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March 25, 2009
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I received a text message yesterday evening that claimed Shaun Rogers was seen in a video of yesterday’s voluntary Browns camp. Sure enough, it didn’t take long for the news to hit the headlines as our Pro-Bowl nose tackle did in fact arrive to yesterday’s session, apparently having patched things up with head coach Eric Mangini.
Unless you had been living under a Rogers-sized rock (or have just chosen to focus on the only team actually playing right now in the Cavaliers), you’re very aware that Rogers and Mangini did not exactly get off on the right foot this winter. Reportedly starting at the Great Cleveland Sports Awards, and then coincidentally escalating when Albert Haynesworth signed a $100 million contract, Rogers rumors were everywhere.
But while many felt that the bridge had already been burned by our new head coach, GM George Kokinis feels otherwise with big No. 92 now present at his party.
How did it happen? Well, it sounds like a bit of compromising took place between the two parties.
Kokinis said Rogers intended to fulfill “his contractual obligations,” and that “whatever weight” he wanted to play at was fine with Kokinis because he dominated last season.
While we can debate for days on whether or not Rogers will be disciplined with his weight this season, the obvious big point here is that we have our most imp0rtant defensive player taking part in voluntary drills. His teammates are embracing him right out of the gate, and he is taking part in practices that he does not have to be a part of. All of this not long after many thought that he could either be traded, or may actually hold out of training camp for more money.
As much as we have bashed Eric Mangini over the past few weeks for perceived missteps, I think we have to give credit where it is due on this one. He obviously realized that he could not afford to let egos get in the way of this issue, as Rogers’ play will have a high correlation to his success during his first year as Cleveland’s head coach. While we don’t know exactly what steps were taken, the ends justify the means as far as I’m concerned.
Other Browns News and Notes:
– The possibility of C Alex Mack being available at the beginning of the second round are looking to be less and less as we get closer to the NFL Draft. The Browns have been very intrigued, but Mack could be looking at first-round money.
– Lane Adkins confirmed that the Browns are in fact looking to move down in said draft. However, they are looking to stay somewhere north of the early teens, which limits their possibilities to about eight or nine other clubs. Following the browns, the next several selections go to Cincy, Oakland, Jacksonville, Green Bay and San Francisco. Perhaps we can fool Al Davis into thinking we want Michael Crabtree at No. 5? It’s not like it would be far-fetched…
– The Donte Stallworth case is still under investigation. Despite previous reports, charges have not been filed but many feel that an arrest for probable cause could happen by this time next week.
– And finally, ESPN was all over the whole Brady Quinn/Derek Anderson bit yesterday. Eric Mangini has stated that there will be yet another quarterback race for the Browns. I think this is a mix of one-part coachspeak, one-part lack of conviction, and one-part just wanting to screw with everyone – including his players to ensure he gets the most out of them. Whether or not that is done via trade is yet to be determined.
18 Comments
Great news (though the “contractual obligations” term sounds horribly like “he’s doing it because he’s being forced to”, even if it’s a voluntary exercise).
I still say trade down, trade DA for picks, grab as many players from the bottom half of Round One through the top half of Round Three as possible, and see what happens in a year.
Could Berea become the secret world of Alex Mack?
Jeremy Crabtree? Not to split hairs, but I think you combined Michael Crabtree with Jeremy Maclin. That would be one hell of a player though if you actually could put them together.
yea, not sure what I was thinking there…
Denny, Chris Hansen would like to have a word…
I heard Magninnitis made a trail of Twinkies that led into the weight room. By the time Rodgers realized was under the squat rack and said “gah, you got me”.
Swig FTW!
@6
ooh piece a candy, oooh piece a candy…….
However they got Rogers into voluntary workouts is great. Mangini needs some credit for being able to get this worked out pretty quickly, and without it getting into the media the whole time. I would hope Randy can give credit where it is due on this.
Also, for the QB competition, I have said if they cannot get enough value for DA or BQ (a 2nd round pick for DA, more perhaps for BQ) then the job is up for grabs. I think they will be trying to trade one still, because what else should Mangini say was asked straight up about the 2 QBs on his roster. He can’t declare one the starter, and immediately decrease the value of the other.
Does Randy OSU not post here anymore? I couldn’t wait to see how he would make this positive a negative
MacNip: Quiet! it’s like Beetlejuice–say the name 3 times and he appears
Before anyone starts the annual “trade down and get extra high picks” mantra, they should make it realistic by identifying who would trade up, what that team would give up and why. You need a stupid/desperate trade partner. It’s pretty obvious that because of the cap implications only dysfunctional teams that fall in love are giving up real value to move into the higher slots now. (There is only one Al Davis to swap with and Butch Davis is doing the college thing now), What did we get for swapping places in the middle of the first round with Baltimore when we took Wimbley? A sixth rounder or something? Most likely, we’ll be forced to pick right at #5.
To answer your question Harv, the team that makes the most sense to me to trade with are the Eagles. They have two first rounders, though not as high as it appears the Browns would like. If by some chance Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe is available at five I can see the Eagles, who are in desperate need for tackles trading up with us to grab one of them.
According to the trade value chart, the best combination would be their two first rounders and their third rounder for our first and fourth round picks. This enables us to grab Clay Matthews at 21 and possibly Alex Mack and maybe even Knowshun Moreno (who for some reason has his stock falling though it has more to do with Beanie’s stock going above his right now) being available. We could be in position to grab one of the wideouts, but if we did make this trade I’d wait till our second second round pick for that.
Personally I have seen a few interviews now with Donald Brown, the running back from UConn, and would LOVE to get this kid on our team. His head is on straight, we know he has produced in college, and seems to be the kind of team player Mangini is going after.
MapNip – dream answer? He started drinking Kool-Aid.
Reality check answer? OSU is on Spring Break. He’ll be back next week.
I like this Kokinis fellow…….
Jacksonville could trade up with us. They want one of those premier tackles, at 5 they can get one at 8 probably not so much with Cincy, St Louis, and Seattle probably looking to take a LT. If they got up to #5 they could still get Andre Smith, Monroe, or Jason Smith depending on who falls where.
@6
Literally laughed out loud in my office and got ackward stares!
Please trade one of the QBs. Seriously, I don’t care who. I am so sick of QB competitions. Let’s accumulate some playmakers.