...a tradition of hope, passion, and misery
The great heist. You’ve seen the movies. An all-star cast gets together to pull off one big job. Along the way there are hi-jinx and laughs. Plot twists force our gang to change plans or everyone gets caught. It’s a great concept.
So I was thinking what if we made a team with Cleveland athletes?
I proposed the question twitter and took in some responses. [Read more...]
I’ve known about Brendan Leister and his work analyzing the Browns for a long time. He’s been active in various capacities for years, in fact. 70,000+ tweets if you need him. Anyway, he doesn’t approach the Browns like a fan, preferring to stick to the technical scouting approach. With that in mind, I wanted to talk to him about the Browns’ signings so far, what it means right now and what it means down the road into the draft.
You can find Brendan and his crew doing their excellent work over at DraftBrowns.com and you can find him on Twitter @BrendanLeister. I implore you to check out their site. Ryan is a good writer and Mikey is another Excel nerd 1 who actually understands roster construction and salary cap issues.
Here’s what we talked about.
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Last night Rick and I were intent on talking Browns. We didn’t know all the details of Desmond Bryant’s deal yet, let alone the Quentin Groves pickup. Still, there’s a lot of good Kruger talk.
Here’s what else…
The Browns made their second splash on Opening Day of NFL Free Agency, adding former Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Desmond Bryant. The team signed him to a 5-year, $34 million contract with $15 million guaranteed.
Browns adding Desmond Bryant wp.me/p14QSB-7CoB
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 13, 2013
Cleveland gave former Raiders DT Desmond Bryant a five-year, $34 million deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2013
Bryant, 27, attended Harvard and is in his fifth NFL season. Missing just one game in those first four years, he has started 18 games the last two years (8 in 2012). Last season, he recorded 36 tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He was also tied for 7th among defensive tackles with 12 quarterback hits.
It was mentioned by several sources that there were multiple suitors for Bryant, and he was one of the hotter names under the radar in free agency.
Desmond Bryant was our 6th graded DT last season. Had 4th best Pass Rushing Productivity score
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) March 13, 2013
This acquisition gives the Browns incredible depth on the defensive line with their corresponding move to defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s 3-4 defense. Bryant joins starter quality defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor along with Billy Winn, John Hughes, and Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, who all made an impact in their rookie season. Here’s one national writer’s takes on how all that could shake out.
So #Browns new front 7: DEs Bryant & Rubin. NT Taylor. OLBs Sheard & Kruger. ILBs D’Qwell & JMJ. Horton calling shots. Looks good on paper.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) March 13, 2013
Bryant is the second free agent addition of the day, following the acquisition of former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger.
There’s also the matter of Bryant’s mugshot from a recent arrest, which can be found here.
Related: Banner Report: Defensive Line
You may remember back in 2010 (you know the last time there was a complete overhaul in Berea) we wanted to give incoming President Mike Holmgren a hand evaluating the roster. We are nothing if not equal opportunity. The Browns have a completely new group in charge this year. Joe Banner, Mike Lombardi, Rob Chudzinski, Norv Turner and Ray Horton take over a 5-11 team. They have plenty of important decisions to make about the roster between now and the 2013 NFL Draft. WFNY wants to offer our assistance with The Banner Position Reports. Previous reports:LB, QB, RB, DBs
Let me just crack my knuckles a little bit as I take on the position group that might need the smallest amount of work for the Browns this off-season. If there is any debate at all about Tom Heckert’s ability to acquire talent, I don’t think we should look at this position as proof that he needs to improve. Heckert inherited the premier player on the defensive line in Ahtyba Rubin, but other than that it was all Tom Heckert’s work.
Tom Heckert acquired Phil Taylor with the 21st pick in the 2011 draft after trading with Atlanta, who picked wide receiver Julio Jones. Regardless of whether you like that trade or not, Phil Taylor has done his part to make it look better. Despite being injured last season and only appearing in eight games, the talented mix of size and speed in Taylor is unmistakable. Watching a 6’3″ monster at 335 pounds chase plays down from behind is astonishing. Beyond that, Heckert found really good value in the draft with John Hughes (3rd round) Billy Winn (6th round,) and undrafted Ishmaa’ily Kitchen. Even with the departures of 4-3 scheme players like Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker, the Browns’ defensive line appears to be in pretty good shape going into 2013. [Read more...]
The NFL unveiled its fines for hits from Week 17 today, and surprisingly, only one player from the Browns-Steelers game received a penalty. And of course, it was a Brown.
Cleveland defensive tackle Phil Taylor was the one in trouble, because of his unnecessary roughness forearm that concussed Pittsburgh offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum away from the play. He was fined $7,875 for the play. It’s the second fine of his career, along with his $7,500 penalty for hitting Chad Henne in a Sept. 25, 2011 game.
Notably, there were no other fines assessed to other players, such as Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison, offensive lineman Doug Legursky, or Browns defensive tackles Billy Winn and Ahtyba Rubin. The game turned ugly after Legursky dived into the legs of Craig Robertson after a second-quarter play.
[Related: A new coaching staff could mean a change to a 3-4 defense. Are the Browns ready for that?]
I didn’t quite know what to expect when I set about to talk to a Steelers blogger about the matchup this weekend between Thad Lewis’ Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers. I ended up getting some really nice insight from a real pro who has vast knowledge of the league in general and the Steelers and AFC North in particular. He was quite objective as I think most at WFNY try to be with regard to the Browns. Although, I’m not sure that he and I will ever agree on James Harrison.
You can find Dave Bryan at SteelersDepot.com and on Twitter.
And I’m not sure if you want to listen to it due to topic, but Dave produces one of the best sounding and most professional podcasts I’ve heard. The Terrible Podcast.
Here’s what else we touched on:
To keep up the flow of roundtable conversations this week, I bring to you a discussion I’ve had with long-time friend and occasional writer Jordan Marks, who blogs for Dawg Pound Daily. We tackle the major NFL Draft needs of the Browns and a number of prospects that could be a good fit. Let’s hear your take in the comments.
Jacob: Copied below is a lil spreadsheet of some NFL draft big boards — I picked eight different ones. You’ll see the top 19 guys; the clear players that separated themselves from the rest of the pack.
Position breakdown: 1 QB; 1 WR; 5 O-linemen; 2 LB; 2 CB; 4 DT; 4 DE
Who caught your eye? Did someone stand out? Who blew it? That’s what were interested in this morning. Winners and losers.
It really does boggle the mind why we keep coming back for more torture…
LOSER: Buster Skrine. I know. It stinks that Joe Haden was hurt and couldn’t play. Yep, it also stinks that Patterson has been hurt this whole year and Buster, you’ve had to get thrown into the fire against some pretty good receivers. But wow Skrine, how many times in a run are you gonna reach out and grab a WR when the refs are throwing the flag on you? [Read more...]
It didn’t take long: The first notable Cleveland Brown has already come out on Twitter with his complaint about the referees from today’s 23-20 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys:
How much they paying these refs man!
— Phil Taylor (@PhilTaylor98) November 18, 2012
Defensive tackle Phil Taylor, who was able to play with Ahytba Rubin for the first time all season in the game, obviously isn’t happy with some of the ref’s calls. Notably, the secondary had several mistakes that led to Dallas first downs and the refs missed a blatant false start late in the fourth quarter.
[Related: Browns blow 13-0 halftime lead; lose 23-20 in overtime]
The bye week is over and Browns fans dreams of seeing Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin together have never seemed more real. That news doesn’t exist in a vacuum though. What about the young guys who filled in so admirably in Taylor and Rubin’s stead? At least for Billy Winn, it could mean some time at defensive end for the Browns.
(On the possibility of Billy Winn playing defensive tackle and end with Taylor’s return) – “Yeah, that’s a good point. When you have more defensive tackles that’ll allow Billy, if we choose to, play him at end more. Which gives us a little flexibility there.”
(On if Winn’s quickness would work at the end position) – “I think he has the body type to play end and he has quickness. Yeah, I think he could do it.”
If there’s any chance at the Browns making any kind of run in the second half of the season, you have to think one of the keys would be on the defensive line. Jabaal Sheard has struggled in his sophomore effort, and we’ll soon find out if that has had more to do with missing pieces in the middle of the line. Now it also could mean a game-tested tryout for Billy Winn to see if he can be a 4-3 defensive end.
[Related: Safe to say Haslam meant what he said regarding changes]
From the Browns-
“The Cleveland Browns today signed defensive lineman Hall Davis to the practice squad.
Originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2010 draft, Davis has appeared in one regular season contest. He spent 10 weeks on the Titans’ practice squad in 2010, before being signed to the active roster where he appeared in one game. He spent training camp with Raiders this season before being waived on final roster cuts on August 31. A two-year starter at Louisiana-Lafayette, he totaled three sacks and one interception in 12 games as a senior. Born March 2, 1987, the 6-4, 270-pound Davis is a native of Baton Rouge, La., where he attended University High School.”
DT Ahtyba Rubin did not practice again today for the Browns. Emmanuel Stephens was placed on the IR yesterday. DT Phil Taylor expects to be active this week against the Ravens, taking Stephens’ spot on the roster.
[Related: Shurmur on young players gaining confidence]
The Cleveland Browns might someday dominate the defensive line when they get Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor back. That won’t be the case this Sunday.
The Browns injury report as of Friday says that Rubin, Dimitri Patterson and (of course) Scott Fujita are out.
Mohamed Massaquoi, Trent Richardson and Tashaun Gipson are questionable.
The probables are Montario Hardesty, John Hughes, Tank Carder, Travis Benjamin, Johnson Bademosi, Chris Ogbonnaya, Frostee Rucker, Usama Young, T.J. Ward, Bubba Ventrone, and some others.
Interestingly enough, Montario Hardesty hasn’t really been a frequent guest on the injury report. Between that and Trent Richardson, could it be that Brandon Jackson sees himself as an active member of the roster this weekend?
[Related: WFNY Podcast – 2012-10-26 – Craig and Rick preview Chargers matchup]
As the Cleveland Browns prepare to stop Ryan Matthews and the San Diego Chargers this Sunday, they will be one step closer to having an improved run defense with defensive tackle Phil Taylor returning to practice for the first time since the start of the 2012 regular season.
Taylor injured his pectoral muscle during an off-season workout and was subsequently placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Earlier this week, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur hinted that last year’s first-round draft selection would see the practice field “this week.” With fellow defensive tackle Athyba Rubin reaggravating his calf injury, Taylor’s return will be a huge boost to a defense that was abused by a committee of reserves in Indianapolis just one week ago. Rookies Billy Winn and John Hughes have seen their snap counts increase in the wake of these injuries.
As a team through 2012, the Browns have allowed 133.7 yards per game on the ground, good enough for 25th in the NFL.
Taylor played in all 16 games as a rookie out of Baylor, recording 59 tackles and four sacks to go with a forced fumble. There is no word on Taylor’s participation level or when he will be deemed ready to return to the playing field on Sunday.
[Related: Mike Holmgren gives way to Jimmy Haslam in his final address]
During his Monday press conference with the Cleveland media, Pat Shurmur revealed that Phil Taylor will be returning to practice after missing the first seven games of the season.
And not a moment too soon, considering that Ahtyba Rubin wasn’t able to play the full game against the Colts with his calf injury. Maybe someday the Browns will have a full complement of defensive linemen at their disposal.
In Taylor and Rubin’s absences, the Browns have played rookies John Hughes and Billy Winn most frequently.
Shurmur on Phil Taylor returning – “Phil will be out there practicing this week; I’ll give you that”
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 22, 2012
[Related:Browns Lose….But Weeden Improves]
News out of Browns practice today was that Phil Taylor is on pace to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list when he is eligible to come back. Barring any setbacks, of course, this is great news for the Browns. Taylor underwent surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle from off-season weight-lifting training. Due to NFL PUP list rules, Taylor isn’t eligible to return to the team until after the week six game against the Bengals.
The Browns’ defense has had a tough time being full-strength this season and Phil Taylor’s injury hit Browns fans in pre-season like a ton of bricks. With the return of Joe Haden from suspension and the expected return of Phil Taylor, maybe the Browns’ defense can turn around what is turning out to be a statistically woeful year for the unit.
Since Taylor has been out the Browns have used draft picks John Hughes and Billy Winn among others. Tom Heckert has spoken of wanting depth on the defensive line and with the impending return of Taylor and the emergence of capable rookies, he might finally have it.
[Related: Bengals vs. Browns 2 – Reader Survey]
One of the nicer stories in an otherwise disappointing year so far for the Browns has been the defensive line. Much-maligned John Hughes and surprising late-rounder Billy Winn have been surprisingly good filling in for Phil Taylor. While it is a nice story, there’s no doubt that it would be an even better one if they were coming in to spell Taylor rather than filling in for him completely due to a torn pec sustained lifting weights this off-season. He’s getting closer and is eager to play, but he and the Browns also seem to be eager not to rush.
“I want to get back, but I’m not going to push it,” Taylor said in the locker room Monday. “My body will let me know when I’m ready to play.”
You hate to look too far ahead, and the Browns are expected to compete week-in and week-out despite injuries. That being said, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the second half of the season when the Browns will hopefully have both Taylor and suspended corner, Joe Haden, back on the field. While nothing is guaranteed, you have to look at it as at least an opportunity for things to really come together for the young, inconsistent defense.
[Related: “Cleveland ’95: A Football Life” will be mandatory viewing for me]
When John Hughes was drafted in the third round by the Browns, he was surprised. Surprised might be putting it mildly. His draft watch party with his family wasn’t even until the next day, when they thought he might hear his name called.
The Browns thought enough of the Cincinnati Bearcat that they pulled the trigger and picked him 87th overall.
Cleveland was looking to add depth to the defensive line that already included defensive tackles Ahtyba Rubin and last year’s first round pick Phil Taylor. The pick was met with criticism, as many of the “draft experts” thought Hughes was a big reach with a third round pick. But when Taylor was injured in the off-season, expectations of Hughes shifted from depth player to probable starter- at least from the fan base.
Fast forward to yesterday, the last day of training camp. Hughes worked mostly with the second unit during practice. He started the first two preseason games, but has had to battle all camp long for the spot.
“I think it went great, especially being a rookie just being able to come out here and compete.” said Hughes of training camp. “Especially with the vets and learning the plays and the system. That’s the big thing learning the system, then coming out here and playing your best.” [Read more...]
The Cleveland Browns have sustained another critical blow to their defensive front seven this morning. Reports out of Berea (including from our own Rick Grayshock) indicate that linebacker Chris Gocong was carted off the field after suffering an injury to his lower right leg. Some (including Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot) are speculating that due to the nature of his reaction after planting his foot to change directions that it was his Achilles. The Browns are painfully thin behind Gocong with fifth-rounder James-Michael Johnson and Kaluka Maiava being the most likely candidates. The Browns are already facing the loss of defensive tackle Phil Taylor for significant time this season as well as the suspension for linebacker Scott Fujita, so this was a blow that will certainly cripple the team defense.
Pre-season power rankings aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Much like initial draft grades, they’re an excuse to talk about things, but rarely do they have much validity as the first few names are populating IR lists in fantasy football. Be that as it may, the Browns have been placed dead last on PFT’s power rankings.
Last year, the Browns were the only members of the AFC North to not make it to the postseason. While they likely won’t be quite so alone when the dust settles on 2012, they’re currently all alone at the bottom of the heap.
Hey, someone has to be No. 32. Though the Browns could scratch and claw and climb and thrive (and I personally hope they will), the franchise collectively has pressed the button that falls between “panic” and “reset” for the coming season.
Give Florio and company some credit. They don’t just throw a list together with a couple of one-liners. Their post on the Browns will seem like old hat to most of you hard-cores, but they do a very good job of laying everything out there on the team’s strengths, weaknesses, changes to the team and expected camp battles.
In this case, it wasn’t so much about smashing the Browns as pointing out the obvious question marks. The Browns might be headed in the right direction with their most recent draft, but it truly is impossible to tell until we actually see Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden and Mitch Schwartz play football. It is equally impossible to tell until we see the defense without Phil Taylor.
If Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren did their jobs this off-season it won’t be long until they’re out of the basement. If they didn’t? Well, there’s no place further to drop.
As Florio said, “Hey, someone has to be No. 32.” Did Florio get it right, or is there a team that you think should have been below the Browns?
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