May 20, 2013

NFL Rumors: Browns listed as one of six possible landing spots for Tim Tebow

The Cleveland Browns are considered to be one of the few landing spots for quarterback Tim Tebow.

NFL.com’s Mark Sessler believes that Tebow, recently cut by the New York Jets in the wake of their selection of West Virginia’s Geno Smith this past weekend, believes that Rob Chudzinski‘s offense would make sense for the versatile Tebow if he could get past the hurdle of the cold weather.

“It’s a long way from sunny Florida,” writes Sessler, ”but coach Rob Chudzinski ran an option-fueled offense with the Carolina Panthers; none of Cleveland’s current quarterbacks bring that flavor. The Browns didn’t add a passer in the 2013 NFL Draft and appear married to the idea of giving Brandon Weeden another chance this season, but Tebow would give this young team some flexibility.”

A sideshow of epic proportions, Tebow has been erratic at best since stepping behind center with the Denver Broncos. On the field for just seven percent of the plays run by the New York Jets in 2012, it appears that Tebow‘s days as a passer could be over—many anticipate that he will have to change positions if he is to forge a career in the NFL going forward. This said, Tebow‘s ability to run the read-option offense could land him in a place where quarterback is a position of need.

Through three seasons, Tebow has a completion percentage of 47.9 percent, throwing 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has added 12 touchdowns with his feet, none of which occurred in 2012.

[Related: 2013 NFL Draft – “Did the Browns win or lose?” with Scott Raab – WFNY Podcast]

Browns contribute to Deadspin naming Erie PA the NFL’s most tortured TV market

Many of our friends down in Columbus know what it’s like to not know exactly which games will be on TV every week. I’m sure it’s a pain in the neck, but know that it could be worse. Apparently being caught between the Bills, Browns, Steelers, Eagles and Lions in varied proportions has made Erie Pennsylvania the most tortured NFL TV market according to Deadspin.

Sweet, sweet victory! Fifty-four percent of Erie’s Sunday afternoon games involved one of 2012′s s****y teams, including 10 Bills games (63 percent of Buffalo’s Sunday afternoon games) and nine Browns games (56 percent). Despite being further west, Erie still managed to pick up four Eagles games (33 percent) and four Jets games (29 percent); what’s more, Erie wandered a little close to the Midwest and got hit with three Lions games (25 percent). To top it all off, the city got only nine Steelers games, just 75 percent of the team’s Sunday afternoon total.

I have known people from Erie all my life and I know that it used to be a much stronger Browns market. Obviously the Steelers have made inroads there since the 90s when the Browns were (even more) irrelevant. In all seriousness, this is one of the battlegrounds where Jimmy Haslam can pick up some marginal Browns fans. There is a history of Browns fans in Erie at least historically. Maybe he can find a way to re-ignite it. Plus, if the Browns were a good and exciting team, they would no longer become a knock on the TV.

[Related: Mike Polk blasts Browns coaching search with (tragic) comedy]

Braylon Edwards is still available

As Mike Holmgren came out front to talk about the Browns last week, he was asked frequently about the Browns and how they feel about their wide receivers. Out of one side of his mouth, Holmgren proclaimed his love for Mohamed Massaquoi and stated his expectations of the receiver are high. Out of the other side of his mouth, he indicated (without using any specific names) that the Browns made bids for receivers like Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, but were drastically outbid in free agency.

If they ever had Braylon Edwards somewhere deep on their list of backup plans for the position, there’s no need to remove him from that list yet.

The Jets have apparently closed the door on Braylon Edwards coming back.

The New York Post reported that they Jets have ruled it out, opting to go with a group of younger wideouts.

Edwards caught just 15 passes for 181 yards in nine games with San Francisco last year, as he was slowed by knee and shoulder injuries. The 49ers released him before the end of the regular season, and some thought the Jets were a logical landing spot.

You might think that the Browns would be a logical landing spot too considering the problems they’ve had at receiver in the past. Of course Browns fans, who have clamored for every receiver under the sun including Lee Evans, have been talking about Edwards a bit here and there. Still, there is no actual indication that the Browns have any interest bringing him back.

I am not sure whether that says more about Edwards or Travis Benjamin and Josh Cooper.

[Related: Mike Holmgren changes Browns public relations course]

NFL Free Agency News: Santonio Holmes staying with Jets

The Browns are one of the most receiver-starved franchises in the NFL, but don’t look to former Ohio State Buckeye and Steeler Santonio Holmes for help.

Even after a very strange ending to the season between Holmes and QB Mark Sanchez including bickering, the talented receiver will be back in NY.  He’ll be making plenty of money too.

The Jets will pay Holmes $15 million over the next two years to stay and potentially not get along with his team and cause distractions in the huddle.

The Browns will just have to keep looking for someone to catch passes amongst the list of draft picks and available free agents.

[Related: On Character and the future of Cleveland teams]

Report: Jets Teammates Rip Mark Sanchez, Covet Peyton Manning

Mark Sanchez will always be news in Cleveland because the Browns traded out of that pick in the 2009 NFL draft. The Browns received the 17th and 57th picks in exchange for the 5th pick in the draft.  In addition to the picks, the Browns also received quarterback Bret Ratliff, defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman and safety Abe Elam.  Now, the player that the Browns traded away from, Sanchez, is having his work ethic questioned.

“We have to bring in another quarterback that will make [Sanchez] work at practice,” said one player, according to the newspaper. “He’s lazy and content because he knows he’s not going to be benched.”

In addition to that there was additional commentary coveting Peyton Manning should he become available in free agency.

The Browns may not have any of the three players that came over in that deal, but there is little doubt that they ended up getting a good player in center Alex Mack.  Mack has been to a Pro Bowl and even battled through a bout of appendicitis in the 2011 season, not missing a game.

While We’re Waiting… Dirty Sanchez, Skyenga and Tribe of Yester-year

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.

Because it’s gross and the twitter world exploded when it happened last night- Sanchez wipes booger on Mark Brunell. [Hugging Harold Reynolds]

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Christian Skyenga steadily climbing the ladder of Cavalier all-time points leaders. Up to #231 already- “Despite all that the Cavaliers lost again and Skyenga will have to wait a few more days for his first career W. On the glass is half full side, he passed four more ex-Cavaliers and it now sitting pretty at 231st all-time.” [Wooley/Stepien Rules] [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting… Revisiting Braylon, Howard Leaving Orlando and More on Shurmur

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.

Taking another look at the Edwards and Sanchez trades- “Okay,” we all thought. Its a win-win for both franchises. The Jets got their quarterback; a good-looking, charismatic kid from USC, perfect for the big city. The Browns needed picks and depth everywhere, and to be able to snag two players who would most likely play right away (Elam and Coleman) as well as an additional second-round pick? Seemed like a good move. Second round picks are like gold in the NFL these days because of the expected instant impact and relatively inexpensive contracts.” [TD/Still WFNY]

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Nowhere to go but up! AMIRITE?- “I’m looking at the Synergy data on the Cavs’ defense, and dear lord it is horrifying. The Cavs are giving up an average of .95 points per possession, which is dead last in the league. They are giving up .97 points per possession in isolation situations, which is dead last in the league. They are giving up .94 points per possession to the ball-handler in pick-and-roll situations, which is dead last in the league. Essentially, if you have the ball, a live dribble, and the intention to score, the Cavaliers have no idea how to stop you.” [Krolik/Cavs The Blog] [Read more...]

NFL Playoffs: Torture for Cleveland Fans

Seriously? Ravens vs Steelers and Jets vs Patriots? Could you just gouge out my eyes instead?

How was a Cleveland fan supposed to watch these games? First you have the Steelers, sworn enemy of every good Clevelander. Cheap shot artists, thugs and criminals. Oh, and consistent winner. Don’t forget that. You know, kind of the opposite of us. And then there are the Ravens. Do I even have to go there? No matter what your opinion of Ray Lewis is, had he been wearing orange and brown he would have statues in this city. Ozzie Newsome as well. For his career on the field and in the front office. Instead, he is making smart picks for Baltimore. Sigh.

Then you have Braylon and the Jets. No way you can root for him. And the arrogance of that team makes me ill anyway. The Patriots? As much as I hated Belichik when he started winning in New England, that has nothing on my disgust of the New England/Boston fan-base. [Read more...]

NFL Injury News: Cribbs Dislocates Four Toes, Sticks the Landing

There was a noticeable gap in offensive production between the second quarter and the last drive in regulation.  After quarterback Colt McCoy hit Josh Cribbs for a 37-yard gain late in the second quarter, Cribbs limped to the sideline and subsequently to the locker room where he would not return.

While the team told the on-site media that Cribbs experienced an injury to his foot, it turns out that there was a little more to the story than initially reported.

Going inside of an Evan Moore down-field block, Cribbs attempted to jump through tacklers to gain an extra yard or two.  The result: an X-ray and four dislocated toes on his right foot, with only his big toe surviving the impact, and nary another snap as he was forced to watch the second half from the sidelines. 

[Read more...]

Week 10 Open Thread: Browns vs. Jets

The Cleveland Browns (3-5) host the New York Jets (6-2) today at 1 p.m. as they look to continue the momentum through to Week 10 of the NFL season. Following back-to-back impressive victories against the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, Cleveland is one of the hottest teams in the league. Riding the strength of running back Peyton Hillis, the consistent play of rookie quarterback Colt McCoy and a impressive run defense, the Browns hope to dominate yet another perennial playoff power today.

Follow along with us here at WFNY and check out some of our earlier posts on the game: “The Browns Will Win If…” is the essential post, but we also are now featuring Craig’s intel info and a weekly staff podcast through Cleveland.com. Go Browns!

While We’re Waiting… Jets Arrive, Browns Book, Manny Ramirez Rumors

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something else for WWW? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

Previewing yet another monster game: “In three weeks, the Cleveland Browns went from being among the dregs of the NFL (again), to an up-and-coming team that is getting noticed on a national level. Convincing wins over the defending Super Bowl champions, New Orleans, and the team with the best record, New England, will do that.

As a result, Browns have a big game Sunday. When was the last time that sentence could be used? Try, Dec. 23, 2007, as the Browns traveled to Cincinnati. That day, a win would have sealed a Browns’ playoff berth. Instead, four Derek Anderson interceptions later, the Browns lost 19-14.” [Don Delco/The OBR] [Read more...]

The Browns Will Win If…

What a difference three weeks can make. Before the Saints game, I was dreading these three games (Saints, Patriots, and Jets), thinking they would all end horribly badly for the Browns. And now, here we sit on the Friday before the Jets game with a legitimate chance to go 3-0 through this tough, tough portion of the schedule. Oh, and #17 is comin’ back, baby! Getcha Michigan hatred ready!

brownsjets

The Jets’ defense is solid; they’re 6th in the league in yards-allowed per game, and 3rd in the league in points-allowed per game. Their bread and butter on offense is the ground game, as they’re currently fourth in the league at 148.0 rushing yards per game. The Browns counter that with the 15th ranked rushing defense, surrendering 105.9 yards per game on the ground; however, they’ve allowed just 126 TOTAL rushing yards in the past two games. Rob Ryan! Rex Ryan! Eric Mangini and his former team! Braylon and the fans that love to hate him! Let’s get it on!! Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

Browns Schedule: About That 5.5 Over/Under Projection…

Before we start printing playoff tickets, let’s just bask in the glow of the Browns’ 34-14 beat-down of the Patriots yesterday, and then let’s slowwww dowwwnnnn on the prognostication. I say this because, while (as I’m about to show you) the Browns’ schedule is about to let up quite a bit, while we can look ahead at the schedule, we can’t start chalking up wins for games six weeks from now. So, guy-who-called-in-to-WTAM-on-my-way-home-and-predicted-a-10-6-finish, perhaps you might want to sleep on that for just a bit. This team is still in the “let’s look for improvement game-to-game” phase of their development, in my opinion. (So, get your “HYPOCRITE!” cannon ready, as I spend the rest of this post prognosticating.)

But, that’s not to say there’s not some reason for optimism. Back at the beginning of September, we here at WFNY had a Roundtable discussion about the Vegas line of 5.5 wins as the over/under mark. A lot of the guys took the over, but with humongous caveats attached to it. [Read more...]

Maurice Clarett Signs One-Year Deal With Omaha Nighthawks

Maurice Clarett will look to restart his football career in the UFL.  Yesterday he signed a one-year deal to play with the Omaha Nighthawks.  I am sure you all remember, but Clarett was recently released from prison after serving three and a half years for a litany of charges involving weapons, drunk driving and wearing a flack jacket.  The stories from that day were borderline terrifying to those of us who have been fans of Clarett’s from the Ohio State days.  At almost 27 years of age and with a new lease on life, Clarett looks to find his way back to football via the Nighthawks.

The Nighthawks are an expansion team for the UFL this year.  They will be coached by former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski.  Jagodzinski was fired from the BC gig after interviewing for the then-vacant New York Jets position without getting permission from the school.  The team features a few names that NFL fans will know.  Former Browns fourth round pick Beau Bell is one of the team’s linebackers.  The team will be guided on the field by quarterback Jeff Garcia.  In terms of competing for playing time, Clarett will have to beat out Ahman Green amongst others.  It won’t be an impossible task with Ahman Green being known to many football fans as a guy who is either hurt or fumbles. [Read more...]

On LeCharles Bentley Calling Braylon Edwards Gay

While on the one hand it was nice to see LeCharles Bentley stand up for Cleveland on Twitter yesterday, it also feels a bit dirty.  Yesterday LeCharles Bentley had some choice words for Braylon Edwards and his most recent criticisms aimed at Cleveland.  The only problem is that LeCharles decided that the best way to get back at Braylon Edwards for dissing Cleveland was a thinly veiled gay joke.  You know, because there is nothing worse in the world you could call someone other than gay, right?  I won’t quote it directly here.  You can take my word for it, and if you really need to figure out what he said, you can find it pretty easily with The Google.

I am sure a lot of people will just say that it is a cultural thing in the NFL.  Some will say that guys who are programmed to take each other’s heads off on each and every play of the NFL season need some leeway with regard to their cultural sensitivity.  These are not politicians or clergymen, and people need to consider the sources of statements when judging said statements. [Read more...]

Braylon Edwards Rips Cleveland in Most Hilariously Delusional Quotes Yet

I doubt Braylon Edwards is a stupid person.  He just says a lot of stupid things when prompted by the media.  In private, I would not be surprised if he is a fairly quiet, normal, and witty person.  His actions and words in public, however, impress upon you someone who can only be considered a first-rate dullard.  He has deluded himself into explaining away his failures in Cleveland on the field as a result of Browns’ fans inability to accept him and their distaste for what he stood for off of it.  It’s deja vu all over again.

He is looking for any explanation that exculpates his personal shortcomings as an employee of the organization.  I cannot speak to the psychological reasons why he continually makes this case – delusion, insecurity, provocation – but his propensity for dropping the football at the most crucial times led to unrealized expectations and an unfulfilling career in Cleveland.  This caused the fans disappointment, and in some cases, anger – “the saddest thing in life is wasted talent.”  But Braylon was back at it again in an odd bit of propaganda in the New York Times yesterday.

[Read more...]

While We’re Waiting….Mangini’s Jets, NBA’s Most Untradeable Contracts, Iguodala Rumors

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.

Mangini

Taking a look at today’s four NFL championship teams from a Browns’ perspective: “Let’s get the easy one out of the way. On paper, the current Browns are basically the baby version of the Jets, thanks to Eric Mangini’s work over the past year. Forgetting about the first three painful months of the season, the December version of the team boasted strong offensive line play, a solid and sometimes dynamic running game and some inspired, clever defense.  Of course, in terms of talent, the Browns are light years away from the current Jet team we will all passively watch tomorrow. However, if you add a top-tier cornerback, playmaking safety, athletic linebackers and some stable quarterback play, the comparisons become a little more realistic. After all, we’re still talking about a Jets team that should have never even made the playoffs.” [DK/Cleveland Reboot]

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While We’re Waiting… Jets Jinx, Best MLB Farm Systems, and LeBron James Haters

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.

Though it’s no longer up on the team site, know that there is merchandise and a URL ready to go.  Yeah, good luck with that… [Deadspin]

[Read more...]

While We’re Waiting… OSU and Iowa, Mangini’s Jets, and Arenas to Orlando?

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.

Ohio State Iowa Overtime_med

One of the year’s best: “The Big Ten’s Rose Bowl semifinal was supposed to be something of a foregone conclusion: Iowa, having survived a series of harrowing escapes to get to 9-0, had finally broken after losing starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi in a home loss to Northwestern and was trotting out a first-time starter, James Vandenberg, against the Big Ten’s best defense in a hostile road environment. But the Hawkeyes refused to fold… [Matt Hinton/Dr. Saturday]

[Read more...]

Braylon to Receive a Short Suspension?

88972005MS004_NEW_YORK_JETSWe laughed at Braylon Edwards’ latest appearance on the New York Post.  Many found it quite funny that he took his mother to court with him during his plea of “no contest“.  And now, that same group may find it amusing that the Jets wide receiver may find himself in street clothes for at least one game during the 2010 season.

Pro Football Talk likens Edwards’ no-contest plea to that of Ricky Manning’s back in 2006.  Facing assault charges, Manning left his fate in the hands of the judge – the league opted to suspend the defensive back for one game during the following season.  PFT cites that “no contest” is the equivalent of “guilty” in the eyes of the NFL and Edwards is likely to be suspended for at least one game for his part in an alleged fight outside of a Cleveland nightclub

PFT also hints that this suspension may end up hurting Edwards in the wallet as he is a free agent this off-season.  Coupling this with the fact that Edwards is one of the select number of players who will be “restricted” this summer* and he simply cannot consistently catch the ball, it is appearing more and more likely that Edwards may not be getting as big of a pay day as he would have thought upon his exit from Cleveland.

*In the absence of a salary cap, the CBA requires at least six years of service to become “unrestricted.”  Edwards’ first year was 2005.

(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)