Dawg Pound Lounge ,

Views:      
 
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 16, 2012 7:11 am
So there is no way anybody can swing a deal for Wallace now ? i know they wouldnt trade directly with the Browns but maybe a three team deal could be worked out ?.
bluez, the only way Wallace can play for another team at this point is if he signs a regular contract...The Steelers can't even trade him if he signs the tender.

The reason he had a better chance before was that he could negotiate with 32 teams, now he can only negotiate with one.

He will sign his tender in July, which is good for us because he will miss the installation of the new offense..but in the long run it won't make much difference.


Irish Dawg 42
SinceOct 6, 2006
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 16, 2012 10:01 am

Looking like a starting quarterback

Before rookie minicamp this past weekend, Shurmur said rookie Brandon Weeden must earn the starting quarterback job. But as Shurmur reflected on the recent minicamp while speaking to reporters following his speaking engagement, he said Weeden is making a strong case for himself in his pursuit of the starting job.

“There’s no question I think he’s headed in the right direction,” Shurmur said. “He showed us in the first minicamp that he can throw the ball in this league, and now we’ll get a chance to see him interact with the team, the full squad, and see how he does.”

Shurmur stopped short of revealing whether Weeden would take snaps with the first-team offense May 22 when organized team activities begin. But it certainly seems like a safe bet that Weeden will.

“I’ll hold onto that till we talk about that [as a team and as a coaching staff],” Shurmur said. “But he’s gonna be able to compete with those guys to be the starter. So how we choose to do that really is a method, and we’ll just see how it works.”

Shurmur was much more direct in his praise of Weeden’s performance during rookie minicamp.

“I think he’s extremely accurate,” he said. “His strong arm really showed up in this minicamp. There’s something natural about his play. He hadn’t really thrown to these receivers before and to be able to throw somewhat precise routes and be very accurate, that was good to see.

“He throws a very, very -- wow -- it’s a pretty ball. It’s easy for the receivers to catch, and some of the guys he was working with for the first time really performed extremely well because there’s synergy there when you get good quarterback play.”

Quarterback situation

A member of the audience asked Shurmur to compare Colt McCoy and Weeden.

“Colt McCoy is a gritty guy,” Shurmur said. “I think Colt McCoy is a fine football player and can play quarterback in this league. We think Brandon Weeden can do the same thing. Obviously one guy’s a little bit taller than the other. … They’re both guys that I want on this team and I want to see them compete. The best one will play when we play Philadelphia in September.”

So what will happen to Seneca Wallace?

“I think there’s a case to be made that Seneca, Colt and Brandon are all [on the roster] together,” Shurmur said. “We’ll see. I think that’s yet to be determined. But we’re gonna just watch them all compete and interact, and we’ll see what happens.”

Reliable running back

Shurmur touted running back Trent Richardson, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, as a key piece to the team’s future.

“Trent Richardson is 5-9 ½, but he is a full-grown man,” Shurmur said. “I think he’s gonna be a tremendous player here for a very long time. He’s a quarterback’s best friend. When things get a little dicey, you just turn around and hand it to him, and I really believe he’s gonna be a big part of what we do.

“We could tell from the meeting room interaction to the field that he learns extremely well. All that’s in his favor, and I think this weekend helped him.”

New back in mix

Shurmur said the Browns have signed Toledo running back Adonis Thomas, who spent rookie minicamp with the team on a tryout basis.

“He actually came in on a workout basis,” Shurmur said. “It was just a weekend tryout, and [he] impressed us enough where we signed him to our 90-man roster. So he’ll be coming to training camp with us. He did a terrific job and we feel like he’s got a chance to contribute.”

Shurmur said Adonis filled the vacancy left on the roster by Ohio State linebacker Andrew Sweat, who signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent but decided not to pursue an NFL career.

Phil Taylor update

Shurmur said defensive tackle Phil Taylor will have surgery Wednesday to repair the left pectoral muscle he tore while lifting weights last week.

Third-round pick John Hughes is a candidate to replace Taylor in the starting lineup.

“Unfortunately with what happened to Phil Taylor, John’s gonna have to step it up and be a quicker part of what we do,” Shurmur said. … “We’re not gonna plug him in. He’s gonna have to get in there and compete with the other defensive tackles to win that spot. If he ends up being the guy, he’s obviously not as big as Phil. But I really believe he can create pass rush inside and play well against the run.”

There’s also a chance the Browns could acquire a veteran defensive lineman.

“We’ll continue to look at a veteran really at any position,” he said. “And we’ll know about how it all fits once we can get into the OTAs, and they’re all out there working together.”

Golden opportunity

Rookie linebackers James-Michael Johnson, a fourth-round pick, and Emmanuel Acho, a sixth-round selection, could receive a chance to crack the starting lineup right away if starting strongside linebacker Scott Fujita’s three-game suspension is upheld. The NFL punished Fujita for his alleged role in the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal. Fujita has denied involvement and reserved the right to appeal the suspension.

“I do think they did some things in the rookie minicamp that would make you say these guys got a chance,” Shurmur said of Johnson and Acho. … “I wouldn’t say one’s ahead of the other right now.”

Time to step up

This could be a make-or-break year for Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who was plagued by injuries and didn’t produce much last season.

“It’s time for him to show us what we know he can do,” Shurmur said. “I think last year he was hampered by injury, which can be tough for a receiver. What I’ve seen thus far in the offseason, it looks like he’s gonna be ready to go.”

Reunion in cards?

Shurmur was asked if the Browns will re-sign left guard Eric Steinbach, who was cut in March after he missed last season with a back injury that required surgery. The Browns and Steinbach couldn’t agree on a restructured contract, leading to his release.

“There’s a chance [he could be brought back],” Shurmur said. “I know he’s out in that free-agent world right now trying to find a home. I don’t know the specifics right now, but I have a strong appreciation for Eric and what he did prior to being here last year. Unfortunately last year, he sustained his injury. So maybe. I couldn’t say yes at this point.”

Tight ends ready

Benjamin Watson suffered three concussions last year and ended the season on injured reserve, but Shurmur said Watson is poised to come back.

“He’s fine,” Shurmur said. “He looks great. He’s ready to go.”

Shurmur expects a significant jump in production from Jordan Cameron, who appeared in eight games last season as a rookie.

“The guy that looks way different is Jordan Cameron,” Shurmur said. “Oh, gosh -- the size -- and he’s had a great offseason. He’s a guy that hadn’t played much football, so I think he’ll make a big improvement this year.”

Uniform change

Shurmur indicated the Browns will wear brown jerseys for at least some of their home games this year. Last season, they wore white jerseys and white pants at home.

“Yeah, there’s a chance we can wear the brown [jerseys] this year,” he said.

Lots of laughs

Shurmur always seems to let loose at this event, showing the luncheon club his sense of humor for the second year in a row. He got big laughs from the following jokes:

  • On returning to the luncheon club: “I feel like coming back the second year I’m a little bit more like you guys. I’m a little balder, a lot grayer. Being the coach of the Browns will do that to ya.”
  • On the 28-year-old Weeden’s age: “I think he’s older than me. I know he’s more mature than me for sure.”
  • On being the last speaker of the luncheon club’s season: “It’s tough to stand here as the last guy. I’m sure you’ve heard some real funny guys, and you’ve probably been inspired and all that stuff. Well, sorry. They didn’t even feed me [lunch].”
  • On why the team won’t put the Brownie Elf on its uniforms: “That’s way above my pay grade. I’ll take that under advisement. [Vice president of media relations] Neal [Gulkis] tries to prepare me for all questions. That’s from the warning track in left field right there.”
  • On the increase in media coverage over the years: “If there was NFL Network when I was in college, I would have flunked out. I mean Euchre kept me grades down.”

<!--GD--> <!--QYZ 1027869551,2498723551;300x100;ipatf;;1;-->  <!--end Internal 300 x 100--> <!--Start Medium Rectangle--> <!--GD--> <!--QYZ 1248928051,2542177551;300x250;ipatf;;1;--> <!--end Medium Rectangle--> <!--Start Internal 300x100--> <!--GD--> <!--QYZ 1027878551,2312303551;300x100;ipbtf;;1;--> <!--end Internal 300 x 100--> <!--Start Bottom Medium Rectangle--> <!--GD--> <!--QYZ 1290526551,2593708551;300x250;ipbtf;;1;--> <!--end Bottom Medium Rectangle-->

 

 

<!-- end #right -->

bluezhound32
SinceNov 8, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 16, 2012 2:33 pm
Any word on Trich and Bweed signing contracts?  I wish they would get them done.  It is supposed to be easy under the new cap.
Sam's Daddy
SinceOct 16, 2009
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 16, 2012 3:51 pm
They are the only two left to sign and the rookie allotment came out today, so hopefully they will be signed shortly. First round picks are by far the most unsigned at this time. Most of the other rounds are merely adding 1-1.5% to last year's signings and getting them done.

Then I would assume they are using the remaining money to sign their first rounders. TRich mentioned last week they were closee, so I don't think it will be long. Once he is done, BWeed whould merely get the remaining allotment and also sign. I am sure they are working between both agents for compensation so that they can get their fair share, since both are first rounders.


Irish Dawg 42
SinceOct 6, 2006
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 16, 2012 9:16 pm

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor underwent surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle today at the Cleveland Clinic, but "everybody's optimistic he's going to have a significant impact on the team this season,'' a league source told The Plain Dealer.

The surgery went well, according to the source, and doctors feel everything's gone better than planned.

Taylor was injured Friday while he was bench-pressing during the Browns off-season program at their facility in Berea.

Browns President Mike Holmgren said that Taylor was going through his regular lifting regimen when the injury occurred and that he was using the appropriate amount of weights for his 6-3, 335 pound frame.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Taylor would be out "months, not weeks'' and both Shurmur and Holmgren held out hope he'd return this season.

Depending on the severity of the tear, torn pecs can take about four to six months to heal. In that case, Taylor would be back sometime between September and November.

A similar injury to linebacker D'Qwell Jackson in 2009 caused him to miss the last 10 games, and another one in training camp in 2010 cost him the entire season.

Jackson came back last season to finish second in the NFL with 158 tackles. In Taylor's absence, the Browns are grooming their two rookie defensive tackles, third-rounder John Hughes and sixth-rounder Billy Winn, for significant roles.

DuffBeerDoug
SinceOct 25, 2006
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 16, 2012 9:21 pm

The Cleveland Browns say they are headed in the right direction, but Las Vegas isn’t buying it. The Browns are the only NFL team not favored in any of their first 15 games, according to Cantor Gaming. There is no line yet for the season finale at Pittsburgh. Number of games as favorites for the 2012 season:

AFC North

Steelers — 11

Ravens — 10

Bengals — 7 (plus two pick ’ems)

Browns — 0

Other notables

Patriots — 15

Packers — 15

Jaguars — 1

Rams — 2

Source: Cantor Gaming

DuffBeerDoug
SinceOct 25, 2006
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 8:47 am
then get your early bets in to Vegas as i think the Browns will surprise a few teams this season . geeky odds makers Yell
Riff-Raff714
SinceApr 17, 2009
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 8:56 am
then get your early bets in to Vegas as i think the Browns will surprise a few teams this season . geeky odds makers Yell


I almost always root for the under dawg...
WahooJake
SinceSep 1, 2008
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 9:46 am
looks like i am going to lose all 6 games this week in FBB Yell


My pitchers are all falling apart ...2x4 upside the head

my hitters arent hitting enough ..my size 12 boot in there arse

i have scored the most points in three leagues yet somehow have a losing record in two of them Frown? starting to think the most points scored is vastly ovverated
bluezhound32
SinceNov 8, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 11:18 am

Colt McCoy doesn’t sound like he’s ready to cede his starting quarterback job to Brandon Weeden just yet.

Outside of a report that the Browns told McCoy that they wouldn’t draft a quarterback in the first round, a report the Browns denied, we haven’t heard anything from McCoy about the team’s decision to draft Weeden. He didn’t address that choice directly in an email to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, but he did send a message that he’s not buying into the widespread belief that the job is going to Weeden.

“I’m a competitor and I’m working harder than ever,” McCoy wrote in the email.

While the Browns say that the competition is open, all the hard work in the world might not be enough to help McCoy. The Browns didn’t take a 28-year-old quarterback with the 22nd overall pick to have him sit on the bench one minute longer than is absolutely necessary. Everything they say that isn’t about the competition is tinged with undertones that Weeden will wind up with the job.

McCoy still has reason to work hard, though. A strong preseason could interest another team in making a deal for him, opening up an opportunity for McCoy that doesn’t include a player drafted to be the Browns’ starting quarterback

bluezhound32
SinceNov 8, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 12:41 pm
bad day around here .

i had to put my buddy of 17 years down today

RIP Cuervoe

Frown
bluezhound32
SinceNov 8, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 12:43 pm
sorry to hear that bluez...feel better my friend!


Irish Dawg 42
SinceOct 6, 2006
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 1:44 pm
Sorry to hear that Bluez.  My condolences.
DuffBeerDoug
SinceOct 25, 2006
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 2:04 pm
i had to put my buddy of 17 years down today

Cry...that sux bro. My bride has a 8-9 year old Lhasa now. Gonna be hell ta pay when that pooch goes.

Hang in there....


gb2


GOLFNBEER2
SinceMar 3, 2009
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 2:26 pm
bluez  ~

I feel your pain.  Mine was two years ago for me; and I buried him in the only yard he ever knew.  I didn't know how digging a hole could make me cry so much.

For the next six months I STILL checked for food and water even though I didn't put any out any more. 

I'm so sorry, good pals are hard to let go.


Doug


dgmichel
SinceJan 22, 2008
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 2:04 pm
bluez sorry about your friend.  In almost all cases they are better than dealing with people.  As far as our Browns league, hovering at 4-2 and now waiting for Matt Kemp to come back.  4-2 seems to be my fortay right now which is not a bad thing in 2 leagues and 5-1 in the other..
Bluepigpen
SinceSep 1, 2006
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 4:30 pm

Number of games as favorites for the 2012 season:

AFC North

Steelers — 11

Ravens — 10

Bengals — 7 (plus two pick ’ems)

Browns — 0


 Ouch...

All I can say is...watch out for the Underdawgs  Cool

CaptObvious
SinceJan 27, 2009
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 4:32 pm

Number of games as favorites for the 2012 season:

AFC North

Steelers — 11

Ravens — 10

Bengals — 7 (plus two pick ’ems)

Browns — 0


 Ouch...

All I can say is...watch out for the Underdawgs  Cool

CaptObvious
SinceJan 27, 2009
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 4:38 pm
Sorry bout your boy, bluez. Been there done that...& got a few more on the horizon: 14 yr old Himmy with diabetes, blind & getting lame 14 yr old Old English Sheepdog, 12 yr old Old English Sheepdog. Big breeds dont usually last that long. Counting blessings but know its just a matter of 'when'...  Frown 
CaptObvious
SinceJan 27, 2009
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 6:32 pm

thanks all .

 

Cuervoe was a she . quite the character as she hated females . every GF i had or any one nighters she would just hiss at them Laughing . come to find out she was right . they say that animals are a good judge of people . after having Cuervoe for 17 years i believe its true .


off to get me a bucket of Despoes wings & a couple Yuenglings .


yeah i did clean my eyes out today


Frown

bluezhound32
SinceNov 8, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 10:11 pm
Bluez,

One of the saddest days of my life is when I had to tell the Vet to go ahead and put my last Boxer (Woody) down.  I feel for you and know the sorrow that is in your heart right now.  Someone sent this to me back then.  I guess it's my turn now.

RIP Cuervoe

Lymanacoconut
SinceSep 4, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 10:32 pm
Thats a great poem Lym. Somebody sent me that back in '98 when we lost our 1st OES. Spent 1.5k on cancer surgery 5 mos earlier. She rebounded back to normal but then 1 day the wife picked the kids up from daycare, opened the front door & our girl was laying on the floor facing the door. Dead. Lots of tears... Never easy losing a member of the family, 2 or 4 footed
CaptObvious
SinceJan 27, 2009
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 10:49 pm

Yea, Capt . . . I got a bunch of them waiting for me to show up.  The fact that two of them were 200lb+ Great Danes (Duke and Sachmo) is what keeps me on this earth.  Those guys would just flat out mug me when I got home at night.  Doubt I could handle both of them at the same time.

Woody was the same way except he weighed quite a bit less.  The Boxer we have now (Archie) spends the entire day alone in the house.  You would think he would mug me as well but he's too busy waiting at the back door to go out and pee.

OBTW: All of them were rescued dogs.  I was just glad that we provided a place for them to show their love.
Lymanacoconut
SinceSep 4, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 17, 2012 11:31 pm
Very nice Lyman, it is the most difficult thing I ever had to do having to finally say goodbye .  My wife is very spiritual and she believes that our loved pets stay by our side the rest of our days and it is your pets that walk you through Heavens Gate.  Bluez you were blessed for 17 years. 
Bluepigpen
SinceSep 1, 2006
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 18, 2012 10:19 am
Lyman ..Thanks that was a very nice poem  . i will pass that along when the time comes for somebody else .


thanks for laughs as well . yes i can see me getting knocked on my fat ass when that time comes between the dogs & the cat . Cuervo was a cat .

i bought them both together after i bought my house . both came from  the local Humane scociety so i guess they were both rescued from death row . the dog didnt last but 5 years . i never replaced him .it was just me & Cuervo who i taught to fetch Laughing..yes the cat would play fetch with me .i would crumple up a marlboro pack give it a toss she would go get it bring it back a few times before figuring out that she wasnt a dog .

i will get another buddy but not for awhile . and it will come form the Humane scociety .
bluezhound32
SinceNov 8, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 18, 2012 10:20 am
Thanks again everybody ..you guys ROCK !!!


Rounds on me all weekend .. Irish behave yourself Laughing
bluezhound32
SinceNov 8, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 18, 2012 11:08 am

The Morning Kickoff …

Let the (ahem) competition begin: Since the Browns changed the course of their offensive direction on the first night of the draft, quarterbacks Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden have been two ships passing in the night.

McCoy has been “working hard” in the offseason conditioning program while Weeden has attended a three-day rookie camp and gotten acclimated to the lay of the land in Browns headquarters. According to a source, the two “competitors” have actually been in the building together a grand total of two days.

Those occurred this week when rookies joined the veterans for the first time in meetings and limited on-field position work. Weeden’s week was cut short when he left to attend the NFL rookie symposium in Los Angeles.

Things finally get serious on Tuesday when the Browns take the field as a team for the first of 10 organized team activities (OTA) practice sessions.

At that point, somebody has to be under center for the first rep in the first team drill. Will it be McCoy? Will it be Weeden? Will it be Seneca Wallace?

“I would say to that, we’ll all find out on Tuesday,” said tight end Evan Moore.

Behind the scenes: When the Browns selected running back Trent Richardson with the third pick in the draft on April 26, McCoy posted the following comment on his Twitter page at 9:38 p.m.:

Congratulations Trent Richardson. Glad to have you in Cleveland!

When Weeden was selected by the Browns with the 22<sup> nd</sup> pick a few hours later, there was no similar congratulatory Tweet from McCoy. He has made only one post on his Twitter page since, a comment about one of his favorite movies -- Cinderella Man.

A day after the draft and two weeks later at rookie minicamp, Weeden said he had not spoken with McCoy. Why did not McCoy reach out to Weeden and welcome him to the Browns?

“I don’t know. I’ve never asked him that,” Moore said. “I would just speculate and say put yourself in Colt’s shoes. You can imagine how he’s feeling.”

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that McCoy was told by the Browns before the draft that they would not draft a quarterback in the first round. The Browns have strongly denied it. Five weeks before the draft, Browns President Mike Holmgren talked on a conference call with season ticket holders about the repercussions of the failed trade talks for Robert Griffin III.

He said, “… the other plan we talked about was to use those draft picks to get starters for this year and to help our quarterbacks on our team get better. So that’s what we’re doing.”

And then they drafted Weeden at No. 22.

Does McCoy feel he was misled?

“I don’t get that impression from him,” Moore said. “From the interaction I’ve had with Colt, I know his head is in the right place.”

Where is this going?: McCoy has not talked to the media since Dec. 29. With eyes still glazed from the cheap-shot helmet hit to the face mask he took from Pittsburgh’s James Harrison on Dec. 8, McCoy toed the company line and professed he wanted to be part of the “resurrection” of the Browns.

On Tuesday, things get awkward. The media will be allowed in for the first OTA session. McCoy either will have to address questions about his past and future with the team or he will continue to hide. Teammates will be subjected to the first onslaught of “McCoy or Weeden?” questions.

“I can see where externally it’s plausible to get the impression that his would be awkward,” Moore said. “But we can’t let it get there.

“I’m a proponent of Colt, a fan of Colt, but I know we added someone who’s a good player, too. I want to see them both do well and let the best man win.”

bluezhound32
SinceNov 8, 2007
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 18, 2012 12:11 pm
Back in 2010, the Cleveland Browns used a sixth-round draft pick on a little known speedster from South Florida. The 6’3” and 215-pound receiver had the measurables and potential scouts drool over, but many had agreed it would take the right system to maximize his potential in the NFL.

Two years later, the Cleveland Browns organization has yet to tap into his potential, as Carlton Mitchell has played in just 16 games in two seasons, and logged three receptions for 31 yards in his two-year career. What makes the situation even worse is the fact the Browns have had one of the league’s worst passing and receiving attacks over the last two seasons, which would have made for a prime opportunity for the now 24-year old to break out.

In his three seasons at South Florida, Mitchell put up some solid numbers which made one think he would translate well in the NFL. He accumulated 105 receptions 1,648 yards and nine touchdowns in three seasons, and was extremely deadly in terms of his yards-per catch average of 15.7.

The Browns switched to the West Coast Offense last season, and a player like Mitchell with speed and the ability to accumulate yards after the catch would have seemed to be a major asset. His raw skills should have developed into somewhat of a contributing role by now, which makes the situation with the youngster even more frustrating.

As the 2012 season is creeping upon us, many people thought the Browns would have made significant additions to their receiving corps. Instead, the team chose to upgrade their running back situation with Alabama rookie Trent Richardson, and bring in Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden to upgrade their passing game.

With two of college football’s best players entering the organization at key positions, one would think now would be the time for Mitchell to break out. However, the receiving situation is clouded with uncertainty, and there is no guarantee the once promising receiver can even make the team’s regular season roster.

The team also added speedster Travis Benjamin via the draft, and the Browns now have at least six receivers on the roster to rotate in for Weeden (or Colt McCoy). The likes of Greg Little, Josh Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi and Jordan Norwood seem to have firm hold on their roster spots, with Josh Cooper, Benjamin and Mitchell vying for next in line. The team also utilizes their tight ends in a big way, which makes Benjamin Watson and Evan Moore threats to take potential receptions away from the receiving corps.

If you do the math quickly, it appears someone out of that group of nine players may be on the outside looking in at the regular season roster—and that person could very well be Mitchell.

After showing little growth in two seasons, Mitchell emerging as a threat seems less and less like an option in 2012. Could he experience some type of major change in offseason camps? Sure, but the chances are less likely with all of the players ahead of him.

Many Browns fans wanted to see a player like Mitchell succeed in the system, but like Brian Robiskie who came before him, it may be time for the team to part ways with the South Florida product. So at the end of the day, the chances of Mitchell breaking out as a legitimate receiving threat seem to be diminishing with each passing day.


Follow National Football Authority on Twitter: @NFAuthority & @TheRealBobEvans 
For more NFL coverage follow @NFA_NFL

Riff-Raff714
SinceApr 17, 2009
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 18, 2012 12:15 pm
The Cleveland Browns have been one of a number of NFL teams being held under the national microscope for their actions in the 2012 NFL Draft. Especially considering they traded up one spot from No. 4 to No. 3 to secure their running back of the future (Trent Richardson), and then used the No. 22 pick on a 28-year old quarterback (Brandon Weeden).

This week, ESPN has decided to once again focus their attention on the continuously rebuilding franchise. While there was yet again some focus on the selection of Weeden and success rate (or lack thereof) of quarterbacks drafted in the 20s, the article decided to focus on a more controversial and rather boneheaded idea.

It was suggested the Cleveland Browns should entertain the idea of signing former Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Donovan McNabb.

For those of you who have been under a rock for the last few months, the Cleveland Browns have hired former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress to take over their offense, and the connection between himself and McNabb is essentially the premise for this article. Before he coached in Minnesota, Childress was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Eagles from 1999-2005—also known as the beginning of McNabb’s career in Philly.

Childress’ cultivation of McNabb cannot be denied. He took the No. 2 overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft out of Syracuse and turned him into a Pro Bowl quarterback. But developing a quarterback when he is young and raw is much different than attempting to get another year of juice out of a 35-year old.

Looking past the fact that McNabb hasn’t been himself the past few seasons, the idea of bringing him in just because Weeden may not be ready to assume the quarterbacking duties from day one makes zero sense. The Browns did not draft a 28-year old quarterback with a first-round pick to have him sit a year and learn. They brought him in to win the starting quarterback job.

The team has Colt McCoy, who has starting experience, if Weeden struggles to grasp the playbook at first. His numbers haven’t been amazing, but he is coming into his third year with the franchise (second in the West Coast Offense) and knows the personnel on the team much better than McNabb would. If McCoy struggles, there is always Seneca Wallace, a player who has been in the WCO nearly his entire career.

With those three players in the system, there is no room for a washed up veteran like McNabb in Cleveland. Yet this is the exact opposite the author of the article wants you to believe, stating, “…McNabb is a buffer. He doesn’t need a five-year deal. Bring him in; see if he can play. His upside is a chance to win a little more now while strengthening Weeden’s chance to succeed. Really, what do the Browns have to lose?”

What do the Browns have to lose? With all due respect, the writer (Chris Sprow) does not seem to have a firm grasp on the state of football in Cleveland.

Once Weeden starts, the Browns will be on lucky No. 17 for different starting quarterbacks since rejoining the NFL in 1999. The list stretches from a No. 1 overall draft pick in Tim Couch, to vagabond backups like Kelly Holcomb, Spergon Wynn, Luke McCown and Ken Dorsey.

It also mixes in aging veterans like Ty Detmer, Doug Pederson, Jeff Garcia, Trent Dilfer and Jake Delhomme—all looking for one last breath of NFL starting air. And who can forget the likes of Charlie Frye, Bruce Gradkowski, the Golden Domer bust in Brady Quinn and the one-year wonder off the Ravens’ practice squad in Derek Anderson?

To answer Sprow’s question, the Browns have a fan base to lose. They have a city tired of a revolving door at quarterback, and are certainly tired of watching stop-gaps and buffers attempt to lead their team out of the cellar and back into the playoffs.

Weeden may be old for a rookie and McCoy has struggled early in his young career, but those two are the current quarterbacks for this franchise. Weeden will likely emerge as the starter because of his big-arm, accuracy and ability to impact the game plan of opposing defenses.

And if the Browns only get six years of starting out of him (like this writer has said a million times before), it is longer than any quarterback not named Bernie Kosar since 1984. The Browns’ organization should just say no to McNabb, because a “buffer” is not needed.


Follow National Football Authority on Twitter: @NFAuthority & @TheRealBobEvans 
For more NFL coverage follow @NFA_NFL

Riff-Raff714
SinceApr 17, 2009
-

Dawg Pound Lounge ,

May 18, 2012 3:32 pm
Sprints at Limaland


Hangs sign on door .



Gone Racing Cool
Riff-Raff714
SinceApr 17, 2009