B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Jul 31, 2012 7:48am
Have heard Rucker has looked solid. I had heard earlier that both Pinkston AND Lauvao had looked really good in earlier practices.
As an FYI, if anyone is interested, my impression is that the proceeds or part of them, go toward the Wounded Warrior project. No obligation, just throwing it out there for those interested in a hoodie or T-Shirt...
http://www.cleclothingco.com/product/afghanistan-browns-backers-products
As an FYI, if anyone is interested, my impression is that the proceeds or part of them, go toward the Wounded Warrior project. No obligation, just throwing it out there for those interested in a hoodie or T-Shirt...
http://www.cleclothingco.com/product/afghanistan-browns-backers-products
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Jul 31, 2012 10:16am
Browns' Montario Hardesty finally healthy
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer
July 30, 2012 - 10:53 AM
BEREA: Montario Hardesty darted through gaps, changed direction with ease and broke off a few long runs Sunday morning during the Browns’ first training camp practice in full pads.
He’s finally healthy, and it shows.
“This is the best I’ve felt since I’ve been here,” Hardesty said. “This might be the best I’ve ever felt. I just want to make sure I continue to keep it like that and just continue to come out here and show up every day, and once we hit the games, show up every day. I feel like I’ve really got a lot to prove. I’ve got a chip my shoulder, and I’ve just got to go out and play every day.”
Hardesty has been plagued by misfortune since the Browns traded up to draft him in the second round (59th overall) two years ago. He suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during his first preseason game in the NFL and missed his entire rookie season. Then last year, he tore a muscle in his right calf in Week 8 and did not play in six games as he dealt with the injury.
At the end of last season, Hardesty embarked on a mission to do everything in his power to reverse the trend.
“I looked in the mirror and said, ‘What do I need to do different?’ ” Hardesty said. … “Last year was one of my worst years I have ever had playing football, just as far as how I felt, where my mindset was at and how my body felt. That was a learning year for me.”
He spent the offseason in Boca Raton, Fla., working out with about a dozen other NFL players, including Kansas City Chiefs safety and former University of Tennessee teammate Eric Berry, under the guidance of renowned trainer Tony Villani. The beaches of South Florida became their gyms. Hardesty often ran in sand twice a day to strengthen his legs.
“I was able to really go back to pushing myself,” Hardesty said. “Last year in the offseason, I couldn’t do any of that stuff. I really got back up to really being able to push my body and come back here in shape, getting ready to play football, not focused on being injured. I didn’t like how I played last year, and I didn’t like how my body felt. I just wanted to rev up what I was doing and come out ready to go.”
Hardesty also sought the advice of a nutritionist. He lost 10 pounds and now weighs about 215.
Quick on his feet
On Sunday, he displayed quickness some thought he might never regain.
“The first year you come back from an ACL, a lot of times you don’t have the explosion that you had before,” said Browns tight end Benjamin Watson, who suffered a torn ACL in 2004 as a rookie with the New England Patriots. “After about a year, it starts to come back. I think he’s getting back to his form. He’s getting comfortable. It seems like he’s trusting his knee a lot more.
“A lot of it is mental. When he tore it his rookie year, I went right to him and I said, ‘I know exactly how you feel.’ It’s the worst thing in the world to get an injury like that when you have such high hopes of coming in and contributing your rookie year. To have to wait and sit out the whole year is very tough. A lot of it is trusting the knee, trusting that you can do the things that you did before, but a lot of it is physical. Everybody’s surgery is different. Everybody responds differently to the reconstruction.”
Noticeable difference
Browns coach Pat Shurmur has noticed a difference in Hardesty, too.
“He looks healthy and fresh right now, so I think that’s helping him flash,” Shurmur said. “That’s as quick as I’ve seen him. That was as good as I’ve seen Montario look.”
Hardesty is in a battle to become the primary backup to rookie running back Trent Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft.
Brandon Jackson and Chris Obgonnaya are his main competition, and it seems unlikely the Browns will keep four running backs on their roster.
Hardesty is determined to earn a significant role.
“I want to play and help this team win,” he said. “I know we drafted Trent, and Trent is a good player. I played against him in college. I watched him play in college. But at the same time, I’m ready to come out here and compete and play because that’s my mindset. I want to make sure I do everything I can to put my best foot forward and once it gets to Sundays and we have games, I’ll be out there helping my team win.”
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer
July 30, 2012 - 10:53 AM
BEREA: Montario Hardesty darted through gaps, changed direction with ease and broke off a few long runs Sunday morning during the Browns’ first training camp practice in full pads.
He’s finally healthy, and it shows.
“This is the best I’ve felt since I’ve been here,” Hardesty said. “This might be the best I’ve ever felt. I just want to make sure I continue to keep it like that and just continue to come out here and show up every day, and once we hit the games, show up every day. I feel like I’ve really got a lot to prove. I’ve got a chip my shoulder, and I’ve just got to go out and play every day.”
Hardesty has been plagued by misfortune since the Browns traded up to draft him in the second round (59th overall) two years ago. He suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during his first preseason game in the NFL and missed his entire rookie season. Then last year, he tore a muscle in his right calf in Week 8 and did not play in six games as he dealt with the injury.
At the end of last season, Hardesty embarked on a mission to do everything in his power to reverse the trend.
“I looked in the mirror and said, ‘What do I need to do different?’ ” Hardesty said. … “Last year was one of my worst years I have ever had playing football, just as far as how I felt, where my mindset was at and how my body felt. That was a learning year for me.”
He spent the offseason in Boca Raton, Fla., working out with about a dozen other NFL players, including Kansas City Chiefs safety and former University of Tennessee teammate Eric Berry, under the guidance of renowned trainer Tony Villani. The beaches of South Florida became their gyms. Hardesty often ran in sand twice a day to strengthen his legs.
“I was able to really go back to pushing myself,” Hardesty said. “Last year in the offseason, I couldn’t do any of that stuff. I really got back up to really being able to push my body and come back here in shape, getting ready to play football, not focused on being injured. I didn’t like how I played last year, and I didn’t like how my body felt. I just wanted to rev up what I was doing and come out ready to go.”
Hardesty also sought the advice of a nutritionist. He lost 10 pounds and now weighs about 215.
Quick on his feet
On Sunday, he displayed quickness some thought he might never regain.
“The first year you come back from an ACL, a lot of times you don’t have the explosion that you had before,” said Browns tight end Benjamin Watson, who suffered a torn ACL in 2004 as a rookie with the New England Patriots. “After about a year, it starts to come back. I think he’s getting back to his form. He’s getting comfortable. It seems like he’s trusting his knee a lot more.
“A lot of it is mental. When he tore it his rookie year, I went right to him and I said, ‘I know exactly how you feel.’ It’s the worst thing in the world to get an injury like that when you have such high hopes of coming in and contributing your rookie year. To have to wait and sit out the whole year is very tough. A lot of it is trusting the knee, trusting that you can do the things that you did before, but a lot of it is physical. Everybody’s surgery is different. Everybody responds differently to the reconstruction.”
Noticeable difference
Browns coach Pat Shurmur has noticed a difference in Hardesty, too.
“He looks healthy and fresh right now, so I think that’s helping him flash,” Shurmur said. “That’s as quick as I’ve seen him. That was as good as I’ve seen Montario look.”
Hardesty is in a battle to become the primary backup to rookie running back Trent Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft.
Brandon Jackson and Chris Obgonnaya are his main competition, and it seems unlikely the Browns will keep four running backs on their roster.
Hardesty is determined to earn a significant role.
“I want to play and help this team win,” he said. “I know we drafted Trent, and Trent is a good player. I played against him in college. I watched him play in college. But at the same time, I’m ready to come out here and compete and play because that’s my mindset. I want to make sure I do everything I can to put my best foot forward and once it gets to Sundays and we have games, I’ll be out there helping my team win.”
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Jul 31, 2012 10:20am
I like seeing the positive articles on Hardesty. Hopefully it translates into success when it counts. It would suck if he is this years "Brian Robiskie Training Camp Player of the Year."
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Jul 31, 2012 10:29am
It's no surprise that he seems to be more "ready."like_that;1237691 wrote:I like seeing the positive articles on Hardesty. Hopefully it translates into success when it counts. It would suck if he is this years "Brian Robiskie Training Camp Player of the Year."
From everything I've read it's usually the second year back from that type of knee surgery where the guy regains his burst. It wouldn't surprise me if he had a nice bounceback year while in the same breath it wouldn't surprise me if he got hurt again.
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Jul 31, 2012 10:31am
This. Don't trust him one bit. Every year there's one guy that looks awesome, Brandon Rideu, the safety from VA Tech (can't remember his name), Robo, Alex Hall, Brady Quinn, etc....BR1986FB;1237698 wrote:It's no surprise that he seems to be more "ready."
From everything I've read it's usually the second year back from that type of knee surgery where the guy regains his burst. It wouldn't surprise me if he had a nice bounceback year while in the same breath it wouldn't surprise me if he got hurt again.
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Jul 31, 2012 10:47am
Haha...some clown posted over on the OBR that he was at camp today and Weeden "can't hit the broad side of a barn" and "wasted draft pick" when another poster called him out saying "are you watching Weeden throw in the parking lot or something? Today is the Browns day off."
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Jul 31, 2012 11:00am
Got to love it when shit comes back to bite you in the ass.
SportsAndLady
Posts: 35,632
Jul 31, 2012 11:06am
That was meBR1986FB;1237706 wrote:Haha...some clown posted over on the OBR that he was at camp today and Weeden "can't hit the broad side of a barn" and "wasted draft pick" when another poster called him out saying "are you watching Weeden throw in the parking lot or something? Today is the Browns day off."
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Jul 31, 2012 12:14pm
Also read a Weeden quote where he said something to the effect of "training camp/preseason is where you get the interceptions out of the way." Also saw where he's making several throws to see what he "can and can't get away with." Shurmur has said he's a "fast learner who doesn't repeat the same mistakes." Guess we'll have to see how this plays out in an actual game.
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Jul 31, 2012 1:21pm
All sounds good to me. I'm excited to see what he can do.
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Jul 31, 2012 1:26pm
I have a feeling the offense is going to be a bit more "vertical" but hope Shurmur doesn't get crazy with it because of the newfound receiver "weapons". I'd hope he'd use Richardson/Hardesty a lot and try to win ugly.Commander of Awesome;1237803 wrote:All sounds good to me. I'm excited to see what he can do.
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Jul 31, 2012 2:07pm
A "bit more" vertical is all they need. It would go a long way in opening up plays.BR1986FB;1237807 wrote:I have a feeling the offense is going to be a bit more "vertical" but hope Shurmur doesn't get crazy with it because of the newfound receiver "weapons". I'd hope he'd use Richardson/Hardesty a lot and try to win ugly.
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Jul 31, 2012 2:10pm
I agree but I've heard nothing but "Weeden has a gunslinger mentality."like_that;1237838 wrote:A "bit more" vertical is all they need. It would go a long way in opening up plays.
I have no issue with him airing it out after he becomes acclimated but I don't want to see him go all "Brett Favre" as a rookie just because we have Gordon, Little, Benjamin and what looks like a new/improved MoMass.
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Jul 31, 2012 2:14pm
I doubt he will. Patty boy is too much of a puss to allow it to begin with.BR1986FB;1237845 wrote:I agree but I've heard nothing but "Weeden has a gunslinger mentality."
I have no issue with him airing it out after he becomes acclimated but I don't want to see him go all "Brett Favre" as a rookie just because we have Gordon, Little, Benjamin and what looks like a new/improved MoMass.
S
stlouiedipalma
Posts: 1,797
Jul 31, 2012 2:15pm
BR1986FB;1237807 wrote:I have a feeling the offense is going to be a bit more "vertical" but hope Shurmur doesn't get crazy with it because of the newfound receiver "weapons". I'd hope he'd use Richardson/Hardesty a lot and try to win ugly.
Based on what the offense had done the previous couple seasons, a 15-yard pass over the middle would qualify as "extremely vertical". They simply MUST show defenses that they are capable of going upfield, even if it isn't a staple of their game plan. Having that capability in their back pocket will make Richardson even more effective, IMO. Showcasing Weeden as having a "gunslinger mentality" might just fit into this scheme.
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Jul 31, 2012 2:34pm
I know they have to be able to stretch the field. Part of the reason I was high on Weeden. For whatever reason, McCoy just wasn't a vertical guy and, regardless of who your QB is, being one dimensional (dink & dunk) will hamper an offense and make it predictable. They need to be able to display the deep ball.stlouiedipalma;1237857 wrote:Based on what the offense had done the previous couple seasons, a 15-yard pass over the middle would qualify as "extremely vertical". They simply MUST show defenses that they are capable of going upfield, even if it isn't a staple of their game plan. Having that capability in their back pocket will make Richardson even more effective, IMO. Showcasing Weeden as having a "gunslinger mentality" might just fit into this scheme.
shook_17
Posts: 3,023
Jul 31, 2012 3:20pm
weeden makes me excited to think how much potential our offense could have this year. i think gordon and little will be absolute freaks this year and the coming years, hopefully massaquio can step up and be that slot. our wide outs could go from a weak link to a strength here. if he opens up the defense it will give richardson so much more room to run. good the possibilities this offense has is endless.
when is the first preseason game?
when is the first preseason game?
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Jul 31, 2012 3:29pm
Next Friday 8/10 @ 7:30pmshook_17;1237939 wrote:weeden makes me excited to think how much potential our offense could have this year. i think gordon and little will be absolute freaks this year and the coming years, hopefully massaquio can step up and be that slot. our wide outs could go from a weak link to a strength here. if he opens up the defense it will give richardson so much more room to run. good the possibilities this offense has is endless.
when is the first preseason game?
Midstate01
Posts: 14,766
Jul 31, 2012 4:29pm
BR1986FB;1237950 wrote:Next Friday 8/10 @ 7:30pm
Tv?
shook_17
Posts: 3,023
Jul 31, 2012 4:45pm
the last couple years it hasn't been live on tv, but they replay it on STO at midnight. all preseason games.Midstate01;1238020 wrote:Tv?
wes_mantooth
Posts: 17,977
Jul 31, 2012 4:53pm
Someone want to start up a season thread....bout that time
shook_17
Posts: 3,023
Jul 31, 2012 4:56pm
don't want to leave it in the offseason thread? go for 1000 pages? :thumbup:wes_mantooth;1238037 wrote:Someone want to start up a season thread....bout that time
Midstate01
Posts: 14,766
Jul 31, 2012 4:57pm
shook_17;1238027 wrote:the last couple years it hasn't been live on tv, but they replay it on STO at midnight. all preseason games.
Ehh wont help me in Hawaii. I'll try to find it online.
wes_mantooth
Posts: 17,977
Jul 31, 2012 5:00pm
I don't care, I just thought we went to a new thread last training camp
shook_17
Posts: 3,023
Jul 31, 2012 5:00pm
that sucks. sorry bro! maybe NFL network?Midstate01;1238039 wrote:Ehh wont help me in Hawaii. I'll try to find it online.