Thoughts before camp

The Cleveland Browns are a different team than they were last year.  

Along with some veterans are some new faces.  While the starting quarterback position remains an "open competition," according to head coach Eric Mangini, several problem positions have been addressed by the new staff.  

Center Alex Mack, from Cal, was not the draft pick some fans were looking for, but he is versatile in that he can rotate to the guard spot as well.  The two receivers being picked in the second round signifies an effort by the new regime to rectify the issues at the skill position of wide receiver.  

With 5th year man Braylon Edwards entering his final year of his rookie contract, the Team had to bring in some guys in order to evaluate their ability to adapt to the new offense and assess their NFL abilities.  

I think the running back has a chance to make an impact, especially because of the lack of NFL experience on the depth chart.  

Overall, the Browns had a decent draft, despite my draft day convictions.  Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter reported in the May 4, 2009 issue: "Each of his (Eric Mangini) top four picks received all-academic honors either nationally or within their conferences, and sixth-round cornerback Don Carey of Norfolk State could have gone to Yale if he'd so chosen."

I'd say that is a draft that built for years down the road.  The Browns played for knowledge and experience over skill; a luxury given to those with four year contracts.  

P.S.

Pay attention to the potential signing of Graham Harrell, NCAA record breaking quarterback from Texas Tech.  (If you feel bad about losing Michael Crabtree in the draft, it ain't bad to have the guy that tossed him the skin for two or three years, depending on how you evaluate eligibility standards in the NCAA.)

2009 Schedule Released

It looks like another tough battle for the Browns this season.  

They will get 2 prime-time games, although one is a Thursday game on NFL Network.  

I see this turning into a 5-11 to possibly 6-10.  It is always a little harder to win in the best division in football.  Hopefully this season, though, the Browns can actually be one of the tough teams in the AFC North.

Kellen Winslow says the Giants "great fit" for Braylon Edwards

According to Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards would love to play for the New York Giants. On a SIRIUS radio show, Winlsow said that Edwards would love to play in the Big Apple.

“For some reason I don’t (think he’ll play for the Browns in 2009),” Winslow said. “I know Braylon would love to go to New York. The Giants would fit him to the ‘T’ and he would have so much fun up there. I know he loves Cleveland but New York would be a great fit for him.”

If he gets what he wants, I'm sure he'll play great. I think we need to keep Edwards due to the lack of talent at wide receiver. Maybe the Browns can make a sign and trade deal next season. Without Steve Smith from the Giants, this deal does not happen.

Brandon McDonald, We like it.

Brandon McDonald, CB for the Cleveland Browns, is getting some recognition.  

The former University of Memphis standout and current NFL starter has recently received several awards.  The best one for his bank account is an impressive $329,803 from the NFL.  The league bases the bonus on performance and Mr. McDonald has certainly earned his money.  

What the Herron?

Noah Herron, career backup running back, has been signed by the Cleveland Browns. This move makes a lot of sense. We just lost our stud backup Jason Wright. Why not sign another stud? Especially a guy that has been cut by every team he has played for!

The Browns will cut him before the season starts. Look for  a running back in the draft and maybe one or two more free agent RBs.  The fact is the Browns have two quarterbacks and now they have three running backs. If that does not change, don't look for much this season. But I think we all know it will change and there is always something to look forward to next season when you are a Cleveland Browns fan.

New Coach, New Team?

New head coaches have a tendency to rid themselves of the "baggage" from the previous administration.

Eric Mangini is no different. The Soldier is gone. Sean Jones is gone. The lockers that divided the locker room are gone. Hopefully so is losing.

All of those changes along with an endorsement for the AFC Championship from Colin Cowherd can give fans a cause for excitement. I might even pay for another season of NFL Sunday Ticket.

I don't think Mangini is done quite yet, though. I predict that Rogers will be out of Cleveland before the season begins. I like the fact that a guy can plug up the middle and get to the QB, but if we can get some value for him, do it. I would be happy with the Rogers/Quinn for Cutler/3rd round draft pick.

We would then have two Pro Bowl QB's on the roster and be able to draft another interior defensive lineman. That sounds good to me.

How 'bout you, Coach?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.