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15 Questions: Ed Pamer

One of the great benefits of the league's rule changes during the past ten seasons is parity. We've seen several new members join the league and have remarkable success within 4-5 seasons. By comparison, throughout most of the USAFL's history it would take several seasons before new GMs could turn around a team and get it into the playoffs.

But that's not the current trend in the new USAFL. Take Cleveland's GM Ed Pamer. Pamer came to the USAFL with extensive online FBPRO experience, but new to the GM Only aspect of a league like the USAFL.

Pamer took command of an absolute miserable Browns franchise, decimated by seasons of no GM to help acquire talent.

"It was about as opposite as you can get from what Bill Barnwell just walked into," jokes Pamer.

In just about six seasons, Pamer had his Browns in playoff form. And then the magical 2026 season arrived.

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CLEVELAND BROWNS GM Ed Pamer

1. Three seasons ago you reached the pinnacle of a GM's life in the USAFL, a Lorne Sundby Cup championship win. How did that feel, knowing you captured a championship when there are several longtime GMs who have never done so.

Well I have been playing FBPRO since it first came out as a Dynamix product but only online for the past 4 years. I have been in several leagues but never made it to the SB so I know how it feels to fall short. To be honest I was as surprised as anyone to find out I even made it to the playoffs let alone win the SB.

2. Then came two straight disappointing 6-8 seasons. What should we expect from the Browns in 2029?

I don't expect to be a playoff contender for a few more seasons at least. I lost a few key players to FA and retirements. I will be happy just to have a winning record.

3. You've been at the control of the Cleveland Browns for eleven seasons. How much focus do you place on acquiring players through trades or free agency, as opposed to through the draft?

I don't really focus on any one place. I love trading. One of my favorite things about online leagues. As far as FA goes I tend to go after the 6 year guys rather than the 11 year guys. As far as drafting, I used to trade all my picks away and go for vets. Now I try and combine the three.

4. You have several years of experience playing the FBPRO game online. How does the USAFL compare to other leagues that you have participated in?

This is gonna sound like I am kissing butt but,this is hands down the best league I have ever been in. Once you get used to player ratings and the way things work in general I don't see how anyone could say anything different. The fast pace allows you to turn a team around in a relatively short time. I am a perfect example of that. I think the year I joined I was 1-13. Each year I did steadily better and finally wound up on top.

5. How did you find out about the USAFL? What were your first impressions of the league?

I think I found the league from the FBPRO united website and inquired about it. At first I was a little lost. Whoever heard of OL being more important than a QB, HB or WR? Every other league I was in was just the opposite. OL were the low men on the totem pole. Thanks to the help of several very good GM's (you know who you are), I caught on, albeit slowly. I think the USAFL league in general is very lucky to have the dedication it does from it's GM's. From the people who do the behind the scenes stuff and come up with new ideas to better the league to the guys who are always there to help the inexperienced newbies. Hat's off to ya!

6. Has the league lived up to your expectations?

Lived up to and surpassed. Enough said.

7. The last six Super Bowls have produced six completely different championship teams. The USAFL has reached a new level of parity, as we haven't seen a repeat champion since the 2023 Denver Broncos. What's your opinion on how the league has altered the rulebook in the past 20 seasons to make it harder to maintain a championship team?

I think its great. Who wants to be in a league where the same teams win? I have been there and left leagues because of it. This league truly lives up to "any given Sunday".

8. In our league, there are several different levels of competiveness. Describe your competitive spirit when it comes to the USAFL. What keeps you involved?

Basically, to get to the top and win. Nobody likes to be in the basement. I know, been there most of my online career.

9. What one feature of the USAFL would you say is by far, the best component to the league?

I love that you do not have to have 4 different programs to be in the league. Most leagues make you have a TC program, a Contract program and roster management program. Here everything is done from the site. Simple.

10. If you could have any ACTIVE player in the USAFL on your team right now, who would it be?

That is a tough question. There are a lot of guys to choose. Probably QB Albert from Denver. That guy is awesome. GB HB Gunn is another. Of course, on of my biggest bonehead moves was to trade DL Milt Carney. Still kick myself for that one.

11. Let's say you do make the Super Bowl this season, which team would you like to face?

Probably Dallas. Flip is a great guy and has helped me so much in this league. I think it would be kinda cool to pit teacher against pupil.

12. How many of your family/friends know that you are a hard-core USAFLer? Do you talk about it with them? Or are you a closet USAFLer?

LOL. Pretty much all of them know. Alot of them probably think I am a geek for being so into it. My wife tries to be interested in it but hates when I am on the computer. She laughs when I talk to her about conversations I have with my "buddies" I have never met. I was so jazzed about winning the SB a few seasons ago I mentioned to my inlaws. I am sure they think I am a freak now. Most people I talk with about the leaues think I am crazy for putting so much time into it without getting a real trophy or cash or anything.

13. Which GM makes you laugh the hardest?

Hard to say. So many wise guys in the league. Ben gets some good ones off on draft night. Fred also. That is another thing I like about this league is how everyone can pick on everyone and there are no hard feelings.

14. Describe your environmental setting on a draft night. Do you draft from work/home? Do you order out for pizza/wings/etc? How much paperwork are you looking through to make your selection, or is all your scouting work done on the computer?

When I do make it to draft night, it usually means the wife is either gone or asleep. Again, she hates me on the computer. All my scouting is done on the computer. I copy all the rookies form the site, paste them in excel, sort them and then cross off the guys that get picked. Pretty basic stuff. Nothing too intense.

15. Which of the following would you rather have in your trophy case? One Lorne Sundby Cup, three James Maurer GM of the Year Awards, six AFC Championship trophies, four Bing Bennett Most Valuable Player Awards, five Tim Arkwright Rookie of the Year Awards, or ten AFC East Division Championship trophies?

One Lorne Sundby Cup. To me that embodies all the other trophies and awards out there. It means you were the top in the league.

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NEXT WEEK: New York Giants GM Joe Malloy