May 26, 2013

In 2013 the Browns are betting on defense and hoping for offense

May 14, 2013 by 18 Comments

Kruger jerseyThe off-season isn’t over, but it’s not time to look at what the Browns have put together to try and figure out how they’re going to compete in 2013. When you’re caught up in all the details of free agency and the draft it’s much more difficult to get the overall picture, but now more than ever it seems readily apparent what the Browns are trying to do. It’s also apparent what this team could look like in 2013 as they look to improve on their 5-11 season with a whole new coaching staff and brand new looks on offense and defense.

It starts with the defense. The Browns spent almost all of their resources in free agency and the draft on defense. The combination of switching schemes and the defensive performance in 2012 demanded some serious attention. The Browns were second-worst in the NFL in terms of number of offensive plays that opposing teams ran against them. The Browns allowed opposing teams to run 1095 plays showing an inability to get off the field. They gave up the fifth-most number of first downs and the 14th most points. The Browns were truly middle of the road in terms of pressuring the quarterback with their 38 sacks and 6.0% sack rate. 1

So take that group of defenders, put them with an aggressive coordinator, add Desmond Bryant, Paul Kruger, Quentin Groves and sixth overall pick Barkevious Mingo and all of a sudden I think we’ve seen pretty much exactly where the Browns hope to be able to compete in 2013. [Read more...]

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  1. Sack rate is the number of sacks divided by pass attempts + sacks [back]

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Farewell to Josh Cribbs (for now)

March 14, 2013 by 44 Comments
Josh Cribbs shares with rookie receivers

Josh Cribbs shares with rookie receivers

I have a sister in mourning over the impending departure of Josh Cribbs. It stinks to ever have to say goodbye to players that you love as a fan of a team. Even as much as people tend to dislike Ray Lewis outside of Baltimore, there’s no denying that his career there couldn’t have ended more perfectly for his fans. Those situations aren’t the norm and certainly not with the history of the Cleveland Browns since Josh Cribbs has been in Cleveland. I will argue that this Cleveland Browns ending with Josh Cribbs is perfect enough though.

The heart and head aren’t usually aligned when fans think about NFL players. It is a brutal sport dominated mostly by young people who have yet to put themselves through the numerous car crashes it takes to endure an NFL season. That punishment and ability to withstand it is part of the mystique of NFL players that fans end up gravitating toward.

Few have played the game under those conditions with as much passion and zeal as Josh Cribbs. The fact is that it is precisely and obviously why a universe of Browns fans loves Cribbs. Yet it’s also obvious to most that the best thing for the team they love and their future is to continue to get younger and plan for a future beyond the presumed expiration date of Josh Cribbs’ next contract. [Read more...]

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Brendan Leister talks Browns pickups – WFNY Podcast – 2013-03-13

March 13, 2013 by 2 Comments

WFNY Podcast LogoI’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.

  • Paul Kruger and the level of excitement for him
  • Did the Browns overpay for Kruger?
  • Desmond Bryant should excite Browns fans more than Kruger
  • Five technique player?
  • Ray Horton’s nickel as the 2-4-5
  • Desmond Bryant’s ability against the run
  • Will Ahtyba Rubin get moved or cut next offseason?
  • Quentin Groves and is it a depth signing?
  • The Browns linebacking corps and fitting them all together
  • Craig Robertson as a cover linebacker
  • Draft plans should include another pass rusher?
  • Should the Browns take a chance on Geno Smith?
  • Do the Browns already know their opinion on Geno Smith?
  • Mike Wallace and $$$ vs. Travis Benjamin
  • Cornerback and who the Browns are going to get
  • Sheldon Brown and how well he played this season
  • Keenan Lewis and his ability to play opposite Joe Haden
  • Josh Gordon and his ceiling as the third youngest player in the NFL

 

[Read more...]

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  1. Compliment [back]

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Banner Report: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

March 12, 2013 by 10 Comments

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, DL

Not since the “The Season of Dreams” back in 2007 have the Browns had real playmakers catching the football. That year Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards each topped 1000 yards and 80 receptions before seeing their numbers drop off significantly in 2008. Then, the next three years the Browns’ pass catchers were led by Mo Massaquoi (34 rec, 624 yards), Ben Watson (68 rec, 763 yards), and Greg Little (61 rec, 709 yards). It became something to celebrate when a receiver caught a pass instead of the usual dump off to backs and tight ends. The Browns’ inability to get the ball out wide has been as much on the receiving corps as it has been on the revolving door of quarterbacks coming through Berea. It’s the old chicken or the egg conundrum. Have the struggles passing been the result of poor quarterback play, or lack of weapons catching the football? The short answer is yes. But in 2012 with Weeden throwing to Little and Gordon the Brownies started to show signs of a real passing attack. While far from a proficient one, there was now a passing attack to speak of.

[Read more...]

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Travis Benjamin named AFC Special Teams player of the week

December 12, 2012 by 2 Comments

Browns rookie WR Travis Benjamin was named the AFC special teams player of the week the team announced today-

“Benjamin returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown during the Browns 30-7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 9. The play marked the longest punt return in Browns history, surpassing the previous record of 92 set by Eric Metcalf in 1994. It was also the first time a Browns rookie returned a punt for a touchdown since Ben Davis in 1967. Also in the game Sunday, Benjamin had a rush for 15 yards on a double reverse that went to the Kanas City 45-yard line, setting up a Trent Richardson 1-yard touchdown run five plays later.

This is the first AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award for Benjamin, who is the first Browns rookie to earn the award since Andre’ Davis in Week 8 of the 2002 season. Benjamin is the first Brown to win AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors since Joshua Cribbs in Week 2 of the 2011 season.”

Congratulations to Travis Benjamin. More important than the touchdown or the award- the Browns are on a three game winning streak.

[Related: No magic number of wins for Pat Shurmur]

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Cleveland Browns Game 13: Winners and Losers

December 10, 2012 by 64 Comments

Who caught your eye? Did someone stand out? Who blew it? That’s what were interested in this morning. Winners and losers.

Three wins in a row. A team growing in confidence. There are no losers today. Ok, almost no losers.

WINNER: Travis Benjamin. Which might just make Josh Cribbs the defaut loser. Not simply because Benjamin returned a punt for a score, but because Browns fans saw him return a score. Benjamin is faster. If he can show he has moves and vision on top of it, Cribbs may very well be looking for that next contract somewhere else next season. [Read more...]

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Benjamin records longest punt return in Browns history

December 9, 2012 by 2 Comments

On the first play of the 2nd quarter, Browns rookie receiver Travis Benjamin returned Dustin Colquitt’s punt a franchise record long 93 yards for a touchdown.

Josh Cribbs was initially back deep to return the punt, but the Browns shifted Cribbs up to the line to go for the block.  While Cribbs shifted up, Benjamin shifted back from his spot out wide over the gunner and into position to field the punt.

Benjamin broke Eric Metcalf’s previous record of 92 yards set back in 1994. 

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NFL Injury News: Ahtyba Rubin out for Sunday’s game against Chargers

October 26, 2012 by 3 Comments

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]

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NFL News: Fujita, Patterson and Pinkston out vs. Colts

October 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The Friday injury report is out concerning the Browns game this Sunday versus the Colts. No big surprises as Scott Fujita, Dimitri Patterson and Jason Pinkston are all listed as out.

Important questionable players include Trent Richardson, Mohamed Massaquoi, Travis Benjamin and Ahtyba Rubin.

Certainly looks like the Browns have the advantage in the injury report. The Colts officially won’t have Robert Mathis or Donald Brown. Dwight Freeney practiced fully.

Of course the big news out of all this is the scary blood clot that hospitalized Jason Pinkston. It is reportedly in his lung. Anyone who has dealt with blood clots – or embolisms as they’re called if they form in one part of the body and travel to another – will tell you just how scary they can be.

[Related: Browns’ Pinkston Hospitalized with Blood Clot]

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While We’re Waiting … New York Giants Prep, Browns’ 0-4 Starts, Indians Changes Ahead

October 5, 2012 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.

A usual CLE writer shares his thoughts on a bigger stage about one key difference between the Browns and Giants: “On Sunday, the Browns face the defending Super Bowl-champion Giants. Though QB Eli Manning gets most of the publicity, he, like any quarterback, wouldn’t be where he is today without his wide receivers. … For the Browns, they still haven’t been able to find a No. 1 receiver, let alone build the Giants’ championship-level depth at the position (remember, New York was gluttonous enough at the position to let Mario Manningham leave through free agency). And now, with the injury bug biting the Browns’ wide receivers — this includes Josh Cribbs (concussion), Travis Benjamin (hamstring) and Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring) — the time for a true No. 1 receiver to emerge has been expedited to right now.” [Steve DiMatteo/Pro Football Weekly] [Read more...]

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Pat Shurmur 2.0: A No-Nonsense Approach to the Head Coach’s Second Season

August 23, 2012 by 8 Comments

A year older, a year wiser and giving just as much — if not more — than he is taking, Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur appears to be a mentally improved version of the man who attempted to construct an entire make-over on a limited budget within a limited amount of time just one season earlier.

He takes in training camp from the same spots on the practice field. He wears the same practice field uniform; Pat typically opts for the khaki pants which house a tucked in team polo or long-sleeve t-shirt. He still focuses primarily on the offensive side of the ball, allowing the veteran coordinators to fine tune the defensive players. While play calling and clock management within the regular season remains to be seen, the coach’s demeanor, both with his team and with members of the media, is noticeably different.

[Read more...]

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Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: 8/21/12

August 21, 2012 by 20 Comments

Brandon Weeden probably won’t like much of what he sees from the film of this practice. It wasn’t interceptions or drops, but rather passes that were off the mark. In my nearly half dozen practices this year, it was Weeden’s most inconsistent performance. At least in 11 on 11 drills.

There were the two passes that sailed over Greg Little’s head for example. Or the out route throws that didn’t connect.

Weeden bounced back in 7 on 7 drills however. Completed a nice out route to Benjamin.

It was a slow day at practice otherwise. The team came out in shoulder pads, helmets and shorts. After positional warm-ups, they went at each other in an 11 on 11 drill. Following that drill, the team collectively took their shoulder pads off and went to ‘shells’ which are just half inch thick plastic shoulder pads. There was no real contact following the switch.

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The team concentrated a bit on the running game while still in pads. Montario Hardesty bounced a run to the outside off of right tackle for a big gain. The question that bears asking following that play is was it a product of a good offensive effort, or poor rush defense? Unlike the tootsie roll pop question, I think the world will know soon enough. [Read more...]

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Browns Injuries: Massaquoi Tweets He Doesn’t Have Concussion

August 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This is what Browns receiver Mohammed Massaquoi said to a fan last night asking if he had suffered a concussion. The third-year Georgia product left Friday night’s preseason game against Detroit after sustaining a head injury during the Browns’ first offensive play.

Head coach Pat Shurmur didn’t provide specifics after the game yesterday about Massaquoi’s condition. The Chronicle-Telegram’s Scott Petrak said the team simply followed protocol per the NFL’s concussion policy. The Akron Beacon Journal’s Nate Ulrich provided this quote from the coach:

“I’m always concerned about injuries, and I think he’s gonna deal with this and we’re gonna go through the process,” Shurmur said. “And when he’s healthy enough to play, then we’ll put him back out there and not before that.”

Massaquoi, who missed games in 2010 and 2011 with head injuries, has been one of the highlights of training camp for the Browns so far this year. Shurmur has called him one of the team’s most improved players. Massaquoi was replaced during the game by rookie fourth-round pick Travis Benjamin, who was one of the bright stars of the 19-17 victory.

[Related: Browns vs. Lions – 1st Quarter Recap – Browns Starters Struggle]

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Browns vs. Lions – 1st Quarter Recap – Browns Starters Struggle

August 10, 2012 by 19 Comments

The Browns faced the Lions in the GLC and the first quarter was certain to be the most interesting as Brandon Weeden and company would take most of their reps before departing. Here’s how it went.

Brandon Weeden had a mixed first drive. He threw the ball to the ground a couple times and eventually fumbled the ball away. Not before he threw a pass to Mohamed Massaquoi for a reception and what is presumed to be a concussion. Massaquoi retreated to the locker room very quickly and would not return. The shot didn’t even appear to be that big as he collided with the shoulder of a Detroit defensive back.

Weeden also made a very nice long reception down the left sideline to Travis Benjamin who got past his man for the ball over the top for 34 yards. It was clearly the offensive highlight of the first half. [Read more...]

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Braylon Edwards is still available

June 18, 2012 by 47 Comments

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]

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Browns agree to deals with Benjamin, Miller

May 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The Browns have signed two more of their draft picks to deals. Wide receiver Travis Benjamin and offensive lineman Ryan Miller agreed to 4-year deals today. The draft picks left unsigned are Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden, Mitchell Schwartz, Emmanuel Acho and Billy Winn.

The Browns would like to get these deals in place as soon as possible.

[Related: Richardson would like deal in place by Friday]

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NFL Draft: Cleveland selections talk about being Browns

April 28, 2012 by 32 Comments

The Browns have made six selections to this point in the draft. They are all expected to contribute something to the team this year. Here’s what they had to say about joining the Browns. [Read more...]

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Pick #100: Browns Select WR Travis Benjamin

April 28, 2012 by 43 Comments

The fans finally got what they were looking for, even if it was an unfamiliar name. With the fifth pick in the fourth round, the Cleveland Browns selected wide receiver Travis Benjamin out of the University of Miami.

Rated as the No. 174 overall prospect by ESPN, he is about 5-feet-11-inches and had pretty mediocre stats during his senior season with 41 catches for 609 yards and three TDs. Although he is small, has small hands and has struggled with drops, he’s rated as having exceptional big-play ability because of his speed.

He supposedly ran a 4.36 40 during the combine, one of the best among all prospects, according to NFL Draft Scout. He ran track for the Hurricanes back in college too, and should be an immediate boost to a receiving corps alongside last year’s top wideout Greg Little.

He’s listed as being a competitive player with average separation and footwork. Benjamin was picked just a few slots after his Miami teammate RB Lamar Miller, who went to the Dolphins.

Look for the Browns to go back on the defensive side of things again with their next pick here in the fourth round. Needs remain at CB and OLB.

[Related: Cleveland Browns Draft Reset: Day Three]

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