May 24, 2013

NFL Draft: Browns currently picking 6th

December 30, 2012 by 29 Comments

According to the experts at NEPatriotsDraft.com after crunching all the numbers and considering the Browns’ season-ending loss to the Steelers, the Cleveland Browns will be picking 6th in this year’s NFL draft.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-13) .491
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) .541
3. Oakland Raiders (4-11) .470
4. Philadelphia Eagles (4-12) .512
5. Detroit Lions (4-12) .569
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11) .506
7. Arizona Cardinals (5-10) .553
8. Buffalo Bills (6-10) .493
9. New York Jets (6-10) .516
10. Tennessee Titans (6-10) .538

Of course who the Browns take is still a huge mystery. Will the Browns still be running the 4-3 defense? Will they need a quarterback? Who is the best player available in that slot? Who will the general manager be?

[Related: Browns drop final game to Steelers and start off-season of change]

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

Former Brown Jerome Harrison featured in CBS Thanksgiving special

November 22, 2012 by 2 Comments

Today, before the first NFL game of the day on CBS, the network aired a special on former Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Harrison during its pre-game show.

Harrison, who was Cleveland’s fifth round pick in 2005 and famously rushed for 286 and three touchdowns yards in a game back in 2009, later ended up as a member of the Detroit Lions. He was set to be traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in October 2011, but during the ensuing physical examination, it was shockingly discovered that he had a brain tumor.

The trade was called off and, ever since, the now-29-year-old Harrison has been on Detroit’s reserve non-football illness list. The Washington State product and his wife Michelle sat down with the CBS crew for the tale of this horrifying news, the scary surgery and his recovery over the past 13 months.

We all have much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving, and this was a very emotional story to start off the day.

[Related: What We're Thankful For...]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , , ,

NFL Week 4: Winners and Losers

October 1, 2012 by 13 Comments

So after each Browns game I pick my winners and losers for the game. Since the Browns played last Thursday, I thought we’d open up today with a league wide winners and losers piece. I mean hey, what else are we going to talk about this morning?

Alright. League wide winners and losers from yesterday. Go…

LOSERS: Detroit Special Teams. Wow. The Lions gave up a kick-off return for a score and a punt return for a score in their 20-13 loss to the Vikings. The Lions fall to 1-3 in a season they had playoff expectations. They four teams they played so far had a regular season record of 27-37 last year, and if you take San Francisco out of the equation, they were 14-34. Yikes.

WINNERS: The Usual Suspects. Brady, Manning, Rodgers and Brees combined for 1,443 yards passing (all over 300 yards), 13 TDs, 1 Interception and 3 wins. Why not 4? Well, Brees and Rodgers played each other. Think QB play is important in this league? Look at the rest of the QB numbers. Insane. [Read more...]

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

The Boots: C.J. Miles, Andrew Bynum Trade, Backup Quarterbacks, Preseason Browns Injuries

August 12, 2012 by 6 Comments

As I’ve been doing for years, The Boots are my way to assign Boot Up or Boot Downs to various items in the sports world. As a reminder, I got the nickname “Boot” from my older brothers when I was young, and thus, I continue to use this segment as my personal sports writing payback.

Boot Up: Addition of C.J. Miles — Yes, I like the move, but don’t read too much into it. The 25-year-old Miles has career averages of 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 51.2% true shooting in his seven-year career with the Utah Jazz. The free agent signing strikes me as a low-risk, high-reward move that can only help the Cavaliers at their weakest position: small forward. [Read more...]

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

While We’re Waiting… Browns Begin With Win, NFL Stadium Security, Omar Vizquel Wants to Manage

August 11, 2012 by 1 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.

Quickly recapping the GLC victory: “Come on, Browns fans — don’t tell me I was the only one who had a goofy smile on their face when Jeff Wolfert’s 45-yard field goal sailed through the uprights to give Cleveland a 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions in the Great Lakes Classic? The final score in preseason games usually don’t mean squat for judging the regular season, and the case was no different here.” [Chris Pokorny/Dawgs By Nature] [Read more...]

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

Box Score: Browns 19, Lions 17

August 10, 2012 by 6 Comments

Whudda thunk it? Fourth-string QB Thaddeus Lewis led the Browns on two late scoring drives to give the good guys a preseason-opening 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions in the Great Lakes Classic.

As Craig wrote already this evening, the starters were underwhelming early but the offense roared back in the second half with 16 of its points. Overall, Browns QBs besides Brandon Weeden finished 18-for-29 for 264 yards and a TD. All three posted QB ratings better than 100.

We’ll have plenty more this weekend and the coming week on what’s next for the team.

 

Scoring Summary

1st QuarterCLE – DET
1:00 Detroit LionsDET TD Keiland Williams rushed to the right for 5 yard gain (Jason Hansonmade PAT) 0 – 7
2nd QuarterCLE – DET
7:21 Cleveland BrownsCLE FG Phil Dawson kicked a 37-yard field goal 3 – 7
2:10 Detroit LionsDET TD Shaun Hill passed to Stefan Logan to the right for 3 yard gain (Jason Hanson made PAT) 3 – 14
3rd QuarterCLE – DET
8:12 Cleveland BrownsCLE TD Seneca Wallace passed to Brad Smelley to the right for 12 yard gain (Jeff Wolfert made PAT) 10 – 14
4th QuarterCLE – DET
10:25 Detroit LionsDET FG Derek Dimke kicked a 40-yard field goal 10 – 17
6:05 Cleveland BrownsCLE TD Adonis Thomas rushed to the left for 3 yard gain (2pt attempt failed,Adonis Thomas run up the middle) 16 – 17
0:28 Cleveland BrownsCLE FG Jeff Wolfert kicked a 45-yard field goal 19 – 17

Passing

Cleveland Browns Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
Thaddeus Lewis(notes) 5 8 90 62.5 11.3 0 0 0 0 101.0
Colt McCoy(notes) 6 8 88 75.0 11.0 2 15 0 0 110.4
Seneca Wallace(notes) 7 13 86 53.8 6.6 0 0 1 0 100.2
Brandon Weeden(notes) 3 9 62 33.3 6.9 1 2 0 1 19.0
Detroit Lions Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
Shaun Hill(notes) 8 12 83 66.7 6.9 0 0 1 0 114.2
Matthew Stafford(notes) 4 7 51 57.1 7.3 1 4 0 1 40.5
Kellen Moore(notes) 4 14 40 28.6 2.9 0 0 0 1 9.8

Rushing

Cleveland Browns Rush Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Chris Ogbonnaya(notes) 7 27 3.9 12 0 0
Colt McCoy(notes) 1 20 20.0 20 0 0
Brandon Jackson(notes) 6 18 3.0 9 0 0
Thaddeus Lewis(notes) 3 17 5.7 14 0 0
Montario Hardesty(notes) 4 16 4.0 7 0 0
Jordan Norwood(notes) 1 14 14.0 14 0 0
Adonis Thomas(notes) 8 8 1.0 6 1 0
Detroit Lions Rush Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Joique Bell(notes) 16 89 5.6 21 0 0
Keiland Williams(notes) 9 71 7.9 33 1 0
Kevin Smith(notes) 5 28 5.6 11 0 0
Stefan Logan(notes) 3 10 3.3 11 0 0

Receiving

Cleveland Browns Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Jordan Cameron(notes) 2 58 29.0 42 0 0
Travis Benjamin(notes) 2 46 23.0 34 0 0
Bert Reed(notes) 2 38 19.0 21 0 0
Carlton Mitchell(notes) 1 33 33.0 33 0 0
Evan Moore(notes) 2 31 15.5 16 0 0
Dan Gronkowski(notes) 2 27 13.5 19 0 0
Adonis Thomas(notes) 1 25 25.0 25 0 0
Josh Cooper(notes) 3 24 8.0 9 0 0
Mohamed Massaquoi(notes) 1 12 12.0 12 0 0
Brad Smelley(notes) 1 12 12.0 12 1 0
Brandon Jackson(notes) 1 11 11.0 11 0 0
Chris Ogbonnaya(notes) 1 5 5.0 5 0 0
Jordan Norwood(notes) 1 2 2.0 2 0 0
Rod Windsor(notes) 1 2 2.0 2 0 0
Detroit Lions Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Calvin Johnson(notes) 2 36 18.0 27 0 0
Maurice Stovall(notes) 2 35 17.5 27 0 0
Will Heller(notes) 2 28 14.0 21 0 0
Nate Hughes(notes) 2 22 11.0 16 0 0
Brandon Pettigrew(notes) 2 15 7.5 14 0 0
Dominique Curry(notes) 1 14 14.0 14 0 0
Patrick Edwards(notes) 1 10 10.0 10 0 0
Stefan Logan(notes) 2 7 3.5 4 1 0
Wallace Miles(notes) 1 4 4.0 4 0 0
Lance Long(notes) 1 3 3.0 3 0 0

Kicking

Cleveland Browns XPM XPA FGM FGA Lng Pct Pts
Jeff Wolfert(notes) 1 1 1 2 45 50.0 4
Phil Dawson(notes) 0 0 1 1 37 100.0 3
Detroit Lions XPM XPA FGM FGA Lng Pct Pts
Derek Dimke(notes) 0 0 1 1 40 100.0 3
Jason Hanson(notes) 2 2 0 1 0 0.0 2

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

Browns vs. Lions – 1st Quarter Recap – Browns Starters Struggle

August 10, 2012 by 19 Comments

The Browns faced the Lions in the GLC and the first quarter was certain to be the most interesting as Brandon Weeden and company would take most of their reps before departing. Here’s how it went.

Brandon Weeden had a mixed first drive. He threw the ball to the ground a couple times and eventually fumbled the ball away. Not before he threw a pass to Mohamed Massaquoi for a reception and what is presumed to be a concussion. Massaquoi retreated to the locker room very quickly and would not return. The shot didn’t even appear to be that big as he collided with the shoulder of a Detroit defensive back.

Weeden also made a very nice long reception down the left sideline to Travis Benjamin who got past his man for the ball over the top for 34 yards. It was clearly the offensive highlight of the first half. [Read more...]

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

What We’re Watching: Browns at Lions

August 10, 2012 by 37 Comments

Preseason football is upon us! As the Browns head through their four-week journey of stadiums which will be empty by the third quarter, we here at WFNY will shed some light on the one thing we will each respectively be looking for from the otherwise meaningless contest. Naturally, having all player escape without injury is a priority. But beyond this, we have plenty to keep an eye on.

What We’re Watching… [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , ,

Trent Richardson Could Miss First Preseason Game With Sore Knee

August 7, 2012 by 15 Comments

Showing up at Tuesday’s practice with a sleeve around his left knee, reports our of Berea are circulating which state that Trent Richardson, the Cleveland Browns’ third-overall draft pick, could miss Friday’s first preseason contest against the Detroit Lions.

The wrapped knee happens to be on the same leg that was surgically repaired prior to the NFL Draft combine. Alas, Richardson, who missed a portion of an earlier practice with head issues, was relegated to the exercise bike.

“We’re evaluating it,” coach Pat Shurmur said following Tuesday’s practice. “There’s a chance he won’t play on Friday. I’m always concerned about injuries, but at this point we’ll just find out what it is. He’s been practicing well. Just a little sore.”

Richardson, along with the rest of the starting units are expected to play at least the first quarter in Friday’s Great Lakes Classic in attempt to make up for lost snaps that have been taken away by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

[Related: Colt McCoy Should Be Dissatisfied but Not Surprised]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , ,

Why do the Browns play the Eagles twice in three weeks?

April 18, 2012 by 13 Comments

Something has been staring us all in the face since the NFL schedule came out and I don’t think anyone has brought it up yet. Thankfully for us, we have the benefit of readership that is more observant than we are. We were alerted to the fact that the Browns play the Eagles in the all-important, “dress-rehearsal” third game of the preseason a mere two weeks before the Eagles come back to Cleveland for the season opener.

I know teams don’t tend to show a ton of their secrets in the pre-season, but it certainly seems odd that the schedule-makers would put these two games so close together and also have the Browns play the most “real” pre-season game against the same team.

In 2011 the Browns pre-season opponents were the Packers, Lions, Eagles and Bears in that order. In 2o12 it is the Lions, Packers, Eagles and Bears. Even a slight change in order placing the Eagles earlier would make more sense.

In the end, it probably isn’t a giant deal, I guess, but doesn’t it seem odd? As if the Browns didn’t have enough to think about in terms of working on their team and gameplan, but now they’ll have to think about being that much more secretive and “vanilla” when they’re trying to emulate the way they actually want to come out of the gate to start the NFL season.

I’ll admit I don’t have tons of knowledge about the schedule and its intricacies year over year, but this does strike me as strange.

[Related: 2012 Cleveland Browns schedule has been released]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , , ,

Cleveland Browns should build a roof and plan for Super Bowl L

April 15, 2012 by 81 Comments

According to PFT, the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys will both be bidding to host Super Bowl L in 2016. For those who aren’t good with Roman numerals, that means Super Bowl 50. We all know that the Browns have never appeared in a Super Bowl or hosted one. While we can’t guarantee that the Browns will ever compete in a Super Bowl, recent history with Indianapolis and Detroit hosting Super Bowls tells us that we could host one if we had a roof on the stadium. Much like Browns fans proved with Peyton Hillis’ Madden cover, we are a powerful group of people. Is it time that we finally controlled our own destiny and got a Super Bowl hosted in the city of Cleveland by building a roof?

I know this is always a controversial idea because Browns football is rooted in history of playing outdoors. Then again Browns football is also rooted in the history of the late 80s that also never produced a trip to the Super Bowl. As hard as we’ve rooted, the Lerner family hasn’t been able to deliver more than a single playoff game. So maybe it is time to take control of our own destiny and at least get in the running to host a Super Bowl. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , ,

Follow the Lions Model

October 13, 2011 by 29 Comments

I like Tom Heckert. The second-year Browns GM is attempting to essentially build a team from scratch, thanks to years of botched drafts from the Phil Savage/Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini: head decision maker eras.

Flush with money to spend after this summer’s lockout ended, Heckert decided to stand pat, only spending a little of the cap space to plug a few holes on the likes of nickel corner Dimitri Patterson, spotty Safety Usama Young, and the since-injured third-down back Brandon Jackson. The Browns have a plan – play the young kids, develop from within, and don’t waste money on past their prime “name” free agents.

The plan will only work if Heckert hits on his early round draft picks and finds late-round steals. I know this sounds obvious, but its imperative that the Browns stay the course with this.  It’s even more imperative that Heckert’s eye for talent comes through. Savage was brought in because of his supposed scouting genius. As it turned out, neither his talent evaluations nor his GM abilities translated to wins on the field. [Read more...]

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

Browns vs. Lions: What We’re Watching For…

August 19, 2011 by 18 Comments

As the Browns continue to work their way through this accelerated training camp, it’s time now for us to ramp up our games. In advance of our weekly “Browns Will Win If…” posts, we like to stretch the hammies and take a few laps during the pre-season games. With that, we give you: “What We’re Watching For…” again this year. AND, IT’S THE GLC!! The Browns and Lions are both coming off of fairly impressive wins. The Browns’ starters should be playing into the second half–or, if nothing else, until halftime.

brownslions

Other than this, what needs to be said?

With that on the table, what are we here at WFNY looking for tomorrow night?

What We’re Watching For:

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , ,

Should Browns Have Reacted Against Ndamukong Suh?

September 1, 2010 by 26 Comments

It is a story that Jake Delhomme wishes would go away.  But with constant replays and quotes being bantered about, Ndamukong Suh’s attempt at quarterback decapitation will continue to be the talk of Browns camp heading into the fourth and final week of the preseason.

Shortly after the contest, Rick laid out a second-by-second schematic of the play that resulted in the Lions rookie defensive lineman grabbing Delhomme by his facemask, only to twist him backwards and throw him to the ground – all being done with the ball having already been thrown downfield.  The biggest reaction this drew from the Browns offensive linemen was Tony Pashos attempting to point Suh out to a nearby official. 

The lack of retort is something that has raised many eyebrows over the last few days.  [Read more...]

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

Browns’ Lauvao Bests Lions’ Suh: Mangini Asks League For Discipline

August 30, 2010 by 8 Comments

I went back and watched with great interest the match-up between Browns rookie right guard Shawn Lauvao and Detroit rookie Ndamukong Suh. Suh was the second pick in the draft, but widely considered to be the top player available. Lauvao was making his second preseason start, and looked pretty decent in his first effort against the Rams, but wasn’t tested the way Suh would certainly do. What I saw made me smile. Lauvao certainly held his own against the Nebraska uber-pick.

Before you go crazy remembering the face-twisting body slam Suh laid on Jake Delhomme, make sure you check the tape. Suh lined up across from Lauvao, and despite a wicked inside spin move Shawn kept his feet in the proper position and walled Suh. He then had to engage a stunting LB from the opposite side of the line, passing Suh to the inside. Originally I thought Mack should have picked up Suh, but Mack was also engaged. With the stunt the Lions had brought more rushers on the right side than the Browns had blockers. Lauvao, having stopped Suh’s forward momentum reacts and picks up the hard charging stunt keeping him from Delhomme. The line holds for at least 3 seconds, at which time Hillis disengages and becomes the outlet receiver. Jake is forced to step forward in the pocket because of an outside rusher who gets by Joe Thomas as he stumbles. Delhomme steps up right into Suh. [Read more...]

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

Preseason Game #3: Browns vs. Lions – Open Thread

August 28, 2010 by 38 Comments

It’s the Great Lakes Classic – that venerable tradition, celebrating the clash of two of football’s greatest powers, in an all-important preseason matchup.  It is, however, the most important and indicative preseason contest for the Browns and those who follow their every move with great interest.  It’s the one contest that most closely resembles a regular season game when the outcome is supposed to matter.  It is expected that the first team offense and defense will play at least the first half and potentially see some time in the third quarter as well, and that includes quarterback Jake Delhomme.  Kickoff at Ford Field is scheduled for just after 5 PM on this early evening Saturday night contest.  Join us in the comments as the anticipation ratchets up with the season getting closer and closer.

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: ,

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

August 27, 2010 by 5 Comments

This is the “dress rehearsal”. More importantly, though, IT’S THE GLC!! Will we see our offense holding onto the ball for a change? Will the defense again step up for the lion’s share (see what I did there?) of the game? We’re getting closer to official BWWI territory, so perhaps our starters will play into the third quarter as well…

brownsrams

Other than this, what needs to be said?

With that on the table, what are we here at WFNY looking for tomorrow night?

What We’re Watching For:

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

NFL Trade News: Browns Acquire Draft Pick for Corey Williams

March 5, 2010 by 29 Comments

LOL Corey WilliamsThe first big splash of free agency for the Browns wasn’t a signing, but a trade. Defensive lineman Corey Williams will be heading to Detroit. The details are mixed as to what type of pick the Browns received for Williams. The best information we have is that the pick is a 5th rounder. It is possible that the pick is for next year’s draft however. We might not get the full details until Williams takes his physical and the deal is completed.

As has been written here before, the Browns have a ton of money invested in the defensive line. While I think that both lines are vital to a team’s success and that they certainly deserve a piece of the pie, the Browns were paying an awful lot for a guy that had lost his starting job. When Williams came here after the 2007 season along with Shaun Rogers, he was supposed to stabilize a weak position. That never happened. He was never the pass rush threat in Cleveland that he was in Green Bay. The switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 certainly could be to blame. Others have suggested that Williams, like some who get a big payday, became less motivated. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , ,

While We’re Waiting…Dan Gilbert Announcing, Eric Mangini and the Lions, Power Rankings

November 27, 2009 by 4 Comments

Apologize for the slight delay today y’all. That turkey makes me quite sleepy and I hope everyone out there had a good Thanksgiving with their family and friends. 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 in the sidebar.

dan-gilbert-owner-of-the-clevleland-cavaliersEveryone’s favorite owner was chatting along with the FSN crew for a while on Wednesday night and here are some of the main highlights: “The Cavs beat Coach Kuester’s Pistons 98-88 in Detroit last night. LeBron had 34-8-7, Daniel Gibson threw in an extremely efficient 13, and Mo Williams had double digit points with 8 assists. All that said, Dan Gilbert stole the show for me from the announcers’ chair.” [Brendan Bowers/Stepien Rules]

Well Lions faker-gate ended pretty quickly: “Head coach Eric Mangini has essentially repealed what he said about Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions, which was that he thought the Lions were faking injuries to slow down the Browns’ no-huddle offense that was torching the Lions in the first quarter. Citing mostly his frustrations with the game itself, Mangini explained that he apologized to the Lions coach Jim Schwartz and the two friends sorted it all out.” [Steve Dimatteo/Dawg Pound Daily] [Read more...]

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

Jim Schwartz: Eric Mangini’s Latest Burnt Bridge

November 24, 2009 by 37 Comments

Eric Mangini VaderSpygate will forever go down as the bill where the former assistant coach turned head coach fires off at his former boss.  Eric Mangini came up under Bill Belechick, and then opted to throw him right under the bus with alleged use of recording equipment during game situations.  And since that went so well, Mangini has opted to turn his focus towards current Lions coach Jim Schwartz – a coach Mangini worked with in the 1990s. [Read more...]

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