May 22, 2013

Raiders sign former Browns safety Usama Young

April 9, 2013 by 7 Comments

The connections between the Raiders and Browns seem to keep getting stronger, or at least more strongly anecdotal. First the report that the Raiders badly wanted to keep Desmond Bryant, whom the Browns signed in free agency. Now, Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Raiders have signed former Browns safety Usama Young. Details of the deal aren’t available yet.

Darin Gantt of PFT makes the connection that Usama Young will rejoin his former Saints secondary coach Dennis Allen, now with the Raiders.

So, even if the money is nowhere close to being equal, I’ll still take the Desmond Bryant for Usama Young swap. Young was expected to nail down a starting spot for the Cleveland Browns, but ultimately couldn’t stay healthy for parts of his two years with the team.

Young originally signed a 3-year deal with the Browns for $5.9 million. He earned $1.7 million in 2011 and $1.8 million in 2012 before the Browns decided to save the approximately $2.25 million in cap space by cutting him loose.

[Related: Raiders "badly wanted to re-sign Desmond Bryant, per Peter King]

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Cleveland Browns release S Usama Young and LB Chris Gocong

April 2, 2013 by 31 Comments

The Browns today announced that they have released safety Usama Young and linebacker Chris Gocong.

Gocong tore his right Achilles during practice and missed the entire season. He had 2 years left on his contract, and was due to make $4.62 million this season. Young would have been a free agent after the 2013 season. He was due $2.4 million this year.

The Browns won’t be in a hurry to sign a replacement for Gocong with the moves already made in free agency, but the secondary is already pretty thin.

While the team may certainly look for a safety in the draft, don’t be surprised if new defensive coordinator Ray Horton doesn’t make a push to bring in free agent Kerry Rhodes who played for him in Arizona.

The Browns also signed a kicker. Brandon Bogotay. From the team-

“A three-year letterman as a kicker at the University of Georgia (2009-11), Bogotay appeared in 14 contests, while kicking behind current Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh, who as a rookie in 2012 was voted to the NFC Pro Bowl squad. During his collegiate career, Bogotay handled kickoff duties as eight of his 29 career kickoffs went for touchbacks. He also converted all seven career PATs. As a senior, he made one of two field goal attempts, as his only miss came from 52 yards.

Before attending the University of Georgia, Bogotay spent one season at Grossmont College in El Cajon, California, where he was named a First-Team All-Southern Conference selection after converting 15-of-23 field goals with a long of 52 yards. Born May 8, 1989, the 6-3, 207-pound Bogotay attended Patrick Henry High School in his hometown of San Diego, California.

Gocong was acquired in a 2010 trade with Philadelphia. Since that time he started 32 games and totaled 141 tackles with 5.5 sacks, six passes defensed, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. He spent all of last season on injured reserve with a ruptured right Achilles sustained in training camp.

Young was signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2011. In his two seasons with the team he played in 29 games with 19 starts and posted 118 tackles, four interceptions, 1.5 sacks, eight passes defensed and a fumble recovery.”

[Related: Fair shots at the end of the McCoy era]

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Browns secondary gets even thinner as Usama Young heads to IR

December 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The Cleveland Browns have placed safety Usama Young on injured reserve due to a thumb injury that will reportedly require surgery.

Young played in 13 games, 11 of which were starts. He recorded 52 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, defensed seven passes and recovered a fumble. He started in place of the injured TJ Ward this past week, but will join him on the injured reserve which will leave the already depleted secondary — Dimitri Patterson was waived just a week ago — in relative shambles.

Taking Young’s spot on the roster will be quarterback Josh Johnson. A fifth-round draft choice in 2008, Johnson has started five games, four of which were in 2009.

While the team has not given a formal decision, the addition of Johnson, along with Thaddeus Lewis, likely spells the end of the season for rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden who left this past Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury.

[Related: “Road Tested” still entertaining, still giving hope]

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NFL News: Browns’ Usama Young in Danger of Being Cut

August 28, 2012 by 7 Comments

He was the prize free agent in the Cleveland Browns’ 2011 off-season, but free safety Usama Young could realistically lose his roster spot just one year later.

Nate Ulrich of The Akron Beacon-Journalreports that Young’s status is very much of the bubble variety and that the former New Orleans Saint needs an exemplary final preseason game to make the team’s 53-man roster. Having already been passed on the depth chart by late-round draft selection Eric Hagg, the Kent State product appears to be in danger partly because he has missed almost all of training camp with what he said is a quadriceps injury. Young was reportedly the victim of a pulled hamstring, an injury which plagued him through much of the 2011 season, but this was refuted by the player.

“Being hurt, I can never look at it like, ‘Hey, they know what I’ve done in the past,’” Young said. “I know that this is a business, and they want guys out on the field that can play. I just rush myself to get out there. I’m like, ‘Forget what all the coaches are saying, forget what the media is saying, whatever, I’ve got to get back out there.’”

For Young and teammate David Sims, a player who has turned a lot of heads during the preseason contests due to his two interceptions — with a pick-six being negated by a roughing the passer infraction — the team would have to keep five safeties. The Browns’ roster, currently standing at 75 players, must be down to 53 by Friday evening.

[Related: WFNY Contest Time: Two Tickets to Taste of the Browns]

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The Best Browns Since 1999 – Safeties

February 21, 2012 by 3 Comments

Brodney Pool didn’t have an easy time beating out Brian Russell in this voting.  Russell actually beat Pool in first place votes 1168 to 1064.  Pool picked it up thanks to a huge margin in second place votes with 926 to Russell’s 524.  In fact, despite Russell getting so many first place votes, he was beat in the second place voting by Pool, Earl Little, Abram Elam and Chris Crocker.  Very strange results indeed.

Not so close on the strong safety side of things.  T.J. Ward dominated Sean Jones.  Ward scored almost 1900 first place votes to Sean Jones’ 885 and Robert Griffith’s 676.  It pays to be popular and current, I guess.  T.J. Ward is a good player and the Brown missed him desperately when he was out hurt this season.  The Browns let Jones walk and he signed a 1-year $3 million deal with the Eagles in 2009 to replace Brian Dawkins in their secondary.

Offensive Line - Left Tackle | Left Guard | Center | Right Guard | Right Tackle

Pass Catchers - Wide Receivers | Tight Ends

Runners - Running Backs | Fullbacks

Special Teams

Defensive Line - Defensive Ends | Defensive Tackles

Secondary - Cornerbacks | Safeties

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2012 Could Look Like 2011 for Browns in Free Agency

February 7, 2012 by 35 Comments

Finally with the Super Bowl completed the Browns can get to work trying to get better.  They will more than likely do it without blockbusters again this off-season.  By that, I mean I don’t expect the strategy to vary wildly.  The Browns probably won’t be in any kinds of bidding wars unless they decide that Matt Flynn is their quarterback.  It isn’t every year that you have the chance at an intriguing QB prospect in his mid 20s, so that specific case is off the boards.  But, other than that, I expect it to look a lot like it did a year ago.

You’ll remember last year’s free agent class featured the likes of Usama Young, Dimitri Patterson and Brandon Jackson.

Patterson was basically the replacement for Eric Wright, so you have to be happy with the results at least based on his first season.  The 28 year-old is again a free agent and I expect the Browns to bring him back, but we’ll see.  There is certainly a chance that Patterson could compete for the starting corner position opposite Joe Haden next season depending on the aging Sheldon Brown. [Read more...]

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Browns Injury Update: T.J. Ward Could Miss Four to Six Weeks With Foot Injury

November 12, 2011 by 6 Comments

Yesterday, Craig wrote about the potentially scary scenario of having Eric Hagg starting at safety on Sunday opposite Mike Adams. With both Usama Young and T.J. Ward missing practice this week, it was a very real possibility. With Young returning to practice yesterday but still dealing with a hip injury, it now appears that Hagg could be seeing the field for a majority of the remaining season. It’s been reported that Ward could be out four to six weeks with a right foot injury. The length of the Ward’s unavailability came as somewhat of a surprise as the seriousness of the safety’s foot injury had not been previously addressed in detail – the club still does not know for sure if the foot is sprained or broken. He will have the foot re-examined on Monday.

Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron addressed the depleted safety position, and didn’t exactly sugar coat the unenviable situation.

[Read more...]

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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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Cleveland Browns Outlast Dreadful Seahawks 6-3

October 23, 2011 by 57 Comments

They were close to claiming victory all by themselves, but Red Bryant sealed the victory for the Cleveland Browns with a head-butting ejection personal foul.  Victory formation ensued for Colt McCoy and the banged up Browns.  I’ll need a shower to wash off all the negativity that surrounded this Cleveland Browns victory, but it was a victory.  The only thing worse than winning ugly after a tumultuous week is to lose.  Thankfully the Browns and their fans don’t face that prospect after securing a 6-3 victory at home.

Injuries were the story of the day for both teams.  Marshawn Lynch was a late scratch for a Seahawks team that was starting Charlie Whitehurst at QB in place of Tarvaris Jackson.  By the way, I don’t think there will be any QB controversy forthcoming in Seattle.  The Browns were without Hillis and Fujita before the game and lost Mohamed Massaquoi, Shawn Lauvao, and Ben Watson during it.  Not great news for a team that is looking to improve as a young offensive unit. [Read more...]

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Cleveland Browns Film Room: Week 4 Covering the Tight End

October 6, 2011 by 9 Comments

Each week this season, we’ll take a seat in our very own WFNY Browns film room and break down a little tape from the previous week.  Do enjoy.

Well, you knew that no subject I picked this week would look pretty on film after that game. The Browns were torched on Sunday by the Titans’ tight ends. Torched to the tune of 105 yards and 2 TDs. In fact, for the season the Browns have seen tight ends catch 15 passes for 225 yards and 4 TDs. That’s a 15.0 yards per catch average from the tight end spot. Even if you took away the 80 yard TD from Sunday, opposing tight ends would still be averaging a first down per reception (10.4 yards). This is just not going to work. (By the way, Cleveland has given up 7 TD passes total this season.)

Let’s take a look at the first score:

[Read more...]

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Browns Embarrassed by Titans Heading Into Bye Week

October 2, 2011 by 36 Comments

I debated whether or not to wait for the final score to post this recap.  The game was that over that early.  Don’t let a fourth quarter of Browns offense against the prevent defense fool you.  The Browns were schooled on Sunday.  They were schooled so badly that there was a Jake Locker sighting after Tennessee had already put 31 points up on the board.  The Browns defense managed to give up plenty of those and Colt McCoy and the offense gave one away as well.  In the end, I did wait for the final score, Titans 31, Browns 13, but I really shouldn’t have bothered.

In the first half, the Browns gave up far too many big plays than they got of their own.  The defense was gashed by Matt Hasselbeck and his tight end Jared Cook who connected on an 80 yard passing touchdown.  The play was marred by bad coverage (Scott Fujita) and even worse tackling (Usama Young.)  It is the kind of play that just can’t happen.  The Browns bit hard on the draw and the completion was bad enough.  For Usama Young to take as bad an angle to the receiver is unacceptable.  He had the sideline and it should have worked to his advantage, but the big tight end evaded Young and squeezed up the sideline for the score to put the Titans up 14-6. [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 Report – 8-10/2011 – Fiery McCoy, Greg Little, and Tight Ends

August 10, 2011 by 5 Comments

The Browns haven’t really started preparing for Green Bay as of yet.  They are still working on just learning what will become the Cleveland Browns playbook, regardless of what the other team appears to be.  Tomorrow the coaches will let players know how much the team plans on going with the first teams, and they will start to work more specifically on things that pertain to playing against the Packers and their style.  The Browns’ game against Green Bay on Saturday at 7:30 PM will be televised locally on WKYC Channel 3 as it has been in years past.  Additionally, the game will be featured on NFL Network for you out-of-towners that have it.

Colt McCoy continues to impress with his leadership ability and even flashed a bit of competitiveness as he challenged Brian Robiskie to do better fighting for a pass that was broken up by Buster Skrine.  Robo was jawing with the defense a little bit on the way back to the huddle as they accused him of pushing off.  To add further insult, McCoy made it pretty obvious that he expects his receivers to do everything in their power to try and snatch those timing throws away from the defense.  After practice, when asked about what kind of training camp Robiskie is having, Shurmur replied that Robo has been very “steady.” [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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