The Morning Kickoff ? The all-time Browns top five: Young fans who have seen the Browns suffer through 18 starting quarterbacks in 14 seasons might be surprised to learn the franchise once boasted the greatest quarterback of his era. When experts compile their lists of the NFL?s all-time best passers, they invariably recite the names Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas, John Elway, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Yet none can match the record of Otto Graham. He is in a universe of his own on our list of the top five Browns quarterbacks of all time. 1. Otto Graham, 1946-55, 114-20-4 record as starter, 10 championship game appearances in 10 years, seven league titles. If you discount Graham?s four seasons in the All-America Football Conference ? unfortunately, too many historians do ? Graham directed the Browns to a record of 57-13-1 in six NFL seasons. The Browns appeared in the league championship game in each of his six NFL seasons and won three of them. Graham won 81 percent of the NFL games he started at quarterback. His career figure rises to 84 percent when 67 games in the AAFC are included. Winning percentage of the others ? Brady, 77 percent; Montana, 72 percent; Manning, 68 percent; Unitas, 65 percent; Elway, 64 percent; Marino, 61 percent. Those are the relevant numbers, not completion percentage, yards, TDs-vs.-interceptions and passer rating ? all of which Graham suffers in comparison to the modern passers because of changes in the sport. Some football analysts maintain the most relevant statistic for a quarterback other than wins is average yards per pass attempt. Graham?s career mark of 8.62 is an NFL record. A final note: Graham, who served in the Navy in World War II, was a personal favorite player of President John F. Kennedy, who thus adopted the Browns as his favorite NFL team. 2. Frank Ryan, 1962-68, 52-22-2 record, two championship appearances in seven years, one title. The original cerebral quarterback, he majored in physics at Rice University and then earned his Ph.D. in mathematics while leading the Browns to the NFL title in 1964. He outplayed the great Unitas in the ?64 title game but came up short against Bart Starr the following season. A 1-1 record against future Hall of Famers in championship games? It doesn?t take a Ph.D. in mathematics to conclude that was pretty good. 3. Bernie Kosar, 1985-93, 53-51-1 record, five playoffs in 8 ? seasons. The native of Boardman, Ohio, won everyone?s heart by saying publicly that he wanted to play for his home-state team when it wasn?t popular. Then he manipulated the NFL draft to make it happen. A prodigy at University of Miami who won the national championship as a true freshman and graduated in three years, he was able to call his shot by opting to enter the NFL in a supplemental draft. On the field, Kosar was limited physically but unlimited mentally. His uncanny ability to read defenses under pressure and anticipate receivers resulted in pinpoint accuracy despite a myriad of unorthodox release points. He peaked in a second-half performance in the 1987 season AFC championship game against Denver that fell short but left Elway in awe. Kosar was never the same after having his right elbow wrenched by a blitzing safety in his very next game ? the 1988 season opener. 4. Bill Nelsen, 1968-72, 34-16-1 record, three playoffs in four full seasons. Gimpy-kneed but overflowing with vim and vigor, Nelsen succeeded Ryan and took the Browns to the equivalent of two conference championship games. They fell short both times, a win away from the newly created Super Bowl. As small consolation, Nelsen outplayed New York icon Joe Namath in the first ?Monday Night Football? game in the 1970 season opener. Nelsen is on my list of the top five most underrated players in Browns history. 5. Brian Sipe, 1974-83, 57-55 record, one playoff in six full seasons. To this day, Sipe is flabbergasted by the adoration he still receives from fans because of two magical seasons in 1979 and 1980. Repeated last-minute victories engineered by Sipe earned the team the Kardiac Kids nickname. His 4,132 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in 1980 remain franchise season records and earned him the league MVP award ? the last Browns player to win it. Tony Grossi covers the Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR, ESPN 1540 KNR2 and www.espncleveland.com.
Ahmad Bradshaw anybody ? the former Giant is till out there as well . looks like we may need a RB as Hardesty cant stay healthy and it appears that T Rich is a china doll as well *WALL*
the free agent RB list . Running Backs Steven Jackson (Signed three-year, $12M deal with ATL) Reggie Bush (Signed four-year, $16M deal with DET) Rashard Mendenhall (Signed one-year, $2.5M deal with ARZ) Ahmad Bradshaw Beanie Wells Cedric Benson Shonn Greene (Signed three-year, $10M deal with TEN) Bernard Scott (Signed one-year, $1.016M deal with CIN) Michael Turner Felix Jones (Signed one-year, $780K deal with PHI) Peyton Hillis Brandon Jacobs Danny Woodhead (Signed two-year, $3.5M deal with SD) Cedric Peerman (Signed two-year, $2.515M deal with CIN) Rashad Jennings (Signed one-year, $630K deal with OAK) La'Rod Stephens-Howling (Signed one-year deal with PIT) Justin Forsett (Signed two-year, $2M deal with JAX) Leon Washington (Signed one-year, $1.5M deal with NE) Javon Ringer Ronnie Brown (Signed one-year, $840K deal with SD) Tim Hightower Kevin Smith Brian Leonard (Signed one-year, $715K deal with TB) Mike Goodson (Signed three-year, $6.9M deal with NYJ) Jalen Parmele (Signed one-year, $715K deal with TEN) D.J. Ware Chris Rainey Ryan Grant Steve Slaton Thomas Jones Joseph Addai Mewelde Moore Cadillac Williams Jackie Battle Kahlil Bell Tashard Choice (Signed one-year, $780K deal with BUF) Brandon Jackson (Signed one-year deal with CLE) Jamie Harper Ryan Torain (Signed one-year, $715K deal with NYG) Stefan Logan Jerome Harrison Tyrell Sutton Darius Reynaud (Signed one-year, $1M deal with TEN) Darren Evans Kregg Lumpkin
By Fred Greetham OBR Senior Browns Reporter Posted Jun 4, 2013 As minicamp gets underway, the presence of a veteran wide receiver, Devon Bess, has been noticeable and positive presence. 0 Comments BEREAOne of the most noticeable additions to the Browns offense during the off-season was the addition of two veteran wide receivers in Davone Bess and David Nelson. Nelson was on the field for the first time Tuesday, although not practicing as he recovers from a torn ACL that cost him the final 15 games of the 2012 season. However, Bess presence has been noticeable. He and Brandon Weeden have already looked to have found a connection in the short time hes been here. Weeden hit Bess across the middle for a deep completion during the first day of minicamp and the two hooked up several times throughout the scrimmage sessions. Its nice because you have a veteran who has had a lot of success, Weeden said. He doesnt make a lot of mistakes. He rubs off on people. Hes a true pro. Bess feels he and Weeden are getting their chemistry down. A big part is repetition, he said. The more reps you get the more work you get is the amount of reps is the biggest thing. Every day the whole unit is getting better. Rob Chudzinski has seen what he expected from Bess since hes been here. He thinks Bess will be a good example for young receivers Greg Little, Josh Gordon and Travis Benjamin. Davones been great, Chudzinski said. He instantly brought leadership to us. He knows what it takes to be a pro and knows what it takes to be a leader. He shows players the right way to do things. Bess is looked upon as being a veteran who can help the young receivers the Browns have, despite being just 27 years old himself. I am really looking forward to joining this group of receivers, he said. Obviously, (the Browns) have a lot of young, talented guys. My job is to come in and share my knowledge and help out not only as a receiver but from my experience. Bess came into the NFL the hard way and said it was a blessing in disguise. Looking back, being undrafted (from Hawaii) and then thrown into the fire as a rookie gave me some good experience, he said. Opportunity is a big part of this league and Im thankful to Miami for giving me the chance to play. The Browns acquired Bess and a fourth-round pick (111th overall) and a seventh-round pick (217th overall). The fourth-round pick was traded to the Steelers for their third-round pick next season and the seventh-round pick was used to take Armonty Bryant. The Browns gave up their fourth-round pick (104th overall) and fifth-round pick (164th overall acquired in the Colt McCoy trade) in the move. Bess has caught 267 passes since 2009, which is the 14th most productive receiver in the NFL in that time span. The Dolphins spent a lot of money in the off-season by signing free agents Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson and re-signing Brian Hartline and felt Bess was expendable. You cant be surprised in this business, Bess said. Bess (5-10, 190) is excited to be a part of the Browns where he is expected to play a big role, especially on third downs. Im a get it done type of guy, he said. Whatever my role is Im going to maximize it 110 percent. Bess has averaged over 65 receptions a season the last four years, but he thinks he can do better. I hope to bring more production to Cleveland, he said. Getting 60-61 catches is good, but I left a lot of catches last year on the field and I hope to have more production (moving forward). Bess didnt join the Browns until the trade was made during the draft, but feels hes picked up the offense pretty quickly. Im feeling good with the offense and the more reps you get the more comfortable with the offense, he said. The closer we get to camp the more comfortable I am. Its just a matter of putting it together, he said. We have a lot of big, young guys who are raw and it is just putting it together. Chudzinski sees a lot of potential in what Bess brings to the Browns. Davone is a proven receiver who has been extremely productive throughout his career, Chudzinski said. He possesses outstanding hands and separation skills, while also showing the ability to pick up yards in key situations. Because of his talent and experience, we feel as though he can come in and help us right away. Bess has been very productive in the slot, especially on third down. I take extreme pride in being productive on third down, Bess said. For the coaches putting me in a position to be productive has been important and I have played my role to the best of my ability. Mike Lombardi said after the trade that Bess production was certainly attractive to the Browns. I think because he has produced in the league certainly is attractive, and I think hes got the ability, Lombardi said. Hes proven on tape against really good competition. So it wasnt a question of looking at it any deeper than he could make plays against people that we have to play against and hes been very productive. Notebook Chud not Concerned about T Rich: Chudzinski said he expects RB Trent Richardson to be ready for the start of training camp on July 26. Were just holding him (back), Chudzinski said. He couldve (practiced). Its precautionary. He has the full summer to get healthy. My expectation is he will be ready Day One of training camp. The first full day of training camp is scheduled for July 26. Richardson was not available for comment, but is scheduled to talk with the media on Wednesday after practice. A report on ESPN Cleveland said the Browns were worried that Richardsons injury might develop into a stress fracture. I dont know about the medical (concerns), Chudzinski said. He has a strain and we just dont want it to get worse. Chudzinski said the biggest part for a running back is the mental aspect and Richardson has been involved in every aspect of the installation process. He will be able to make it up, Chudzinski said. The biggest thing with a back is the mental reps and hes really stayed into it. The mental part is the most important part for a running back and getting into game shape. Nelson Back: WR David Nelson was on the field for the first time with the Browns after spending the off-season rehabbing his surgically repaired knee in Dallas with his preferred trainer. He tore his ACL in the first game of the 2012 season while playing for the Bills. The Browns signed him as an unrestricted free agent. Hes in good shape, Chudzinski said. Hes really close. If we wanted to push him (he could practice). Hes had a great rehab. Chudzinski said Nelson has had the play book with him on his iPad and he expects hell pick up the offense quickly. Hes a sharp guy and has picked up quickly (the offense), he said. The biggest thing is getting the knee right. Nelson was on a mission trip to Haiti recently while the Browns were going through OTAs. Its nice to get back out here, Nelson said. Im about 90 percent and am able to run routes. Nelson said he could be practicing. Ive been taking it easy, he said. I didnt want to practice and have a setback. My goal is training camp. Chudzinski concurred with Nelsons timetable. Hes on schedule and we expect him to be ready. Suspension Looming?: There has been rumors that one of the Browns players will be suspended by the NFL. Chudzinski was asked after Tuesdays practice if he was aware of that happening. I dont know anything about that. Line them Up: John Greco lined up at left guard and Shawn Lauvao at right guard during the team 11-on-11 scrimmages. Jason Pinkston worked with the second team at left guard. Buster Skrine and Chris Owens lined up opposite of Joe Haden at cornerbacks with Tashaun Gipson and T.J. Ward at safety. No. 1 draft choice Barkevious Mingo worked with the second team behind Jabaal Sheard at right outside linebacker. Paul Kruger was at left outside linebacker after missing OTAs for a family matter. Bike Brigade: WR Jordan Norwood (hamstring), DB Jamoris Slaughter (Achilles), RB Trent Richardson (leg), OL Chris Faulk (knee), WR David Nelson (knee) worked with trainers and rode the stationary bikes. Nelson worked on the side with trainers after not attending the OTAs. Tryout Guy: The Browns invited DB Vernon Kearney (6-2, 185) to minicamp on a tryout basis. Kearney is a rookie undrafted free agent from Lane College.
Eric Mangini is officially back in the NFL, after he was formally introduced today as a consultant on the 49ers? coaching staff. And he made clear that he wants to be a lot more than just a consultant in the future. Mangini confirmed that he?s hoping to get another shot at being a head coach, as he has previously been with the Jets and Browns. ?That?s definitely a goal of mine,? Mangini said. ?Right now, I?m doing what I can do here as well as I can do it. I think it?s every coach?s goal to eventually do that.? Although Mangini had a very good first season as a head coach, with the 2006 Jets, that remains the only time he led a team to the playoffs. He was fired by the Jets after missing the playoffs in 2007 and 2008, and then fired by the Browns after back-to-back 5-11 seasons in 2009 and 2010. That?s not exactly the kind of record that?s going to make him a hot head-coaching candidate. But he?s now on the coaching staff of one of the NFL?s best teams. Which means he?s a lot closer to his goal of being a head coach again than he would have been if he had stayed at ESPN.
From ESPN Cleveland: Observations, opinions and some facts gleaned from Browns? minicamp practice ? * There is no quarterback competition at Browns camp. Check that ? no competition for the starting job. I see Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer sharing time with the second team. I see nobody but Brandon Weeden playing with the first team. Weeden has looked exceptional now in the last three team practices open to media. Any strong-armed passer with some playing experience should excel in the touch football phase of an NFL offseason, and Weeden has done that. Absent a rush and absent contact by defenders to disrupt the timing of pass routes and force a quarterback to adjust, a pretty passer can do what he does best ? stand back and fire away. But there was one play that showed Weeden?s growth as a quarterback. In a 7-on-7 drill, Weeden made a read to Greg Little breaking down the middle of the field. It wasn?t the called play, but Weeden adjusted when he saw the safety break to the outside. Almost before Weeden released the ball, an offensive coach exclaimed, ?Good read.? After Weeden?s laser throw on the money to Little 20 yards downfield, defensive coordinator Ray Horton, kneeling at the line of scrimmage to examine his defense, conceded, ?I see you, 3. Nice throw.? * No. 1 draft pick Barkevious Mingo is working with the second team defense, but it?s no concern and no reason not to expect a significant contribution from him as a rookie. The Browns apparently will follow the model used by the San Francisco 49ers with Aldon Smith, the No. 7 overall pick in 2011. Smith made no starts as a rookie and produced 14 sacks. The Browns don?t need to rush Mingo?s adjustment from defensive end to standup outside linebacker because they built depth with the additions of experienced 3-4 rush linebackers Paul Kruger and Quentin Groves and moved Jabaal Sheard to the position. Mingo?s primary responsibilities appear to be in the pass rush ? and on some special teams -- at this early stage of his pro career, and he has not been able to show his game completely because of the limitations on hitting, etc. But he swatted down a pass at the line of scrimmage on Tuesday. And no, it wasn?t Weeden who threw it. It was Campbell. * I counted three drops for Josh Gordon, which is uncharacteristic because he has the softest hands of the receivers. But Gordon also made a soaring sideline grab over Joe Haden, after which he got both feet in bounds. There are times when Gordon looks like an absolute elite receiver and that play was one of them. * Don?t expect the receivers to always line up with Gordon and Greg Little on the outside and Davone Bess in the slot. Coordinator Norv Turner and coach Rob Chudzinski have the receivers shifting from outside to the slot and vice versa, so as to keep defenses from clamping down on them. Pat Shurmur did a little of this last season. Remember that some of Gordon?s biggest plays last year originated from the slot, which created favorable mismatches. I have seen all the receivers run routes from the slot and all run outside routes. And things should get real interesting when 6-5 David Nelson is out there, too. Nelson, who missed most of last year in Buffalo with an ACL tear, said he expects to be ready to go on the first day of training camp. We'll have much more on him in Wednesday's Morning Kickoff. * There has been no official announcement from the team yet on its training camp schedule. But a few players referred to July 26 as the date of the first practice. * The first kicking competition in the post-Phil Dawson era will be interesting. I watched veteran Shayne Graham struggle to get much distance on kickoffs (into the wind) and then watched hopeful Brandon Bogotay hit an upright with one field goal attempt and then skim the crossbar with the very next one.
Weeds will flourish in this offense . he will shut up all the haters this season . then again maybe not as some will find something to bitch about . i have faith that this offense will be pretty good and fun to watch this season . 9-10 wins is a real possibility this year if they stay healthy and make the jump i think they will . i am more concerened about the defense . can the LB'S cover ? can they stop the run ? pretty sure all can get to the QB but thats only half of it . of couse if Haslams legal troubled don't get in the way . if it isn't one thing it's another around here *SCRATCH* .. the life of a life long die hard Browns fan .
According to ESPN Cleveland, Brandon Weeden is the only quarterback taking first-team reps in Browns OTAs. Longtime beat writer Tony Grossi confirms our longstanding assumption that there's "no competition for the starting job" in Cleveland. Grossi does believe there's a legitimate battle between Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer for No. 2 duties. Considering Weeden's play down the stretch last season and Campbell and Hoyer's talent level, the Browns are making the right call. Weeden has some sneaky QB2 upside under Norv Turner and Rob Chudzinski's tutelage.
I picked up MLB 13 the show for my PS3 ..What a awesome realistic game . very fun to play with unreal graphics . if your looking for something to play with your friends & family pick up the MLB 13 the show . it has settings to suit everyone including those with severe disabilities .i have friend of mine who was one arm after catching a guardrail on his motorcycle and he can play it .
Coach Rob Chudzinski said he expects Trent Richardson (shin) to be ready for training camp's opening day in late July. A Tuesday morning report from ESPN Cleveland had Richardson out until August. Chudzinski reiterated that T-Rich just has a muscle strain after getting his shin stepped on in practice and the team is being extra cautious by holding him out. The main danger here is if the strain turns into a stress fracture, but that's unlikely with so much time before the season starts. Richardson's growing history of injuries is a concern, but it's not time to drop him on draft boards yet.
Teams pass on chance to squat on 160 UFAs Posted by Mike Florio on June 5, 2013, 2:24 PM EDT APThe labor deal has a little-known provision that gives teams that ability to squat on unrestricted free agents who haven?t signed elsewhere by June 1. As of June 1, the player?s most recent team can offer a contract worth 110 percent of his prior year?s base salary (if it was a rookie contract that expired) or 110 percent of his total compensation from the prior season (for non-rookie deals). With those tenders, the unrestricted free agents become essentially the exclusive property of their prior teams if not signed by a new team before July 22. From July 22 through Week 10 of the regular season, the no-longer-unrestricted free agents may sign only with their prior teams. June 1 has come and gone, and the list of players who are now completely free and clear has been released by the NFL. The list contains 160 names, including Cardinals defensive end Vonnie Holliday, Falcons defensive back Chris Hope, Ravens nose tackle Ma?ake Kemoeatu, Bills defensive tackle Spencer Johnson, Panthers linebacker Antwan Applewhite, Bears defensive end Isreal Idonije, Bengals cornerback Nate Clements, Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown, Cowboys guard Derrick Dockery, Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley and linebacker Keith Brooking, Lions kicker Jason Hanson and running back Kevin Smith, Packers running backs Cedric Benson and Ryan Grant, Texans nose tackle Shaun Cody, Colts tackle Winston Justice and receiver Austin Collie, Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith and cornerback Rashean Mathis, Chiefs safety Abram Elam and running back Peyton Hillis, Vikings receiver Devin Aromashodu, Patriots receiver Donte? Stallworth, Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and receiver Devery Henderon, Giants defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, Jets receiver Braylon Edwards and guard Brandon ?Butt Fumble? Moore, Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour, Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, nose tackle Casey Hampton, and center Doug Legursky, Chargers running back Jackie Battle, 49ers receiver Randy Moss and guard Leonard Davis, Seahawks linebacker LeRoy Hill, Buccaneers tight end Dallas Clark, Titans running back Javon Ringer, and Redskins safety Madieu Williams and tackle Jammal Brown. All will remain free and clear, able to sign with any team at any time from now through the end of the 2013 season, and beyond.
Nobody here we know readily comes to mind.............. (rolls eyes) Speaking of which, why is it that Stopper always shows up the same time as SAS? Could it be just one person with split personalitites that are almost exactly the same with one being a lot more literate than the other?
8) HAPPY HUMP DAY Lounge Houndz *HI* I?ll buy the next round. *DRINK* Duff I?ll take another supersized mug of Bluez?s Makers Mark. *DRINK* *DRINK* Me too? Sounds like another Duff Conspiracy Theory to me On a Positive Note D'Qwell Jackson on the focus of the new coaches: "There's a major sense of urgency to win now." *YAHOO* *YAHOO* *YAHOO* *YAHOO* Can a fellow Brownie get WOOF!
Actually SAS, if you "count" Stopper as a personality, then it detracts and ............ well, when you add it to your own, it leaves you with a net of zero or less.
Bluez I'll take u up on 9-10 W's....also whats so special bout Chud and Turner's offense? When Turner was w Dallas and SD, he wuld run the ball 30-40 times/games....not sure why everyone thinks Weeden will thrive in this offense. Its a conservative offense that will try and establish the run each and every game vs arguably the best rush defenses in their division.
Yes, Stopper, they would run. However, the run and the pass complemented each other. The defense had to be honest because they knew the running was good, but they could crowed the line because they also attacked vertically. This should be in stark contrast to Pat Shurmer's famous horizontal passing attack. With speed, size and soft hands all over the field the new offense will be less offensive while be more offensive at the same time.
