killer_ewok;830993 wrote:LOL

Royal-Cool. Wasn't sure who took it seriously.

BR-Anybody you think will be on the Browns' radar regarding an additional RB?

Noel Devine is available, but wouldn't be dependable I don't think if Hardesty went down. DeAngelo Williams is a FA, but is probably going to want to be paid like a starter. If I were Cleveland, maybe they can put something together for a back like Steve Slaton. He has fumbling issues, but there's no denying his talent.

OhioStatePride2003;831004 wrote:If I were Cleveland, maybe they can put something together for a back like Steve Slaton. He has fumbling issues, but there's no denying his talent.

I had mentioned Slaton awhile back on this thread. He's rotting on the bench in Houston after a nice rookie season. Could just be a change of scenery thing for him?

BR1986FB;831013 wrote:I had mentioned Slaton awhile back on this thread. He's rotting on the bench in Houston after a nice rookie season. Could just be a change of scenery thing for him?

I don't know if it's even that. He had a nice rookie season. Had a rough sophomore season (which most do after a taste of sucess), and then you had Arian Foster come out of no where. The only problem I see is if Houston realizes there's value in his talent and ask for something rediculous in return. But like you said, he's rottin' on that bench. Oh how I wish we still had Harrison. Harrison packaged with whatever for Slaton, makes more since than Harrison for Bell. Puke.

If we still had Harrison, I don't think we would need to look elsewhere. He would be a good change of pace to Hillis and Hardesty.

royal_k;831019 wrote:If we still had Harrison, I don't think we would need to look elsewhere. He would be a good change of pace to Hillis and Hardesty.

Very true. Oh so true.

grodt;831001 wrote:I'll be honest, I want my fullbacks to be a little fucked up in the head.

Like that stupid Owen dude from West Virginia who was always head butting shit. Need a crazy fucker like the guy in my avatar.

BR1986FB;831013 wrote:I had mentioned Slaton awhile back on this thread. He's rotting on the bench in Houston after a nice rookie season. Could just be a change of scenery thing for him?

I've always liked Slaton's game. Would love to see him or Michael Bush in a Browns uni.

BR1986FB;831023 wrote:Like that stupid Owen dude from West Virginia who was always head butting shit. Need a crazy fucker like the guy in my avatar.

Browns need a crazy fucker like that now that Vickers is probably on his way out. I really wanted the Browns to go after Henderson for pretty much that reason.

[video=youtube;ruh4_xud37c][/video]

[video=youtube;Qa1lY--7H-g][/video]

BR1986FB;831003 wrote:I'd like to see them go after Sproles but I don't think that's happening. I could see them grabbing a UDFA like Noel Devine though as a speed back. Someone smaller & shiftier who can catch passes because I have a feeling they will be throwing A LOT.

OhioStatePride2003;831004 wrote:Noel Devine is available, but wouldn't be dependable I don't think if Hardesty went down. DeAngelo Williams is a FA, but is probably going to want to be paid like a starter. If I were Cleveland, maybe they can put something together for a back like Steve Slaton. He has fumbling issues, but there's no denying his talent.

Makes sense based on what they already have at the position.

Late 2nd quarter...Cleveland Gladiators- 39 Pittsburgh Power- 21

BR1986FB;831339 wrote:Late 2nd quarter...Cleveland Gladiators- 39 Pittsburgh Power- 21

Sign of things to come.

Gladiators win the East over Pittsburgh 67-55...

royal_k;831369 wrote:Sign of things to come.

Hopefully...

Sounds like the Browns should have anywhere from $35-50 million that they will HAVE to spend (rough numbers) just to meet the floor. This team may be competitive whether they want to or not.

BR1986FB;831573 wrote:Gladiators win the East over Pittsburgh 67-55...

Saw the game. A lot of Pittsburgh fans in the crowd.
Well officiated game. Pretty cool to have the referee explain the replay process.

BR1986FB;831816 wrote:Sounds like the Browns should have anywhere from $35-50 million that they will HAVE to spend (rough numbers) just to meet the floor. This team may be competitive whether they want to or not.

I think FA will turn out to be quite interesting.

All it would take is a half dozen very good signings -- and this team would present a big challenge for everyone they play. Of course, some of that money better be going to secure the veterans they want to keep as the core of this team.

Writerbuckeye;831951 wrote:All it would take is a half dozen very good signings -- and this team would present a big challenge for everyone they play. Of course, some of that money better be going to secure the veterans they want to keep as the core of this team.

Yep. A good DE (Edwards or Charles Johnson), two solid/starting linebackers (Puz, Greenway or Tulloch...prefer Tulloch), a RT (Clabo), a FS, another corner and either a change of pace RB or a solid WR (Amendola...fits the system/good hands) and there's your "half dozen."

They obviously wouldn't get all of those guys but a few would be nice. Hell, with the money they have to throw around they could probably make a play for Asomugha, but I doubt he'd come here.

Priority #1 is to lock up Joe Thomas. I'd hold off extending Hillis until he proves he's the real deal.

A little rookie salary cap info mixed in at the bottom. Wow is Newton going to take a major paycut from Bradford's numbers...

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' leaders, Cleveland State's revamped hoops roster and trade targets for the Tribe

Published: Saturday, July 16, 2011, 11:49 PM
The Plain Dealer By Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There's never a lockout in Northeast Ohio when it comes to weekend opinions about local teams.

About the Browns...

1. No one has talked about it, but the four "Camp Colts" could have been a disaster for quarterback Colt McCoy. After all, who is McCoy to try and organize and run practices? He's started eight games, been in the NFL for one season. But the young Browns quarterback pulled it off, and gained even more respect from his teammates. Rather than come across as bossy, he was quietly confident and communicated a lot with the players in between each camp so that they had a sense of working together.

2. Working in McCoy's favor are the ages of the receivers and running backs. Everyone is young. Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi were 2009 second-round picks. Greg Little was a second-rounder this season. Joshua Cribbs is a veteran, but he just wants to do the right thing and win games. He helped set up the camp at Kent State, his alma mater.

3. Also attending some of the camps were Carlton Mitchell and Jordan Norwood, two young receivers liked by General Manager Tom Heckert. Some in the Browns' front office think Mitchell could be a surprise contributor in the new offense because he runs very well after making the catch.

4. Am I thrilled to hear Little had 93 parking tickets on five different cars when he was at North Carolina? Or that some of the cars ticketed included a BMW, Acura and Nissan -- according to the Charlotte Observer? It does not mean Little is a bad guy. It does mean the Browns have to watch his sense of entitlement. He became a second-round pick despite being suspended (for taking gifts from an agent and supplying false information to the NCAA). The Browns need to make sure Little earns his playing time, because a lot has been handed to him in the past.

5. As for the running backs at Camp Colt, Peyton Hills was drafted in 2008, Montario Hardesty was drafted in 2010. Hillis and McCoy also have become close friends. The tight ends are Ben Watson, Evan Moore and rookie Jordan Cameron. This is Watson's eighth season, but like Cribbs, he's a good guy who wants to buy into the program. Cameron has made an impression with his leaping ability and athleticism.

6. While some offensive linemen have shown up for the various camps, not a lot can be done on the field with them. There is no blocking and tackling. Most of the work on offense is running pass patterns from the new West Coast playbook.

7. Seneca Wallace was at some camps, but not this one. The other quarterback was Jarret Brown, who started for West Virginia in 2009. He is known as a runner, but Brown did start 15 games as a senior in mostly a pro-style offense. The Mountaineers were 11-4 in those games, he completed 63 percent of his passes and became the school's first quarterback to throw for more than 2,000 yards since Marc Bulger in 1998. He backed up Patrick White until 2009.

8. Brown was not drafted in 2010. Part of the reason is he had only 11 TD passes, compared to nine interceptions. He also lost six fumbles. He is 6-3, so he has decent size -- but 20 of his passes were batted down. But the Browns were intrigued enough to sign him on Jan. 11. Brown did open the 2010 season on the 49ers, but was cut. Maybe he is the young quarterback that team president Mike Holmgren says he likes to bring in each season for a tryout.

9. There are more veterans on defense, which is why it was wise for Scott Fujita to be the point man in bringing those guys to camp. Fujita is respected because he's headed into his 10th season, played in a Super Bowl and also has been a key guy in the labor talks. He also received help from Sheldon Brown -- another key veteran. Brown said he had rotator cuff surgery at the end of the season, but is optimistic about his shoulder being healthy this year.

10. This is a big IF, but if Robaire Smith is correct when he says his back injuries are behind him, that could be a major boost to the defensive line. The 33-year-old Smith can play in either the 3-4 or 4-3 offense, and can play end. So the new Browns line would have Smith and rookie Jabaal Sheard at the ends, rookie Phil Taylor and veteran Ahtyba Rubin at the tackles. Marcus Benard can be a pass-rushing end, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns signed another veteran defensive linemen.

About the rookie salary cap...

1. The best thing about the coming NFL labor settlement is a rookie salary cap. Under the new agreement, No. 1 pick Cam Newton will receive $22 million over four years, with a player option for a fifth season. Last year's top pick -- Sam Bradford -- signed a 6-year, $78 million deal, with $50 million guaranteed.

2. It appears rookie salaries will be cut between 50-75 percent, which is not just good for the owners, but also the league. One of the toughest situations for coaches and veteran players is when a rookie walks into the dressing room as the team's highest-paid player -- before he played a single snap. That was the case on the Browns with Joe Haden (2010), Joe Thomas (2007), Braylon Edwards (2005), Kellen Winslow (2004), Gerard Warren (2001) and Tim Couch (1999). The only reason Courtney Brown didn't make the make the list in 2000 is Couch was paid so much in 1999.

3. The outrageous salaries given to rookies chewed up salary cap room that could have been given to veteran. Thankfully, the players figured that out and didn't turn this issue into a deal breaker.

4. The rookie salaries also made it hard to trade top draft picks. Many teams didn't want to trade picks or veteran players to move way up in the draft -- and into a messy contract situation.

5. This also should cut down on the rookie holdouts, which always are destructive to the team and player.

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/07/terry_plutos_talkin_about_the_34.html

Fantastic news about the rookie wage scale. Thats been an issue for a long time now.

Here is some hilariousness for you today. Couldn't find a Bengals offseason thread.

**Tress-Gruden combo? … Let’s all remember the House is a place where rumors can live. Like this one: We told you last week two NFL team had contacted Jim Tressel about possibly taking on a front office position, according to a source.

Well, here is a new one we heard about Tress and possible post-OSU employment. According to a source, it sounds like Tress has been hanging out recently with none other than the face of the Fired Football Coaches Association, Jon Gruden. And at least one professional franchise has a vision of keeping these two together … long-term.

Yes, our source said there have been rumblings that if things don’t work out with Marvin Lewis and the Bengals this season (insert joke here), the team would make a run at hiring Gruden as head coach and Tressel to be a high-ranking management member. It does make some sense. Jon Gruden’s brother, Jay Gruden, will embark on his first season as Bengals offensive coordinator if/when the NFL lockout ends. Jon Gruden has strong Ohio ties, spending a portion of his childhood in Sandusky and then playing for Division III powerhouse Dayton in college.

Plus, Marvin Lewis only re-upped for one season. Makes you think

http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Article/Boarding-House-Monday-Edition-31856

That would be awesome

Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy says he told team before Steelers game: 'If you want to be scared, be scared -- I'm not'
Published: Monday, July 18, 2011, 12:16 PM Updated: Monday, July 18, 2011, 1:48 PM
By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer


Reviews of "Growing Up Colt"
"It becomes clear that Brad McCoy was Colt’s life coach long before he was his high school football coach" (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
"This is a great book for fathers and sons to read together and discuss and wrestle with the issues that are before them." (Third Option Men)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Just received my copy of "Growing Up Colt -- A Father, a Son, a Life in Football." It's the book co-written by Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and his father, Brad.

The book is mostly a memoir of Colt's early development, of lessons taught, told in his voice and that of his father.

There are some revealing glimpses into McCoy's first season in Cleveland. Such as:

• As the season began, McCoy found it difficult to cope with a role he termed as "the forgotten man on the roster."

• McCoy was despondent when he was passed over to relieve Seneca Wallace in Game 4 against Atlanta. Wallace suffered a high ankle sprain just before the first half ended. Jake Delhomme, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Game 1, was rushed in to relieve Wallace instead.

Everyone knew Jake's ankle wasn't ready, but Coach Mangini sent him back on the field to play anyway. That sent a signal loud and clear that Coach was doing everything he could to not give me the ball.

• The next day, after Delhomme reinjured his ankle by hobbling through the second half against Atlanta, McCoy was told he would start the next game in Pittsburgh.

Ever since I reported to training camp, I had gotten the message loud and clear: Colt, you're not going to play this year. Your job is to watch and listen. When I walked into the Browns' headquarters that morning, however, I was greeted like a long-lost family member who had unexpectedly shown up at a McCoy summer reunion.

I marched into Coach Mangini's office, and he warmly greeted me and offered me a chair. 'Colt, we need to get you ready for this weekend against Pittsburgh. You're starting.'

• On the eve of his first start in Pittsburgh, McCoy stood and addressed his teammates to relieve their fears about playing the Steelers with a raw rookie at quarterback.

I know you have no idea what it's going to be like tomorrow. Everyone in here is scared stiff about a rookie going into Pittsburgh and having his firs start. If you want to be scared, be scared. I'm not scared. I'm ready to play. I'm excited. I'm fired up. This is my passion. This is what I love to do. And I can't wait to get out there and play with all you guys tomorrow.

Our game tomorrow is going to be the start of something great. Bring your all because I know I'm bringing all mine. The hay is in the barn. Let's go.

• McCoy's dad and mom, Debra, attended the game in Heinz Field with McCoy's eventual wife, Rachel. A few Steelers fans taunted them after they were identified.

"[Troy] Polamalu is going to kill your son. I wouldn't watch if I was you," Brad McCoy says one person called. "You better hope Colt's life insurance is paid up today," he says another taunted.

• After McCoy acquitted himself well against the fired-up Pittsburgh defense, Steelers fans were more respectful.

One said to the family, "No rookie has ever come in here and done this," Brad McCoy writes.

Another said, "Your son is unbelievable!"

• McCoy was encouraged by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after the game, won by Pittsburgh, 28-10.

McCoy writes that Roethlisberger said, "Great job. I thought you played well today. Keep your head up. You're going to be a great player."

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/07/pittsburgh_steelers_fans_taunt.html

Commander of Awesome;833339 wrote: McCoy was encouraged by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after the game, won by Pittsburgh, 28-10.

McCoy writes that Roethlisberger said, "Great job. I thought you played well today. Keep your head up. You're going to be a great player." "You got a nice ass. Why don't you come over here behind the bleachers and let me show ya something."

Fixed

BR1986FB;833361 wrote:Fixed

LMAO

I Do like this guy. I saw an interview with him on STO last night. He's a winner, and he will prove it.