Cleveland Browns (2 Viewers)

[cstu]

Agree CQ, no one talks like that. The more they explain what they did in the draft the worse it sounds IMO. They have their QB and RB, offense should be better, just stick with that and stop telling people you freaked out during the draft or that the President and GM are not on the same page.

Are they that afraid to admit they like Weeden that much? Because that's what it sounds like. They obviously weren't in love with Wright (meh, we'll take him if he falls to us) and wanted Weeden badly.

 

[amnesiac]

looking at the first two rounds over the last six years:

2007 Joe Thomas, Brady Quinn, Eric Wright

2008 took the first three rounds off due to trades (thanks, Phil!)

2009 Alex Mack, Robiskie, Massaquoi, Veikune

2010 Haden, Ward, Hardesty

2011 Taylor, Sheard, Little

2012 Richardson, Weeden, Schwartz

not a half bad list, outside of the disaster that was Mangini's 2009 second round. (and IF Massaquoi can get it going this year, it wouldn't be a complete disaster either)

there may yet be some hope for this team.

 

[MAC_32]

I hope I'm not reading too much into this, but Shurmur specifically mentioned Carlton Mitchell in his interview on the fan. Unless he completely flops this off season I think there will be a roster spot for him and hopefully he can push Massaquoi for snaps and eventually...out of a job?

I just can't get away from you, Big Foot.

 

[flapgreen]

Poor Cleveland is cursed.

 

[nxmehta]

Poor Cleveland is cursed.

Just in case people haven't read the news, this is referring to Phil Taylor's torn pectoral muscle from workouts.

 

[rizzler]

Browns DT Phil Taylor is undergoing an MRI for a possible torn left pectoral muscle.Taylor's agent confirmed the original report from Fox 8 Cleveland's John Telich. Last year's first-round pick, Taylor suffered the injury while lifting weights in Berea on Thursday. If the MRI comes back positive, Taylor could be lost for the 2012 season. The Browns' run defense was bad enough as it was.

Ya, we rule

 

[wadegarrett]

MOTHER ####### ##### ####### BULL#### #### #### BALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NJDawgPound]

 

[rizzler]

seriously... whose #### do we gotta suck to get some luck?

 

[amnesiac]

so how many days till we get the results?

this is always such bs, they know the results almost instantly.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

They're going to start calling torn pectorals 'Browns syndrome'

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Hope that dude from Cincinnati can play.

 

[amnesiac]

Now this is why the Browns should draft linemen with every single pick every year. Good teams like the Steelers do that. Their entire defensive line could get injured for the year and no one would even notice because their backups are so good. This is why the Browns will never win.

 

[nxmehta]

They're going to start calling torn pectorals 'Browns syndrome'

I thought that was staph infections

 

[gandalas]

Now this is why the Browns should draft linemen with every single pick every year. Good teams like the Steelers do that. Their entire defensive line could get injured for the year and no one would even notice because their backups are so good. This is why the Browns will never win.

You are a moron. Want to take a guess on who has drafted more linemen in the past 2 seasons? They are actually tied with 7 apiece.2011: 1.21 Phil Taylor, DT; 2.37 Jabaal Sheard, DE, 5.150 Jason Pinkston; 2012: 2.37 Mitchell Swartz, OT; 3.87 John Hughes, DT; 5.160 Ryan Miller, G; 6.205 Billy Winn, DT; 2011: 1.31 Cameron Heyward, DE; 2.63 Marcus Gilbert, OT; 6.196 Keith Williams, G; 2012: 1.24 David DeCastro, G; 2.56 Mike Adams, OT; 4.109 Alameda Ta'amu, DT; 7.248 Kelvin Beachum, G

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Now this is why the Browns should draft linemen with every single pick every year. Good teams like the Steelers do that. Their entire defensive line could get injured for the year and no one would even notice because their backups are so good. This is why the Browns will never win.

You are a moron. Want to take a guess on who has drafted more linemen in the past 2 seasons? They are actually tied with 7 apiece.2011: 1.21 Phil Taylor, DT; 2.37 Jabaal Sheard, DE, 5.150 Jason Pinkston; 2012: 2.37 Mitchell Swartz, OT; 3.87 John Hughes, DT; 5.160 Ryan Miller, G; 6.205 Billy Winn, DT; 2011: 1.31 Cameron Heyward, DE; 2.63 Marcus Gilbert, OT; 6.196 Keith Williams, G; 2012: 1.24 David DeCastro, G; 2.56 Mike Adams, OT; 4.109 Alameda Ta'amu, DT; 7.248 Kelvin Beachum, G

pretty sure he was mocking Beej there

 

[beer 30]

Doesn't bring back memories of LeCharles Bentley for anyone?

####### ####er ####### ####

 

[MAC_32]

Don't hit the panic button just yet, it's only season ending if there is extensive damage (i.e. tore the muscle off the bone). Varying levels of torn pecs, so if it's not severe he should be back sooner.

 

[amnesiac]

Now this is why the Browns should draft linemen with every single pick every year. Good teams like the Steelers do that. Their entire defensive line could get injured for the year and no one would even notice because their backups are so good. This is why the Browns will never win.

You are a moron. Want to take a guess on who has drafted more linemen in the past 2 seasons? They are actually tied with 7 apiece.2011: 1.21 Phil Taylor, DT; 2.37 Jabaal Sheard, DE, 5.150 Jason Pinkston; 2012: 2.37 Mitchell Swartz, OT; 3.87 John Hughes, DT; 5.160 Ryan Miller, G; 6.205 Billy Winn, DT; 2011: 1.31 Cameron Heyward, DE; 2.63 Marcus Gilbert, OT; 6.196 Keith Williams, G; 2012: 1.24 David DeCastro, G; 2.56 Mike Adams, OT; 4.109 Alameda Ta'amu, DT; 7.248 Kelvin Beachum, G

pretty sure he was mocking Beej there

more of an homage, but yeah.

 

[amnesiac]

Doesn't bring back memories of LeCharles Bentley for anyone?####### ####er ####### ####

nah, he showed up at camp with his knee already injured.

 

[MAC_32]

Just reported on the fan that he's probably done for the year.

I know you hate free agents, Tom, but you need to dip into the pool whether you like it or not. Marcus Bernard anyone?

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Just reported on the fan that he's probably done for the year.I know you hate free agents, Tom, but you need to dip into the pool whether you like it or not. Marcus Bernard anyone?

He's still on the roster.Active# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College 58 Benard, Marcus DL 6-2 256 26 3 Jackson State 94 English, Auston DL 6-3 250 25 1 Oklahoma 49 Green, William DL 6-3 250 22 R Florida 95 Parker, Juqua DE 6-2 250 33 11 Oklahoma State 69 Paxson, Scott DL 6-4 290 29 2 Penn State 71 Rubin, Ahtyba DL 6-2 330 25 4 Iowa State 92 Rucker, Frostee DE 6-3 280 28 6 USC 70 Sanford, Brian DL 6-2 280 24 2 Temple 91 Schaefering, Brian DL 6-4 295 28 2 Lindenwood 97 Sheard, Jabaal DL 6-2 255 23 R Pittsburgh 96 Stephens, Emmanuel DL 6-3 255 25 1 Mississippi 67 Tripp, Kiante DT 6-6 276 24 R Georgia Unsigned Draft Pick# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College 93 Hughes, John DT 6-3 306 24 R Cincinnati 79 Winn, Billy DL 6-3 296 23 R Boise State

 

[beer 30]

Let me reiterate

####### ####er ####### ####

 

[MAC_32]

Just reported on the fan that he's probably done for the year.I know you hate free agents, Tom, but you need to dip into the pool whether you like it or not. Marcus Bernard anyone?

He's still on the roster.Active# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College 58 Benard, Marcus DL 6-2 256 26 3 Jackson State 94 English, Auston DL 6-3 250 25 1 Oklahoma 49 Green, William DL 6-3 250 22 R Florida 95 Parker, Juqua DE 6-2 250 33 11 Oklahoma State 69 Paxson, Scott DL 6-4 290 29 2 Penn State 71 Rubin, Ahtyba DL 6-2 330 25 4 Iowa State 92 Rucker, Frostee DE 6-3 280 28 6 USC 70 Sanford, Brian DL 6-2 280 24 2 Temple 91 Schaefering, Brian DL 6-4 295 28 2 Lindenwood 97 Sheard, Jabaal DL 6-2 255 23 R Pittsburgh 96 Stephens, Emmanuel DL 6-3 255 25 1 Mississippi 67 Tripp, Kiante DT 6-6 276 24 R Georgia Unsigned Draft Pick# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College 93 Hughes, John DT 6-3 306 24 R Cincinnati 79 Winn, Billy DL 6-3 296 23 R Boise State

Ha, getting names confused. I meant Marcus Thomas.

 

[nxmehta]

Well, the good news is DL is where we have the most depth...

 

[cstu]

Bump Weeden.

 

[NJDawgPound]

Either Weeden has a rifle for an arm, or Colt has a chicken arm because I've read and heard everywhere how blown away people were by Weeden's arm today. He was firing strikes today with only one stinker.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Either Weeden has a rifle for an arm, or Colt has a chicken arm because I've read and heard everywhere how blown away people were by Weeden's arm today. He was firing strikes today with only one stinker.

Sorry if this is a Honda.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fji2EeqkcZs

I'm tempering my expectations in year 1, but I'm really excited about this guy.

 

[nxmehta]

Either Weeden has a rifle for an arm, or Colt has a chicken arm because I've read and heard everywhere how blown away people were by Weeden's arm today. He was firing strikes today with only one stinker.

Sorry if this is a Honda.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fji2EeqkcZs

I'm tempering my expectations in year 1, but I'm really excited about this guy.

At least all our hopes rest with a guy with some great physical tools.

 

[Faust]

Trent Richardson 'naturally' tough to tackle, Browns coach says

Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson is short, thick and naturally tough to tackle, head coach Pat Shurmur told ESPN Cleveland.

"By the nature of his build, it's hard to get your arms around him and tackle," Shurmur said. "That natural leverage that he has also gives him great balance."

The Browns handed the Minnesota Vikings three late-round picks in addition to their first-round pick to take the 5-foot-9, 230-pound Alabama bruiser with the third overall pick in last month's NFL draft.

"He's a very powerful man," Shurmur said. "I just think he's got a very powerful build, much like we thought, and it shows up on the field."

Browns running backs coach Gary Brown said Richardson's strength is unique among the NFL's short-but-stout running backs, such as the Jacksonville Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew and the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice.

"What happens, when you're not a tall back and you're strongly built, your balance is better," Brown said. "That's a tremendous advantage when guys try to arm tackle you. You bounce off and keep going."

Brown added: "It's a smaller target. Guys lose you behind the big (offensive) line. What happens, guys can stay low, find creases and make big runs."

Brown helped run Richardson's drills at the Alabama pro day in March, when Richardson famously ran hard enough to knock Brown to the ground.

"Anytime someone's in my way, I'm going to try to knock them over," Richardson said at the time. "Either they're going to hit me or I'm going to hit them. So nine times out of 10, I'm trying to throw the lick."

NOTES: The Browns signed eight of their 11 draft picks Saturday. Only Richardson, fellow first-round pick QB Brandon Weeden and fifth-round pick LB Emmanuel Acho remain unsigned. The team has offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz, defensive lineman John Hughes, wide receiver Travis Benjamin, linebacker James-Michael Johnson, offensive lineman Ryan Miller, defensive lineman Billy Winn, defensive back Trevin Wade and fullback Brad Smelley under contract.

In other news, water is wet:

Cleveland Browns GM says Trent Richardson will be 'the guy'

Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert on Wednesday defended his team's decision to take running back Trent Richardson with the No. 3 overall pick in last month's NFL draft, saying the Browns would give the former Alabama star every chance to prove that he was worth it.

"I think it’s pretty safe to say we draft a guy third overall, he’s going to be the guy," Heckert said on "PFT Live."

Heckert said that injury concerns are "probably one of the reason they (running backs) don’t go up that high, but we thought he was such a special player, we thought it outweighed any, you know, hesitations about whether the running backs, how long they last, and all that stuff."

Heckert added. "You know, he scores a lot of touchdowns, we think he’s going to score a lot of touchdowns for us."

 

[Faust]

Either Weeden has a rifle for an arm, or Colt has a chicken arm because I've read and heard everywhere how blown away people were by Weeden's arm today. He was firing strikes today with only one stinker.

Sorry if this is a Honda.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fji2EeqkcZs

I'm tempering my expectations in year 1, but I'm really excited about this guy.

At least all our hopes rest with a guy with some great physical tools.

Article:

Brandon Weeden shows Cleveland Browns his cannon arm

BEREA, Ohio -- Clay pigeons became clay particles.

In the blink of an eye, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden's powerful right arm turned the tiny targets into dust.

As he prepared for the NFL draft, Weeden recently took part in an experiment on an episode of ESPN's "Sports Science," where the former Oklahoma State star and one-time minor league baseball pitcher fired footballs at clay targets traveling at 43 mph.

During one stretch he downed four out of five, blasting the soaring projectiles into smithereens.

Weeden, 28, said the clay pigeon challenge was more difficult than it appeared on TV.

"That was kind of a timing deal, it's like a slant," Weeden said. "You try to get the ball and the clay pigeon to meet. I am not going to lie, the first one I threw I missed by about six feet because the timing was way off."

Weeden's got a cannon, and his major league arm was on display again Saturday as Cleveland's rookies continued their three-day minicamp with two practices.

"He can either fire it in there or put some touch on it," said wide receiver Josh Cooper, Weeden's college teammate who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Browns. "He's that kind of quarterback. He knows what to do with the ball."

The Browns selected Weeden with the No. 22 overall pick in last month's NFL draft, a selection that seemed to indicate the team is moving away from incumbent starter Colt McCoy, who has had two inconsistent seasons in Cleveland.

"He is a very smooth thrower," head coach Pat Shurmur said. "He throws the ball easy and I think a guy that can throw the ball with a smooth motion, the ball presents itself to the receivers well. That helps them be more efficient catching it."

 

[Fensalk]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks.

If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

 

[amnesiac]

that, and he doesn't even play Tackle.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

 

[Fensalk]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

What is your problem? Weeden is high risk. Do you think he's on the same level as Luck or RGIII? What do you expect of this guy?

 

[daveR]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

I see a team that added 4 DL & a couple LBs to help correct a deficiency versus the run. I see a team that added a blazing WR to help stretch the field where they had none. I see a team that has added a RT where there was a broken down has-been and a couple never-were's. I see a D-line that didn't exist three years ago. I see the best RB I've seen in a long, long time. I see a QB that has the tools to be what you need. All-in-all, I see a team with a lot more overall talent emerging from the dark cave of front-office incompetence.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks.

If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

What is your problem? Weeden is high risk. Do you think he's on the same level as Luck or RGIII? What do you expect of this guy?

Probably not, but he did beat both of them head-to-head last year so maybe he is. Nobody knows until they actually log some NFL games.As far as what my problem is, I'm not the guy that's been negative with every single post since the first day of the draft.

And for Pete's sake, this FBGs. Have enough respect for your fellow posters not to feel that you have to explain to them that a rookie QB might struggle.

 

[cstu]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Even if he's Derek Freakin' Anderson he's a huge improvement for you guys. For fans of a team that hasn't had a QB throw for more than 16 TD's in nearly a decade there sure is a lot of whining going on about Weeden.

 

[nxmehta]

If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Who said anything about explosive? I think we'd be ecstatic with "competent".

 

[amnesiac]

If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Who said anything about explosive? I think we'd be ecstatic with "competent".

middle of the pack would be awesome!

 

[Captain Quinoa]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

What is your problem? Weeden is high risk. Do you think he's on the same level as Luck or RGIII? What do you expect of this guy?

He has risk but I don't see how he is "high" risk. He may not be as good a pure QB as Luck or athlete as Griffin but I expect him to have the best year of the 3.And you asking someone else what their problem is is pretty funny.

 

[beer 30]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Yep, gonna suck. He's awful, we get it. Can you take this #### someplace else? I'm getting tired of the same rant, we get it. At least freshen it up with something to keep me entertained.

 

[Faust]

Travis Benjamin in mix to start at WR, Browns' Shurmur says

Rookie Travis Benjamin, the Cleveland Browns' fourth-round draft pick, will be in the mix for a starting wide receiver spot, coach Pat Shurmur told The Plain Dealer on Sunday.

"I would say so," Shurmur said. "I saw a lot of good stuff from Travis this weekend and I feel like he'll only continue to get better."

Shurmur expects the speedy receiver out of Miami to see significant time if he doesn't crack the starting lineup.

The 5-foot-10, 172-pound Benjamin was the only receiver taken by Cleveland in the draft, sparking speculation that the team didn't do enough to address its shortage of pass-catchers for rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The Browns ranked 24th in the league in passing yards last season (3,090) and 27th in passing touchdowns (16).

No Cleveland receiver was able to accumulate 1,000 receiving yards in 2011. After Greg Little (709 yards, two touchdowns) and Josh Cribbs (518 yards, four scores), the Browns did not have a receiver top the 500-yard mark.

Benjamin caught 41 passes for 609 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games with Miami during the 2011 season.

 

[amnesiac]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

What is your problem? Weeden is high risk. Do you think he's on the same level as Luck or RGIII? What do you expect of this guy?

He has risk but I don't see how he is "high" risk. He may not be as good a pure QB as Luck or athlete as Griffin but I expect him to have the best year of the 3.And you asking someone else what their problem is is pretty funny.

it's part of the shtick. he argues with people until he gets a timeout or is banned. then he comes back with a new username and starts all over again.

 

[gandalas]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

What is your problem? Weeden is high risk. Do you think he's on the same level as Luck or RGIII? What do you expect of this guy?

I think he is on a higher level than Andy Dalton was last season, and he took them to the playoffs...

 

[Fensalk]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

What is your problem? Weeden is high risk. Do you think he's on the same level as Luck or RGIII? What do you expect of this guy?

I think he is on a higher level than Andy Dalton was last season, and he took them to the playoffs...

Look at it this way. Luck and RGIII are not even sure things. This guy is even less of a sure thing. I wouldn't even predict the Browns to make the playoffs this year if they got Luck or RGIII. The point is, holding up Dalton as the standard is making the exception the rule. Try to be realistic, this is a rebuild year now.

 

[Fensalk]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

What is your problem? Weeden is high risk. Do you think he's on the same level as Luck or RGIII? What do you expect of this guy?

He has risk but I don't see how he is "high" risk. He may not be as good a pure QB as Luck or athlete as Griffin but I expect him to have the best year of the 3.And you asking someone else what their problem is is pretty funny.

it's part of the shtick. he argues with people until he gets a timeout or is banned. then he comes back with a new username and starts all over again.

You think viewing Weeden as high risk is ban-worthy?

 

[amnesiac]

I think everyone knows Weeden has a strong arm. Firing the ball around the field during practice is expected. The concern is his decision-making under pressure, against a defense. Just how ugly will the picks be? I expect as a rookie he'll probably cost the team some games with crucial picks. If he makes it in the NFL, it may take him 3 years to put it all together. This is a developmental year. Let's not get carried away and start dreaming of an explosive offense with Weeden in 2012.

Thanks Debbie Downer. God knows Browns fans should never have a glimmer of hope.

What is your problem? Weeden is high risk. Do you think he's on the same level as Luck or RGIII? What do you expect of this guy?

He has risk but I don't see how he is "high" risk. He may not be as good a pure QB as Luck or athlete as Griffin but I expect him to have the best year of the 3.And you asking someone else what their problem is is pretty funny.

it's part of the shtick. he argues with people until he gets a timeout or is banned. then he comes back with a new username and starts all over again.

You think viewing Weeden as high risk is ban-worthy?

of course not. just noting a pattern of rude behavior is all. here comes the persecution complex part of the shtick.

 

[daveR]

Travis Benjamin in mix to start at WR, Browns' Shurmur says

Rookie Travis Benjamin, the Cleveland Browns' fourth-round draft pick, will be in the mix for a starting wide receiver spot, coach Pat Shurmur told The Plain Dealer on Sunday.

"I would say so," Shurmur said. "I saw a lot of good stuff from Travis this weekend and I feel like he'll only continue to get better."

Shurmur expects the speedy receiver out of Miami to see significant time if he doesn't crack the starting lineup.

The 5-foot-10, 172-pound Benjamin was the only receiver taken by Cleveland in the draft, sparking speculation that the team didn't do enough to address its shortage of pass-catchers for rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The Browns ranked 24th in the league in passing yards last season (3,090) and 27th in passing touchdowns (16).

No Cleveland receiver was able to accumulate 1,000 receiving yards in 2011. After Greg Little (709 yards, two touchdowns) and Josh Cribbs (518 yards, four scores), the Browns did not have a receiver top the 500-yard mark.Benjamin caught 41 passes for 609 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games with Miami during the 2011 season.

Neither did New England.

 

[wadegarrett]

LOVE this...

Trent Richardson looks like no ordinary back

May 12, 2012

By Tony Grossi

ESPNCleveland.com

THE man: Trent Richardson is an amazing physical specimen. Only 5-9 ¼, his 228 pounds are distributed high and low. His upper body is thick and wide, his shoulders and neck layered in muscle. His arms are pythons. His lower body is rooted in a pair of calves the size of cantaloupes. The biggest calves I’ve seen on a Cleveland Brown belonged to Frank Minnifield. Richardson’s are larger.

“He might be the strongest human being on the planet,” ESPN’s Jon Gruden said before the draft.

This is a man who has got to be hard to tackle.

“Wow!” coach Pat Shurmur said when asked to comment on Richardson’s physique. “He’s a very powerful man. He’s powerfully built. Don’t let the 5-9 fool you. He’s almost 230 pounds. That’s a lot of muscle packed into that body. I just think he’s got a very powerful build, much like we thought, and it shows up on the field.”

“I think everybody is amazed (by Richardson’s physique),” said running back coach Gary Brown.

Brown, of course, felt the brunt of the compact, explosive power of Richardson’s frame when he was knocked off his feet at the Alabama pro day. The 21-second video of Richardson’s two-handed push of Brown holding a blocking bag is approaching 327,000 hits on YouTube.

“He lifted me off my feet. I just knew at that point that kid is a powerful, powerful young man,” Brown said.

“All my brothers are over six feet tall,” Richardson said after his third rookie camp practice. “I have one who’s 6-6.We were all strong. I’m the runt of the litter.”

The gift of shortness: As coordinator with the St. Louis Rams, Shurmur’s feature back Steven Jackson stood 6-2 and weighed 240 pounds. Mike Holmgren’s MVP workhorse in Seattle, Shaun Alexander, was 5-11 and 225. Adrian Peterson, whom Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress had when Vikings head coach, is 6-1 and 217.

Richardson’s unique dimensions enable him to take advantage of scatback height and fullback power.

“Depending on how they’re built, runners get used to their size and it drives their running style,” Shurmur said. “Trent can get his foot down and slash it up in the line of scrimmage. By the nature of his build, it’s hard to get your arms around him and tackle. That natural leverage that he has also gives him great balance.”

Brown said, “If you’re going to be 5-9, you have to be stacked up pretty good, you have to be able to take the pounding. I think this kid, he is that guy. They did a great job with him at Alabama. He’s put together real well. He works hard in the weight room. He takes pride in being a strong player.”

Brown had similar height when he was a running back in the 1990s primarily with the Houston Oilers.

He said there are “absolutely” advantages to the position being so low to the ground.

“It’s a smaller target,” he said. “Guys lose you behind the big O-line. What happens, guys can stay low, find creases and make big runs. You look at guys like Ray Rice, (Maurice) Jones-Drew, those guys take advantage of that. And when they get loose, they have enough power and enough speed where they’re hard to tackle. You do finally catch up to them.

“What happens, when you’re not a tall back and you’re strongly built, your balance is better. That’s a tremendous advantage when guys try to arm tackle you. You bounce off and keep going.”

Richardson said he loved hiding behind his linemen at Alabama, then bursting through a crease.

“We saw that at times at Alabama,” Shurmur said. “I think he’s a very patient runner. I think he’s got excellent vision, so when he sees daylight he can get his foot down and get up into it.”

Hardly ordinary: Jones-Drew, who led the NFL with 1,606 rushing yards and is a three-time Pro Bowler, is 5-7 and 208 – 20 pounds lighter than Richardson.

Baltimore’s Rice, who was second with 1,364, including 204 in one game against the Browns, is 5-8 and 212 – 16 pounds lighter than Richardson.

In truth, there is no current back in the NFL with the dimensions and strength of Richardson. With all due respect to Jim Brown, this is no ordinary back the Browns drafted with the third overall pick.