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One more time
2007-09-22 05:47:00
For their stellar performances in the 51-45 win over the Bengals last week, Derek Anderson and Jamal Lewis were named the FedEx Air & Ground players of the week. Anderson was also named AFC player of the week.Don't look now, but the Browns offense is ranked 6th in the NFL in scoring, 7th in total yards, 8th in passing yards, and 9th in rushing yards and 5th in kick return average. Unfortunately, the defense is the exact opposite: 31st in points allowed, 32nd for total yards allowed, 30th for passing yards allowed, and 29th for rushing yards allowed. Of course the offensive explosion by both teams last week definitely skewed the numbers.If you want to relive the game one more time, check out these great highlights from NFL.com.The Browns are at the Raiders on Sunday, one of the few teams in the league that have been as bad as the Browns the last couple of seasons. Cleveland looks for back-to-back wins in the same season for the first time since 2003 when, coincidentally, they b...
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What a difference a week makes!
2007-09-21 20:34:00
Last week at this time, I didn't want to talk about, write about, or even think about the Browns after their horrible performance against the Steelers. I was shocked at how badly the team and especially Charlie Frye looked. It seemed that it would be another long miserable year, and it still might.After making the unprecedented trade that sent Frye to Seattle just days later, the Browns named Derek Anderson their starter, Brady Quinn the backup, and re-signed Ken Dorsey to hold the clipboard. Honestly, I think that this is the QB lineup that the Browns wanted all along, but Anderson's poor performance in the preseason didn't give them justification to trade Frye. Plus, there were differences of opinion within the organization, as Romeo Crennel preferred Frye's experience, while offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski preferred Anderson and his strong arm. After Frye's performance against Pittsburgh, in which he looked tentative and confused, the Browns had the justification they n...
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Browns roster ramblings and some predictions
2007-09-04 18:40:00
Looking over the final roster, here are some random thoughts:Best units:1. Linebackers--Their youth could hurt at first, but they are fast with huge potential. Could develop into the one of the best LB corps in the league down the road.2. Tight ends--KWII appears healthy, Heiden is always dependable, Dinkins provides depth.Shakiest units:1. Defensive line--The starting nose tackle is a year older and the guy being groomed as his replacement is unproven and starting at left end due to injury. Free agency and the draft changed a lot of faces, but can any of them play? Run defense has to be a huge concern.2. Defensive backs--The talent is there if it is healthy, but that has been a big "if" the past two seasons. The Browns kept 10 DBs, 7 of them CBs for just this reason.3. Running backs--Jamal Lewis has looked good, but can he carry the load all season, and if he gets hurt, can either of the remaining guys be a starter week in and week out?4. Wide receivers--Braylon Edwards i...
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Browns name practice squad
2007-09-03 21:23:00
Minutes after finishing my previous post, I discovered that the Browns named their practice squad:Returning players: RB Chris Barclay, OL Cliff Louis, DLs Chase Pittman and Melila Purcell, and WRs Steve Sanders and Syndric Steptoe New faces: CB Tim Mixon, undrafted out of Cal, cut by the Bears; TE Jonny Harline, undrafted out of BYU, cut by the Colts
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The Final Cut Down
2007-09-03 20:58:00
NFL teams pared their rosters to the mandatory 53 player limit over the weekend. Nothing shocking, although a few mild surprises among the Browns cuts:QB Ken Dorsey's release--while Dorsey was never a threat to start, or even be the#2, he seemed to have embraced the role of mentor to Quinn, and probably knew Chud's offense better than anybodyRB Chris Barclay's release--following a strong NFL Europe season and some nice pre-season special teams performances, I thought he would make the teamDraft picks cut--7 second day picks from the last 3 years were cut, although I imagine that Purcell, Pitman, and Steptoe from this years draft will probably be re-signed to the practice squad.Baba Oshinowo released, again--wasn't this guy supposed to be the 2nd best NT in the draft last year and a real steal in the 6th round? If he can't make it on the Browns D-line he must suck.Steve Sanders--I think he had a good camp, and is a good story. I hope he gets invited back on the practice squad.
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Draft poll results
2007-09-03 18:55:00
New polls are up! Not too surprising, the results of the draft polls were overwhelmingly positive.
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The good, the bad, and the ugly
2007-08-21 04:13:00
It's great to have football back again! What a long off-season. On a couple of occassions I have found myself watching the 2nd half of preseason games of teams I have absolutely no interest in, just to get a football fix. I've been away for awhile, but here's my take on the first few weeks of training camp:The good:Getting Joe Thomas and Eric Wright into training camp on time. This is huge. Both have looked good, and will likely start week 1Getting healthy--Gary Baxter and Kellen Winslow have practiced and so far have suffered no setbacks. The LBs--Kamerion Wimbley, Leon Williams, Antwan Peek, and Chaun Thompson are quietly having a nice camp.The bad:Injuries--as always, the Browns have been bit by the injury bug already. Nothing season ending, but of note: Eric Steinbach, Orpheus Roye, Willie McGinest, and Leigh Bodden have all been slowed. Bodden worries me the most since it seems to suggest that his ankles have not heeled and may plague him all season.Brady Quinn's ho...
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Will Brady Quinn win, or be a bust?
2007-05-04 19:10:00
Football Outsiders has a nice article that looks at what factors predict QB success in the pros. It turns out that number of games started and completion percentage in college are the most important predictors of pro success.Based on this, Quinn should do well, while JaMarcus Russell is a risk.
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How the draft was won
2007-05-03 19:24:00
I love this photo, and I'm still smiling about the draft.If, like me, you can't get enough of reliving the draft, here are two more good articles on the Browns draft. The first, from USA today, describes what happened in the Browns war room during the 1st round. The second, from Foxsports.com describes what Brady Quinn went through while waiting to be drafted. Good reading.
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Consensus Draft Grades
2007-05-02 16:23:00
ESPN.com has a nice compilation of draft grades from various sports sites. The Browns got an A from everyone except Mel Kiper, but then what does he know. CBSSportsline.com'sPete PriscoCB-A+B-FoxSports.com'sJohn CzarneckiC-CA+BESPN.com'sMel Kiper Jr.BC+B+BNBCSports.com'sTom CurranCC+ABSI.com'sPaul ZimmermanB-CAB-ESPN.com'sSportsNationBBAB SportingNews.com'sWar Room ScoutsBBABUSAToday.com'sTom WeirBBABYahoo.com'sCharles RobinsonBCA-BCons ensus GPA2.62.54.02.9
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Defining Day for Browns
2007-04-29 16:48:00
What a day! The first day of the draft was a day that will determine the fate of the Browns for years to come. It will also define the career of Phil Savage & possibly coach Romeo Crennel.As everyone now knows, the Browns drafted OT Joe Thomas at #3. I love this pick. Addressed a huge need that has thus far been neglected in the draft. He was the first tackle drafted by the Browns in the first 3 rounds since 1979, and the first drafted in the 1st round since 1970. A solid player, with very little downside.All the speculation of trades among the top 10 teams drafting never occurred, and when the Dolphins surprisingly passed on Brady Quinn at #9, Phil Savage went to work, trading the Browns 2nd round pick this year, and 1st rounder next year to Dallas to move back into round one to grab Quinn! I don't know if Quinn will be the answer, but I like the gutsiness and aggressiveness that the Browns showed to improve the team."Five years from now we'll be saying, 'That was the day the B...

What I hope happens
2007-04-28 05:49:00
My wish list for the Browns first pick in order of preference:Trade down (1 to 10 spots) and pick up a couple extra first day picksDraft Joe ThomasDraft Calvin Johnson (and possibly trade him)Draft Adrian PetersonDraft Brady QuinnDraft Jamarcus RussellIf the Browns do trade down a few spots, they still may be able to get one of the players above. If they trade down 6 or more spots, I think they might draft OT Levi Brown or a defensive lineman or cornerback.If the Browns take anyone other than Joe Thomas in the 1st, they should definitely take an offensive lineman in the second, possibly G Ben Grubbs of Auburn, and then take a CB or D-lineman in the 3rd. If the Browns do take Thomas in the 1st, they should take a CB or D-lineman in the 2nd, and RB Michael Bush of Louisville in the 3rd.
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The case against drafting a QB
2007-04-28 05:36:00
As I've said before, I hope that the Browns don't draft a quarterback in the first round, for a couple of reasons.First, taking a QB is risky, as they tend to have a high probability of being a bust regardless of their college resume. Taking one early in the first round only means that a team must spend millions in guaranteed money before they know if they have a bust. An analysis on ESPN.com's Page 2 shows that since 1989, QBs drafted in the first round have been busts 53% of the time. I don't like those odds, and the Browns have been anything but lucky lately. This team cannot take the risk of wasting millions of dollars and several more years of mediocrity with so many other glaring needs.Second, Charlie Frye (or possibly Derek Anderson) has not been given time to establish himself. The team committed to Frye as their QB of the future just 2 years ago, and it is too early to give up on that. True, he has won only 5 of his 18 starts, but Peyton Manning only won 4 of his...
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JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
2007-04-28 05:31:00
As I've said before, I think that choosing JaMarcus Russell would carry the biggest risks, but also have the biggest potential upside. Phil Savage has known Russell since he attended his football camp in Mobile, AL as a 14 year old. I hope that Savage judges Russell objectively and based on what is in the best interest of the team, rather than his long time personal relationship with Russell.
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Quinn at #1? More draft drama
2007-04-27 16:46:00
According to Profootballtalk.com, the Raiders are talking to the agents for JaMarcus Russell, Calvin Johnson, and Brady Quinn . No surprise here, its common for the team with the #1 pick to try to get a deal done before the draft. Rumor has it, that the Raiders have made a "low ball" offer to Quinn, since he is the least likely of the 3 to go #1. If true, the dilemma for Quinn is to decide if he wants to get paid on the low side as a #1, or get paid a "normal" amount for being drafted at some lower position--possible very low if both the Lions and Browns pass on him.Normally you would think that the players agent, having their clients best interests in mind, would never advise the player to take a "low ball" offer. Here's where things get interesting. Quinn is represented by CAA sports agenty who also represents Adrian Peterson. So in theory, it would be in CAA's best interest to have Quinn take the offer and go at #1, so that Peterson might get picked by the Browns at #3. O...
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Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
2007-04-27 05:57:00
If the Browns decide to choose a QB (and I hope they don't), then my choice would be Brady Quinn . While JaMarcus Russell is a tremendously gifted athlete with a cannon for an arm, Brady Quinn is a more polished passer who is more prepared to step into a pro offense.Sentiment has shifted from Quinn to Russell over the past few months, in part due to LSU's bowl win over Notre Dame , but overall Quinn has a longer track record of quality play with a mediocre supporting cast, than Russell has with a better supporting cast. Russell is raw and probably has more upside, but also more potential downside and therefore is the riskier pick.

Peterson stock drop?
2007-04-26 20:34:00
If this story in SI is true, than Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson might no longer be a top 5 pick. According to the story, Peterson re-injured his collarbone in the Fiesta Bowl, and might require surgery to properly heal. If so, he might be sidelined until the beginning of training camp or longer. Pictured is the dive that broke his collarbone back in October.One things for sure, this year's draft is anything but boring and predictable.
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Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
2007-04-26 05:08:00
Wide receiver is one of the few positions that the Browns probably don't need to fill with a first rounder. Still, he wouldn't be a bad pick for Cleveland, simply because he is thought by many to be the best player in the draft and the least likely to be a bust. In case you haven't noticed, I'm worried about busts.Calvin Johnson has incredible size, speeds, and hands, and by all accounts is not a jackass like most "elite" wideouts. While Johnson could help the Browns by giving them another threat opposite Braylon Edwards and by opening up the running game, his best value to the Browns may be his trade value. Several teams are thought to be very interested in Johnson, especially Tampa Bay and Atlanta, however Detroit at #2 might take advantage of this before the Browns get the chance. If the Browns have a shot at him, Phil Savage and company should do everything in their power to trade down a few spots and get some extra picks.
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Draft busts
2007-04-25 17:29:00
Drafting in the top 5 again, I think the Browns need to determine which top player is has the least likely downside. The last thing they need is another first round bust. I decided to look at some Browns drafts to see who have been the biggest busts in the last 25 years. Unfortunately, a lot of the picks qualify as busts. My top 5: 5. Cleveland Crosby DE--a second round draft choice who was cut after the 2nd game of his rookie season!4. Clifford Charlton LB--hung around a couple years, but certainly not a first round talent 3. Craig Powell LB--I don't even remember this guy. Released after 2 seasons.2. Mike Junkin LB--Marty loved him, but most scouts had him as a 2nd-3rd round pick. Worst part is, they traded Chip Banks to move up to get him at #51. Tim Couch QB--Number 1 overall pick in the draft, still out of footballBelow are the #1 and #2 picks from the last 25 years. Notice how many WRs and RBs have been drafted who have been mediocre or total busts.1980--1. Charles White RB; ...
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Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
2007-04-25 05:57:00
If the Browns don't get Joe Thomas, this would be my next choice. It is an area of need for the Browns, and until a good offensive line is in place, I think that generally a RB would be able to withstand the physical and mental beatings that come with playing behind the Cleveland line better than a QB could (Tim Couch comes to mind).Adrian Peterson is an awesome combination of power and speed, and has been compared to LaDanian Tomlinson and Eric Dickerson. He could be the franchise back the Browns have been searching for since returning to the league, provided the Browns have a good offensive line and he can stay healthy. Both of these are in doubt. Peterson has had a lot of serious injuries, ala Courtney Brown, but has been plagued by a lot of nagging, non-career threatening injuries (more like a Lee Suggs). My biggest fear about drafting him is that he will constantly be nursing some ailment, and I'm not the only one. On the other hand, he could be very healthy in the NFL where ...
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The case for drafting a Tackle
2007-04-24 15:59:00
The Kansas City Chiefs website has a great article which makes a strong case for drafting a tackle in the first round.Highlights:39 players started five games or more at left tackle during the 2006 season. Of that group 20 were selected in the first round of the NFL draft (51%), including 15 in the top half of the round.among the 12 teams that made the playoffs in the 2006 season, 11 had left tackles that’s were selected among the top 50 players in the NFL Draft.Only five of the 39 players (13%) entered the NFL as undrafted college free agents. That’s fewer undrafted starters than any other positions in the league.Bottom line: You need a good left tackle to be successful in the NFL. Left tackles are hard to come by and the good ones are gone early in the draft.
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Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
2007-04-24 04:40:00
The consensus best lineman in the draft is Joe Thom as , the freakishly athletic left tackle from Wisconsin . He is expected to be drafted in the top 5, and possibly as early as 2nd by Detroit. Experts think that while Thomas is worthy of such a high pick, he is still not at the elite level of guys like Orlando Pace, Walter Jones, or Jonathan Ogden.Personally, this is who I want the Browns to pick. Its not a flashy, sexy pick, but it would address the biggest need of the reborn Browns and provide a solid starter for the next 10 years.
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Draft needs
2007-04-23 23:32:00
Looking at the team following the recent free-agent acquisitions, I think the biggest team needs, in order are:Offensive line--free agency made it better, but still no stars.Defensive line--same story. Could use a young end and dominate nose tackle.Cornerback--what seemed to be the strongest spot a year ago has been devastated by injury.Running back--Jamal Lewis is a big question mark and is only signed for 1 season.Quarterback--Neither Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson looked like the answer last season, but between the awful line and change in offensive coordinator even Peyton Manning would have looked bad.Wide receiver--Braylon Edwards is talented, but a distraction last year. Joe Jurevicius is solid but probably only has a few years left. Travis Wilson barely saw the field last year and Tim Carter has yet to live up to his billing.At CB & DL there are no players worthy of being drafted #3, so unless the Browns trade down, its likely they will take one of the "fab five": QB JaMa...
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Browns FA Grades, Part 2--New Arrivals
2007-04-23 05:05:00
Eric Steinbach--G--One of the best lineman available in this free agency and the Browns biggest area of need. Not a superstar, but solid and young. Grade: A.Antwan Peek--LB--Quiet career so far. Just starting to blossom in Texans 3-4 when they switched to 4-3. Great upside. Grade: B+.Robaire Smith--DT/DE--Another casualty of the Texans switch to a 4-3. Should provide an upgrade over Alvin McKinley on the line. Grade: B+.Seth McKinney--C/G--After missing a year due to injury, not sure what level he be playing at, but may challenge for a starting spot, or at the least will serve as a versatile backup capable of playing any of the interior line positions. Grade: B.Shaun Smith--DT/NT--A career backup for the Bengals, Smith has good size & youth. Browns hoping that after a year learning from Ted Washington, he will be ready to start. Browns taking a gamble, but there is good upside and very little risk. Grade: B.Jamal Lewis--RB--I've had a hard time with this one. I've disliked Lewis f...
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I'm back
2007-04-22 23:12:00
Sorry for not posting for so long. My wife just had our second child 10 days ago. The weeks leading up to it were a frenzy of getting things wrapped up at work and getting the house ready. The 10 days since have been crazy as we try to balance keeping our 3-year old happy and re-adjusting to the schedule (or lack thereof) of a newborn. I plan to start posting some final thoughts about free agency and previewing the draft, starting tonight.
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Green to Browns?
2007-03-30 14:23:00
The latest news coming out of the NFL meetings in Phoenix is that Cleveland GM Phil Savage has talked to the Kansas City Chiefs' GM about acquiring QB Trent Green . This comes just days after Savage proclaimed that the team had no plans to bring in a veteran QB, and were comfortable with either Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson.I don't see this happening for a couple of reasons. First, Green can veto any trades. He has already expressed his desire to play for the Dolphins and head coach Cam Cameron, who coached him in Washington. Also, the guy is coming off of a major head injury. The last place he's going to want to be is behind the Browns offensive line, until the unit can prove that it is finally functional.Second, Green is owed $7.2 million next season. Unless he takes a pay cut, I can't see the Browns picking up that tab.If the Browns do go after a veteran QB, I think it would be a younger player who needs a change of scenery or a chance to start. Joey Harrington & David...

What a joke!
2007-03-28 02:14:00
Just days after announcing their desire to enact a new, tougher personal conduct policy in lieu of all the arrests league-wide the past couple of years, the NFL released their primetime schedule which features the Ravens at Bengals to open the Monday night football schedule.What better way to show that crime doesn't pay then to rewards two teams that have been the poster-children for bad behavior with a nationally televised week 1 primetime game.
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Browns FA Grades, Part 1--Who's gone
2007-03-27 04:44:00
Since most of the big free agency action is likely over, I thought I'd give my own grades on how the Browns have done. First up, who Cleveland didn't resign.**Free agents lost: S Brian Russell (Seattle), WR Dennis Northcutt (Jacksonville), DE Alvin McKinley (Denver). While Jones and Pool bring more athleticism to the safety positions than Russell, the Browns will miss his leadership in the secondary. Plus, he is responsible for one of the best hits of the reborn Browns, when he nearly knocked Chad Johnson's head off. Dennis Northcutt is still one of the most dangerous punt returners in the league, but as a WR he drops too many passes, and overall is not worth nearly what the Jaguars are paying him. McKinley is better suited as a situational backup than a full-time starter. He likely won't be missed. GRADE: B. Would be an A if they had kept Russell.**Status unresolved: CB Ralph Brown, G Cosey Coleman, DE Nick Eason, T Nat Dorsey, DT Ethan Kelley, LB Mason Unck. Brown and...
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NFL Draft Speculation
2007-03-22 20:28:00
This time of year is absolutely crazy with speculation and rumor about who teams are going to draft. And 99% of the time the speculation is nothing more than a wrong guess. It's the NFL's own version of March Madness.For some time, the consensus among NFL draft "experts" (often anyone with a website or blog), was that the Browns were leaning toward drafting RB Adrian Peterson. This compilation of mock drafts, the "Mock Draft Muncher" shows as much. However, this was compiled 2 weeks ago, and a lot has changed in two weeks.One persistent rumor is that the Oakland Raiders, who own the #1 pick, plan to trade WR Randy Moss (possibly to Green Bay). If this were to happen, Oakland would have a need for WR Calvin Johnson, thought to be the best player in the draft by many. This could possibly drop QB JeMarcus Russell into the Browns lap at #3, assuming Detroit takes OT Joe Thomas, as predicted.I have also read that some teams think that decent running backs can be found throughout ...

Friedman adds to Offensive Line Depth
2007-03-21 03:19:00
The Browns announced that they resigned C/G Lennie Fried man to a one year contract. Friedman was a free agent who received little interest from other teams.Resigning Friedman is a smart move. He will help provide depth, versatility, and experience to a line that seems to be ravaged by injuries every year.
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