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Defense and Special Teams: All You Need to Win a Football Game as Browns Prevail 6-3

Chris Pokorny — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:09:09 -0000

2 months ago: Cleveland Browns kicker Billy Cundiff, right, is congratulated by Browns punter Dave Zastudil after his winning field goal against the Buffalo Bills late in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)

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CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-4)	WEEK 5	BUFFALO BILLS (1-4)
	VS.
6		3

Who says you need an offense to win a football game? That in itself is not necessarily a true statement, as the Cleveland Browns did have a fairly good day on the ground with Jamal Lewis in their 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Around the league, the media made a joke of this game, but I think the joke was more so on the state of the Buffalo Bills. After how dismal the first three weeks of the season were, the fact is that the Browns challenged a now 4-1 Bengals team two weeks ago and took care of business against the Bills on the road. Let's get to the review of the game...

WEEK 5 - CLEVELAND BROWNS VS. BUFFALO BILLS (COMPLETE GAME REVIEW)

AWARDING GAME BALLS:

Dave Zastudil: I probably sound like a broken record since everyone is well aware that Zastudil had a fantastic game en route to being the Special Teams Player of the Week. As bad as Trent Edwards is, we probably couldn't have come away with a victory had we not dominated the field position game.

Zastudil had seven punts downed inside the 20, with three of them being at the 1-, 1-, and 4-yard lines. Zastudil gave credit to players like Mike Adams for helping to stop those balls from going into the end zone, but the punts were so beautifully placed that it made the gunners' jobs a lot easier.
~~Derek Anderson:~~ Sike.
Eric Wright: After Derek Anderson threw an interception, the Bills had an opportunity at gaining some momentum. The Browns were able to move Trent Edwards out of the pocket, but with a lot of time to throw, I believe it was Terrell Owens who became open deep. Edwards' throw was terribly underthrown, and Eric Wright took advantage by intercepting it at the same time he turned himself around. Wright's pick canceled out Anderson's pick, allowing the game to continue being a special teams battle.

GOATS OF THE GAME:

Robert Royal: The Browns had an opportunity to put the game away when Derek Anderson lofted his only good throw and one of his few deeper throws of the game over the left middle of the field to Royal. Without a defender near him and playing in the stadium he had been in for several years, Royal simply dropped the ball. Please give these reps to Steve Heiden, as Royal, as a receiver, is starting to make me miss Darnell Dinkins. DINKINS!
Derek Anderson: There are a lot of valid excuses that can be made for Anderson's 2-of-17 completion rate. With that said, there are also a lot of things that Anderson clearly could've done better. Anderson rarely throws the ball into a receiver's comfort zone, especially with the running backs.

GENERAL THOUGHTS

The running of Jamal Lewis set the Browns up for a game-winning field goal.

Give it Up to the Defense: I thought the Bills were going to run the ball all over the Browns, but we clearly made an improvement Sunday. The run defense has shown signs of brilliance in which they'll give up nothing, but then give up several consecutive big runs late in the game. If the Bills ripped a decent-sized run on Sunday, the Browns usually followed it up with a stuff.
Stopping the Duo: A big key was holding Fred Jackson, a key contributor to the Bills the first four weeks of the season, to just 30 yards on 13 carries. That killed the "dynamic duo" threat the Bills tried to present us with.
One Big Problem Remains: All of a sudden, we can't stop the quarterbacks from running with the football -- and I'm talking about quarterbacks who usually do not take off and run. Edwards had an unacceptable 40 yards rushing on 4 attempts against the Browns. Surely, the Browns will be more aware of Ben Roethlisberger this Sunday, but how will that hinder the other aspects of our defense in exchange?
Established an Identity: I had a lot of problems with Brian Daboll's inability to call a passing play on first- and second-downs. With so many running plays, where was the playaction fake too? I don't even know if I saw one playfake in the game from Cleveland. I do give credit to Daboll for at least having a comprehensible gameplan though, which was clearly to run the ball down the Bills' throat no matter what the situation.
Lewis Returns: For those of you who thought Jamal Lewis was done (in terms of playing time), think again. A week after Jerome Harrison had over 30 carries, this week it was Lewis' turn, who touched the ball 31 times for 117 yards (a 3.8 average). Overall, there were some plays where I thought a better running back would've gotten more, but he still made the proper moves to get the maximum yardage he could. And, I can't complain when the guy is hurdling over defenders in the fourth quarter.
Harrison's Line is Low: It was a rather uneventful game for Jerome Harrison, who had 8 runs for 21 yards. Props to the coaching staff for giving Harrison more than the regulated four-carries-or-less he's been accustomed to with Lewis in the lineup. Keep giving the ball to Harrison, because eventually, he'll make the defense pay. More of an effort should've been made to get the ball to Harrison on some of Anderson's 17 pass attempts though.
An Update Look as Massaquoi: So, how did Mohamed Massaquoi handle his first game as the No. 1 receiver? Not too well, with about three passes that he should've been able to haul in. I'm going to give all of the receivers somewhat of a "bye" for the Bills game though since everyone seemed to struggle. If those struggles continue, then I'll re-evaluate.
Looks to RoBo: I saw the jersey of Brian Robiskie in motion a few times, but I don't recall any passes being thrown his way. Maybe next week against Pittsburgh? Chansi Stuckey just needs some more with with Anderson. Where was Mike Furrey throughout the game?
Costanzo Rules Again: I think Blake Costanzo is going to set a special teams record or something with the amount of fumbles he is recovering. When most players dive at a loose football, the ball bounces elsewhere. When Costanzo dives at it, it's like the ball gravitates right to him. Does he have some secret type of magnetic attraction device planted?
Bigger Plans for Trusnik: It was certainly a surprise to see Alex Hall on the inactive list and new special teamer Jason Trusnik seeing pretty important reps at linebacker. I guess Mangini has bigger plans for Trusnik than we originally envisioned. Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer says that one of the reasons Hall was inactive was because the team wants him to learn his assignments better. Maybe that's true, because Hall has been a disappointment this season with his lack of impact.

The interception by Eric Wright kept the Bills' offense silent.

Good Game for Corey Williams: Before the game, I pleaded for a defensive lineman besides Shaun Rogers to step up. That player was Williams, who even received props from Rogers after the game. Rogers was his usual self, pushing offensive linemen into Edwards throughout the game. I also thought Kenyon Coleman stepped it up a notch.
Roughing the Passer: Give me a break. Corey Williams made a great hit on Edwards, a clean one in my book, and it nearly cost us the game because the Bills had several big plays afterwards. The officials have lost the concept of "roughing the passer" league-wide.
Motioning Cribbs: Part of the commitment to the running game? The number of pre-snap motions/fake handoffs we did to Cribbs the whole game. Cribbs didn't get many opportunities to return kicks, but he had to of been tired after the game trying to sell the fake on almost every play. The one time we did hand it off to him? A 31-yard burst that led to a field goal. I think we can get away with giving it to him a few more times too.
Fair Job to Cundiff: I don't know how much more of Billy Cundiff we'll be seeing, as Phil Dawson's return has to be on the horizon. Cundiff has made all five of his kicks since joining the team, with his only blemish being the kick out of bounds near the end of the game. It could've been costly, but with Edwards at quarterback, I real wasn't sweating it. Interesting note to read that Matt Stover originally turned down an offer to join the Browns once Dawson got hurt.
Wimbley Matches: Through five games, LB Kamerion Wimbley has four sacks. That equals the total number of sacks he had all of last season. He doesn't look like a Pro Bowler by any means, but the Rob Ryan has done a better job with timing the blitzes, and bringing pressure from more than just Wimbley's side to keep the offensive line off-guard.
Ugly Penalties: Dick Jauron should be fired. There is no excuse for that many penalties, especially that many false starts in your own stadium!
Brownies: How cool would it have been to see the Browns snap the ball before the Bills' timeout on the punt to end the third quarter...despite being doubtful, D'Qwell Jackson played and led the team in tackles...Mike Adams continues to be a great utility player...Trent Edwards is no Carson Palmer.

Up next, the Browns have the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rivalry doesn't seem as strong with our current losing streak against them, but I think all it will take is one win over them to finally get the blood boiling again. Who knows -- maybe a win against the Steelers will help define the "legacy" of Eric Mangini in Cleveland.

Previewing the Kansas City Chiefs 2009 Schedule: Week 15

Chris Thorman — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:12:05 -0000

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

3 months ago: Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn (10) passes the ball to Josh Cribbs for a first down under pressure from Tennessee Titans defensive end Dave Ball (98) during a preseason NFL football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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Week 15 brings the Cleveland Browns to Arrowhead Stadium. At this point in the season, and at this point in our predictions, we have the Kansas City Chiefs sitting on a record of 7-6.

Crazy? Yeah, it is a little crazy. But we are after all Chiefs fans, no?

If you're a casual follower of the Browns like I am, you know about Dante Stallworth and his legal issues. You've heard about the Brady Quinn v. Derek Anderson debate. And I'm assuming you know that Eric Mangini is now the head coach.

But beyond that I don't know that much. After the jump, SB Nation's Browns blogger Chris answers some of our questions about the Browns. I've also added the Browns' depth chart as of now for more reference.

Make sure you check out Dawgs by Nature for all things Cleveland Browns.

Pos	1st String (Starter)	2nd String (Backup)	3rd String
QB
RB	Jamal Lewis	Jerome Harrison	James Davis Cedric Peerman
FB	Lawrence Vickers
WR1	Braylon Edwards	Mohamed Massaquoi
WR2	Joshua Cribbs	Mike Furrey	Brian Robiskie
TE	Robert Royal	Steve Heiden	Martin Rucker
LT	Joe Thomas
LG	Eric Steinbach
C	Hank Fraley	Alex Mack
RG	Floyd Womack	Rex Hadnot
RT	John St. Clair	Phil Trautwein
Pos	1st String (Starter)	2nd String (Backup)	3ird String
DE	Kenyon Coleman	C.J. Mosley
NT	Shaun Rogers	Ahtyba Rubin
DE	Robaire Smith	Corey Williams
LOLB	Kamerion Wimbley
ILB	D'Qwell Jackson	David Veikune
ILB	Eric Barton	Kaluka Maiava	Blake Costanzo
ROLB	David Bowens	Alex Hall	Leon Williams
LCB	Eric Wright	Hank Poteat	Marquis Floyd
RCB	Brandon McDonald	Coye Francies	Gerard Lawson
FS	Brodney Pool	Mike Adams	DeAngelo Smith
SS	Abram Elam	Nick Sorensen
Pos	1st String (Starter)	2nd String (Backup)	3rd String
K	Phil Dawson
P	Dave Zastudil
H	Dave Zastudil
LS	Ryan Pontbriand
KR	Joshua Cribbs	Gerard Lawson	Jerome Harrison
PR	Joshua Cribbs	Gerard Lawson	Jerome Harrison

What do the Chiefs have to worry the most about...Jamal Lewis and the running game or Braylon Edwards and the passing game?

This question is tough to answer since our game isn't until Week 15, so I'll try to base my answer as if the Chiefs were facing the Browns earlier in the year. I'd definitely pick Braylon Edwards and the passing game. The media has automatically written off the Browns, but there is still some potency on the offensive side of the ball. Just two years ago, Derek Anderson and Edwards were Pro Bowlers. Sure, last season's struggles "might" have shown their true colors, but how can anyone guarantee that Edwards won't go back to having the same type of season he had in 2007? Brady Quinn will probably be the starting quarterback. Although he doesn't sling it as much as Anderson, Brian Daboll (the Browns offensive coordinator) would be foolish to leave out the deep patterns to Edwards.

On the other hand, the running game appears bound to struggle as long as Jamal Lewis is in the lineup. He had a down season last year and has not shown the same power he used to have throughout this year's training camp. Lewis claims he's just "holding back" for the regular season, but I think it comes down to him not having very much left in the tank anymore. Fans in Cleveland like our sixth-round draft pick James Davis at running back, but I'm not going to sit here and say that he's going to be awesome. He was great in the preseason, but the real evaluation will come when he's against first stringers in the regular season. This lack of assurance in the running game almost makes Edwards and the passing game more of a threat by default.

Will the Browns use Josh Cribbs as a WR more often? The Chiefs did that with Dante Hall and it seemed to ruin him in the return game. Any thoughts/concerns on that?

Not only should the Browns use Cribbs as a receiver more often, he should and will be starting opposite Edwards (according to our depth chart). He started in the preseason and did very well. I don't think you can compare Cribbs to Dante Hall or Devin Hester in their transitions to wide receiver because they have different styles. Hall and Hester rely more on elusiveness, whereas Cribbs finds the hole, powers through it and keeps on going. During the preseason, we saw several plays against first-stringers in which Cribbs caught the ball on a quick pattern towards the sideline and then stiff-armed the first cornerback he met before being taken down a little bit later by another defender. I know the Browns took Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi in round two this year, but if it were up to me, I'd shelve their growth and give Cribbs the starting opportunity -- I'm that intrigued by him.

The Chiefs are just transitioning to the 3-4 defense. Can you talk a little bit about what the Browns transition to the 3-4 was like a few years ago and how it stands now?

The transition was exciting at first. All we could think about is how our defense was going to be nasty like the Ravens defense. And then, something bad happened -- we saw Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defense in action. Ever since then, it's been a nightmare. We never generated any pressure. We never stopped the run. We never stood out from any other defense in the NFL. Most importantly, we barely had any of the type of players we needed for the system. Last year we acquired Shaun Rogers, but one man can only do so much. I think Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan have done a better job finding players that are comfortable with the 3-4 alignment, but we're several years into the defense and aren't even half as good as the Ravens' defense.

Many thanks to Chris for stopping by and giving us his answers! Read more about the Browns at Dawgs by Nature.

My prediction for this game is, let's say....17 to 13 in favor of our Chiefs. I don't think we'll have faith in this offense very often this year. Current record at this point: 8-6.

Check out all of our season game previews at this link.

Mangini's Depth Chart for Browns is Unveiled...Sort Of

Chris Pokorny — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:30:16 -0000

Every team has to release a depth chart during the regular season. With the Browns 53-man roster being official, who did Mangini list on the first string at positions of interest?

Pos	1st String (Starter)	2nd String (Backup)	3rd String
QB
RB	Jamal Lewis	Jerome Harrison	James Davis Cedric Peerman
FB	Lawrence Vickers
WR1	Braylon Edwards	Mohamed Massaquoi
WR2	Joshua Cribbs	Mike Furrey	Brian Robiskie
TE	Robert Royal	Steve Heiden	Martin Rucker
LT	Joe Thomas
LG	Eric Steinbach
C	Hank Fraley	Alex Mack
RG	Floyd Womack	Rex Hadnot
RT	John St. Clair	Phil Trautwein
Pos	1st String (Starter)	2nd String (Backup)	3ird String
DE	Kenyon Coleman	C.J. Mosley
NT	Shaun Rogers	Ahtyba Rubin
DE	Robaire Smith	Corey Williams
LOLB	Kamerion Wimbley
ILB	D'Qwell Jackson	David Veikune
ILB	Eric Barton	Kaluka Maiava	Blake Costanzo
ROLB	David Bowens	Alex Hall	Leon Williams
LCB	Eric Wright	Hank Poteat	Marquis Floyd
RCB	Brandon McDonald	Coye Francies	Gerard Lawson
FS	Brodney Pool	Mike Adams	DeAngelo Smith
SS	Abram Elam	Nick Sorensen
Pos	1st String (Starter)	2nd String (Backup)	3rd String
K	Phil Dawson
P	Dave Zastudil
H	Dave Zastudil
LS	Ryan Pontbriand
KR	Joshua Cribbs	Gerard Lawson	Jerome Harrison
PR	Joshua Cribbs	Gerard Lawson	Jerome Harrison

I bet the people at the Plain Dealer and the rest of the local media threw a fit after seeing this depth chart. Obviously, the thing that stands out is that none of the quarterbacks are listed on the depth chart -- not even third-stringer Brett Ratliff. The Plain Dealer does point out that on their version of the depth chart, Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson are both listed on the first string with a slash (/) separating them.

Other areas of interest:

Jerome Harrison is listed ahead of James Davis as the backup to Jamal Lewis.
David Bowens is still ahead of Alex Hall.
Hank Fraley is ahead of Alex Mack. I expect Mack to actually start, but maybe Mangini doesn't want his first game to be against the dominating Williams duo (who are pending suspension).
Joshua Cribbs is listed as the starting receiver opposite Braylon Edwards.
Robaire Smith and Kenyon Coleman are ahead of last year's starter, Corey Williams.

Feel free to discuss the depth chart here!

Cleveland Browns 23, Tennessee Titans 17

Chris Pokorny — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:27:14 -0000

More photos » by David Richard - AP

3 months ago: Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, left, catches a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brady Quinn in the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans during a preseason NFL football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

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The Cleveland Browns kept it close in the first half and then capitalized quickly in the second half on a few turnovers to defeat the Tennessee Titans 23-17.

The quarterback situation was difficult to evaluate early on because the Titans controlled the clock under quarterback Kerry Collins. After the Browns' defense forced a three-and-out on the first possession, Collins was able to move the chains threw the air, finishing the game 11-of-14 for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Both Browns quarterbacks played well against the Titans' tough defense, but RB Jamal Lewis found difficulty in the running game. Lewis had a preseason high 10 carries for just 23 yards. The Browns scored their first touchdown after the half when Brady Quinn fired a touchdown pass to WR Braylon Edwards, who did not have a drop in the game. Shortly after that, LB Eric Barton and DE Robaire Smith pressured Titans QB Vince Young, who tossed an interception to LB Alex Hall. Hall returned the pass for an easy touchdown, capping a sudden 17-0 run by the Browns.

Officially, here are the stats for the Browns quarterbacks:

Brady Quinn: 11-of-15 for 128 yards, 1 touchdown
Derek Anderson: 7-of-11 for 77 yards
Richard Bartel: 3-of-3 for 40 yards

Young rallied after that for a score, but the Browns maintained their second half efficiency on offense to hold on to the lead for the win. Stay tuned to Dawgs By Nature on Sunday for our full, in-depth recap of the game.

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 20 (Leonard Mix-Up)

Chris Pokorny — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:30:25 -0000

More photos » by Mark Duncan - AP

3 months ago: Cleveland Browns safety Mike Adams (20) blocks a punt by Dave Zastudil (15) during practice at the team's NFL football training camp in Berea, Ohio, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

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With the Cleveland Browns set to do battle with the Detroit Lions this weekend, defensive lineman Louis Leonard got into a scuffle with defensive line coach Bryan Cox. The last person who did that was Shaun Smith. He now plays for the Detroit Lions.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 20 (8/20/09)

The Incident: ~~It happened at the Swan.~~ Whatever happened, Louis Leonard apparently cursed at Cox. As a punishment, Cox told Leonard to run a lap and to not stop running until he told him to. Leonard ran four laps in a row, something you can imagine being exhausting to a big man like that. Leonard seemed to have a cordial attitude about it afterward though, so I don't think we'll see him waived before regular cuts.
Update on the Lions: Lions top receiver Calvin Johnson will sit out against the Browns. On top of that, our first-string defense won't know which quarterback they'll be facing until close to game time. It could be Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton, or Matthew Stafford.
Bring Out the Cart: The third player of training camp has received the cart. Following in the footsteps of OL Rex Hadnot and WR Syndric Steptoe, DL Melila Purcell was carted off the field with an apparent ankle or Achilles injury. You might see another situation in which the team injured/waives him.
Transactions: Gone are OL Branndon Braxton and WR Edward Williams. Replacing them are OG Patrick Murray and LB Robert McCune. Information on the new players here.
Injury Updates: OL Ryan Tucker returned to practice today. DL Shaun Rogers still isn't practicing, and neither are LB Titus Brown, RB Jerome Harrison, and LB David Bowens. With Bowens and Brown going down, LB Alex Hall will probably start against the Lions Saturday.
Mangini's a Comedian: This comes from Rapid Reports: "Browns coach Eric Mangini said he has peaked at the notebooks compiled by players from meetings. When asked if there were any doodles on them, he joked that he saw one with a drawing of his face with an "X" through it."
No Huddle: A good portion of practice focused on running the no-huddle offense.
Brownies: RB James Davis caught a touchdown pass from QB Brady Quinn...QB Derek Anderson overthrew RB Noah Herron on a flat pass in goal line drills...WR Braylon Edwards is having a great camp minus his drop against Green Bay.
Around the League: If you didn't catch it, Chad Ocho-Cinco kicked an extra point for the Cincinnati Bengals after their kicker went down with an injury. Ben Roethlisberger limped away from practice, but it isn't believed to be too serious.

Thursday's Links/Camp Sources

Louis Leonard learns lesson with laps (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cabot)
Pucell hurt, Leonard hot (Akron Beacon Journal, Ridenour)
Thursday camp notes: Royal flush (Orange and Brown Report, Greetham)

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 12 - Two Days from Gameday

Chris Pokorny — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:36:37 -0000

The Browns offense is ready to take on the Green Bay Packers this Saturday.

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If you look around at other media sources, they are referring to practices one day later than I am, which probably takes into account an off day. I guess you can look at it that way, but to me, I am meaning "Day" to be synonymous with "Practice". I might end up jumping to something like "Day 15" the next time the Browns practice just to stay in line with the media; I'll have to see.

The Browns had their final practice before facing the Green Bay Packers this Saturday. Eric Mangini held a rare session without pads, as the team prepped for the Favre-less Packers.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 12 (8/13/09)

No Sweat for Braylon: After sitting out one practice, WR Braylon Edwards returned to the field and was ready to go. He will play in this Saturday's contest against the Packers. Also returning to action were WR Lance Leggett and RB James Davis.

Which QB will start against the Packers? Probably not the guy in the middle, but maybe the guy on the left or the right.

Anderson Strikes: In the two-minute drill, Anderson hit WR Mike Furrey for a 50-yard touchdown despite the fact that DB Corey Ivy had solid coverage. Prior to the pass, Anderson had reportedly missed a wide open TE Robert Royal after he had beaten S Brodney Pool.
Quinn, Not So Much: In Brady Quinn's shot at the two-minute offense, his drive only lasted four plays. After a short incompletion to TE Martin Rucker, he threw two incompletions that weren't great throws to WR Brian Robiskie. He couldn't covert the fourth down when his deep pass to WR Jordan Norwood fell incomplete.
Edge to Anderson? If you look at Dawg Scooper, Brady Quinn had the best day statistically, tossing two touchdowns while Derek Anderson and Brett Ratliff each tossed three picks. However, you have to consider that those stats were combined from a variety of different drills. Eric Mangini would not announce which quarterback would start in Green Bay, but if today's walkthrough was any indication, it'll be Anderson since he was working with the No. 1 offense.
Can't Wait to Hear Bernie: The best thing about the Browns preseason isn't the game itself. It's the opportunity to hear former Cleveland QB Bernie Kosar in the play-by-play booth. He doesn't have Ken Dorsey to spew his love for this year, so I wonder which quarterback he'll decide to favor. Kosar attended the team's practice Thursday, the first time he's done so this camp.

Ryan Pontbriand looks lonely.

Phil Dawson Lifts Spirits: Mangini put it all on K Phil Dawson to end practice. If Dawson was able to connect on a 50-yard field goal, the team would have the night off from meetings. Dawson connected, springing cheers from his teammates.
Defensive Props in Secondary: Among the defensive players who stood out Thursday were S Brodney Pool and CB Coye Francies, according to Dawg Scooper. Pool had two interceptions and was contributing all over the field, while Francies picked off an end zone pass intended for Braylon Edwards.
Down Day for Cribbs: After strong practices left and right, WR Joshua Cribbs finally lagged behind. A few passes went off of his hands, with at least two of them being intercepted by the defense.
97 Yard Touchdown: Two days ago, Brett Ratliff made headlines by getting some reps with the first team. Yesterday, he made headlines for having his "spike" pass bounce off a player's shoe and into the air for an interception. Thursday, he had another play that stood out: after WR Brian Robiskie beat his man, Ratliff launched the ball about 60 yards in air from his own 3-yard line. Robiskie caught it and ran the distance for about a 97-yard touchdown.
Walking Wounded: Missing practice were DT Shaun Rogers, LB David Bowens, RB Jerome Harrison, TE John Madsen, and WR David Patten. With Bowens out, Alex Hall and Titus Brown received more reps. He is still a longshot, but Brown has received a lot of praise in camp, including again today from the powers that be over at the OBR. Rogers was reportedly just getting some rest.
Trickery? I'm not sure on the details of the play, but Rapid Reports says that DB Mike Adams intercepted a halfback option pass. My guess would be that...maybe Noah Herron threw it? Just don't tell me that it's Lawrence Vickers, please.
Side Note: For those who missed it, QB Michael Vick has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The team is off Friday before their preseason game Saturday. Be sure to tune into Dawgs By Nature on Friday though, as we'll have a nice little interview up with the guys over at Football Outsiders.

Thursday's Links/Camp Sources

Training camp report: 8/13 (Dawg Scooper, Wolf)
Thursday camp notes (Orange and Brown Report, Greetham)
Dawson the hero (Akron Beacon Journal, Ridenour)
Berea Report: No call at QB (Orange and Brown Report, Greetham)

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 7 (Morning & Evening)

Chris Pokorny — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:05:38 -0000

LB Kamerion Wimbley had a good day generating pressure. So did LB Alex Hall (not pictured), who registered a few sacks.

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I was a bit busy throughout the day today, so I didn't have time to crank out a recap of the morning practice. Considering it's late in the day, rather than breaking what happened into two posts, everything will be lumped into this one post. If something needs to be distinguished between day/night practice for whatever reason, I'll mention it.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 7 [MORNING & EVENING] (8/7/09)

No Team Comment on Hadnot: Head coach Eric Mangini would not acknowledge the extent of OG Rex Hadnot's injury, but it sounds like he suffered an ACL injury and will probably miss the entire season.
Bubble Watch: I haven't heard many positive things about OT George Foster. Whether he is getting beaten by defenders, missing assignments, or getting yelled at by coaches, it's hard to say that he'll be on my next roster projection.
Solid Practice for Hall: The OLB competition is still ongoing, but Alex Hall only improved his chances today by getting to the quarterback(s) for a sack several times.

WR Braylon Edwards refuses to drop the football, as he is wrapped up by CB Brandon McDonald here.

Elam Knows How to Tackle: The Browns ran about 20 different matchups of open-field tackling drills. Grossi reports that these drills usually favor the offensive player, because with one good move, they can easily evade the defender (imagine yourself as a defender trying to guess where the offensive player is going to go). S Abram Elam excelled in the drill, being able to take down his assigned player twice -- once with WR Jordan Norwood, and the other time with WR Paul Hubbard. Good open-field tackling is something Cleveland has needed for quite awhile.
From DOWN-TOWN: Kicker Phil Dawson worked on some deep kicks in practice today, with four attempts over 50 yards. He made the first from 54 yards, missed the second and third from 52- and 56-yards, and then made the final one from 56-yards. Dawson and the special teams unit also worked on some onside kicks.
Tight Ends Busy: Our blocking tight ends were busy today, as Robert Royal and Steve Heiden each had three-four catches.
Not a Drop Yet: In four practice sessions, WR Braylon Edwards has reportedly not dropped a single pass that can be ruled as "catchable". Let's hope he keeps that up for the live games.
QB Stats: Sorry if it sounds like I am envying the reporting of Daniel Wolf too much in these training camp recaps, but it's just so refreshing to see someone take the time to provide unique and detailed information regarding the play of the quarterbacks. In this morning's report, Wolf went above and beyond in recording the stats of the quarterbacks from each drill, along with notes on the reasons why the stats looked the way they did. It'd be unfair of me to reproduce everything he said here, so check it out here for the stats.

Rex Hadnot is down, but Joe Thomas is stronger than ever as he blocks DL Corey Williams here.

Assuming You've Read...the above link, here is a quick recap. Both quarterbacks were more effective than they have been the past few practices. The most interesting part was the regular 11-on-11 drill, for several reasons. First off, Alex Mack was involved in another bad snap. He's having one or two of those a practice it seems, and you can't start a player on gameday if they have that problem. Against a team like the Ravens, you're definitely asking for a "gimme" turnover.

Also, Kamerion Wimbley was getting some good pressure, reports Wolf. This is also where Alex Hall recorded two of his sacks -- once on Anderson and once on Quinn. Joshua Cribbs also took a direct snap in one instance and looked to pass, but the defense shut it down and sacked him. If I go through with my intentions to visit the stadium this Sunday, I'm going to try to compile similar statistics on the quarterbacks, time permitting.
More on Massaquoi: The past few days, the camp reports have hinted towards the fact that Mohamed Massaquoi might have an edge over Brian Robiskie. The OBR's article today discusses this more in depth.
Hubbard Watch: It sounds like a quieter day for WR Paul Hubbard again, who reportedly dropped an easy one in the morning session.
Brett...WHO? It took seven days, but for the first time I believe, I am mentioning the name of QB Brett Ratliff. WHO is that you ask? He is the former Jets quarterback we acquired along with Elam, and is behind Quinn and Anderson as the No. 3 guy. In the evening session, he fired a touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards through two defenders.
Close, But No Cigar: CB Rod Hood would have had an interception on an Anderson pass in the evening session, but the ball slipped through his fingers.
Good Battles: Although Edwards has been catching everything in sight, CB Eric Wright has reportedly had very good coverage on him during camp, including today.
Offensive Line: The first-team offensive line during the evening practice was LT Joe Thomas, LG Eric Steinbach, C Alex Mack, RG Floyd Womack, and RT John St. Clair. Based on what has happened in camp, if Tucker is going to play somewhere, it looks like it might be RG.

The Browns will have one afternoon session on Saturday before taking the field for a Sunday scrimmage at the stadium.

Friday's Link Collection / Camp Sources

Training camp report - 8/7 (Dawg Scooper, Wolf)
Browns quarterbacks not scoring in two-minute drills (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi)
LB Alex Hall hopes to build on rookie season (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi)
What is it about George Foster? (Canton Repository, Doerschuk)
No. 2 receivers and Joshua Cribbs (Akron Beacon Journal, Thomas)

Browns Training Camp Report: Day 3 (Morning) - Leggett, Davis Continue to Shine

Chris Pokorny — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:53:26 -0000

WR Lance Leggett continues to make plays, catching a deep ball thrown by QB Brady Quinn for an eventual touchdown.

View full size photo »

It's Day 3 of Cleveland Browns training camp, and the morning practice is already in the books. There weren't a lot of updates on the injury front, with a name or two even being added to the "minor" injury list.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 3 [MORNING] (8/3/09)

Welcome Back, Mr. Heiden: Tight end Steve Heiden is no longer wearing the red "limited contact" jersey, meaning he is now going through practice the same as everyone else. How pumped up was Heiden to get back into contact? So much, that he was able to take down LB Kamerion Wimbley in one-on-one tackling drills. I'm feeling the Heiden buzz already, and it really seems like a wide open competition for the starting tight end position.
Play of the Day: Once again, Lance Leggett is taking advantage of his reps. Earlier in the practice session, Brady Quinn threw the ball about 50-55 yards in the air and after juggling it a bit, Leggett was able to haul it in with DB Corey Ivy being unable to break up the play. Leggett then proceeded to run it the rest of the way for about an 80-yard touchdown. WTAM adds that another thing that made the play impressive was seeing rookie RB James Davis pick up a blitz from S Hamza Abdullah.

RB James Davis is consistently running past defenders with quick cuts.

Not Practicing: Among the players still not practicing: WR Braylon Edwards, DL Shaun Rogers, DB Don Carey, and FB Charles Ali. CB Eric Wright left the morning practice late with an apparent tweaked hamstring.
Backup Nose Tackle: With Rogers sidelined, it's a good opportunity for the coaches to see which player is best suited for the backup nose tackle position. According to the OBR, Robaire Smith, Louis Leonard, C.J. Mosley, and Ahtyba Rubin have each had some work there, with Rubin standing out the most.
Average Day at Quarterback: Neither of the quarterbacks particularly outshined the other, as both of them failed to produce a score in this morning's two-minute drills. Among their biggest mistakes of the practice -- Anderson gave a pick six to Hamza Abdullah, while Quinn threw behind WR Jordan Norwood on a would-be touchdown.
Bubble Watch: So far, WR Paul Hubbard is experiencing some of the same issues he faced in camp last year -- not being able to catch the ball consistently. The OBR reports that Hubbard was up and down Monday, cutting off a route to lead to an incompletion, then coming back to make a spectacular catch, only to come back and have another negative play. On the defensive side of things, CB Corey Ivy stood out with two nice pass breakups.

OLB Alex Hall gets the better of TE Martin Rucker in a rushing drill.

Asset on Special Teams: Head coach Eric Mangini noted that RB James Davis has been one of the first players down the field in special teams drills. That'll be something to look out for during the preseason; perhaps he can make it so Joshua Cribbs doesn't have to work so hard.
Rucker's Blocking: Tight end Martin Rucker didn't handle his OLB as well as Heiden did to Wimbley. Rucker was generally overpowered by Alex Hall during drills.
NoMo Drops: According to a fan's report, WR Mohamed Massaquoi struggled in the morning with several drops. Staying on par, WR Brian Robiskie was once again catching the ball well.
Harrison Holds Up: Daniel Wolf of Dawg Scooper noted that RB Jerome Harrison held his own on a blitz from LB Eric Barton. Still, with James Davis impressing day-by-day (he again had big runs, including a 50+ yarder), you have to wonder if he will slip into the Leon Washington role instead of Harrison.
Foster Struggling: While it doesn't sound like he's anywhere near "Nat Dorsey or Isaac Sowells bad", OT George Foster's abilities seem to be behind those of Ryan Tucker, John St. Clair, and Floyd Womack. Foster was being given a tough time by OLB David Bowens.
No News is...Good News?: If anyone attends camp, please let us know about Brodney Pool and/or Abram Elam. The news on them the first three days has been scarce.

The evening practice report will be up either late tonight or some time tomorrow morning.

Sunday's Evening Link Collection / Camp Sources

Lane's Training Camp Quick Hits (Orange and Brown Report, Adkins)
Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report (Dawg Scooper, Wolf)
QBs stymied in two-minute drills (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi)
Monday AM Aug. 3 - Heiden Cleared (Akron Becaon Journal, Ridenour)

Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2009: Outside Linebacker Preview

Chris Pokorny — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:21:00 -0000

After covering the inside linebackers a few days ago, it's time to look at the outside linebackers. Again, many of these players are interchangeable at the positions, but with fifteen players in camp and considering players' size and experience, it made sense to have the eight linebackers at inside linebacker and the seven today at outside linebacker.

Today's preview presents the most interesting training camp battles this season, as you'll see later on down. For now, let's start with our former first-rounder...

1. KAMERION WIMBLEY - STARTING OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

Kamerion Wimbley (#95)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 255
College: Florida State
Experience: 4 years
Stats: 13th overall in 2006

One player can be the difference between an average defense and an above average defense, and for the Browns that player is Kamerion Wimbley. Wimbley was drafted for his pass-rushing abilities and showed a lot of promise in his rookie season, registering 11 sacks. Then, something happened -- the opposition realized Wimbley only had one move.

Over the past two years, time after time, we have watched Wimbley try to race around an offensive tackle. It's too predictable, and therefore has become easy to defend. Wimbley has a total of nine sacks over the past two years, and from memory most of those came on plays where it was the quarterbacks fault for holding onto the ball too long, almost like a coverage sack.

In our dreams, we can only hope that Wimbley being one-dimensional was a result of horrible coaching from the previous regime. Eric Mangini and Rob Ryan have already made it known that they believe in Wimbley's abilities, but then again, you'll rarely hear a coach say that improving a player's arsenal is hopeless. Wimbley needs to develop better counter and second moves, and it'd be nice to see him somewhere else on the field too -- either at the other outside linebacker position, or at inside linebacker on certain downs. By the end of this season, we might be able to make the official "boom vs. bust" ruling on Wimbley.

Last November, rufio analyzed how the Browns can effectively use Wimbley.

Job Security: A+
Player Quality: C (potential to skyrocket to the A range)
Final Roster Odds: 100%

A little over two months ago, this was a comment I made on this site:

Bowens vs. Hall vs. Veikune should be one of the best training camp battles to watch, as I believe any one of them can win the job. Experience vs. Last Year’s Hype vs. Second Rounder This Year.

That comment still stands, and unless someone wants to convince me otherwise, heading into training camp I am giving each of them an equal (33%) chance at winning the starting role opposite Wimbley. In truth the "starter" title might not hold much relevance in the end, as it could end up being a consistent rotation of two or all three players. While not a concrete one, my personal prediction of who will win the job is listed at No. 2 below...

2. ALEX HALL - COMPETING FOR STARTING OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

Alex Hall (#51)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 250
College: St. Augustine
Experience: 2 years
Stats: 3 sacks in 2008

If I'm going under the assumption that this will be a fair three-way competition, then the fact that Alex Hall was a former seventh-round pick shouldn't apply much into the equation (meaning he should be given a fair chance). In limited action last season, Hall registered three sacks, proving that his "shining moments" from training camp weren't flukes.

Much of Hall's abilities may still be raw, but he has great body length at 6'5 (our tallest linebacker) and seems has that knack our team needs in getting to the quarterback. What I liked most about him is that unlike Wimbley, he didn't seem to rely solely on sprinting around the opposing team's offensive tackle for his production.

Bowens has proven that he's an average player. Veikune is a rookie and might not see work at both inside and outside linebacker to see where he fits best. Hall has reportedly intrigued the coaches already, and I'd rather see Mangini start a player with more potential. Better put, I'd rather see Mangini almost do everything opposite of how Crennel did them.

Job Security: F
Player Quality: TBD
Final Roster Odds: 95% (outside chance if Hall does look like a seventh-rounder to Mangini)

3. DAVID BOWENS - COMPETING FOR STARTING OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

David Bowens (#96)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 265
College: Western Illinois
Experience: 11 years
Stats: 40 tkl, 4 sacks (08)

In the offseason, Mangini added two former New York Jet linebackers with experience -- Eric Barton and David Bowens. The way I am looking at it is that Barton is the starter who was brought over, while Bowens is the insurance policy. That is similar to the defensive line, where Kenyon Coleman is the starter brought over, while C.J. Mosley is the insurance policy.

Bowens was a solid contributor for the Jets last season, registering 40 tackles and 4 sacks. Looking at Bowens' history, that is exactly the type of production that should be expected from Bowens each year, showing a sign of consistency. Mangini stated that Bowens would come to camp as an outside linebacker, but could always move to inside linebacker if needed. In New York, Bowens made five starts at inside linebacker for Mangini.

Bowens has been in the league for 11 years, and while he might still be an upgrade over Willie McGinest, I'd rather see the veteran slip into a reserve role and act as a mentor for the up-and-coming Hall and Veikune.

Player Quality: C
Final Roster Odds: 98%

4. DAVID VEIKUNE - COMPETING FOR STARTING OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

David Veikune (#57)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 257
College: Hawaii
Experience: Rookie
Note: 2nd round draft pick

On paper, there's a way you could spin it where you're asking, "shouldn't Veikune be the favorite to win the competition?" Second-round picks aren't a longshot to start, and he's competing against a veteran who isn't elite and an unproven player in Hall, right?

Here is how I look at it -- outside linebacker or a defensive end/linebacker hybrid was a position many of us felt the Browns were in desperate need of when the draft came around. And yet, with several big-name linebackers on the board in several instances, the Browns just passed right by them until their fourth pick in the draft. If Mangini felt he needed a starting linebacker for this season in the draft, wouldn't that have been our No. 1 priority? Based on where Veikune was selected, I smell a one-two year developmental process before he becomes a starter.

"I love the guy's motor," said Mangini. "This guy's got toughness, aggressiveness and a smoothness to the way that he changes directions and run games. I think he could play both outside and inside for us moving forward."

Ideally, it'd be nice to see him progress quickly and split time with Hall at outside linebacker while also seeing some reps on the inside.

Player Quality: TBD
Final Roster Odds: 100%

5. LEON WILLIAMS - BACKUP OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

Leon Williams (#94)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 250
College: Miami
Experience: 4 years
Stats: 38 tkls in 2008

Usually it was the utilization of rookies by Crennel that I complained about, but Leon Williams is somewhat of a veteran now. A fourth-round pick in 2006, Williams had a solid 2007 campaign, recording 85 tackles and four sacks. Heading into last year, I thought Beau Bell might cut into his playing time at inside linebacker a little bit, but not too much. Bell was never used, and despite the frustration of watching Andra Davis, Williams' reps only went down.

After seeing reps at outside linebacker last season and the team's youth on the inside (Bell/Maiava), Williams' roster spot might be in jeopardy. His best chance at making an impression is by proving he can come in during spot situations and rush the passer. The aspect I favor most about Williams though is his experience covering tight ends, something I believe he's done more effectively than any of our other linebackers over the past several years.

Player Quality: C+
Final Roster Odds: 75%

6. TITUS BROWN - BACKUP OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

Titus Brown (#59)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245
College: Mississippi State
Experience: 2 years
Stats: 1 tackle in 2008

You might not remember, but when the Browns announced the seven players who had made their practice squad on September 1 last year, Titus Brown was on that list. He spent camp with the Miami Dolphins, and after he was waived, the Browns signed him. Brown was a four-year letterman at Mississippi State with 170 career tackles and 18.5 sacks.

Late in the season, Brown was added to the 53-man roster, playing in a total of four games (I assume mostly on special teams). He recorded one tackle in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals. While in camp with the Dolphins last season, head coach Tony Sparano had this to say:

"I think when you're watching the tape, or really when you're out here in practice, sometimes practice can go on and on and on and at times kind of feels like you're just running plays, where all of a sudden somebody jumps out at you and does something different," Sparano said when asked what he means by getting a "feel" for a player.

"Then you start to feel him once and then he jumps out again and you feel him again. Then you go back to the film and you really watch this guy and you see that he's been playing pretty consistent. That's happened to me in the last couple weeks, really this week with a few guys. There's a young kid out there right now that I'm starting to feel and it's Titus Brown. I've seen him kind of do some things in the last couple days that have piqued my interest that way."

Link

Unfortunately for Brown, it wasn't enough of a "feel" in the end. Could Mangini get that same type of feeling from Brown in camp this season though?

Final Roster Odds: <5%
Practice Squad Odds: 50%

7. PHILLIP HUNT - UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

Phillip Hunt (#53)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 260
College: Houston
Experience: Rookie
Note: Not in the hunt

I guarantee you there is one person out there rooting for Phillip Hunt, and that is Dawgs By Nature member P.HUNTS#1FAN. I don't kid.

Mocking Dan from Mocking the Draft had a scouting report on Hunt from before the draft, where he projected Hunt to be selected in the fifth round. Here it is for your convenience:

Strengths: Hunt played a variety of positions at Houston, lining up at defensive end, tackle and linebacker. He was best at end where he could use his quickness to beat offensive linemen off the ball. Hunt does a good job of dipping his shoulder to get under linemen and gain leverage. He's a strong player throughout his frame and probably won't need to get much bigger in the pros. Has long arms, which helps him make open-field tackles. Very productive behind the line of scrimmage. Hustles on every play. No known character problems.

Weaknesses: The biggest question about Hunt is whether or not he has the agility to play linebacker. He's too small for end, unless a Tampa-2 team drafts him. He doesn't appear to have the best change-of-direction ability and could struggle to make plays down the line. At the beginning of his career, he could be a liability in pass coverage. Needs to work harder getting off blocks by tackles. He can use his strength against tight ends and running backs, but can get overpowered by tackles.

Final word: Hunt finished an impressive career at Houston with a 53.5 tackles for a loss and 34.5 sacks. However, he doesn't have the size to stay at his main college position of defensive end is likely an outside linebacker at the next level. To be more than a pass rush specialist, he'll have to demonstrate more agility and change of direction skill than he did in college.

If you feel like you might become a die-hard Phillip Hunt fan too, then head on over to Buffalo Rumblings to see a detailed scouting report they did on Hunt prior to the draft as well.

Final Roster Odds: <5%
Practice Squad Odds: 50%

OLB Position Quality (Overall): C-

If Wimbley remains the same player from the past two seasons and none of the other three competing linebackers can emerge as a frontrunner, this could be the weakest position on the team. I have faith that new coaching staff will change Wimbley's game for the better, and that the rest of the players fill in well enough to bring the Browns back to being a respectable pass rushing team.

Poll

Who do you think will start at OLB opposite Kamerion Wimbley?

David Bowens

228 votes

Alex Hall

448 votes

David Veikune

166 votes

842 votes | Poll has closed

Sunday Round-Up: Pluto Favors Quinn, Silver Paints Mangini as Villain

Chris Pokorny — Sun, 24 May 2009 15:37:45 -0000

Once again, Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto seems to agree with many of us by stating that Mangini's comments over the course of minicamp give the indication that Brady Quinn is "the guy". As Pluto stated, "In the past, Mangini seemed to be trying to win an award for making the most vague, meaningless comments about his quarterbacks. Not this time."

As far as the Browns once giving the indication that they were interested in trading Quinn? Pluto believes it was all a ploy:

"I believe the Browns wanted other teams to think they might deal Quinn, because the Browns wanted to trade down from the No. 5 pick. If trading Quinn was a possibility, then so was drafting USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. Enough teams thought the Browns might grab Sanchez that the Browns were able to dump out of a high pick, get the player they wanted at No. 21 in Alex Mack, and added some veterans who should start in safety Abram Elam and defensive end Kenyon Coleman. They also picked up linebacker Dave Veikune in the second round, and a couple of sixth-rounders, too."

-Terry Pluto, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Pluto also provided some insight on several of the Browns rookies:

"In workouts, Brian Robiskie has come as advertised. He's smart, runs routes quickly, creates space to get open and shows excellent hands, especially in the end zone. The Browns have been impressed with Mohamed Massaquoi's ability to get open downfield, and think he is strong enough to handle cornerbacks who try to knock him off his routes. The Browns knew second-rounder David Veikune has speed to get around some linemen from the outside and rush the passer -- but they have liked how he's looked at inside linebacker -- he seems to have the strength to take on some guards and help clog the middle."

-Terry Pluto, Cleveland Plain Dealer

For more of Pluto's Sunday piece, including his thoughts on the Joshua Cribbs' situation, Jerome Harrison, Braylon Edwards, and more on Brady Quinn and the quarterback situation, click here.

Unfortunately, Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports doesn't share the same, glowing remarks about the new regime that many of us do. He slams Mangini based on incidents with Shaun Rogers, Shaun Smith, and Joshua Cribbs.

Finally, Tony Grossi also has a nice article in today's Plain Dealer regarding his thoughts on minicamp. Here are some quick highlights:

Brian Robiskie is the early favorite to be the No. 2 receiver based on the plays he's making. "...Robiskie didn't hurt his chances with two TD catches from Brady Quinn in red-zone drills. Robiskie dived to make one in the left corner and caught another underneath coverage inside the goal line. Yes, Robiskie looks as polished as advertised."
With the first string, more often it was Rex Hadnot that was seen at left guard quite often over Eric Steinbach. Remember that rumor from a Cincinnati writer a few months ago about Steinbach possibly being a surprise cut?
Grossi was surprised to see Alex Hall with the first unit over David Bowens, considering that Eric Barton, C.J. Mosley, and Kenyon Coleman were in the lineup.
Andy Simms, agent of Cleveland State product J'Nathan Bulluck, stated that the Browns did show a lot of interest in bringing Bulluck in as a tight end. They ultimately chose the Jets because they had less depth at tight end on their roster.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be playing Game 3 against the Orlando Magic tonight. For all of your Cavalier needs, remember to head on over to Fear the Sword!