Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/16/06

Jim Brown likes his team’s potential

Thursday, February 16, 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]



Two days before turning 70, Jim Brown talked about the Cleveland Browns coming of age. The Hall of Fame running back, a key adviser to owner Randy Lerner, thinks the mess that squeezed out President John Collins has been cleaned up.
“I had a very positive meeting with Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage,” Brown said. “Their heads were so together, I was kind of amazed. They’re a perfect match.”
Crennel and Savage are coming off their first year as a head coach-general manager tandem.
“Romeo wants to coach,” Brown said. “Phil is a stickler for the details of the right talent for the system.
“I talk to the players a lot. They all respect Romeo. Romeo has the package to make it work.
“He’s more of a father figure than a hell-raiser. Players who have been on other teams might say they’ve played for hell-raisers, and that can work, too. Like (Bill) Parcells. Bill Belichick? He might be a combination.”
The three keys to the 2006 offense figure to be the development of quarterback Charlie Frye, wideout Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr.
“In terms of talent,” Brown said, “Braylon is a star. Kellen is a star. Charlie has all the potential to be a star. We have a great lineup here.”
Frye went 2-3 as a rookie late-season starter.
“I like Charlie,” Brown said. “I like his attitude, his ability, his calmness, his feet. I just like him.”
Winslow has appeared in two games in two seasons. He must overcome injuries from playing on an onside-kick team and crashing a motorcycle.
“I happen to like Kellen,” Brown said. “He’s a totally dedicated physical and mental football player who has talent and wants to perform at a high level.
“He’s very intense. I think he needs guidance in that intensity.”
Edwards blew out an ACL on Dec. 4 against Jacksonville and is recovering from surgery.
“He’s a classy, artful receiver,” Brown said. “He didn’t get to camp on time. When that happens, coaches have a hard time playing you because you don’t know assignments the way you need to.
“That hurt him quite a bit. There’s no doubt about his talent.
“He’s also very intelligent. He will relate to you if you’re intelligent enough to relate to him.”
Running back Reuben Droughns rushed for 1,232 yards. The only Cleveland running back with a bigger rushing season since Brown’s final year (1,544 yards in 1965) was Leroy Kelly (1,239 yards in 1968).
“I don’t know if Reuben’s contract extension is done,” Brown said. “I’m pretty sure it will get done.”
Brown calls Droughns an “unbelievable competitor,” but he would not be surprised if the Browns add a back. There will be a decision to make if Southern Cal’s LenDale White, a big back with star potential, is available when Cleveland picks at No. 12.
“I do love Reuben,” Brown said, “but if you can add a good running back under the right circumstances, you’ve gotta go after him.
“We brought in Leroy Kelly and Ernie Green when I played, and it only helped us. You’ve got to have two or three good running backs. And if it’s a true game-breaker ... there are only a few of those.”
The Browns pursuing a pass rusher in free agency or the draft, Brown said, is “a no-brainer.” Getting defensive lineman Orpheus Roye signed before he gets to free agency March 3 is on the front-burner.
“I don’t want to speak for Randy, Romeo or Phil, but in my opinion, we have a great opportunity to improve greatly.
“Say we get Braylon and Kellen back, free agency is decent, and we re-sign key players. We should be very, very competitive.” Brown did say this about Lerner: “Randy is just like me, man. We want to win.” Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/17/06

Who let the Dawgs out?

Friday, February 17, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]BY LARRY NEUMEISTER ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER[/FONT]




NEW YORK The screams from the “Dawg Pound” have reached a New York federal judge, who says the Cleveland Browns and their fans earned rights to the phrase before an apparel company came along and tried to take it away.
In a ruling made public Thursday, U.S. District Judge Denny Chin played referee to the dispute that lingered more than a decade before the Hawaii-Pacific Apparel Group sued the Browns and NFL Properties in 2004.
“Here, no reasonable jury could find by clear and convincing evidence that the Browns and/or NFLP abandoned the mark” when Cleveland was without a professional football team from 1995-99, the judge concluded in a 16-page decision.
Chin recounted the history of the wildly enthusiastic end-zone celebrants to 1984, when members of the Browns defense called the team’s defense the “dawg pound,” an expression soon adopted by the bleacher fans for themselves.
Before long, the phrase became so popular that NFL Properties — the marketing arm of professional football — decided Cleveland was a hot market and registered “Cleveland Browns Dogs” and “Cleveland Browns Dawgs” as an Ohio trademark.
By 1989, the NFL was accepting licensing fees for T-shirts that used the words “Dawg Pound” and for a Hallmark Christmas card depicting Santa Claus sitting in a recliner watching a Browns game with a dog in a “Browns Dawg Pound” sweatshirt.
As the judge recounted it, though, storm clouds were gathering over Cleveland’s rights to the trademark once the clothing company was founded in 1986 by Donald Shepherd in Honolulu.
Shepherd began to manufacture and distribute clothing bearing phrases such as “Dawg Pound,” “Lil Dawg Pound” and “Top Dawg” in the early and mid ’90s after his teenage son was called “Top Dawg” by members of his baseball team in 1991.
In March 1994, the company tried to register the “Dawg Pound” trademark but was opposed by the NFL. Shepherd said in court papers he had no interest in football and didn’t know that the expression was used in Cleveland to refer to fans.
After the Browns franchise moved to Baltimore in 1995, the clothing company successfully registered the trademarks “Top Dawg” and “Lil Dawg Pound” and it eventually sold about $10 million worth of Dawg-related merchandise, the judge said.
When the Browns and the NFL tried to register “Dawg Pound” as a trademark in March 1999, the request was denied because it was similar to the company’s “Lil Dawg Pound” trademark.
A year later, the company sent a letter to the Browns and the NFL demanding that they stop using the “Dawg Pound” trademark.
Even as the litigation progressed, the Browns continued to promote the “Dawg Pound” on its Web site, where it called it “one of the most famous trademarks in sports.” After the ruling, the Browns said in statement: “We are happy with the court’s decision. The Dawg Pound is just one example of how our fans passionately support the Browns and we are pleased it will remain a part of our heritage.” The company and its lawyer did not immediately return telephone message for comment.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/19/06

View from Pluto

RIPE LEADER WANTED Browns will be Browns until team finds veteran receiver. Seahawks' Jurevicius or Patriots' Givens might do the trick

By Terry Pluto

<!-- begin body-content -->As the Browns complete postseason evaluations, they believe they had more than just a problem with dropped passes from their receivers.
There also were maturity issues.
Few fans realize how much time these players spend together, especially those who play the same positions. One of the goals for 2005 was to bring stability to the team, and not just from the coaching staff.
The Browns were thrilled with the solid character of the offensive line. New guards Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman brought in toughness and dedication to preparation. Coleman played several games on one healthy leg near the end of the season. His teammates were amazed at how much pain he withstood.
New left tackle L.J. Shelton also was beat up, yet started every game and missed only a dozen plays. That's part of the reason his free-agent market value is rising.
General Manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel appreciate how veteran Trent Dilfer served as a role model and teacher to rookie quarterback Charlie Frye.
In addition to rushing for 1,232 yards, Reuben Droughns is a gritty, solid presence in the dressing room. The defense had some respected leaders in Orpheus Roye, Andra Davis and Brian Russell.
But the key receivers were rookie Braylon Edwards and veterans Dennis Northcutt and Antonio Bryant. Northcutt is quiet. Bryant has a strong personality, and he often ruled the room. He also has some maturity issues. When the game plan didn't feature much passing, Bryant's interest faded during meetings.
Coaches only can do so much. The most effective pressure on a pro team comes from the other players. There's some concern that Bryant isn't the ideal role model for the other receivers.
Bryant led the Browns with 69 catches, four for touchdowns. But he also had 14 drops, a lot by any standard. He's a free agent, and as of now, the Browns are making no moves to bring him back. That's despite knowing Edwards won't be close to 100 percent recovered from knee surgery until September.
Bottom line: The Browns are seriously seeking a veteran receiver who also can be a leader.
Here are two names:
• The Seattle Seahawks' Joe Jurevicius. He had a great year in Seattle, making 55 catches -- most of them meaningful. Of those 55, there were 39 for first downs, 10 for touchdowns and nine of at least 20 yards. He's a Cleveland native. He'll be 32 next year. He's played in three Super Bowls.
So why would the Seahawks not re-sign him?
The Seahawks have post-Super Bowl issues -- that is, salary-cap problems. Star running back Shaun Alexander and big-time left guard Steve Hutchinson are free agents. So is Rocky Bernard, a defensive tackle who had 8 ½ sacks and is only 26 years old.
The Seahawks can't keep everyone, and Jurevicius could be left out of the free-agent sweepstakes. It's no secret the Browns really like this guy.
• The New England Patriots' David Givens. The Notre Dame product is only 25, but he's been on Super Bowl-winning teams, and Crennel obviously knows him well from their days in New England. He's not flashy, but hangs on to the ball.
Givens' receptions have risen from 34 to 56 to 59 in the past three years.
He's known as a strong possession receiver with the typical New England gritty approach to the game. A notable statistic is 107 of his 158 career catches went for first downs. He also caught touchdown passes in his past seven playoff games.
The Patriots have emerging star receiver Deion Branch approaching free agency in a year, and they might not be willing to pay a lot to keep Givens, who made $1.4 million in 2005.
TALKIN' BROWNS
Play of Northcutt has not improved
• The Browns see Dennis Northcutt as a slot receiver and punt returner. When he was flanked out, he had trouble getting open. Instead of getting better as his career progresses, Northcutt has leveled off and even slipped a bit.
• Forget Kellen Winslow Jr. moving to wide receiver. At that position, his speed is just average. But it's a major advantage as a tight end. The Browns are optimistic about his return.
• Here's a strange one: Brandon Rideau came to the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas known for having iffy hands. But in training camp and practices, he rarely dropped a pass. He had some of the best hands on the team. Yet, there was a reluctance to use him in games. Browns officials admit now they might have underrated him, still dealing with his reputation from college rather than what they were seeing every day in practice. They hope to keep working with him in the offseason and see if he can make an impact.
• Some fans wonder why Frisman Jackson doesn't play more. He does have pretty good hands, but has trouble getting open. He doesn't have the speed to shake loose from most decent cornerbacks.
• While the Browns will continue to work with Joshua Cribbs as a receiver, he has a long way to go to learn the position. They do love him on special teams. He was second on the team in special-team tackles.
• Like Cribbs and Rideau, Ohio State's Simon Fraser made the team as an undrafted free agent. He excelled on special teams. The Browns believe he definitely can help as a backup defensive lineman. As Savage said: ``Given his attitude and work ethic, who knows? He could surprise us and even start one day.''
• The best money the Browns spent last offseason was the $21,000 used to bring in their undrafted free agents. Five made the team: Cribbs, Rideau, Fraser, Paul Irons and J'Vonne Parker.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/20/06

DidSavage make right call on Holcomb?

Monday, February 20, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]BROWNS BEAT STEVE DOERSCHUK[/FONT]



The Browns, you may have noticed, didn’t have a great postseason. The next two months will determine if next season will be better.
This time of year can do so much for a team. Last year’s talent acquisition period, obviously, didn’t do enough.
March came in like a lamb and went out with Jeff Garcia on the Lions.
At this time last year, we had no idea:
n What GM Phil Savage and Coach Romeo Crennel would do about key men Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown or Kelly Holcomb.
n Reuben Droughns’ 1,240-yard 2004 didn’t excite Mike Shanahan.
n Ross Verba had completely lost touch with the home planet.
n Braylon Edwards was such a snazzy dresser.
n Kellen Winslow Jr. could turn a motorcycle into a unicycle.
Same time, this year.
By late April, the new faces coming to the Browns might completely alter your opinion of them. By November, that certainly will be the case, with faces linked to feats.
At this time last year, the top three quarterbacks on the Browns roster were Holcomb, Garcia and Luke McCown.
Garcia was released on Feb. 22. McCown was traded to Tampa Bay on April 24.
As agent Frank Bauer hurried around Indianapolis at the Combine last February, his client, Holcomb, was in limbo, about to become an unrestricted free agent.
“The ball’s in the Browns’ court,” Bauer said.
Cleveland punted, letting Holcomb land in Buffalo. Savage traded for Trent Dilfer on March 5.
Among all of Savage’s roster moves last year, this stands as the one most open to debate. It includes parallel talking points.
New Buffalo Head Coach Dick Jauron and Crennel must address the same quarterback question. Do you play the old guy (Buffalo’s Holcomb, Cleveland’s Dilfer)? Or do you play the 24-year-old kid (Bills’ J.P. Losman, Browns’ Charlie Frye)?
Jauron was the first to come out with an answer. He said the other day that Holcomb will get a shot to unseat the former chosen one, Losman.
Almost everyone expects Frye to be Cleveland’s guy, but Crennel hasn’t said what he’ll do. Whatever the decision, it’s fair to ask if keeping Holcomb would have been better than acquiring Dilfer.
Comparing their 2005 seasons with their new teams, the 32-year-old Holcomb arguably outplayed the 33-year-old Dilfer.
In 10 games, including eight starts in which his record was 4-4, Holcomb went 155-of-230 (67.4 percent) for 1,509 yards, with 10 touchdowns, eight interceptions and an 85.6 rating.
In 11 starts, Dilfer had a 4-7 record. He went 199-of-333 (59.8 percent) for 2,321 yards, with 11 TDs, 12 interceptions and a 76.9 rating.
Dilfer is a more vocal leader who is less inhibited about when to speak and what to say. Dilfer also has tons more field experience, having appeared in 121 NFL games, compared to Holcomb’s 34.
Dilfer’s postseason résumé includes six starts and a Super Bowl win. Holcomb’s is confined to the Browns’ shootout loss at Pittsburgh in 2003.
That experience and Dilfer’s makeup point to him as a better mentor for Frye than Holcomb would have been.
Recently, Frye said of Dilfer, “He’s the most knowledgeable guy I’ve ever met.”
Knowing what to do, though, is different than getting ’er done.
If Frye is found wanting or gets hurt, this becomes the central issue.
If Losman is a Buffalo version of Kyle Boller, the Bills need Holcomb to play and win.
If the hopes for Frye go bust, Dilfer has to be the man.
Which begs the question ... would Holcomb have been the better man?
Consider the Browns’ and Bills’ late-season games at Cincinnati — Dilfer had been replaced by Frye.
On Dec. 11, Frye went 16-of-24 for 138 yards and a 78.1 rating in a 23-20 loss.
On Dec. 24, Holcomb went 23-of-37 for 308 yards and a 105.3 rating in a 37-27 win.
For years now, Holcomb has flashed these slivers of light that make you wonder if he’s a player.
Meanwhile, Frye made this little promise about himself during Super Bowl week: “The rookie quarterback that you saw, you won’t see next year.”
If that’s the case, and he plays well as the starter, Dilfer is the right veteran, because he fits as a mentor.
If, however, Frye doesn’t pan out, maybe Savage should have found a way to keep Holcomb.
You could argue it doesn’t matter in the big picture, that Dilfer will never lead another team to a Super Bowl, and that Holcomb will never take one there. Depending on how 2006 shakes out, though, it’ll seem to matter at the time, if you’re sitting in one those expensive seats.
HOLLYWOOD JIM
To some of us, it’s hard to believe running back Jim Brown is 70 — his birthday was Friday — and just as hard to believe he spent more of his life making movies than he did playing football in Cleveland.
Some of his memorable characters:
n Convict Robert T. Jefferson in “The Dirty Dozen” (1967).
n Jimmy Price, with top billing ahead of George Kennedy, in “...tick...tick...tick...” (1970).
n Slaughter, co-starring Stella Stevens, in “Slaughter” (1972) ... Ed McMahon co-starred in the 1973 sequel, “Slaughter’s Big Ripoff.”
n Fireball, opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Running Man” (1987).
n Berwell, co-starring Ving Rhames, in “Animal” (2005).
When Brown was closer to football-playing age, he played megamacho action characters.
Brown’s early attraction to Hollywood was associated with wine, women and song, not necessarily in that order, and the money wasn’t bad.
Some of his more recent efforts, like “Animal,” are linked to his efforts to steer inner-city youths away from the dead-end gang culture. He has worked with an interesting cast of characters, many of them all on the same set in the 1996 oddball, “Mars Attacks.” The cast included enough name players for an offensive huddle: Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Benning, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sara Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Pam Grier and, of course, The Man. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

PlainDealer

2/20/06

Pool ready to make a splash in '06


Sunday, February 19, 2006

Roger Brown
Plain Dealer Columnist

Though he's entering his second NFL season, Browns safety Brodney Pool may be the player most likely to become a major playmaker on defense during the upcoming season.

That's the view of Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. He says Pool, who didn't start a game as a rookie but still saw significant time, has the talent to be both a starter and an impact player in 2006.

"He's got great defensive instincts, he's got skill, he's the ability to change games and he's a good kid," Grantham says of Pool, a 2005 second-round pick from Oklahoma. "Brodney just needs to stay healthy and to mature a bit. But he's one of the most talented guys we have, and I think he's ready to break loose."

Grantham says even as a rookie, Pool played a valuable, if underestimated, role on last year's Browns defense: His presence pushed veteran defensive back Chris Crocker to raise his game. In 2005, Crocker had the best season of his NFL career.

Last season, Grantham's defense ranked among the NFL's best in several categories, including defending inside its 20-yard line.

Have we seen

the last of longtime Brown Kenard Lang in a Cleveland uniform? Most likely, yes. Though only 31, Lang seemed to age overnight last season; he struggled to cover receivers as an outside linebacker, and wasn't able to apply consistent pressure as a pass rusher. (Lang used to be able to do the latter pretty well.)

Browns linebacker Chaun Thompson

will team up with several former Browns to play the Cuyahoga Falls Cougars, an IBL minor-league team, in a charity game at 6 p.m. tonight at Cuyahoga Falls High School. Former Browns Kevin Mack, Felix Wright, Eric Metcalf, Tim Manoa, Herman Fontenot, Frank Stams and Mike Pagel are also scheduled to play.

During the 2006 season,

the Browns are planning events to celebrate 60 years of the team's presence in Cleveland. That's a bit more precise than what we stated in a recent column item.



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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/22/06

Browns need to clean up messy offense

By Terry Pluto

<!-- begin body-content -->BEREA - Let's hope that Romeo Crennel and Maurice Carthon spend a lot of time in the film room looking at the Browns' offense.
And they should ask, ``Just what are we trying to do here?''
As Browns fans, did you ask that same question several times last season?
This isn't the usual second-guessing that is a part of any game, but there were Sundays when you wondered just what was the game plan?
Browns General Manager Phil Savage had an informal news conference Tuesday, and stressed that he wanted to see improvement, especially from the offense. He said he didn't want to make any major coaching/scouting changes. Finally, the goal is to have some stability in Berea -- a good idea.
He also said he wants to ``see where we are next year'' with the offense.
The offense was a mess.
The Browns were last in points scored, last in scoring in the red zone, 30th out of 32 teams in first downs. Given those numbers, it's amazing that the Browns won six games. An overachieving defense was the main reason.
Savage is giving Carthon, the offensive coordinator, the benefit of the doubt for being a rookie at play-calling and coming into a new situation in which he didn't know the players.
Savage pinned much of the hope of improving the offense on wide receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. overcoming their knee injuries and, hopefully, being on the field by September.
When healthy, both have tremendous physical ability.
In reality, neither has proven a thing in the NFL.
Maybe they both will be stars. Maybe only one. It wouldn't be a shock if both were rusty.
Bottom line is the Browns would be foolish to count on both guys having big seasons. That's the reason Savage plans to shop hard with lots of cash to sign a veteran free-agent receiver such as David Givens or Joe Jurevicius.
Savage also is wise enough not to be conned by Antonio Bryant's 69 catches. His 14 drops and games in which he seemed discouraged and disinterested are reason enough to point him to free agency and wish him luck elsewhere.
The first job this offseason is to find an identity for the offense.
Part of the reason the 3-4 defense was above average is they took the same approach to every game. They knew they couldn't rush the quarterback. They knew they had trouble stopping the run. They knew the talent was thin.
So they designed a rather boring bend-but-don't-break defense. It usually kept opponents out of the end zone. Like it or not, you knew what it was supposed to do.
Changes are coming with the defense. Veteran Kenard Lang will probably be given permission to seek a trade. Savage wants a tough nose tackle, some athletic linebackers and a bigger role for young safety Brodney Pool.
It's easier to fill holes in a defense when you know how it should play.
The offense often talked about running the ball, but suddenly had Trent Dilfer throwing nearly as much as Peyton Manning early in the season. It took weeks for Carthon to commit to running back Reuben Droughns, who arrived with a 1,240-yard season in his background.
Clearly, the quarterbacks -- rookie Charlie Frye or veteran Dilfer -- were very hesitant to change play calls or improvise. They had games in which they seemed to be wondering what exactly was the plan.
While Crennel seems to favor an open competition for quarterback, he'd be better served just giving the nod to Frye. Let him prepare as a starter. Most of us are aware of what Dilfer can do, and that he's ideally a backup. Let's find out about Frye.
If the team is about running the ball, then run the ball. And practice running the ball. And find people who block well in the run, and find someone besides Droughns to help run the ball.
Then figure out a consistent approach to the offense each week that helps the players know what to expect. That's a start to changing the offense for the better.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/22/06

BROWNS: Savage: More sacks needed

Wednesday, February 22, 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]


<TABLE style="MARGIN: 10px -3px 15px 5px; POSITION: relative" width=300 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Related Stories
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT: Savage not hiding from Browns’ many weaknesses

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BEREA - Phil Savage can’t run through an airport without getting tackled by an Ohio State fan.
“They all tell me they’d love to see A.J. Hawk in a Browns uniform,” said Savage, 13 months into his job as Cleveland’s general manager. “Guys ... Hawk’s not gonna be there.”
Savage has the 12th pick in the first round. Hawk could be a Top 5 pick.
Savage spent part of a long interview Tuesday talking in general about who and what the Browns need to catch up to Pittsburgh, which won Super Bowl XL 17 days ago.
“We had a number of players who are functional NFL players,” Savage said, “but we need better than functional.”
Savage and a large Browns contingent will spend the rest of the week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, checking out prospects for the April 29-30 draft. Shortly after the Combine ends, the free agency signing period begins.
Savage said the team’s top priorities are players who can rush the passer and stop the run.
“Any time you’re at the bottom in something, that area needs to be addressed,” Savage said.
The Browns ranked 32nd and last in the NFL with 23 sacks, exactly half as many as they allowed. Potential free agent Julian Peterson (49ers) is a pass-rushing linebacker to watch.
The porouss run defense gave up 148, 150, 159, 185, 209 and 129 rushing yards in six divisional games. Inside runs were a big problem.
Savage said the draft figures to produce more nose tackles than usual.
He conceded the obvious, that massive Oregon defensive lineman Haloti Ngata (6-foot-5, 338 pounds) will be seriously considered if he is available with the No. 12 overall pick. Chances of Ngata going earlier appear to be at least 50-50.
Savage indicated there’s a chance the Browns could add nose tackles from both free agency and the draft. He declined to address a specific free agent nose tackle candidate, but 350-pound Maake Kemoeatu (Ravens) is aware of Cleveland’s need.
Savage has prioritized contract negotiations with left tackle L.J.. Shelton, defensive lineman Orpheus Roye and running back Reuben Droughns.
Shelton and Roye are eligible for unrestricted free agency. Droughns is signed only through 2006.
Savage indicated key 2005 Browns who will be allowed to test the free agent market are:
n Wideout Antonio Bryant, who led the 2005 team with 1,009 receiving yards.
n Inside linebacker Ben Taylor, who ranked second on the team with 139 tackles, behind Andra Davis’ 199.
n Tight end Aaron Shea, who has been with the team for six years.
“We’re not shutting the door on any of those guys,” Savage said. “We want to check and see if something might be attractive to us.”
Taylor isn’t as big or as physical as Head Coach Romeo Crennel wants his inside linebackers to be.
“Who is gonna fit best next to Andra Davis,” Savage said, “is a question we have to answer this year.”
The Browns are expected to release Kenard Lang, the team’s sacks leader over the last four years. Lang struggled with a conversion from 4-3 end to 3-4 linebacker in 2005. His contract that calls for $4.5 million in 2006 will be voided, and he can be a free agent.
The free agency signing period is scheduled to open Friday of next week. There is a chance the date could be pushed back because of ongoing talks regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Savage won’t disclose how far under the salary cap the Browns are — the figure is thought to be around $25 million — but he said the team is in good shape no matter what happens in the talks.
The league might operate without a salary cap next year. Savage said that “probably would be bad for the league,” but wouldn’t hurt the Browns’ ability to pursue players.
The Combine will help the Browns further narrow the list of draft candidates they think can fit their schemes. So far, the list has been narrowed from 1,000 to 184.
As for free agency, look for the Browns to pounce on at least two key players early.
“Last year,” Savage said, “before we could get the paper in the FAX machine for (defensive tackle) Pat Williams, he was gone.” This year, the Browns have a lot more paper — the green kind — at their disposal. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail [email protected].
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

PlainDealer

2/22/06

BROWNS
Team lines up for off-season of big moves


Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter

NFL free agency and the draft can't come soon enough for Phil Savage.
The Browns' general manager heads to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis today anxious to get going with his second off-season of rebuilding.

Although the combine will take up the next week of concentration, Savage has his eyes focused on free agency, which will tentatively kick off on March 3, pending developments on an extension of the league collective bargaining agreement.

The first order of business is to part ways with potential free agents, such as receiver Antonio Bryant, linebacker Ben Taylor, tight end Aaron Shea and punter Kyle Richardson, and with converted linebacker Kenard Lang, who is under contract but probably will be released this week.

"Every time we meet, we talk of some of the difficult choices we'll have to make," Savage said Tuesday. "Some of these guys are good guys and pretty good players, but at a certain point, you have to say, 'We think we can do better.'

"We have a number of players on the team that are functional NFL players. But we need better than functional. We need players that can make plays and be a difference-maker and win a game for us."

Bryant's agent, Lamont Smith, confirmed to The Plain Dealer two weeks ago the Browns have not tried to re-sign the 1,000-yard receiver.

Savage said the Browns want to replace Bryant with a veteran receiver in free agency. He declined to comment on pursuing Cleveland native Joe Jurevicius, whose contract is up in Seattle.

"That's something we're looking into, trying to bring more of a professional demeanor, a professional quality, to that [receivers'] room," Savage said.

It appears Dennis Northcutt is safe. Northcutt, entering the last year of his contract, is owed a $1.25 million roster bonus on March 15. A source close to Northcutt said it is his understanding the Browns will pay it.

Lang, who's owed $4.6 million in the last year of his contract, will not be back, Savage indicated.

"I think Kenard really tried to do his best to make that transition to outside 'backer," Savage said. "I'm not sure if it took away from some of his rush potential on third down. He has certainly been a good player for the Browns over the years and a guy that we've talked a lot about since the season ended."

Savage said he, coach Romeo Crennel and his coordinators finalized plans Tuesday so the team can strike quickly in free agency.

"Those that wait, lose," he said, adding, "We'll be fairly disappointed if we're not able to make a couple of moves fairly early."

Besides a veteran receiver, the team has identified areas of need at the defensive front seven (linemen and linebackers) and at offensive line.

He said the 32nd-ranked pass rush must be bolstered, along with the run defense.

"Who's going to fit best with Andra Davis? That's really the question we have to answer this year," Savage said.

On the offensive line, Savage said it needs an injection of youth in general, and he pointed specifically to the health issues of guards Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman, and center Jeff Faine.

For the first time, Savage also expressed the desire to add a third-down back to assist Reuben Droughns, one "who can move the chains, capable of making a play down the field." He said Lee Suggs could fill the role, but he has to prove he can stay healthy.

Savage expects the team to be improved significantly through free agency and the draft. He can't wait to exert his re-established powers as general manager.

"I wish the draft was three to four weeks from now," Savage said. "But we've got 9½ weeks and there's so much misinformation and second-guessing. I just feel if you think long, you think wrong. We feel like we're pretty close to being ready to go."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4670

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/23/06

Browns’ search for veteran may mean exit for Bryant

Thursday, February 23, 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 - Letting Antonio Bryant go is a little odd. But not that odd.
Receiving seasons such as Bryant’s 1,009-yarder happen once in a Browns blue moon.
The franchise was in its 19th NFL season when Paul Warfield became its first 1,000-yard wide receiver, in 1968. It didn’t happen again for 21 years; Webster Slaughter racked up 1,236 yards in 1989. Then there was a 12-year gap before Kevin Johnson had a 1,097-yard 2001.
Bryant became the fourth in Cleveland’s NFL era with a 1,000-yard receiving year. Yet, with Joe Jurevicius, Reggie Wayne, Keenan McCardell, David Givens, Antwaan Randle El and others headed for free agency, Browns General Manager Phil Savage has invited Bryant to test the market.
“Maybe Antonio doesn’t want to, but he certainly has that opportunity,” Savage said. “We feel like we want to explore some opportunities as well.
“If they don’t exist, we would certainly consider bringing Antonio back.”
Bryant, who will turn 25 next month, has good size and athleticism, runs precise routes, and is a fiery competitor. On the flip side, he dropped too many key passes, and seemed to lose focus when not involved early in game plans.
If Bryant comes back, he must adjust to an offense whose vision is a big two of tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. and Braylon Edwards, expected back from knee surgeries by October.
“Our No. 1 goal on offense is to get K2 and Braylon out there healthy,” Savage said.
Edwards turned 23 on Tuesday. Winslow won’t be 23 until July 21.
“I do think we need a veteran receiver,” Savage said. “At the same time, there’s no guarantee we’ll be able to get one.”
Savage wants to “bring a more professional demeanor and professional quality into that room,” meaning the room where the wideouts meet.
Jurevicius, 31, caught 10 touchdown passes for Seattle in 2005. Bryant led the Browns with four TD catches.
The 6-foot-5 Jurevicius is a former Mentor Lake Catholic star who grew up in a family of staunch Browns fans.
McCardell is coming off a 70-catch, 917-yard year with the Chargers. He’s old enough to have played for Bill Belichick’s Browns in 1995 (56 catches, 709 yards). He turned 36 last month and would like to build on his 10,680 career yards.
Another available veteran is Ricky Proehl, who will turn 38 next month but has good speed. He averaged 17.6 yards on 25 catches with Carolina in 2005.
A younger free agent receiver under consideration is David Givens, who has spent four years with the Patriots, three when Romeo Crennel was defensive coordinator.
In New England’s most recent Super Bowl season, Givens averaged 15.6 yards on 56 catches. He had 59 catches in 2005.
NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan rates another young receiver, Super Bowl XL standout Antwaan Randle El, as the second-best player headed for free agency. Signing the versatile Randle El could weaken the Steelers and help the Browns.
Savage is in Indianapolis to scout draft prospects at the Combine. The receiver crop appears to be weak. There is no chance Savage will spend a first-round pick on a wideout, and little chance he will take a shot in Round 2.
“A lot of times, your second-round (receivers) were marginal first-round picks,” Savage said. “They were in the second round for a reason.
“Either they run real fast and can’t catch, or they can catch, but run slow. Or there was some medical issue or character issue.”
Three former Browns second-round picks will be on the free-agent market next week: Kevin Johnson (17 catches for 160 yards with the Lions in 2005), Quincy Morgan (nine, 150 with the Steelers) and André Davis (nine, 190 with the Patriots).
Meanwhile, the Browns want to reduce running back Reuben Droughns’ workload and get big plays out of a third-down back, possibly Lee Suggs. Only nine backs had more than Droughns’ 309 carries in 2005.
“Any kind of change-up to Reuben ... would help,” Savage said.
There’s a good chance the Browns will draft a blocker in Round 1 or Round 2.
“Looking at offensive linemen in a general sense,” Savage said, “I’d love to draft someone of significance.”
In the last seven drafts, the only blockers drafted by Cleveland on the first day were centers Jeff Faine (Round 1, 2003) and Melvin Fowler (Round 3, 2002). Offensive line prospects Savage will monitor at the Combine include USC tackle Winston Justice, Georgia guard Max Jean-Gilles, Miami (Fla.) tackle Eric Winston, Oklahoma guard Davin Joseph, Auburn tackle Marcus McNeill, Cal tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, Ohio State guard Rob Sims and USC guard Lutui Taitusi. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]
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[scarletngrey11]

Nice to see that they are taking a look at Rob Sims.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I will be satisfied if they at least draft 1 offensive lineman in the first two rounds.

In my opinion, in order of importance:

1. D Line
2. O Line
3. Linebackers
4. Corner

 

[scarletngrey11]

Ngata has to be #1 on the draft board for the Browns. At pick #8 the Bills will either take Ngata of a left tackle, if the Bills dont take him then he realistically could drop to #12.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/24/05

Romeo: Frye must win job

Friday, February 24, 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]


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

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

INDIANAPOLIS - The Steelers, at least, are assuming Charlie Frye is Cleveland’s guy.
“The quarterback situation in our division is really unique,” Steelers personnel chief Kevin Colbert said Thursday at the NFL Combine. “All four teams have quarterbacks who have been starters less than three years.
“That’s gonna keep our division competitive.”
The AFC North quarterbacks of whom Colbert spoke:
n Frye, a third-round pick in 2005.
n Ben Roethlisberger, who helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XL 21 months after becoming a No. 11 overall pick.
n Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer, the No. 1 pick of 2003.
n Baltimore’s Kyle Boller, a No. 19 pick in 2003.
A few hours after Colbert talked, Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel discouraged assumptions.
“The update is, the position is open for competition, just like every position on my team is open for competition,” Crennel said in response to a Repository question in the Combine media room. “I told the guys that before they left.”
Before riding off into some scouting-mission sunset with Phil Savage — in a golf cart — Crennel said he would lose credibility if he named a No. 1 QB now.
“Even (2005 tackles leader) Andra Davis, who we’ve re-signed, understands his position is open for competition,” Crennel said. “That’s the way it’s gonna be ... at the quarterback spot.
“We’re gonna see who’s the best, and that’s who we’re gonna play.”
Ostensibly, that means Trent Dilfer can get the job back. Dilfer started the first 11 games in 2005. Frye took every snap in the last five games.
Might Crennel name a starter after spring practice?
“Sometimes as guys compete, the cream rises to the top,” Crennel said. “If it rises quickly, then we’ll name him quickly. If it takes a little bit long to rise, then we’ll take a little bit longer to name him.”
Frye is different than the AFC North’s other young guns because he wasn’t a high pick. Savage concedes Frye will get less time to prove himself because he was a third-rounder.
Frye hopes to fare better as an NFL sophomore than 2004 first-round pick J.P. Losman did in Buffalo. Losman has been thrown back in the mix with veteran Kelly Holcomb.
Combine press room visitor Marv Levy, the Bills’ general manager, spelled out why Frye will have to win soon to lock down a job.
Levy: “If you say you’re building for the future, you’re building for another coach and general manager.”
More Levy: “Any quarterback who succeeds early has to have a good cast around him.”
Only Roethlisberger seems solid among the four young AFC North quarterbacks.
Cast? Palmer is basically wearing one, recovering from the carnage Steeler defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen inflicted on his left knee in last month’s playoffs. Baltimore is doing a replay-booth routine on Boller’s future.
Frye’s rookie repertoire was very leaky in a 41-0 loss to Pittsburgh.
The buzz at the Combine was that as many as 25 NFL teams could hit training camp with No. 1 quarterback issues.
Buffalo Head Coach Dick Jauron said deciding between Holcomb and Losman is hard because Holcomb has never lasted a season as a starter, while Losman might still be growing.
“You hope one steps away from the other one,” Jauron said. Probably, the Browns are hoping the same thing. Probably, given the fact Dilfer is will turn 34 next month, they hope Frye does the stepping. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]
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[exhawg]

I will be satisfied if they at least draft 1 offensive lineman in the first two rounds.

In my opinion, in order of importance:

1. D Line
2. O Line
3. Linebackers
4. Corner

I don't think the Browns need to take OL with on of the first 2 picks if they can sign a good one. I've heard there is mutual interest in Bentley, but that would for one of the current guards to sit or move to tackle. I would like to see the Browns take Sims in the 4th or later (I'm not sure where he's projected). The only problem is the position they need most is LT even though it sounds like they are somehow happy with Sheldon and none of these moves would help LT. My list of positions of most need are: NT, DE, OLB, LT, CB, RB. They would probably be better off signing a NT since you can't really draft a dominate NT for a 3-4. I wouldn't mind seeing them drop down 8-10 picks in the first round for say an extra 3rd round pick and take Carp rather than Greenway. I know I'm a homer, but I would really like to see Carp, Whitner, Kudla, Sims, and Huston in Browns uniforms next season.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I know I'm a homer, but I would really like to see Carp, Whitner, Kudla, Sims, and Huston in Browns uniforms next season.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Keep dreamin.

NT, DE, OLB, LT, CB, RB

I understand your points and they are good ones. I just think if they can't sign an above average OL in free agency, then they have to look at the draft. Moving down and getting more picks sounds good in this deep draft. Regardless, they have to select some D line help.