May 25, 2013

Could the Browns offense benefit from contract years?

June 8, 2012 by 21 Comments

Watson celebrates (excessively) - (Photo: John Kuntz / PD)

The Browns imported quite a bit to their offense from this most recent NFL draft between Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz. Meanwhile Mike Holmgren has been on record predicting a “big jump” for the team this year. If that ever comes to pass, the rookies will certainly be a part of the equation. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Browns make a big jump without Trent Richardson being a major factor. In addition to that, it seems to me there is absolutely no way for the team to make a leap without some other breakout performances. Immediately that makes me look to a few of the guys 1 who will be working hard for their next contracts.

First up, let’s look at Benjamin Watson. Watson signed a three-year deal worth $12 million and is due $2.88 million in 2012. Despite some excessive celebration penalties, Watson’s time in Cleveland has been viewed as mostly positive. Watson had 68 catches for 763 yards in 2010 including three touchdowns over 16 games. Last season he appeared in 13 games and like the rest of the team, his production dropped off with only 37 catches for 410 yards. Watson will be 32 in December and will most likely be looking for at least one more NFL contract. [Read more...]

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  1. there are plenty of others who have incentive to work for big money like Jordan Norwood who is younger and has restricted hooks in him. I’m just focusing on three bigger names who will be real real real free agents. [back]

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Browns’ Uniforms Lacking Brown This Season

November 16, 2011 by 63 Comments

I’ve been having an ongoing discussion with National Football Authority’s Daniel Wolf this season about Cleveland’s choice of uniforms. I am the self-proclaimed site Uni-Nerd. I wear the badge with pride actually. Whether discussing my favorite non-Cleveland uniforms, or reviewing the best jersey numbers in Cleveland sports or just giving my opinion on sports fashion here and there, I love to talk about the laundry.

So this year, the Browns decided that they will wear the all whites at home. They did this for two reasons, according to Wolf’s piece here-

“The team is honoring Paul Brown, and his team’s, by bringing back the white-on-white uniforms for all home games this season,” said Gulkis. Fans have seen the Browns wear their brown jerseys with white pants at home, in seasons past, but they are going with the old-school look this year.

“We listen to our fans and they wanted white-on-white at home,” said Gulkis.

Now, I’m all for honoring the past with uniforms- to an extent of course. I wonder sometimes if some fans even know that the team is not named after the color, nor the great running back, but a former coach Paul Brown. It is also interesting that the team honors him by removing as much brown from the uniforms as possible. [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… Cavs Preview, Leon Powe, Eric Wedge Interviews

October 9, 2010 by Leave a Comment

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

Previewing the rocky situation for the Cavs this season: “The question of whether the Cavaliers are worse off after losing LeBron James is not debatable. Of course the franchise is worse off — today, tomorrow and possibly forever. The question is how far will Cleveland fall, and how long will it take to recover.

The latter is a bit misguided in the sense that Cleveland’s recent performance (at least in the regular season) is so rare it’s hardly regularly achievable. The Cavaliers won 66 games last season, becoming only the fourth team since 2000 to do so.” [Bethlehem Shoals and Tom Ziller/FanHouse]
[Read more...]

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Browns Bullet Points: NFL Free Agency Edition

March 12, 2010 by 34 Comments

This is a fun time of year for Browns fans.  This is the time when we get to improve (hopefully) and start to see the new regime start to mold the team in their images.   I get the sense from the conversations on Twitter that it is also a source of consternation for a lot of you.  It seems with every move the Browns make there is someone bemoaning every single move.  Whether it is someone holding onto the fact that the Browns never should have traded Kellen Winslow, or someone inexplicably terrified that Brady Quinn might not get another shot to be the Cleveland Browns’ starter.  So let’s take a trip down a road of lazy journalistic techniques and do some bullet points!

  • First on Benjamin Watson.  I know we all miss Kellen Winslow sometimes.  Sometimes.  Getting rid of Winslow was the right move even though it was painful.  He wanted to be the top paid tight end in the league with ridiculous wear and tear on his knee.  That was a bad bet.  Benjamin Watson doesn’t have the top-end ability of Kellen Winslow.  Then again, Watson is a legitimate upgrade over all the tight ends currently on the roster.  As Scott said this morning, “A team that is in dire need of receiving options, Watson should instantly be featured in all pass-catching schemes.” [Read more...]

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