Daily Dawg Tags: Why the Browns won’t be awful in 2016
Spanning the virtual globe to bring you the latest news about the Cleveland Browns and the NFL – these are your Daily Dawg Tags for Friday, May 13.
Cleveland Browns:
5 reasons the Cleveland Browns won’t be awful in 2016
"As the Cleveland Browns enter the 2016 campaign, many early reports predict a tough season for the Orange and Brown. As 2017 mock drafts (yes 2017 mock drafts) begin to roll in, many experts are predicting the Browns to be picking at the top or near the top of next year’s draft."
Cleveland Browns: A great draft is distracting fans, for now
"The Cleveland Browns have a passionate fan base that just wants to see the team make the playoffs and ultimately win a Super Bowl before humans reach a singularity and football is no longer in existence. Based on the nature of professional sports leagues, it should seem inevitable that the Browns are not too far away from winning a Super Bowl, but recent history, the curse of John Elway and the Chicago Cubs’ title drought shows that winning a championship is never a given at any time in the future."
Cleveland Browns: The 2016 cornerbacks
"Heading into the 2016 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns had many holes to fill and after releasing Pro Bowl SS Donte Whitner and allowing Pro Bowl FS Tashaun Gipson to leave, the defensive backfield was one of the bigger holes."
Report: Cleveland Browns sign Jordan Payton, Scooby Wright to rookie deals
"On the eve of the first practice of rookie minicamp, wide receiver Jordan Payton and linebacker Scooby Wright have reportedly signed their rookie contracts, according to Nate Ulrich at ohio.com. Payton, a fifth-round selection out of UCLA, reportedly inked a four-year deal worth $2.584 million, which includes a signing bonus of $244,004."
QB Cody Kessler among those to watch at Browns’ rookie minicamp (ESPN)
"The Cleveland Browns put their rookies on the practice field on Friday for the first time. The team’s three-day rookie minicamp features a practice in Berea on Friday, a practice at FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday as part of FanFest, and a final practice in Berea on Sunday. Not much should be read into a rookie camp. It’s about adjusting and acclimating and being exposed to the NFL world, and playbook."
Terrelle Pryor working hard to master WR position (clevelandbrowns.com)
"In 2008, Robert Griffin III and Terrelle Pryor were two of the most sought-after quarterbacks coming out of high school. “He was the No. 1 rated player in the nation,” Griffin said, laughing. “I was not.” Of course, Griffin went to Baylor and became the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner. Meanwhile, Pryor was the centerpiece of an Ohio State team that dominated the Big Ten during his tenure."
NFL News:
Rob Gronkowski named cover athlete for Madden 17 (FanSided)
"There are many great honors that can be bestowed upon an NFL player throughout his career. MVPs are great and so are Super Bowl Championships. However, perhaps one of the biggest honors that doesn’t result in a trophy or ring per se is being named the cover star for EA Sports’ Madden video game. On Thursday night, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was named as the cover star for the upcoming Madden 17."
NFL: Top 5 teams on the rise (NFL Spin Zone)
"Last year the NFL had three franchises improve upon their 2014 record by at least five wins. Those clubs were the Washington Redskins, (plus-5), the New York Jets (plus-6) and the Carolina Panthers (plus-8) en route to a Super Bowl appearance."
Carson Wentz signs contract with Philadelphia Eagles (NFL.com)
"The Philadelphia Eagles have their quarterback of the future under contract. Carson Wentz signed a four-year contract on Thursday, the team announced. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports the deal is worth $26.67 million and includes a $17.6 million signing bonus, per a source involved with the deal."