Daily Dawg Tags: Browns focusing on Ravens
By Thomas Moore
Spanning the virtual globe to bring you the latest news about the Cleveland Browns and the NFL – these are your Daily Dawg Tags for Thursday, Sept. 15.
The Cleveland Browns have moved on from their latest opening-day loss, which is a good thing as the Baltimore Ravens are headed to town.
The Browns have been horrific over the years against division opponents, and until that starts to change they have no real hope of achieving any bigger goals.
“ First thing, if we are going to be a good football team, you have to win within your division. You have to try and win your division. First and foremost, I think that is very important,” head coach Hue Jackson said on Wednesday. “These count as two games in my opinion. It is a game but it is also a game within the division so it is extra special and important because we get to play these guys twice. Yeah, we do talk about it. I think it is very important.”
Cleveland is healthy, for the most part, as they prepare for the Ravens. Only defensive backs Derrick Kindred (ankle) and Marcus Burley (groin) were limited in practice because of injury on Wednesday.
We are only days away from Sunday’s home opener against the Baltimore Ravens, so let’s catch up with the latest news about the Browns and from around the NFL.
Cleveland Browns news:
5 QBs who could fill RG3’s roster spot
"It didn’t take long for the Cleveland Browns to lose their starting QB to an injury. Are there any free agents that Cleveland consider signing to fill the void?"
Front office must save Hue Jackson from himself
"The first thing the Cleveland Browns front office needs to do is save Hue Jackson from himself. The choice of Robert Griffin III is a head scratcher. Griffin succeeded in the NFL when running an offense as banal as the one Carson Wentz ran last Sunday. He has never been able to read defenses either pre or post-snap. That Jackson thinks he can fix the Titanic is why the front office needs to take the reins when it comes to the quarterback position."
"The Cleveland Browns have several problems on offense. Is Cameron Erving’s ability to snap the ball becoming one of them?"
The View from the O-line a great read
"Offensive linemen have a difficult and thankless task. They are the unseen and unheard force that makes the offense work. When something goes wrong on the line, everybody can see it. When things go well, nobody even knows they are there. If all of this seems out of place and nonsensical, then you need to read Howard Mudd’s book The View from the O-Line: Football According to NFL Offensive Linemen and an Uncommon Coach."
Browns vs. Ravens Q&A (Ebony Bird)
"The Baltimore Ravens are about to do battle with the Cleveland Browns. This is more often than not an automatic win for the John Harbuagh and the Ravens. Since Harbaugh became the coach of the Ravens, and Joe Flacco has been under center, the Browns have only beaten the Ravens twice. When Sunday rolls along, the Browns will be searching for their first win of the season. The Ravens will be looking to build off their week one victory."
Two stories about two of the hopeful defensive building blocks (cleveland.com)
"The 2016 season might not ultimately be measured in wins, but it will definitely be measured by the progress of the team’s young players, especially those on defense. Here are two short stories about two of those key pieces, Derrick Kindred and Joe Schobert."
Jimmy Haslam, Hue Jackson praise Josh McCown (ohio.com)
"When Browns owner Jimmy Haslam called quarterback Josh McCown on Monday night about filling in for the injured Robert Griffin III, McCown had company. McCown was watching Monday Night Football with Browns wide receivers Terrelle Pryor and Josh Gordon, the former All-Pro selection who’s serving a four-game suspension for recurring violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy."
NFL news:
Vikings No. 1 pick Laquon Treadwell didn’t play a down on Sunday (Fox Sports)
"When the Minnesota Vikings took the field on offense Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, they did so without quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. There was also the noticeable absence of their top rookie, receiver Laquon Treadwell. The first-round pick didn’t play a single snap in the season opener, something he’s unfamiliar with."
5 possible trade destinations for Jimmy Garoppolo (FanSided)
"Jimmy Garoppolo may continue to make a case to succeed Tom Brady, but if the New England Patriots look to trade him, here are five teams that could have interest."
After Week 1 debacle, Colts should be afraid (Indianapolis Star)
"Maybe we overreacted. That’s certainly a possibility, is it not? The Indianapolis Colts have played one game, they lost that one game, and folks near and far are sticking a fork in them. Because the Colts are done."
Nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017 announced (NFL.com)
"The list of Modern-Era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017 is comprised of 94 players and coaches. Among the nominees announced are several first-year eligible players including quarterback Donovan McNabb, running back LaDainian Tomlinson, wide receiver Hines Ward and defensive end Jason Taylor."