May 22, 2013

Browns begin mini-camp; all players in attendance

June 5, 2012 by 6 Comments

Phil Dawson was in camp today after skipping the voluntary portion of OTA’s. Pat Shurmur indicated that everyone has indeed reported for the mandatory mini-camp, and that there are plenty of reps to go around-

“Shurmur feels there are enough reps during practice as well as the preseason for everyone regardless of position. He added that he is anticipating being able to distribute plays adequately between Trent Richardson, Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson.”

Over the weekend, Terry Pluto mentioned that he thought Hardesty’s spot on the team might be in jeopardy. It remains to be seen, but if Hardesty has any setbacks, it shouldn’t surprise Browns fans if they went in another direction.

[Related: Pat Shurmur and the burden of proof]

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While We’re Waiting… Looking for a little help, the best things about being an Indians fan and your new #1 RB

March 15, 2012 by 4 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.

Hey gang, sorry to bug you again. Our competition this week (new round every week) in the Cleveland Magazine Nothing but Net contest is going at this hard. They are recruiting twitter help and whatever necessary to gain the advantage. We’d appreciate you taking 30 seconds to support WFNY. Thanks! [Cleveland Magazine]

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Ten best things about being an Indians fan- “2. “Major League”: True story: After the Indians flamed out of the 2007 ALCS against the Red Sox after holding a 3-1 series lead, I called off work the very next day and watched “Major League” in my pajamas. It was a comforting and pathetic exercise made slightly more pathetic by watching it a second time later in the day.

Indians fans will always have the timeless Hollywood classic, a world where we revel in a magical winning season without being fed a far-fetched fiction where the Indians win the World Series. Ricky Vaughn and company are the perfect bubble, and for 107 minutes we get to live in it with zero danger of it being popped, even in movieland. Consider it Wahoos’ hyperbolic chamber of happiness.” [Vince G/Big League Stew] [Read more...]

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What’s Next for the Cleveland Browns?

May 10, 2011 by 20 Comments

Once again we welcome free-lance journalist Mark Leonard to share his thoughts on the NFL and the Browns. Mark is from Lorain and grew up a Cleveland fan. You can find his other WFNY guest pieces here.

The NFL draft is over, completed roughly a week ago. That talent infusion has now been exhausted. Will this be as good as it gets?

Quite possibly, it is. With the sport in legal strife, trades and free agent signings are prohibited. It is not even clear which veterans are (or aren’t) free agents. Is it enough to have four seasons in the league or must one have six?

Without that detail clarified, one can’t even evaluate how essential was Stanford FB Owen Maricec’s selection. Is Lawrence Vickers, a five-year veteran, still exclusively Browns’ property or is he not?

Much has been sufficiently made of how damaged are organizations such as Cleveland’s because of this ownership vs. players disagreement. The Browns are one of the clubs with a first-year coaching staff. Given the state of the game, those are particularly hurt by the inability to conduct mini-camps, OTAs and meetings with in-house personnel. They cannot fully install the offenses or defenses, both of which happen to be completely new in Cleveland’s case, of course. [Read more...]

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2011 Holmgren Report: Running Backs

February 17, 2011 by 17 Comments

Browns Roster Upgrade HighLast 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, DB, ST

Continuing Disclaimer: 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

Much like last year, I’m taking a look at the running backs. And, in re-reading my post from last year (that upgrade need was listed as: Guarded), it’s amazing to look at the 2010 season and realize how the landscape changed almost entirely. In some ways, it was very, very good. In some ways, it was alarming.

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Talking Browns and Final Cuts

September 3, 2010 by 24 Comments

Thank you Colt McCoy. Thank you for showing that given adequate reps in practice you are at least a #3 quarterback in this league. It makes one decision in Berea a lot easier. No, Colt wasn’t going to be cut, but the Browns can rest easy letting go of Brett Ratliff. Other decisions will not be as easy.

Here are my guesses at who stays and who goes.

QBs: Delhomme, Wallace and McCoy. Delhomme’s job coming into camp was to limit turnovers (at least interceptions) and run the offense efficiently. He was successful in that aspect and then some. Here’s hoping that when the regular season rolls around he keeps that poise and efficiency. Wallace proved to be a very capable back-up. He will see time regardless of Delhomme’s success.

Cut: Brett Ratliff. If he isn’t picked up by another team, there is a chance he could see the practice squad. [Read more...]

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Breaking News: Browns’ Hardesty Out For Season

September 3, 2010 by 35 Comments

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Cleveland RB and 2nd round draft pick Monterio Hardesty has a torn ACL which will keep him out for the entire season-

Hardesty, the Browns’ second-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft, will miss the entire regular season after an MRI on Friday revealed the extent of the injury to his left knee, according to the source. The Browns’ preseason finale was Hardesty’s debut after he suffered a bone bruise in his right knee at the start of training camp.

More on what this means for the Browns later.

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

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