Friday, February 27, 2009

After Winslow Trade, Firesale in Cleveland?

The recent trade of tight end Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers doesn't feel like the end of roster moves for the Browns. John Clayton reported on ESPN that the Browns were shopping many different players. One tends to think this might mean Braylon Edwards or Derek Anderson.
Braylon is in the last year in his contract and will most likely be looking for a long term deal to get done during the season. That means that he will have to put up numbers. That also means he will have to catch the ball. Maybe a contract incentive is what The Big Drop needs.
DA is gone before the season starts. Anybody who thinks any different is not thinking long term. He is starting quarterback in the NFL. The Browns need him to enhance his trade value. A strong showing in training camp or an injury to another team's guy could trigger a desperate, hopefully leading to a lucrative, trade for DA. I'm sure doesn't want to wait that long. Don't be suprised to see him in Tampa, folks.
Getting rid of K2 probably gets Cleveland the most amount of draft picks they could have gotten for him. Waiting too long can be a bad thing. But, they also get rid of his contract. This gives the Browns a little more room to sign either draft picks or free agents. Phil Savage did a pretty good job of draining the extra cash pool.
Without Winslow, Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson lose a phenomenal tight end. He was willing to go over the middle to catch the ball. He had the best hands on the offense last year, behind Josh Cribbs.
I also think he tanks on plays occassionally.
The point is, I won't know how to react until the Browns show why this was a good decision.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Is Shaun Rogers the Latest Brown Frown?

Appartantly another high paid footballer does not want to play for the Browns. Shaun Rogers allegedly does not want to play in Cleveland anymore. I say, if this is true, and I want to stress that, then good riddance. I am sick and tired of guys coming here and not wanting to play. Let them leave.

If they don't realize that they have an opportunity to play for a franchise that is starved for a winner and will fill the stands no matter what, then let them go. What these players don't seem to understand is that it takes time to build a unit that will play and win together. Even though Rogers is arguably the best player on the defense, the fans and the organization deserve a little more class.

Apparantly new head coach Eric Mangini is the reason behind this new attitude from Big 92. I am not sure who is being the bigger toddler in this situation, but it appears that if they can't get along, then someone has to go. My guess is that is would be Rogers, so here is my suggestion:

Trade Shaun Rogers back to Detroit for their two first round picks. Or do a first and a third round pick, similar to the deal the Browns made for him. I don't want any of their players though. They already cut Leigh Bodden, the guy they got from us for Rogers last off-season.

Story link : Browns Gab

Monday, February 23, 2009

What to do with the 5th pick?

The Cleveland Browns have the fifth pick in this year's draft. I am thinking running back. I know there are needs elsewhere, but there is some talent out there this year, what do y'all think.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Could Derek Anderson Net the Browns a First Round Pick?

Word on the street is, the Detroit Lions are the worst team in the NFL, and apparantly they need a quarterback. Now, I know they just worked a deal for Duante Culpepper, but that deal extends his bonus out over three years where the Lions can let him go with no real penalties. That being the case, the Lions have a void at the quarterback spot, and draft picks.

With 2 first round picks, Detroit could keep the number 1 pick and send the second pick to Cleveland for Derek Anderson. The Browns could then use two first round picks on a linebacker and a defensive back.

Whatever they pick, this seems like a good deal for both teams. I think Anderson is better than Quinn right now and may have a better career, but if you can get a first round pick for a guy that had a year like DA had, go for it. Quinn will do. Really, all that matters is winning. To win, the Browns need some more talent and better attitudes. You get that in the draft. We haven't had one in a while, so this could be nice.

I say we get Kelly Holcomb in to back up Brady Quinn.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Kobe and Shaq All Star Game Co-MVP's?

What is this all about? I know the game doesn't mean anything and they don't really play defense, but this Shaq and Kobe thing is a little ridiculous.

Hasn't this drama been played out enough?

"We like each other." "We hate each other." "It was all for the media."

I like both players. Shaq is the most dominant player, that's right, player, not big man, that I have ever seen. He revolutionized modern basketball and what teams look for in a big man. Many have tried, but there is only one Shaq. (see, Bryant Reeves, Michael Olowakandi, Eddie Curry)

Kobe is the best player in NBA right now. He has been for a few years. No one is a better shooter, be it in the first quarter or in the last seconds of overtime. Kobe is the man.

With that being said, Co-MVP's of the All Star Game? Come on.

Shaq was funny because he played like a point guard. He didn't take the customary three pointer, but the between-the-legs pass on Dwight Howard was hilarious. He got the ball a lot because the game was in Phoenix, nothing new to the All Star game that the hometown guy gets the ball a lot.

Kobe put up numbers, but nothing too flashy. Some dunks and big shots, a normal day at the office.

Did y'all see Chris Paul? It looked like he had the ball on a string. He always seemed to look first to pass, then to shoot. Then, his shot looked like he thought about it at the last second. I don't have his numbers in front of me, but I had to vent.

Chris Paul for MVP!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Grizz Reject Stoudamire?

Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and Hakim Warrick for Amare Stoudamire. No thanks. Good job Grizz.

What Do Y'all Think?

A-Rod? Love him or hate him. He got paid lots of money for putting up big numbers. Now, granted those numbers are probably all tainted, should baseball rewrite the record books? It doesn't seem that fans care either way, seeing as ticket sales and ratings are up more all the time. Do you really care?

Monday, February 9, 2009

Who Will Play 3rd String Quarterback for the Browns? plus antwan peek update

Well, sorry folks, it looks like Ken Dorsey is going to have to hold someone else's clipboard next season. The Browns released Dorsey and Bruce Gradkowski.

I thought Dorsey was a lifer.

Plus, Antwan Peek is done not playing up to his potential for the Cleveland Browns. Granted he was out this year, but let's face it, he was never fast enough, strong enough or talented enough to be successful at the professional level.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Mangini Not Saying Much

Browns Head Coach, Eric Mangini was asked if it’s possible he will keep both Quinn and Anderson, who is due a $5 million roster bonus next month. “I don’t really have it defined in terms of which way it has to go,” he said. “I think I’m open to all different possibilities, and not just at that position.” Mangini said he and general manager George Kokinis have spent the past few weeks familiarizing themselves with the Browns’ roster. They’ve spent hours breaking down game tape to rate players, analyzing medical and security reports and figuring out what they have and, more importantly, what they need.

http://www.brownsgab.com/2009/02/04/mangini-comments-on-qb-position-for-2009/

Thanks Clevelander in Exile


Monday, February 2, 2009

Brady Quinn Puts Up 405!?

Brady Quinn on The Herd with Colin Cowherd (1/27/09) - Last 1/3 of segment, don't have to wait for the download to fast forward.

What has happened to the Dallas Cowboys?

Roy Williams says the Detroit Lions practice harder than the Dallas Cowboys.

This morning on "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd, I HEARD an interview with Darren Woodson of the Dallas Cowboys. When Cowherd made a comment about Tony Romo not being able to finish a game, Woodson laughed.

Super Steelers?

The Steelers have won Super Bowl 43. Way to go. They have almost caught up with the Browns for the most professional football championships.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

What is the meaning of life? Or more importantly, who is going to play quarterback for the Cleveland Browns next season?

How many Pro Bowl quarterbacks are on the Cleveland Browns' roster?
One.
How many first round draft pick quarterbacks are on the Cleveland Browns' roster?
One.

The trouble is, they're not the same guy.

Derek Anderson (the former) and Brady Quinn (the latter) both got the chance to start for the greatest franchise in the history of professional football this past season. The general perception is that Anderson is on his way out the door and Quinn is the man of the future. This perception is not unfounded, seeing as Anderson was replaced as the starter in week 10. Quinn subsequently started three games and then was sidelined for the rest of the season with a finger injury. Anderson replaced him for a short while before sustaining a season ending concussion.

And for all you Ken Dorsey fans, don't worry. There has never been a quarterback with a higher clipboard rating. He is a Brown for life.

So who will carry the torch for new head coach Eric Mangini? This is where the fun begins.

Derek Anderson can flat out toss the bladder. Let's have a look at a typical pass play on offense for the Browns this season. Shotgun formation with Jamal Lewis in the backfield next to Anderson. Edwards wide left, Josh Cribbs wide right. Kellen Winslow slot left, Syndric Steptoe slot right. Hank Fraley snaps the ball, good snap. Anderson controls, looks right, nobody open, looks left, linebacker, defensive end and defensive tackle in his face. A flick of the wrist and DA sends the ball 65 yards down the field to Braylon Edwards in stride, who then drops the ball on the six yard line.

In summary, the offensive line could not block an eighth-grader for large portions of the season, wide receivers were not up to par and, although not mentioned above, the O-line also had trouble getting holes for Jamal Lewis. "The Truck" was still able to plow his way to over a 1,000 yards, with some help from the playcalling during the Steeler game.

Brady Quinn ran into similar problems. He did not have much time to throw the ball and Edwards continued to drop passes. It seemed that Kellen Winslow was the only guy willing to make a catch for either quarterback. It is harder to assess Quinn because he didn't play much. There is no doubt excitement about the possibility of him leading the Browns to the playoffs and more, but I think we need to calm ourselves down a little bit. He throws a better short game than DA, but nobody besides Winslow wants to catch the ball over the middle.

Derek Anderson is by far the better choice for the Browns right now. Word on the street is that Mangini favors the short game. That's fine, let DA get into it in the offseason. He would be well suited to get with a system where he is comfortable and knows that he will have time to work through his check downs. His ability to throw the deep ball keeps safeties honest on the blitz, allowing Jamal to power his way to the second level and demoralize anyone in his way.

I say you give the Pro Bowler a chance with the new system and see what happens. It can't be any worse than last season. Brady will get his chance, but let Derek Anderson get our Team to the next level offensively.