Cleveland Browns Offseason Talk
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SonofanumpIf you all would quit quoting him, I would not have to read his post.
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BR1986FBSonofanump;382768 wrote:If you all would quit quoting him, I would not have to read his post.
+1 -
krazie45
Don't give Alice Attention-Whore her fix. I'd like to keep this a logical discussion about the Browns among Browns fans. -
BR1986FBRemember our old buddy, linebacker Matt Stewart who played for us about 5 years ago? He's been out of the league almost 4 years and just signed with the Steelers as a long snapper. ROFLMAO....
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/08/after-three-seasons-on-the-sidelines-matt-stewart-signs-with-steelers/ -
Al CaponeBR1986FB;382983 wrote:Remember our old buddy, linebacker Matt Stewart who played for us about 5 years ago? He's been out of the league almost 4 years and just signed with the Steelers as a long snapper. ROFLMAO....
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/08/after-three-seasons-on-the-sidelines-matt-stewart-signs-with-steelers/
Our regular long snapper is recovering from knee surgery. They obviously need someone for training camp to long snap. If BR knew anything about the ways a football team operates, he wouldn't find this funny at all. -
Al CaponeMaybe if the Cleveland brASS paid as much attention to the operations of a championship organization as their fans do, they wouldn't be the nfl doormat that they are. hahahaha
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BR1986FBIt's all about Game 1 for 2010 Browns
By Steve Doerschuk
CantonRep.com staff writer
Posted Jun 08, 2010 @ 12:51 AM
BEREA — It’s minicamp week. The 2010 schedule is beginning to seem more real to Browns left guard Eric Steinbach.
The Steelers are out there, as always.
So is the team of the decade, New England — not to mention this year’s Super Bowl champ, New Orleans, and Steinbach’s old team, defending AFC North champ Cincinnati.
None of them is the opponent Steinbach has circled on his calendar.
“It’s definitely Tampa Bay,’’ he said. “You have to have the mindset that we’re going to go in and win that game.”
Tampa Bay is the opening opponent.
“Some guys might think it’s not big because you can bounce back. But I think that after winning our last four last year, after the way we started the year, it’s huge to go down there and get a win,” Steinbach said.
Cleveland is 0-3 in openers since Steinbach jumped from the Bengals to the Browns. The Buccaneers are hoping to rebound from a 3-13 year ago, and a loss would be discouraging to either them or Cleveland.
“Tampa made some changes with players,” Steinbach said. “You don’t know how they’ll be. I know we need to win. That’s the game I’m circling.”
Changes? Steinbach is an expert at change. He has opened the last four years behind different starting quarterbacks — Carson Palmer, Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn — none older than 25 at the time.
Now, he is practicing with 35-year-old Jake Delhomme.
“With Jake,” Steinbach said, “you do see the veteran charisma. He knows how to command the attention of everyone in the huddle.
“You don’t see him kind of ... freak out with whatever situation is brought on the field. It will be more relaxing for the offense seeing him in the huddle. This isn’t his first rodeo.”
One of the few constants on the Browns has been the left side of the line, where Joe Thomas and Steinbach are in their fourth spring together in Berea.
“We’ve got guys who are getting older and have played together,” Steinbach said.
Steinbach, who was the first pick of the second round in the 2003 draft, lines up between a 2007 No. 3 overall pick, Thomas, and a 2009 No. 21 overall pick, center Alex Mack.
“Alex has 16 games under his belt,” Steinbach said. “I think it’s going to make a huge difference.”
Steinbach isn’t a kid any more. He has started 108 NFL games, substantially more than any other Browns offensive player. Delhomme is next with 92.
Steinbach hit a milestone no NFL player ignores, turning 30 on April 4.
“That’s young in the real world,” Steinbach said. “Here, it’s getting up there.”
He is good enough to help a playoff team, but he is getting a little antsy about being on one. He has been part of teams that are 0-1 in the postseason in his seven years.
That’s why he has circled Tampa Bay on the schedule. A 1-0 start would be “huge,” he says, for a team trying to forget it was 1-11 at one point in 2009.
Line on the rise
It has been a long, long time since the Cleveland Browns could say they have had the best unit in the NFL in any aspect of offense or defense. If things go according to plan in 2010, the Browns offensive line could round into the conversation as one of the elite. Here’s why
• Left tackle Joe Thomas, 25, should just be heading into his prime and already is a three-time Pro Bowler.
• Left guard Eric Steinbach has made 108 NFL starts and should have plenty left, at age 30.
• Center Alex Mack started all 16 games as a rookie first-round pick and should be better in Year 2.
• If rookie Round 3 pick Shawn Lauvao isn’t ready to start at right guard, veteran Floyd Womack is an acceptable option.
• If Lauvao is ready at guard, Tony Pashos or Womack would represent an upgrade at right tackle over 2009 starter John St. Clair.
• A veteran quarterback, Jake Delhomme, understands how to use the line better than Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson did in ‘09.
http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x1022741638/Its-all-about-Game-1-for-2010-Browns -
BR1986FBThere's a video with this one so I just posted the link. Once you get past the part with Jenna Jameson it focuses on Veikune....
http://news-herald.com/articles/2010/06/08/sports/nh2608107.txt?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ObrNewswire+%28OBR+Newswire%29 -
pkebkerTo be an elite unit, we would need a better right side...Lauvao/womack/pathos is certainly not "Elite". It's an upgrade from last year, and they should be productive, but not elite...
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BR1986FBpkebker;384195 wrote:To be an elite unit, we would need a better right side...Lauvao/womack/pathos is certainly not "Elite". It's an upgrade from last year, and they should be productive, but not elite...
They will be top 10, maybe top 5. Heck, we were #8 in the NFL is rushing last year. -
pkebkerBut towards the end of the year we rushed what seemed like 90% of the game. Our line will certainly be good, I am just picking at the article a bit. It seems like these articles are always too optimistic. "Super Bowl contenders" "Elite offensive line" "Robiskie will have a breakout year"...I have the philosophy, I'll believe it when I see it...
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BR1986FBpkebker;384305 wrote:But towards the end of the year we rushed what seemed like 90% of the game. Our line will certainly be good, I am just picking at the article a bit. It seems like these articles are always too optimistic. "Super Bowl contenders" "Elite offensive line" "Robiskie will have a breakout year"...I have the philosophy, I'll believe it when I see it...
There's no reason NOT to think that the Browns O-Line will be VERY good if they stay healthy.
Like you said "towards the end of the year we rushed what seemed like 90% of the game." Do ya think that's gonna change?
Delhomme was brought in here NOT to screw things up ala Quinn & DA. Game manager, plain & simple They won't just cut Delhomme loose and tell him to be a gunslinger like he was in Carolina.
Pashos & Luavao (sp?) were brought in here for a reason. They are mauling roadgraders who aren't the best at pass blocking. Couple that with the fact that we may have the worst WR corps in football and all signs point to a "3 yards and a cloud of dust" rush early and often mentality.
Toward the end of the year that O-Line was SO good that we could have told the opponents (Pitt, JAX, Oak, KC) THAT we were going to run the ball and WHERE we were going to run it and they STILL couldn't stop us. -
Writerbuckeye
Given how bad the Browns' passing game was last year -- that's basically what happened, anyway. Those teams knew Cleveland was going to run the ball and still couldn't stop it, even putting 9 in the box. -
BR1986FBYeah, Mangini's not shy about building strong O-Lines and developing a top 10 rushing attack. I don't expect that to change.
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Al CaponeIn the last 10 seasons Pittsburgh holds a 18-3 record against the Clowns. I knew it was bad, but not this bad. Anyone else shocked at this?
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pkebkerBR1986FB;384864 wrote:Yeah, Mangini's not shy about building strong O-Lines and developing a top 10 rushing attack. I don't expect that to change.
Which is a good thing. We need a strong running game and a strong defense to be competitive in this division. Which is why I feel that we're finally starting to rebuild the right way, unlike 2007. -
krazie45
I'm still wondering who the odd man out is going to be from Harrison, Hardesty, Hillis, and Davis.
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pkebkerkrazie45;385486 wrote:I'm still wondering who the odd man out is going to be from Harrison, Hardesty, Hillis, and Davis.
Assuming all stay healthy, I've got to think it will be Davis...but your excluding Jennings as well. I think either Davis or Jennings will be cut, and the other will be special teamer -
BR1986FBkrazie45;385486 wrote:I'm still wondering who the odd man out is going to be from Harrison, Hardesty, Hillis, and Davis.
Jennings or Davis. -
BR1986FBMini-Camp: Five Things to Watch
By Zac Jackson
FoxSportsOhio.com
Posted Jun 10, 2010
Eric Mangini's second summer mini-camp starts today. Zac Jackson enumerates what to look for over the next three days.
Five key issues as the Browns open minicamp Thursday morning...
1. Who shows up? -- If you've been following the Browns at all this spring, you know the restricted free agents have mostly stayed away. Now, five days before the Browns can rescind their tenders, will they reconsider? And will Phil Dawson, who's quietly been asking for a new contract for a long time, make his first offseason appearance?
2. Offensive progress -- The veteran QBs have handled themselves well, and there's a feeling that Seneca Wallace will have a role in a version of the Wildcat package every week even if he can't unseat Jake Delhomme as the starter. Now, a QB battle is the last thing this team needs, so it needs Delhomme to be assertive and throw the ball to guys in white jerseys. Last year the Browns couldn't score on their own defense in practice...and it showed come September. The coaching staff wants to see Delhomme win in drills and raise the confidence of his young pass-catchers.
3. Stellar secondary -- The Browns drafted three defensive backs and gave a bunch of money to 31-year-old Sheldon Brown after trading to get him. Now, they need results. They need their safeties to do more than tackle ball-carriers who have already picked up first downs and they need their corners to challenge receivers on the outside. Improved depth and maturity should lead to improved competition and results, but these guys must prove themselves as the season approaches.
4. Running the rock -- Jerome Harrison has made a brief appearance so far, and the open practice sessions would indicate the starting job is very much open. Rookie Montario Hardesty has seen the bulk of the #1 reps the last two weeks, and as James Davis works his way back to health remember he passed Harrison on the depth chart last summer. This will be an ongoing battle but also an important one.
5. Results, not spotlight -- A year ago, everything was about Eric Mangini and his rules, his presence, his music at practice and his methods in meetings. It took everyone a while to adjust (and he traded away the team's two biggest talents). Now, he has his guys, his schemes, a team that's clearly more confident in what it's doing and a big guy (in title and in stature) looming over his shoulder. The Browns should be better, and they have to be. This camp provides them a chance to get some serious work done before departing and recharging the batteries prior to the season.
http://cle.scout.com/2/976295.html -
KR1245
4. Running the rock -- Jerome Harrison has made a brief appearance so far, and the open practice sessions would indicate the starting job is very much open. Rookie Montario Hardesty has seen the bulk of the #1 reps the last two weeks, and as James Davis works his way back to health remember he passed Harrison on the depth chart last summer. This will be an ongoing battle but also an important one.
Given this statement........Why happened to Davis? Is this strictly due to the injury? I thought they really liked this kid last year before he went down -
BR1986FBKR1245;385547 wrote:4. Running the rock -- Jerome Harrison has made a brief appearance so far, and the open practice sessions would indicate the starting job is very much open. Rookie Montario Hardesty has seen the bulk of the #1 reps the last two weeks, and as James Davis works his way back to health remember he passed Harrison on the depth chart last summer. This will be an ongoing battle but also an important one.
Given this statement........Why happened to Davis? Is this strictly due to the injury? I thought they really liked this kid last year before he went down
They like Davis but the drafting of Hardesty kinda made it clear they weren't happy with the position. One would have thought with the way Harrison ended the season he would have been the incumbent and Davis/Jennings would have spelled him. Selecting Hardesty sent a clear message that they weren't convinced with the depth at RB. -
BR1986FBDefinitely a running team, definitely....
By Steve King
The Browns passing game did not get a passing grade for its performance Thursday morning as the club’s mandatory three-day full-squad minicamp opened.
And to gauge just how disappointing it was, you needed only to look at team president Mike Holmgren – and the placement of his hands -- during one particularly hard-to-watch three-play sequence.
Holmgren, who knows a thing or two or three about throwing the ball, was standing on the side watching. He went from having his hands behind his back, to holding them on his hips, as quarterback Seneca Wallace’s pass to Alex Smith went off the tight end’s hands, his toss to James Davis went off the running back’s hands, and his throw for wide receiver Chansi Stuckey was broken up by cornerback Coye Francies.
Then Brett Ratliff went in at quarterback.
It was as if Holmgren, with his hand movements, went from saying, “The weather is beautiful today. I like being out here watching this young team develop,” to “What in the name of the forward pass is going on here?”
To be fair, the Browns threw the ball extremely well during the OTA practices, especially in the ones that were open to the media. It was a marked improvement from a year ago, when, even in the season-ending four-game winning streak, the Browns struggled to throw the ball. As such, Holmgren – along with head coach Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll – had absolutely no reason to be upset with the team’s work this spring.
So maybe what happened Thursday morning was just a little hiccup or speed bump. And anyway, it’s better that it happens now, about three months before the start of the regular season, than in early November, when the Browns, with a little luck, could be right around .500 as they try to post just their third winning record of the expansion era.
Still, it was a difficult start to the minicamp. Here are some of the other passing plays:
*Jake Delhomme went to Mohamed Massaquoi, but the wide receiver slipped when he made his cut to turn for the ball, and it was intercepted by cornerback Joe Haden, the team’s first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
*Delhomme’s pass for Massaquoi was knocked down.
*A pass intended for Smith was intercepted by defensive back Ray Ventrone.
*Ratliff’s pass for tight end Evan Moore was overthrown.
*Wallace tried to hit wide receiver Brian Robiskie, but it was broken up by defensive back Mike Adams.
*Adams broke up Wallace’s pass for wideout Joshua Cribbs on the next play.
*Rookie Colt McCoy was right on the mark to Ryan Moya, but the ball went through the tight end’s hands.
*Delhomme’s pass to Robiskie was broken up by linebacker Chris Gocong.
*Wallace threw a pass toward Moore and Lawrence Vickers, but the tight end broke one way and the fullback went another direction and the ball went right between them.
*Delhomme’s pass to Robert Royal was behind the tight end.
*Wallace’s pass was knocked down at the line of scrimmage by defensive end Robaire Smith.
*Wallace tried to hit Stuckey, but the pass was broken up.
The quarterbacks and receivers have to share the blame. To be sure, some of the throws were off-target, but at the same time, the receivers did not do a good job of coming back for the ball, allowing defenders to slip in and get their hands on the passes.
There were some good passing plays as well, the best of them being Ratliff’s right-on-target throw to Carlton Mitchell as the rookie wideout found a seam down the left side.
Also, wide receiver James Robinson made a nice leaping, fingertip catch of a Ratliff pass on a crossing route, and Stuckey made a good grab of a Wallace throw.
Here are some quick notes:
*Two of the Browns’ five restricted free agents practiced. Running back Jerome Harrison and fullback Lawrence Vickers were present, while linebackers Matt Roth and D’Qwell Jackson, and safety Abe Elam decided to stay away.
*WR Carlton Mitchell always practices with the sleeves of his jersey rolled up, revealing some well-muscled arms.
*Holmgren’s guest at practice was former longtime Kansas City Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson.
*As usual, the Browns blared music at practice, with several of the speakers stationed along the west side of the practice complex. The rear of a Baptist church is located only about 15 yards away on the other side of a fence. Some of the lyrics in the rap songs being played were a little edgy for Sunday school. One time several years ago, the Browns were conducting a training camp practice when a funeral was being held at the church.
*The best line of the day came as a small bird, separated from its mother and trying to figure out a way to get over the aforementioned fence to get back to her, kept buzzing the head of Browns radio analyst Doug Dieken. Someone quipped that the bird was giving the former Browns left tackle as much trouble as did Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert. Dieken came back, “His legs are about as skinny as Lambert’s, too.”
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=149&f=1547&t=6023070 -
Al CaponeFrom reading BR's last post, it looks like Delhomme and Wallace are in mid-season form. hahaha
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BR1986FBIn "former" Browns news, some 75 year old woman hit Reggie Langhorne while he was riding a bike in a crosswalk. Langhorne had to undergo surgery for broken bones....
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/06/former_cleveland_browns_player_1.html