Training camp goals...

http://cle.scout.com/2/1202072.html

--Without going into detail, running back Trent Richardson, selected by the Browns with the third overall pick in the draft, said his contract is "about done," but he is waiting on first pick Andrew Luck and second pick Robert Griffin III to sign their contracts.

SMH just sign the damn thing.

Commander of Awesome;1225091 wrote:--Without going into detail, running back Trent Richardson, selected by the Browns with the third overall pick in the draft, said his contract is "about done," but he is waiting on first pick Andrew Luck and second pick Robert Griffin III to sign their contracts.

SMH just sign the damn thing.

I doubt the union would be happy if he did. The dominoes at the top usually have to fall before other tops picks can be signed.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d828f4621/article/contract-status-for-2012-nfl-draft-firstround-picks

Crimson streak;1224836 wrote:I love that he is embracing the city already


Josh Gordon ‏@JOSH_GORDONXII

#CavsNation just got their newest fan..



Josh Gordon ‏@JOSH_GORDONXII

#GoTribe



Josh Gordon ‏@JOSH_GORDONXII

I'm loving the ‪#DawgPound‬ already.. Can't wait to touch down in Cleveland and meet the fans..



Josh Gordon ‏@JOSH_GORDONXII

@PhilTaylor98 was right, Cleveland has the best fans in the country hands down..#DawgPound #OffTheLeash

LOVE this.

[h=1]Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' confidence, Josh Gordon's problem, the Cavaliers' decisions and Nick Hagadone dispute with the Tribe[/h][h=5]Published: Saturday, July 14, 2012, 11:50 PM[/h]By Terry Pluto, The Plain DealerThe Plain Dealer
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The Plain DealerTom Heckert has bolstered the Browns roster without worrying about media or fan criticism, which is a good sign of his confidence, says Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Fourth has passed, and this qualifies as those lazy, hazy days. But let's start talkin' ...

About the Browns...

1. Tom Heckert doesn't care what the experts think of his draft. The Browns' general manager doesn't care that some thought Brandon Weeden at No. 22 was too high, or that picking a 28-year-old QB is a bad idea. Heckert likes Weeden's arm and attitude. After watching Weeden in minicamps, the general manager and coaching staff are convinced they are right about Weeden. The quarterback play will improve with the former minor-league pitcher and Oklahoma State football star.

2. It's the same with picking Josh Gordon in the second round of the supplemental draft. Yes, Gordon sat out last season after transferring to Utah. Yes, he had two failed drug tests at Baylor. Yes, it's believed the Browns are the only team to submit a second-round bid. But it's also true that the supplemental lottery system gave Buffalo a higher spot than the Browns, and they feared Buffalo would submit a third-round pick. If that was the case and the Browns waited, Gordon would have gone to the Bills.

3. Just as the front office was not shy about trading a fifth-round pick to Minnesota to make sure they got Trent Richardson in April, Heckert and Co. were determined to grab Gordon. Heckert remembers being criticized for second-round picks used on T.J. Ward (2010) and Greg Little (2011), and both ended up as productive starters as rookies.

4. The Browns target about 20 players in the first few rounds -- and go after them. They know other observers may have some of them graded for the middle rounds, but they only are concerned with getting as many of that top 20 as possible. They projected Gordon to be in their top 20 next season, assuming he played at Utah.

5. They believe there's some speed with Travis Benjamin (fourth rounder) and Gordon. They have Little, who led the 2011 team with 61 receptions, 20 more than anyone else. For all the compliments given to Mohamed Massaquoi, the Browns have added three young receivers -- Little, Gordon and Benjamin. They know Massaquoi has yet to establish himself as a starter, and has a history of concussions.

6. Add Joshua Cribbs and Jordan Norwood to the mix, and there are six receivers. Seven if you want to count Carlton Mitchell, but he didn't impress the last two coaching staffs enough to get on the field for this receiver-hungry team. Cribbs will be primarily on special teams, as he is really valued on coverage along with returning kicks and punts.

7. For all the talk of Gordon, the receiver most likely to take a big step forward is Little. The Browns love how he's lost 15 pounds and seems quicker. He arrived after sitting out his last season at North Carolina for accepting money from an agent. Little missed rookie and minicamps in 2011 because of the labor dispute.

8. Yes, Little dropped a lot of passes, but he also had more thrown in his direction than any other player in an orange helmet. The Browns threw to Little 121 times (14 drops, 61 catches). Next was Massaquoi (74 targets, 31 catches, 4 drops).

About Josh Gordon and risk...
View full sizeAP fileJosh Gordon hasn't run away from the reasons for his departure from Baylor, which is an encouraging sign.

1. Yes, there is a risk about a guy who flunked two tests for marijuana and was suspended at Baylor. In most circumstances, I would be against it. I admit, a disputed report of a third failed drug test at Utah makes me nervous.
But I like how Gordon said the reason he had to leave Baylor was the marijuana tests. The school simply said "breaking team rules." He owned up to the second offense. He messed up and said so. His honesty impressed the Browns.

2. He stayed in contact with Baylor coach Art Briles, who believes the young man can turn around.

3. Gordon told the PD's Mary Kay Cabot: "I was in a rehabilitation program with group counseling, and I saw a psychiatrist, like, three times a week. ... I had to report back to the team while I was practicing. But I never tested positive at Utah."

4. At some point, we will find out if the report of failed test at Utah is true. I do know that Gordon's comments matched what the Browns discovered in their dealings with Utah, where coaches said Gordon was no problem off the field and their most talented receiver in practice.

5. The Browns have strong connections at Baylor. Brian (father of receiver Jordan) Norwood is the assistant head coach. They have been watching Baylor tape and attending practices for years. They heavily scouted Phil Taylor (their No. 1 pick in 2011) with the Bears. They believe they've done their homework.

6. When Gordon played in 2010, he tied Kendall Wright for the team lead with seven touchdown catches. Wright led the team with 78 receptions. Then came Tevin Reese (45), Terrance Williams (43) and Gordon (42). The quarterback was Robert Griffin III. Entering his junior season, Gordon was listed as the No. 2 receiver on the depth chart when he left school.

7. The bottom line will be how Gordon conducts himself with the Browns, where he should be drug tested regularly and remain in a support group. Staying straight will be the key to his success.


http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2012/07/terry_plutos_talkin_about_the_55.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

lol A marijuana support group. It's not heroin dude, just don't smoke it.

hoops23;1225642 wrote:LOVE this.

Same, my favorite tweet is the last one. Fans already have had a positive effect on Phil Taylor after one season.

Absolutely love this move. Don't buy into the "he didn't play last year" nonsense." Unlike Little, he has great hands and won't drop the ball.

I think this guy will be our best receiver this year and I'm hoping that Benjamon will rival the performance of DeSean Jackson. Remember, Miami had a shit quarterback last year and probably hurt Benjamon's numbers.

I also do not buy into the "it takes time to jell" nonsense. It doesn't. Every year a team rises up and challenges. This is pro football. If the injury bug doesn't hit, then the Browns very well could win the division this year.

In my view, this very well could be the missing piece. The new offensive coordinator knows how to spread the field. With the new talent, the days of sleeping pill offenses are finally over.

I will probably call my buddy in Vegas and wager a huge chunk on the Browns winning over 5 games. Only heavy injuries could keep that from happening.

I agree. It could be very well worth next year's 2nd round pick.

Browns start training camp a week from this Saturday. I can't remember the last time I was this excited to see this team on the field. The youth alone is reason for excitement. H&H have completely overturned this roster with their own guys. No more "we inherited junk" excuses from this season forward.

BR1986FB;1226401 wrote:. No more "we inherited junk" excuses from this season forward.

Nope, now its on to the "Young team, need time to gel and learn the NFL/gain experience" excuse!

Commander of Awesome;1226404 wrote:Nope, now its on to the "Young team, need time to gel and learn the NFL/gain experience" excuse!

Didn't seem to effect the Bengals last year. Granted, they (Cincinnati) only beat losing teams but that's what a team should do.

BR1986FB;1226401 wrote:Browns start training camp a week from this Saturday. I can't remember the last time I was this excited to see this team on the field. The youth alone is reason for excitement. H&H have completely overturned this roster with their own guys. No more "we inherited junk" excuses from this season forward.

It's ridiculous the team was set back so far that it took 3 years to pretty much overturn the whole roster. What is the official count of guys who are left that were on the team before Heckert took over as GM?

like_that;1226416 wrote:It's ridiculous the team was set back so far that it took 3 years to pretty much overturn the whole roster. What is the official count of guys who are left that were on the team before Heckert took over as GM?

Cribbs, Dawson, Joe Thomas, DQ Jackson, Rubin and I'm not sure if Evan Moore & Marcus Bernard were pre-H&H.

Alex Mack, Maivia

TJ Ward was involved in some altercation outside a night club last night, he wasn't arrested though so it's kind of a non story.

Commander of Awesome;1226434 wrote:TJ Ward was involved in some altercation outside a night club last night, he wasn't arrested though so it's kind of a non story.

http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/16/tj-ward-pepper-spray-cops-nightclub-cleveland-browns/

like_that;1226416 wrote:It's ridiculous the team was set back so far that it took 3 years to pretty much overturn the whole roster. What is the official count of guys who are left that were on the team before Heckert took over as GM?

I've said it before, but that's such a tired excuse.


It didn't take 3 years, they just didn't get it right in the first 2. Look at who we drafted this year. For the most part, those positions were already "overturned" by this regime.

Delhomme/McCoy, hardesty, Pashos/hicks/cousins, lauvao, marecic, basically every position drafted except wr and ilb (which was already filled).

Mulva;1226440 wrote:I've said it before, but that's such a tired excuse.


It didn't take 3 years, they just didn't get it right in the first 2. Look at who we drafted this year. For the most part, those positions were already "overturned" by this regime.

Delhomme/McCoy, hardesty, Pashos/hicks/cousins, lauvao, marecic, basically every position drafted except wr and ilb (which was already filled).

Where was I making an excuse? i was just discussing the amount of turnover this roster has seen. I mean, you could use it somewhat as an excuse. The roster was so shitty that 90% of it had to be overturned. I think that's a legit reason for a team to suck ass.

like_that;1226442 wrote:Where was I making an excuse? i was just discussing the amount of turnover this roster has seen. I mean, you could use it somewhat as an excuse. The roster was so shitty that 90% of it had to be overturned. I think that's a legit reason for a team to suck ass.

You're going to be pretty hard pressed to find a roster as shitty as H&H inherited. Mangini brought in all of his "moldy oldies" looking to collect their last paycheck and the roster was littered with aging/limited talent.

Mangini thought he could win with "smart" players. They didn't have to be "good." He thought he could make diamonds out of turds.

At least now this team might have a fighting chance. I'd rather see a bunch of young guys make rookie mistakes than see a bunch of AARP collecting former Jets collecting their last checks making rookie mistakes.

That's one thing I like about Heckert. They aren't afraid to go with the youth and see what they've got versus the Mangini/Crennel "good old boy network" where "ya gotta pay your dues."

About time. He should have been arrested for assault after what he did to John St. Claire and Brady Quinn in 2010: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/15/elvis-dumervil-arrested-assault-felony-broncos_n_1674843.html

like_that;1226442 wrote:Where was I making an excuse? i was just discussing the amount of turnover this roster has seen. I mean, you could use it somewhat as an excuse. The roster was so shitty that 90% of it had to be overturned. I think that's a legit reason for a team to suck ass.

Not an excuse from you, an excuse in general for the team still sucking, when stuff like the 2010 draft and signing guys like jayme mitchell and usama young go a long way toward it too.

Youth or not, "going from 4-12 to 6-10 isn't good enough". No more excuses.

Mulva;1226451 wrote:Not an excuse from you, an excuse in general for the team still sucking, when stuff like the 2010 draft and signing guys like jayme mitchell and usama young go a long way toward it too.

Youth or not, "going from 4-12 to 6-10 isn't good enough". No more excuses.

Do you expect a winning season this year?

like_that;1226532 wrote:Do you expect a winning season this year?

Playoffs.