Cleveland Browns 2011 Super Awesome In-Season Thread

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OhioStatePride2003
Posts: 686
Aug 31, 2011 4:21pm
Commander of Awesome;878587 wrote:5. no
4. unlikely
3.no
2.no
1. doubt it

I like the optimism though.
Easy guys, they were BOLD predictions. I pointed that out 2-3 times in the article. Isn't it okay to dream?
se-alum's avatar
se-alum
Posts: 13,948
Aug 31, 2011 4:57pm
Info on Steinbach surgery.
jackbechta jack bechta



Great news on Client Browns G Eric Steinbach. Small unattached fragment removed, no structural damage and full recovery is expected
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Aug 31, 2011 7:34pm
OhioStatePride2003;878606 wrote:Easy guys, they were BOLD predictions. I pointed that out 2-3 times in the article. Isn't it okay to dream?
I thought you were expecting to catch a lot of heat? :laugh:
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OhioStatePride2003
Posts: 686
Aug 31, 2011 7:55pm
BR1986FB;878704 wrote:I thought you were expecting to catch a lot of heat? :laugh:
I forget how easily sarcasm goes unnoticed here. :) They were just thoughts that popped in my head and I posted 'em. It's okay! Haha.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Aug 31, 2011 7:57pm
It's all good. I hope every prediction comes true. I do think that McCoy will throw for well over 3000 yards.
Writerbuckeye's avatar
Writerbuckeye
Posts: 4,745
Aug 31, 2011 8:34pm
se-alum;878637 wrote:Info on Steinbach surgery.
If this is true, then the Browns totally blew it by putting him on IR so quickly. If they did not have to go in and mess with the spinal column in any way, he very well might have been able to come back fairly quickly, depending on whether they cut him open or used a scope. If they didn't cut through a lot of heavy muscle, his healing time would be very short (like 6 weeks).
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hoops23
Posts: 15,696
Aug 31, 2011 9:52pm
ESPN had an article or something about rookie WR's who could help your fantasy team.. Didn't read it, but Greg Little's picture was on the front page of the link leading to the article.
mucalum49's avatar
mucalum49
Posts: 1,639
Aug 31, 2011 10:01pm
hoops23;878815 wrote:ESPN had an article or something about rookie WR's who could help your fantasy team.. Didn't read it, but Greg Little's picture was on the front page of the link leading to the article.
Rookie Sleepers:

Greg Little

People seeing Little for the first time would be shocked that he fell to the third round. If he had gotten the game reps at North Carolina last year, he would have been a first-round talent. He's probably the most talented wideout on the roster, and the one guy who looks capable of stretching the field for the Browns, but he needs to be more consistent.

Notice the ESPN error saying he was a third rounder.
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Aug 31, 2011 10:44pm
I was already pointing out the BSPN fail when I got to the end lol.
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OhioStatePride2003
Posts: 686
Sep 1, 2011 1:26am
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Sep 1, 2011 5:30am
OhioStatePride2003;878997 wrote:I guess I'll feed the wolves again...

http://www.brownsgab.com/2011/09/01/browns-at-bears-final-preseason-game-preview/
I'm in complete disagreement with NOT giving the starters at least a series or two in this game. Watch them come out flat, like they usually do in their first game, and lose to Cincy. If a player is going to get injured, they're going to get injured, regardless of WHEN it happens.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Sep 1, 2011 5:31am
mucalum49;878828 wrote:Rookie Sleepers:

Greg Little

People seeing Little for the first time would be shocked that he fell to the third round. If he had gotten the game reps at North Carolina last year, he would have been a first-round talent. He's probably the most talented wideout on the roster, and the one guy who looks capable of stretching the field for the Browns, but he needs to be more consistent.

Notice the ESPN error saying he was a third rounder.
Most of the pundits I've read are already considering Little their #1. His size advantage is ridiculous. He should have outstanding YAC with that bulk.
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Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Sep 1, 2011 8:20am
I think his back round as a RB should help him as well. Hard to imagine a rb that is that size in HS.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Sep 1, 2011 9:00am
Who’s your 2011 breakout player for the AFC North?
.

Khaled: I’m being very liberal with the term ‘Breakout Player’ and looking at guy I think is going to take a huge leap forward in Year 2. Joe Haden. No cornerback impressed me more at times than Haden, who makes plays, has the kind of athleticism to recover from his mistakes, and is also pretty feisty in the run game. I apologize if I’ve put a curse on him, but I really see Haden as a guy who could potentially challenge Revis as the league’s top cornerback.
Ben: This is entirely dependent upon Bryant McKinnie keeping his weight and health in check but if Michael Oher plays the entire season at right tackle we could see a re-emergence of the fine offensive lineman we saw his rookie season. Just as some people are extremely right and left handed, some offensive linemen are extremely right or left footed in terms of which side of the line they can play. On the evidence we have, Oher is one of those guys and with him back at right tackle, the Ravens line will look that little bit more stable. While we’re on the subject of right tackles, Ben Roethlisberger should be ecstatic to see the return of Willie Colon to the Steelers offensive line.
Neil: Now that I’ve made a rod for my own back I’ll stick with giving you one from each team. Baltimore – right guard Marshal Yanda should hardly be news to the PFF faithful (I picked him last year too) but if all goes to plan he should be in the Pro Bowl this year (well at least our version). In Cincinnati defensive tackle Geno Atkins is now starting and that should allow him more time to show just what a good player he is, particularly when it comes to rushing the passer. Finally, I’m going obvious in both Cleveland and Pittsburgh; Joe Haden is simply the best rookie corner we’ve seen and the Steelers seem to have started another production line to add to their linebacker version with the likely ascension of Antonio Brown to add to Hines Ward and Mike Wallace at Wide Receiver.
Rick: Maybe a bit of a rooting choice here, but I think Colt McCoy sees some 2011 success as the starter in Cleveland. If the plan is tailored to suit and the run game remains the focus for opposing D’s, McCoy could quietly climb the league’s QB ladder and settle in as a legit leader for this offense.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/09/01/four-analysts-four-questions-afc-north-2/
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Sep 1, 2011 10:08am
Hearing rumors that Steve Slaton will be cut, thats a very interesting anme and a player I'd love to bring in to back up Hillis.
like_that's avatar
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Sep 1, 2011 10:36am
Commander of Awesome;879142 wrote:Hearing rumors that Steve Slaton will be cut, thats a very interesting anme and a player I'd love to bring in to back up Hillis.

Let's get some linebackers before we worry about signing some rbs. Quit banking on Hardesty getting hurt.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Sep 1, 2011 10:43am
like_that;879171 wrote:Let's get some linebackers before we worry about signing some rbs. Quit banking on Hardesty getting hurt.
I think that Hardesty will be OK and am a fan but there would be nothing wrong with Slaton in Orange & Brown. Think the guy needs a change of scenery and he's a back I'd mentioned earlier as someone I'd target.

Agree completely on the LB's though. Gocong hasn't played a down and frankly, I think his coverage "skills" are going to be a liability. Although I like Maiava's motor, he's not starting material and after that we have Brian Smith? Heckert has his work cut out for him as of 9/3.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Sep 1, 2011 11:02am
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Sep 1, 2011 11:05am
NFL Scout on NFL Today podcast who is from Shittsburgh mind you, was talking how Harrison looked terrible in the preseason thus far.
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Sep 1, 2011 11:10am
like_that;879171 wrote:Let's get some linebackers before we worry about signing some rbs. Quit banking on Hardesty getting hurt.
I was thinking Slaton could come in and play the role of Brandon Jackson. Who IMO was going to get significant playing time regardless of Hardesty. That being said, I just dont think Hardesty is that good regardless of injury. Slaton is a proven RB with success in this league. Hardesty hasn't proven jack. Let them battle it out for #2 RB behind Hillis.
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like_that
Posts: 26,625
Sep 1, 2011 11:20am
He hasn't proven "jack" because he hasn't played. How can you even determine if he is good or not? Just goes back to me saying you have held a grudge against him since he was drafted.
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Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Sep 1, 2011 11:37am
like_that;879228 wrote:Just goes back to me saying you have held a grudge against him since he was drafted.
Def true. I do hold a grudge against him. What we paid to move up for an often injured runningback pisses me off no doubt about it. I'm basing what I've seen of him from the little bit I saw him in college and the 2 preseason games. He looked terrible last preseason game. Coming back form an injury and all that I get it. However Ben Tate is also coming back from an ACL and has looked awesome for the Texans.

Like you said, the jury is still out on him and I'd love to eat my words.
like_that's avatar
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Sep 1, 2011 11:40am
Commander of Awesome;879253 wrote:Def true. I do hold a grudge against him. What we paid to move up for an often injured runningback pisses me off no doubt about it. I'm basing what I've seen of him from the little bit I saw him in college and the 2 preseason games. He looked terrible last preseason game. Coming back form an injury and all that I get it. However Ben Tate is also coming back from an ACL and has looked awesome for the Texans.

Lol at evaluating his potential off of 5 carries, but we already had this discussion. He did very well Tenn.
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OhioStatePride2003
Posts: 686
Sep 1, 2011 3:18pm
Commander of Awesome;879253 wrote:Def true. I do hold a grudge against him. What we paid to move up for an often injured runningback pisses me off no doubt about it. I'm basing what I've seen of him from the little bit I saw him in college and the 2 preseason games. He looked terrible last preseason game. Coming back form an injury and all that I get it. However Ben Tate is also coming back from an ACL and has looked awesome for the Texans.

Like you said, the jury is still out on him and I'd love to eat my words.
Not sure what two games you're talking about? Agreed, he didn't look that great against Philly, but I think that was partly due to how Shurmur played him. I still think that if the rain doesn't come, Hardesty gets a few more carries in that game.

Last preseason, he looked solid. And had 7 touches and a TD against the Bears before the injury. I think he'll be okay, but certainly has the potential to be a solid back-up. As we all know, potential doesn't mean squat in the NFL though.

As far as Slaton goes, I wrote a column early on in the offseason about who I'd like to see the Browns target at certain positions and Slaton was a player I mentioned. I'm in agreement with BR, I think he just needs a change of scenery. He had an excellent rookie year but had all sorts of problems holding onto the ball after that. That's certainly fixable though. Q. Porter and and A. Smith are going to get touches for the Browns, whether Hardesty is healthy or not. In a perfect world, Hillis, Jackson and Hardesty would be 1-2-3 on the depth chart but we are talking about the Browns here, and Porter and/or Smith worry me.

I think the team will make a move to sign some players once other teams starting reducing their roster. If Slaton is, in fact, cut from the Texans, I think Holmgren and Heckert will absolutely give him a call. He's young, is elusive and if he can hold onto the ball, an impact player at running back. We'll see.

BR - I would like to see the starters get a couple series as well. I think with the condensed offseason, we may see them play a little more than they would in a normal final preseason game, but I didn't see anything out there confirming how much playing time the starters will get.
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royal_k
Posts: 4,423
Sep 1, 2011 4:36pm
I'm also in agreement to the starters playing more in tonight's game. It's not like this team has been playing this offense and defense for the last few years. They are both new. Plus you throw in the short preseason, and they need more time.

Hardesty will be fine. He was very good in college. But I'm not against bringing in Slaton. He has talent.

Also, it sounds like the Browns screwed up by putting Steinbach on IR.