Agreed with both posts on the RB position. I put Crowell in last week in my fantasy league, and was rewarded with only my 4th win. Hmmmmm, maybe that explains it. Can't help wondering what the make up of our WR corps will look like once Gordon returns. Kinda thinking he won't start for a week or two, but he will become "the man" again, and someone is going to lose plays. My perspective: Austin keeps his job (third down assasin), Hawkins and Gabriel (edge to Hawkins on experience, but Gabriel has more overall talent), Benji is the odd man out IMO, but stell will see time when a little height and a lot of speed is the ticket.
I was just thinking today how this team has weathered the loss of so many starters and maintained, and it hit me: this is the difference between the good teams and the bad teams. It was a big reason why the Browns were a "bad team" for a lot of years. If we lost a starter, the cupboard was bare. It isn't anymore. Yeah us! Credit to Joe Banner (yuck), for being Mr Tomorrow last year. He clearly wasn't even remotely interested in helping the team win games, but he sure did like the mental exercise of setting up the organization for this year. Thanks for that, if nothing else. Also found myself wondering if we were a Brian Hoyer away from an 8 and 8 season last year. Seems impossible to imagine, but now it looks like maybe we were but a QB away from competitive. Losing out because of that injury, has made this year's performance a "surprise", and if he had played out the year, maybe we wouldn't be. Then I wonder what we might have done with "that pick".
Look at the Washington Redskins while Shanny was there. The RB rotation was impossible to keep up with then too, with the exception of the year that Alfred Morris went off. He will always ride the hot hand. He has no particular allegiance to any one runner, his goal is getting the ball in the right hands at the right time. love it **Edit** Look at the Texans while he was there too. No real workhorse back
Fair point DD. Still with Gordon , Cameron, and whoever, he did give us 2 of the 4 wins we got, and started the 3rd one, so who can say. I would guess we would have at least 3 more Ws, but it's admittedly blind speculation.
The Morning Kickoff ? One to go: Putting out brushfires is in the job description of an NFL head coach. Here?s the lowdown on Mike Pettine?s rookie season through nine games: Compensate for Josh Gordon 10-game suspension? Check. Acclimate confused veteran-laden defense to a new system? Check. Rejuvenate slumping long snapper? Check. Recover from loss of Pro Bowl center? Check. Now, about that punt return game -- the one averaging a league-low 3.2 yards per return. That is, when it?s not fumbling, muffing, fair-catching with running room ahead or trying in vain to catch punts inside the 5-yard line. When Jim Leonhard fumbled in Cincinnati on Thursday night, he completed an ignominious trifecta. Each of the three players tried at punt returner ? Travis Benjamin, Jordan Poyer, Leonhard ? has fumbled. Benjamin actually has a muff, a fumbled catch (erased by penalty) and a fumble on a return; Poyer had one bounce off his helmet visor; and now Leonhard, the dependable ?punt catcher,? has lost one on a return, resulting in Cincinnati?s only points in the Browns? 24-3 statement win. ?I almost don?t even watch special teams anymore,? sighed Josh Cribbs, who holds nine Browns franchise ? and two NFL ? return records. Waiting for the call: Cribbs is the greatest special teams player in Browns history. Not just in expansion Browns history (since 1999), but in all of Browns history (since 1946). Not only the franchise?s greatest returner with 11 punt and kickoff return touchdowns, but also its greatest gunner ? a five-time special teams tackle leader in his eight seasons with the Browns. Cribbs ?played like a Brown? before Pettine stole the phrase from Rex Ryan and substituted ?Brown? for ?Jet.? Cribbs, 31, has remained in northeast Ohio since being released by the Browns after the 2012 season. He was released by Oakland in the 2013 training camp, then was signed by the Jets and, even at age 30, averaged 12.0 yards on punt returns in six games. Twelve-point-oh would almost equal the Browns? longest punt return this year ? 13 yards by Benjamin. Cribbs said, ?I want to play here. I?m almost ? I?m going to turn down other teams because I want to stay in Cleveland. If I can?t play here, I?d probably rather retire. I really wish I could get a tryout and then I could retire as a Brown. ?They?re 32nd in the league. We have no place to go but up. Every year I was in top 10 in returns. Every year. For two weeks, Cribbs? name has brought tepid reaction from every person who could make it happen. ?Josh?s name hasn?t come up,? Pettine said on Oct. 27. ?I?m not in that decision-making process. I have to be concerned about the players that are here,? special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said on Oct. 30. ?I don?t think that I?m in that boat at this point in time,? said the Big Man, General Manager Ray Farmer, on Nov. 4. Why not? I asked. ?I would ask, ?Why should I??? Farmer said. To which I answered, ?You have the worst punt return team in the league. He?s a franchise record-holder. He?s only 31.? ?Interesting,? Farmer responded. ?I would say that the question becomes who do I want to let go to sign Josh Cribbs? Because it?s a balancing act. Do you sign someone and let go of another guy to play a role or do you keep the guys that have multiple roles?? ?It?s unfortunate man,? Cribbs said. ?They need to give me a chance. I?m kind of sad by it. I?ve been instrumental to the city and the team. Just give me a tryout. You don?t even need to pick me.? The night before the Browns played the Bengals, Farmer dined with Peter Shaffer, Cribbs? agent, at the upscale Jeff Ruby?s Steakhouse in Cincinnati. It could have been to discuss other business. Shaffer also represents other Browns, notably Joe Thomas and Phil Taylor. This week, Cribbs received calls from an AFC coach whose team is in the thick of the playoff hunt. It wasn?t the Browns? Pettine. Where to go from here: The Browns insist they will fix the problem internally, without going outside for help. Possibilities include rookie receiver Taylor Gabriel, who returned punts at Abilene Christian University but was used only on kickoffs in the Browns? preseason, and rookie first-round cornerback Justin Gilbert, who had six career kickoff return touchdowns at Oklahoma State but only eight punt returns his freshman year. Cribbs would give the ball back to Benjamin, who set two Browns punt return records last year and owns two return TDs in his career. Benjamin?s stunning decline as a returner (5 returns for 9 yards, plus the aforementioned three muffs or fumbles) is amazing when you consider he is having his best season as receiver (14 receptions for 246 yards, 17.6 average, and team-high three receiving TDs). ?I think he needs another chance,? Cribbs said. ?I?ve muffed punts before. But the way this regime does it, apparently those turnovers, they hate that. ?His confidence is there. They just need to believe in him. Ball security is job security. If you can?t catch the ball, you won?t be back there. I think he may have done it one too many times. And they may have lost faith in him, not necessarily him losing faith. I think he should be back there. They need more help on offensive field position.? For the longest time, special teams were the most exciting unit of Browns teams. Now they are the reason to cover your eyes. But the Browns are in first place, partly because Pettine has put out the fires everywhere else.
The running game looked a lot better with Agnew at FB (now, I know that was also with Mack in the line-up) but I don't get why they waivedAgew to begin with? *SCRATCH*
I have no idea why Agnew was waived either. But, does it bother anyone else that he was still available to bring back? There are a number of teams out there that could use a FB to bolster their run game. I know its only been a couple of weeks, but that would be plenty of time for someone to snatch him if he was a viable FB.
Jordan Cameron (concussion) is not practicing Tuesday. It's not a good sign for his Week 11 status. Cameron has been sidelined the last two games, and remains in the concussion protocol. Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray will continue to start if he doesn't return this week. Cameron's history here is concerning, as he's had three concussions since the 2012 season. For what it's worth, coach Mike Pettine did say Tuesday that Cameron has been doing OK for the past couple days and will update the situation Wednesday.
Ben Tate admits he's not satisfied with his new role in the Browns' three-man backfield. "I'd be lying if I said 'yeah,'" Tate said. "(But) whatever the organization thinks is best for the team, then that's what we're going to do." Although Tate kept his comments largely diplomatic, he deferred when asked if he would have signed with the Browns had he known he'd become part of a three-man committee. "I don't really want to get into that now." ESPN Cleveland considers Tate's rotation with Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell a "week-to-week guess." As do we, though Tate appears second in line behind West to get the chance at establishing a "hot hand."
He arrived amid high hopes. Those hopes have not translated to production. And so the Bears have moved on from Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes. Despite appearing in nine games and starting twice, Holmes caught only eight passes for 67 yards. It?s possible, based on his history, that he had become a pain in the posterior for the coaching staff and/or teammates. That said, there was no visible evidence of any problems; with the Jets in 2011, it was obvious that Holmes had become a malcontent and a bad teammate. He?ll be subject to waivers. If unclaimed, he?ll become a free agent. should we kick the tires on Holmes ?
Sorry Bluez, not interested. Not sure I see where he conributes, especially with only one game left before Gordon is back. Honestly, I would be very reluctant to mess with this team's chemistry, and IMO Holmes isn't a "fit in" kind of guy. I get the feeling these guys have become a "band O brothers" who see the season as "us against them", and adding a guy like Holmes just messes with the "us". In fact I wonder how Gordon fits in, now that this team of nobodies, has found success and unity without him. He will certainly get his spot back, maybe not his first game back, but he'll be in there, and hopefully we get the benefit of his talent without some kind of penalty in his fitting in without upsetting the "all for one and one for all" mentality. I think one of the reasons, Farmer et al, aren't anxious to sign a Josh Cribbs is wrapped up in the same mentality. We got here together and we will continue to overcome as a unit. That may be a little too protective, in an area where Cribbs actually could have an impact. Frankly, I think Benji's best shot to stay on the team for another year may lie in getting back there fileding punts and making plays in the punt game, like Cribbs suggests.
EXACTLY Ken!! Not only do we need to cut someone to make room for Gordon on Monday, I really don't see another player that could be cut to make room for Homes. He has a nice skill set 5 years ago, but he has let his career slip away. The moment he left the Steelers for the lucrative contract, he began his down hill slide. Now, looking ahead to the roster...We already have 6 wide receivers on the team, do they just go ahead and let the 6'5" Rodney Smith go to make room for Gordon? I think that is the most likely move. Then, looking at Josh Cribbs, he could easily fit in this special teams nightmare, but again, who do you release in order to bring him on board? Whether he is listed as a RB or WR, there isn't anyone to cut to make room. Marlon Moore would be the most likely candidate, but he has been a pretty big part of special teams in his own right on coverage...Now, for the record, I think Cribbs would easily replace Moore on coverage AND be a huge upgrade to the return game as well. But Cribbs is 31, while Moore is 27. Still, production is production. NOW...if they want to move a player from the active roster, personally I don't know what Ryan Taylor is doing on the active roster to begin with...This team doesn't need 4 TEs, especially one with no apparent value.
Browns vs. Houston Texans Sunday, 1 p.m., in FirstEnergy Stadium Record: 4-5. Last game: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles, 31-21, Nov. 2, in Houston. Coach: Bill O?Brien, 4-5, first year. Series record: Texans lead, 4-3. Last meeting: Texans won, 30-12, Nov. 6, 2011, in Houston. League rankings: Offense overall is 16th overall (4th rushing, 28th passing), defense is 28th (21st rushing, 29th passing) and turnover differential is plus-7. Offensive overview: Patriots castoff Ryan Mallett, who has thrown four passes in four years as backup to Tom Brady, gets his first NFL start on Sunday. O?Brien made the switch for two reasons: 1. Veteran caretaker Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn?t losing games, but wasn?t winning them, either. 2. O?Brien has to see Mallett on the field to decide whether to re-sign him after this year. Mallett, 6-6 and 238 pounds, is a pure pocket passer with a strong arm. He lacks mobility. Everyone wants to see whether he put his time behind Brady to use as well as did Brian Hoyer. O?Brien is hoping Mallett can give the offense a spark. Fitzpatrick?s pass selections were limited. Mallett has the arm to make all the throws, from anywhere on the field. But the order of the day no doubt will be to see how far Arian Foster?s running can take the offense. Foster is second in the NFL with 822 yards rushing, a 5.1 average and has seven rushing TDs, plus three more on receptions. Defensive overview: Coordinator Romeo Crennel?s 3-4 system is the traditional, two-gap system ? noted for its conservatism on the defensive front. Crennel is smart enough, however, to let J.J. Watt do his thing from multiple angles. Watt is listed as the right end, setting up potential matchups against fellow Wisconsin alum Joe Thomas, but trying to slow down Watt could be the responsibility of any linemen because he will line up anywhere during periods of games. Watt has 8.5 sacks and has been credited with 29 quarterback hits. Rookie No. 1 overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney was supposed to be the pass rush complement to Watt, but he has been an enigma, slowed by injuries, sickness and general malaise. Clowney?s projected role has been filled ably by linebacker Whitney Mercilus (four sacks). The defense has missed roaming linebacker Brian Cushing (knee) the past two games. Crennel?s opportunistic unit leads the NFL with 21 turnovers, but it has been prone to yielding huge chunk plays and 18 touchdown receptions overall. Special teams overview: Kicker Randy Bullock is 15 of 18 on field goals with a long of 55 yards and is 20th with 22 touchbacks on kickoffs. Punter Shane Lechler is second in gross average (47.7 yards) and 27th in net (37.8), partly because the punt coverage team is below average. Kick returner Danieal Manning averages 19.6 yards with a long of 41. Punt returner Keshawn Martin averages 6.6 yards with a long of 14. Players to watch: 1. Defensive end J.J. Watt: This defensive player-of-the-year favorite leads the defense with 8.5 sacks and seven passes defensed and leads the NFL with 29 quarterbacks hits. He also has forced two fumbles and has scored three different ways ? with an interception return, a fumble return and on a 1-yard catch as an eligible receiver. 2. Running back Arian Foster: Second in the NFL with 822 rushing yards (5.1 average), he has seven TDs on the ground and three on receptions. With 31 career 100-yard rushing games, the former NFL rushing champion ranks second all-time in rushing yards for an undrafted player behind only Priest Holmes. 3. Receiver Andre Johnson: After a training camp holdout, the 33-year-old receiver is aiming for his 8th 1,000-yard receiving season in 12 NFL years. He is mostly a possession receiver now and has found the end zone only one time. Injury report: CB Kareem Jackson (knee) is an early doubtful. LB Brian Cushing (knee) missed the past two games and will be limited. LB Jadeveon Clowney (knee) and RB Arian Foster (groin) will be limited. , Cushing, CB Kareem Jackson (sprained knee) probably out. (A.J. Bouye will replace him, INT-TD v. Eagles). Arian Foster (groin), limited. Small world: Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel was Browns head coach (2005-08) and was defensive coordinator in 2000 ? Assistant strength and conditioning coach Anthony Pleasant was a third-round pick by the Browns in 1990 and played six seasons (1990-95) in Cleveland ? Assistant special teams coach Doug Colman played linebacker for the Browns in 2000 ? Safety Josh Aubrey played for the Browns in 2013 ? Linebacker Zac Diles spent training camp with the Browns in 2014 ? Linebacker Whitney Mercilus is a native of Akron ? Linebackers coach Mike Vrabel is an Akron native and played at Ohio State.
Cameron cant get or stay healthy *WALL* pretty sure he will be history after this season . to bad he cant stay on the field and contribute
