Nice!

Wow, I wasn't expecting this..

 

Browns sign Jamal Lewis

 

Posted by [email protected] March 07, 2007 21:02PM

 

Holy Schmoly. You ain't kidding.

 

I had heard we were his first stop, but I figured it was just a courtesy visit on his way to something bigger.

The draft will be very interesting.

How has he been playing recently? I know that he has beaten us up over the years, but is there still much left in the tank?

DAMN!  TALK ABOUT SNOOZER!   Damn, this might be the biggest trade of the off season.  the Browns biggest foe, my become part of the team. 

 

NOW IF WE CAN GET SOME HELP ON THE O-LINE.

Even I know this is a big deal! All of the sudden, the Browns aren't horrible!

Even I know this is a big deal! All of the sudden, the Browns aren't horrible!

 

OK!  so that means they could possible win 6 games?!  lol

DAMN!  TALK ABOUT SNOOZER!  Damn, this might be the biggest trade of the off season.  the Browns biggest foe, my become part of the team. 

 

NOW IF WE CAN GET SOME HELP ON THE O-LINE.

 

Trade? You''re not helping your contingent's stereotype

DAMN!  TALK ABOUT SNOOZER!   Damn, this might be the biggest trade of the off season.  the Browns biggest foe, my become part of the team. 

 

NOW IF WE CAN GET SOME HELP ON THE O-LINE.

 

Trade? You''re not helping your contingent's stereotype

 

Sorry I mean acquisition, since he's a free agent!

 

You know what I meant!   :-P

How has he been playing recently? I know that he has beaten us up over the years, but is there still much left in the tank?

 

I don't think that he's got much left, but I think the real reason for his signing is that they are going to get rid of Reuben Droughns.  He's due a huge bonus next week, and they're not going to pay to have two of the same type of running back on the team, i.e. big, bruising, north-south runners who rely more on power than speed & cutting ability.

Don't forget about the newly popular two running back system.  Both the Colts and the Bears utilized this very heavily, and look where it got them.  Not to mention, the NFL is a very copycat league, so I wouldn't be surprised if this is what the Browns were looking at doing this too.

We tried it to a limited extent this year, using Jamie Wright along with Droughns.  Typically, I think they try to use two different types of runners in order to change the pace.  I'd find it hard to believe that they'd have Lewis and Droughns split time.  Based on the 1-year contract they gave Lewis, I think it's more likely that they pick up Peterson with the 3rd pick and let him share the role with Lewis this year before letting him go solo in 2008.

I think it would very be interesting if they drafted Peterson now after signing Lewis...but I see what you're saying about the "more likely" to draft Peterson than keep Droughns.  Personally, I always like the saying of "draft the best available player, not what you need."  With that, I'd like to see the Browns snag WR Calvin Johnson or OT Joe Thomas if they don't go one and two.  (of course, God knows we need line!)

I'm not crazy about Jamal Lewis.  I'd rather we pick up guys with integrity that can play (like Kamerion Wimbley), instead of over-the-hill stars with criminal records.  Maybe Lewis is a slight upgrade, but I liked rooting for Reuben.  I'm conflicted.

 

I do like Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison, the Browns' other RBs.  Jason Wright was quickly improving until he was injured.  Harrison, a rookie last year, had difficultly holding onto the ball and couldn't pass block, but is small and quick.

 

As for the draft, I'm not sure.  I don't want Brady Quinn.  We don't need Calvin Johnson.  JaMarcus Russell won't be there for us.  It'd be cool if we could take Joe Thomas, but I'm petrified after how Robert Gallery turned out.  I'd be content with Peterson as a Brown, as long as we address the lines in the next couple rounds.

 

 

the local new york sports media are pretty happy about the giants picking up reuben.

 

i saw the top 5 draft pick predictions on foxsports:

 

Rk Team Player Pos School

 

1 OAK J. Russell QB LSU

2 DET J. Thomas OT Wisconsin

3 *CLE A. Peterson RB Oklahoma

4 *TB C. Johnson WR Georgia Tech

5 ARI G. Adams DE Clemson

 

top 10 rb's

 

Pos. Rank  Overall  Rise/Fall  Player  Pos  School  Ht.  Wt.  40  Proj Rd 

 

1  4    *Adrian Peterson  RB  Oklahoma  6-2  217  4.40  1 

2  13    *Marshawn Lynch  RB  California  5-11  215  4.46  1 

3  39    *Michael Bush  RB  Louisville  6-2  243  4.62  1-2 

4  48  Rising  Brian Leonard  RB  Rutgers  6-2  226  4.52  2 

5  56    Tony Hunt  RB  Penn State  6-2  233  4.54  2 

6  57  Falling  Kenny Irons  RB  Auburn  5-11  203  4.45  2 

7  73    *Antonio Pittman  RB  Ohio State  5-11  207  4.40  2-3 

8  97    Lorenzo Booker  RB  Florida State  5-11  191  4.46  3 

9  111  Rising  DeShawn Wynn  RB  Florida  5-11  232  4.47  3-4 

10  123    *Darius Walker  RB  Notre Dame  5-10  206  4.55  4 

 

I really hope that we'll be able to pick up Joe Thomas.

the local new york sports media are pretty happy about the giants picking up reuben.

 

I have no idea why....some were talking like he's a great replacement for Tiki.

 

Dream on Giants.

the local new york sports media are pretty happy about the giants picking up reuben.

 

I have no idea why....some were talking like he's a great replacement for Tiki.

 

Dream on Giants.

 

i think its its all based on his physical looks so far. he looks good. he looks bigger than tiki. he looks like a steal. they havent seen him in action/inaction yet. remember tiki was well loved by fans. they'll turn on rueben on a dime if he doesnt produce right away.

 

:drunk:

ahh...browns... can we build an OFFENSIVE LINE and not start another QB controversy.  gawd!

I agree completely. I really hope that we are able to take Thomas with the 3rd pick.

No doubt but is Frye the man to front the Browns long term? I'm not so sure.

I thought Troy Smith was going to be the Browns savior?

I don't know, but I hope they don't go for Green.  He's good, but we have enough problems with injuries to go with someone who's durability may be in question-unless they are thinking of him as a second string "mentor" quarterback.  And yeah, none of our quarterbacks will be durable unless we get a line to protect them.

And yeah, none of our quarterbacks will be durable unless we get a line to protect them.

Other than for the brief "Vinny era" offensive line has been a problem for the Browns for over 20 years now. :-(

...because someone has to ask, now that the draft is THIS WEEKEND!

 

Who do you want the Browns to pick at #3? 

And who do you think the Browns will actually take with that pick?

here we go --- the browns are now officially on the draft clock.

 

from the chatter it almost seems like the browns cant not pick him -- quinn that is. also, he has the requiste cute suicide blond girlfriend by his side -- so he's ready. :laugh:

 

update: awwww! wisconson left tackle joe thomas --- to a mad chorus of booooos! shocking! drama! wow. the first curveball of the draft. but the correct move imo.  espn chatter approves :clap:

I miss the days of Butch and wasting a high first-round draft pick on a center. Now THAT was drama. :)

Good pick. I'm still on the fence about Frye though. I hope he proves me wrong.

And we get Quinn!!!

 

 

Huge day...and it isn't even over yet!  :-o  I listened to the first round until after Quinn was selected on the radio, and can tell you the draft was incredibly entertaining.

 

3231, you called it on Joe Thomas.  I'm really liking what we have in Phil Savage.

 

I'm fired up that we get Quinn, too.  Ideally, I'd like for Brady to sit this season and learn as much as he can.  That'll give us a year to see what Charlie can do behind a solid line.  I don't think that will happen, though, especially since the fans are impatient and Romeo is on the hot seat.

 

Hosts and listeners of one of the local sports radio stations here want the Browns to pick up Antonio Pittman if he's still there in the third round.  We'll see!

1 3 Thomas, Joe OT 6-6 313 Wisconsin

1 22 Quinn, Brady QB 6-3 226 Notre Dame

2 53 Wright, Eric CB 5-11 190 Nevada-Las Vegas

 

I'm definitely pleased this year.  Fingered crossed on Quinn, but to get him at #22 instead of #3 somehow makes everything ok, haha.

1 3 Thomas, Joe OT 6-6 313 Wisconsin

1 22 Quinn, Brady QB 6-3 226 Notre Dame

2 53 Wright, Eric CB 5-11 190 Nevada-Las Vegas

 

I'm definitely pleased this year.  Fingered crossed on Quinn, but to get him at #22 instead of #3 somehow makes everything ok, haha.

 

Eric Wright is supposed to be a 15-20 overall pick, but has had some past incidents that had made him questionable to several teams. 

 

Lots of good running backs still on the board.  Hope we can possibly snag one tomorrow (though I  want to try to develop Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison).

what does this mean for local boy Charlie Frye?  he's a gutsy leader... would be a shame to see his tenure with the Browns curtailed

what does this mean for local boy Charlie Frye?  he's a gutsy leader... would be a shame to see his tenure with the Browns curtailed

 

This dosent mean that he will most likely be traded or axed; however, most Browns fans are eager for a new face and new feel (but who can blame them).  Personally, I'd rather see Charlie play this year will Quinn taking limited snaps and getting a year under his belt.  Most likely the Browns will do one of two things:

 

1) Let Charlie start the year and win/loss a few games, then put Quinn in for the rest of the year.

 

2) Start Charlie during preseason, but start Quinn all year (and maybe go back in forth in some games with Crennel putting in Frye since the fans are will be complaining when Quinn is doing bad).

 

Either way doesn't lead to success.  It's never a good situation when there are two quarterbacks, especially unproven ones.  There will always be ups and downs for both and there's always that question of how the other one would be performing at that given moment.  Once Phil Savage and Crennel (or the new tenure!) quit listening to the complaining fans for game to game decisions, I think we'll be fine. (I'm really not trying to sound like a negative Cleveland fan, since I unfortunitely don't have all the answers...) Go Brownies!

 

Basically, I just hope there is no flip flopping of quarterbacks this year--hopefully we can just pick one and have his back.

I had the draft on TV but muted while I was writing an article for a client and listening to music (talk about lots of electronic stimuli!). On one of my occasional glances over to the TV, I was astonished to see Brady Quinn holding up a Browns jersey. I exclaimed "What the hell just happened! It's got to be a joke?!" The excited emotion I suddenly felt took me back a couple of decades....

 

In 1985, we were all geeked when the Browns made a similar controversial maneuver to get Kosar in a supplemental draft. There was even a song about him on the radio (no, not the Bernie-Bernie version of Louie-Louie -- that came in 1986 -- I can't remember what this one was) that summer, before he ever took a snap for the Browns. I'd never heard a song about a Browns player BEFORE he played for the Browns. That's how geeked this city was to have him.

 

But in training camp, veteran Gary Danielson (who was brought in to mentor Kosar) earned the starting QB job. He simply outplayed Kosar, who made his share of rookie mistakes. Unless the Browns bring in a capable veteran for Quinn to learn from (and I don't consider Charlie Frye to be that guy), Quinn may end up earning the starting job.

 

Of course, he may get it by other means. It wasn't until the Browns played New England in October 1985 (I was at that game) when Danielson hurt the shoulder of his throwing arm and was gone for the season. After Kosar fumbled his first snap (!), he played very well at times, poorly at others. I believe his QB rating was in the upper 60s.

 

In training camp of 1986, Kosar played better than Danielson and was about to win the starting job. But Danielson got hurt in the final preseason game. It was Kosar's job, ready or not. That time, he was ready, earning a QB rating in the 80s and leading the Browns to a 12-4 record. In 1987, only Joe Montana had a higher QB rating than Kosar's 95. It was a real treat watching Kosar grow as a player.

 

No one knows if Brady Quinn will have as much success, but it will be interesting to see how he performs under the pressure and hype, which hopefully won't be as huge as it was for Kosar.

 

I haven't been interested in the Browns since they left in 1995, and really, I haven't been excited about the Browns since the early 1990s. Too many dumb draft picks, few marquee players, greed, Bill Bellichik, Art Modell and their departure has left me soured on professional football in general and the Browns in particular.

 

I really want to be a fan again and have the passion for the Browns I had back in the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Perhaps this draft will be a first step in that direction for me.

I agree that Brady Quinn cannot be mentored by Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson.  I think we need to pick up a proven backup quarterback, someone who has been around the league for awhile and has played behind some winning quarterbacks.  What that does to Frye or Anderson, I don't know, but three quarterbacks with less than 3 years in the league isn't ideal.

KGP you have a photographic memory. I didn’t remember all that about Kosar until you mentioned it. My detachment began in 1987 after “the drive”. I sat freezing my butt off at that game only to be heartbroken. Modell’s gab was just the icing on the cake.

 

I’m not saying I stopped being a Browns fan; I just didn’t have any expectations. With this draft, I see similar parallels to the Kosar era, let’s hope they don’t stop there.

Brady age 4 with Kosar jersey:

^ I agree on a couple of your points, Murray.

 

I don't think Charlie will be cut or traded.  Even if he isn't the starter, he will serve as a viable backup.  He has a positive attitude, more than a year of professional experience, and football knowledge.  He will be a great resource to this team in winning whether he's the starter or a backup.

 

There should be a competition for the starting job.  Don't hand anyone the gig.

Troy Smith is a Raven!

The Browns have leveraged quite a bit of their future on Brady Quinn...hopefully it doesn't work out (Who Dey)!  But seriously...it looks like this may have been one of the Browns' best drafts in years!  Congrats!

More Defense:

 

1 3 Thomas, Joe OT 6-6 313 Wisconsin

1 22 Quinn, Brady QB 6-3 226 Notre Dame

2 53 Wright, Eric CB 5-11 190 Nevada-Las Vegas

5 140 McDonald, Brandon CB 5-11 181 Memphis

6 200 Purcell, Melila DE 6-4 278 Hawaii

 

EDIT:

Troy Smith is a Raven!

 

First they take our team, then they take our locals!

KGP you have a photographic memory. I didnt remember all that about Kosar until you mentioned it. My detachment began in 1987 after the drive. I sat freezing my butt off at that game only to be heartbroken. Modells gab was just the icing on the cake.

 

Im not saying I stopped being a Browns fan; I just didnt have any expectations. With this draft, I see similar parallels to the Kosar era, lets hope they dont stop there.

 

Thanks. I used to have a photogenic, er, photographic memory. I killed too many brain cells in the late 90s, early 2000s! But I remember lots of stuff from the 70s and 80s, and a great deal about the Browns. I visited the Browns Web site today for the first time in many months, and saw some team photos from the Central Division winning teams of 1985-1989. Sadly, I could name most of the players!

Draft grades for the AFC North:

 

Baltimore Ravens: Grade: B

 

Cincinnati Bengals: Grade: C

 

Cleveland Browns: Grade: A-

 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Grade: B

 

Read more at http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-afcdraftgrades043007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

Damn it AmrapinVA , you beat me too it!  the SI/CNN/HBO Sports people were raving about the browns draft.  I might be able to redeem myself this season.  I might even be able to escape scathing insults from a former shaw high star, that cornball WR from Cinci and a former channel eight sports anchor!

ESPN gave the Browns the highest draft grade (b+). I think that two or three other teams also received a B+. Sure hope these picks pan out.

Eric Wright - Steal of the draft.. Played at USC so he played at the top level before transferring to UNLV, we needed a starting corner opposite Bodden, AND he can return kicks which will need to be filled with the tragic loss of Dennis Northcutt.

 

To those who think we should start Frye and let Quinn learn the system.. I disagree.. look at Payton Manning.. he started game 1.. I think that's worked out pretty well so far.

umm...Tim Couch, Ryan Leaf....there are probably 10 times as many QB's who started as a rookie day one who didn't pan out.  Not saying I whole-heartedly disagree with you, but to use such a narrow and specific example as Peyton as your arguement is kind of stretching it. 

 

If Brady looks more impressive when the season rolls around, then start him.  Whatever Crennel decides, I'll be cheering for the Brownies is my usual crazy, drunken manor.  It's definitely too early to start inking in the starter.  Go Browns! 

The examples you list were people who had other problems.  Tim Couch had serious shoulder problems and still does.. perhaps getting sacked 1000 times didn't help, but it wasn't him starting so early.  Ryan Leaf had no work ethic and once he got into the NFL he lost all interest in football, he even stated this on a draft special.

 

Quinn has a respectable line something Couch did not have, and offensive weapons, something Couch did not have.  Starting Frye or Anderson at the beginning of the season will do nothing but tread water, they aren't in any long term plans, so why waste any developmental time for Quinn.