offense had one of the worst seasons in Browns history under coordinator Ken Dorsey. No surprise he was fired after the game, along with offensive line coach Andy Dickerson. Both were here for a single season.

After the game, Myles Garrett admitted that 2024 was worse than the worst seasons in franchise history: “It’s a more disappointing season because of what we expected out of ourselves and what we had built here the year before.”

All-pro guard Joel Bitonio, the Browns’ longest-tenured player and one of the team’s leaders, said it was the most frustrating season of his 11-year career.

Their post-game comments sparked speculation… Will Bitonio retire? Will Garrett demand a trade? Will the Browns move him to rebuild?

Quick notes on issues confronting team going forward:

• A teardown is not likely. There are too many players playing at their peak, including Garrett. Teams don’t start from scratch one year removed from a promising season.

• DeShaun Watson’s contract is too big to work around and will hamstring the team’s cap space, even if the Browns tried to tear down the roster. His contract will account for $72.9 million of the team salary cap for each of the next two years. They’re stuck with him.

• The front office will point to the historically bad offense as the problem that needs to be fixed right away. It will likely sign a vet or reclamation project to play QB – someone like Kirk Cousins, who has been linked to the Browns.

• The team went 0-6 to end the season, and improved its draft position. At 3-14, the Browns are slated to pick TBD. The QB class isn’t ranked highly – so why risk a top pick on a position that’s a roll of the dice and won’t improve the team quickly? 

• There are too many vets entering or in their prime for the Browns to take that risk. The draft is stacked with defensive players, offensive linemen and running backs. It will likely use its top three picks on those positions and look for a developmental QB to go with Watson and a veteran like Cousins.

• The biggest issue might be the one off the field: The Browns want improvement on the field to strengthen the Haslams’ hand regarding plans for a new stadium. They can’t let it all go to hell.

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More rides, thrills, changes coming to Cedar Point

Thrill seekers around the country are salivating at the prospect of riding Siren’s Curse – the themed ride that is set to debut at Cedar Point this season. It’s billed as the fastest, tallest and longest tilt roller coaster in the U.S.  

Whoa, it even features mythical sirens living under the waters of Lake Erie that lure sailors with their songs.

No doubt, it’s the big attraction of the season. (Unless, you are afraid of heights and find such rides the high-tech equivalent of medieval torture.) But there are more changes coming to the Sandusky park.

Cedar Point has announced that the much anticipated return of its Top Thrill 2 roller coaster for 2025. The ride – a spin-off of the the park’s Top Thrill Dragster – opened in ’24, but closed eight days after opening due to mechanical issues. It has also updated its calendar to show a May 3 opening.

Some things are leaving the park as well.

Cedar Point is removing the Highground playground from the family-friendly Forbidden Frontier rear section of the park. Other attractions in the area that will be gone: the Snake River Falls water ride and the Snake River Expedition riverboat. Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling, which shoots riders into the air, is also ending.

Regardless of your feelings about rides, that we’re talking about Cedar Point means we’ve turned the corner from the darkest days of the year.

Woof-woof: Charlie’s Dog House is barking again

Call it a late Christmas gift for Charlie’s Dog House Diner and regulars that frequent one of Cleveland’s smallest and most charming spots.

The old-school diner with the doghouse façade and beagles painted on the front has reopened.

On Dec. 23, a hit-and-run driver crashed into the side of the building, damaging a wall and breaking a number of windows. Cleveland police never found the red pick-up truck that hit the place.

Two weeks later, the windows and walls have been repaired and Charlie’s is back to serving breakfasts and lunches seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Charlie’s, 2102 Brook Park Road, Cleveland, has been one of the city’s most iconic eateries since 1952. It seats 12, oozes with vintage vibes and serves up an old-school breakfast.

The 216 Digest

Act now: Days are numbered for Public Square skating rink

Some might despair. But look at the bright side: It’s a sign that the days are getting longer. The Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink in Public Square is cutting down its hours of operation. Sunday marked the end of extended skating hours --- time is limited if you’re planning one last WinterLand excursion. From Jan. 6-20, the rink will be open 5-10 p.m. Fridays, noon-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. It host one last hurrah on MLK Day, Jan. 20, when skating runs noon-6 p.m.

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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN!

SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT, & CULTURE

Big Bang is closing with one last shebang

For a decade, Big Bang Dueling Pianos Bar was one of the anchors of the East Bank Flats. The 4,700-square-foot club attracted boisterous partyers, who would sing, dance, drink and laugh along to dueling piano players.

Last month, owners of the club announced that it is close and that the space will be converted into Decades – an ‘80s and ‘90s-style dance club.

Well, the end is near. Big Bang, the 1163 Front Avenue, just announced its last shebang: Jan. 18. The evening is billed as the Final Encore and will feature drink specials, giveaways, live performers and a dueling piano extravaganza.

Big bang is already taking reservations for the party. It will operate regularly until then.

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

Pedestrians walk down East Ninth Street under the marquee of the legendary Roxy Burlesque Theater in downtown Cleveland, 1956.

And don’t forget! Tag @LiveMusicInCleveland or @The216Scoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

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WEATHER

Monday

31°F 🌡️ 26°F | ❄️ | 80% | 💨 SW 15 mph (13 knots)

Tuesday

29°F 🌡️ 25°F | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 W 12 mph (10 knots)

Wednesday

28°F 🌡️ 20°F | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 NW 10 mph (9 knots)

Live Music in the 216

Monday - January 6th

Grog Shop | Anthony Raneri + Nate Bergman | 7 PM

The Treelawn | Waterloo | 8 PM

Tuesday - January 7th

Beachland Tavern | Darrin Bradbury + William Matheny + Son of Scott | 7 PM

Connor Palace | Life of Pi | 7:30 PM

Wednesday - January 8th

Beachland Tavern | The Lustre Kings + Reverend Lee Trio | 7 PM

Connor Palace | Life of Pi | 7:30 PM

For tickets and more information visit: livemusicincleveland.com

The 216 Sports Arena

Upcoming Games

Cavaliers

Home vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8

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