May 18, 2013

Browns and WR Davone Bess agree to 3 year extension worth $11.5M, $3.75M guaranteed

April 27, 2013 by 1 Comment

Hours after news broke that the Browns had agreed to a trade for Dolphins’ WR Davone Bess, the Browns and Bess have a greed to a contract extension. Bess’s new deal is reportedly worth $11.5 million over 3 years with $3.75 million guaranteed.

Bess brings the Browns a veteran presence to add to a group of young receivers seeking leadership.. After breaking every receiving record imaginable in three years in Hawaii, Bess put in five productive seasons as undrafted free agent in Miami.

“Davone is a proven receiver who has been extremely productive throughout his career,” said Browns Head Coach Rob Chudzinski.  “He possesses outstanding hands and separation skills, while also showing the ability to pick up yards in key situations.  Because of his talent and experience, we feel as though he can come in and help us right away.”

Bess had 61 catches for  778 yards and 1 touchdown last year in Miami.  In his five years in Miami, Bess averaged 64 catches a season along with 689 yards. With the additions of Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson to Miami’s receiving corp Bess and his 2.6 million contract became expendable.

[Related: Video: NFL Films presents Davone Bess "Out of the Fog"]

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NFL Draft: Davone Bess to Browns rumors heating back up

April 26, 2013 by 6 Comments

The Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins are continuing their discussion revolving around the trading of wide receiver Davone Bess.

With the first round of the  2013 NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, teams are looking to address their needs be they in terms of additional picks or players. NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport reports that the Browns and Dolphins are haggling over what picks would be exchanged in return for the veteran receiver. There is an alleged deadline due to the logistics of getting Bess to Cleveland in the event a deal is indeed consummated.

On Thursday night, the Dolphins traded up to the third-overall spot to land outside linebacker Dion Jordan, a rumored target of the Browns at No. 6. In doing so, the Dolphins lost their second-round selection but still have a second-rounder (54th overall) due to a previous trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The Browns do not have a second-round pick due to selecting wide receiver Josh Gordon in last year’s supplemental draft.

Bess, 27, is scheduled to make $2.6 million in base salary in 2013. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2014. A possession receiver, he had 61 catches for 778 yards and one touchdown last season. Rumor of the Browns’ interest began surfacing earlier this week.

[Related: Adding Mingo adds an identity in Berea]

 

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NFL Rumor: Browns among teams interested in Davone Bess

April 24, 2013 by 9 Comments

Tomorrow night is the 2013 NFL Draft, which will certainly feature plenty of trade speculation, but Wednesday night brings about a new Cleveland Browns trade rumor. Reportedly, the team is among many interested in the services of 27-year-old Miami Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess.

From the Twitter account of the Chicago Sun Times’ Sean Jensen:

With Miami’s offseason acquisitions of Pittsburgh WR Mike Wallace, St. Louis WR Brandon Gibson and NY Jets TE Dustin Keller, Bess has suddenly become expendable from their deep receiving unit. Rumors have circulated for the past several months on where he might land in 2013. Meanwhile, all offseason, the Browns have been linked to interest in several options to boost their less-than-ideal receiving corps.

Bess originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Hawaii in 2008. He has played the entirety of his five-year career with the team, exceeding even the wildest of expectations.

In these five seasons, Bess has 321 receptions for 3,447 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is one of only 10 NFL players (Bess, Boldin, Fitzgerald, Gonzalez, Ca. Johnson, Marshall, Wayne, Welker, White, Witten) to catch 50+ balls in each of the last five seasons. He also helped to return punts for Miami from 2008-2011.

Currently, Cleveland owns the rights to six other draft picks after the No. 6 overall selection on Thursday night: 3rd (68); 4th (104); 5th (139); 5th (164); 6th (175); 7th (227). While potentially unpleasant to fans, it could be possible that the team parts ways with one of these precious few picks on a deal for Bess, who is due approximately $3.4 million in 2013. Such a trade certainly would be more likely if the Browns pull off another draft move to add more picks.

[Related: The best offensive free agents still available for the Browns]

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While We’re Waiting… Draft day trades brewing?

April 21, 2013 by 3 Comments

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.

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Connecting the dots between a possible Kansas City-Miami trade that might affect the Browns’ plans with the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft: “The connections between the Chiefs and the Dolphins, with regard to [Branden] Albert, have been present for awhile. Now, they possibility could be coming closer to being a reality. On Thursday, Arrowhead Pride passed along the information that the Chiefs had given permission to the Dolphins to speak to, but not meet with, Albert.” [Chris Pokorny/Dawgs By Nature]

[Read more...]

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NFL News: CB Brent Grimes signs with Miami Dolphins

March 30, 2013 by 12 Comments

Former Falcons pro-bowl corner back Brent Grimes signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. The deal is worth a reported $5.5 million.

Grimes, who only appeared in one game last season due to a torn Achilles tendon, made a visit Cleveland back on March 16th but left without a deal.

ESPN’s Brent Sobleski tweeted that the Browns were offering Grimes similar salary (slightly less), but spread out over a couple years.

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported that the Browns, who have $28 million in cap space, weren’t willing to match the high price for a player coming off a torn ACL.

Grimes, 29, was undrafted out Shippenburg University (GO SEA DEVILS!) in 2007 and spent the past six seasons with the Falcons. Grimes made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and the Falcons used the franchise tag on him following the 2011 season.

With Grimes off the market, the Browns are still looking for a corner back to play opposite of Joe Haden. Missing out on Grimes should only increase speculation that the Browns could take Alabama CB Dee Milliner with the 6th pick in the 2013 NFL draft on Thursday, April 25th.

[Related: Fun with Numbers: New Browns Edition]

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Dolphins re-sign quarterback Matt Moore

March 8, 2013 by 12 Comments

Almost everyone who talks about the Browns this off-season indicates they think the Browns will bring in a quarterback to compete with Brandon Weeden. Well business just picked up for Derek Anderson.

The Dolphins signed their backup – and frequent Browns rumor victim – Matt Moore to a two-year deal to back up Ryan Tannehill. According to reports, the deal is worth $8 million.

So take a target off the dart board for the folks in Berea at midnight tonight when talks with free agents can begin, well, officially anyway.

Other targets not named Derek Anderson could still include Brian Hoyer, Jason Campbell, Rex Grossman, Drew Stanton, A.J. Feeley and David Carr. Yes, I purposely left off Brady Quinn.

[Related: Banner Report: The Quarterbacks]

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What could Trent Richardson’s contract look like?

May 10, 2012 by 1 Comment

The new rookie wage scale is supposed to make contracts easier. Now that we are in the second year of the program, I expect it to be even easier than last year, especially for Trent Richardson who wants his deal done by Friday. Most of the rookies at the top of the first round get their four-year deals fully guaranteed. Last year’s third-overall selection Marcell Dareus agreed to a 4-year $20.4 million deal with the Bills.

The breakdown of that deal looked something like this.

  Salaries Signing Bonus Cap Number
2011  $376,371  $3,335,000  $3,711,371
2012  $1,302,605  $3,335,000  $4,637,605
2013  $2,230,210  $3,335,000  $5,565,210
2014  $3,157,814  $3,335,000  $6,492,814
Total  $7,067,000  $13,340,000  $20,407,000

So without too much trouble the Browns should be able to figure out how to get Trent Richardson’s deal done as long as it doesn’t get too nit-picky in terms of structure. Just assume that Richardson’s deal will be 100% guaranteed and four years long and probably with an option year for the fifth year. [Read more...]

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Mike Holmgren is doing a different job than Bill Parcells

May 8, 2012 by 31 Comments

One thing that has been abundantly clear from Mike Holmgren’s time with the Browns is that until the team starts winning, there are fans who will doubt everything he does or doesn’t do. In fact many have wondered, what, exactly, it is that he does do for the Browns. When Mike Holmgren had a chance to talk to Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer from The Really Big Show on ESPN Cleveland today, he mentioned that people mistake his job for the role that Bill Parcells played in Miami.

“The job sometimes gets confused I think because coach Parcells went into Miami just a few years before I took this job.” Holmgren said. ”I’ve talked to Bill about what he did there and he was football and personnel. He didn’t coach the team you’ll remember, but he was involved with the personnel even though he had a general manager and all those things.” [Read more...]

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NFL Draft Rumor: Browns and Eagles talking deal?

April 13, 2012 by 131 Comments

A rumor linked to Tony Grossi’s musings is all over Twitter indicating that the trade winds could be blowing as we move closer to the draft. The meat of the rumor has the Eagles looking to move up to #4 presumably to take Ryan Tannehill. The Eagles have the 15th pick in the draft and also numbers 46 and 51 in the second round.

For the Browns, it takes them out of the running for guys like Richardson, Blackmon and of course, Tannehill. If it happens the Browns will have five picks in the top 51 which could allow them to fill more spots. It also gives them the bullets to trade back into the first round if they choose to go that route.

The trade being rumored does work out on the cliche, but presumably antiquated “NFL Draft Pick Value Chart.” Hopefully if the Browns do trade down they will pit the Eagles and a team like maybe the Dolphins against each other to really maximize the haul.

[Related: NFL Draft: Browns Schedule Two-Day Visit for Tannehill]

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NFL Free Agency: Manning Eying Denver, Souring on Miami?

March 12, 2012 by 11 Comments

Reports circulating early Monday morning have free agent quarterback Peyton Manning potentially souring on the Miami Dolphins, the team which was the early favorite to acquire the player’s services following his release last week. In turn, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Denver Broncos could in fact be Manning’s next destination.

The first domino to fall, Manning’s release set the stage for what would ultimately start to land quarterbacks in various destinations. The Washington Redskins followed suit by trading for the second-overall pick in the upcoming draft, presumably to acquire Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Manning, a future Hall of Fame quarterback, took a brief tour of various facilities, but has put that to an end by stating that he “does not want to make this into a Reggie White tour.” While he is familiar with the Dolphins’ facilities from previous Super Bowl appearances, Miami appears to be the third-likeliest landing spot behind Denver and Arizona.

If the Dolphins do not land Manning, thoughts are that they will look to acquire free agent quarterback Matt Flynn. Flynn was rumored to be a target of the Cleveland Browns, speculation only became more rampant upon the Redskins’ recent trade. With the Dolphins potentially entering the fray, however, the Browns may ultimately be turned off by any bidding war after general manager Tom Heckert recently stated that the team will not be “going crazy” in free agency.

[Related: With RG3 Gone, Browns fans prefer McCoy, Blackmon]

(Source: PFT)

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NFL Free Agency: Matt Flynn unlikely to be tagged by Green Bay Packers

March 4, 2012 by 5 Comments

As the deadline for using the franchise tag approaches Monday at 4 PM it becomes less and less likely that the Packers will use their franchise tag on Matt Flynn. The Green Bay Press Gazzette seems to think that Packers GM Ted Thompson will not take the risk.

If they tag Flynn, though, they would have to make room for his $14.4 million tender, at least for a brief time, on March 13. That would require personnel moves, such as releasing players and restructuring contracts, before 3 p.m. March 13.

For all the Matt Flynn fans amongst Browns fans this is good news. Certainly you have to think the Dolphins have the inside track on Flynn should he become a free agent with former Packer offensive coordinator Joe Philbin as the new coach in Miami. Fans and media types have also mentioned Miami as a destination for Peyton Manning should the Colts cut him loose.

So we’ll see. For now, it appears that one hurdle to Flynn’s availability in free agency is close to being cleared as the franchise tag deadline approaches quickly.

For more on Matt Flynn and the Browns…
Please let it be Matt Flynn
What would it cost for Matt Flynn if he is franchised?

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Report: Flynn to Dolphins not a slam dunk

February 24, 2012 by 17 Comments

“It’s hardly a no-brainer that free agent Matt Flynn is destined for Miami based on the Joe Philbin factor.

True, Philbin was the offensive coordinator in Green Bay under whom Flynn looked like Bart Starr, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers rolled into one in Green Bay’s 2011 season finale. True, Philbin is head coach in Miami now, and the Dolphins would be wise to dive off the Chad Henne treadmill. True, some team likely will throw a small fortune at Flynn and promise him a starting job.

On the other hand, Philbin’s coordinator in Green Bay will be ex-Packers head coach Mike Sherman. And we’ll guess he’ll have a big say in who the Dolphins chase at QB.

Sherman was the head coach at Texas A&M during the ascent of Ryan Tannehill, widely regarded as the third-best quarterback in the 2012 draft.

Here’s Sherman talking to the Sun-Sentinel about Tannehill:

“Like all good quarterbacks he had great poise. Very confident in any system, west coast or not. Any quarterback has to be confident in his own skin and believe in himself. They always say a great quarterback makes those around him better. I thought Favre did that. I think Aaron Rodgers does that. I think Tannehill does that as well.”

-From the Canton Repository’s Steve Doerschuk. Of course, it’s not like anyone hoisted a huge Matt Flynn banner in Miami anyway.

[Related: For the Browns, Please Let it Be Matt Flynn]

 

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Peyton Manning Sweepstakes Heating Up

January 23, 2012 by 4 Comments

A few weeks ago, Adam Schefter spawned a couple of days of talk about the Browns and Peyton Manning with mere speculation that the Browns could be a suitor should Manning get cut before he is owed a $28 million roster bonus in March.  It has been mostly quiet on the Peyton Manning front since then as Indianapolis has shaken things up by hiring GM Ryan Grigson, firing Jim Caldwell, and interviewing head coaching candidates, possibly even former Buckeye Jim Tressel.  It is not so quiet anymore.

Yesterday teams seemingly started using the media as a mouthpiece to express interest in a player that they are certainly not legally allowed to speak with or about.  The Dolphins got out first with a report in the Miami Herald.  That report pulled a double whammy by also mentioning Packers backup Matt Flynn, who also isn’t available yet.  That makes some sense since Miami just hired former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to be their new head coach.  With all the talk started, the Cardinals didn’t want to be on the sidelines. [Read more...]

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Cleveland Browns Film Room: Week 3 Crossing Routes

September 29, 2011 by 13 Comments

Each week this season, we’ll take a seat in our very own WFNY Browns film room and break down a little tape from the previous week.  Do enjoy.

This week I thought we’d take a look at one of the Browns’ favorite plays. There are many different routes that a receiver can take, but it is the combination of the routes that can help create separation and a small window for the QB to deliver the ball. A staple of the ‘West Coast Offense’ (invented by Paul Brown, not so much a west coaster) is the short crossing route. Against Miami the Browns ran crossing routes from several formations, but we’re going to look at one in particular. We have a successful and a not so successful example to work with.

[Read more...]

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Browns Back in Berea on Monday Despite Win

September 26, 2011 by 17 Comments

Despite the 17-16 win over the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday, the 53 men who comprise the roster of the Cleveland Browns as well as their coaching staff will be in Berea for a quick meeting on Monday.

Under Eric Mangini’s watch, wins – all 10 of them – were followed by a player of the coach’s choice yelling “See y’all on Wednesday” to the rest of his teammates before they hit their respective showers.  A “victory Monday,” as they’re called in the business are an extra day of rest provided as a reward to the winning team, allowing for additional recuperation – both mental and physical – following a hard-fought contest.  But with the Browns heading into their final game before their Week 5 bye and not exactly looking as sharp as a tack on Sunday afternoon, head coach Pat Shurmur neglected the day off, telling his team postgame that he would get the “in and out” as fast as possible.  [Read more...]

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Browns Find A Way to Beat Dolphins 17-16

September 25, 2011 by 36 Comments

The Cleveland Browns beat the Miami Dolphins, but it was a game that gave pretty much the entire Browns rooting world a heart attack.  The Browns scored a go-ahead touchdown to lead 17-16 with 0:43 remaining in the game.  Colt McCoy found Mohamed Massaquoi in the end zone after picking apart the Dolphins’ prevent defense for 80 yards.  The subsequent Browns kickoff was 15 yards back after an excessive celebration penalty by Ben Watson and Mohamed Massaquoi for both being on the ground at the same time.  The Dolphins needed to move the ball at least five yards in order to have a realistic shot at a field goal after setting up at the Cleveland Browns’ 47 after the kickoff.  The Browns’ defense heroically held and Mike Adams intercepted Chad Henne on 4th and 10 to seal the victory for the Browns.

The Cleveland Browns missed Peyton Hillis mightily today.  That isn’t to say that Montario Hardesty played badly, because he didn’t.  Hardesty had some decent runs including a long one of 19 yards on his way to 67 yards on 14 carries.  That being said, it never appeared that the Dolphins truly respected Hardesty and the Browns never established him enough to force the issue.  The results seemed to be Dolphins pass rushers pinning their ears back and receivers not being able to get open in the minimal amounts of time that McCoy had to throw. [Read more...]

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Dolphins vs. Browns – First Half Report

September 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The Browns didn’t hit the ground running today.  It’s hard to imagine that they would with Peyton Hillis out with strep throat.

The Browns only had possession of the football for about four minutes in the first quarter.  The defense did incredibly well to hold the Dolphins to only seven points.  It isn’t a coincidence that those seven points came after Colt McCoy hand-delivered the ball to the ‘Phins just under 60 yards from the end zone.  The Browns would look like a cohesive offense for one drive in the 2nd quarter ending in a highlight reel 33-yard touchdown pass and catch by a high jumping Josh Cribbs.  The Browns should feel fortunate to end the first half down 10-7. [Read more...]

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Game Three Open Thread: Browns vs. Miami Dolphins

September 25, 2011 by 56 Comments

Coming off their first win of the season, the Browns return home to face the 0-2 Miami Dolphins.  They will have to get their first home win of the season without their offensive leader, Peyton Hillis, who was ruled out this morning with strep throat and a fever. Montario Hardesty will get the call with Armond Smith backing him up.

With Brian Daboll returning, there’s plenty of motivation for Browns players on the offensive side of the ball, particularly quarterback Colt McCoy, whose rocky relationship with Daboll was detailed by Mary Kay Cabot this morning.  Even with Hillis out, the Dolphins D has been torched in the first two weeks of the season and this game is a great opportunity for Colt McCoy to put up some numbers. While he’s not Tom Brady or even Matt Schaub, Colt should be able to connect for some big plays, with a home win absolutely still within reach.  The Browns are still 1.5 point favorites.  For our preview, check out our regular friday “Browns Will Win If..” feature for the Miami game.  Leave your thoughts and comments here as the afternoon develops.

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Breaking: Peyton Hillis Ruled Out for Browns Game Against Dolphins

September 25, 2011 by 2 Comments

It started on Friday, when Peyton Hillis was sent home from Berea with an illness, ordered to get some rest and fluids.  Apparently, the weekend didn’t do him any favors and he has been ruled out of today’s game against the Miami Dolphins.  Hillis arrived at Cleveland Browns Stadium this morning and was seen milling about in shorts and a t-shirt.  Adam Schefter reported this morning that he was suffering from strep throat and a fever but the Browns still believed he was going to play, despite his condition being contagious.  Reports from the stadium were that Hillis looked awful this morning.  Then, at about 10:30, Mary Kay Cabot reported that Hillis retrieved his car from the players’ lot valet, and drove off.  Those reports are now confirmed, with Will Carroll first reporting that he was ruled out.  Schefter and Fox’s Jay Glazer quickly followed with confirmation.

One week after mysteriously being cut out from the gameplan, Montario Hardesty will get the call for the Browns.  Pat Shurmur said all week that he wanted to get Montario more touches, although I’m sure he didn’t expect it to happen in this fashion and so soon.  Armond Smith will back up Hardesty for the Browns.

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While We’re Waiting…Hardesty & Hillis, Signing Asdrubal & Masterson, McCoy & Daboll’s Rocky Past

September 25, 2011 by 2 Comments

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.

Balancing the bulk for the backs: “While Hillis is one of the Browns’ best offensive weapons, it would be in their best interest to lighten up on his carries when possible, not only to keep him healthy, but to see what they have in Hardesty. Before Hillis burst onto the scene in 2010, and before Hardesty blew out his knee in that preseason, the rookie out of Tennessee was deemed a potential starter for the Browns. Developing that potential and operating a successful two-back rotation will do wonders for the Browns offense, paying bigger dividends later in the season.” [Steve DiMatteo/Dawg Pound Daily] [Read more...]

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