? CLEVELAND -- Browns executive Bryan Wiedmeier has died following a four-year battle with brain cancer. He was 57. The team announced Wiedmeier's passing on Tuesday night. Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam called Wiedmeier "a special person" and "exactly the type of person you want in your organization and on a personal level as a friend." Wiedmeier was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer in 2012 and given 15 months to live. He defied medical predictions and lasted four more years. One week after undergoing surgery to have a tumor removed in 2012, Wiedmeier, who spent 35 years in the NFL, attended a Browns game and was awarded a game ball by then-coach Pat Shurmur after Cleveland beat San Diego. Wiedmeier spent 29 years with the Miami Dolphins, serving in a variety of roles with the team. He joined the Browns in 2010. Wiedmeier is survived by his wife, Mary K., and five children.
After word emerged that Brown quarterback Robert Griffin III has been throwing the ball over the fence when throwing it away, PFT heard from a team source that he?s doing it to show that he gets the point about being willing and able to throw the ball away when necessary. On Wednesday, Griffin said that?s exactly what he?s doing. ?I?m just being coachable,? Griffin said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. ?You have to practice the way you play ? sliding, throwing the ball away, all those things, keeping positive downs and distances. Those are important. It seems funny throwing the ball over the fence, but it?s just part of the process. You have to take everything into account.? So, basically, keep your head on a swivel if you have lower bowl seats at the Factory of Sadness. ?If he asked me to throw it away, I?m going to throw that thing as far as I can ? all the way away,? Griffin said. Griffin also has been sliding when necessary, and last week (per Cabot) he was sufficiently pleased with himself that he jumped up and spun the ball. Even if Griffin?s new technique carries with it a little (or a lot) of passive aggression, it?s good to know that he?s finally doing the things he previously wouldn?t or couldn?t do. The question now is whether he can and will do those things when he?s not wearing a special don?t-touch-me jersey.
Browns coach Hue Jackson said Robert Griffin III is still "mastering the quarterback position." "I?m not gonna say he?s raw, but he is still developing. And most young quarterbacks are still developing," Jackson said. "Mastery of how to play the position is the key to his success." Jackson praised Mike and Kyle Shanahan for creating an offense which played to Griffin's strengths as a rookie, but it sounds like Jackson expects RG3 to play a more traditional role in Cleveland. He struggled when put in that position in Washington, and his ability to ever develop into a pocket passer is questionable. If he wants Griffin to have success this year, Jackson needs to cater to his strengths.
BEREA, Ohio -- Cody Kessler may not be the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback this season, but it won't be for lack of commitment. Kessler has blown the lid off the rookie expectation box with his work ethic since he was drafted in the third round out of USC. He picked up the playbook as soon as he could after the draft. He arises with roommate Seth DeValve (fourth round out of Princeton) at 5:45 a.m. and takes the first shuttle to the team facility at 6:15. He has used FaceTime to talk routes and plays with first-round pick Corey Coleman. And he has surprised team security at bed check in the hotel by having the rookie receivers in his room into the late hours, going over plays, routes and calls. And all that took place before rookie minicamp. "There were some long days because we were doing installs," Kessler said. "Rashard [Higgins] and Corey [Coleman] and Jordan [Payton] and Ricardo [Louis], they'd come over to my room at night and we'd be up until 11 or 11:30. Even after bed check. They'd come in and let us go a little bit longer because we were learning the playbook." While it's tempting to say that this rookie quarterback is approaching things differently from a previous highly drafted quarterback, it's best to merely say that Kessler is showing some of his strengths. He's smart, prepared and driven to learn. "For me," Kessler said, "it's always been that I don't ever want to have an excuse to why I didn't grasp the offense or anything. If I have the opportunity to have the film room open, if I can stay here as long as I can, I want to take advantage of that." "I think that's what you want out of a quarterback," coach Hue Jackson said. "You want a guy totally committed to the process." Off-the-field work does not erase on-the-field concerns. Kessler still has to show he can read and throw accurately in the NFL, and that criticism of his arm as not strong enough is off-base. To help his throwing, Kessler will spend some time between now and the start of training camp with throwing mechanics coach Tom House, a former baseball pitcher who breaks down the throwing motion for better function. Kessler will be joined at House's 3DQB facility by Robert Griffin III, who spent time with House after the Browns signed him. Jackson knows House and appreciates his work, so he set up the sessions. "I think [House is] one of the best at what he does, at teaching rhythm and timing and making sure a guy's body is in the proper throwing mechanics position," Jackson said. "It's another opportunity for a player to get better." Kessler will spend his time at his home in California, where he also will continue to work to understand all he can about the offense. "I want to come into camp," Kessler said, "and act like I've been in this offense for 10 years."
Hue: "We established a really good foundation" Fred Greetham 1:24 PM Browns coach Hue Jackson was pleased with what the Browns accomplished in his first off-season with the Browns and hopes to pick up where the team left off at the minicamp which concluded Thursday BEREA,Ohio--Browns first year head coach Hue Jackson is pleased with what the Browns accomplished in the off-season and hopes to build upon it as the team returns for training camp in about six weeks. "I'm not going to let them go backwards," Jackson said "I'm not going to let them go backwards. think it's really important that the men in the locker room don't let this team go backwards because they've established a really good foundation and a really good work ethic, so I think it's really important that we come back ready to hit the ground running and understand that we're here to get some business done each and every day. "I think they will, I really do, to a man, I will be really surprised if they don't come back here in tip-top shape ready to practice and ready and eager to get going." Jackson said although he welcomes the down time away from football before the long grind starting at training camp, in some regards wishes they could continue to build on the progress they've made. "Sometime you hate to see an off-season come to an end," Jackson said. "Obviously, we have a long ways to go and we haven't played a game, but you have to have the right foundation and you have it laid." Extra Points QB Competition: QB Robert Griffin III ended practice with a long pass of about 50 yards for a touchdown to WR Terrelle Pryor. Griffin III had his ups and downs during the three day minicamp, but Jackson said he still sees Griffin III getting better each and every day. "I think he's gotten better," Jackson said. "I know he gets highly scrutinized, but I think he's getting better." Griffin III is trying to transition into more of a pocket passer, in addition to being able to roll out of the pocket and throw. Jackson said he thinks Griffin III is looking more natural in the pocket. "He looks natural to me," Jackson said "He's improved, let's be honest. He's getting better every day, but there's still work to be done." At the conclusion of the minicamp, Jackson was asked if he stands by his statement of not naming a starting quarterback as the team heads to training camp. "Absolutely not," Jackson said. "I can assure you that there won't be any earth shattering announcement (on who the starting quarterback will be) between now and training camp, so you can go on your vacations and have a good time. It's still aways away, but I feel good about the process." Jackson was asked if it would be an open quarterback competition in training camp. "If you want to say it that way," he said. "I haven't come close to letting my mind go there." The apparent pecking order at quarterback during minicamp, in terms of the order of taking reps was Griffin III first, Josh McCown second, Austin Davis third, Connor Shaw fourth and rookie Cody Kessler fifth. It is possible the Browns will not bring all five quarterbacks to training camp, but third-round pick Kessler is certain to be one of them. Kessler Signs: The Browns have signed third round pick QB Cody Kessler, leaving only third-round pick DL Carl Nassib and fourth-round pick LB Joe Schobert as unsigned as the only two of 14 picks unsigned by the Browns. High Praise for Bitonio: Jackson singled out OL Joel Bitonio as a player he thinks could take the next step to be a Pro Bowl offensive lineman. "I think Bitonio has the potential to be one of the better players in this league, bar none." The Browns offensive line for team drills had LT Joe Thomas, LG Bitonio, C Cameron Erving, RG John Greco and RT Alvin Bailey. Corey's Potential: Jackson called first-round draft choice, WR Corey Coleman out at the start of OTA's saying he was out of shape, but the coach praised him at the conclusion of minicamp. "He's really shown why we drafted him in the first round," Jackson said. '"He is as a tremendous talent and if he keeps working like he is and stays as humble, he has great desire to be a great football player and I think that is going to happen for him." Wide receivers coach Al Saunders agreed. "He's what we thought he was." Coleman made a nice leaping catch on a pass from Griffin III, where he went high into the air to come down with the ball during the 11-on-11 scrimmage. Jackson said nothing will be handed to the first year player from Baylor. "He still has to earn it, work for it and fight for it and I think he will." Sitting Out: TE Gary Barnidge (sports hernia), DB Joe Haden (ankle), OL Shon Coleman (knee), WR Taylor Gabriel (foot), DL Carl Nassib (leg), K Travis Coons and WR Dennis Parks were sitting out during practice. Offensive line coach Hal Hunter Jr. said he was told that Coleman, the third round pick from Auburn will be ready to go from the first day of training camp. Rookie WR Jordan Payton was still not in camp due to being at school at UCLA. New Kicker: The Browns signed free agent K Patrick Murray, who was in camp on a tryout basis. K Travis Coons was held out with a minor undisclosed injury. To make room WR Dave Richards was released. Murray (5-7, 182) who participated in the Browns minicamp this week on a tryout basis, is in his third NFL season out of Fordham. Originally signed by Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Murray appeared in 16 games with the Buccaneers as a rookie. He converted 20 of 24 field goal attempts and all 31 PATs for 91 points. He spent last season on injured reserve and was waived by Tampa Bay on May 16, 2016. Summer Break: As the Browns concluded their three-day minicamp, the players scattered throughout the country on a six-week hiatus until training camp is set to begin in late July. Jackson was asked if this is a nervous time for football coaches as player's sometimes get themselves in trouble when they're away on break. "Yeah, it is," he said. "It's like you have a bunch of kids and sometimes things happen. I expect them to handle it as pros and that's part of being a professional."
All I can say is "ouch" and cross my legs and grimace knowingly........... [video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYAdzum0i7s[/video]
Im lucky to have never had a ball come at me like that. I was a SS/CF and would catch for certain pitchers and as a defensive replacement. I couldn't tell you how many time I would change positions and it wouldn't be till the first ball in the dirt that I realized that ive had 90 mph balls coming at me without protection!! Its amazing that I am able to have the 4 children that I do.
The Browns announced their 2016 Training Camp schedule on Wednesday Hayden Grove 11:04 AM The Cleveland Browns announced their 2016 Training Camp schedule on Wednesday morning. CLEVELAND, OHIO-- Football in Cleveland is but a month and two weeks away. The Browns announced their 2016 Training Camp schedule on Wednesday and the practices begin on July 29 at the team's training complex in Berea. After 49,734 fans appeared last season, the Brown & Orange Scrimmage will once again be held at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. This year, it will be held on August 6 at 3:00 p.m. Outside of the scrimmage, 11 practices will be open to fans in Berea. Following the team's final OTA, coach Hue Jackson said this camp will be tough and hard-hitting, as the Browns need to play "real football" if they want to be ready for a successful 2016 season. The 2016 Browns Training Camp schedule: ?July 29: 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. ?July 30: 3:25 to 5:55 p.m. ?July 31: 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. ?August 1: 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. ?August 2: 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. ?August 3: No Practice ?August 4: 3:25 to 5:55 p.m. ?August 5: 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. ?August 6: Brown & Orange Scrimmage 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. @ Ohio Stadium, Columbus ?August 7: No Practice ?August 8: 3:15 to 5:45 p.m. ?August 9: 3:15 to 5:45 p.m. ?August 10: 3:15 to 5:45 p.m. ?August 11: Travel Day ?August 12: Browns @ Packers, WEWS, 8:00 p.m. ?August 13: No Practice ?August 14: Practice Closed ?August 15: 3:15 to 5:45 p.m. ?August 16: Practice Closed ?August 17: No Practice ?August 18: Falcons @ Browns, WEWS, 8:00 p.m. ?August 19: Practice Closed For all of your Browns news and updates from Berea, follow Hayden Grove on Twitter: @H_Grove
Yeah DS, I caught for 12 years and believe me, a cup didn't "always" do the trick...but it saved my butt(or in this case balls) on many occasions. My brother in law is the only pitcher I ever caught for, that could throw 90 MPH though...all others were in the high 70's-low 80's, so at least I had that going for me. _________________________________________________________ On another note, when was the last time a coach had practices that late in the afternoon? Not only will they be tackling more and having actual practices as opposed to a morning of walking around...it will also be in the afternoon heat. I would say if they make it through training camp, they should be ready to play on Sundays come September.
Since this is the DPL, and we're all having a few rounds...did anyone play against any athletes that went on to the big time? At Twinsburg I played against Aaron Weston, a CF from Solon. He was taken in the 17th rd by the Pirates out of High School. They were our main rival, and one game after playing them at our field, the Yankees and the Braves were there to have him take batting practice with a wooden bat. We all watched and chuckled as he drove the first 6 into the ground. After that it was bomb after bomb after bomb. Our field had the same dimensions as The Jake but it was 5 ft shallower in dead center, we even had the oversized wall in left. This kid was a lefty and every single shot was to right center. He wasn't only clearing the fence, he was over the fence, over the bike path beyond the fence and either on or over the hill beyond that. It was a spectacle. He never really panned out as a pro. He made it to AA and hit around .200. There are a few other names I remember but don't have any details. There was a Ryan Bartose who was a 3b that supposedly got a ride to LSU. I think he went to a school somewhere on the west side, it wasn't a usual team we played. There was Chuck Crowder from Mantua or somewhere over there, who was a flamethrower..I never saw either guys name anywhere after that.
Not against, but I played with Thom Darden in High School. He was a year behind me. The hardest I've ever been hit was in practice and it was delivered by Thom Darden.
