Some Brown's tidbits (1 Viewer)

[chris1969]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Browns SS Sean Jones has given up a handful of touchdowns when singled up on a tight end. So the Browns will consider moving him to free safety and FS Brodney Pool to strong. "That's something we'll have to look at during the bye week," HC Romeo Crennel said. "If we need to swap them, we'll swap them. If there are other things we can do to affect those matchups, then we'll do that."

My take on this...

After being torched over and over again by Ben Watson and others, Jones has gone from a Pro-Bowl alternate to an alternate for Dancing with the Stars. He put on 20 pounds this year by request of the team, but he's running like he put on 50. I guess the theory is to move Jones over to correct Pool's run support problems and move Pool over to correct Jone's coverage problems. Maybe somebody should tell our Defensive Genius Romeo that FS's sometimes have man coverage on WR's! I expect this experiment to last a week.

Edwards pays a special visit

Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer

10.16.2007

Even while 15-year-old Denszelle Douglas rests at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, he holds Cleveland's sports teams close.

His nameplate outside of his hospital room reads, "It's Tribe time now!"

And while he cannot move his arms or speak due to a heart problem that is now threatning his life, he's still been following closely as the Indians move through the Major League Baseball playoffs and as the Browns trek through the 2007 season.

Sunday, he was happy to learn his favorite Browns player, Braylon Edwards, caught three touchdown passes during a win over the Miami Dolphins.

He could never have expected what happened on Tuesday, when his hero delivered a game ball from the game to Douglas to wish him his best wishes during his recovery. Edwards also brought along an autographed jersey.

"Everything in the world," said Tara, his mother.

Douglas didn't just watch sports when he was healthy. He played them -- a lot. At Lakewood High School, he played football, basketball, and baseball in hopes of one day going pro just like his hero Edwards.

But about a year and a half ago, Douglas came down with what he thought was a cold.

After heading to Lakewood Hospital, he was given an EKG and was instantly transferred to the Cleveland Clinic. An infection had attacked his heart, leaving him with congestive heart failure.

In July 2006, he received a heart transplant at the Clinic.

He returned to school, where he recently rejoined to the basketball team, and was promoted to the varsity squad.

His goal was to be the first NBA player to have had a heart transplant.

But two weeks ago after more than a year of health, he began experiencing pains in his stomach. After a trip to the hospital, Douglas found out the problems weren't his stomach at all. His stomach hurt because blood flow wasn't reaching it.

His body was in rejection of the new heart.

Now, Douglas is in the Clinic Children's Hospital. He's back on the heart transplant list.

While at the hospital, Edwards held Douglas' hand while the young patient stared up in apparent disbelief of who was standing above him. Edwards talked to Tara about bringing Denszelle to a game once he's healthy again.

Douglas' doctors said Edwards' visit could do a lot to help his condition as he struggles through sickness.

The visit appears to have had an equally profound effect on Edwards.

"To see him in there and hold his hand, it makes me realize life is about so much more than playing football," he said. "Life is about everything else outside of the arena. Being with him was a realization that life is so much more precious than people give it credit for."

You can watch a feature on Edwards' visit on WKYC Channel 3 on Wednesday, as well as on ClevelandBrowns.com

my take on this...

This guy has already donated more money to inner city school kids in the area than I'll probably see in my lifetime. remind me to go ballistic on anybody that ever says he has character issues.

Kosar's influence:

Browns owner Randy Lerner said new Arena League owner Bernie Kosar is spending more time with the Browns in his role as a consultant. "I'd say he has a real presence in the building," Lerner said. Kosar said Tuesday he currently spends at least two days a week watching film with the quarterbacks and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and talking to Lerner and Browns General Manager Phil Savage.

my take on this...

Bernie spent a ton of time this off season with Chud giving him a lot of input on what our current QB's could do in Chud's system. Both he and Dorsey are tutoring DA and Quinn on how to run it effectively. Things started to show up in DA's game last week in Miami, and DA started to show he can actually run the ball out of bounds or throw it away rather than force a play that's not there. This can only be good for both DA and Quinn.

 

[Avery]

To my old, tired eyes, the formatting was hard to read. Reformatted for those in the same boat.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Browns SS Sean Jones has given up a handful of touchdowns when singled up on a tight end. So the Browns will consider moving him to free safety and FS Brodney Pool to strong. "That's something we'll have to look at during the bye week," HC Romeo Crennel said. "If we need to swap them, we'll swap them. If there are other things we can do to affect those matchups, then we'll do that."

My take on this...

After being torched over and over again by Ben Watson and others, Jones has gone from a Pro-Bowl alternate to an alternate for Dancing with the Stars. He put on 20 pounds this year by request of the team, but he's running like he put on 50. I guess the theory is to move Jones over to correct Pool's run support problems and move Pool over to correct Jone's coverage problems. Maybe somebody should tell our Defensive Genius Romeo that FS's sometimes have man coverage on WR's! I expect this experiment to last a week.



Edwards pays a special visit

Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer

10.16.2007

Even while 15-year-old Denszelle Douglas rests at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, he holds Cleveland's sports teams close. His nameplate outside of his hospital room reads, "It's Tribe time now!" And while he cannot move his arms or speak due to a heart problem that is now threatning his life, he's still been following closely as the Indians move through the Major League Baseball playoffs and as the Browns trek through the 2007 season.

Sunday, he was happy to learn his favorite Browns player, Braylon Edwards, caught three touchdown passes during a win over the Miami Dolphins. He could never have expected what happened on Tuesday, when his hero delivered a game ball from the game to Douglas to wish him his best wishes during his recovery. Edwards also brought along an autographed jersey. "Everything in the world," said Tara, his mother.

Douglas didn't just watch sports when he was healthy. He played them -- a lot. At Lakewood High School, he played football, basketball, and baseball in hopes of one day going pro just like his hero Edwards.

But about a year and a half ago, Douglas came down with what he thought was a cold. After heading to Lakewood Hospital, he was given an EKG and was instantly transferred to the Cleveland Clinic. An infection had attacked his heart, leaving him with congestive heart failure.

In July 2006, he received a heart transplant at the Clinic. He returned to school, where he recently rejoined to the basketball team, and was promoted to the varsity squad. His goal was to be the first NBA player to have had a heart transplant. But two weeks ago after more than a year of health, he began experiencing pains in his stomach. After a trip to the hospital, Douglas found out the problems weren't his stomach at all. His stomach hurt because blood flow wasn't reaching it. His body was in rejection of the new heart. Now, Douglas is in the Clinic Children's Hospital. He's back on the heart transplant list.

While at the hospital, Edwards held Douglas' hand while the young patient stared up in apparent disbelief of who was standing above him. Edwards talked to Tara about bringing Denszelle to a game once he's healthy again.

Douglas' doctors said Edwards' visit could do a lot to help his condition as he struggles through sickness. The visit appears to have had an equally profound effect on Edwards. "To see him in there and hold his hand, it makes me realize life is about so much more than playing football," he said. "Life is about everything else outside of the arena. Being with him was a realization that life is so much more precious than people give it credit for."

You can watch a feature on Edwards' visit on WKYC Channel 3 on Wednesday, as well as on ClevelandBrowns.com

my take on this...

This guy has already donated more money to inner city school kids in the area than I'll probably see in my lifetime. remind me to go ballistic on anybody that ever says he has character issues.

Kosar's influence:

Browns owner Randy Lerner said new Arena League owner Bernie Kosar is spending more time with the Browns in his role as a consultant. "I'd say he has a real presence in the building," Lerner said. Kosar said Tuesday he currently spends at least two days a week watching film with the quarterbacks and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and talking to Lerner and Browns General Manager Phil Savage.

my take on this...

Bernie spent a ton of time this off season with Chud giving him a lot of input on what our current QB's could do in Chud's system. Both he and Dorsey are tutoring DA and Quinn on how to run it effectively. Things started to show up in DA's game last week in Miami, and DA started to show he can actually run the ball out of bounds or throw it away rather than force a play that's not there. This can only be good for both DA and Quinn.

 

[chris1969]

Sorry, I should have formatted it instead of copying it as it was.

 

[Ditka is God]

Good info - thanks. Hadn't heard about Edwards' charitable side - nice to see it!

 

[Bracie Smathers]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Browns SS Sean Jones has given up a handful of touchdowns when singled up on a tight end. So the Browns will consider moving him to free safety and FS Brodney Pool to strong. "That's something we'll have to look at during the bye week," HC Romeo Crennel said. "If we need to swap them, we'll swap them. If there are other things we can do to affect those matchups, then we'll do that."

My take on this...

After being torched over and over again by Ben Watson and others, Jones has gone from a Pro-Bowl alternate to an alternate for Dancing with the Stars. He put on 20 pounds this year by request of the team, but he's running like he put on 50. I guess the theory is to move Jones over to correct Pool's run support problems and move Pool over to correct Jone's coverage problems. Maybe somebody should tell our Defensive Genius Romeo that FS's sometimes have man coverage on WR's! I expect this experiment to last a week.

Jones is the veteran of the secondary. He knows the coverages better than Pool. Its easier to play UP as a SS than to stay back and read/react as the FS and play center field. Jones my physically be the better strong safety but at this time he's the logical choice to play FS. Makes a heck of a lot of sense to me. But what do I know? I didn't go off the deep end as some did when Romeo made the EXCELLENT COACHING move to trade away Charlie Frye and insert Derek Anderson as his starting quarterback and not cave in to fan sentiment for rookie Brady Quinn. One idiot troll claimed it was the "WORST coaching decision they had EVER SEEN in his ENTIRE LIFE!" LMFAOIn April Cowboy fans trolled every Browns thread saying we gave them the first pick in the draft. I countered by pointing out every personnel upgrade and said their was no way the Browns would give them a top ten pick next April let alone the first pick in the draft but the trolls spewed tripe that the Browns would lose just because they were the Browns as though all of the personnel moves would fail just because they said so. LMFAO.

Now the Romeo Crennel trolls spew tripe.

Crennel has made some EXCELLENT coaching moves which has lead directly to the 32 points per game scored on offense over the last five games. Crennel effectively handled the ego of Braylon Edwards and he is producing as the third most productive WR in the league and becoming a model citizen. No TO/Moss/Ocho moments.

Loudmouth idiots complained to the point that they ran former Brown coaches, Mary Schottenhiemer and Bill Belichick out of town saying they couldn't coach. Where the morons right? Both of those guys CANT' COACH right?

Crennel has made some EXCELLENT coaching moves so ease up on the attacks. If not then go stand in the corner with the idiot who said that "Trading away Charlie Frye and starting Derek Anderson was the WORST COACHING DECISION he'd EVER SEEN in his ENTIRE LIFE!" LMFAO.

 

[chris1969]

LOL, we're on the same side! That being said I probably could have left the "defensive genius" sarcasm out of it. I agree that Romeo has done a ton to improve this team and those calling for his head are making a mistake. Also don't forget he handled an ego of a certain TE as well. I personally don't think a swap of Pool and Jones is the answer though. They'll have the same weaknesses, just in different spots. A better idea would be to keep Jones in the film room studying tape (he's a little slow in recognizing the offensive fronts) and drinking Slimfast. He was great in coverage last year, and the only thing I see that's changed is that he has the extra weight. The safeties are actually responsible for less this year than they were last year. This year we don't have a half dozen corners on IR.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

LOL, we're on the same side! That being said I probably could have left the "defensive genius" sarcasm out of it. I agree that Romeo has done a ton to improve this team and those calling for his head are making a mistake. Also don't forget he handled an ego of a certain TE as well. I personally don't think a swap of Pool and Jones is the answer though. They'll have the same weaknesses, just in different spots. A better idea would be to keep Jones in the film room studying tape (he's a little slow in recognizing the offensive fronts) and drinking Slimfast. He was great in coverage last year, and the only thing I see that's changed is that he has the extra weight. The safeties are actually responsible for less this year than they were last year. This year we don't have a half dozen corners on IR.

Last year we had more than just a half dozen CBs on IR and that directly impated personnel which directly impacted the coaches ability to field a competative team. This year the personnel improvements have lead to the coach improving the record of the team after six games from last year's 1-5 to this year's 3-3. The team isn't just healthy on offense the coach has kept egos in check and he is the one primarily responsible for implementing schemes and keeping them intact. Defensively he doesn't have the personnel and we knew this going into the season. Offensively we knew the line had personnel upgrades and that we had made a bold move to improve the QB position and that we wanted/expected improvements from Braylon/the running game with Jamal Lewis. Romeo Crennel got us the expected improvements from the upgraded personnel. He can coach, no questions from my corner on his coaching ability because I know when he's got personnel he gets production out of them and I love the fact that he keeps egos like KWII and Braylon in check and that he works with Savage in getting top model citzens on the roster like, Joe Thomas and Kamerion Whimbley and that when Savage can't get a top model citizen to fill a glaring hole, as we had at the CB postition heading into the draft and where Savage had to go with CB Eric Wright who was thought a charector risk to many teams, ROMEO CRENNEL kept the kid in line AND has him starting AND improving before our very eyes. The other glaring hole was at RB where Savage got troubled RB Jamal Lewis and Romeo got him to work in the scheme and produce better than he had for years in Baltimore when he's been healthy.

From the Sporting News, an interview with Randy Lerner touching on a few subjects.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=291120

... the Monday morning after the Pittsburgh debacle.

... Cleveland traded starting quarterback Charlie Frye to Seattle, an unprecedented move -- no NFL team since 1970 had dealt its opening-week starter so quickly -- that moved Derek Anderson into the starting lineup.

The impact was immediate as Anderson threw five touchdown passes the next Sunday in a 51-45 shootout with the Cincinnati Bengals, the first of three straight home wins by Cleveland.

"That was a difficult move," Lerner acknowledged in the middle of Cleveland's bye week. "A conspicuous, high-profile move and it worked without a doubt. It was a very crisp, quick, difficult decision that has to be considered very, very successful."

During a 30-minute talk, his first scheduled gathering with reporters in more than one year, Lerner expounded on other topics.

--On Crennel handling the post-Pittsburgh storm: "We had a very difficult first game and I think he weathered it very professionally and very effectively. He took the hit square on himself and continued to keep the team poised. He deserves a lot of credit for that. We were 1-5 last year, we're 3-3."

--On his eagerness to see rookie quarterback Brady Quinn play: "Not right now. I think it is so much more important to get Brady as much observation experience as possible."

One of their bloggers commenting on the emergence of QB Derek Anderson.http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=291420

... By now, sharks were supposed to be circling coach Romeo Crennel, the quarterback torch was expected to be passed to first-round draft pick Brady Quinn and a derisive din was supposed to be descending from the Dawg Pound. None of that has happened.

Instead, expectations have gone up.

... there are several good signs. The Browns have beaten two of their first three AFC North opponents (they went 0-6 in the division last year). They have won three of their four home games (they won only two of eight last year). Wide receiver Braylon Edwards is emerging as a force, rookie Joe Thomas has helped solidify the offensive line and Quinn is still on the sideline.

Cleveland hasn't had to rush Quinn into the fray -- probably before he is ready -- because of Derek Anderson. I'm not suggesting it's time to start comparing Anderson to the league's elite quarterbacks, but he has performed well since taking over as the starter in Week 2.

Anderson has completed 101 of 184 passes (54.9 percent) for 1,496 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In a 41-31 victory over Miami last Sunday, he was 18-of-25 for 245 yards and three touchdowns. If he hadn't thrown three passes away and two others hadn't been dropped, his passer rating (142.5) would have been even higher.

To get to this point in his career, Anderson has had to climb a ladder. Originally a sixth-round draft pick of the Ravens in 2005, he was claimed on waivers by the Browns in September of that year when Baltimore attempted to waive him and put him on its practice squad. He was Cleveland's No. 3 quarterback in '05 and its No. 2 man in '06, although he started three games when Charlie Frye suffered a wrist injury. Frye beat him out for the starter's job going into this season but then was traded to Seattle after the season-opening loss to Pittsburgh.

At 6-6, Anderson is like a watchtower in the pocket. He can stand there and scan the field. His arm is strong enough to make all the throws: short, long, vertically and horizontally. And he has developed an unflappable personality that allows him to shake off a bad play instead of making two or three or four more, like he might have earlier in his career.

He has the 11th best passer rating in the NFL (88.9). That's higher than the ratings of several more experienced quarterbacks, including Carson Palmer, Donovan McNabb, Brett Favre and Philip Rivers.

D.A., as his teammates and coaches call him -- you know things are going well for a player when he is called by his initials -- is one of the main reasons why everyone in Cleveland is feeling good about the Browns.

"Our confidence level is at an all-time high, at least since Romeo and I have been here," says Phil Savage, named Browns general manager in January 2005. "Not that we've accomplished anything, but there's some tangible evidence that we have the makings of a legitimate NFL team."

I think the injury to RB Jamal Lewis can be a blessing in disguise since it left the coaches no choice other than to work the offensive gameplan around DA and to work in RB Jerome Harrison. He looked good in limited play and I think we'll begin to see him on the field more as a third down/pass recieving threat. He had 57 yards on 8 carries. Also they want to work Laurence Vickers into the fold some more. I think we know/knew what we had in Jason Wright, a solid yet unspectacular RB who is a decent fill-in but not a feature back nor a challenger to become the feature RB. I'm not sure Vickers will work out but I like Harrison and think he's going to force the coaching staff to weave him into upcoming game plans.The defense simply doesn't have the personnel. Some want to blame Crennel or even Savage for the lack of talent on defense but that is absurd considering how much offensive talent that Savage has accumulated and how Crennel has developed and gotten production in such a limited amount of time. Phil didn't have ten first round draft picks to fill every need, he didn't have unlimited free agent dollars and we both know we weren't having any injury luck unless it was bad up to this year with the solid personnel that Savage was bringing in to this point.

Talent streams are flowing together on offense but their simply isn't enough talent on defense right now. The state of the team was never was a coaching issue, it was a talent issue. This wasn't a front office issue either as Savage was huddling the ducks and handing them over to Crennel who was assembling them in a tight row. I doubt the defense can make a complete turn-around next year but then again I doubt many thought they'd see a complete offensive turnaround this year or next. Things came together quickly and Crennel has been a big player in the turn around and should get his well deserved props.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Sporting News piece of the Browns from today. Not looking like Brady Quinn is going to see the field if Derek Anderson continues to play well.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=295683

Browns franchise at a surprising crossroads

October 26, 2007

Mike Florio

For Sporting News

As the Cleveland Browns emerge from their bye at 3-3 and one less victory than they mustered all of 2006, the team faces an unexpected crossroads.

Headed to St. Louis for a game against a team that used to play in Cleveland, the Browns are a three-point favorite Sunday. The Browns. Road favorites against a team that many (including yours truly) thought would make the playoffs and that a few random idiots (including yours truly) picked to go to the Super Bowl. The Rams, however, now are irrelevant.

For the Browns, the Sunday's outcome could go a long way toward shaping the team's season -- and beyond.

With a win, Cleveland would be 4-3 and technically in second place in the AFC North because of a victory over the Ravens, another team that used to play in Cleveland. A win also would give the team that currently plays in Cleveland a much-needed boost of confidence as it prepares to face a three-pack of challenging games -- vs. Seattle, at Pittsburgh, at Baltimore -- before the schedule gets a lot more manageable the rest of the way (Texans, Cardinals, Jets, Bills, Bengals, 49ers).

A loss Sunday would drop the Browns to 3-4. And by being the first victim of the 0-7 Rams -- whose desperation apparently has given way to delusion when tight end Randy McMichael and running back Steven Jackson guaranteed a St. Louis victory -- the Browns could be 3-5 after playing Seattle, 3-6 after heading to Pittsburgh and 3-7 after a trip to Baltimore.

That would bring an end to the Derek Anderson experiment and usher in the Brady Quinn Era for the balance of the '07 season and into '08.

With each victory, however, Quinn's debut is pushed further into the future. If the Browns get on the right side of .500 by beating the Rams, Anderson could carry the job over the rest of the season and create a Drew Brees-Philip Rivers conundrum on the banks of the Cuyahoga.

Let's assume for a minute that the Browns blast the Rams and parlay that 4-3 record into great momentum and land a spot in the playoffs. What would Browns officials do with Anderson, who'll be a restricted free agent in March? Let him walk away? Slap the first-round and third-round tender on him and work out a trade? Or keep him for one more season and trade him from under the franchise tag?

Keeping Anderson for another season, presumably as the starter, would serve only to delay by as much as another full year the debut of one of the most highly-anticipated rookies in the history of the franchise.

I wonder what Quinn truly is thinking about all of this?

Surely, Quinn wants to play. And though there are a few valid reasons for questioning how smart he is (think Village People pictures), the fact he went to Notre Dame suggests he is bright enough to realize that Anderson's continued success will keep him on the sideline. So is Quinn secretly hoping for the team to tank, so he'll get on the field sooner? Or is Quinn happy to play on a winning team, even if he doesn't really play for a winner?

For Anderson, he is trying his best not to think about the bigger picture, lest he risk disrupting the unexpected magic he conjured after the Browns bailed on Charlie Frye following less than a half of a game of football.

If Anderson continues to perform at a high level, he'll have a long-term NFL future but probably not in Cleveland. Several NFL teams might be willing to trade a first-round pick (or more) to Cleveland in exchange for the privilege of giving Anderson a big, fat contract. The line probably starts with the Jaguars, Chiefs, Bears, Vikings, Falcons, Panthers and Buccaneers.

So the intrigue begins Sunday. A win, and things could get good -- and complex -- for the Browns. A loss, and things could get a lot worse but simpler.

The PD piles on by saying Quinn may not get a chance at all this year.

-- Brady Quinn May Not See Action this Season --

Fri Oct 26, 2007

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports with Browns QB Derek Anderson third in the NFL in touchdown passes and the offense fourth in points per game, GM Phil Savage said he is unsure how important it is for rookie QB Brady Quinn to see any action this year. "Carson Palmer, I don't think played a snap [as a rookie]. Daunte Culpepper didn't play a snap. Those are examples where it worked out for those players," Savage said. "I think Brady is anxious to play and would like to get out there. Maybe there will be some opportunities that present themselves in the second half of the year for him to get out there. But I think right now, with as well as we have played offensively and as well as Derek has played, I'm not sure we really want to mess with that apple cart right now. It seems to be working and there's no real reason to change anything right now."

The DA dynamic is intriuging because of soo many teams in dire need of a quality starting QB and Anderson is playing lights out. He's 6'6 230lbs with a gun for an arm, crips smooth over-the-top delivery with one of the quickest releases in the league. I'd love for Brady Quinn to get some PT later this season just to open up trade possibilities. The Browns defense ranks last in the league in giving up yardage, their is a gaping maw on the defensive line. If Quinn can play and DA cointues to play well the Browns could parlay DA into a top draft pick or a proven vet AND a top pick. The game Sunday may not mean much in the grand scheme of the rest of the league but it can be pivitol for how the remainder of the 07 plays out. The Browns haven't won back-to-back games since 2003 and the 0-7 Rams are the opponent. This game is important for the Browns. And in a way its a test for Derek Anderson since he hasn't played well on the road.

http://www.ffmastermind.com/reports.php

Cleveland Eye in the Sky Report, Ram preview.

Two years ago the Cleveland Browns ranked dead last in NFL scoring with 232 points. Last year the Browns increased that total by six points to score 238 points and finished second to last in scoring. So far this season? The Browns have scored 160 points, 32 points per game with Anderson starting, and rank eighth in the league in over-all offense. The team is on a pace to score 445 points which would shatter their all-time single season scoring record. After six games last year Cleveland stood at 1-5, this year the Browns are a solid 3-3. The offense is the reason the team has improved but unfortunately the team ranks dead last in giving up yardage on defense so the record may plateau out around the .500 level.

QB Derek Anderson has been terrific and the Rams are at a severe disadvantage by having two of four defensive backs out with injury, S Corey Chavous, CB Tye Hill, and CB Fakir Brown out on a drug suspension. Anderson leads the league in yards per completion with a ridiculous 14.8 yards per completion which has been the direct result of leading the league in connecting on 25 long completions of 20 yards or more. He’s third in the league in TD passes with 14 and sixth in passing yards with 1,496 yards. QB Charlie Frye only averaged 9.7 yards per completion last year. DA is coming off of his best performance (18/25 245 yards 3 Tds no INTs) and finished with a 142.5 quarterback passing performance. The most encouraging aspect of DA’s rise is that he’s improving. ''A couple times he threw the ball away. That's a sign of good decision-making, that's a sign of maturity, and we need to keep that going,'' Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. A word of caution. The heady numbers fail in showing that Anderson has had some of his worst games away from CBS stadium. Here is a look at DA’s splits. At home he’s thrown 11 Tds and only 2 INTs but away he’s thrown for only 3 Tds and 5 INTs. His completion percentage drops from 58.6% to just 50% on the road. He’s only been sacked twice at home but four times on the road and his quarterback passer rating drops precipitously from 112.7 at CBS to 58.1on the road. We will green light DA as a start but keep in mind these split numbers going forward and don’t expect Anderson to have another career game against the Rams.

Caution with RB Jamal Lewis who missed practice this week. The thought was that the extra rest from being sat for the Miami game and then getting the bye week would have provided enough recuperative time for his gonged gaffer to heal but an injury to a foot, especially for a running back, can linger for weeks. This could be an injury status game ALA Belichick but then again the injury could be genuine. I would normally green light Jamal but playing on the St. Louis turf and with RB Jerome Harrison and RB Jason Wright filling in capably, its possible that Jam won’t see enough carries so he can do damage. I’ll err on the side of caution and advise to sit Jamal Lewis this week if you have a better or more stable option. Also the Rams have stymied some of the backs they have played in holding RB Shuan Alexander to 47 yards and RB Willis McGahee to 61 yards. The Browns had one of their best performances on the ground against the Phins in cranking out 160 yards on the ground without Jamal. It might be wise to avoid starting RB Jamal Lewis this week.

Lost in the performance of QB Derek Anderson is the breakout season that WR Braylon Edwards has been having. BA ranks as one of the top fantasy wide receivers and has made strides to be considered on the cusp of one of the top NFL wide receivers. He has hauled in 29 receptions for 552 yards (a 19 yard per catch average) and scored 7 Tds. ''He's becoming our go-to guy. He's a guy who's been making plays,'' Browns WR Joe Jurevicius said. ''If you watch his blocking, he's doing it. He's becoming an all-around receiver. We need that.'' ''Braylon, he's been fantastic in terms of his attitude. The biggest thing is he's been hungry, and he wants to be a great player,'' Browns OC Rob Chudzinski said. TE Kellen Winslow truly has been a soldier in playing thru constant pain in his knee which he will be dealing with into his career. Last year he tied the Browns all-time single season reception record shared with HOF TE Ozzie Newsome’s 89 catch season and this year KWII is tied with WR Braylon Edwards with 29 receptions but his average per catch has shot up to a whopping 17.4 yards per reception which DOUBLES his average from last year. The addition of OLT Joe Thomas cannot be understated as Winslow hasn’t been used as a dump-off security blanket as he was in the past for QB Charlie Frye due to Thomas’ ability to man-up on an island and handle backside pressure and allow KWII to get off the LOS clean and get into deeper routes. Ofcourse QB Derek Anderson gets the rock out of his hand quicker and crisper than Frye ever could so the offensive turnaround has more than just one part making the machinations purr like a high powered muscle car. The Browns offense is FOR REAL kids. Oh and TE Kellen Winslow is from the greater St. Louis area and he’ll be well represented by family and friends. Expect him to have a great game but KWII gets a start recommendation EVERY WEEK so punch his start dance card.

Team DEF? Forgetabout it even when facing the winless Rams. IDP report. LB Kamerion Whimbley had gotten some undeserved digs tossed his direction. For spite I say start him this week and let the morons who criticize him eat steaming fecal matter. He should be good for at least one sack against the woeful Ram offensive line. SS Sean Jones’ role has changed and that accounts for the decrease in his numbers over the last few weeks. Rumors of weight gain and a possible switch to free safety with FS Brodney Pool were still up in the air. Sit SS Sean Jones till his status is clarified or his numbers improve. CB Eric Wright has overtaken Jones as the Browns defensive back you want starting. He finally got his first INT against the Dolphins and racks up tons of tackles. I will also give CB Lee Bodden sum luv as he also ranks up there in tackles and will come down with more INTs than Wright. LB Dqwell Jackson has been piling up the tackles and IDP points but LB Leon Williams splits time with him as does part time LB Chaun Thompson so we don’t feel comfortable green lighting Dqwell just yet. NO other Brown defender rates a start so this week start OLB Kam Wimbley and CB Eric Wright.

Can the Browns challenge for the post season? That is the unknown. The offensive personnel upgrades are the reason behind the improved offense which can carry the team if they get a lead and don’t turn the ball over. WR Braylon Edwards doesn’t feel the post season is out of reach. "We definitely feel we can make the playoffs," Edwards said. "That's ultimately our goal.” The post season talk may be reasonable but it’s premature since the Browns haven’t won consecutive games since 2003. Sunday they face the winless Rams. They simply HAVE to beat St. Louis before any post season talk can be legitimately discussed so we’ll table that for at least one week.

Aspettate fino alla prossima volta... Till next time, Ciao!

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

If I was them I'd dangle DA in front of alot of teams at the end of the season. I mean look at some of these starters around the NFL:

Vinny testaverde

Trent Edwards

Kelly Holcombe

Alex Smith

Brian Griese

Quinn Gray

Joey Harrington

QB in the NFL is a mess. Cleveland might have two good ones.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Anderson will play so poorly during that 3 game stretch (Seattle/Pittsburgh/Baltimore) that he might not make it to the cake schedule at the end of the year.

Fans will start saying "We're out of the playoffs, it's time to see what Brady Quinn can offer, etc." And it will be just like Denver last year -- Plummer got blamed for the tough midseason schedule, yet they were no better with Cutler.

If the Browns fans, coaches & front office could just accept the fact that they're going to be 4-6 in a month, they could have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs with Anderson at QB.

 

[amnesiac]

The defense simply doesn't have the personnel. Some want to blame Crennel or even Savage for the lack of talent on defense but that is absurd considering how much offensive talent that Savage has accumulated and how Crennel has developed and gotten production in such a limited amount of time. Phil didn't have ten first round draft picks to fill every need, he didn't have unlimited free agent dollars and we both know we weren't having any injury luck unless it was bad up to this year with the solid personnel that Savage was bringing in to this point.

Talent streams are flowing together on offense but their simply isn't enough talent on defense right now. The state of the team was never was a coaching issue, it was a talent issue. This wasn't a front office issue either as Savage was huddling the ducks and handing them over to Crennel who was assembling them in a tight row. I doubt the defense can make a complete turn-around next year but then again I doubt many thought they'd see a complete offensive turnaround this year or next. Things came together quickly and Crennel has been a big player in the turn around and should get his well deserved props.

2005

Round Player Position University Notes

1 Edwards, Braylon WR Michigan [3rd overall]

2 Pool, Brodney DB Oklahoma [34th]

3 Frye, Charlie QB Akron [67th]

4 Perkins, Antonio DB Oklahoma [103rd]

5 McMillan, David DE/LB Kansas [139th]

6a Speegle, Nick LB New Mexico [176th]

6b Hoffman, Andrew DL Virginia Traded QB Luke McCown to Tampa Bay for the Buccaneersí sixth-round choice [203rd]

7 Dunn, Jonathan OL Virginia Tech [217th]

Back to Top

2006

Round Player Position University Notes

1 Wimbley, Kamerion LB Florida State 13th overall

2 Jackson, D'Qwell LB Maryland 34th overall

3 Wilson, Travis WR Oklahoma 78th

4a Williams, Leon LB Miami (Fla) 110th

4b Sowells, Isaac OL Indiana 112th

5a Harrison, Jerome RB Washington State 145th

5b Minter, Demario DB Georgia 152nd

6a Vickers, Lawrence FB Colorado 180th

6b Oshinowo, Babatunde DT Stanford 181st

7 Hamilton, Juston S Virginia Tech 222nd

Back to Top

2007

Round Player Position University Notes

1a Thomas, Joe OT Wisconsin 3rd overall

1b Quinn, Brady QB Notre Dame 22nd overall

2 Wright, Eric DB UNLV 53rd overall

5 McDonald, Brandon DB Memphis 140th overall

6 Purcell, Melila DL Hawaii 200th overall

7a Pittman, Chase DL LSU 213th overall

7b Steptoe, Syndric WR Arizona 234th overall

not sure i'm following you. 15 of there last 25 draft picks have been spent on defense.Crennell is supposed to be a defensive specialist. there is no excuse why the Browns defense is still this bad in year three of his system.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Anderson will play so poorly during that 3 game stretch (Seattle/Pittsburgh/Baltimore) that he might not make it to the cake schedule at the end of the year.Fans will start saying "We're out of the playoffs, it's time to see what Brady Quinn can offer, etc." And it will be just like Denver last year -- Plummer got blamed for the tough midseason schedule, yet they were no better with Cutler.If the Browns fans, coaches & front office could just accept the fact that they're going to be 4-6 in a month, they could have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs with Anderson at QB.

He already lit up Balt once, Seattle is no world beater, and I bet you they give the steelers all they can handle.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

The defense simply doesn't have the personnel. Some want to blame Crennel or even Savage for the lack of talent on defense but that is absurd considering how much offensive talent that Savage has accumulated and how Crennel has developed and gotten production in such a limited amount of time. Phil didn't have ten first round draft picks to fill every need, he didn't have unlimited free agent dollars and we both know we weren't having any injury luck unless it was bad up to this year with the solid personnel that Savage was bringing in to this point.

Talent streams are flowing together on offense but their simply isn't enough talent on defense right now. The state of the team was never was a coaching issue, it was a talent issue. This wasn't a front office issue either as Savage was huddling the ducks and handing them over to Crennel who was assembling them in a tight row. I doubt the defense can make a complete turn-around next year but then again I doubt many thought they'd see a complete offensive turnaround this year or next. Things came together quickly and Crennel has been a big player in the turn around and should get his well deserved props.

2005

Round Player Position University Notes

1 Edwards, Braylon WR Michigan [3rd overall]

2 Pool, Brodney DB Oklahoma [34th]

3 Frye, Charlie QB Akron [67th]

4 Perkins, Antonio DB Oklahoma [103rd]

5 McMillan, David DE/LB Kansas [139th]

6a Speegle, Nick LB New Mexico [176th]

6b Hoffman, Andrew DL Virginia Traded QB Luke McCown to Tampa Bay for the Buccaneersí sixth-round choice [203rd]

7 Dunn, Jonathan OL Virginia Tech [217th]

Back to Top

2006

Round Player Position University Notes

1 Wimbley, Kamerion LB Florida State 13th overall

2 Jackson, D'Qwell LB Maryland 34th overall

3 Wilson, Travis WR Oklahoma 78th

4a Williams, Leon LB Miami (Fla) 110th

4b Sowells, Isaac OL Indiana 112th

5a Harrison, Jerome RB Washington State 145th

5b Minter, Demario DB Georgia 152nd

6a Vickers, Lawrence FB Colorado 180th

6b Oshinowo, Babatunde DT Stanford 181st

7 Hamilton, Juston S Virginia Tech 222nd

Back to Top

2007

Round Player Position University Notes

1a Thomas, Joe OT Wisconsin 3rd overall

1b Quinn, Brady QB Notre Dame 22nd overall

2 Wright, Eric DB UNLV 53rd overall

5 McDonald, Brandon DB Memphis 140th overall

6 Purcell, Melila DL Hawaii 200th overall

7a Pittman, Chase DL LSU 213th overall

7b Steptoe, Syndric WR Arizona 234th overall

not sure i'm following you. 15 of there last 25 draft picks have been spent on defense.Crennell is supposed to be a defensive specialist. there is no excuse why the Browns defense is still this bad in year three of his system.

Crennel IS a defensive specialist. He runs the NE 34 defense. When he inherited the team in 05 he inherited a BAD 43 defense. Savage had to completely revamp the scheme but Phil wasn't on the same page with Romeo's defensive coaches in 05 and the proof is in the 05 defensive picks that Savage foisted on Crennel, just look at those guys from the 05 draft compared to 06 and 07. Brodney Pool is the, sic, 'best' of that terrible defensive draft by Savage. Phil completely overhauled his scouting staff after the 05 season. In 06 he targeted the linebacker position in the draft and had THREE HITS. One CRUCIAL area that Crennel has not had and you can't dispute even though you'd like to blame Crennel is on the defensive line. Ted Washington? 38 years old and he's been inactive for half of this year's games. Orpheous Roye? Old, injured for most of last year and he's our best DLman. Shuan Smith? A guy who couldn't crack Cincinati's starting lineup but he's prolly the best, sic, 'young talent' we have on our defensive line. Phil revamped the linebackers and has added to the defensive backs but he still has straddled Crennel with Pool whom the coaches are struggling to deal with his shortcomings. The NE 34 scheme flows from the defensive line. Take a look at the NE defensive line and what do you see? THREE first round defensive lineman where New England had to use FOUR first round picks to acquire. Now look at the Browns defensive line. How many first round picks are starting on the Browns defensive line? How many second round picks? Third round picks? Um, any draftees starting? No? ALL free agents? All old? Yup. Yeah, that has to be Romeo's fault right? He couldn't turn old beat up free agent defensive lineman into top producing first round talent ALA NE. Come on, gimme a break.

 

[amnesiac]

The defense simply doesn't have the personnel. Some want to blame Crennel or even Savage for the lack of talent on defense but that is absurd considering how much offensive talent that Savage has accumulated and how Crennel has developed and gotten production in such a limited amount of time. Phil didn't have ten first round draft picks to fill every need, he didn't have unlimited free agent dollars and we both know we weren't having any injury luck unless it was bad up to this year with the solid personnel that Savage was bringing in to this point.

Talent streams are flowing together on offense but their simply isn't enough talent on defense right now. The state of the team was never was a coaching issue, it was a talent issue. This wasn't a front office issue either as Savage was huddling the ducks and handing them over to Crennel who was assembling them in a tight row. I doubt the defense can make a complete turn-around next year but then again I doubt many thought they'd see a complete offensive turnaround this year or next. Things came together quickly and Crennel has been a big player in the turn around and should get his well deserved props.

2005

Round Player Position University Notes

1 Edwards, Braylon WR Michigan [3rd overall]

2 Pool, Brodney DB Oklahoma [34th]

3 Frye, Charlie QB Akron [67th]

4 Perkins, Antonio DB Oklahoma [103rd]

5 McMillan, David DE/LB Kansas [139th]

6a Speegle, Nick LB New Mexico [176th]

6b Hoffman, Andrew DL Virginia Traded QB Luke McCown to Tampa Bay for the Buccaneersí sixth-round choice [203rd]

7 Dunn, Jonathan OL Virginia Tech [217th]

Back to Top

2006

Round Player Position University Notes

1 Wimbley, Kamerion LB Florida State 13th overall

2 Jackson, D'Qwell LB Maryland 34th overall

3 Wilson, Travis WR Oklahoma 78th

4a Williams, Leon LB Miami (Fla) 110th

4b Sowells, Isaac OL Indiana 112th

5a Harrison, Jerome RB Washington State 145th

5b Minter, Demario DB Georgia 152nd

6a Vickers, Lawrence FB Colorado 180th

6b Oshinowo, Babatunde DT Stanford 181st

7 Hamilton, Juston S Virginia Tech 222nd

Back to Top

2007

Round Player Position University Notes

1a Thomas, Joe OT Wisconsin 3rd overall

1b Quinn, Brady QB Notre Dame 22nd overall

2 Wright, Eric DB UNLV 53rd overall

5 McDonald, Brandon DB Memphis 140th overall

6 Purcell, Melila DL Hawaii 200th overall

7a Pittman, Chase DL LSU 213th overall

7b Steptoe, Syndric WR Arizona 234th overall

not sure i'm following you. 15 of there last 25 draft picks have been spent on defense.Crennell is supposed to be a defensive specialist. there is no excuse why the Browns defense is still this bad in year three of his system.

Crennel IS a defensive specialist. He runs the NE 34 defense. When he inherited the team in 05 he inherited a BAD 43 defense. Savage had to completely revamp the scheme but Phil wasn't on the same page with Romeo's defensive coaches in 05 and the proof is in the 05 defensive picks that Savage foisted on Crennel, just look at those guys from the 05 draft compared to 06 and 07. Brodney Pool is the, sic, 'best' of that terrible defensive draft by Savage. Phil completely overhauled his scouting staff after the 05 season. In 06 he targeted the linebacker position in the draft and had THREE HITS. One CRUCIAL area that Crennel has not had and you can't dispute even though you'd like to blame Crennel is on the defensive line. Ted Washington? 38 years old and he's been inactive for half of this year's games. Orpheous Roye? Old, injured for most of last year and he's our best DLman. Shuan Smith? A guy who couldn't crack Cincinati's starting lineup but he's prolly the best, sic, 'young talent' we have on our defensive line. Phil revamped the linebackers and has added to the defensive backs but he still has straddled Crennel with Pool whom the coaches are struggling to deal with his shortcomings. The NE 34 scheme flows from the defensive line. Take a look at the NE defensive line and what do you see? THREE first round defensive lineman where New England had to use FOUR first round picks to acquire. Now look at the Browns defensive line. How many first round picks are starting on the Browns defensive line? How many second round picks? Third round picks? Um, any draftees starting? No? ALL free agents? All old? Yup. Yeah, that has to be Romeo's fault right? He couldn't turn old beat up free agent defensive lineman into top producing first round talent ALA NE. Come on, gimme a break.

who do you think talked Savage into getting Washington? regardless, good coaches win with inferior talent. he needs to get this defense playing better than it is.

 

[Wadsworth]

Anderson will play so poorly during that 3 game stretch (Seattle/Pittsburgh/Baltimore) that he might not make it to the cake schedule at the end of the year.Fans will start saying "We're out of the playoffs, it's time to see what Brady Quinn can offer, etc." And it will be just like Denver last year -- Plummer got blamed for the tough midseason schedule, yet they were no better with Cutler.If the Browns fans, coaches & front office could just accept the fact that they're going to be 4-6 in a month, they could have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs with Anderson at QB.

This is exactly why I've been shopping DA. I think he could be money at the end of the season, but the Browns will likely rush to Quinn as soon as DA is not playing on a near Pro Bowl level. It's a shame for the Browns, because having watched DA develop these last few games, the kid has a lot of potential.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

who do you think talked Savage into getting Washington? regardless, good coaches win with inferior talent. he needs to get this defense playing better than it is.

Crennel got Savage to pick up Ted Washington whom he had starting for him on a SB winning team in NE and who was considered the top NT FA of 06. Who did you want instead of Ted Washington? Was Bruce Smith going to come out retirement or was New England going to give us Richard Seymour? Was Pittsburgh giving away Casey Hampton or San Deigo giving up Jamal Williams?Good coaches win with inferior talent eh? You want to run down the list of Pro Bowlers that Romeo Crennel inherited on the team? Has Crennel squandered top talent? No, but you want to rip him for not getting Brodney Pool to become a top free safety or blaim him for injuries/age to Orpheous Roye/Ted Washington/Willie McGinhest and do you want to also blaim him for Savage acquiring Gary Baxter? The top defensive acquistion and highest FA salary on defense who has only played two games in three years and recently hit IR for the third consecutive year? Reguardless of your anti-Crennel agenda Romeo can coach. He has to coach the players that he has to the best of their abilities and that is what he's done on defense AND on offense. The coaching job that some, probably you, criticized him for in his handling of Braylon Edwards has paid dividends. He also has kept the large ego of Kellen Winslow in check. He also has to get props for insisting that Savage build the offensive line and in doing so the improved offensive line paved the way for the offensive turnaround. I know your anti-Romeo agenda. Its absurd to criticize Crennel for the poor defense when it obviuosly doesn't have the talent/personnel to fit his scheme and then give him no credit at all for his coaching of the offense which has turned around from the worst in the league to one of the best in a few short months.

 

[amnesiac]

how am i bashing Crennell? by saying that his defense is underperforming? make all the excuses that you want, but it's still his responsibility to get them playing better.

have fun alienating all the Browns fans on this board, Bracie.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Anderson will play so poorly during that 3 game stretch (Seattle/Pittsburgh/Baltimore) that he might not make it to the cake schedule at the end of the year.Fans will start saying "We're out of the playoffs, it's time to see what Brady Quinn can offer, etc." And it will be just like Denver last year -- Plummer got blamed for the tough midseason schedule, yet they were no better with Cutler.If the Browns fans, coaches & front office could just accept the fact that they're going to be 4-6 in a month, they could have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs with Anderson at QB.

He already lit up Balt once, Seattle is no world beater, and I bet you they give the steelers all they can handle.

But it's just not statistically likely that he could keep up his current pace. Even if the Browns win 1-2 of those games (and I believe they will win at least one), some fans will start complaining about DA's decreased production (get ready for "We're winning despite DA" posts). But I don't think Quinn would perform any better.The dreaded 90 yard, 3 INT game is on the horizon. You just have to weather that storm.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

how am i bashing Crennell? by saying that his defense is underperforming? make all the excuses that you want, but it's still his responsibility to get them playing better.have fun alienating all the Browns fans on this board, Bracie.

He is responsible for coaching the entire team not just the defense so if you want to say its his repsonsibility to coach the defense then you have to say he's also responsible for coaching the offense which is performing well. Funny you don't give him any credit for the offense but that would mean you'd actually have to give credit where its due. Err, ofcourse past mobs of Browns fans ripped into Marty Shottenhiemer and Bill Belichick because they said that those guys couldn't coach. So you have that going for you.