Cleveland Browns (2008 Season)

[osugrad21]

Canton

Are the Browns really that bad? Steelers don't think so
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
BY STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM

CLEVELAND By the time the Browns see Pittsburgh again, the leaves will have changed and blown away.

Trick or treat and Turkey Day will roll around and exit stage left.

A new president of the United States will be elected.

Who knows if the Browns will be relevant?

When they face the Steelers again Dec. 28, an 0-2 start will be the deep background of a reality impossible to predict.

"It's too early to say statement game," Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said. "We're two games in. I don't think anybody knows what they have until you get a month down the road."

For now, Browns fans are depressed, angry or wondering if there really is anything to believe in.

They have seen 0-2 before, but not always, not even chronically in the expansion era. The Browns were 1-1 in 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

Now? In a season of great expectations? Regardless of the opposition and the injuries, 0-2 isn't where anybody wanted the ducks lined up.

Smith threw the Dawgs a bone.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Crennel's moves questioned
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
BY STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM

BEREA With just over three minutes left, the officials under the goal posts raised their arms. Phil Dawson's field goal was good. The Browns trailed, 10-6.

In the wake of Head Coach Romeo Crennel's decision to go for 3 points that late in the game, many Browns fans remain up in arms.

Many booed when the decision was made, and to the extent the Browns got the ball back with only enough time to run two plays that went nowhere, it backfired.

The first half also ended amid boos directed at perceived clock mismanagement that left the Browns on the Pittsburgh 11 with eight seconds left, and no timeouts.

Crennel opted to run a play and take a shot at a touchdown. The play turned into a Troy Polamalu interception.

"I was very surprised," Pittsburgh wideout Santonio Holmes said of the decision. "I would have kicked the field goal if it was us. I'm pretty sure coach would have gone just for the field goal ... just to get some points, live to fight again in the second half."

Pittsburgh retained a 7-0 halftime lead.

It was 10-3 when Crennel had to decide whether to press on toward a tie or kick a field goal and hope to get the ball back.

"They had enough timeouts to try to stop the clock," Holmes said. "Their defense had been doing pretty well against our run. They felt they had an advantage.
Cont..

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Browns notebook
Tuesday, September 16, 2008


Smith out indefinitely

Browns defensive end Robaire Smith suffered an Achilles injury in Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

The Achilles did not roll up Smith's leg, as is the case in the more serious versions of that injury.

"It's an Achilles, so he is not in the best of shape," Head Coach Romeo Crennel said. "A big man and an Achilles is a tough thing to deal with. We will see how severe it is and make some decisions from there."

Smith was the Browns' best defensive lineman last year. He left the stadium on crutches with his left foot in a boot.

Indications are he will be out indefinitely. He will be replaced by veteran Shaun Smith. Louis Leonard becomes the fourth man in the line rotation, provided Corey Williams can return from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for part of the Pittsburgh game.

Williams' injury is not thought to be serious, but if it sidelines him temporarily, rookie Ahtyba Rubin would be inserted into the line rotation.

Return ace Joshua Cribbs has a hamstring issue. He left Sunday's game but returned. If he can't play at Baltimore on Sunday, second-year pro Syndric Steptoe will take his place, as he did in the opener against Dallas.

The invisible man
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Browns put Smith on IR

Associated Press

Wednesday, September 17, 2008
CLEVELAND ? Browns defensive end Robaire Smith will miss the rest of the season after being placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Sept. 16, because of a left Achilles injury. Smith was hurt during Sunday night's 10-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith started all 16 games last season with Cleveland and had four sacks.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Browns believe they'll be better Despite struggles, Anderson remains confident that offense will find its stride
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008
BEREA: At this point last season, the Browns wondered what could be. Already this season, they are wondering what happened.
Coming off a 34-7, opening-day loss last season to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Browns shocked fans by winning a shootout 51-45 the following week over the Cincinnati Bengals. That game provided the first glimpse into what new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's plan could produce.
Two games and two losses into this season, the offense is off track.
Next up is a strong defensive team in the Baltimore Ravens on the road Sunday.
''They're darned good teams ? the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys,'' quarterback Derek Anderson said. ''There's nothing wrong with us. Remember last year? I've got to throw the ball better, and they have to catch it and make plays.''
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Browns punter draws praise for performance in the wind
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
By STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM

BEREA At this time last September, punter Dave Zastudil stopped trying to punt with an aching back, and replacement Scott Player started kicking the snot of the ball.

Player, pushing 40 but not showing it, averaged 45.6 yards with a superb 40.3 net ? factoring in returns ? in four games as a Brown.

Zastudil was back for Game 5 and punted the rest of the season, though not very well. He averaged 41.8 yards a try with a 34.6 net indicative of losing altitude.

Flash forward.

ZASTY THE NASTY

On Sunday against Pittsburgh, he turned into "Zasty the Nasty," booming five punts an average of 53 yards. The Steelers had a grand total of 1 yard in returns.

"I thought the punter did a really good job, considering the wind and the weather," Head Coach Romeo Crennel said. "Most of his punts were into the wind. He saved a lot of field position."

Zastudil was a Raven for four years. The Phil Savage-Ozzie Newsome team picked the Ohio University product in the fourth round of the 2002 draft.

Punters rarely get drafted that high. The only other specialists picked before him ? earlier in the fourth round ? were place-kickers Jeff Chandler (49ers) and Travis Dorsch (Bengals).
Cont...

 

[NFBuck]

K.C. Fans Lobbying For Quinn Trade

Wednesday, 5:01 p.m.

Chiefs fans, perhaps upset with today's announcement that Tyler Thigpen will start at QB against the Falcons, have launched a Web site to campaign the team to bring in a new QB. From TheBigLead.com:
"With the struggles of Derek Anderson and the Cleveland offense -- tied for last in points per game and third to last in yards per game; this week, good luck in Baltimore -- we can't see the Browns parting with Brady Quinn. But don't let that get in the way of hopeful Chiefs' fans, who have started a Get Brady Now Web site."
The complete Big Lead story is here.
The Get Brady Now Web site is here.

NFL Tracker: SI.com running news blog - NFL - SI.com

With the way DA has performed thus far, I'd have to say fuck off...

 

[MUBuck]

NFL Tracker: SI.com running news blog - NFL - SI.com

With the way DA has performed thus far, I'd have to say [censored] off...

From the Get Brady Now website...

Here, we think it would be great if the Chiefs grabbed Brady Quinn from the Browns. Maybe a third round pick and Brodie, maybe a second or first round pick, who knows? We just know the Chiefs have the cash and the need.

Yeah, we'd love to take Brodie Croyle and a 3rd rounder for next year's starter. What a steal for us. Maybe a second or first round pick? Now you are getting crazy. Do they not realize we traded a 1st to draft him? Not only is it ridiculous to think that we would trade Brady in general, but to trade him for that garbage? Seriously? I can't even tell if this website is joking or not. I really hope it is and it's just going over my head.

 

[billmac91]

From the Get Brady Now website...



Yeah, we'd love to take Brodie Croyle and a 3rd rounder for next year's starter. What a steal for us. Maybe a second or first round pick? Now you are getting crazy. Do they not realize we traded a 1st to draft him? Not only is it ridiculous to think that we would trade Brady in general, but to trade him for that garbage? Seriously? I can't even tell if this website is joking or not. I really hope it is and it's just going over my head.

I'd take their first rounder and a DB for Brady.

Derek hasn't been nearly as bad as his numbers indicate.

I actually think he's played pretty well. Braylon was a walking drive killer against Dallas, and against Pitt, he was basically playing in a tropical storm.

It doesn't help when the head coach forces you to make bad decesions by not knowing how to properly time manage a game.

My prediction for the future of this team......

Derek leads this team to a losing record, and we trade him for a 2nd round pick. Not his fault at all though. He'll be a player no matter where he goes. You just don't find guys with his arm strength, size, and quick dcesion making everyday. I don't have the figures to back it up, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find a guy who has taken less sacks than Derek over the last 18 regular season games.

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Edwards' drops only part of Browns' problems

Injuries, penalties and miscommunication also are plaguing Cleveland's offense.


By Tom Withers
Associated Press

Thursday, September 18, 2008

BEREA ? The only sign that Braylon Edwards was even around was a neatly stacked pile of street clothes sitting atop a chair in front of his locker.
Never one to shy from the media, the Pro Bowl wide receiver was a no-show Wednesday, Sept. 17, when the Cleveland Browns were available for interviews. He was somewhere in the building, perhaps breaking down film or in the team's crowded trainer's room getting treatment.
Right now, his hands need some work.
Edwards, who had 80 catches for nearly 1,300 yards and scored 16 touchdowns last season, has dropped at least five passes in Cleveland's first two games, miscues in home losses to Dallas and Pittsburgh.
Edwards certainly isn't the only problem. The Browns have been without wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (strained quadriceps), and running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring) and multipurpose threat Joshua Cribbs (ankle) have been less than 100 percent because of injuries. In addition, right guard Rex Hadnot missed the opener with a bad knee.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

With Edwards grounded, so is Browns' offense

by Tony Grossi Wednesday September 17, 2008, 8:08 PM


Tracy Boulian/The Plain DealerAlong with dealing with talented NFL defenders such as Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu (43), Browns receiver Braylon Edwards has failed to consistently make plays in the first two games of the season.
Braylon Edwards officially is in a slump. Did the six drops in two games versus five catches and no touchdowns give it away? In a stretch, you might charitably attribute those performances to the remnants of Edwards' heel injury that sidelined him for three weeks in preseason.
But the statute of limitations on that horseplay accident apparently has expired with coach Romeo Crennel.
"It's always troubling when a player goes through times like he's going through," Crennel said. "He's dropping balls that we need him to catch. We're trying to do everything we can to help him get out of his slump."
At practice this week, the Browns are emphasizing drills to improve focus and concentration. Receivers are catching balls with numbers painted on the tips and are being instructed to shout out the numbers.

"We're trying to improve his focus and be able to relax and make some of those plays you saw him make last year," Crennel said.

Cont..

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Smith holding the line for Browns
Despite his own injury, Shaun Smith will replace Robaire Smith at DE
Thursday, September 18, 2008
By STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM

BEREA There's no crying in football. Well, maybe for Browns fans disgusted with the 0-2 start. But not for defensive lineman Shaun Smith.

As the 6-foot-2, 325-pound bruiser looked at his broken left hand Wednesday, his eyes were dry, smiling and sending this message: "Oh, well." Smith must replace injured Robaire Smith as a starting defensive end. The latter Smith (no relation) was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury that knocked him out of Sunday night's game against Pittsburgh.

Shaun Smith, who entered the game as the oft-used fourth man in a line rotation, mangled his left hand in the first half.

"I don't know how," he said.

He was equipped with a playing cast at halftime. For practice this week, he has switched to a harder cast that would make a good club. He'll have to change back to the playing cast Sunday at Baltimore.

How badly is he hurting?

"All I'm worried about is practice," he said with a shrug. "Try to help my team get a 'W.' "

Smith's pinkie, ring and middle fingers on his left hand were bound in the hard cast as he spoke in the locker room Wednesday.

He wouldn't say which or how many of the fingers are broken.

"All I know is it's a little fracture," he said. "I know it's not stopping me from playing."
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Browns QB Anderson 'plugging along'
Offense struggling as QB looks to regain form of 2007
Thursday, September 18, 2008
By STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM

BEREA This isn't the dream ride the brass imagined when Derek Anderson was handed the keys to the Browns' season.

Anderson came into 2008 with 10 wins as a Browns starter. He enters Sunday's game at Baltimore with 10 losses ? he was 0-3 in 2006 before he went 10-5 last year.

It is more than just the 0-2 start that stings. It's the 206.5 yards a game, 30th in the NFL. In the beginning, the 1999 Browns averaged 235.1 yards a game. Last year, they averaged 351.3.

These are hard times for Anderson, who is gunning to stay ahead of Brady Quinn. He's trying not to press. He's trying to lead ? after all, he and Hank Fraley are the team's offensive captains.

In a show of accountability, the tall 25-year-old from Scappoose, Ore., stayed at his locker a long, long time Wednesday to address questions, issues and topics.

Among them:

? Head Coach Romeo Crennel used the "S" word Wednesday, characterizing Braylon Edwards' rash of dropped passes as "a slump." What can the quarterback do to help?

Anderson: "Just keep plugging along. Keep throwing the ball. I've got confidence in him. He's gonna catch it. He's gonna be fine."

? Edwards has five catches for 46 yards in two games after he put up 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2007. Is he down in the mouth?

Anderson: "Obviously, anybody's gonna be upset with themselves, as I would when I miss throws and ... it's just kind of the way it goes.
Cont...

 

[schwab]

I'm so glad 17 was planning for life after football during the offseason, meeting the hollywood types and designing clothes. It's not like you can tell or anything, from his first 2 tries at actually playing football this year.

Excuse me if I flub the numbers here, but today I think I heard on the radio that 17 has dropped 7 passes himself, and the team as a whole has 11. Probably both leading the league. Had 17 caught those drops, Derek Anderson's QB rating crawls from an embarrasing 56 to a slow-starting 81. So 17, you got any movie leads or GQ covers yet?

The best part is the deal that 17 made with Michael Phelps. Stop me if you've heard this one. 17 made a deal with Phelps to get two TD's for every gold medal Phelps brought home. So Phelps says, looks like you owe me 16 TD's.

17's response? "I got 16 last year. I'll get you 17."

And he's still got 14 games left to do it...

 

[OHSportsFan]

I'm so glad 17 was planning for life after football during the offseason, meeting the hollywood types and designing clothes. It's not like you can tell or anything, from his first 2 tries at actually playing football this year.

Excuse me if I flub the numbers here, but today I think I heard on the radio that 17 has dropped 7 passes himself, and the team as a whole has 11. Probably both leading the league. Had 17 caught those drops, Derek Anderson's QB rating crawls from an embarrasing 56 to a slow-starting 81. So 17, you got any movie leads or GQ covers yet?

The best part is the deal that 17 made with Michael Phelps. Stop me if you've heard this one. 17 made a deal with Phelps to get two TD's for every gold medal Phelps brought home. So Phelps says, looks like you owe me 16 TD's.

17's response? "I got 16 last year. I'll get you 17."

And he's still got 14 games left to do it...

yea, what he said...

plus, my Fantasy Football team is waiting for 17 to show up as well.

Anytime now....:!