Cleveland Browns 2011 Super Awesome In-Season Thread

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bases_loaded's avatar
bases_loaded
Posts: 6,912
May 12, 2011 9:13am
Jesus Christ...who gives a fuck. As long as hes working hard on the field, catching TDs and winning, could give a fuck who he cheers for in the NBA. Not everyone can be Haden.
mucalum49's avatar
mucalum49
Posts: 1,639
May 12, 2011 11:43am
I liked his tweet today about watching the Brady 6 and that he has the Little 5 on his mind already.
Writerbuckeye's avatar
Writerbuckeye
Posts: 4,745
May 12, 2011 11:50am
This little episode only shows how unaware Little is, coming into his new city.

I'll cut him some slack at this point, because I really don't care, either, if he wants to root for a front-running piece of shit named LeBron. I just want him to be successful and productive ON THE FIELD in Cleveland.

I'm betting when this whole NFL mess is settled, he'll get more consistent advice from an agent who will (hopefully) keep the "diva" episodes to a minimum -- even though I realize this is what you get with a lot of these types of athletes.
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
May 12, 2011 11:52am
Saw a guy wearing a Browns jersey yesterday (rare considering the location and the fact that it's not football season). I almost said something to him like Go Browns etc.. until I noticed that it was a Derek fucking Anderson jersey. SMH.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 12, 2011 11:54am
Writerbuckeye;766367 wrote:This little episode only shows how unaware Little is, coming into his new city.

Exactly. Do a little research (Little). Pinkston already says he "hates Miami and will be giving his Steelers gear to Goodwill." No need to ruffle the feathers of a (pretty unstable to begin with) fan base.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 12, 2011 11:55am
Commander of Awesome;766371 wrote:Saw a guy wearing a Browns jersey yesterday (rare considering the location and the fact that it's not football season). I almost said something to him like Go Browns etc.. until I noticed that it was a Derek fucking Anderson jersey. SMH.

I offered to give a shirtless, homeless guy my Charlie Frye jersey in the dead of winter........he passed.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 12, 2011 7:24pm
Cleveland Browns' second players-only camp helped them get head start on season, says quarterback Colt McCoy

Published: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 3:31 PM Updated: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 3:37 PM
Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND -- Browns quarterback Colt McCoy said the second player-organized camp, which wrapped up today at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, has given the offensive players a good head start on the new West Coast scheme.

"The West Coast offense takes time to learn and develop, but we're way ahead of the game by doing this,'' said McCoy after working out at B-W's Finnie Stadium. "You need coaches around while you're learning it, but aside from that, I feel really comfortable coaching it and talking about it.''

The camp was a three-day session at Baldwin-Wallace that included film study, weightlifting and on-field drills. About a dozen or so offensive players attended, including quarterback Jake Delhomme, receivers Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, Josh Cribbs, Carlton Mitchell and Jordan Norwood, and tight ends Ben Watson and rookie Jordan Cameron.

Cornerback Joe Haden also made a cameo appearance today.

"We got a lot of good work in, we really did,'' said McCoy, who hosted the first camp last month at the University of Texas. "We watched a lot of tape, did a lot of inside study work. We were out here on the field for a couple of hours every day. We went to the Indians game (Wednesday night) and had a good time, but it's a work trip, not a fun trip.''

That's one of the reasons McCoy declined interview requests for the first two days.

"We appreciate all the respect and everyone just letting us work,'' he said.

Robiskie, who also attended the first session, said they've been beneficial.

"Anytime you can get with the guys you're playing with, spend time with those guys, with the quarterbacks and receivers, it's going to be good,'' said Robiskie. "It's better than guys being on their own. It's been hard (with the lockout). Anytime we can get together and try to get that team feel back, it's a good thing.''

Robiskie said he's picking up the West Coast offense.

"We're just trying to hear the language of it, we're hearing the calls as they would come in the huddle and we're familiarizing ourselves with it and hopefully we can just keep it going,'' said Robiskie. "We'll wrap it up and see what happens with this lockout and proceed accordingly.''

McCoy said the sessions are important regardless of the NFL lockout and that he'd like to do them every year. He declined to reveal what the players have planned next.

"This kind of stuff away from the facility, away from coaches, this stuff is good,'' said McCoy. "With everybody living everywhere right now, for everybody to be committed to coming back into town, it was good. The weather worked out perfect for us and everything was great.''

McCoy said it was great to have fellow quarterback Jake Delhomme around, especially because he's well-versed in the West Coast offense. It also gave the veteran players a chance to work with some of the younger guys, including Cameron.

"It's a really good group of guys,'' said McCoy.

He said the sessions have helped the players get primed for the season despite the lockout.

"There's just a lot of excitement in the air in general right now,'' said McCoy. "We've got new coaches, a new system, and we've got a lot of new faces upstairs leading the Browns. So all of us want to carry our load and we all understand that 5-11 is not good and that's not what we're looking for and that's not acceptable. That's why we're doing this.''

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/05/cleveland_browns_second_player.html
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Sonofanump
May 12, 2011 8:51pm
BR1986FB;766378 wrote:I offered to give a shirtless, homeless guy my Charlie Frye jersey in the dead of winter........he passed.

Next time your 90 minutes west on 224 and drop it off there. They will take it.
royal_k's avatar
royal_k
Posts: 4,423
May 12, 2011 9:48pm
Sonofanump;766938 wrote:Next time your 90 minutes west on 224 and drop it off there. They will take it.

Flashes country. I graduated 10 miles west of there.
Ty Webb's avatar
Ty Webb
Posts: 2,798
May 12, 2011 11:13pm
BR1986FB;764399 wrote:Via Peter King's Twitter...

SI_PeterKing Peter King
RT @AlexRJones: How many years until the Browns are considered a legit playoff contender? ... If Colt's good, this year.

They won't be a contender until they get a true starting QB
DeyDurkie5's avatar
DeyDurkie5
Posts: 11,324
May 12, 2011 11:22pm
Ty Webb;767059 wrote:They won't be a contender until they get a true starting QB

let me guess, you feel broncos should start tebow?
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 13, 2011 4:58am
The Jauron Effect


By Dave Kolonich
OBR Reporter
Posted May 12, 2011

A look back at Dick Jauron's past defenses could help predict part of the Browns' future.

For Browns fans still lusting after a high-profile head coach, last January’s hiring of Pat Shumur could have left much to be desired. In terms of overall coaching experience, Shurmur’s career has been built by years of working with quarterbacks before emerging as St. Louis’ offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. However, in a direct contrast to Shurmur’s mostly novice credentials, the team’s new defensive coordinator, Dick Jauron, boasts a wealth of NFL experience.

In making both hires, Team President Mike Holmgren likely saw visions of his past. In some respects, Shurmur is essentially traveling down the same path Holmgren took as a young assistant to Bill Walsh, before leading the Packers to two Super Bowls. Regarding his veteran hire, Holmgren is simply pointing to a time that included Jauron as first a young Green Bay assistant and later as a rival coach in Chicago.

While Shurmur was hired on based on his potential, Jauron easily serves as a more proven commodity. This point can’t be lost on either Holmgren or Browns fans, as Shurmur will become the head man in Cleveland, while also calling the team’s offensive plays on game days. Because of this, Jauron’s vast coaching experience cannot be underestimated, as he now virtually assumes all control of the Browns’ defense.

Jauron’s record as a head coach could be considered marginal, as he has been fired in two NFL cities. Yet, the former Bears and Bills head coach does boast an AP coach of the year award in 2001, along with proving to be a hot coaching candidate for a number of jobs after the close of last season. Perhaps more importantly to the Browns’ immediate interests, Jauron’s defenses have proven to be effective in two key areas that have long been critical weaknesses in Cleveland.

In viewing Jauron’s most successful years in Chicago and Buffalo along with his time as defensive coordinator in Detroit, an encouraging trend emerges regarding both run defense and putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Jauron’s 2001 Bears allowed a league-leading 203 points, which sparked the team to a surprise 13-3 record. In the middle of the Bears’ defense were mammoth veteran tackles Keith Traylor and Ted Washington, who effectively swallowed up the interior blocking of opposing teams. Bigger defensive ends such as Phillip Daniels and Bryan Robinson were capable in both run defense and on passing downs. The combination of Daniels and outside linebacker Roosevelt Colvin contributed a combined 19.5 sacks.

In Detroit, a similar pattern ensued as some 700 lbs. of Shaun Rogers and Dan Wilkinson manned the inside tackle spots, while the bullish Cory Redding and James Hall flanked the interior wall. Hall managed a career-best 11.5 sacks as the Lions experienced a slight team turnaround. Jauron’s Buffalo debut saw the Bills’ Aaron Schobel register 15.5 sacks, while the likes of Kyle Williams, Larry Tripplett, Chris Kelsay and a veteran core of linebackers dramatically improve what was a tattered defense.

Jauron’s history indicates that all of his defenses improved in their first year under his helm. Chicago’s defense became a powerhouse unit, while both Detroit and Buffalo allowed upwards of 50 fewer points during Jauron’s first season as coach. As for the blueprint for Jauron’s initial success, each of these teams featured some massive bulk at the defensive tackle positions, along with one run-stopping defensive end and another more geared to rush the quarterback. Filling in the gaps of Jauron’s various front seven alignments were veteran linebackers such as Warrick Holdman, Earl Holmes, London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes.

Arriving in Cleveland, Jauron faces another impressive challenge, as the Browns are transitioning from six years of a 3-4 system into a more traditional 4-3 defense. Already, some of the pieces for Jauron’s newest project have been procured. The Browns’ recent draft heavily emphasized the team’s fractured defensive front seven, as first-round pick Phil Taylor and second-round selection Jabaal Sheard figure to become instant starters in Jauron’s new defense.

Along with Taylor and Sheard, fourth-year defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin should help to solidify the team’s interior core, while veteran linebackers Scott Fujita, D’Qwell Jackson and Chris Gocong remain from last year’s roster. The tenuous possibility of free agency could also see the arrival of more front seven help.

Although it’s mere speculation at this point, it’s intriguing to think of how these current pieces could fit under Jauron’s guidance.

Taylor and Rubin appear to have similar skills at defensive tackle, yet Jauron’s system offers a bit of flexibility. In a more one-gap type of system, Taylor figures to assume the kind of land mass run stopper role previously held by the likes of Washington, Wilkinson and Williams. Rubin would appear to play more of the attacking, up the field sort of lineman – which would be a departure from his work in Eric Mangini and Rob Ryan’s base 3-4 scheme.

At defensive end, the Browns’ lack of depth is striking. Currently, the untested Sheard would have to be penciled as a starter, while a player such as Marcus Benard likely attempts to convert into an every down end. Although 2010 Browns such as Matt Roth, Brian Schaefering and the mysterious Jayme Mitchell could become a temporary answer, this is a position that is far from unsettled.

In fact, the likelihood of Benard successfully making a transition to a four-man front is doubtful at best. While certainly talented, Benard is very much a work in progress as an NFL player. However, Jauron’s defenses have featured both a grinder and pass rusher in the past. At the moment, Sheard appears more suited to complementing the team’s run defense, rather than becoming a pass rushing force. The prospects of landing a premiere pass rusher will likely rank high on the team’s 2012 wish list.

At linebacker, the team’s current options certainly fit the veteran mold that has framed Jauron’s past units. Fujita will again anchor the team’s linebackers, joining a likely starting unit that includes Gocong inside and a returning Jackson at the weakside spot. Of course, health is the key in this area, as Fujita missed half of the 2010 season, while Jackson has suffered pectoral injuries in two consecutive seasons.

Yet, Jauron’s initial success in Buffalo was largely shaped by the veteran talents of Spikes, Fletcher and Angelo Crowell. The Browns’ current linebacking trio is somewhat reminiscent of these three players, at least in terms of size and range. When healthy, Fujita was the Browns’ best defender in 2010, while Jackson easily covered the most ground before his injury problems occurred. The wildcard here has to be Gocong, who should at least benefit from playing behind the newly-built wall in front of him.

Of course with anything relating to the Browns, time will tell. The 2011 version of the Browns’ defense is nothing short of inconclusive at this point, simply based on the makeup of the current roster. A small leap of faith is needed to predict full healthy seasons from Fujita and Jackson, along with the progression of two rookies and Benard.

Obviously, some free agent moves are needed to shore up depth all over the defensive front seven. Regardless of the scheme in place, the Browns’ defense has suffered for nearly a decade thanks to simply being worn out as the seasons progress. The 2010 case of Ahtyba Rubin delivered a powerful testimony of this unfortunate reality, along with the parade of undrafted free agents who littered the team’s starting lineups last December.

However, with a few key pieces in place, 2011 could mark the beginning of yet another defensive turnaround helmed by Jauron. Ideally, the team’s defensive backfield will be more settled this coming season and the prospects of more draft help in 2012 at least provide some hope.

As for now, at least it looks like a plan is in place.

http://cle.scout.com/2/1071737.html
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 13, 2011 5:04am
DeyDurkie5;767064 wrote:let me guess, you feel broncos should start tebow?

No shit. I don't hold much value in the opinion of someone who thinks Teblow is going to be a legit NFL QB.
derek bomar's avatar
derek bomar
Posts: 3,722
May 13, 2011 7:40am
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Sonofanump
May 13, 2011 7:51am
royal_k;766999 wrote:Flashes country. I graduated 10 miles west of there.

Tigers?
royal_k's avatar
royal_k
Posts: 4,423
May 13, 2011 8:21am
Sonofanump;767210 wrote:Tigers?

Yeah...Seneca East
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 13, 2011 8:27am
royal_k;767235 wrote:Yeah...Seneca East

We went up against Seneca East in track. I believe they had a relay that we attended.
OneBuckeye's avatar
OneBuckeye
Posts: 5,888
May 13, 2011 8:37am
I reported derek's offensive post. Everyone else should too. Don't need to cunt up this thread any more.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 13, 2011 8:38am
OneBuckeye;767258 wrote:I reported derek's offensive post. Everyone else should too. Don't need to cunt up this thread any more.

This is true. We don't need any Tebow "fans" over here breaking into "It's Raining Men."
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 13, 2011 9:23am
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
May 13, 2011 9:29am
lol at the Broncos if they really start Quinn.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 13, 2011 9:43am
Commander of Awesome;767303 wrote:lol at the Broncos if they really start Quinn.

I'm surprised Quinn & Tebow haven't hooked up to form a new Village People.
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Sonofanump
May 13, 2011 9:53am
Well, somebody has to start.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 13, 2011 10:01am
Sonofanump;767328 wrote:Well, somebody has to start.

If they are looking to "win now", Orton would be the best choice, imo.
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Sonofanump
May 13, 2011 10:09am
BR1986FB;767344 wrote:If they are looking to "win now", Orton would be the best choice, imo.

Yeah, the problem is that all three kinda lye on the border between serviceable starter and quality backup.