May 22, 2013

Jason Campbell’s contract for two years $3.75 million

March 28, 2013 by 4 Comments

The cost of taking a chance on Jason Campbell is now known. Many outlets have reported that the Browns’ two-year deal with Campbell is worth $3.75 million. According to Sportrac, the deal is for $1.5 million in 2013 and $2.25 million in 2014.

Far be it for me to call millions of dollars a “cheap deal,” but that’s exactly what this is. Campbell’s previous deal with the Chicago Bears was for one year and $3.5 million. He made $3.1 million in 2010 and $4.5 million in 2011. The Bears reportedly wanted Campbell back and he is rumored to have left a bit of cash on the table in order to choose the Browns and a chance to unseat the current #1 quarterback.

No juicy contract details to break down here like we’ve had an opportunity to do with other Joe Banner deals thus far. Campbell is a guy who needed an opportunity and the Browns presumably told him he’d have a chance to compete for the job. If he wins the job and plays well, it will be an amazingly efficient signing for the Browns at two years and $3.75 million.

[Related: Fun with Numbers: New Browns Edition]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , ,

NFL News: Browns in Chicago to interview Marc Trestman

January 7, 2013 by 37 Comments

ESPNCleveland’s Tony Grossi reports that the Browns are in Chicago today to interview CFL head coach Marc Trestman. Trestman is currently the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes. Heading into this off-season, I never thought for a second I would type the name of a CFL team.

Trestman’s resume is full of experience. He’s coached football at a high level since 1981 as the QB coach at the University of Miami. Stops in Minnesota and Tampa preceded time in Cleveland in 1988 and 89 as QB coach and offensive coordinator for the Browns. The Alouettes were his first head coaching gig and he’s been there since 2008 including back-to-back Grey Cup Championships in 2009 and 2010.

Trestman is reportedly in Chicago to also visit with the Bears who fired Lovie Smith.

[Related: Browns mishandling media during coaching search]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , ,

Bears Backups Beat Browns Backups 28-20

August 30, 2012 by 6 Comments

Thankfully, the preseason is now over.

Even Reggie Hodges had a tough night tonight as one of his first half punts failed to cross the 50 yard line with the line of scrimmage at his own 20. That’s not good. Speaking of uncharacteristic, Colt McCoy also gave the Bears a great chance at a touchdown by throwing an interception that was returned to the Browns’ 30 as he failed to connect with Jordan Norwood. For any criticism you might have of Colt McCoy, he’s always been pretty good at not being careless with the football. The Bears quickly made the Browns pay on a short field to take a 7-0 lead as McCown found Dane Sanzenbacher.

The Browns’ defense was also gashed continually for running plays and screen passes. The Browns made Armando Allen look pretty good out of the Bears backfield. He had 83 yards rushing and 51 yards receiving as he filled the Matt Forte role for an evening. The Browns’ backup defense obliged. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: ,

What We’re Watching: Bears at Browns

August 30, 2012 by 7 Comments

No Brandon Weeden and potentially no fans inside of the stadium despite being forced to pay regular season prices, but that won’t stop us from analyzing the game from the comfort of our own homes. The home stretch before the start of the regular season, the Browns will be forced to use tonight’s contest to whittle their roster from 75 to 53 by the close of business tomorrow. You can see what we were looking for over the course of the last few weeks by clicking here, here or here — for our thoughts on tonight’s “contest,” we await you after the jump.

What We’re Watching…

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: ,

NFL’s first draft pick is signed as Alshon Jeffrey agrees with Bears

May 2, 2012 by 1 Comment

The craziest part of having two first round draft picks used to be trying to get them signed and into camp. No matter what side you were on in the NFL’s labor struggle it seemed as if everyone agreed that a rookie wage scale was important for both veteran players and owners. Here in the second year of slotting, the Bears and their second rounder Alshon Jeffrey got the ball rolling very quickly.

The Bears announced Wednesday morning that they have already agreed to terms with their second-round pick. Even with the Collective Bargaining Agreement making it much easier for teams to get rookie deals done quickly, this is still a fast development. It’s a four-year deal, financial terms haven’t been disclosed, and it’s the first signing of a 2012 draft pick that we’ve seen this year.

Even though Jeffrey is a second rounder, I’ll consider this good news as an indicator. This is exactly the kind of quick movement and predictability that everyone (other than maybe agents) were looking for when this was on the table during the last collective bargaining agreement. It is also especially good news for a team like the Browns who have to get presumed key players/starters Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden and Mitchell Schwartz indoctrinated quickly.

[Related: Report: Browns’ rookie pool assignment is $9.72 million]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , , , ,

NFL Free Agency: Browns interested in DE Jeremy Mincey

March 13, 2012 by 12 Comments

The Browns shouldn’t want to waste any time finding someone to play opposite Jabaal Sheard on the defensive line. According to reports out of Chicago and re-broadcast by the Plain Dealer, the Browns are looking at Jeremy Mincey most recently from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Mincey had 8 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and an interception in 2011 for the Jaguars. It was his fourth year in the league and second as a full-time player.  Mincey played two years at Florida for Urban Meyer after starting at a junior college. He is listed at 6’3″ and 270 pounds.

The Bears are also reportedly pursuing Mincey.

[Related: Peyton Hillis to visit Chiefs]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , ,

Fantasy Football Gone Too Far?

September 22, 2011 by 23 Comments

Deadspin covered it earlier today and now Browns players like Evan Moore, Scott Fujita and Mohamed Massaquoi are busy on Twitter today retweeting a message from Chicago Bears safety Chris Harris.  Harris took exception to an NFL.com website promotion for fantasy football that featured recently injured running back Jamaal Charles.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Patronizing Preseason Football: Browns Bubble Players Fall to Bears, 24-14

September 2, 2011 by 15 Comments

Thousands of Chicago Bears fans were financially assaulted on Thursday night as those who pray to the altar of Ditka were forced to hand over hard-earned money to see what was ultimately a glorified scrimmage that just so happened to be televised. 

While the Bears would trot out a few players who have actually been drafted to fantasy teams at some point in their career, the Cleveland Browns countered with what would ultimately be rookies and bubble-laden veterans hoping to make the 53-man roster when the announcement is made this coming Saturday at 6pm.  The final score read 24-14 in favor of the Bears, but on a night when the goal at hand is to extend a career rather than win the game, lighting up the Soldier Field scoreboard was merely a waste of electricity.

Eighteen of the Browns 22 starters were spectators on this evening, dressed to play but never stepping foot beyond the sideline.  What they witnessed was the arch-enemy of competitive football, the remaining 60 or so players looking to impress the Browns decision-makers – while avoiding injury - but failing to stop the Bears attack on defense or muster one of their own on offense.  Punter Richmond McGee earned his paycheck in this contest with the Seneca Wallace-led offense providing more three-and-outs than three-yard outs.  The first completed pass and subsequent first down came with just under five minutes to go in the first half. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , ,

Browns Hire Special Teams Coach

January 26, 2011 by 13 Comments

Last week the Browns lost special teams coordinator Brad Seely to the San Francisco 49ers. Yesterday they filled the vacancy with Chris Tabor, who was the assistant special teams coach for the Chicago Bears for the last three seasons.

The Browns have had one of the premiere special teams units over the past few years under Seely’s tenure. It goes beyond the touchdowns and explosive returns of Josh Cribbs. The coverage units have been excellent. The punting game and field goal units have been well above average. Fortunately for the Browns, they were able to find someone associated with the same kind of success.

The Chicago Bears have had tremendous success with their units- [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , ,

Montario Hardesty Injured, James Davis Steps Up in Preseason Finale

September 3, 2010 by 7 Comments

It may not have been pretty, but Browns head coach Eric Mangini praised his team following their 13-10 preseason win over the Chicago Bears.  In a game that featured more reserves than would-be starters, an d not a whole lot of scoring, it was the team’s lack of quitting that inspired glowing remarks from the second-year head coach.

“The thing I was most happy with in the game was the way that we finished,” said Mangini. ”Going into the second half and out-gaining them 181 yards to 59, that’s what we are looking for, to be able to come out at halftime and have that type of offensive production and that type of defensive production.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , ,

Open Thread: Browns/Bears and Buckeyes/Herd

September 2, 2010 by 19 Comments

Two games with completely different meanings tonight. The Browns (and I use that term loosely) take on the Chicago Bears in their final preseason game. While this game is often little else than a fight for roster spots 50-53, at least we are told the rookies will play a little more than usual tonight in order to gain reps against other competition.

For Ohio State this one counts. No more Scarlett and Gray scrimmages or weird scoring systems to determine if the offense or defense ‘won’. The scoreboard will take care of that tonight, and the folks in Columbus will be partying a bit harder I bet than their counterparts in Cleveland.

Here is your open thread for tonight. Remember the commenting policy please.

Filed Under: Browns, Buckeyes Tagged With: , , , ,

Browns vs. Bears – What We’re Watching For…

September 2, 2010 by 11 Comments

We’re turning that final corner. Rounding third and heading home. Just trying to escape this post with no major injuries (with the speed at which Scott types, a hand injury is always a concern). Seriously, though, this game is all about one thing: STAYING HEALTHY.

brownsbears

It’s going to be tough to really go deep on things we want to see, as we can’t really expect a ton of playing time for the starters in this game, and I suspect most people will be more interested in what the gentlemen wearing scarlet shirts and gray helmets will be doing. But, that doesn’t mean this game will be devoid of things to watch for. So what are we, your intrepid WFNY commentators, watching for tonight? Let’s find out.

What We’re Watching For:

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Report: Jamal Lewis to Retire at Season’s End

November 2, 2009 by 26 Comments

jamal-lewis-browns-campIt appears that one of the worst offensive units in football could be looking for a running back this offseason as veteran Jamal Lewis claims that this very well could be his last year in the NFL.  Following another drubbing – this time at the hands of the Chicago Bears – Lewis had the following to say to reporters:

“It is very hard,” he said. “Very. I think this is my last year. I think this is it. Honestly, the way it looks, you know, I had a good run.”

Lewis acknowledged that finishing with the Browns stuck in a miserable season is not the easiest way to go out.

“But at the same time, I stuck my neck out and wanted to come in and help and do what I could do, even though I knew the consequences,” he said. “I knew what we had and what was going to go with it, being that you do have new people coming in, new coaches, new staff, and all that — there’s a lot that comes with that.”

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , ,

Week 8 Open Thread: Browns vs. Bears

November 1, 2009 by 82 Comments

brownsbears

November kicks off with supposedly the greatest day in the history of sports television.  All four major sports are on TV, including Favre’s return to Green Bay and a pivotal game 4 of the World Series.

The Browns-Bears game may not be too high on the list of important sports events taking place today but faithful Browns fans will tune in I am sure.  You can find our Friday afternoon preview here.  The Bears are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Bengals and need a win at home after losing the past two weeks to drop to .500 on the season.  Join us in the comments as the Browns look for their first road win of the year heading into the bye week.  Inactives after the jump…

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , ,

While We’re Waiting…Cutler bad for the Bears & Browns, DA Expectations, Shaq(s) plays college football

November 1, 2009 by 2 Comments

85787679JP015_CHICAGO_BEARSWhile 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 in the sidebar.

Assessing the Bears both today and for the future: “I’ve never understood all of the hype surrounding QB Jay Cutler. Sure, he has shown the potential to be a very productive quarterback. But there are other games where he’ll make decisions throughout the game that prevent the offense from doing much of anything. For all of the potential he has had the past several years, he has failed to move on to the “next level”, which is why I was thrilled when Cutler was not dealt to the Cleveland Browns early in the offseason. If you recall, the Browns were one of the teams reportedly interested in the former disgruntled Bronco.” [Chirs Pokorny/Dawgs By Nature]

[Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Browns Will Win If…

October 30, 2009 by 18 Comments

If my memory serves me, the last two times the Browns and Bears met up in the regular season involved the home team rallying for two touchdowns to change the outcome of the games: the Browns blew a 14 point lead with less than two minutes to go (including a Hail Mary by the Bears) followed by a Tim Couch pick-six to lose in overtime in 2001, and the Browns’ Trent Dilfer (woah) threw two TDs to Antonio Bryant (remember, we had him?) in 38 seconds in the fourth quarter to beat the Bears in 2005. Just sayin’.

Browns and Bears

The Bears, frankly, looked AWFUL last week. So did the Browns. So, where does that leave us for today? Both teams are reeling. The Bears started off winning three of four, but have dropped the last two after their bye week by a combined 66-24. Chicago’s offense is 25th in the league in yards, whereas the Browns’ is 31st. The Bears’ defense surrendered almost 450 yards to the Bengals last weekend. In other words, this could be quite a matchup. Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , ,

Bears 1037, Browns 1031: or Something Like That

September 4, 2009 by 28 Comments

Yeah, the final score really doesn’t matter does it? When I saw the ‘starters’ step on the field I figured the points in this one were about as valuable as on Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Chris Jennings

So did we learn anything from this game? Sure. We learned that David Patten isn’t in the Browns plans for this season. Nice of them to let him play the whole game to try and get a look from another team. Honestly though, I would be surprised if he got a sniff. He isn’t exactly fast anymore. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Browns Preseason Game #4: Chicago Bears Open Thread

September 3, 2009 by 25 Comments

brady-quinn-derek-anderson

Hopefully this will be at least interesting. Word is that neither Quinn nor Anderson will play tonight. While that may be the safe play, it sure won’t make this game any more watchable. Enjoy…

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , ,

Browns vs Bears: What We’re Looking For

September 3, 2009 by 12 Comments

Bears in Tunnel

As usual the WFNY staff offers up their take on what we’d like to see during the fake portion of the schedule. Tonight the Browns are in Chicago for their final (thank God) preseason game. Without further delay, here’s what we are looking for from the Browns tonight-

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , ,

NFL Trade Rumors: Braylon Wants Fitzgerald Money?

April 8, 2009 by 24 Comments

braylonedwardsAll of the rumors that have circulated regarding Braylon Edwards and the New York Giants (first reported by The OBR, weeks ago) continue to find new winds as the NFL Draft nears.

The basis behind the trade is that if Braylon Edwards does not agree to a contract extension – as the team does want him to be a part of the future – that they will look to ship him off to a team that could use his services.  In return, the Browns are looking for at least a first- and third-round draft choice; using the Roy Williams/Dallas Cowboys deal from last season as a benchmark.  (Detroit received a first-, third-, and sixth-rounder for Williams)

With that said, it appears that both parts of this formula appear to be at a crossroads of sorts.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , ,
«Older Posts