Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown wasn’t thrilled with the team’s selection of Trent Richardson in last month’s first round, and he made those feelings clear on the draft’s first day.
Though Brown has upset the fanbase in front of which he once thrived, he’s not backing down from his evaluation of Richardson as an “ordinary” talent.
“I think the kid is a good working back, and if you’ve got everything else around him he can play his role,” Brown told ESPN Cleveland. “But when it comes to outstanding, I don’t see anything outstanding about him. It’s not said in a cruel manner. He’s very efficient, and that’s what you want.”
Pressed further on his evaluations by ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi, Brown even questioned club president Mike Holmgren’s commitment to the team.
“What have I said about the Browns other than the fact that Richardson is an ordinary back?” Brown asked, rhetorically. “There’s so much I could say. So you tell all those people that want to look at me, look at what you’ve got. You’re sitting on a mess. You’ve got a guy that doesn’t give interviews except in other cities. I ask all the people in Cleveland, do you get the impression that Mr. Holmgren wants to be there? If you do, then tell me.”
In the interview with Grossi, Brown went on to say Richardson lacks “special” running back traits while reiterating that Richardson’s “speed and quickness” is “ordinary.”
“He’ll work hard for you, and he’s kind of an all-around back,” Brown said. “But if you look at Cleveland, I would have gotten me a couple of receivers.”
After being labeled inconsistent coming out of college, Wade does not have a lot of expectations coming into Cleveland as a late-round pick. This means he can just go out there and work his butt off to impress his positional coaches and defensive coordinator Dick Jauron.Who is to say that a round should dictate a cornerback's effectiveness? I like the fact that the guy is 5'11" and is fleet of foot. His numbers from college do not lie as he was very good across the board in the important statistical categories. There are more than a few quality starting defensive backs who made their bones in the smaller school circuits. Alongside Haden and Dimitri Pattersen I think we should be pretty strong in the secondary by the time the season unfolds. Now if they can get pressure from the new guys manning the ends and replacing Taylor the defense should be fine. I have faith in their plan to very possibly move Schaefering to Defensive Tackle. I think the guy hasn't been given enough opportunity to show that he can ward off offenses. I think he is very underrated as a run stopper and pass rusher. Being next to Rubin could do wonders to helping him establish his prowess on the defensive line. His biggest problem IMO was containing the ends. Other than that he has always stood out to me when it comes to making plays. Increased linebacking help from the athletic young guys will help alleviate some of the pressure, as opposing offensive coordinators have more guys from which to try and steer clear.
After watching tape on him, it appears that if Wade goes out there and puts on a clinic like he did during his best years at Arizona, no one should be surprised if he is lining up across from Haden in the very near future.
Sometimes Jim Brown is just a jackass IMO....Is he worried about his records or something? I don't understand his negativity on this kid at all....Trent Richardson is FAR from ordinary, and I really don't care what Jim brown thinks of him. This is a time for Browns fans to be excited, and big JB just wants some attention....It's an ego thing.To be honest TD, I think he is looking at the "new millenium passing league" and basing his opinion on the fact that if you don't have a 1,300 yard receiver, you don't win, like many of the other "experts" out there.
also find it hard to believe anyone from this group can look at Richardson and call him ordinary though. Pieces are found in each draft. the RB is an invaluable piece to the puzzle. If you have a guy that will average close to 5 yards a carry over his career, then your team usually is better on offense...even Mr. Brown can't deny that...
..sorry Blue but i would rather have the Tribe square off against the Reds in the I71 Series ..the Dodgers are second choice with there storied history
. .It is never too early to predict the NFL season. And of course never too early to jump on your predictions and make it pay.
Cantor Gaming has created an over-under win total for every NFL team. Both the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots are set at 12 wins each.
On the other end, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Jacksonville have an over/under of 5.5 wins.
Here are the totals from Cantor Gaming (via covers.com):
Green Bay: 12 wins
Over: (-125, bet $125 to win $100)
Under: (-105)
New England: 12 wins (Over: -120, Under: -110)
Houston: 10 wins (Over: -140, Under +110)
Philadelphia: 10 wins (Over: -135, under +105)
New Orleans: 10 wins (Over -125, Under -105)
Pittsburgh: 10 wins (Over -125, Under -105)
Baltimore: 10 wins (Over -110, Under -120)
San Francisco: 10 wins (over +105, Under -135)
Denver: 9.5 wins (Over -110, Under -120)
New York Giants: 9.5 wins (Over -110, Under -120)
Detroit: 9.5 wins (Over +105; Under -135)
San Diego: 9 wins (Over -130, Under even)
Atlanta: 9 wins (Over +105, Under, -135)
Chicago: 8.5 wins (Over -135, Under +105)
Dallas: 8.5 wins (Over -125, Under -105)
New York Jets: 8.5 wins (Over -115, Under, -115)
Kansas City: 8 wins (Over -120, Under -110)
Cincinnati: 7.5 wins (Over -130, Under even)
Carolina: 7.5 wins (Over -115, Under -115)
Miami: 7.5 wins (Over -110, Under -120)
Tennessee: 7 wins (Over -130, Under even
Buffalo: 7 wins (Over -110, Under -120)
Seattle: 7 wins: (Over -110, Under -120)
Oakland: 7 wins (Over -110, Under -120)
Arizona: 7 wins (Over -110, Under -120)
Washington: 6.5 wins (Over even, Under, -130)
St. Louis: 6 wins (Over -110, Under -120)
Tampa Bay: 6 wins (Over -110, Under-120)
Minnesota: 6 wins (Over Even, Under -130)
Cleveland: 5.5 wins (Over Even, Under -130)
Indianapolis: 5.5 wins (Over +105, Under -135)
Jacksonville: 5.5 wins (Over +105, Under -135)
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The Cleveland Browns welcomed 11 new players through the 2012 NFL Draft and several others in free agency during the offseason.
As the team continues to acclimate the new players to its 4-3 defensive front and West Coast offense, the veterans have made it a point to help their teammates make the adjustment to professional football. One of those veterans, defensive back Sheldon Brown
, has offered advice to the new players on the Browns’ roster.
“You have to make up your mind early and I think it’s important to be a professional,” Brown said. “You can’t be one of the guys and be cool, this and that and make it in this league. This is your livelihood. This is how you support your family and friends and it’s very important that you’re held accountable to your teammates. When you have a veteran that’s been there and done that and can tell you what to expect, it puts you ahead of the eight-ball.”
On Sunday afternoons in the fall, the attention of the sports world will be on several green fields 120 yards long by 53 yards wide. However, before players get to play on game days, they spend many hours working on film study, weight-training as well as conditioning and practice honing their skills.
Currently, the Browns are in the middle of their offseason program and started organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday in Berea. They will have 10 OTAs overall and a three-day minicamp in early June before getting into training camp at the end of July.
“Sundays are the fun part of it,” Brown said. “These are the times where it’s tough and you’re in the offseason program. Who’s going to be held accountable? How hard are you going to work? You find out the true person, the true individual. You find out their background and values. This is what it’s about; this is where championships are made. Everybody sees Sunday and they just see kids out there playing football, but they don’t know what it takes to get to Sunday. That’s a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice.”
Last summer, no NFL team was able to hold OTAs or minicamps because of a work-stoppage and ongoing negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL Players Association and league owners.
Brown said that with an offseason to install systems, “there will be no excuses” for mistakes made on the practice field and game day.
“We’ve been able to go out and work with one another, go through run-fits, go through pass plays where you talk to one another and work things out,” Brown said. “It should be one of those things when training camp gets here, you don’t have to work on some of the minute things. You can focus on the bigger and better picture.”
He added, “One heartbeat, that’s your goal. When things hit the fan, you’re all in that foxhole together and you come out swinging. That’s what these times are about, when you don’t want to get up and come to work in the morning and do things like that. You want to do things that are fun in the offseason, but you have guys sacrificing and committing to one another and you see the guys care because everybody’s here.”
LEARNING TO BE A PRO
When he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, Brown walked into a defensive backs room run by veteran cornerback Troy Vincent and safety Brian Dawkins. Dawkins announced his retirement from the NFL last month after a 16-year career.
“(I learned) how to take care of your body, how to approach week-in and week-out, game situations,” Brown said of Dawkins’ advice. “He’d give you values about life and things that you go through with family, all of the above. I can honestly say my career wouldn’t be where it has come today without a guy like that in that locker room.”
STUDENT NOW THE MENTOR
After spending 10 years in the NFL, Brown now finds himself in a similar role that Dawkins and Vincent once held, that of mentor.
Brown has the most playing experience of the Browns’ 10 defensive backs and is one of the most-tenured defensive players currently on the roster. The average age of the nine other defensive backs in the Browns’ locker room is 24.7 years old. The same nine players average less than 2.5 years of service in the NFL.
As a rookie two years ago, Joe Haden led the Browns with six interceptions, while T.J. Ward posted the most tackles, both on defense from his safety position and special teams.
“It’s exciting,” Brown said of working with the younger players. “You can tell they love the game and that’s what it’s about. They’re studying. They’re willing to meet at this time in the offseason when a lot of young guys want to be out partying and doing other things. They want to get better; they want this team, this organization to get better. To me, that speaks volumes, more than anything or a play you can make on the field.”
Memorial day tribute from the worship minister at our church - "I'm a Soldier"...
Who is to say that a round should dictate a cornerback's effectiveness?
..sorry Blue but i would rather have the Tribe square off against the Reds in the I71 Series ..the Dodgers are second choice with there storied history
