Archive for July, 2010

According to reports, first round selection CB Joe Haden has agreed to terms on a five-year $50 million deal.  The deal, which has $26 million guaranteed as well as a $12 million bonus, means that all the Browns rookie draft picks are now under contract. In other news, second round pick RB Montario Hardesty will be out “a couple of weeks” after he twisted his knee Thursday.  Hardesty was expected to compete with RB Jerome Harrison for the teams starting running back gig this season.  Though the injury won’t sideline Hardesty long-term, which is good, it certainly gives Harrison “the [...]

‘Twas the night before training camp, and all through the city, Not many Cleveland sports fans were sleeping, ‘cuz most were probably out getting sh**ty. I was one of the few that was home in my bed, With visions of the upcoming Browns season filling my head. I saw the Walrus in a ‘kerchief, and Mangini in a cap, Just settling down for what appeared to be a final pre-training camp rap. “Now, Eric, you impressed me with that late season run, But the Walrus goes to Super Bowls, 5-11 seasons won’t get it done. Eight games you have to [...]

This is part of a series in which we will look at every facet of the team and provide position previews for the Browns, leading up to the start of the regular season. It is difficult trying to figure out what to expect from Cleveland Browns quarterbacks this season because, well, there aren’t any left from last year’s team. The organization cleaned house, parting ways with both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, and brought in veteran quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace in addition to drafting Colt McCoy. So, without further ado, here’s a look at the team’s quarterbacks going into [...]

The Linebackers Dictate the Effectiveness of a 3-4 Defensive Unit A good nose tackle may serve as the foundation for all successful 3-4 defenses, but the true difference makers are found at the second level. It’s the linebackers that truly set the tone in all 3-4 schemes such as the Browns. If a team’s four linebackers are mostly solid and consistent, than chances are that defense is going to be AT LEAST an average unit. On the other hand, if a defense has some playmakers at the second level, then you better look out because that defense has a chance [...]

The Cleveland Browns have never had a capable leader residing above the general manager and head coach until now. Thus, new President Mike Holmgren is the epicenter of  fan optimism coming into this season. If how an organization performs all starts at the top, the circumvention of owner Randy Lerner’s influence is key. With Holmgren running the show the situation could only get better right? But none of us have actually sat in on an internal Browns meeting with Holmgren and his troops. How does he operate as a CEO, and what are the specific things he is changing within the organizational [...]

The Cleveland Browns have come to terms on four-year deals with two more draft picks today – running back Montario Hardesty and safety T.J. Ward. With the team’s first full-squad practice on Saturday, the only unsigned draft pick is now first-round cornerback Joe Haden. The rookies reported last Friday, but it is nice to see that, as of now, all but one of the draft picks will be in camp. Both Hardesty and Ward are expected to make contributions as rookies. It’s also time to see if Haden truly wants to be in camp when it starts.

Since the dawning of the Romeo Crennel-era in 2005, the Cleveland Browns have operated under a 3-4 defensive scheme. Unfortunately, instead of getting better playing the 3-4 during the past five seasons, the Browns defense has regressed statistically, going from 16th in total yards allowed in Crennel’s first season  to 31st last season, the first under Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan. With the arrival of new President Mike Holmgren, many thought the Browns would transition back to the 4-3 since Holmgren’s previous teams in Seattle and Green Bay both reached Super Bowls utilizing the scheme. Instead of coming in and preaching [...]

It’s July. LeBron is gone. The Indians are in last place. Browns training camp is around the corner but sadly, not here just yet. If this were an episode of The Wire this is where officers Prez and Freamon regroup and sift through endless tape recordings, photos, and pages of financial records searching for any pattern that will lead them to the Barksdale gang’s next move. Nothing else to do when the wire is dead. Sadly in this scenario the best metaphor I could come up for myself was the role of Prez (I’ll try to be Batman in my next [...]

Earlier this month, rookie cornerback Joe Haden’s agent, Malik Shareef, explained that his client had no intentions of holding out. It was – and, for all intents and purposes, still is – his desire to make it to training camp on time without the mess that a holdout can sometimes create. This, however, is something fans hear every year. Of course every player wants to be in camp on time, but every player also wants to get paid. Like every top-ten draft pick, Haden and his agent will look at a number of factors, including what players in his position [...]

With all of us aiming to get over the Wednesday hump so we can start looking forward to the weekend, here are some assorted Browns links to help you get through the day: Mike Lombardi vs Joe Haden: Who’s Too Slow for What? (Cleveland Frowns) Where is the Browns’ Bandwagon, and How Far Can It Go? (Waiting for Next Year) Browns Position Previews: Defensive Line (Land Loyalty) Browns Appear Ready to Head into Camp with Delhomme as the Starter (The Scores Report) Colt McCoy Gets Married (Cleveland.com) The Numbers Game (The Cleveland Fan) Hope it’s a great Wednesday for you, [...]