June 20, 2013

Former Buckeye, Steeler OT Mike Adams stabbed in robbery

June 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Mike Adams has been hospitalized today, per the latest news on Twitter:

Adams, who was Pittsburgh’s second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, had an back-and-forth career with the Ohio State Buckeyes after being a No. 1 high school recruit. A positive drug test further hurt his draft candidacy, but he showed his commitment to the Steelers, his childhood favorite team.

In the 2012 season, Adams played in 10 games and started six for the 8-8 Steelers. From all of us here at WFNY, we’re wishing all of the best to our AFC North rival and this former standout OSU lineman.

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NFL Draft: Ohio State’s Mike Adams Failed NFL Combine Drug Test

April 19, 2012 by 33 Comments

NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports that Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine.

While other players have tested positive for marijuana and gone on to have stellar NFL careers, this is yet another character-based issue that will be chalked on to the draft capsule of the Buckeyes offensvie lineman. Per La Canfora, Adams has been “upfront” with teams about the drug test, and he has already completed a counseling program.

The Cleveland Browns have long been linked to a variety of offensive linemen, needing an upgrade at the right tackle position, with one recent mock draft having the team select Adams with the 22nd-overall pick. Once considered to be first-round talent, Adams will be fortunate to see his name called on Thursday evening after he follows a disappointing combine outing with this latest unavoidable bout of news.

[Related: NFL Report: Mike Adams visits Browns and Steelers]

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NFL Report: Mike Adams visits Browns and Steelers

April 17, 2012 by 9 Comments

This isn’t a surprise at all, but it is the first report we’ve heard that Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams has indeed already visited the Browns-

“Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams has visited the Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns, according to a league source.”

This comes from Aaron Wilson, who writes for Scout.com, National Football Post and covers the Ravens locally. He can be found on twitter @RavensInsider.

We’ve discussed the Adams to the Browns possibility before. As well as his poor showing at the combine. At the very least, you would imagine Adams would be a possibility for the Browns at #22.

The Steelers have the 24th pick. Scouts Inc. lists Adams as the 27th rated player in the draft.

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New ESPN Mock Has Browns Selecting Blackmon, Adams, Weeden

March 29, 2012 by 43 Comments

With less than one month remaining until the 2012 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Todd McShay feels that the current aligned stars will land the Cleveland Browns a new wide receiver and offensive tackle once the first round is said and done. Specifically, Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon and Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams.

Says McShay:

With the top two quarterbacks on the board already gone, Blackmon’s size, hands and physical style offer the Browns a playmaker who can help current QB Colt McCoy.

Adams is a little risky because of his lack of consistency and killer instinct, but he has the size (6-7¼, 323), agility and long arms that teams look for in left tackles. The Browns have a need at tackle, and Adams has plenty of upside.

The interesting curve ball comes when McShay moves on to the second round, where he has the Browns front office selecting Blackmon’s partner in crime, Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden. Weeden, 28, and Blackmon combined to produce a solid chunk of one of the best offenses in Division I college football last season. While McShay’s note mentions that Blackmon offers a “playmaker for Colt McCoy,” it would appear that the third-year quarterback would be handing over the reigns to a play-caller with whom said playmaker has considerable chemistry.

The Browns have reportedly set up private workouts with both Blackmon and Weeden. The front office was also heavily represented at the Oklahoma State pro day earlier this month.

[Related: Digging into the Packers blueprint under Ted Thompson]

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Guessing what the Browns’ moves mean… so far

March 16, 2012 by 73 Comments

These are allegedly tea leaves

Even without a ton of movement in free agency, I think we’ve seen and heard enough to start at least making some educated guesses about what the Browns are thinking and doing. Please save me the cheap jokes about them doing “nothing” in the comments.

Defensive line – Regardless of what you think about Frostee Rucker or Juqua Parker, their signings say a few things. First of all, the Browns probably won’t spend one of their high draft picks on a defensive end. It seemed like even the best defensive linemen in the draft were reaches at #4 anyway, so this is good news. The Browns have Sheard, Taylor, Rubin, Rucker, Parker and holdovers like Marcus Benard, Scott Paxson, Brian Sanford, Brian Schaefering, Emmanuel Stephens and Jayme Mitchell. Hold on there, Jayme Mitchell.

Will Burge from ESPN Cleveland reported on the first day of free agency that Mitchell’s people were trying to contact the Browns, presumably to figure out his future. My guess is they were trying to secure his release. Regardless, the Browns will probably draft a defensive end somewhere in the draft, but it won’t be all that high, considering their signings. [Read more...]

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DB Mike Adams signs with Denver- not offered a contract by Browns

March 15, 2012 by 19 Comments

The Denver Broncos have signed former Browns CB/S Mike Adams according to reports, and by Adams himself via his twitter account-

“clev didnt offer a contract for me 2 stay, so now im a Bronco. I went hard every play 4 u clev! I will miss that locker room, and the fans!”

Adams reportedly had other visits scheduled, but Denver couldn’t let the veteran leave without a deal. Adams played 5 seasons for the Browns, playing in 76 games. He started 32 of those games, including all 16 last season. The versatile DB played the nickel back, corner back, free safety and strong safety in his time in Cleveland, as well as kick and punt coverage. Nicknamed ‘Pops’, he was a popular player in the Browns locker room.

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NFL Free Agency: Browns S / CB Mike Adams visiting Denver Broncos

March 14, 2012 by 7 Comments

Finally a source you can trust!

Mike Adams reports on his own twitter account that he is headed to the airport to visit the Denver Broncos.

As he says, “unfortunately” he obviously wants to be back in Cleveland. Adams just finished up a three-year $4.1 million deal with the Browns as he heads into his 30s. Mike Adams has proven to be a valuable asset because of his versatility rotating between safety and cornerback. That being said, he isn’t the kind of guy you can spend too much money on.

More importantly, the Browns need to get 28-year-old Dimitri Patterson back first.

[Related: Where's all the Browns salary cap money?]

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While We’re Waiting… New stats, Cavalier losses and NFL Combine “losers”

February 29, 2012 by 13 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.

Interesting info on Griffin, Blackmon and the combine in general- “Stats Inc. came up with a stat that I think shows what an impressive downfield thrower Robert Griffin III was last year: air yards. That’s the amount of passing yards a quarterback gets, obviously, through the air, before a receiver catches and runs with the ball. Comparing the percentage of air yards Griffin had last year to two other downfield throwers, Andrew Luck of Stanford and Brandon Weeden of Oklahoma State.” [King/SI.com] (Tip of the hat to Josh Neidus) [Read more...]

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NFL Combine News: Former Buckeye Mike Adams fails to impress

February 25, 2012 by 5 Comments

Former Ohio State OT Mike Adams didn’t help his draft stock on Saturday completing only 19 reps in the 225 pound bench press. Adams, projected to be a top 25 pick in the April draft, saw 39 offensive linemen do better in the bench press. Adams’ 19 was better than only 5 linemen lifting at the combine.

Another former Buckeye, center Mike Brewster pushed up 29 reps, and Matt Kalil, the consensus top tackle in the draft lifted 30. Michigan’s David Molk easily ‘won’ the bench press with 41 reps.

The NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said of Adams’ 19 reps-

“That’s not acceptable for that position, not even close.”

The issue isn’t necessarily just brute strength, it could be indicative of a poor work ethic, something no lineman wants to be branded with, especially going into the draft. Adams will probably have to have a much better showing at his pro day if he wants to be selected in the top 20-25.

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NFL Combine News: OT Mike Adams talked with Browns about move to RT

February 23, 2012 by 5 Comments

Former Ohio State Buckeye Mike Adams had his turn at the scale and in front of the mic in Indianapolis Thursday. Adams was measured at 6’7″ and weighed 323 pounds. According to Adams, he has been asked by a couple of teams about the possibility of switching to right tackle in the pros. Cleveland and Washington are two of those teams he mentioned. He said he was open to the move.

“If my name is called in the first round, I can’t even explain how that would feel.”

The Browns own the 4th and 22nd picks in the first round of the draft. Scouts Inc. has him as the 19th rated player in the draft.

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NFL Free Agents: Safeties

February 14, 2012 by 17 Comments

League-wide free agency begins March 13th. The Browns have stated all along they prefer to build the team through the draft, but will take a look at the players available in free agency. Previously we looked at the receivers available. Then a glance at the linebackers. Next, we stared longingly at offensive tackles before finishing last week with quarterbacks. We started this week by looking at defensive ends. Today, we look at the available safeties.

Safety has been a strange position for the Browns of late. In the last 3 years, the Browns have drafted 4 safeties. And every year Mike Adams ends up starting at one of the safety spots eventually. Maybe it just seems like the Browns have been trying to replace him for years. They have not been successful.

They appear to have the free safety they want in T.J. Ward. The strong safety spot has been in constant flux. Usama Young, Eric Haag and Ray Ventrone are all still on the roster. Will the Browns settle on one of these? Will they bring Mike Adams back? Would they consider dipping in the free agent pool again? Here’s the list of potential candidates- [Read more...]

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NFL Draft Rumor: Browns Linked to Buckeye Mike Adams?

January 25, 2012 by 45 Comments

We all know that the Cleveland Browns need to figure out the right side of the offensive line as betting on Tony Pashos only paid off when compared to John St. Clair if at all.  Apparently the Browns could be placing a high priority on it as well in the draft according to WalterFootball.

Word is that the Cleveland Browns have serious interest in Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams. He has been inconsistent in Mobile, and that was his track record with the Buckeyes. Still, Adams plays a position with a high demand, and at the Senior Bowl he has also taken reps at right tackle. Cleveland could target Adams with their second first-round pick (from Atlanta) to upgrade their right side and replace veteran Tony Pashos. Adams could be a good bookend on the other side from Joe Thomas.

Too often Cleveland Browns fans who are also Ohio State Buckeyes fans start to clamor this time of year for the Browns to draft their favorite college players.  This is one of those times where there is some actual synergy to the possibilities.  Adams is a great athlete who would fill a position of need and at 22 in the first round probably isn’t being tremendously overvalued in some homer Buckeye fan manner.

Currently, NFLDraftScout.com has the giant 6’7″ Adams ranked as the fifth best offensive tackle and projects him in the second round.  CBS sports has him ranked 5th positionally and 38th overall while potentially landing him in the mid to late 20s of the first round in a couple of mock drafts.

[NFL Playoffs Teach Us that Building Teams is Hard Work]

[H/T to Jim Kanicki]

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Four Buckeyes to Participate in Senior Bowl

January 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Four Ohio State Buckeyes will take part in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama next Saturday. They are offensive linemen Mike Adams and Mike Brewster, running back Daniel Herron and wide receiver DeVier Posey. The rosters were released to NFL clubs Sunday.

Tackle J.B “False Start” Shugarts was not on the Senior Bowl roster. Have no fear Buckeye fans, he could always get an invite to the East West Shrone game, or perhaps the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, or even the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game. (Yes, these are real things.)

The quartet will have plenty of familiar faces surrounding them. They are 4 of 20 Big Ten players selected to the North squad. Kirk Cousins (Michigan State) and Russell Wilson (Wisconsin) will play QB for the North. At least after Kellen Moore is finished anyway. A pair of UC Bearcats were also selected.

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Nice Story or Nightmare? – Eric Hagg Could Debut as Starter Sunday

November 11, 2011 by 21 Comments

Injuries are a way of life in the NFL.  Everyone knows it.  Some years are still considerably worse than others.  For the Browns it feels like some decades are worse than others.  I’m nervous even thinking about the word “staph” let alone typing it to this day.  In the NFL, injuries are a way of life and an opportunity for a player to step up and prove his capability, value, toughness and guts.  Then again, for many other teams, the guy stepping up isn’t likely to be a seventh rounder chosen a mere six slots away from “Mr. Irrelevant.”  That is the position of the Cleveland Browns this upcoming Sunday with rookie Eric Hagg probably set to start opposite Mike Adams in the defensive secondary.

T.J. Ward and Usama Young both missed practice today and Eric Hagg started with the first team.  Hagg is an experienced player from Nebraska and obviously did enough in camp to justify sticking around for the Browns who also added to the unit by signing Usama Young in free agency.  That in and of itself is no small feat for a seventh round pick.  But the story could still turn out to be a nightmare unless Hagg takes this opportunity and shows something on Sunday other than an ability to chase Steven Jackson toward the end zone. [Read more...]

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When It Rains It Pours

October 3, 2011 by 13 Comments

It’s almost too much to believe.

Almost.

An embarrassing weekend of football in Ohio got worse today instead of better. Mondays are water cooler days. It is when you talk yourself out of the funk of another loss. It’s when you start getting a little better perspective on what just happened to your favorite team. Message boards go crazy. Comments and traffic spike on websites like WFNY. By Wednesday, we are ready to put the previous loss behind us and look forward to the next game.

For Browns and Buckeye fans, things aren’t going to get much better today.

Browns fans find themselves listening to unbelievable suggestions that Peyton Hillis needs to  be traded, that Pat Shurmur needs to be fired and that Seneca Wallace should start at QB. These are only going to linger as the Browns head into the bye week.

For Ohio State fans, we get more news of suspensions. DeVier Posey and Dan Herron will apparently not be back for this week’s game against Nebraska. The lone bright spot in Saturday’s debacle in Columbus was knowing it would be the last game our ‘tattoo 4′ would miss. Now, the offense will once again struggle without 2 of it’s 3 suspended leaders. Sure, Mike Adams will return to play his left tackle spot, but that really hasn’t been the worst spot on the line for the Buckeyes. [Read more...]

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Cleveland Browns Defense Had Incredible Day Against Dolphins

September 26, 2011 by 26 Comments

The Cleveland Browns offense struggled big time for most of Sunday’s contest.  It isn’t exactly unexpected that a young offense will struggle.  Plus, yesterday they were dealing with the loss of Peyton Hillis to what must be one heck of a bout of strep throat.*  These facts make it all that more amazing that the Browns not only won the game yesterday, but that they were even in the position.  The defense of the Browns is playing incredibly well so far this season, especially considering their youth.

It starts up front.  The Browns biggest question mark coming into the season was defensive line.  Before the draft, all Browns fans were wondering who would play alongside Ahtyba Rubin**.  Most of us were hoping that Marcus Benard could play defensive end and sure enough he is a backup.  Rubin along with Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard and Jayme Mitchell have been steady and productive so far this season. [Read more...]

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On the Browns and Taylor Mays

August 15, 2011 by 23 Comments

I’m not even sure, exactly why I am talking about Taylor Mays.  I guess mostly for a couple of reasons.  Last year before the Browns drafted Joe Haden and T.J. Ward, Taylor Mays was one of the many draft options in the forefront of many Browns fans’ minds.  There were questions about his maturity, attitude and his size being a bit too big to play NFL safety in coverage.  Those questions ended up causing him to drop into the second round where Mike Singletary and the 49ers snatched him up with the 49th overall pick.  Fast forward and Mike Singletary is out and ESPN reported that the 49ers sent an email blast letting everyone know that Mays was available.

Again, why am I even talking about this?  The Browns don’t have a spot for Taylor Mays with T.J. Ward at the strong safety and Usama Young and Mike Adams at the free safety.  Plus, free safety seems like a pretty bad fit for Mays as the question marks around him are related to his ball skills and inability to play in space.  Even still, I can’t help but wonder if this is the kind of project that the new Browns’ regime would be interested in entertaining.  Why?  Check it out. [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting…Tribe Rallies In 8th and Buckeyes Forefeit Some Cash

August 13, 2011 by 6 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. 


Tribe rolls in 8th to beat Twins:  “The Tribe’s lineup went dark during Masterson’s time on the hill, but an eighth-inning rally helped the Indians pull off a 3-2 victory over the Twins in the opener of this three-game set. That had Masterson smiling in the wake of what marked the 14th win this year for Cleveland in its last at-bat at home.

“They’ve shown that they’ll score runs at some point in time,” Masterson said. “Hey, I’ll take it whenever they come. A ‘W’ is a ‘W’ for the team.”

And, right now, the Indians need as many as possible.  The win over the rival Twins allowed the Indians (59-57) to hold their position within the American League Central standings. The first-place Tigers defeated the Orioles on Friday, leaving Cleveland’s deficit fixed at three games for the time being.

“We have to control our own destiny,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “That way we don’t have to be worrying about what the other clubs are doing. We have to take care of what’s in front of us.”

After being handcuffed for seven innings by Twins right-hander Carl Pavano, the Indians broke through for two critical runs in the eighth. Travis Hafner singled off of Pavano, ending the pitcher’s evening with one out in the frame. Carlos Santana and Matt LaPorta followed with run-scoring doubles off of lefty Glen Perkins to put the Tribe up for good, 3-2.”  [Jordan Bastian / MLB.com] [Read more...]

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Browns Reportedly Reach Agreement with Safety Usama Young

July 28, 2011 by 30 Comments

Chris Fedor of WKNR said it was imminent and Tony Grossi has apparently confirmed that the Cleveland Browns have signed 26-year old Usama Young.  Young comes to the Browns by way of the New Orleans Saints and the third round of the 2007 NFL draft.  Grossi also reports that the Browns expect Young to be their starting free safety this season, spelling out Abe Elam’s future (or lack thereof) pretty definitively.

I know this isn’t the big splash that a lot of Browns fans were looking for, but it seems like a decent gamble.  Young is a Kent State grad and hasn’t played a ton.  He served as a backup and utility type player on special teams for the Saints.  There is really no shame in being a backup to Darren Sharper in your mid-twenties.  You can consider this a real opportunity to judge the Browns’ scouting department. [Read more...]

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2011 Holmgren Report: Defensive Backs

February 15, 2011 by 9 Comments

Last year we thought we’d introduce ourselves to Mike Holmgren by offering a report of each position group. The reports contained a ‘Roster Upgrade Advisory System’ not unlike that of Homeland Security. This year, even though the big show has been around for a year and has Tom Heckert in house, we thought we’d give the reports another shot.  Previous reports: OL

As Rick mentioned in yesterday’s piece on the offensive line, NFL teams looking to add pieces this offseason are in a bit of a quandry due to the pending labor issues that could halt free agency all together. 

Evaluating 2010

Last year, WFNY listed the  upgrade advisory within the defensive backfield as “severe.”  Given what the team had going into last season, it made sense that two early draft selections and a key trade would ultimately land the Browns three new players within their secondary. [Read more...]

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