June 20, 2013

NFL News – Nate Ulrich on Tebow coverage, Browns position battles, Josh Gordon suspension, contract extensions and more – WFNY Podcast – 2013-06-14

June 14, 2013 by 2 Comments

WFNY Podcast LogoAlways good to catch up with the Browns observations with Nate Ulrich from the Akron Beacon Journal. Here’s all that we discussed.

  • How good do you feel not having to talk Tebow?
  • Bill Belichick out to prove he doesn’t have to talk about anything.
  • Gregg Popovich and how he just defies everyone to do what he wants.
  • Ray Horton’s new attacking scheme and how evident it might or might not be at this point
  • T.J. Ward in the box a bit more, maybe like Troy Polamalu?
  • Ray Horton’s Phoenix radio station and how it was going to mirror that of the Steelers
  • Maybe Horton’s change in tune is to avoid player comparisons from Pittsburgh
  • Josh Gordon and the league’s CBA that limits the fact-finding
  • Dawgs by Nature post about changing to Drew Rosenhaus and the timing with the change
  • Joe Haden and his change to Drew Rosenhaus as well
  • Davone Bess and his ability to fill in for Josh Gordon
  • Davone Bess replacing Josh Cribbs as the leader of the wide receivers
  • Fullback and Cleveland Browns and Vonta Leach
  • Leach’s agent talked to Mike Lombardi but no visit was scheduled
  • No real interest on the Browns’ part
  • Owen Marecic’s future and Brad Smelley’s future with the Browns
  • Browns had two backs in the backfield a lot including Ogbonnaya and Hardesty together
  • The Brandon Jackson signing and how weird it was
  • The injury history of Trent Richardson and at the RB position in general
  • If there was one position group where the Browns might supplement the roster, which one would it be?
  • Chris Owens, Buster Skrine, Leon McFadden all battling it out opposite Haden and in the nickel
  • Brandon Bogotay and his competition with Shayne Graham
  • Expected player extensions and why we haven’t seen any just yet
  • Mike Lombardi said it was “a little early”
  • Moving training camp to 4-6:30 PM and how packed camp has been anyway
  • Fan experience and how important it seems to be to the new regime


Check out this episode

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In 2013 the Browns are betting on defense and hoping for offense

May 14, 2013 by 18 Comments

Kruger jerseyThe off-season isn’t over, but it’s not time to look at what the Browns have put together to try and figure out how they’re going to compete in 2013. When you’re caught up in all the details of free agency and the draft it’s much more difficult to get the overall picture, but now more than ever it seems readily apparent what the Browns are trying to do. It’s also apparent what this team could look like in 2013 as they look to improve on their 5-11 season with a whole new coaching staff and brand new looks on offense and defense.

It starts with the defense. The Browns spent almost all of their resources in free agency and the draft on defense. The combination of switching schemes and the defensive performance in 2012 demanded some serious attention. The Browns were second-worst in the NFL in terms of number of offensive plays that opposing teams ran against them. The Browns allowed opposing teams to run 1095 plays showing an inability to get off the field. They gave up the fifth-most number of first downs and the 14th most points. The Browns were truly middle of the road in terms of pressuring the quarterback with their 38 sacks and 6.0% sack rate. 1

So take that group of defenders, put them with an aggressive coordinator, add Desmond Bryant, Paul Kruger, Quentin Groves and sixth overall pick Barkevious Mingo and all of a sudden I think we’ve seen pretty much exactly where the Browns hope to be able to compete in 2013. [Read more...]

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  1. Sack rate is the number of sacks divided by pass attempts + sacks [back]

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Banner Report: The Offensive Line

March 13, 2013 by 19 Comments

Banner Report LowYou may remember back in 2010 (you know the last time there was a complete overhaul in Berea) we wanted to give incoming President Mike Holmgren a hand evaluating the roster. We are nothing if not equal opportunity. The Browns have a completely new group in charge this year. Joe Banner, Mike Lombardi, Rob Chudzinski, Norv Turner and Ray Horton take over a 5-11 team. They have plenty of important decisions to make about the roster between now and the 2013 NFL Draft. WFNY wants to offer our assistance with The Banner Position Reports. Previous reports:LB, QB, RB, DBs, DL, WR/TE.

The last of the Banner position reports. Of course we saved the glamor position for last- the offensive line. There are conflicting opinions about the state of the Browns’ offensive line. They seem to be highly praised outside of the area. Do we have a hangover from previous years of poor play? Is the guard play bad enough to warrant an elevated Banner Report status?

The 2012 Season [Read more...]

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NFL News: Browns’ Mack and Lauvao to cash in on contract incentives

February 1, 2013 by 14 Comments

A pair of Cleveland Browns offensive linemen will reportedly receive a slightly bigger payday in 2013 after hitting incentives that were a part of their original rookie contracts with the team.

Center Alex Mack’s 2013 base salary increased from $1.332 million to $3.732 million (not including a $1.8 million roster bonus) after the player hit games-played escalators in his rookie deal, while guard Shaun Lauvao reportedly saw his salary jump $575,000 to $1.323 million for similar reasons.

Mack has been the model of consistency since entering the league as 21st-overall pick in 2009 — the team traded down from fifth overall when then New York Jets set their sights on quarterback Mark Sanchez. He has never missed a start in 64 games. Pro Football Focus’ listed Mack as their ninth-best center in 2012, a year after checking in at the No. 10 spot. Mack originally signed a five-years, $12.20 million ($8.3 guaranteed) with the Browns. He made $1.90 million in 2012 making him the 21st-highest paid at his position, making him one of the best “bargains” in the league.

Lauvao, a third-round selection in 2010, has started all 32 games over the last two seasons. He signed for four years and $2.85 million with the Browns. He made $540k in 2012.

Both players are entering the final year of their rookie contract. It would seem that Mack would be a candidate for an offseason extension similar to Joe Thomas two years prior. The Browns have been linked to upgrades at the guard position following the loss of Jason Pinkston (blood clot) in 2012.

[Related: Alex Smith, Leroy Hoard, Ray Horton, Ozzie Newsome and more]

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Fun with Numbers

January 28, 2013 by 4 Comments

Mario's Early Years - Fun With NumbersEveryone likes numbers right? Every once in a while I like to see what story the numbers tell. Some of them may surprise you. Some of them you may already know. Sometimes they explain a lot. Let’s have some fun-

950- Trent Richardson finished the season with 950 yards rushing. He broke Jim Brown’s rookie rushing record, but didn’t get to that infamous 1,000 yard mark. He carried the ball 267 times and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. Now, I don’t have access to Richardson’s contract details, but I would be surprised if there wasn’t a bonus of some sort for hitting 1,000 yards. Between the injuries and that 8 carry Colts game, you would think that another 14 carries would have been possible along the way to get Trent to 1,000 yards. Next year I guess.

24th- The Browns offense ranked 24th in scoring this season. Since their return in 1999, the Browns have finished higher than that only twice. In 2007 they were 8th, and in 2002 they were 19th.

.281- Looks like a batting average no? Actually it is Pat Shurmur’s winning percentage in Cleveland. Since the team returned, three coaches have been given exactly 32 games to coach- Shurmur, Mangini and Palmer. Palmer had 5 wins, Shurmur 9 and Mangini 10. The highest winning percentage among ‘new’ Browns’ coaches? It’s not Romeo, even though he had the best single season since ’99. Try Butch Davis with a .414 winning percentage.

11- The Browns finished the season with 11 players on the disabled list. 8 of those were defensive players. 4 were linebackers. [Read more...]

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Shurmur: Solid Browns offensive line continues to be its biggest critic

November 29, 2012 by 4 Comments

The offensive line played together now for a long time. Offensive linemen have to work together and the longer they play together the smoother it goes. I think kind of adding John Greco to the mix there midway through the season has been good. John’s done a pretty good job for us and I think the challenge for them is just to continue. Although statistically there were some things that we did well last week, there were some plays in there when they watched the tape they said, ‘Gosh darn we can’t…’ They’re a unit that works well together, they’re very critical of their mistakes and they take great pride in having a runner that’s efficient and a quarterback that stays on his feet.

– Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur on his offensive line which includes the only four players on the team who have been on the field for every snap. Their play, per Shumur, has been a large factor in the team’s offensive improvement between 2011 and 2012.

[Related: Cleveland Browns Film Room: Game 11, What a catch]

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Browns Offer a ‘Taste of the Browns’ for the Cleveland Foodbank

September 11, 2012 by 2 Comments

Joe Thomas and Al “Bubba” Baker were the honorary co-chairs for the 14th annual Taste of the Browns last night at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The event is a yearly fundraiser mimicking the national Taste of the NFL event, in which Clevelanders help provide the Foodbank with funds to provide meals for families and children around the city.

This year, the event raised $158,000 before the doors were opened. Corporate sponsors and ticket purchases helped make that possible. Tickets were $150 per person.

Several top restaurants and chefs were on hand and provided amazing food for the event’s participants and volunteers. From braised beef shin sliders to sushi to lobster mac and cheese, the event had a little something for every palette.

Several other current and former Browns were on hand as well. Alex Mack and Colt McCoy were there supporting the cause and meeting with patrons. It should be noted that McCoy received an extended ovation from the crowd. Back-up quarterbacks are always very popular the day after the starter throws several interceptions. [Read more...]

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Cleveland Browns by the Numbers

September 4, 2012 by 12 Comments

442- The Browns are eight wins away from 450 regular season NFL wins as a franchise.

199- Number of games played by Phil Dawson, all in a Browns uniform. Dawson is currently fifth all-time in Browns history in games played, and could finish the regular season one shy of Lou Groza (216) for second place.

11- Consecutive years that Phil Dawson has led the team in scoring.

48- Consecutive starts to begin his career by Alex Mack.

80- Consecutive starts to begin his career by Joe Thomas.

1- The only QB to lead the Browns in passing yards for three straight seasons since the team returned to the league is Tim Couch. Colt McCoy has led the team the past two seasons. [Read more...]

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Weeden sitting is the safe play, I guess

August 28, 2012 by 22 Comments

Pat Shurmur announced today that Brandon Weeden was going to sit out the fourth pre-season game this week. It has created debate all over sports talk radio and twitter as people try to figure out what their stance is on the topic. On the one hand, Brandon Weeden and the starting offense might want to have something in their memories that’s a bit more positive than what they did last against the Eagles. On the other hand, there’s always an injury risk to NFL games and that seems to be the reason most commonly given why coaches don’t play their starters at all in the fourth pre-season game. I can honestly see both sides of the equation, but I tend to want to be more critical because it’s just a safe move more than it is a smart one.

A coach would need some serious credibility, and stones quite frankly, to risk getting his QB injured in the fourth pre-season game. As the Browns are preparing for life with a brand new owner and a new front office, Pat Shurmur might not feel like he has the safety or security in his position to take a risk and give his rookie some additional reps. Then again, that same lack of safety and security should give him all the incentive to take some risks to try and have a good enough season to make himself more difficult to remove. [Read more...]

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For Browns, Youth Might be Painful at Times this Season

July 23, 2012 by 16 Comments

(Eric Mull USPRESSWIRE)

You can’t judge an NFL draft in the first year, let alone the day after when most grade letters are assigned. This year when we were talking about the draft, I made sure to look at the process and try and grade the team based on how well I think they maneuvered. In this case, I think the Browns played it safe and didn’t necessarily have the best luck when positioning and maneuvering to take guys. You can support the case for where they took Brandon Weeden, but only because they seemingly missed out on another player first, which most of us assume to be a receiver. That’s all in the past though. The bottom line in the next week is that the Browns come to camp with a whole host of young players that will be counted on to hopefully step in and contribute right away.

In the name of Tony Pashos and John St. Clair and Terry Cousin that’s a good thing. At the same time, think back to Alex Mack’s first few games. The kid looked nervous. He was having trouble tossing the ball back in shotgun formation. He seemed so energetic off the snap that he was actually somewhat ineffective. It was a few games before he finally started to get the groove and look like the guy we were all referencing by the end of the season with, “at least Mangini got that pick right.” [Read more...]

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Early Cleveland Browns Offensive Questions As Training Camp Approaches

July 14, 2012 by 8 Comments

It’s amazing to consider that training camp begins in just two weeks. The Browns will kick-start their 2012 season with a helmet practice from 8:45-11:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 28.

In the meanwhile, it’s been a fairly exciting offseason for the Brownies, especially on the offensive side. In the past few years, defense was the focus, as the team added new talents such as Phil Taylor, Joe Haden and T.J. Ward.

Over the past two months, the priorities switched over to the offensive side, where the front office looked to improve a unit that ranked 30th in the NFL in scoring last season (13.6 points per game).

Will these recent additions help out immediately? I’ll cover that and similar questions below as I break down some of the main offensive storylines here in mid-July. [Read more...]

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Offensive Line gives Cleveland reason for optimism in 2012

May 1, 2012 by 47 Comments

If the Browns are to turn things around next season- and that’s a big if- a number of improvements have to be made on the offensive side of the ball and it starts on the line.

The good news, if you are a Browns fan, is that there appears to be reason for optimism.

We have a few known variables- such as Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas. Even if you don’t think Thomas played at a Pro Bowl level last year, he is still in the top five in the league. He has been very durable throughout his career, starting and finishing all 80 games the Browns have played since drafting him. There may even be reason to believe the Browns have some depth in case the unthinkable happens and Thomas goes down.

The Browns decided to cut Eric Steinbach in what really amounted to a cost-efficiency move. They feel Jason Pinkston can do the job there for a lot less money. There was talk that the Browns may decide to bring Steinbach back at a reduced salary. As of now, Steinbach has not signed with any other team. Given what the Browns did in the draft to improve the line, and the improvement they are expecting from Jason Pinkston, I’m fairly certain Steinbach won’t be returning.

The center position will again be manned by Alex Mack, who is an above average center. Yes, he had a Pro Bowl appearance as an injury replacement. The AFC North has a few excellent centers. Mack might not be the best center in our own division, but what difference does that make anyway. He is a plug ‘em in and forget ‘em type of player.

Now we move to the right side of the line. [Read more...]

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Mortenson: The end of the NFL Pro Bowl could be near

April 26, 2012 by 19 Comments

I honestly don’t know anyone who watches the Pro Bowl. I mean like really watches it.  According to Chris Mortenson (by way of PFT,) the Pro Bowl gets good TV ratings and makes money, but it could be all over.

The idea for getting rid of the Pro Bowl entirely has picked up steam in recent years, and Chris Mortensen reported on ESPN Radio this morning that there’s talk of suspending the Pro Bowl as soon as this year: There might not be a Pro Bowl at all at the end of this season.

Obviously it won’t be missed by too many people. It will probably most be missed by guys like Derek Anderson and Browns center Alex Mack. With no actual game, there won’t be guys bowing out to avoid injuries. Without Pro Bowl alternates we never would have had to hear arguments for Derek Anderson that included mention of his Pro Bowl (when he filled in for the real Pro Bowler, Tom Brady.)

The only downside is that we won’t get any more Alex Mack touchdown scampers either.

[Related: The Relief of the Arrival of Draft Day]

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Comparing the Cavaliers and Browns rebuilding processes

April 2, 2012 by 35 Comments

The Browns and Cavs are both almost in the same exact place in the standings at the moment. Jason Lloyd pointed this out in a long, but good article mostly about the Cavaliers’ rebuilding. Take this stat, for example.

The Browns under Heckert even have a slightly higher winning percentage (.281) than the Cavs have under Grant (.273). Yet fans continue to implore the Cavs to lose while eviscerating the Browns for doing the same.

There are obvious differences between the Browns and the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers were coming off the most successful years in team history with LeBron James. The Cavaliers’ woes were never thought to be self-inflicted the way all of the wounds in Berea are viewed. The Cavaliers have a brash, communicative owner who tweets displeasure with big losses and seems to fight for his team and fans whenever possible. The Browns have a recluse who is threatening to come out of his shell a bit more. But other than an annual talk with Mike Trivisonno or a Scene profile, Randy Lerner is still more likely to skip the owners’ meetings than he is to start a twitter account or sit at the negotiating table during collective bargaining. [Read more...]

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2012 NFL Draft: Browns’ two first-rounders is a fair price for the #2 pick

February 17, 2012 by 50 Comments

I’ve always been in favor of trading down in the NFL draft.  It speaks to how many pieces the Browns have needed since being back in 1999.  It speaks to my value proposition consciousness in a league with a hard salary cap.  Now, it might be somewhat outdated.

I will forever thank Eric Mangini for trading out of the Mark Sanchez pick.  I’ve written about it here on WFNY too many times already, so I’ll be brief in mentioning it this time around.  Regardless of on-field production, Mark Sanchez was always going to be a very risky proposition.  His contract was $60 million for five years with $28 million fully guaranteed.  In 2012 Sanchez is scheduled to make $8.5 million and is also due a $2.75 million roster bonus on 3/28.  Alex Mack signed a 5-year $12.2 million deal with $8.3 million in guarantees.  The tough-as-nails center is due $1.303 million in 2012 and almost $2 million in 2013 before becoming a free agent.***

But the world of drafting changed dramatically with the labor strife of a year ago.  The rookies are now capped and with that, the dynamics of value in the first round have changed dramatically.  This is especially important with the Browns’ need for a QB and all the touted experts claiming that the Browns could and should trade up in order to get St. Louis’ second pick to get Robert Griffin III. [Read more...]

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The Best Browns Since 1999 – Center

February 14, 2012 by 2 Comments

Alex Mack dominated the voting receiving 83% of the first place votes.  I’ve always said that Alex Mack could very easily be considered the greatest legacy that Eric Mangini leaves on the Cleveland Browns.  The Browns center has taken one trip to the Pro Bowl and seems poised to hold down the Browns center position with toughness and heart for the foreseeable future. [Read more...]

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NFL Free Agency News: Santonio Holmes staying with Jets

February 8, 2012 by 3 Comments

The Browns are one of the most receiver-starved franchises in the NFL, but don’t look to former Ohio State Buckeye and Steeler Santonio Holmes for help.

Even after a very strange ending to the season between Holmes and QB Mark Sanchez including bickering, the talented receiver will be back in NY.  He’ll be making plenty of money too.

The Jets will pay Holmes $15 million over the next two years to stay and potentially not get along with his team and cause distractions in the huddle.

The Browns will just have to keep looking for someone to catch passes amongst the list of draft picks and available free agents.

[Related: On Character and the future of Cleveland teams]

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Giants Advance Past San Francisco 20-17 in OT

January 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The New York Giants ended San Francisco’s amazing run with new head coach Jim Harbaugh in overtime Sunday setting up a Super Bowl rematch of sorts with the New England Patriots.

Today began with the possibility of 2 Harbaughs coaching in the biggest game of the year, and instead will feature neither of them after New England’s win over Baltimore. Instead, we have Eli Manning going for his second Super Bowl ring (which would be one more than his brother) in Peyton’s home stadium. Safe to say that the local Indianapolis fans will be pulling for the younger Manning to do for a second time what Peyton has had trouble accomplishing- namely beating the Patriots in the post-season.

Browns fans meanwhile will continue to watch with little rooting interest after Brad Seely’s special teams crew made two crucial mistakes in the return game likely costing the 49ers the game.

Additionally, Browns players will be enjoying the game from home, or the local establishment of their choice. Like center Alex Mack-

Might as well go ahead and make your plans for next post-season too Alex.

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Report: Jets Teammates Rip Mark Sanchez, Covet Peyton Manning

January 11, 2012 by 12 Comments

Mark Sanchez will always be news in Cleveland because the Browns traded out of that pick in the 2009 NFL draft. The Browns received the 17th and 57th picks in exchange for the 5th pick in the draft.  In addition to the picks, the Browns also received quarterback Bret Ratliff, defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman and safety Abe Elam.  Now, the player that the Browns traded away from, Sanchez, is having his work ethic questioned.

“We have to bring in another quarterback that will make [Sanchez] work at practice,” said one player, according to the newspaper. “He’s lazy and content because he knows he’s not going to be benched.”

In addition to that there was additional commentary coveting Peyton Manning should he become available in free agency.

The Browns may not have any of the three players that came over in that deal, but there is little doubt that they ended up getting a good player in center Alex Mack.  Mack has been to a Pro Bowl and even battled through a bout of appendicitis in the 2011 season, not missing a game.

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Browns Make Things Interesting Before Falling to Ravens

December 24, 2011 by 25 Comments

Your Cleveland Browns were ultimately out-classed today.  Seneca Wallace threw an interception. The Browns bungled the clock at the end of the first half worse than anything anyone could possibly imagine.  Phil Taylor ended it with an inexcusable offsides penalty that Joe Flacco shouldn’t even get credit for.  The Browns got beat on some big plays, but ultimately they didn’t play totally horrendously.  They worked hard to the very end and even got within six points with an opportunity to take the lead. Ultimately Pat Shurmur and the Browns fell short 20-14 on Christmas Eve. [Read more...]

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