• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
Canton

4/5/06

Droughns predicts fewer pains for ‘Mo’

Wednesday, April 5, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Steve Doerschuk REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER [/FONT]



BEREA - Browns fans knew and players are starting to acknowledge it was a bumpy ride under first-year Offensive Coordinator Maurice Carthon.

Cleveland ranked last in the NFL with 232 points. AFC North champion Cincinnati scored 421.

“We weren’t really comfortable with the offense, trying to learn a new system,” running back Reuben Droughns said.

Droughns became the first Brown in 20 years to surpass 1,000 rushing yards, but that was deceiving. Pittsburgh led the AFC North with 138.9 rushing yards a game. The Bengals were next at 119.4, followed by Baltimore at 100.3, then Cleveland at 93.9.

Whether or not the Browns draft a “third-down back” this month, Droughns expects smoother sailing.

“This year,” Droughns said, “we know the offense. We know what to expect from the O-coordinator.

“We know what the quarterback needs to see, where he needs us to be, who he needs us to block. That comes with experience.”

Carthon has a long history with Head Coach Romeo Crennel and was a priority hire 14 months ago. Droughns knew Carthon from 2001, when both worked for the Lions.

“A lot of these guys weren’t used to his style of coaching,” Droughns said.

“Guys got to know him better. We were getting used to the offense.

“We weren’t really as comfortable with the offense as people would think. It takes a year to get used to a certain offense or a certain person.

“Last year it was kind of shaky because it was the first time. ... Maurice (is) gonna expect a lot out of us, as we expect out of him.”

Droughns thought last month’s signing of free-agent left tackle Kevin Shaffer was logical, because Shaffer blocked in an Atlanta scheme plotted by assistant Alex Gibbs. Droughns was in Denver when Gibbs ran the scheme there. The Browns’ scheme is similar.

“If Kevin knows that scheme, it’s gonna help,” Droughns said.

Veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer and Carthon were at odds sometimes. It will be interesting to be see how that relationship — strapped tightly to the issue of whether Dilfer or young Charlie Frye becomes the man — plays out.

The Browns ranked ahead of Pittsburgh in passing yards per game, 190.4 to 182.9, but the efficient Steelers used only 379 throws. The Browns used 497.

Carthon seldom addresses the media, as per Crennel’s wishes. Fans can’t link a personality or voice to this important component of their team.

Fullback Terrelle Smith likens Carthon to basketball drill sergeant Bobby Knight.

“All his players hate him,” Smith said. “It brings ’em closer together. I don’t hate anyone. He made me a better player.

“He can put the challenge to you. To see a guy who won Super Bowls, played my position, knocked people senseless, caught the ball ... it put it in perspective to where I understand where he’s coming from.

“The guy is real a good guy if you really dig deep and understand where he’s coming from.” Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
Canton

4/6/06

NFL draft: What would it cost to build OSU linebacker’s nest here?

Thursday, April 6, 2006



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Steve Doerschuk REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER [/FONT]



BEREA - Fast forward to the Browns’ home opener in September. The defensive starters run through the giant orange helmet, one by one.

There’s the new nose tackle, redwood stump Ted Washington, introduced between veteran ends Orpheus Roye and Alvin McKinley.

The frisky young safeties, Brodney Pool and Sean Jones, generate a buzz.

Veteran Daylon McCutcheon and chirpy Gary Baxter are cornerbacks who inspire confidence.

New outside linebacker Willie McGinest draws a huge cheer. The other outside backer, Chaun Thompson, suddenly has a following. Captain Andra Davis, an inside linebacker, already had one.

Now the vision soars as the other inside linebacker is presented.

“From The Ohio State University, No. 47, A.J. Hawk.”

Last month’s free-agent pick-ups have Browns fans buzzing. Imagine what drafting Hawk on April 29 would do.

The vision has minor flaws.

Hawk grew up as a Bengals fan. Also, he can’t wear his Buckeye number any more; NFL linebackers are confined to the 50s and 90s.

The major flaw: The Browns would have to trade a ton to move up from their current No. 12 spot to get him.

However, doing so is plausible, given that inside linebacker is Cleveland’s most crying need, given everything Hawk represents, and given the likeliest trading partner.

More than a few analysts see the Packers taking Hawk at No. 5. Mel Kiper Jr. is saying so in front of ESPN cameras.

Only Cincinnati is as motivated to get Hawk as the Browns. The Bengals, though, couldn’t offer Green Bay what Cleveland can.

Center Jeff Faine would be an important piece of a deal. Indications are that the Packers are interested. Green Bay has more overall holes than Cleveland and therefore needs more new players.

The Browns are well stocked with draft picks.

Moving up to No. 5 probably might force the Browns to give Green Bay:

n Faine, a former first-round pick with two years left on his contract.

n Their No. 12 pick (Cincinnati’s Round 1 pick is No. 22).

n Their second-round pick, No. 43 overall.

n One of their two fourth-round picks.

We know this: Trading is a tool Phil Savage will readily use. He has pulled off, proposed and entertained as many deals as any general manager over the last year.

A PERFECT FIT

Butch Davis stunned NFL observers and warped the market two years ago when he became desperate to get tight end Kellen Winslow Jr.

In order to make the baby step from No. 7 to No. 6, Davis agreed to give the Lions the No. 7 pick and Cleveland’s second-round rights.

Phil Savage entered the offseason saying the top priority was adding impact players instead of just functional ones.

Hawk shapes up as a perfect mix of size, speed, instincts and thirst for collision.

Whereas the only two difference makers added to the defense in free agency (McGinest and Washington) are in their career twilight, Hawk’s whole career is in front of him.

Personnel guru Gil Brandt of nfl.com sees Hawk as the next Mike Singletary (a Hall of Famer). Hawk is seen as able to play any linebacking spot in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.

“From what I’ve heard,” Hawk said at the NFL Combine, “I think most teams would want me inside in a 3-4.”

The Browns certainly would. Savage says the team is looking for an inside linebacker who would fit next to captain Andra Davis.

Davis says he believes the right rookie could be fitted in as quickly as necessary, and says he would be a willing mentor. What if the player is Hawk?

“He’s a really good player from what I’ve seen,” Davis said. “He makes a lot of plays. “

OTHER LB OPTIONS

The draft has other inside linebackers who might help the Browns right away and wouldn’t require trading up.

Maryland’s D’Qwell Jackson, who patterns his style after All-Pro Derrick Brooks, might be available in Round 2.

At the Combine, Jackson said, “I feel if a team wants an inside backer, I should be the first one they look at.”

Ohio State’s Bobby Carpenter is expected to fall between the cracks of where the Browns draft in the first and second rounds. If he slides to Cleveland at No. 43, could he be play inside linebacker?

“I played some inside my sophomore and junior year in our nickel package,” Carpenter said of his role in OSU’s 4-3. “I probably feel I’m best on the edge. I can play inside. I enjoy it. But I enjoy playing on the edge a lot more now.”

Another Ohio State linebacker, Anthony Schlegel, is viewed as a later-round pick who might help Cleveland.

“I’m not like Bobby,” Schlegel said. “I’m not an outside-middle-inside guy.

I’m a straight inside linebacker.

“If there’s a team that might have some issues up the middle with the run or like people who blitz, that’s what I’ve done my whole career.

“The draft is the first step. Then you have to prove yourself in camp. 3-4, 4-3 it’s all the same. We play them all at Ohio State.”

EYES ON HAWK

The Browns have used a first-day draft pick on a linebacker just once since coming back in 1999. That was to take Chaun Thompson in the second round in 2003. For what it’s worth, new outside backer McGinest was a No. 4 overall pick by the Patriots in 1994.

Schlegel was a shade under 6-foot-1 and weighed 250 pounds at the combine. Jackson, the Maryland guy, is smallish at 6-foot, 1/2 inch, 230 pounds.

Interestingly, Hawk defends players with size issues.

“I admire Zach Thomas,” Hawk said of an 5-11 standout. “I’ve watched a lot of film on him. He makes so many plays that so many guys can’t make.

“People talk about him being too small or whatever. I don’t believe any of that.”

At 6-1, 248 pounds, Hawk hardly seems too small.

Listen carefully and you can hear a million Browns fans hoping he’s not too expensive. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]

<TABLE style="MARGIN: 10px -3px 15px 5px; POSITION: relative" width=300 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>


​
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
2006 regular season schedule

www.nfl.com/teams/schedule/CLE

Sep 10 New Orleans 1:00pm
Sep 17 @Cincinnati 1:00pm
Sep 24 Baltimore 4:05pm
Oct 1 @Oakland 4:15pm
Oct 8 @Carolina 1:00pm
Week 6 BYE
Oct 22 Denver 4:05pm
Oct 29 N.Y. Jets 4:15pm
Nov 5 @San Diego 4:15pm
Nov 12 @Atlanta 1:00pm
Nov 19 Pittsburgh 1:00pm
Nov 26 Cincinnati 1:00pm
Dec 3 Kansas City 1:00pm
Dec 7 @Pittsburgh 8:00pm
Dec 17 @Baltimore 1:00pm
Dec 24 Tampa Bay 1:00pm
Dec 31 @Houston 1:00pm
 
Upvote 0
these ones?

whitesoxwscelebration.jpg


or these ones...

1948indians.jpg


oh wait....they aren't white sox. they're some old team nobody remembers anymore.
 
Upvote 0
BuckeyeNation27 said:
I'm glad you guys are playing the Jets on Oct 29th....I wouldn't want you to lose every game you play in that month :biggrin:
Click to expand...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Browns march into the friendly Black Hole and beat the Raiders last year?

Anyway, this schdule looks anything but decent. Look at this block of weeks:

Oct 8 @Carolina 1:00pm
Week 6 BYE
Oct 22 Denver 4:05pm
Oct 29 N.Y. Jets 4:15pm
Nov 5 @San Diego 4:15pm
Nov 12 @Atlanta 1:00pm
Nov 19 Pittsburgh 1:00pm
Nov 26 Cincinnati 1:00pm
Dec 3 Kansas City 1:00pm
Dec 7 @Pittsburgh 8:00pm

Holy. Crap. The only game we might be favored in is the Jets game. Not only that, but on December 3 we play the Chiefs, then four days later we're at Pittsburgh. Ouch.
 
Upvote 0
ABJ

4/7/06

Browns report

Strong beginning could be in schedule

Browns find favorable matchups to start, but finish could be tough

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->The 2006 NFL schedule gives the Browns a chance for a strong start but has a difficult late-season stretch.
Three of their first four games come against teams that won six games or fewer in 2005, but five of the last seven are against teams that won at least 10 games.
For the eighth year in a row, the season begins at home -- and the league gave the Browns a winnable opener.
The New Orleans Saints (3-13 last season) come to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a 1 p.m. game Sept. 10.
The Browns travel to Cincinnati the next weekend, and the Bengals might not have quarterback Carson Palmer. He is coming off reconstructive knee surgery, and though he has targeted returning for the opener, there are no guarantees.
The next two weeks, the Browns play at home against the Baltimore Ravens (6-10 a year ago) and travel to Oakland (4-12).
That ``cushy'' start is offset by the late-season finish, which includes games against the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5 and the defending Super Bowl champions), Cincinnati Bengals (11 wins in '05), Kansas City Chiefs (10), Steelers again and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11).
The second Steelers game is set for Dec. 7 and is a Thursday night game on the NFL Network, a cable channel.
The schedule also includes:
• Games against the losing teams in the conference championship games a year ago -- Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos -- sandwiched around a Week 6 bye.
• A home game against the New York Jets followed by two tough road games -- at the San Diego Chargers, where LaDainian Tomlinson awaits, and at the Atlanta Falcons to face Mike Vick.
• The Bucs come to town Dec. 24, meaning they probably will have to play in cold weather, where they traditionally do not do well.
• The week prior to playing the Bucs, the Browns go to Baltimore, and the week after the Bucs game, the Browns end the season with a road game at the Houston Texans on New Year's Eve.
It's possible the Browns could see another prime-time appearance. Under the league's new flexible-scheduling plan, no Sunday night games were scheduled for Weeks 10-15 and Week 17.
Those games will be selected for NBC-TV a minimum of 12 days in advance (or six days for the final weekend).
The Thursday night game against the Steelers is set, but start times for the other final seven weeks of the season could change according to TV demands.
Brownies . . .
The league gave the Browns three late-afternoon home games -- against the Ravens (Sept. 24), Broncos (Oct. 22) and Jets (Oct. 29).... The combined record of the 2006 opponents is 131-125.... The Broncos and Saints come to Cleveland for the first time in 13 years, and the Browns make their first visit to Carolina on Oct. 8.
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
CPD

4/7/06

BROWNS SCHEDULE RELEASED

<H1 class=red>Holiday treats greet Browns fans in '06

</H1>

Friday, April 07, 2006

Tony Grossi

Plain Dealer Reporter

In many ways, the Browns were blessed by the NFL schedule-maker.

They are home for their first game of 2006 against New Or leans, home for Thanksgiving weekend against Cincin nati and home on Christmas Eve against Tampa Bay.

Their bye comes at a reasonable time, in the sixth week.

And they will make one prime-time appearance on the new NFL Network Thursday night package, Dec. 7, in Pittsburgh. Games on the NFL Network also will be shown on an over-the-air network in the participating teams' markets.

If the Browns get in the playoff hunt late in the season, they could have a Sunday game moved to a night kickoff in accordance with the league's flexible-scheduling option with new partner NBC. Games on Christmas weekend are not subject to be changed.

Over that period, the Browns have potentially attractive road games at Atlanta (Nov. 12) and Baltimore (Dec. 17), and home games against Pittsburgh (Nov. 19), Cincinnati (Nov. 26) and Kansas City (Dec. 3).
The first game against New Orleans marks the eighth straight year the Browns open their season at home. They've won only once, but the Saints, transitioning with a new coach and quarterback, should be a beatable opponent.

Other positive aspects of the schedule:

The week after their bye, the Browns are home against Denver, giving them an extra week to prepare for Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown, Kenard Lang and three other former Browns defensive linemen.

After the short Pittsburgh week in December, they will have 10 days to prepare for the next game at Baltimore.
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top