Week 17 - 2013

Only in Cleveland.  That's all I can say.  Only in Cleveland.  The Browns fired their coach, the coach they hired less than one year ago, yesterday.  Rob Chudzinski is out, after (depending on who you believe) feuding with fork tongued snake in the grass GM Mike Lombardi over "accountability".  Or maybe it was because he wasn't happy with the work of Norv Turner's kid Scott, WR coach.  Or he wouldn't cut Greg Little.  Whatever the reason, the Browns continue to be a model of dysfunction, a joke of a franchise led by a crook and run by two egomaniacs.  When will it end?

Why are we even still Browns fans?  I'm not sure I even know why I support this team.  Why I go to games, watch games, buy Browns gear.  Why?  They're consistently horrible, constantly rebuilding, and even my five year old daughter knows that "the Browns ALWAYS lose".  Are we still here because we want to say when (if) they ever turn it around that we were always here?  Are we here because when we were 8 years old we used to hump it to Municipal Stadium with our dads to see the Browns were they were actually a respectable franchise?  I mean seriously WHY?  What the hell is wrong with us?  Any other fans in any other city would've turned their backs on this joke of a franchise a long time ago, but we're still here.  But for how long?  I want to be done.  I really do.  I'm sick of this crap.

We're irrational, us fans, if we complain.  That's how this organization views us, how national media view us.  Why not have faith in Joe Banner and Michael Lombardi?  Why should we complain?  They pop in and out, Lombardi's NFL Network pals, and they'll tell us all the things wrong with Chudzinski, first year and first time head coach.  They'll replace him with Josh McDaniels, tell us how great he is, how they always wanted him, the same thing they said about Chud just a year ago.  Trust us, they'll say.  Then when this regime fails spectacularly, they'll tell us that the next guys will get it right.  They aren't here, or weren't here, they don't understand how much we've put up with. 

As if we haven't heard this same crap before.  Every couple years a new egomaniac (and that's all these guys are.  Egomaniacs who think they are smarter than everyone else) takes over, and tells us the same thing.  Every couple years it doesn't work, and we are left holding the bag, told to have patience, that these new guys will get it right.  Rinse.  Repeat.

We're supposed to trust Joe Banner and Michael Lombardi now.  Ignore the fact that Lombardi is a known snake, and has already been here and FAILED MISERABLY years ago.  Gonna be different this time, right?  Hell they got a 1st round pick for Trent Richardson they are GENIUSES!  Believe in them!  It's different!  No it's not.  The first act of the Joe Banner era was the hiring of a coach (and Lombardi was already in the fold don't be fooled by the timeline) and they have already admitted that they failed.  Oh and forget about the fact that the players seem to be anywhere from stunned to livid by the move.  Good luck in that locker room, new coach.  And really what coach in their right mind would come here?  If you're expecting a home run aim lower and save yourself further disappointment.  In case you were wondering just how dysfunctional this whole thing really is,

What they're ignoring about throwing Chud under the bus is that they were constantly building for the future, especially on the offensive side of the ball.  There isn't a coach on the planet that wins with those quarterbacks and those running backs.  It doesn't happen.  And Ray Horton's defense, the one that was addressed in the draft and free agency, was a miserable failure for the better part of the season.  Ignore those facts.  Ignore the draft.  Ignore Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell, ignore the obvious eyes towards the 2014 draft.  Because have faith!  It's Chud's fault, not Banner's, not Lombardi's.  It'll be different with Josh McDaniels or Ken Whisenhunt (KILLS SELF).

Just have faith.  Don't worry.  Trust them.  It's a process.  It's all we ever hear.  Wake me up when it's over.  I want to be done.  I'm really going to try.  I doubt I'm alone.  A human can only take so much, and we've taken a lot.  Blind faith doesn't do it for me anymore.  I've said it before, the more things change, the more they stay the same.  Especially in Cleveland.

On the Richardson Trade

Well Trent Richardson is gone.  Traded.  It happened.  I let that sink in for a few days before putting anything here, because I do try and let my emotions die down a little before writing anything.  I was absolutely stunned when it happened, as everyone was.

After letting everything sink in, I'm conflicted on my feelings.

The first reaction from me is always the fan, the Browns fan, the emotional, fiercely loyal, been kicked around enough Browns fan.  And that part of me was angry and confused.  Really angry and really confused.  That part of me still is.  Trent Richardson was the best offensive playmaker on this team.  He was grossly underutilized in my opinion, both by the previous coaching staff as well as through two games this season.  He was the one player on this team that defenses had to account for, to prepare and gameplan for.  He was a player worth paying to see play in the eyes of many, including the Browns organization, which is why his photo was on the tickets, on the pocket schedule, on the cover of the gameday magazine.  He's also only 22 years old, 17 games into his NFL career, and was the 3rd pick in the draft just a year and a half ago.  He flashed enough potential to give people hope that he was going to be a bigtime player, a Pro Bowl player.  And I still think he becomes that player, though now he'll do it with a horseshoe on his helmet.

That fan side of me feels like a white flag is now being flown for this season.  That this management team is deliberately throwing in the towel on this season, in an attempt to "earn" a top pick in the draft to select a quarterback to build around.  The fan side of me feels especially horrible for season ticket holders, who have invested so much and gotten so little in return, only to have another lost season thrown in their faces before the leaves have even turned.  I call Browns fans the best in the country all the time here, and they are.  Any other fans, of any other teams, would have turned their backs long ago.  And that part of me burns with anger about this move.

The other side of me is the sensible football person.  Looking at this objectively, it's not a bad deal.  I'd be lying if I didn't say that a small amount of doubt had set in about Richardson the player.  I don't think we've seen him at his full potential but if you stripped the nameplate off his jersey and looked at it empirically, he is far from irreplaceable.  3.5 yards per carry, 11 touchdowns, just over 1000 yards in his first 17 games.  Not exactly Jim Brown.  And the fact that they recouped a first round draft pick for a running back in today's day and age is extremely impressive.  Can Willis McGahee replace those numbers?  Probably.  Does Trent Richardson make this team markedly better?  Do they win more games with Richardson than without him?  Maybe one.  Maybe.  Running backs are complementary pieces in today's NFL.  It all starts at the quarterback position, and Banner and Lombardi seem to recognize that and are going all in to get one.  Which I understand, looking at it objectively.

But the fan side of me still has some questions.  With the way this team has performed, and the amount of quarterback talent potentially available in next year's draft, was this a move that had to be made?  Because if Jacksonville gets the first pick in the draft, one extra first rounder is not going to prevent them from taking their guy.  Trust me they have a worse situation at quarterback than we do.  Did we as Browns fans ever see Richardson playing with a full deck?  I don't think we did.  Between shoddy coaching, quarterback play, and offensive line play I don't think we ever saw the best that Trent Richardson has to offer.  And I don't see how trading him for a draft pick makes this team better.  For what it's worth, the last quarterback Michael Lombardi had a hand in picking was Jamarcus Russell, and the last two Joe Banner had a hand in picking were Mike Kafka and Kevin Kolb.  It's no guarantee that these guys will get it right.  And if they don't, it's back to square one (again).

 

 

So I am torn on the deal.  And I think most Cleveland fans are as well.  I've heard some people who love it and some who are so mad that they are done being Browns fans.  And I get it.  So if you're mad I'm sorry and I do feel it too.  If you're happy, that's good.  I'll be right there with you, especially the day after the season's over.  If you're Joe Banner and Michael Lombardi, I hope you're right, and I hope you get it right.  Like I heard it said best, you guys have bet on yourselves and you're all in.  Let's hope for once you get it right, and that the fans won't be the ones left holding the bag.

Week 1 - 2013

 

They say the more things change the more they stay the same.  That was certainly true.  It was supposed to be different.  New season, new coach, new management.  Stadium improvements.  The best offensive and defensive minds in the game in Norv Turner and Ray Horton.  A better fan experience.  It was going to be different, a complete remodel.  Well guess what.  It was exactly the same as it has been 14 out of the last 15 times they’ve opened in the Factory of Sadness.  A big fat loss in front of the greatest fans in football on a beautiful September day in Cleveland.  Another 0-1 start.  A loss to a crappy Dolphins team who managed less than 25 yards on the ground.  A quick death to optimism, just like every other damn year since 1999.  I don’t care about fires for intros or DJs or cell service.  When I come to a Browns game I want them to win.  If they want to improve the “fan experience” improve the team.

Seriously how can a complete remodel produce the exact same crap over and over again?  It’s like replacing a sewage treatment plant with a landfill.  It still STINKS.  It seems almost impossible.  But it happened again.  The same results, the same issues, the same fraudulent pretenders in orange helmets fooling us into thinking that they can be my Browns of the 80’s, or my dad’s Browns of the 60’s.  They aren’t, they never will be.  They’re the new Browns, the same old Browns, the expansion Browns.  And no matter the front office, no matter the coaches, no matter the owner, it’s the same junk year in and year out.

Where to begin?  I went to the game and haven’t watched it again, and not sure that I want to.  Do I want to watch Oniel Cousins embarrass himself again?  Seriously he’s the worst player at his position in the NFL.  There isn’t a worse offensive guard in football.  He’s the absolute worst.  He's an embarrassment to every offensive lineman who has ever played the game.  Do I want to see the Browns try and run behind him, instead of our Pro Bowl left tackle?  I don’t think I do.  Maybe I can watch another coach abandon the run AGAIN, essentially taking his best player out of the game.  I loved it so much when it happened last season.  New coach, same stupidity.  I don’t think I’d like to see Cameron Wake destroying Brandon Weeden on some of his 53 (!!!) pass attempts again.  Think Schwartz could have used some help there Chud?  Norv?  I don’t think I want to see Buster Skrine and Chris Owens try and cover Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson again.  That was fun enough once in person.  No I think I’ll pass on rewatching this team do their best impression of the other 14 Browns teams that opened their seasons with a home loss.  The players change, the results don’t.

 

While the offense was out there Shurmuring it up, the defense actually played respectably until they wore down late in the game.  Desmond Bryant had a great game.  There were encouraging signs out of the front 7, but the secondary needs help.  Chris Owens and Buster Skrine?  Not going to get it done.  Offensively they should run the pistol.  All game.  Every play.  It gives Weeden a shotgun look while keeping the ability to run the ball.  They ran it a few times early, but then got away from it.  I'm not positive, but I don't think they ran the ball one time out of the shotgun.  So they're pretty much letting the defense know what they're going to do when they come out in it. Pistol.  All day.  Also, some screens and draws might help keep a defense honest.  Just a thought there, Chud.  What a disaster.  I honestly am stunned that they played so badly.

 

I hope Joe Banner completely rebrands this team next year when they change their uniforms.  These guys don’t deserve to wear the same uniforms that Otto Graham and Jim Brown wore.  Go chrome on the helmet, completely redesign the jerseys.  People will cry about tradition.  What tradition do these “new” Browns have?  Losing every opener at home?  A complete overhaul every two or three years?  Not making the playoffs?  Those are the traditions of these new Browns.  And they sure held up their end yesterday.  A garbage loss to a crappy team at home.  I’m at a loss.  I’m sick of watching this team lose.  I’m sick of listening to coaches tell me it’s a process.  I’m sick of Brandon Weeden thinking that he plays well when he throws 3 picks.  I’m sick of Trent Richardson only getting the ball 10 times a game.  I was optimistic about the Browns going into yesterday.  I’m convinced now that they are a 4-12 team.  AGAIN.  Maybe they’ll get it fixed next week who knows.  But the optimism I had going into the season has been napalmed.  As B Ross says, maybe it’s tank for Teddy or Tajh time already.  After week 1.  It’s another Cleveland Browns tradition – looking forward to the draft in September.

 

 

gifs of the week

 

Jason Witten reenacts the Browns game in 2 seconds

 

FUMBLEROOSKI

 

Clay Matthews goes superman for a personal foul

 

And the idiotic play of the week, maybe the season.  Nice job Danny.

 

Final Draft Thoughts

With the absence of a second round pick, Friday night was fairly uneventful for the Browns.  However they did pick up Leon McFadden, a smooth, quicker than fast cornerback from San Diego State in the third round.  McFadden is a solid, battle tested player from a pass happy conference who spent a lot of time in one on one man coverage.  He is a willing tackler but needs to learn to disengage from blockers.  He's only 5'9 and some change, but has the hips and quickness that are desired in today's NFL.  I would expect him to challenge Chris Owens and Buster Skrine for a starting role early, provided that the Browns don't pick up another corner.  At worst he'll come in on passing downs and should see plenty of action early.  Cornerback was certainly a need, and it was addressed with the 3rd round pick.  Here's a scouting report here , another one here, and here are a couple videos.  It's hard to watch cornerbacks with no coaches film, but McFadden was a player that seemed to fit what the Browns were going to be looking for.  Not a surprise, and a solid selection.

On Saturday, the Browns made some moves for the future that left the fanbase shaking their heads.  They traded their fourth round pick to Pittsburgh for the Steelers third rounder next year, and if you listen to the fanbase the Steelers used that pick to select Shamarko Thomas, a 5'8 future Hall of Fame safety.  They then traded their fifth round pick to the Colts for another selection next year, Indy's fourth rounder.  The Colts picked Montori Hughes with that selection. 

In the sixth round, the Browns selected Jamoris Slaughter from Notre Dame, a safety coming off a ruptured achilles.  There are a couple videos here.  There's also a nice writeup here by Brandon Leister at DraftBrowns here - those guys are pretty good over there, they have write ups on all the Browns draft picks.  Slaughter is a versatile safety who can play in the box or in coverage.  There is an obvious injury concern but I would guess that the Browns did their homework and are comfortable with his recovery.  He's a guy that could potentially spend the season on IR while he recovers and turn into a valuable piece of the secondary with his versatility, but like most 6th round picks nothing is assured.  Mike Mayock raved about him when the pick was made, but Mike Mayock raves about most things safety and most things Notre Dame.

In the 7th round, the Browns selected Armonty Bryant, a developmental defensive end and Garrett Gilkey, a guard.  These guys played at East Central Oklahoma State and Chadron State, respectively.  Bryant was a combine invite and Gilkey played in the Senior Bowl, so they weren't exactly gems that the Browns unearthed.

I've seen neither of them play, so I have no opinion on them.  Bryant should be an end in the Browns 3-4, he is 6-4 with nearly 36 inch arms, which is some insane length.  He'll need to add weight.  He'll also need to not sell weed to any police officers, as he was arrested for during his senior season at East Central.  Some highlights here.

Gilkey played tackle but will likely play guard for the Browns, he played on the basketball team at Chadron State, so he has some athleticism.  There's some film here, he looks like a nasty player.

And that was that.  3 players on Saturday, when they went in with 5 picks.  It should be noted that they essentially traded their 5th rounder for Devone Bess and Miami's 7th rounder.  Bess is a productive slot receiver, the kind of player quarterbacks love having, as well as a pro's pro.  He should be a valuable addition.

Browns fans were and are upset though about the trades.  Look I get it.  I'm a draft guy, and I've been looking forward to this since that disgusting Washington game last year.  It's easy to be disappointed that they traded their fourth and fifth round picks.  However, next April we're all going to be super pumped that they did.  I think I saw a number that something like 16% of fourth round picks become starters.  Obviously that number would probably be lower with 5th rounders and higher with 3rds.  So from a sheer numbers perspective, the players the Browns pick next year should have a better chance of becoming starters than the players taken at the picks that they traded.  Are there needs on this team?  Yes.  Do I think they're done adding players?  No.  I still think a veteran cornerback or safety could be added.

The other aspect that people are overlooking is the fact that a young player should make the biggest jump as a player from their rookie year to their second season.  The Browns had one of the youngest rosters in the league last year.  Look at the list of rookies who started or contributed last season.

Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Mitchell Schwartz, Travis Benjamin, Josh Gordon, Billy Winn, John Hughes, James Michael Johnson, LJ Fort, Jonathan Bademosi, and Tashaun Gipson all saw significant playing time.  Those players should be better this year than they were last year.  They were also brought in by a different regime.  It is apparent that Michael Lombardi and Joe Banner felt that they'd rather evaluate these guys and see if they can play than add another couple of mid round rookies to the fold.  If they can't play, they'll be replaced, possibly this off season or in the draft next year.  So while from a fan perspective it looks like the Browns aren't addressing their needs in the 4th and 5th rounds, they obviously feel more comfortable developing the young talent that they already have in house.  Brandon Weeden will have to produce, or the Browns will have another poor season.  They'll be drafting his replacement in 2014 if he's lousy, and there are better quarterbacks coming out next year.  They have added some ammunition to move up and get one if needed by doing what they did.  It's forward thinking, but I really don't believe those people that say that they don't care about winning this year.  They're banking on the guys they have being better.  And they have a better coach, which shouldn't be overlooked. 

Everyone always loves looking at the San Francisco's and New England's and Green Bay's and the moves they make in the draft.  It seems like they always have extra picks to play with, and it's because they make moves like the Browns did.  Yes, I understand that those organizations have football teams that are far superior than what the Browns have been.  Those teams are built on acquiring picks, making moves to fill holes when needed, and developing their young talent.  That's the model that the Browns appear to be working towards.  And although it was an anticlimactic draft for the Browns, the moves they made cannot be judged until the 2014 draft.  In true Cleveland fashion, we'll have to wait until next year.

And in case you've been reading about how the Browns got a C- or a D or whatever mediocre draft grade some writer gave them, remember this:  Draft grades are IDIOTIC.

Draft Thoughts - 2013

I haven't written anything for a while.  Not since the Browns crapped away their season with an embarrassing finish, and fired punching bag Pat Shurmur.  Not since they failed in their pursuit of Chip Kelly, and hired of Rob Chudzinski.  Not since they canned Tom Heckert for Michael Lombardi.  Not since they did a respectable job in free agency, and not since our owner was investigated by the FBI and IRS.  But now, on the eve of the draft, I think I'm ready to hop back in the saddle.

I've pretty much been against anything the Browns did from a front office standpoint.  I don't trust Michael Lombardi and Joe Banner running my team's draft.  But I guess we'll find out what they're all about tomorrow night.  After a respectable job filling holes in free agency, the glaring holes that remain on this team are at CB, TE, S, G, and FB.  Also, you can never have enough pass rushers, and the jury is still out on Brandon Weeden, although I'd give him the ball for another season, provided he's better than Jason Campbell.  If he isn't, we'll be picking high enough in 2014 to address that need.

The team is also without a 2nd rounder, used last year to pick Josh Gordon.  Who was worth it, no matter if you wish they had a second rounder right now or not.  He was worth it.

There is not elite talent at the top of this draft like there was last year.  The best quote I heard about this year's crop is that there aren't 10 players that deserve to go in the top 10, but there are more than 100 players who deserve to go in the top 100.  That said, a trade down or two to recoup that second rounder and pick up another third or fourth would be ideal for the Browns.

Here's a look at a few options for the Browns.

I'm a Dion Jordan fan, but I see few scenarios where I see him lasting until the Browns pick.  If he's there I'd take him.  There are few people on the planet with his size and athleticism.  He can rush the passer, drop into coverage, and hold up at the point of attack against the run.  A no brainer for me, but I expect him to be gone.

There are only two offensive players I'd consider, either at 6 or if they trade back, if I'm the Browns.  Those two players are Tavon Austin and Tyler Eifert.  I'm a huge Tavon Austin fan, I think he adds an element to an offense that few players in the league can.  He has experience as both a wideout and running back, and can also return kicks and punts.  People point to his size to knock him, but this is a different NFL.  Players are becoming more and more protected, they're not getting killed over the middle or on the sidelines.  Speed kills, and he's got a ton of it.  I'd use him in the slot and as a third down back, he would add another explosive element to an already pretty talented offense.  I love him and think he goes top 10 when it's said and done.

Eifert is the other offensive player I love.  He's a complete tight end in the Gronkowski/Gonzalez mold.  He's got size, soft hands, he can block, he's a complete player.  He's comfortable in line or flexed out, and would give Weeden a huge target over the middle and in the red zone.  I'm a huge fan, and think he ultimately ends up going in the top 12-15 picks.  I'm comfortable with the Browns taking either.

Dee Milliner is the other player that Browns fans seem to want the most.  Pairing him with Haden would potentially give the Browns two shutdown cornerbacks and would allow Ray Horton to attack attack attack.  I'm not as high on him as most.  I think he's pretty good, but the gap between him and some of the other corners in this draft is not that big, in my opinion.  If the Browns can get a second round pick, there will be a starting caliber corner waiting with that pick, either in a Johnthan Banks (who I love), Desmond Trufant, Darius Slay, DJ Hayden, Jamar Taylor, Logan Ryan, etc.

The other options at 6 include Barkavious Mingo, the sinewy pass rusher who was misused by LSU, Ziggy Ansah, the raw prospect from BYU (who I would have been all over if we stuck to a 4-3), or Geno Smith, the West Virginia quarterback.  I do ultimately think the Browns broker a trade down or two, picking up some extra picks along the way and possibly adding a guy like Xavier Rhodes or Kenny Vaccaro later in the first.

I think this is going to be one of the craziest drafts in recent memory.  I think you're going to see a ton of movement up and down, especially in the first round.  It should be exciting.  I'll be interested to see what the Banner/Lombardi wonder team come up with.

I did put together a mock draft below.  I guessed at a couple of trades.

1. Kansas City - Eric Fisher, OT - Central Michigan - It's a toss up between him and Joeckel, but I'll guess Fisher.  KC gets a stud LT, and moves Brandon Albert at some point on Friday.

2. Jacksonville - Geno Smith, QB - West Virginia - Blaine Gabbert is horrible.  They need a lot, but Geno is a start.

3. TRADE - Miami - Luke Joeckel, OT - Texas A&M - Miami gets a stud LT, and Oakland gets a second and some change to move back to 12.  Joeckel is a Joe Thomas type player, plug and play.  Stud.

4. Philadelphia - Dion Jordan, OLB - Oregon - Chip Kelly gets a guy he's familiar with, and a nice versitile player for his defense.

5. Detroit - Ziggy Ansah, DE - BYU - They coached him at the Senior Bowl and salivate at the possibility of pairing him with Suh on their D-line for the next 10 years.

6. TRADE - San Diego - Lane Johnson, OT - Oklahoma - The Chargers send their first and second round picks to the Browns to secure the rights to the third best tackle in the draft.  They need one bad.

7. Arizona - Barkavious Mingo, OLB - LSU - Cards get a pass rusher with more potential than maybe anyone in this class.  They need lots of help.

8. Buffalo - Tavon Austin, WR - WVU - Bills get a playmaker to go with CJ Spiller.  Marrone has seen plenty of Austin while coaching at Cuse, now he gets to have him.

9. NY Jets - Dee Milliner, CB - Alabama - Jets get Revis replacement in the top corner in the draft.

10. Tennessee - Star Lotulelei, DT - Utah - Titans take the best DT in the draft after he unexpectedly falls into their lap.  Great value pick here, could see some action with teams desperate to come and get him.

11. Cleveland - Tyler Eifert, TE - Notre Dame - Browns take another piece to add to a young and talented offense.  Chudzinski and Turner know the value of a stud tight end, and Eifert is head and shoulders above the other TE's in this draft.  Love this guy.

12. Oakland - Sharrif Floyd, DT - Florida - Oakland moves back and still gets a guy they would've considered at 3.  Al Davis isn't running the show anymore.

13. NY Jets - Cordarelle Patterson, WR - Tennessee - Jets needs playmakers, and need them badly.  They take arguably the most talented WR in this class.  Guy needs to learn how to run routes, but if he figures it out him and Hill could be a great duo.

14. Carolina - Sheldon Richardson, DT - Missouri - Panthers get a penetrating defensive tackle who gets to the quarterback from the inside.

15. New Orleans - Menelik Watson, OT - Florida State - Saints need to protect Brees and Watson is going to go higher than people think

16. St Louis - Chance Warmack, OG - Alabama - He and Jake Long should really solidify the Rams left side.

17. Pittsburgh - Jarvis Jones, OLB - Georgia - Just makes too much sense not to happen.

18. Dallas - Tank Carradine, DE - Florida State - Cowboys defense in flux with the transition to the 4-3.  They add the pass rusher from Florida State.

19. New York Giants - DJ Fluker, OT - Alabama - Giants aging line gets younger and much bigger with the mountainous Fluker. 

20. Chicago - Jonathan Cooper, OG - UNC - The Bears have needed offensive line help for years, maybe this is finally the year they address it.

21. Cincinnati - Kenny Vaccaro, S - Texas - The Bengals get the best safety in this draft and add to an already solid defense.

22. St Louis - Justin Hunter, WR - Tennessee - The Rams need playmakers, period.  They get one in Hunter, although his hands are sus.

23. Minnesota - Xavier Rhodes, CB - Florida State - Perfect corner for their cover two defense, they're lucky he falls into their laps.

24. TRADE - Philadelphia - EJ Manuel, QB - Florida State - The Eagles aggressively move up to get their QB of the future, not wanting to chance losing out to another team moving ahead of them.  Indy wants picks, having given up their second for Vontae Davis. 

25. Minnesota - Bjoern Werner, DE - Florida State - the run on Seminoles continues, with Minnesota picking up another pass rusher and eventual replacement for Jared Allen.

26. Green Bay - Jonathan Cyprien, S - FIU - Green Bay doesn't need much, but they need a replacement for Woodson.

27. Houston - DeAndre Hopkins, WR - Clemson - "Nuke" is the perfect pick for the Texans, a great complementary receiver that can do everything pretty well.

28. TRADE - Buffalo - Ryan Nassib, QB - Syracuse - Marrone moves up to get his guy, the QB he won with at Syracuse.  Adding Austin and Nassib is moving in the right direction for the Bills.  Broncos pick up a couple picks for their troubles, knowing that they can get either a corner or d tackle with Buffalo's 2.

29. New England - DJ Hayden, CB - Houston - An absolute stud who suffered an insane and life threatening injury during practice when he tore his vena cava in his heart after taking a knee to the chest.  If he's healthy, he's not that far behind Milliner.

30. Atlanta - Desmond Trufant, CB - Washington - NFL bloodlines, good size and speed, and fits a need for the Falcons.  They're a candidate to move up if Milliner drops.

31. San Francisco - Sylvester Williams, DT - UNC - They need young players on their defensive line.  Another candidate to move up, as they have way more picks than needs.  The Browns could end up picking here if they want to move back this far.

32. Baltimore - Matt Elam, S - Florida - They signed Michael Huff but still need help on the back end.  Elam is a bone cruncher who seems like a Ravens type pick.



Rest of the Browns draft as I see it:

44 - From San Diego - Johnthan Banks, CB - Mississippi State.  I'm a big big fan, has size, long arms, and playmaking ability.  Steps in day 1 opposite Haden.

68 - Tyler Bray, QB - Tennessee.  Has a better arm than anyone in the draft, and is also one of the youngest prospects coming out.  Is a bit cocky for my taste, but should be a developmental guy under Chud and Norv Turner.  Could turn out to be a great pick.

104 - Don Jones, S - Arkansas State.  Fast playmaking safety who should be able to come in and compete for a starting job.

139 - Devonte Holloman, LB - South Carolina.  One of my favorite prospects in this years draft, I have no idea where he fits in a 3-4 defense, I just know I want him on my team.  Will contribute on special teams at the very least.  Could be long gone by the 5th round, but I'm putting him here.

164 - Lerentee McCray, OLB - Florida.  Hard to find pass rushers in this league, he could be a steal at this pick.  Will give you his all and take some heads off on special teams.

175 - Mike Edwards, CB - Hawaii.  Bring this Glenville kid home, can also return kicks.

227 - Brad Wing, P - LSU.  The Browns had a really shitty punter, this one is better.

That's the way I would do it.  I have no idea how Banner and Lombardi will.  I had much more confidence when Tom Heckert was running the draft, but I suppose it's only fair to give these guys a shot.  All in all it should be a very interesting few days coming up here.

Week 14

Well that was fun.  Everything that seemed to be building with the Cleveland Browns crumbled in spectacular fashion in a 38-21 ass smashing by the Washington Redskins.  Pat Shurmur looked as awful as I knew he was before he duped me into thinking maybe he had figured it out.  Brandon Weeden looked like Derek Anderson or Doug Peterson or Spergon Wynn or insert any Browns quarterback in the past 13 years.  And Dick Jauron's defense was absolutely destroyed by Kirk Cousins, 4th round draft pick making his first career start.

The Browns came out, at home, nursing slim playoff hopes.  They appeared to have Cousins rattled early, turning a TJ Ward interception on Washington's second series into a Trent Richardson touchdown run and a 7-0 lead.  The teams traded punts, and following a Reggie Hodges 34 yard shank, Cousins hit Hands of Stone Leonard Hankerson on a play action pass for a 54 yard touchdown.  That pass was a sign of things to come.  The Redskins basically ran that version of a play action pass pretty much for the rest of the game, and it worked almost every time.

The Skins added a field goal in the second quarter, and took a 10-7 lead, with Brandon Weeden spraying the ball all over the field and Reggie Hodges, the worst punter in the NFL, adding to the misery.

However the Browns were able to put a drive together before the half, and when Richardson scored his second td of the half the Browns went into the locker room with a 14-10 lead.

That is pretty much when the wheels fell off for Pat Shurmur, Brandon Weeden, and the Browns defense.  While Mike and Kyle Shannahan were in the visiting locker room adjusting to what the Browns were doing, the Browns coaches were feeling good about their 4 point lead.

On the second play after receiving the second half kickoff, Weeden threw an awful interception right into the hands of a Washington linebacker.  Washington scored on a Alfred Morris run 3 plays later, and took the lead for good. 

The Browns got the ball back and went three and out.  Then Reggie Hodges blasted another tremendous punt into the air, this one traveling all of 32 yards.  Washington took over with good field position and marched down the field, using the same playaction pass that they used all game, and scored another touchdown, increasing their lead to 24-14.  The wheels were coming off, so Pat Shurmur decided that he was not going to run the ball anymore.  As if Brandon Weeden wasn't playing bad enough, Shurmur decided that he was going to put the game in his hands.  And it turned into something unwatchable.  A trainwreck of a performance, even worse than his numbers.  The teams traded punts before Weeden threw a terrible pass to Greg Little that was late and underthrown.  A seriously awful throw.  Horrible.

Washington took that turnover and marched down the field on a tired and overmatched defense to score, making it 31-14 Redskins.

Weeden and the Browns answered with a deep touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin, but it was too little too late as the Redskins responded with a march down the field, making the final 38-21.

It was awful, horrible, ugly.  Weeden was really really bad.  What happened to the guy that used to trust his arm and put the ball downfield early in the year?  How can our defense look so good for weeks in a row and then get thoroughly dominated?  Why the hell does Shurmur immediately abandon the run game every time we fall behind?  It was a three point game when he decided he was going to throw the ball for the rest of the game with his quarterback who looked like crap to that point.  Ultimately, it doesn't matter.  Time to get ready for the draft.  The fuse is lit, and the bomb will go off in 2 weeks, and this thing will be blown up again.  I can't wait to see Joe Banner running our drafts.  Abandon all hope, ye who had any in the first place. 

Random gifs

Knowshon, for you Sams.

Danny Amendola hates old men.  What a jerk.

 

 

 

Bowl Games are Super Fun!  Go Wildcats!

 



Santa's got it good.

Week 13

Congratulations Pat Shurmur.  You've done something I never thought possible.  On December 9th, 2012 you coached an almost perfect game.  You led your team to a 30-7 victory over the Chiefs for their third victory in a row.  Your gameplan was outstanding.  You used creativity on offense and special teams.  You put the ball in the hands of your best playmakers.  You showed confidence in your players.  And you made me believe that maybe you should be the one to lead this team next season. 

Like this young team, Shurmur has gotten better.  Winning makes everything better, but Shurmur genuinely seems more at ease now that the Browns have been able to string together some wins.  The Browns looked like they were having fun playing football today.  I've been as big a critic as anyone, but I will give credit where credit is due.  After the Dallas game this team could have packed it in.  They could have laid down against the Steelers, especially after falling behind early.  They could have gone out to Oakland and laid an egg on the west coast following the win against the Steelers.  They could have come home and disappointed the home crowd against the Chiefs, and lost a game that everyone thought they were going to win.  And trust me, they could have.  I've seen it before.  But they didn't.  And forget about the competition, it's hard to win in the NFL, especially if you don't know how.  And for the first 10 games this season, this team didn't look like it knew how to win.  But they're learning now, both coach and team.  Maybe this is a shortsighted reaction to a few wins against lesser competition.  Maybe the Browns will come out and get pasted by the Redskins next week, and I'll kick myself for even thinking this.  But maybe, just maybe, Shurmur is the right coach for this team.  He has three more games, against better teams than the Chiefs and Raiders, to state his case.

But just think about this.  If LJ Fort catches the easy interception that Michael Vick lobbed into the endzone in week 1, and the Browns win that game, they would be 1 game behind the Steelers for the final playoff position.  Taking every bad coaching decision, dropped pass, clock management issue, every third and one, EVERYTHING out of the equation, the Browns are one easy interception away from being in the thick of the playoff race.

The Chiefs were coming off an incredibly emotional week, and seemed due for a letdown after a gutsy win the previous week against Carolina.  And it only took 1 play for them to take the lead, on an 80 yard touchdown run by Jamaal Charles.  The Browns punted on their first possession, and the Chiefs used a blatant push off by Dwayne Bowe against Joe Haden on a 47 yard pass to move down the field.  However they missed a chip shot field goal that went off the uprights.  And that pretty much highlights the Chiefs offense.  The Browns added a field goal, and after forcing the Chiefs to punt on the next possession, they dialed up their first trickeration of the day, shockingly on special teams.  Josh Cribbs was back to return the kick but ran up to the line as Travis Benjamin, the Belle Glade Blur, simultaneously ran back to field the punt.  Benjamin fielded the punt at the 7, and bobbed and weaved his way through the coverage, getting great blocks from pretty much everyone on the Browns for a 93 yard touchdown.  And with that, the Chiefs were down 10-7 going into halftime.  They never threatened again.

On the first play of the second half, Shurmur dialed up a double reverse to Benjamin for 15 yards.  Weeden then completed passes to Josh Gordon and Greg Little, both of whom had outstanding games, moving the ball into the redzone.  They brought in Josh Cribbs, and gave him a chance to run the ball on a direct snap, which he took down to the one yard line.  Richardson then smashed into the endzone for a 17-7 Browns lead.  Creativity on offense.  It's a beautiful thing.

The Browns defense played exceptional in the second half.  On Kansas City's first possession in the second half, they sacked Quinn on first down.  After forcing him to scramble on second, Sheldon Brown jumped a  3rd down slant route to Jonathan Baldwin, just missing the interception but tipping the pass into the waiting arms of my man Tashuan Gipson, who picked it off and returned in to the Chiefs 13.  They had 5 sacks in the game to go along with the Gipson pick and credit must be given to Dick Jauron who has done a great job with this group.

The Browns could only add a field goal but actually scored two touchdowns, the first to Watson nullified by an illegal shift and the second nullified on an absolutely horrible offensive pass interference call on Trent Richardson.  20-7 and the Browns were rolling.

They forced another Chiefs punt on the following possession and rode the legs of Montario Hardesty and hands of Ben Watson down the field.  Shurmur called another great play on 3rd and 9, coming out with a 5 wide receiver set and motioning Little into the backfield before the snap.  Weeden pitched to Little with Joe Thomas and John Greco out in front and he gained seventeen yards down to the 1 yard line.  Richardson finished the drive with another one yard touchdown.  And while I like Richardson scoring the touchdown and tying Jim Brown's rookie rushing touchdown record, I also liked in the press conference after the game where Shurmur said he was "pissed off" at himself for not letting Hardesty score after getting them down there.  Players appreciate things like that.  Hardesty has played great as a complement to Richardson.

Dawson added a 34 yard field goal to close out the scoring, the Browns rolling off 30 straight points to win 30-7.  Colt McCoy came in and took some knees to close out the game.  The Browns were the dominant team, and rarely has a victory come with so little drama. 

An outstanding win for this young team, as momentum is starting to build.  The have Washington at home next week, and Denver and Pittsburgh on the road to close the season.  They are technically still in the playoff chase, and if they finish 8-8 they'll own the tiebreaker with every team except Buffalo.  There are no shortages of storylines for the last 3 weeks.  Playoffs??  Could the Browns run the table?  Would that save Shurmur's job?  Should it?  Or have the fates of Shurmur and Tom Heckert already been decided?

Maybe the writing is on the wall, and has been since the sale.  I refuse to believe that is the case, although the flames of change have produced a tremendous amount of smoke these last few weeks regarding both of their futures.  I already stated my case for Heckert here but I just don't see how it can be possible for Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner to ignore what seems to be building here, and the support and credibility that Heckert has developed with the fans.  But everyday it's a new rumor, and Joe Banner refuses to come out with anything public to endorse either man.  It seems more and more likely that Heckert will not be with the Browns after the season. 

Only in Cleveland would we have to deal with this.  Only Browns fans.  Not one other fan base has suffered through what we have.  We could have jumped ship, many did.  Those turncoats, those fair weather fans, they wear black and yellow now.  We didn't jump ship.  We stayed, knowing one day that our Browns would be back, a football team worthy of wearing those orange helmets and representing the best fans in the country.  I'm not ready to declare this team worthy yet, but they just may be.  At the very least, they inspire hope.  There are legitimate future stars on this team in Richardson, Gordon, and Haden.  Each of whom was brought here by Tom Heckert, who as GM has an obvious eye for talent and a willingness to roll the dice that has not been seen around here since the 1980's.  Those three players, possible franchise cornerstones, were not slam dunks.  Heckert selected Haden with the 6th pick in the draft despite his poor 40 yard dash at the combine, when "experts" said you can't draft a corner without world class speed that high.  Heckert was blasted for trading 4th, 5th, and 7th round picks to ensure he got Richardson, a franchise running back.  And Heckert took the biggest risk of all in this year's supplemental draft, giving up next years second round pick to select Josh Gordon.  I would venture to guess that there is not one other GM in the league that would have had the stones to make that pick in the same situation.  Every week, Josh Gordon gets better, and makes Tom Heckert look smarter, and makes the people who blasted him after he made the pick look stupid.  Only in Cleveland would we finally have someone who has built a team that we can enjoy watching grow, that offers real hope for the future, and have to worry about him getting replaced.  It would only happen here, that a guy who to this point has been as good as anyone in the NFL at his job would be replaced just for the sake of change.  I don't know what is going to happen over the next 3 weeks, or beyond.  I don't want to have to think about Michael Lombardi or Josh McDaniels, or about switching to a 3-4 defense, or about whether Joe Banner thinks Brandon Weeden is a franchise quarterback.  I want to enjoy the last 3 games for what they are, and hope that for once the course of the franchise is the right one.  And I want to believe that if they Browns keep playing like they have been, Banner and Haslam won't halt the momentum that is building.  And if they do blow this franchise up again, well, it would only happen in Cleveland.

That's my last Tom Heckert rant for this week.


Gifs of the week

Rivers don't want none of Tomlin

Pacquiao.  KO'd.

 

 

Santa.  KO'd.