May 25, 2013

Browns free agency overload with Rick – WFNY Podcast – 2013-03-13

March 13, 2013 by 1 Comment

WFNY Podcast LogoLast night Rick and I were intent on talking Browns. We didn’t know all the details of Desmond Bryant’s deal yet, let alone the Quentin Groves pickup. Still, there’s a lot of good Kruger talk.

Here’s what else…

  • Paul Kruger signing and whether he’ll be a “leader”
  • Signing starters, team leaders, or both
  • Comparing signings to Scott Fujita
  • Desmond Bryant and “the mugshot”
  • Could the Browns trade any of their defensive linemen now?
  • Billy Winn, John Hughes, Kitchen
  • Who next? Keenan Lewis?
  • Talking Dolphins with Ellerbe and Mike Wallace
  • How happy would Browns fans be with Greg Jennings?
  • How happy are Browns fans to not have Mike Wallace making $12+ million?

[Read more...]

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Shurmur: Billy Winn could see time at defensive end

November 13, 2012 by 7 Comments

The bye week is over and Browns fans dreams of seeing Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin together have never seemed more real. That news doesn’t exist in a vacuum though. What about the young guys who filled in so admirably in Taylor and Rubin’s stead? At least for Billy Winn, it could mean some time at defensive end for the Browns.

(On the possibility of Billy Winn playing defensive tackle and end with Taylor’s return) – “Yeah, that’s a good point. When you have more defensive tackles that’ll allow Billy, if we choose to, play him at end more. Which gives us a little flexibility there.”

(On if Winn’s quickness would work at the end position) – “I think he has the body type to play end and he has quickness. Yeah, I think he could do it.”

If there’s any chance at the Browns making any kind of run in the second half of the season, you have to think one of the keys would be on the defensive line. Jabaal Sheard has struggled in his sophomore effort, and we’ll soon find out if that has had more to do with missing pieces in the middle of the line. Now it also could mean a game-tested tryout for Billy Winn to see if he can be a 4-3 defensive end.

[Related: Safe to say Haslam meant what he said regarding changes]

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Cleveland Browns Game 8: Winners and Losers

October 29, 2012 by 44 Comments

Who caught your eye? Did someone stand out? Who blew it? That’s what were interested in this morning. Winners and losers.

Good win for the team. It was a confidence builder and another shot for young players to get valuable experience. Not to mention, it didn’t seem like any of our players were injured, which is always a plus…

WINNER: Trent Richardson. It’s a good thing Richardson didn’t listen to sports radio last week. He may have sat until the bye week or just figured his running style doesn’t translate to the NFL and hung ‘em up. Good grief. All the rookie did was average 5 yards a carry against one of the better defenses statistically against the run. He scored the game’s only touchdown. Good for Trent. Looks like someone may have been right about him last week. [Read more...]

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NFL News: Phil Taylor to return to practice on Wednesday

October 24, 2012 by 9 Comments

As the Cleveland Browns prepare to stop Ryan Matthews and the San Diego Chargers this Sunday, they will be one step closer to having an improved run defense with defensive tackle Phil Taylor returning to practice for the first time since the start of the 2012 regular season.

Taylor injured his pectoral muscle during an off-season workout and was subsequently placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Earlier this week, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur hinted that last year’s first-round draft selection would see the practice field “this week.” With fellow defensive tackle Athyba Rubin reaggravating his calf injury, Taylor’s return will be a huge boost to a defense that was abused by a committee of reserves in Indianapolis just one week ago. Rookies Billy Winn and John Hughes have seen their snap counts increase in the wake of these injuries.

As a team through 2012, the Browns have allowed 133.7 yards per game on the ground, good enough for 25th in the NFL.

Taylor played in all 16 games as a rookie out of Baylor, recording 59 tackles and four sacks to go with a forced fumble. There is no word on Taylor’s participation level or when he will be deemed ready to return to the playing field on Sunday.

[Related: Mike Holmgren gives way to Jimmy Haslam in his final address]

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Phil Taylor to start practicing this week

October 22, 2012 by 6 Comments

During his Monday press conference with the Cleveland media, Pat Shurmur revealed that Phil Taylor will be returning to practice after missing the first seven games of the season.

And not a moment too soon, considering that Ahtyba Rubin wasn’t able to play the full game against the Colts with his calf injury. Maybe someday the Browns will have a full complement of defensive linemen at their disposal.

In Taylor and Rubin’s absences, the Browns have played rookies John Hughes and Billy Winn most frequently.

[Related:Browns Lose….But Weeden Improves]

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Phil Taylor on schedule to return to practice

October 11, 2012 by 5 Comments

News out of Browns practice today was that Phil Taylor is on pace to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list when he is eligible to come back.  Barring any setbacks, of course, this is great news for the Browns. Taylor underwent surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle from off-season weight-lifting training. Due to NFL PUP list rules, Taylor isn’t eligible to return to the team until after the week six game against the Bengals.

The Browns’ defense has had a tough time being full-strength this season and Phil Taylor’s injury hit Browns fans in pre-season like a ton of bricks. With the return of Joe Haden from suspension and the expected return of Phil Taylor, maybe the Browns’ defense can turn around what is turning out to be a statistically woeful year for the unit.

Since Taylor has been out the Browns have used draft picks John Hughes and Billy Winn among others. Tom Heckert has spoken of wanting depth on the defensive line and with the impending return of Taylor and the emergence of capable rookies, he might finally have it.

[Related: Bengals vs. Browns 2 – Reader Survey]

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Phil Taylor eager to get back but “won’t push it”

October 3, 2012 by 7 Comments

One of the nicer stories in an otherwise disappointing year so far for the Browns has been the defensive line. Much-maligned John Hughes and surprising late-rounder Billy Winn have been surprisingly good filling in for Phil Taylor. While it is a nice story, there’s no doubt that it would be an even better one if they were coming in to spell Taylor rather than filling in for him completely due to a torn pec sustained lifting weights this off-season. He’s getting closer and is eager to play, but he and the Browns also seem to be eager not to rush.

“I want to get back, but I’m not going to push it,” Taylor said in the locker room Monday. “My body will let me know when I’m ready to play.”

You hate to look too far ahead, and the Browns are expected to compete week-in and week-out despite injuries. That being said, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the second half of the season when the Browns will hopefully have both Taylor and suspended corner, Joe Haden, back on the field. While nothing is guaranteed, you have to look at it as at least an opportunity for things to really come together for the young, inconsistent defense.

[Related: “Cleveland ’95: A Football Life” will be mandatory viewing for me]

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WFNY Podcast – 2012-09-27 – Craig and Scott preview Browns vs. Ravens

September 27, 2012 by 4 Comments

You want the short version? There is no good reason to pick the Browns to win Thursday. We already all new that. That doesn’t mean the Browns can’t win per se, but if you predict them to do so you’re praying more than predicting.

More specifically, we talked about…

  • Mohamed Massaquoi missing the game
  • Alex Smith missing the game
  • Trent Richardson’s running attack
  • The young guys on the defense
  • Pat Shurmur and how much of the start is his fault

Enjoy!

Thanks for listening! Tell a friend!

 

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Browns Preseason Game #3: Winners and Losers

August 27, 2012 by 50 Comments

Who caught your eye? Did someone stand out? Who blew it? That’s what were interested in this morning. Winners and losers.

Kind of the opposite of last week.

We could name an awful lot of losers from this past weekend. But let’s start with the positives-

WINNER: Josh Gordon. Three catches for 50 yards, and a highlight reel play over Nnamdi Asomugha. Well, highlight reel for the Browns last season anyway. That’s how you draw it up though. The rookie had his best week of practice, and it spilled over to the game. Good for him, and good for the Browns if he keeps developing. [Read more...]

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Browns’ John Hughes Preparing For First Season in the NFL

August 23, 2012 by 4 Comments

When John Hughes was drafted in the third round by the Browns, he was surprised. Surprised might be putting it mildly. His draft watch party with his family wasn’t even until the next day, when they thought he might hear his name called.

The Browns thought enough of the Cincinnati Bearcat that they pulled the trigger and picked him 87th overall.

Cleveland was looking to add depth to the defensive line that already included defensive tackles Ahtyba Rubin and last year’s first round pick Phil Taylor. The pick was met with criticism, as many of the “draft experts” thought Hughes was a big reach with a third round pick. But when Taylor was injured in the off-season, expectations of Hughes shifted from depth player to probable starter- at least from the fan base.

Fast forward to yesterday, the last day of training camp. Hughes worked mostly with the second unit during practice. He started the first two preseason games, but has had to battle all camp long for the spot.

“I think it went great, especially being a rookie just being able to come out here and compete.” said Hughes of training camp. “Especially with the vets and learning the plays and the system. That’s the big thing learning the system, then coming out here and playing your best.” [Read more...]

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Report: Browns get DL Billy Winn’s contract done; Andrew Sweat not at camp

May 11, 2012 by 5 Comments

According to Nate Ulrich, the Browns have locked up another draft pick-

“#Browns have agreed to terms of four-year deal with DL Billy Winn, a sixth-round pick, a league source told the Beacon Journal.”

That leaves first round picks Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden, second rounder Mitchell Schwartz and sixth round LB Emmanuel Acho as the only draft picks left to sign.

The Browns are currently holding their rookie mini-camp, with the first practice this morning. The only player reportedly missing is former Ohio State LB Andrew Sweat. No details yet on why Sweat wasn’t present.

[Related: Browns confirm torn pectoral muscle for Taylor]

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NFL Draft: Highlights from Remaining Browns Draft Pick Conference Calls

April 29, 2012 by 6 Comments

Just as Rick did yesterday with the thoughts from the first six picks, I’m sharing here some of the conference call highlights from the later NFL Draft picks by the Cleveland Browns.

OL Ryan Miller, Colorado – fifth round, pick #160

(On if the Browns told him where he would play)- “They took me as an o-lineman. I’ll play guard or tackle. One of my better suits is that I’m versatile.”

[Read more...]

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Pick #205: Browns Select DT Billy Winn

April 28, 2012 by 6 Comments

Sure, this is a late round pick, but the front office must be really excited about finding a backup defensive tackle, eh? This time around in the sixth round it is DT Billy Winn from Boise State, who stands about 6-feet-4-inches and was graded much higher overall by the scouts. He was ranked as the No. 96 overall prospect by ESPN, significantly higher than Cleveland’s third round selection of John Hughes.

Winn picked up 33 tackles last season along with eight tackles for loss and three sacks. He is a bit smaller for most defensive tackle prospects at only 294 lbs, but has impressive speed, is an outgoing personality, is a disruptive run defender and has active hands.

Honestly, it seems Winn could have been the pick in the third round and folks would have been much happier. Either way, this seems to be a solid pick of a productive player who might have just slipped because he isn’t the ideal size and lacks prototypical upper body strength.

On ESPN, Todd McShay said there likely were durability or medical issues with Winn that led him to the sixth round. McShay said Winn was never really that productive in college, but his initial burst against the run is his best value.

After these recent back-to-back picks, the Browns are up again for a pair of compensatory picks at the seventh round (38th and 40th).

[Related: NFL Draft: Cleveland selections talk about being Browns]

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