B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 18, 2011 9:43am
My biggest question on these "players only" camps is, who will be the first player to blow out their ACL?
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
May 18, 2011 9:46am
BR1986FB;772668 wrote:My biggest question on these "players only" camps is, who will be the first player to blow out their ACL?
I havent read of a Steelers players camp, I'm hoping Ben holds one and pulls a LCB (LeCharles Bentley).
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 18, 2011 9:50am
Commander of Awesome;772674 wrote:I havent read of a Steelers players camp, I'm hoping Ben holds one and pulls a LCB (LeCharles Bentley).
Ben will be holding one at Penn State but he's waiting for the incoming freshman girls to come in.
royal_k
Posts: 4,423
May 18, 2011 10:54am
BR1986FB;772676 wrote:Ben will be holding one at Penn State but he's waiting for the incoming freshman girls to come in.
Or he may be walking the halls of Findlay HS.
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 18, 2011 2:59pm
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
May 19, 2011 1:36pm
Midstate01
Posts: 14,766
May 19, 2011 1:45pm
se-alum;772600 wrote:Joe Haden is the Brandon Phillips of Cleveland.
That's a really good comparison.
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
May 20, 2011 11:29am
Pressure Point: McCoy's arm in doubtEmail Print Comments By Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.
Archive
The weather in Cleveland requires a quarterback with a strong arm. Can Colt McCoy measure up?A weekly look at a player whose performance must improve in 2011.
The Browns play in a difficult division. They have a new head coach and two new coordinators. They also have a second-year quarterback who needs all the offseason help he can get as he attempts to learn the new offensive system and get the Browns back to respectability. That is why Colt McCoy is the focus of this week's Pressure Point series.
There is a lot to like about McCoy. He won at the college level. He is intelligent, tough and scrappy. He is very accurate in the short-to-intermediate portions of the field. He moves well and kept the chains moving -- even as a rookie on an offense that was devoid of playmaking receivers. McCoy is an excellent fit in the West Coast offense, which the Browns are installing. Adding a talented, big-bodied wideout like Greg Little could certainly help the situation.
But there is also a lot to worry about with McCoy. First, he isn't the biggest or most physical quarterback around. That could be a big problem in a division featuring the Steelers and Ravens. McCoy is going to take more than his fair share of hits. But what worries me more is that McCoy doesn't have physically overwhelming tools. Many think arm strength is overrated -- and I concede that some quarterbacks do increase their arm strength at the NFL level -- but McCoy is deficient in this category. Cleveland's coaching staff will always have to manage this young quarterback. We will see a lot of rollouts, play-action and three-step drops on an offense that features a power running game. All of that is fine, and I expect McCoy to do quite well with such play calls.
But there are times when the quarterback has to be able to make big-time throws. McCoy has to be able to put the ball into a very small area, and he needs to do so with velocity. There are times when he has to throw the ball with power behind it even though his feet are not set and the throwing conditions are not favorable. In Cleveland, and in this division, the quarterback must be able to handle wind and harsh conditions late in the season -- and perhaps even into the playoffs. We know that Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco can make those throws. I don't feel confident that McCoy can.
McCoy had some good outings last season, but as Peyton Hillis broke down late in the year and the weather became more challenging, McCoy and the Browns' offense fell apart. Apologists will say that he hit the rookie wall and that this year Cleveland should have two power runners (Hillis and Montario Hardesty) to lean on throughout the season. I still contend that this is not a good match between young quarterback and the city he plays in. McCoy threw three interceptions in Week 16 against Baltimore and three interceptions in Week 17 against Pittsburgh -- both games were played in Cleveland by the lake. I don't think that was a coincidence.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6558850
Scouts Inc.
Archive
The weather in Cleveland requires a quarterback with a strong arm. Can Colt McCoy measure up?A weekly look at a player whose performance must improve in 2011.
The Browns play in a difficult division. They have a new head coach and two new coordinators. They also have a second-year quarterback who needs all the offseason help he can get as he attempts to learn the new offensive system and get the Browns back to respectability. That is why Colt McCoy is the focus of this week's Pressure Point series.
There is a lot to like about McCoy. He won at the college level. He is intelligent, tough and scrappy. He is very accurate in the short-to-intermediate portions of the field. He moves well and kept the chains moving -- even as a rookie on an offense that was devoid of playmaking receivers. McCoy is an excellent fit in the West Coast offense, which the Browns are installing. Adding a talented, big-bodied wideout like Greg Little could certainly help the situation.
But there is also a lot to worry about with McCoy. First, he isn't the biggest or most physical quarterback around. That could be a big problem in a division featuring the Steelers and Ravens. McCoy is going to take more than his fair share of hits. But what worries me more is that McCoy doesn't have physically overwhelming tools. Many think arm strength is overrated -- and I concede that some quarterbacks do increase their arm strength at the NFL level -- but McCoy is deficient in this category. Cleveland's coaching staff will always have to manage this young quarterback. We will see a lot of rollouts, play-action and three-step drops on an offense that features a power running game. All of that is fine, and I expect McCoy to do quite well with such play calls.
But there are times when the quarterback has to be able to make big-time throws. McCoy has to be able to put the ball into a very small area, and he needs to do so with velocity. There are times when he has to throw the ball with power behind it even though his feet are not set and the throwing conditions are not favorable. In Cleveland, and in this division, the quarterback must be able to handle wind and harsh conditions late in the season -- and perhaps even into the playoffs. We know that Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco can make those throws. I don't feel confident that McCoy can.
McCoy had some good outings last season, but as Peyton Hillis broke down late in the year and the weather became more challenging, McCoy and the Browns' offense fell apart. Apologists will say that he hit the rookie wall and that this year Cleveland should have two power runners (Hillis and Montario Hardesty) to lean on throughout the season. I still contend that this is not a good match between young quarterback and the city he plays in. McCoy threw three interceptions in Week 16 against Baltimore and three interceptions in Week 17 against Pittsburgh -- both games were played in Cleveland by the lake. I don't think that was a coincidence.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6558850
royal_k
Posts: 4,423
May 20, 2011 3:58pm
I guess it's up to Colt to prove them wrong.
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 20, 2011 8:42pm
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 21, 2011 8:36pm
Story of the Week - Franchise Edition
By Dave Kolonich
OBR Browns Reporter
Posted May 21, 2011
The Browns finally appear to be solidly constructing a team around a franchise quarterback, as opposed to making a quarterback the centerpiece of the rebuilding process.
It’s becoming hard to define the parameters of a week in what is slowly becoming a lost offseason for football. Considering the NFL’s labor stalemate, it’s easy to say that nothing found outside of a judge’s chambers has happened of note over the past week. In many ways, NFL days and weeks can easily be defined as the lump of time that has occurred since last April’s draft.
In our Browns’ universe, we don’t have idle distractions such as prosperous ping pong balls, new city catchphrases or the realization that competitive baseball has returned to Cleveland.
Instead, we have something far better...
From the OBR’s Insider Tap Room Forum comes this gem from Ramllov.
The list of items that is wrong with Colt McCoy is many. You can look through the various forums that discuss his problems, not tall enough, arm strength, lack of being able to make all the throws and the list goes on.
Some of the real problems you can associate with Colt McCoy are not those listed above but the following:
These problems relate to the Cleveland Browns at the time of Colt McCoy being drafted and eventually started as a rookie.
The team defense was weak. The offensive line had considerable problems on the right side of the line. There is no #1 WR. There is no experienced offensive coordinator.
The list can continue.
The majority of the Cleveland Browns fans believe they have a potential starting QB and that being Colt McCoy.
Let’s advance time and look at the Cleveland Browns on February 15th 2012.
Colt McCoy has had a year with a new offensive scheme, new offensive coordinator being the head coach. How did he do?
There are three answers.
1. He did great
2. He looked good
3. He did not play up to expectations.
What actions do the Cleveland Browns do in 2012?
Mike Holmgren, Tom Heckert and Shurmur set down and evaluate Colt McCoy. Is he the guy, can he become the guy or is he the team's long-term backup?
It is time to play the devil's advocate. Let’s say he played OK, but, they group decides to find a new starting QB in the 2012 draft.
So, say they take a QB in the 2012 draft, what is different?
The new QB can do it all, tall, fast, long, middle and short passes. This is all expected.
What else is new and different?
The team has the offensive scheme, QB guru's, head coach/offensive coordinator. The complete team has one year under the scheme and coaching. The new receivers have another year of experience. The offensive line should be complete or one player short. All items on the team are better, especially the defense.
So a new QB is going to play with the 2012 draft choices, free agent acquisitions as well as an advanced 2011 Cleveland Browns team.
So, if the New Browns plan to follow plans comparable to the Jets, Steelers, Ravens and Falcons, they can. Run the ball, play defense and special teams. This is the winning formula for developing a young NFL QB.
So, if Colt McCoy fails, which I doubt, the team should be set for the next QB.
Regarding time, Ramllov’s post can be considered eternal – at least in the sense that the author’s points will certainly outlive the current labor abyss and will no doubt linger far into 2011. What Ramllov delivered is in many respects a manifesto of sorts for what should be the end result of the Mike Holmgren/Tom Heckert regime.
======================================
As Ramllov suggests, the success of the organization will not rest on the arm of McCoy – although it certainly could from benefit from the second-year quarterback. In a more permanent sense – and in a complete departure from past regimes – the Browns finally appear to be solidly constructing a team around a franchise quarterback, as opposed to making a quarterback the centerpiece of the rebuilding process.
As for whether McCoy is this proverbial franchise quarterback – this is a question that doesn’t have to be answered at the moment.
Holmgren and Heckert’s first two Browns’ drafts offer the kind of evidence that fully supports this idea. The 2010 draft bolstered the team’s defensive backfield and added some prospects at running back, right guard and possibly wide receiver. Last month’s draft focused on the defensive line and passing game, while adding some developmental talent around the fringes of the roster. If this trend continues, look for another major team need to be filled, while the talent gap slowly begins to close.
However, since contemporary NFL teams are defined by their quarterbacks, this process will be difficult to fully assess, yet too tempting to ignore after every game in 2011. Yet, McCoy’s progression – or possible lack thereof – speaks to a still overlooked item regarding the team’s future…one that has some footing in the team’s recent past.
McCoy will not be the only quarterback drafted during Holmgren’s time in Cleveland. Read into this what you will, but the truth is that Holmgren’s history suggests an infatuation with developing young quarterbacks. No better evidence of this idea can be found than McCoy’s existence as a Brown.
McCoy has simply taken a draft term – “value” – that is usually bandied around as a cliché and actually gives it meaning. From an organizational perspective, the Browns are doing everything with McCoy that other perennial losing teams do with first-round picks. In McCoy’s case, the team is saving some 30 million dollars along with not having to operate another set of impossibly high expectations.
Of course, the catch is that the Browns aren’t risking the entire future of their franchise on McCoy. Unlike the tales of Tim Couch or JaMarcus Russell, a McCoy failure does not signal the death knell of the Browns’ franchise. To borrow again from Ramllov, a quarterback will eventually inherit a stable job with Cleveland.
In more concrete terms, what is occurring with McCoy is similar to the path taken by Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel during the brief Charlie Frye era of 2005-2006. Although there are numerous stark distinctions to be made between the Savage/Crennel duo and the current brain trust, both versions of the Browns were not close to becoming playoff caliber.
Before the token Savage “going down this road” lamentation is broken out, it’s worth noting that the 2005 and 2011 versions of the Browns are probably closer than even the most optimistic of fans can envision. After all, both Savage and Heckert’s rebuilding plans are predicated on targeting about 5-6 core team needs. Talent-wise, the current Browns probably lean slightly ahead thanks to a small core of young players. Of course, the immediacy of watching players such as Peyton Hillis, Joe Haden and Joe Thomas helps in this regard.
Either way, the path of both of these rebuilding plans will likely lead to the same place. As Frye struggled and was eventually replaced by Derek Anderson, it’s possible that McCoy gives way to a player not currently on the team’s roster.
Granted, this possible scenario won’t alleviate Browns’ fans frustrations with what has been the most unstable position in Cleveland for some two decades. In reality, none of us are sure what McCoy is capable of for one full season of football, let alone for some extended phantom future. However, to bring the discussion back to Ramllov, McCoy is clearly the first Browns’ QB of the expansion era to play under a complementary system of management and coaching.
This last point is significant, especially considering that Holmgren has delivered an offensive-minded head coach to Cleveland in the form of Pat Shurmur. While in some respects, Shurmur and McCoy’s immediate fortunes are bound together, their dynamic is not as tethered simply based on the overall rebuilding project currently being constructed.
However, in the meantime, what could unfold is McCoy thriving under a more-quarterback friendly offense. Unlike in the case of Frye, who played under three different offensive coordinators, McCoy should benefit from both Shurmur and Holmgren’s guidance and reap the rewards of a steadily improving roster of talent around him.
Or if he doesn’t, then someone else will. The moral of Ramllov’s story is timeless – the Browns have moved beyond the point of pinning their hopes on one player. Perhaps Browns’ fans should follow suit.
http://cle.scout.com/2/1073747.html
By Dave Kolonich
OBR Browns Reporter
Posted May 21, 2011
The Browns finally appear to be solidly constructing a team around a franchise quarterback, as opposed to making a quarterback the centerpiece of the rebuilding process.
It’s becoming hard to define the parameters of a week in what is slowly becoming a lost offseason for football. Considering the NFL’s labor stalemate, it’s easy to say that nothing found outside of a judge’s chambers has happened of note over the past week. In many ways, NFL days and weeks can easily be defined as the lump of time that has occurred since last April’s draft.
In our Browns’ universe, we don’t have idle distractions such as prosperous ping pong balls, new city catchphrases or the realization that competitive baseball has returned to Cleveland.
Instead, we have something far better...
From the OBR’s Insider Tap Room Forum comes this gem from Ramllov.
The list of items that is wrong with Colt McCoy is many. You can look through the various forums that discuss his problems, not tall enough, arm strength, lack of being able to make all the throws and the list goes on.
Some of the real problems you can associate with Colt McCoy are not those listed above but the following:
These problems relate to the Cleveland Browns at the time of Colt McCoy being drafted and eventually started as a rookie.
The team defense was weak. The offensive line had considerable problems on the right side of the line. There is no #1 WR. There is no experienced offensive coordinator.
The list can continue.
The majority of the Cleveland Browns fans believe they have a potential starting QB and that being Colt McCoy.
Let’s advance time and look at the Cleveland Browns on February 15th 2012.
Colt McCoy has had a year with a new offensive scheme, new offensive coordinator being the head coach. How did he do?
There are three answers.
1. He did great
2. He looked good
3. He did not play up to expectations.
What actions do the Cleveland Browns do in 2012?
Mike Holmgren, Tom Heckert and Shurmur set down and evaluate Colt McCoy. Is he the guy, can he become the guy or is he the team's long-term backup?
It is time to play the devil's advocate. Let’s say he played OK, but, they group decides to find a new starting QB in the 2012 draft.
So, say they take a QB in the 2012 draft, what is different?
The new QB can do it all, tall, fast, long, middle and short passes. This is all expected.
What else is new and different?
The team has the offensive scheme, QB guru's, head coach/offensive coordinator. The complete team has one year under the scheme and coaching. The new receivers have another year of experience. The offensive line should be complete or one player short. All items on the team are better, especially the defense.
So a new QB is going to play with the 2012 draft choices, free agent acquisitions as well as an advanced 2011 Cleveland Browns team.
So, if the New Browns plan to follow plans comparable to the Jets, Steelers, Ravens and Falcons, they can. Run the ball, play defense and special teams. This is the winning formula for developing a young NFL QB.
So, if Colt McCoy fails, which I doubt, the team should be set for the next QB.
Regarding time, Ramllov’s post can be considered eternal – at least in the sense that the author’s points will certainly outlive the current labor abyss and will no doubt linger far into 2011. What Ramllov delivered is in many respects a manifesto of sorts for what should be the end result of the Mike Holmgren/Tom Heckert regime.
======================================
As Ramllov suggests, the success of the organization will not rest on the arm of McCoy – although it certainly could from benefit from the second-year quarterback. In a more permanent sense – and in a complete departure from past regimes – the Browns finally appear to be solidly constructing a team around a franchise quarterback, as opposed to making a quarterback the centerpiece of the rebuilding process.
As for whether McCoy is this proverbial franchise quarterback – this is a question that doesn’t have to be answered at the moment.
Holmgren and Heckert’s first two Browns’ drafts offer the kind of evidence that fully supports this idea. The 2010 draft bolstered the team’s defensive backfield and added some prospects at running back, right guard and possibly wide receiver. Last month’s draft focused on the defensive line and passing game, while adding some developmental talent around the fringes of the roster. If this trend continues, look for another major team need to be filled, while the talent gap slowly begins to close.
However, since contemporary NFL teams are defined by their quarterbacks, this process will be difficult to fully assess, yet too tempting to ignore after every game in 2011. Yet, McCoy’s progression – or possible lack thereof – speaks to a still overlooked item regarding the team’s future…one that has some footing in the team’s recent past.
McCoy will not be the only quarterback drafted during Holmgren’s time in Cleveland. Read into this what you will, but the truth is that Holmgren’s history suggests an infatuation with developing young quarterbacks. No better evidence of this idea can be found than McCoy’s existence as a Brown.
McCoy has simply taken a draft term – “value” – that is usually bandied around as a cliché and actually gives it meaning. From an organizational perspective, the Browns are doing everything with McCoy that other perennial losing teams do with first-round picks. In McCoy’s case, the team is saving some 30 million dollars along with not having to operate another set of impossibly high expectations.
Of course, the catch is that the Browns aren’t risking the entire future of their franchise on McCoy. Unlike the tales of Tim Couch or JaMarcus Russell, a McCoy failure does not signal the death knell of the Browns’ franchise. To borrow again from Ramllov, a quarterback will eventually inherit a stable job with Cleveland.
In more concrete terms, what is occurring with McCoy is similar to the path taken by Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel during the brief Charlie Frye era of 2005-2006. Although there are numerous stark distinctions to be made between the Savage/Crennel duo and the current brain trust, both versions of the Browns were not close to becoming playoff caliber.
Before the token Savage “going down this road” lamentation is broken out, it’s worth noting that the 2005 and 2011 versions of the Browns are probably closer than even the most optimistic of fans can envision. After all, both Savage and Heckert’s rebuilding plans are predicated on targeting about 5-6 core team needs. Talent-wise, the current Browns probably lean slightly ahead thanks to a small core of young players. Of course, the immediacy of watching players such as Peyton Hillis, Joe Haden and Joe Thomas helps in this regard.
Either way, the path of both of these rebuilding plans will likely lead to the same place. As Frye struggled and was eventually replaced by Derek Anderson, it’s possible that McCoy gives way to a player not currently on the team’s roster.
Granted, this possible scenario won’t alleviate Browns’ fans frustrations with what has been the most unstable position in Cleveland for some two decades. In reality, none of us are sure what McCoy is capable of for one full season of football, let alone for some extended phantom future. However, to bring the discussion back to Ramllov, McCoy is clearly the first Browns’ QB of the expansion era to play under a complementary system of management and coaching.
This last point is significant, especially considering that Holmgren has delivered an offensive-minded head coach to Cleveland in the form of Pat Shurmur. While in some respects, Shurmur and McCoy’s immediate fortunes are bound together, their dynamic is not as tethered simply based on the overall rebuilding project currently being constructed.
However, in the meantime, what could unfold is McCoy thriving under a more-quarterback friendly offense. Unlike in the case of Frye, who played under three different offensive coordinators, McCoy should benefit from both Shurmur and Holmgren’s guidance and reap the rewards of a steadily improving roster of talent around him.
Or if he doesn’t, then someone else will. The moral of Ramllov’s story is timeless – the Browns have moved beyond the point of pinning their hopes on one player. Perhaps Browns’ fans should follow suit.
http://cle.scout.com/2/1073747.html
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 23, 2011 8:29pm
Preseason schedule wiped out online?
http://blogs.cantonrep.com/freshbrownies/browns-preseason-schedule-wiped-out-online-ominous-sign-for-on-field/
http://blogs.cantonrep.com/freshbrownies/browns-preseason-schedule-wiped-out-online-ominous-sign-for-on-field/
Writerbuckeye
Posts: 4,745
May 23, 2011 9:15pm
Wasn't overall baseball attendance up last season?
Weren't TV ratings up, also?
I could be wrong, but I swear some baseball fanatic posted that someplace where I read it -- saying that baseball is as healthy as it has ever been, despite the inequities in payrolls.
Weren't TV ratings up, also?
I could be wrong, but I swear some baseball fanatic posted that someplace where I read it -- saying that baseball is as healthy as it has ever been, despite the inequities in payrolls.
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 25, 2011 12:19pm
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
May 25, 2011 1:00pm
Here's an article on Sheard. Thought this was a good enough thread to post it in . . .
http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x157802136/Browns-rookie-Jabaal-Sheard-ready-to-get-to-work
Browns rookie Jabaal Sheard ready to get to work
By Steve Doerschuk
CantonRep.com staff writer
May 24, 2011 @ 11:46 PM
PERRY TWP. — Jabaal Sheard can’t wait to take his talents to Cleveland. For now, he’s stuck in Miami.
The second-round draft selection is sweating out the lockout, literally.
“I’m just staying in the best shape I can,” Sheard said Tuesday minutes after finishing a workout in Miami. “I just try to stay in contact with the veterans. I talk to (2010 Browns captain) Scott Fujita a lot.
“I’m basically unemployed right now, with no income. Saving money is big ... not that I have any.”
With that, he laughed. He just turned 22 and exudes energy right through the cell phone. The money will be fine when it comes.
Sheard projects as a starting defensive end on a team that went into the draft paper thin on the line. Unable to sign an NFL contract during the lockout, he is following a program outlined by his Miami-based agent.
Drew Rosenhaus can be an ulcer-inducing negotiator, but Sheard seems to like him.
“Drew always keep something positive in your head,” he said. “He had me on a plan in the beginning. He anticipated what we would need to do during a lockout.”
Sheard’s workout routine is inspired by Buddy Morris, his strength coach at Pitt. Morris was with the Browns from 2002-04.
Morris called his weight room at Pitt “The Iron Works.” Muscle and Fitness magazine rated it one of the “10 toughest gyms in the USA.”
“Buddy gets after you,” Sheard said. “He had us working all year long.”
General Manager Tom Heckert says the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Sheard is a sophisticated pass rusher for his age. Some of that goes to Sheard’s speed and makeup. Some goes to the fact his head coach at Pitt was Dave Wannstedt, once the defensive coordinator of a Dallas team that won a Super Bowl.
Sheard grew up in Hollywood, just north of Miami, and was a Dolphins fan when Wannstedt was head coach from 2000-04. The Dolphins went 10-6 in 2003, but a 4-12 year cost Wannstedt his job.
Sheard learned how fans talk about their NFL teams.
“Ricky Williams came to the team, and one week people would say they loved him. The next they would say, ‘I can’t stand him,’ ” Sheard said. “There was some negative vibe about (Wannstedt) sometimes.
“He kept a place in Miami after he got the Pitt job. Once I got to meet him, I found him to be a great dude.”
Sheard played in 4-3 defenses in high school and college. Now he will play in a 4-3 for Browns coordinator Dick Jauron, who got the job after Wannstedt also was interviewed.
Wannstedt and Sheard developed a mutual trust. Sometimes Sheard would interpret an assignment differently than it was drawn up, with Wannstedt’s blessing.
What does he expect from Jauron’s 4-3?
“I don’t know a lot,” Sheard said. “I just know it’s a 4-3, and I have a basic knowledge of the 4-3. I think it will be a smooth transition.”
Sheard was Big East defensive player of the year in 2010 after making nine sacks and 14 1/2 tackles for loss. That and $1.39 will get him a gas station coffee during the lockout.
“I want get to know my Browns coaches and teammates,” he said. “I want to get in a playbook.
“It gets a little frustrating. I’m tired of sitting around.”
Copyright 2011 CantonRep.com. Some rights reserved
http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x157802136/Browns-rookie-Jabaal-Sheard-ready-to-get-to-work
Browns rookie Jabaal Sheard ready to get to work
By Steve Doerschuk
CantonRep.com staff writer
May 24, 2011 @ 11:46 PM
PERRY TWP. — Jabaal Sheard can’t wait to take his talents to Cleveland. For now, he’s stuck in Miami.
The second-round draft selection is sweating out the lockout, literally.
“I’m just staying in the best shape I can,” Sheard said Tuesday minutes after finishing a workout in Miami. “I just try to stay in contact with the veterans. I talk to (2010 Browns captain) Scott Fujita a lot.
“I’m basically unemployed right now, with no income. Saving money is big ... not that I have any.”
With that, he laughed. He just turned 22 and exudes energy right through the cell phone. The money will be fine when it comes.
Sheard projects as a starting defensive end on a team that went into the draft paper thin on the line. Unable to sign an NFL contract during the lockout, he is following a program outlined by his Miami-based agent.
Drew Rosenhaus can be an ulcer-inducing negotiator, but Sheard seems to like him.
“Drew always keep something positive in your head,” he said. “He had me on a plan in the beginning. He anticipated what we would need to do during a lockout.”
Sheard’s workout routine is inspired by Buddy Morris, his strength coach at Pitt. Morris was with the Browns from 2002-04.
Morris called his weight room at Pitt “The Iron Works.” Muscle and Fitness magazine rated it one of the “10 toughest gyms in the USA.”
“Buddy gets after you,” Sheard said. “He had us working all year long.”
General Manager Tom Heckert says the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Sheard is a sophisticated pass rusher for his age. Some of that goes to Sheard’s speed and makeup. Some goes to the fact his head coach at Pitt was Dave Wannstedt, once the defensive coordinator of a Dallas team that won a Super Bowl.
Sheard grew up in Hollywood, just north of Miami, and was a Dolphins fan when Wannstedt was head coach from 2000-04. The Dolphins went 10-6 in 2003, but a 4-12 year cost Wannstedt his job.
Sheard learned how fans talk about their NFL teams.
“Ricky Williams came to the team, and one week people would say they loved him. The next they would say, ‘I can’t stand him,’ ” Sheard said. “There was some negative vibe about (Wannstedt) sometimes.
“He kept a place in Miami after he got the Pitt job. Once I got to meet him, I found him to be a great dude.”
Sheard played in 4-3 defenses in high school and college. Now he will play in a 4-3 for Browns coordinator Dick Jauron, who got the job after Wannstedt also was interviewed.
Wannstedt and Sheard developed a mutual trust. Sometimes Sheard would interpret an assignment differently than it was drawn up, with Wannstedt’s blessing.
What does he expect from Jauron’s 4-3?
“I don’t know a lot,” Sheard said. “I just know it’s a 4-3, and I have a basic knowledge of the 4-3. I think it will be a smooth transition.”
Sheard was Big East defensive player of the year in 2010 after making nine sacks and 14 1/2 tackles for loss. That and $1.39 will get him a gas station coffee during the lockout.
“I want get to know my Browns coaches and teammates,” he said. “I want to get in a playbook.
“It gets a little frustrating. I’m tired of sitting around.”
Copyright 2011 CantonRep.com. Some rights reserved
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 25, 2011 1:09pm
Except for the A-Holes, like Reggie Bush, I think most of these players are frustrated and want to get back to work. That clown that they have leading their side in this lockout is a self-serving piece of work.
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
May 25, 2011 5:25pm
From what I read on here the weekend of the draft you guys are hoping your players will play like the Steelers.......BR1986FB;780083 wrote:LOL...quit using your helmet as a spear you whiny bitches...
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b9DCQ
OQB;754927 wrote:+100
Haha we need some attitude on this Browns defense!! I am tired of taking the beatings from the AFC North. I hope we have some fines coming this year for too hard of a hit or hitting the QB late.....I won't be mad at all.
Just sayin'.BR1986FB;754932 wrote:It (the attitude) started last year with TJ Ward and the hit on Shipley.
As a side note, for those who are very familiar with Greg Little's game (and the fact he would've been a likely 1st rounder had he not had his issue), many feel that he will be the better pro receiver than Julio Jones.....just sayin
like_that
Posts: 26,625
May 25, 2011 5:29pm
killer_ewok;780518 wrote:From what I read on here the weekend of the draft you guys are hoping your players will play like the Steelers.......
Just sayin'.
Don't see anything about raping...
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
May 25, 2011 5:32pm
Ben must've borrowed the blueprint from good ole Jim Brown....LOL....but that's a whole 'nother discussion.like_that;780519 wrote:Don't see anything about raping...
I'm talking about on the field.....
Y-Town Steelhound
Posts: 1,388
May 25, 2011 5:58pm
killer_ewok;780522 wrote:Ben must've borrowed the blueprint from good ole Jim Brown....LOL....but that's a whole 'nother discussion.
I'm talking about on the field.....
Sawiiiiiing and a miss!
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
May 25, 2011 6:06pm
Bullshit. Ground rule double.Y-Town Steelhound;780543 wrote:Sawiiiiiing and a miss!
wes_mantooth
Posts: 17,977
May 25, 2011 6:49pm
Ugh....jim brown...the black sheep of the browns family. What a piece of shit human being.
Thx for that killer....kindly go eff yourself! Lol
Thx for that killer....kindly go eff yourself! Lol
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
May 25, 2011 7:02pm
LOL. But honestly, this isn't about Jim Brown, Big Ben or RAPE. It's about the new Steelers Rule that BR posted about. If your against that type of play/aggression on the field.....fine. But if you're hoping your team starts/continues doing that but ridiculing your rival for it.....just comes across as hypocritical/contradictory to me.wes_mantooth;780606 wrote:Ugh....jim brown...the black sheep of the browns family. What a piece of shit human being.
Thx for that killer....kindly go eff yourself! Lol
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 25, 2011 7:34pm
killer_ewok;780518 wrote:From what I read on here the weekend of the draft you guys are hoping your players will play like the Steelers.......
Just sayin'.
Where in my post did I say I wanted them to "play dirty" or "use their helmet as a spear?" I still think Ward's hit was clean but a tad late.
like_that
Posts: 26,625
May 25, 2011 8:09pm
killer_ewok;780618 wrote:LOL. But honestly, this isn't about Jim Brown, Big Ben or RAPE. It's about the new Steelers Rule that BR posted about. If your against that type of play/aggression on the field.....fine. But if you're hoping your team starts/continues doing that but ridiculing your rival for it.....just comes across as hypocritical/contradictory to me.
As Br said, no one has ever said anything about dirty play. Nice fail.