Cleveland Browns (2009 Season)

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns cornerback Brandon McDonald cashes in
by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter
Tuesday March 24, 2009, 12:30 PM

DANA POINT, Calif. -- It was quite an eventful season in 2008 for Browns cornerback Brandon McDonald -- and he cashed in handsomely.

McDonald earned $329,803 in the NFL's complicated performance-based bonus system, which rewards players for playing time based upon their base salary. McDonald's bonus comes from a fund jointly created by the league and players association. His bonus was fifth-highest among all players in 2008.

McDonald's bonus was nearly double his 2008 base salary of $370,000, the NFL minimum for a second-year player that season.

Continued

 

[LitlBuck]

I will believe this when I see both players on the field/roster at the beginning of the season.

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns coach opens quarterback competition between Anderson and Quinn
by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter
Tuesday March 24, 2009, 12:10 PM

DANA POINT, Calif. -- The open quarterback competition between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn officially has begun, Browns coach Eric Mangini said at the NFL owners meetings this morning.

While the prospect of trading one still exists, Mangini said he met with both quarterbacks prior to coming here and explained they will have an open competition for the starting job in 2009.

"I talked to both of them about that and was very clear," Mangini said. "I said if they have any questions they can come and see me. In terms of the competition and their opportunities. That's what I told them. They understand that."

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[3074326]

ESPN Rumor Mill

Eagles in the mix for Edwards now, too?

Braylon Edwards | Browns | Interested: Eagles? Giants?


With everyone waiting for the next word to come out of the NFL owners' meetings on the Jay Cutler situation, another potential trade market is heating up. After a report surfaced over the weekend that confirmed the New York Giants' pursuit of Braylon Edwards, there has now also been "talk" at the owners' meetings about the Philadelphia Eagles possibly making a play for Edwards as well, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The Eagles have a wealth of picks in April's draft, and the Cleveland Browns have a dearth of talent. Appropriately, one rumor gaining some steam has the Eagles moving Reggie Brown to the Browns as part of the deal, with Cleveland taking a lesser selection of picks in conjunction with the Georgia alum. If Brown's career stats as an Eagle were mapped onto a graph, he'd be rapidly sliding down the wrong end of a bell curve at this point, having already reached the pinnacle with a 46-reception, 816-yard, 8-touchdown season in 2006. Nevertheless, he's only had four years of NFL experience, and could have a nice renaissance with a change of scenery. Additionally, the Browns would likely want some sort of receiver in return, given the fact that they'd be stuck with the uncertainty of Donte Stallworth and the ageless David Patten if they jettisoned Edwards.

On the other hand, the Eagles might just hang on to all of those draft picks and see if they can land another DeSean Jackson late in the first round. In spite of a 4.35 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine in 2008, Jackson lasted well into the second round when the Eagles took him at No. 49 overall, then proceeded to make many big plays in the return game and was the team's top receiver in 2008. As it stands now, the Eagles will select No. 21 and No. 28 of the first round, and both Hakeem Nicks and Percy Harvin should be in play at that point. Nicks would provide a larger-framed target for Donovan McNabb while Harvin is more of a versatile gamebreaker, reminding Mel Kiper, Jr., of Reggie Bush, according to the latest mock draft.

 

[LitlBuck]

I would think that with 2 picks and a first-round Philadelphia could trade both of those picks and move up pretty high in the first round to get a premier WR such as Crabtree or Macklin. Saying that, I would not mind seeing the Browns get Reggie Brown and one of the Eagles first rounders for Edwards.

I really don't want to blow up the team but we have a few players that might interest other teams and we could fill some holes on defense and offense with some younger talent.

I really think that the Browns need to get rid of one of the QB's before the season starts because it was just lead to team disharmony. I have to believe that they have some idea who would be the best QB for their system and we can always pick up a veteran QB if everything else fails. There are just so many other needs.

I would not want to get rid of Rogers because without him we have no DL at all but if we can get some draft choices we can fill some holes in the DB and possibly get a decent RB and WRs. I think we are set on the OL.
I really don't see how we can compare last season to the season before with the strength of schedule and all the injuries that we had last year.

 

[3074326]

I think Brown can be a solid to good #2 guy, but not the guy. I think he'd be a good addition to the team regardless, at this point. As long as there's a first round pick involved, that is. But I'm not sure other teams will be willing to part with a first rounder and a #2 WR for Braylon.

Rogers should be moved for nothing less than a first and a starter IMO. He's one of the top four or five DTs in the league and can really dominate. I know that's a high price for anyone possibly on the block, but I don't think he should be traded. :p

 

[NFBuck]

Rogers should be moved for nothing less than a first and a starter IMO. He's one of the top four or five DTs in the league and can really dominate. I know that's a high price for anyone possibly on the block, but I don't think he should be traded. :p

Unfortunately, he's also a head case with a history of sulking and letting himself go...

 

[OH10]

I may be alone here, but I don't want to move Edwards. The reason we brought in Mangini was because he was supposed to be tough enough to discipline guys like Braylon. I'd like to see EM earn his paycheck and light a fire under the most talented player on the team. (yeah, I said it)

 

[3074326]

Unfortunately, he's also a head case with a history of sulking and letting himself go...

Maybe trading him and drafting Raji would be the best option. Still think they should demand a lot for Rogers.

 

[Buckrock]

I think to key to BE is does he want to play in Cleveland and can they discuss a reasonable contract with him and his agent. If not, i say ship him.

I am not in favor of shipping Rogers. He is our best DL and along with Jackson our best defensive player. I would also trade DA and bring in Losman or Boller as a back up. We should also draft a QB in the later rounds.

Its' time to see what BQ can do at QB.

 

[billmac91]

I may be alone here, but I don't want to move Edwards. The reason we brought in Mangini was because he was supposed to be tough enough to discipline guys like Braylon. I'd like to see EM earn his paycheck and light a fire under the most talented player on the team. (yeah, I said it)

my thoughts exactly....Edwards will never have the best hands in the league, but he sure earjned his paycheck in 2007.

I don't think the level of competition last year caused him to drop wide open balls, and deep post patterns. All mental.

 

[Buckeneye]

I don't like the thought of trading either before the season, especially with the injuries we had. Would you really be comfortable putting Boller under center should DA/BQ go down?

DA had an amazing 2007, I don't see why he can't repeat. I think him not having to worry about BQ nipping at his ass could do him a world of good.

That said, I like what I saw from Brady in the limited time. So if this is indeed a true open competition, then hopefully the best man comes out on top.

 

[NightmaresDad]

I may be alone here, but I don't want to move Edwards. The reason we brought in Mangini was because he was supposed to be tough enough to discipline guys like Braylon. I'd like to see EM earn his paycheck and light a fire under the most talented player on the team. (yeah, I said it)

You know, if BE would show just one ounce, just one molecule of toughness, then I would be open to changing my mind about him. But from everything I have seen, including college, he is soft as warm butter and always will be.

my thoughts exactly....Edwards will never have the best hands in the league, but he sure earjned his paycheck in 2007.

I don't think the level of competition last year caused him to drop wide open balls, and deep post patterns. All mental.

It's not a matter of hands. Look at all the excellent catches he comes down with when he's one-on-one with a guy on the sidelines and just has to go up and take it away from the guy without worrying about getting hit.
It's all about being a softie from TSUN who loses focus on the catch because he's looking for the hit.
Crap, if you're going over the middle, you're going to get hit whether you catch it or not, so why not go ahead and catch it?
There isn't one single Hines Ward gene in his whole DNA, that's for sure.

 

[LitlBuck]

Good news on Rogers

Cleveland.com

Shaun Rogers working out in Browns complex
by Mary Kay Cabot
Tuesday March 24, 2009, 7:28 PM

Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers is participating in the Browns off-season program this week after skipping last week's opening sessions while he resolved his differences with coach Eric Mangini.

Raw video of the Browns off-season program at clevelandbrowns.com Tuesday shows Rogers being greeted enthusiastically by teammates such as fellow defensive lineman Robaire Smith, who is coming back from a ruptured Achilles tendon that caused him to miss most of last season.

See the video


Rogers is seen shaking hands with another teammate before starting his workout. The video comes a day after Browns General Manager George Kokinis said at the NFL owner's meetings that Rogers and Mangini had a "good conversation." He also said, "The communication is ongoing now and I think that's being cleaned up."

Kokinis said Rogers intended to fulfill "his contractual obligations," and that "whatever weight" he wanted to play at was fine with Kokinis because he dominated last season.

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[LitlBuck]

Keeps this guy away from Berea

Cleveland.com

New name in Cleveland Browns QB mix: Brett Favre
by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter
Wednesday March 25, 2009, 9:46 AM

POINT, Calif. -- Just what the Browns need -- a new name to consider in the quarterback picture.
Brett Favre?
Relax. Not as a player, but as a training camp "visitor."

Browns coach Eric Mangini told Gary Myers of the New York Daily News that he has exchanged text messages with the former Packers great and one-time Jets would-be savior. Mangini wants to gauge Favre's interest in stopping by Berea this summer.

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he would be nothing more than a distraction IMO

 

[LitlBuck]

Not to replace Cribbs

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns to work out W.Va. QB White
by By Mary Kay Cabot
Tuesday March 24, 2009, 4:46 PM

The Browns will conduct a private workout Wednesday at West Virginia with Mountaineers quarterback Pat White, an NFL source said.

White, a second-round projection in the NFL draft according to NFL Network's Mike Mayock, is viewed by a handful of teams as a quarterback but more as a wide receiver/halfback/returner in the mold of a Josh Cribbs or Antwan Randle El.

White, one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft, could be available to the Browns with either of their two second-round picks, the 36th overall or the 50th.

It's not yet known if the Browns are looking at White as a quarterback or more of a Wildcat-style tailback. Perhaps they're viewing him as an alternative to Cribbs, who's seeking a lucrative new contract.
White (6-1, 197) has also had private workouts with the Patriots and Broncos.

White's stock has risen this offseason after being named MVP of the Senior Bowl and testing well at the NFL Combine, where he was fastest among all quarterbacks with a 4.55 time in the 40 and tops with a 35-inch vertical jump.

White said at the Senior Bowl that he'd love to remain a quarterback, but that he's open to switching positions. His Mountaineers coach Bill Stewart, recently assured USA Today, "this guy can play quarterback.''
In other prospect news, three draft eligible players will visit the Browns in mid-April. They are USC linebacker Clay Matthews, son of the former Browns linebacker; Louisville center Eric Wood; and Tennessee cornerback DeAngelo Willingham. Willingham will visit April 14th and 15th after a stop in Jacksonville.

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