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Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

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CPD

5/15/06

NFL INSIDER
NFL teams hope to avoid off-season news blues


Sunday, May 14, 2006

Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter

The period from the NFL draft to training camp is one of "no news is good news."

Nothing good happens to a team during this time, and the best to hope for is that nothing bad happens.

This is the time of year that can ruin a season (motorcycle accidents, off-season practice injuries, etc.) but cannot make a season.

Leaguewide, rosters are about 98 percent set. This year might see a few more signings before training camps open because teams have more salary-cap room as a result of the extension of the labor agreement. But for the most part, what you see on paper in May is what you'll see when the season starts in September.

Now, for our annual spring tour of the Browns' 2006 schedule:

Game 1, New Orleans: The Saints have a new head coach in Sean Payton, a new quarterback in Drew Brees and a new multidimensional playmaker in Reggie Bush. Oh, and a new center in Jeff Faine, too. With so many new faces in key positions, it's improbable the new offense will be operating efficiently when they open the season in Cleveland on Sept. 10.

Games 2 and 11, Cincinnati: If Braylon Edwards, who had one ligament tear, is not expected to be ready until after October, then when might we see Bengals QB Carson Palmer? True, he had his knee surgery a month before Edwards. But Palmer's knee suffered two ligament tears and other damage. The Browns probably will see Anthony Wright at QB at least in Game 2. Meantime, coach Marvin Lewis might may -RD%>seek to duplicate the Ravens' 2000 season by winning with ball-control offense (using RB Rudi Johnson) and an athletic defense.

Games 3 and 14, Baltimore: The Ravens soon will add Steve McNair and banish Kyle Boller to the bench. McNair's better days are long past -- he stunk in a 20-14 Tennessee loss in Cleveland last year -- but he is an improvement over the pedestrian Boller. Baltimore's best hope of returning to playoff contention is its defense, which added linemen Trevor Pryce and Haloti Ngata and welcomes back injured linebacker Dan Cody.

Game 4, Oakland: Every time an NFL commissioner retires, Al Davis hires Art Shell as head coach. It happened in 1989, and now it's happened again. Will he be an improvement over Norv Turner, who was 5-11 and 4-12 in two seasons? The Raiders replaced Kerry Collins with Aaron Brooks at quarterback. They drafted a defensive back with their top pick for the fifth time in six years.

Game 5, Carolina: This team either is going to make a step up into the NFC elite or drop back to the pack of playoff nonqualifiers. The additions of center Justin Hartwig, nose tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu, tackle Damione Lewis, receiver Keyshawn Johnson and top draft pick DeAngelo Williams made for an outstanding off-season. This team is superbly coached, but John Fox's hard training camp and in-season practices take their toll. The Panthers are always hobbled by injuries.

Game 6, Denver: The Broncos now can boast of six former Browns defensive linemen on their roster after adding Kenard Lang and Amon Gordon this year. They traded up for Jay Cutler, their quarterback of the future. They acquired a much-needed receiver from Green Bay in Javon Walker. But Mike Anderson, who defected to Baltimore, was the third 1,000-yard rusher in three years to depart the team, leaving coach Mike Shanahan with a running back tandem of Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne.

Game 7, N.Y. Jets: Eric Mangini, the latest branch pruned from the Bill Belichick coaching tree, takes over a team with a terrible salary-cap situation and a quarterback coming off his second rotator cuff surgery. In other words, better to play the Jets this year rather than next year. If Curtis Martin finally shows his age (33), then the Jets are in for a long season. They will start at least two rookies on their offensive line.

Game 8, San Diego: In LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates and Shawne Merriman, the Chargers boast three of the dynamic young stars in the NFL today. But something is keeping this team from joining the league's elite. And that was true before the Chargers ushered out quarterback Drew Brees and ushered in the Philip Rivers era. There is no denying the presence of friction between General Manager A.J. Smith and coach Marty Schottenheimer, and that can't be healthy in a franchise vying for public support for a new stadium.

Game 9, Atlanta: The Falcons' biggest acquisitions addressed their defense -- defensive end John Abraham in free agency and cornerback Jimmy Williams in the draft. Everything on offense revolves around Michael Vick. He can be spectacular on any given play, but until Vick matures into a more accurate and consistent thrower he might never take this team where it wants to go.

Games 10 and 13, Pittsburgh: The beauty of the Steelers' operation is that they are committed to replacing departed starters through the draft. They don't tie up salary-cap room with expensive free-agent acquisitions. So, Brett Keisel replaces Kimo von Oelhoffen at defensive end, Santonio Holmes replaces Antwaan Randle El at receiver and Anthony Smith replaces Chris Hope at safety. What about retiring Jerome Bettis? A trade for T.J. Duckett is still alive, or there's Duce Staley.

Game 12, 11, -RD%>Kansas City: It's hard to tell whom the Chiefs will miss more -- coach Dick Vermeil or offensive coordinator Al Saunders. New coach Herm Edwards retained offensive line coach Mike Solari and promoted him to coordinator to continue the same offensive system. Edwards sought continuity on defense, too, by retaining coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Top draft choice Tamba Hali and potential free-agent signee Ty Law would help the cause.

Game 15, Tampa Bay: Jon Gruden, who collects quarterbacks like no other coach in the NFL these days, will proceed with Chris Simms as his starter after letting Brian Griese leave in free agency. The stout defense returns intact -- minus assistant coach Rod Marinelli, who left to become Detroit's head coach. To keep Simms on his feet, the Bucs stocked up at offensive line with two free agents and their top two draft selections.

Game 16, Houston: The expansion franchise with the longest lead time in NFL history now has failed to break .500 in four years. Even the Browns -- with a fraction of the lead time to organize, and tons of wasted draft picks -- made the playoffs in their fourth year. Former Shanahan sidekick Gary Kubiak takes over as coach and contributed to two debatable decisions: exercising a costly option bonus to bring back David Carr at quarterback and bypassing Vince Young and Reggie Bush in the draft for defensive end Mario Williams.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4670
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Canton

5/18/06

Mayer becomes safety option

Thursday, May 18, 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]



Shawn Mayer is working for Hamburg, hoping for more NFL steak.

Mayer has been in on 52 tackles through nine games with the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europe, strengthening his bid for a roster spot with the Browns this fall. A 27-year-old former Penn State player, Mayer was a backup in Romeo Crennel’s New England Patriots defense in 2003 and ’04.

“With Shawn having some experience in Romeo’s scheme, he will have a chance,’ Browns General Manager Phil Savage said Wednesday. “He’s smart and tough and someone who should be able to handle calls.’

Allocated to Hamburg by the Browns, Mayer has broken up six passes and forced eight fumbles this spring. Last year, while playing for Hamburg via the Falcons, the 6-foot, 202-pounder tied an NFL Europe record with three interceptions in one game.

The Browns have Brian Russell, Brodney Pool and Sean Jones at safety, but the position is thin because incumbent starter Chris Crocker was traded to Atlanta. The fact Russell’s contract expires after the 2006 season improves Mayer’s stock. So does his experience: He played in the 2003 AFC championship game.

The Browns have been monitoring four other NFL Europe players, including quarterback Lang Campbell.

The former William & Mary passer has started all nine games for Berlin, platooning with two other QBs. His stats: 114-of-199 for 1,253 yards, with 10 touchdowns, four interceptions and an 84.4 rating.

“I’m a proponent of NFL Europe for a couple reasons,’ Savage said. “First, it gives the quarterbacks a chance to get ‘context’ work rather than just throwing on air in the springtime.

“Second, for a number of players, this is their first real action after being on IR or getting very little work last fall.’

Campbell appears to be No. 4 on the Browns’ depth chart, looking up at No. 3 Derek Anderson. The Browns aren’t required to release a depth chart until Aug. 7, the Monday before their preseason opener.

The other NFL Europe players allocated by the Browns are 2005 seventh-round draft pick and offensive tackle Jonathan Dunn, offensive lineman Atlas Herrion and defensive back James Thornton.

Dunn is on Hamburg’s practice squad and hasn’t appeared in a game. He spent his rookie year with the Browns on injured reserve.

Herrion, who has bounced around NFL camps since playing for Alabama, has been helping himself more than Dunn. The 6-4, 320-pounder recently became the starting left guard for Amsterdam, helping the Admirals clinch a spot in the World Bowl.

The NFL Europe season used to drag into June but ends in May now.
“Players should have a better chance of recovering in time for training camp,’ Savage said.

Training camp dates aren’t officially set, but action is expected to begin the last weekend in July. The Browns will conduct a full-squad minicamp June 16-18.
Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]


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CPD

5/19/06

<TABLE class=bg0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=428 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=418>[FONT=arial,sans-serif]Friday, May 12, 2006[/FONT]</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD width=5>
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[FONT=arial,sans-serif]To dome or not to dome?
You've probably heard about a developer's idea to put a retractable roof on Cleveland Browns Stadium with the hopes of landing a Super Bowl.

It'll never happen.

Not that it shouldn't.

The biggest problem I have with the idea is that it's more than 10 years too late. The city should've committed to a multi-use, retractable roof stadium when the Browns left in 1995. Instead, politicians were so hell-bent on getting a team back as quickly as possible, they never seriously considered it. Heck, the original stadium design didn't even include escalators!

Instead, the Browns play in an undistinctive, cookie-cutter stadium that is empty 355 days out of the year, that is, if you don't count the ocassional charity event or Buffy Worthington's wedding to Skip Farnsworth III.

Now, if the city wants to put a lid on the existing stadium, it'll be much more expensive than it would've been in the late '90s and, judging by this rendering, it just doesn't look right.

Even if the politicians and developers could come up with the financing - a big "if" in a city strapped for money - Browns fans have never warmed up to the idea of football being played indoors.

I never got that.

Sure, we've all sat through a game at the stadium in minus-30 degree wind chill and blizzard conditions before. It may have even been fun for a quarter or two. But anybody who says they would rather risk losing extremities to frost bite than sitting in a cushy climate-controlled dome just isn't being honest.

Now, the people behind the retractable roof idea are trying to drum up support by passing around a petition via the Internet and scheduling meetings with city and Browns officials. So far, save for a single councilman, nobody really seems up for it.

This may very well be the last you ever hear of the idea.
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I am ALL for keeping the tradition and the open roof too. But, something to consider is that the stadium could be used 365 days a year which would bring in tons of revenue. More revenue means a better financial situation for Cleveland which would trickle back down.
 
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Tradition's nice and everything, but it just doesn't exist in professional sports anymore. The dome should have been in the works the minute that the NFL promised to get a team back in Cleveland. The versatility of a dome mixed with the field turf technology that we have today would make a great tool for the City of Cleveland to utilize, all while not having the problems with multi-use stadiums being unsafe for players.
 
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redskinbucksfan said:
Well, I hope that pussy stays at home then. The fact is, CB Stadium is a much nicer venue than old Cleveland Stadium, but the atmosphere isn't 1/10 of what it used to be.
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It isnt 1/100 of what it used to be, i believe or i hope that soon when they start to win fans will come back and bring back the real dawg pound and the real Browns stadium. It seems like the only part that seems the same is the Muni lot, same people there year in year out.
 
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It doesn't matter where or under what roof the Browns play...fans are happy they have a team again. And once Romeo field s a team with that "never say die" attitude...fans will be happy again...rain, snow, roof, sidewalk, or Bart Simpson posters hanging from the rafters. Winning brings tradition...not roofs.
 
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CPD

5/21/06

BROWNS INSIDER
Winslow's progress encouraging to Frye


Sunday, May 21, 2006

Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter

Browns quarterback Charlie Frye is encouraged by the progress of tight end Kellen Winslow Jr.

"The last three or four weeks, he's been running routes with cleats on and looking good," Frye said Thursday night at a charity event hosted by cornerback Gary Baxter. "He's basically running every route, cutting, going deep, whatever. He's one of the fastest guys on the team. I'm really excited for him."

Winslow is recovering from surgery last June to repair a torn right anterior cruciate suffered in a motorcycle accident. He also underwent arthroscopic surgery in January to clean out scar tissue in the rebuilt knee. He's undergone four surgeries since Sept. 19, 2004, including two on the broken fibula he suffered in a game against Dallas that day.

"What people really don't know about Kellen is how much he really wants to succeed," Frye said. "He's not going to let himself fail. I can't wait until that first game when he runs out of that tunnel. I might cry for him. That's how much I care about him."

Frye said he's been with Winslow almost every day since the end of January. When they're not lifting at the Browns' facility, they're hanging out or going to Cavs games.

"That's one of my brothers now," Frye said. "We do everything together, so I think that's going to be big come September when we open up with New Orleans."

Frye said he's never seen anyone work as hard as Winslow.

"I thought I worked hard, but he wears me out sometimes," Frye said. "He'll call me up on a Sunday and say 'What are you doing?' and I'll say 'OK, I'll meet you at the facility.' "

Browns General Manager Phil Savage said Winslow will be on the field for full-squad minicamp June 16-18, but his activity probably will be limited.

"I wouldn't rush him," Frye said. "To me, the goal for him is to be ready for the opening game. I think they'll let him run some routes against the defense in minicamp and get him comfortable with the offense."

Savage said receiver Braylon Edwards also is on track in his rehab from a torn ACL, but that he's not as far along as Winslow because he had surgery in January. He said Edwards is doing some running, but no cutting. He's expected back in October or November.

Frye bulks up:

Frye said he's gained about 15 pounds since the end of the season and is up to 225, his anticipated playing weight for 2006.

"The season wore me out a little bit and I needed to get stronger," he said. "It's all from working with [strength coach] John Lott.

Frye said his arm was tired by the end of last season because he never got a break after finishing at Akron. "After my senior season, I played in the Senior Bowl, went to the combine and had my pro day. I threw for anybody any time," he said. "I threw so many balls, I was exhausted."

He also was sacked 22 times in his five starts, including 13 in the last two games, and wants to be better equipped to take the pounding.

Dilfer pondered retirement:

Savage said that before the draft on April 27, the Browns inferred that quarterback Trent Dilfer might retire.

"That's why we checked around that weekend to see if we could get something for him," Savage said. "We had to weigh getting something vs. getting nothing. I wasn't convinced he wasn't going to come to me in June and say 'I'm done.' "

The Browns inquired about trading for Detroit quarterback Joey Harrington and Oakland backup Marques Tuiasosopo during draft weekend, but were unable to make a move. Harrington eventually was traded to Miami and the Raiders weren't interested in moving Tuiasosopo at the time.

Bentley's number:

Center LeCharles Bentley wants to wear the number 00 in honor of Hall of Fame center Jim Otto of the Raiders, but a number change might not happen until next season.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the competition committee will make a presentation to the owners at a league meeting on Tuesday regarding number changes, but no individual exceptions are made. If anything, an entire position could receive permission to wear different numbers. That was the case two years ago when receivers, who usually wear numbers in the 80s, were permitted to wear 10 through 19.

Saints running back Reggie Bush wants to wear the No. 5 he wore at USC, but isn't optimistic it will happen this season. Aiello said the NFL is considering changing its numbering system so that it's more closely aligned with the college game "to avoid issues like this in the future." It would take a two-thirds vote of the owners to make a switch.

Bentley has 00 above his locker in Berea, but might have to change it.

Suggs update:

The Browns have no immediate takers on running back Lee Suggs, but if a team is interested, they'll be willing to trade him. Suggs' agent, Joel Segal, said: "When healthy, Lee is extremely talented. He's going to be a great back for someone."

Thompson up for switch:

Linebacker Chaun Thompson said he is willing to move inside if that is what coaches want. "As long as I'm on the field, it's fine with me," he said. Thompson said the move has been discussed, "but it's nothing definite yet.

I still think I can be effective on the inside." He said he's looking forward to absorbing every bit of knowledge he can from veteran Willie McGinest.

Baxter's star-studded event:

Baxter's bowl-a-thon to benefit childhood obesity drew celebrities from all over. Several Indians players, including outfielder Grady Sizemore and pitcher C.C. Sabathia, participated, as did Youngstown native and former "Apprentice" star Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams, actress Kim Whitley, hip-hop singer Mario and the group A'Ryah.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4670
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CPD

5/22/06

Stadium roof interests planner

Facility's cost warrants more use, he says
Saturday, May 20, 2006

Tom Breckenridge
Plain Dealer Reporter

Calling the scant use of Cleveland Browns Stadium "outrageous and unacceptable," the head of Cleveland's planning commission said he supports a closer look at a retractable roof.

Tony Coyne reacted during a planning commission meeting Friday, where developer Robert Corna took his crusade for a lightweight, sliding roof that would enable year-round use of the city-owned structure.

It could also put Cleveland in the running for the 50th Super Bowl in 2016, Corna insists. The prominent developer of the Flats west bank pitched to a receptive planning committee of City Council last week and wants to present his plan to all of council Monday night.

Corna's session with city planners Friday was purely informational. He's pitching a flat roof made of a plastic hybrid and supported by cables strung from four towers flanking the oval stadium.

The translucent roof material, called Foiltec, is not in wide use at sports venues.

"It's like putting a glass roof over the top," Corna said.

Such a roof would allow multiple entertainment uses and make the stadium a catalyst along an underdeveloped lakefront, Corna said.

The roof plan hit a chord with Coyne, who said taxpayers should get far more out of the $300 million stadium than 10 football games a year.

Coyne lamented that the city's rush to recapture an NFL franchise resulted in a stadium that's "poorly designed and not particularly attractive."

He said he supports Corna's call for an ad hoc committee to study a stadium roof. Corna suggested a committee with members from the city and Cuyahoga County planning commissions, City Council and the county engineer's office.

"We also need the Browns at the table," said Coyne.

Browns ownership has not taken a position on the matter, other than insisting its "cold weather" team be exposed to the elements, said team spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz.

"The city owns the building," he said. "We will wait until the city is ready to meet with us."

After the planning commission meeting, Corna said his $90 million estimate for the stadium roof was not firm.

"I'm not going to say it's $90 million," he said. "What it is right now is an engineered guess. The real number is how much you can finance, and you work to that number."

Corna said the ultimate cost and scale of the project would depend on how much revenue the city could realize from increased economic activity at the stadium, and how much the city could borrow against those new revenues.

Corna said he opposed having a design competition to select the architecture and engineering team. He said that because he had brought the idea forward, he deserved to participate.

"I'm going to be part of this team," he said. "I am not going to give up being part of the roof. I want to see it get done."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4695
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