Browns v. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m., in M&T Bank Stadium Record: 9-6. Last game: Lost to Houston Texans, 25-13, Dec. 21, in Houston. Coach: John Harbaugh, 80-44, eighth year. Series record: Ravens lead, 23-8. Last meeting: Ravens won, 23-21, Sept. 21, in Cleveland. League rankings: Offense overall is 11th (7th rushing, 14th passing), defense is 9th (4th rushing, 28th passing) and turnover differential is zero. Offensive overview: Quarterback Joe Flacco is coming off one of his worst games, misfiring on 29 of 50 throws and tossing three interceptions. He looked gunshy and uncomfortable after taking two hits early in the game. A big difference from the earlier meeting is that Justin Forsett emerged as the feature back. He shared the handoffs with rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro in the Game 3 meeting. Injuries could cause a shuffle on the offensive line, resulting in changes at both tackle spots and right guard. Defensive overview: Decimated by injuries, the entire starting secondary is different from Game 3. The cornerbacks now have veteran Lardarius Webb and rangy Dolphins practice squad pickup Rashaan Melvin, and the safeties are Darian Stewart and Will Hill. Rookie tackle Tim Jernigan has filled the big shoes of NFL-suspended Haloti Ngata. He has helped the defense limit opponents to a 3.6-yard rush average and only seven rushing touchdowns, and has added four sacks. Special teams overview: Kicker Justin Tucker is 27 of 32 on field goals with a long of 44 yards, and is third with 57 touchbacks on kickoffs. Punter Sam Koch is second in gross average (47.4 yards) and first in net (43.5). Return specialist Jacoby Jones is eighth in punt returns (9.5) and second in kickoffs (30.9) with a 108-yard touchdown. Pat Scales is their third different long snapper. They have three blocked kicks, including one returned for a touchdown. Players to watch: 1. Running back Justin Forsett: The seven-year veteran became a star feature back in Gary Kubiak?s wide zone running scheme, posting career highs with 1,147 yards, a 5.7-yard average and 8 TDs. His 218 carries also are a career high, and he has shown signs of wearing down. 2. Receiver Steve Smith: One of the smartest free agent pickups of the NFL season, the 14-year veteran has given the offense everything hoped for ? toughness, professionalism and big plays. At 35, he?s 25 yards shy of his eighth career 1000-yard receiving season. 3. Linebacker Elvis Dumervil: His 17 sacks are a franchise record, rank third in the NFL and, coupled with Terrell Suggs? 11, form the most lethal 1-2 sack punch in the league this season. His 10 sacks against the Browns, which include a four-sack game while with the Broncos, are the most he has v. any team. Injury update: OT Rick Wagner (foot) is out. RB Justin Forsett (ankle) left the last game and will be limited. DE Chris Canty (ankle) did not practice. OT Eugene Monroe (foot) is in a walking boot and not practicing. Small world: GM Ozzie Newsome a Browns? first-round draft choice in 1978 and played through 1999. He was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 ? George Kokinis, senior personnel assistant, was Browns GM in 2009 and was fired after eight games ? Director of pro personnel Vincent Newsome played the final two seasons (1991-92) of his career for the Browns and then scouted for them ? Former Browns coaches are Jerry Rosburg (special teams, 2001-06) and Clarence Brooks (defensive line, 1999) ? Fullback Kyle Juszczyk is from Lodi, OH.
Johnny asking the Browns to give him more time, at the same time admitting he didn't give them or his teammates the time and attention the job demands. Wow ! I admit I didn't like the Johnny pick from the go, and his admission clearly underscores why he never "won" the job from Hoyer. Clearly the Coaches witnessed the fact that Johnny hadn't put in the time, and done the hard work of truly preparing to be an NFL QB. That sense of entitlement, that arrogance, or over confidence, if you prefer, are the reasons there were so many of us so skeptical, and nothing he has done football wise has done anything but re-inforce those negatives. Sigh....... He's samllish, not particularly strong armed, and doesn't know how to play from the pocket. Talk of running QBs, that peaked two years ago, has gone silent. Pocket passers, will always be the norm, if you can run, great, but you "have to" be able to work from the pocket and read defensies. So what did we see? Some aweful passes, with little to no zip, many times due to not respecting the fact that you have to set your feet first, a clearly uncomfortable QB looking for a place to run or just never in synch with the reciever, and then he gets hurt. (so so arm / not pocket ready / smallish) Other than that I love the kid.
With the Browns preparing to finish out the season with a game that means nothing for Cleveland but plenty for the Ravens, the Browns have made several roster moves. Specifically, the Browns signed long snapper Charley Hughlett from Kansas City?s practice squad, and activated defensive lineman John Hughes (knee) from injured reserve/designated for return, and placed defensive lineman Ishmaa?ily Kitchen (leg) and quarterback Johnny Manziel (hamstring) on injured reserve. General Manager Ray Farmer made the announcement. The decision to sign Hughlett comes a day after the Browns worked out, per a league source, long snappers Dax Dellenback, Brandon Hartson, and Luke Ingram
BEREA, Ohio -- Browns safety Donte Whitner is known to lay the wood on opposing receivers, and he did so verbally on Cleveland's No. 8 overall pick from May's draft. Whitner told ESPN that cornerback Justin Gilbert needs to "stop being a kid" after the rookie struggled for much of the season and saw his playing time dwindle to players with limited to no experience Sunday at Carolina. Gilbert played 17 snaps Sunday, less than special teams ace/corner Jordan Poyer and fourth-round rookie Pierre Desir, who didn't log a defensive down through the first 14 weeks of the season. [+] EnlargeJustin Gilbert Jason Miller/Getty Images Browns rookie Justin Gilbert needs to "grow up and not be a kid anymore," his teammate said. "It's time to grow up and not be a kid anymore. It's a wasted year for him," Whitner said. "There were so many ups, so many downs -- a lot of it has been brought on by himself. He has to look himself in the mirror like Karlos [Dansby] said, he has to understand what he did wrong, what he needs to get better at, and make sure that you're back here working out from day one when we return here to show everybody you have a good attitude and you want to go out there and be the player they drafted you to be." Dansby told reporters Monday that Gilbert has to make a transition as a young player at a difficult position but he must "look in the mirror" to do so. Coach Mike Pettine said Gilbert did not break a team rule but had some on- and off-field issues that led to his diminished play Sunday. Gilbert didn't beat out veteran Buster Skrine for the starting outside cornerback spot during training camp, and undrafted rookie K'Waun Williams won the starting nickel job, relegating Gilbert to the fourth corner spot. Gilbert has flashed potential, including an athletic 23-yard interception return for a touchdown against Indianapolis in Week 14. Gilbert was in the Browns' locker room for the early portion of media availability Tuesday but was not available after Whitner made the comments. Asked whether Gilbert's issues stretch beyond the normal rookie transitions, Whitner said, "Yeah, but you know we keep all that in house." "He has things he needs to improve on and grow up in," Whitner said. "Stop being a kid." Gilbert has admitted the Browns' man-coverage scheme was foreign to him. He played off athleticism instead of technique. Does he want to change? "I think he wants to do that but only time will tell," Whitner said. Now someone on the offensive side of the ball needs to put a foot in West ass as well *KISSING* Farmer your on thin ice here ..you blew your first draft ..taking two knuckleheads in the first round ..no wonder we cant get anywhere .and trading up for another one in the third round ..MORON DO YOUR PHUQUING JOB !!
We have to resign Skrine IMHO ..you cant count on these knuckleheads to contribute . besides Skrine has played at a high level for the last two years . you cant coach 4.2 speed . don't screw this up Farmer ..you knucklehead *ROSE*
Okay I am done ranting ......for now *SHADES* Kick the shit out of the dirty stinking rat birds and end this season at 500 ..plus knock them out of the playoffs would be a great way to go out . as always ........ ROT IN HELL ART .YOU RAT BASTARD *ROSE*
I agree we have to resign Skrine. is he a RFA? I was willing to give Farmer 3 years to see what he could do! But like you Bluez I think he blew that draft last year! He failed the Dilbert pick but found Crowell. Bitonio & that LB were good picks also but nothing after that! This draft will tell the tale of the tape with me about Farmer! 4 1st rd picks in 2 years! The 1st 2 were a failure! Now he has 2 more! If he fails with these next 2 picks I want him FIRED! having this many 1st rd picks in back to back years just doesn't happen! Right now Farmer is 0-2! he goes 0-4 and its time to run him out of here. Then I'm applying for the GM job! lol
Gilbert and Manziel can't be considered failures just yet. They are punk kids that have gotten by their entire lives on natural athletic ability. They needed someone to show them their asses, and the NFL did that. I can relate to them. I came into the Marine Corps with an attitude and I was naturally good at everything they wanted from me. I could get my 100 crunches, do my 20 pull ups and finish my 3 miles in under 18 minutes. I'm an expert rifleman, and no one could touch my knowledge. What I lacked was maturity, grace and modesty. Luckily I ran into the right people when I got myself into the wrong situation, and they changed my life. These kids can grow up too.
Pettine had to tell Yahoo that his 1st rd picks are not bust! That means the Browns are thinking the same thing everyone else is! Or why would he say that! But Dawg you said luckily you ran into the right people to show/lead you into the right direction. I agree these are young kids but do the Browns have the people or I should say the right people in place to show these (Kids) the right way! I'm telling you and I hate to that Farmer and Pettine are starting to rub me the wrong way! But I guess only time will tell!
Of all the Charlie Fryes, you're the Charlie Frye-iest Nothing signals dismay to a Browns fan quite like that stark realization that the Browns drafted wrong at QB, again. Browns fans stared into the starkness a week ago. And stared into the starkness again on Sunday. It?s a Charlie Frye Christmas. If there was a way For Jimmy Haslam to trump firing first year coach Rob Chudzinski after a team somehow eked out 5 wins without a running back and with the lowest rated QB in the league and also the league leader in drops at wide receiver, it was placing himself as the decision maker in drafting the most important position on the team. So much for quotes on stability. So much for quotes on hiring folks and letting them run. ?The Browns could?ve had Derek Carr who was the best looking and most accurate passer the Browns brought in for a look and within reach. Or Terry Bridgewater. And without giving up a 3rd round pick that could?ve become another Kirksey or Ben Tate. ?Johnny Football?s hurry up text to get him and wreck this league wasn?t a text born of worry that someone else would take him. It was simply worrisome to sit and wait well past when you thought you would be taken by someone, and Manziel wanted the wait to end. ?Browns fans who sit a few miles down the road and have followed the QB carousel for years and also had front row seats to Johnny Football in College Station and all his heroics voiced concern. No one thought Manziel was the smart choice amidst worries about character, size, and lack of NFL pocket abilities that spidered worries in all directions when projecting Manziel as an NFL starting QB. ?Coach Palmer once said you cannot change the fundamental style of a player, and a pint sized running QB that doesn?t play well within structure didn?t bode well. And still doesn?t. Manziel showed he isn?t NFL ready, and no one this side of Jimmy Haslem?s gas pumps is counting on him being ready next year. Sigh. ?The larger story in all this is Brian Hoyer. Hoyer passed for 200+ yards in the first 8 games and for the first time since Brian Sipe in 1983. Hoyer?s EPA (clutch passing) ranked 10th at the time and ahead of folks like Colin Kaepernick, Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford and Joe Flacco near the halfway mark around the oval. ?A Browns running game that had averaged 146 yards/game tumbled to less than a hundred following the injury to Alex Mack. The passing game collapsed as Hoyer struggled to get into rhythm, appeared to press, struggled to hit open receivers, and increasingly found jerseys on the opposing team after a start in which only Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger threw for less interception and with more pass attempts. ?A network graphic flashed the Browns were one of two teams in the league without a first round pick at a skill position, and the Browns leading receiver was 5?7" and the number four receiver on the Bengals depth chart last year. There wasn?t a lot to work with was the simple answer while things were working, somehow. ?Franchise QB?s can put a team on their back which is the deep message in Coach Pettine?s off-season statement that you do not need a franchise QB to go to the Super Bowl. You don?t need a franchise QB to put a team on its back ? if you have the right pieces and team. ?Coach Pettine was less clear in saying exactly what you do need on offense, and isn?t it about time Pettine or Ray Farmer speak up on the topic? What exactly do the Browns need to make things work? ?And what exactly is the answer as the Browns head into the offseason and a draft devoid of reasonable talent after Marcus Mariota? Do the Browns mortgage the ranch and toss a bucket load of picks to make up for the colossal stupidity of an owner who can?t sit on his hands when it matters most? Does Ray Farmer ready a box of puzzles and chinese boxes to keep Haslam busy and send a memo to the Browns QB position coach and other staff to NOT send text messages to ownership during the draft? ?The conundrum is this: Hoyer showed he can make clutch passes to a receiver corps absent talent and be amongst league leaders with a receiver corps that is well below average. Hoyer showed he can lead an NFL team to wins last year. And this year. He also participated in a meltdown as the Browns most recently went through four games failing to score a touchdown on offense with at least two interceptions per game? the league?s longest streak since 1977 according to Elias. ?How exactly do offenses collapse so dramatically, and do you give Hoyer credit for leading a team with essentially the same talentless offense that led to 4 and 5 win seasons for the past 6 years? Do you look at what Hoyer needs to stay comfortable in the pocket and stay in rhythm and build confidence and trust? Or do you pass Hoyer through the QB shredder? Would Hoyer want to stay knowing Manziel is breathing down his neck, and Coach Pettine doesn?t have a coaching style that understands competition and pressure are healthy up to a point? and when the pressure point has been struck it?s time to shift styles?
It's Christmas Day. Happy Christmas to one and all. No Browns rants today, just family, love, food and drink. Enjoy !
Undrafted rookie has faced big challenges before... BEREA, Ohio (AP) ? Connor Shaw played for his dad in high school and ran South Carolina?s offense under the ultra-demanding Steve Spurrier in college. If that won?t toughen a guy?s skin, nothing will. Raised in a football family, Shaw knew when he was 5 years old that all he ever wanted to do was be an NFL starting quarterback. The undrafted rookie may get his shot on Sunday. With Johnny Manziel done for the season with a hamstring injury and Brian Hoyer still unable to throw because of a sore shoulder and biceps, Shaw will likely make his starting debut when the Browns (7?8) conclude another disappointing season this week against the Baltimore Ravens. For Shaw, it?s a dream come true, the chance to show he belongs. ?I?m really excited about it,? he said. ?It?s been a long season.? And a long journey for the former Gamecocks star, who went 27?5 as a starter in the SEC, but then was invited for just one visit to an NFL team before May?s draft. He wasn?t selected, but signed in May. During training camp, he was an outsider in the quarterback battle between Hoyer and Manziel. But the 6-foot?1, 210-pound Shaw showed enough during the preseason ? he went 8 of 9 for 123 yards and a touchdown against Washington ? that the Browns decided to keep him on their practice squad. He was around in case of emergency ? and he?s needed. Shaw doesn?t have much time to get ready for the Ravens, who can still earn a playoff spot with a win and loss or tie by San Diego, or with a tie and a San Diego loss. But Browns coach Mike Pettine believes the 23-year-old Shaw, who threw 23 touchdown passes and just one interception as a senior, will produce even on short notice. ?You just look at him, and does he pass the eye-ball test? No,? Pettine said. ?He doesn?t have the strongest arm, and he?s not the fastest. He?s not the biggest, but he just found a way. He?s just got something about him.? That?s always been the case for Shaw, who likened his college game to Manziel?s. He?s mobile, can run for a first down when needed, but don?t expect him to flash any ?money? signs if he scores. ?I?m a tough, gritty guy,? he said when asked to describe his playing style. ?I feel like I?m smart with the ball. We?ll see. I haven?t had a whole lot of reps in the NFL, especially live reps so we?ll see how it plays out if I suit up.? Shaw got his first snaps with Cleveland?s offense Tuesday, and by all accounts showed he?s spent the past few months studying. He wasn?t out of place in the huddle or behind center. ?I was impressed,? said tackle Joe Thomas, who was named to eighth straight Pro Bowl team. Thomas said he didn?t know Shaw?s background. ?I can?t really remember taking any reps with him,? Thomas said. ?But he stepped right in and hardly made any mistakes calling the plays.? Although he was out of sight for much of the season, Shaw worked hard. He was behind Hoyer and Manziel on the depth chart but alongside on the ride. ?I was doing everything they were,? he said. ?I was trying to stay as sharp as possible because you never know when you?re going in.? It?s been quite a year for Shaw, who married his high school sweetheart, Molly. They recently welcomed a baby girl, Mila. And now, his career might take a step forward, too. ?Hopefully we can cap it off with a win,? he said. NOTES: Pettine said ?there?s no doubt in my mind? that he and owner Jimmy Haslam share the same vision for the team. ?I get together with Jimmy for a minimum of an hour every week. We are very much on the same page.? ? Pettine said he was alarmed and encouraged to hear Manziel admit he didn?t take his job seriously enough this season. ?It?s rare that you have a rookie like a Joel Bitonio, who comes in and it?s seamless. Most rookies typically are shocked by the speed of the game, by the challenge that it brings, going from being a college student and football is a part-time thing where now it?s to 9 to 5-plus. You might as well carry a briefcase.?
It's a start, the kid is singing the right song, now lets see him bring his A game next season and give us the best secondary in all of football. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...justin-gilbert-says-brought-criticism-himself
BEREA, Ohio (AP) -- Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert is ending his season confused, offended and determined. Related Stories 1. Browns rookie Connor Shaw to start finale The Associated Press 2. Manziel moves into starter's role with Browns The Associated Press 3. Justin Gilbert vows to be great after work ethic is questioned ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports 4. Hoyer's confidence has given Browns belief The Associated Press 5. Luck rallies Colts over Browns 25-24 The Associated Press 6. How Older Men Are Building Muscle Force Factor Sponsored ? Nobody said it's easy being an NFL rookie. The No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft, Gilbert has been a major disappointment, so much so that a few of his teammates were publicly critical of him in recent days, saying he had ''wasted'' his first season. Following practice on Friday, Gilbert said he was hurt by some of those sharp remarks and promised to atone for his missteps. ''I'm not mad at anyone about it, I brought it upon myself and I can take that and roll with it,'' he said. ''I messed up, but I can promise my teammates I'm going to make it right.'' The Browns used their first pick this year to select the 6-foot, 202-pound Gilbert, a dynamic defender and return specialist at Oklahoma State. The team believed that by putting him on the opposite side of Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden the Browns would have one of the league's toughest defensive backfields. But it didn't go according to plan as Gilbert made just two starts, was passed on the depth chart by undrafted free agent K'Waun Williams and Pierre Desir, a fourth-round pick, and was benched. He didn't perform on the field and had a questionable work ethic away from it. Gilbert refused to get into any specifics about what may have prompted safety Donte Whitner and linebacker Karlos Dansby - two of the team's most respected veterans - to speak out about him. Browns coach Mike Pettine said he didn't have a problem with any teammate giving ''tough love'' to another. ''I'm not a person to judge my teammates and put it out there in the media like that,'' Gilbert said. ''If I have a problem with somebody, I would address them face to face and that's just all I can say about that.'' Gilbert said part of the problem could be that he's not outgoing and his quietness may have rubbed others the wrong way. Gilbert felt some of the criticism may have been a little too personal. ''I think it may have crossed the line a little bit,'' he said, ''but at the same time we're all here to do the same thing and that's win and provide for our families. So some of the things were right and some of the things could've been kept to themselves.'' Gilbert would not address if he has been late to meetings. ''We keep family business in the family,'' he said. Earlier this week, rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel acknowledged he may have misjudged the transition to the NFL and said he intends to work harder in the offseason. Gilbert agrees with Manziel and that he may have taken some things for granted. Not anymore. ''I think I came along as the season went on and I think I made some pretty good plays down the stretch that weren't really noticed or talked about like the plays that I didn't make that were talked about at the beginning of the season, so it's just how things went I guess,'' he said. ''I've just got to come back next season and turn it all around. ... I can assure everyone here that I will work a lot harder, in the offseason and during the season. That's one promise I can make.'' Does he want to be great? ''I will be great,'' he said. Gilbert said his enthusiasm for playing with the Browns has not been dampened. If anything, he's more determined to show the team he was worthy of a high pick. ''It definitely sparked a flame inside of myself to want to prove a lot of people wrong and a lot of doubters,'' he said. ''That's going to be one of my main goals next year. I think it's just a little, minor setback for a major comeback.'' NOTES: Versatile CB Buster Skrine, an unrestricted free agent following the season, said he hopes to re-sign with Cleveland. Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil would like to see that happen. ''I would love to bring Buster back,'' he said. ''He's one of my favorite guys on the defense. He embodies 'Play Like a Brown.' I don't ever want to let good players walk out the door.'' ... DL Ahtyba Rubin will not play in Sunday's finale because of a left ankle injury. Rubin, who played in his 100th game with Cleveland last week, is also a free agent. ... S Jim Leonhard insists Sunday will be his final game, ending a 10-year NFL career. ''Getting out there in the fourth quarter knowing that it's the last one, I'm sure the emotions will hit,'' he said
NOTES: Versatile CB Buster Skrine, an unrestricted free agent following the season, said he hopes to re-sign with Cleveland. Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil would like to see that happen. ''I would love to bring Buster back,'' he said. ''He's one of my favorite guys on the defense. He embodies 'Play Like a Brown.' I don't ever want to let good players walk out the door.'' Make it HAPPEN ! we cant let Skrine walk IMHO .
With Dilbert showing nothing this year except being a 1st rd bust the Browns better sign this guy! He has a 4.27 40 yard! You cant teach speed! But by resigning him that would show how stupid Farmer was last year drafting a CB with our 1st pick! I'm 1 draft away from calling for Farmers head and applying for the Browns GM position myself! We all could blow 4 1st rd picks in 2 years and Farmer is 1/2 way there!
Duke is playing Arizona St. now on CBS. The reason I'm saying this is because of 2 players. Tomlison RG from Duke and of coarse Jalean Strong WR ASU! Stong is 1 of the WR's I want after OT in the 1st rd. Cooper will be gone so we will be left with Kevin White or Jalean Strong. Our 1st pick I want Andrus Peat OT Stanford or La'el Collins OT LSU! Then I'm hoping Denzel Perryman is there in the 2nd rd or maybe Funchess so he can play TE. If we walk out of that 1st 2 rds with say Peat/Collins, White/Strong then Perryman/Funchess then I will take back everything I said so far about Farmer. But I don't think he is that bright! 3 picks 3 starters! That's how you build! Not 3 picks 1 starter and 2 backups on a 4 win football team!
Well....Maybe this is the SAME OL BROWNS.... Cleveland Browns have suspended Josh Gordon for breaking team rules...No details provided. You are right Els, We need to find a #1 receiver in free agency AND the draft, because we just can't trust Gordon will be here from one week to another.
