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  • Here ya go guys -    Offense I was actually tweeting with @KJP about it earlier (respectfully, of course, as Ken is my guy!) ... nonetheless, I think everyone piling on the "RUN MORE

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^ Yes I know what you mean. Definitely not upgraded enough!

It's FOOTBALL season! Browns rookies report today. Optimism is the currency of the preseason....

 

Improving defense could make Browns playoff team in 2015

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25246883/improving-defense-could-make-browns-playoff-team-in-2015

 

Excerpt:

 

"So what's the plan? The Browns could take a page from the playbooks of their division rivals -- all of them. In 2004, then-rookie Ben Roethlisberger was forced into the lineup after Tommy Maddox went down with an arm injury in Week 2. That team relied heavily on two things: Pittsburgh's dominant defense and a running game that simplified Big Ben's life. The Steelers went 15-1 and made it to the conference championship. The Ravens did similarly in 2008, Joe Flacco's rookie season, when its second-ranked defense did much of the heavy lifting on the team's way to the playoffs. And you could argue that Andy Dalton has benefitted from some combination of good defenses and explosive playmakers in the Bengals' four consecutive postseason appearances."

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

http://footballgameplan.com/fbgps-2015-nfl-season-preview-cleveland-browns/

 

 

FBGPS 2015 NFL season preview Cleveland Browns

Thursday Jul, 2015 12:09 AM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

 

Reason for Optimism

The Browns went 7-9 last year with a very good defense, sound running game and mediocre (putting it lightly) passing game.  This year their defense is better, running game is stronger and offensive line is deeper.  So if they can just get stable play from the QB position, they’ll be staring a playoff berth in the face.

 

Cause for Concern

If the QB play of 2014 returns this season, then they’ll find themselves in the exact spot they were a year ago.  They also lack a true ‘threat’ at wide receiver without Josh Gordon this year and that’s a big time blow.

 

The Road to the Super Bowl for the Cleveland Browns

1. QB Play is Efficient – You don’t need your QB to be Otto Graham, you just can’t have them be what they were last year in Cleveland.  In my honest opinion, going with Josh McCown is similar to going with Brian Hoyer.  McCown didn’t have success with Tampa Bay last season (who finished with the 1st overall pick), so why would you expect the 35 year old QB to magically change?

 

2. Kicking Game Steps Up – This could be a potential albatross for the Browns if they’re not settle on a dependable guy.  Points add up and they need to be stellar in 2/3 facets of a ball game.

 

3. Run Defense Improves – The Browns aggressively went out to fix a bad run defense and they’ve added a ton of talent within the front seven, and they need those additions to pay dividends this year.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

First news on what Johnny has been doing during his down time for summer vacation. And it's good news! No swans, no babes, no Bieber, no champagne, no rolled up dollar bills in the bathroom....

 

Manziel Squeezes in Gruden Tutoring Before Camp

Updated July 24, 2015

By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell

 

The 2015 season is a critical year for Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel to get his career straightened out. After a nightmare rookie campaign, Manziel checked into a rehab facility to start the offseason. After returning to OTAs, Manziel has continued to try and get his career back on track during the vacation time players have before training camp. Sources have told us that Manziel spent a few days of the week of July 20 in Tampa, working with former Raiders and Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden.

 

Gruden took a liking to Manziel before the 2014 NFL Draft and was effusive in his praise of Manziel. Thus, Gruden is also motivated to help Manziel to get straightened out.

 

Aside from Manziel, Gruden has worked with other quarterbacks in need of help. Last year, veteran quarterback Josh Freeman was out of the NFL, and he spent time with Gruden. With Freeman, Gruden mostly worked in the film room, and Freeman did some work with other coaches like Terry Shea on throwing mechanics. By the sound of it, Manziel had some combination of that as well with the ESPN Monday Night Football analyst.

 

MORE:

http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftrumormill.php#CtpcIJOvK5kkPAmK.99

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Worth reading, IMHO....

 

THE REALITIES OF THE BROWNS QUARTERBACK SITUATION

PETE SMITH NFL JULY 26, 2015

 

Since the pairing of General Manager Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine, the Browns have been very honest at the quarterback situation and this year is no different, with a common sense approach to the position as they prepare to head to training camp.

 

Free agent signee Josh McCown is the team’s starting quarterback and after a complete waste of a year which included a stint in rehab, Johnny Manziel is simply tasked with honing his craft while he gets a better handle on his life.  While fans and media are discussing different scenarios and what this year means for Manziel, the reality is the Browns will be forced to again address the position after this season, whether it be in the 2016 NFL Draft or an acquisition of some kind (free agency, trade), regardless of how he performs.

 

While so many are painting the season as a black and white issue when it comes to Manziel, the reality is a far more gray area.  There are those that argue the Browns have to play Manziel to see what they have.  The Browns know what they have and this argument boils down to observers needing to see it play out on the field to believe it, one way or the other.  This happened last year with Manziel as well, which was a black eye not only for Manziel and the organization, but also showed just how uninformed the older, traditional media is in Northeast Ohio.

 

MORE:

http://www.footballsavages.com/the-realities-of-the-browns-quarterback-situation/

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

From Dawg Pound Nation. Worth reading...

 

Browns Training Camp Week One Observations http://t.co/05nsi12Noq

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

DawgPoundNation.com ‏@DawgPoundNation  1h1 hour ago

I think this is the first day where Manziel has clearly outperformed McCown.

 

DawgPoundNation.com ‏@DawgPoundNation  38m38 minutes ago

Imagine the pain and physical revulsion the ESPN/ESPNCleveland reporters feel every time they have to compliment Manziel.

 

DawgPoundNation.com ‏@DawgPoundNation  38m38 minutes ago

DawgPoundNation.com retweeted Matt Revel

You can almost feel it in Grossi and McManamon's tone when they write/tweet about it. This is killing them.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

CLEsportsTalk.net ‏@CLEsportsTalk  21h21 hours ago

2 TD's, Manziel impressive in Columbus. Thomas:"he’s ready to be an NFL starting quarterback”

http://clesportstalk.net/cleveland-browns-training-camp-review-orange-brown-scrimmage/ … pic.twitter.com/G3HDFuuXJB

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

So Week #1 just got really interesting with the opponents QB going on an all liquid diet for the next several weeks and likely out for the opener....

So Week #1 just got really interesting with the opponents QB going on an all liquid diet for the next several weeks and likely out for the opener....

 

How the hell is someone dumb enough to punch the starting QB, especially someone who actually made the team last season and could otherwise hook up in arena or Canada?

 

With our opportunistic D, I'm not sure this is a good thing.  Fitzpatrick is smarter and less prone to turnovers.

over 600 bucks

DO NOT SIGN RAY RICE!!!!!

 

It's bad enough the team and city revere Jim Brown.

If you don't love Pettine now, you will after reading this...

 

Believeland Pettine's Quest To Make Browns A Winner

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...rowns-a-winner

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

I took my own photos, thankyouverymuch!

 

All Aboard Ohio ‏@AllAboardOhio  10h10 hours ago

#Cleveland #Browns train @Amtrak station stocking up w/ lots of food for 2pm dp to Rochester, NY scrimmages w/ Bills.

CMikSpoWwAAOqn0.jpg:large

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

And look at that waterfront line train providing convenient service to the Amtrak station!

 

What is the train doing there in daylight?

And look at that waterfront line train providing convenient service to the Amtrak station!

 

What is the train doing there in daylight?

 

The answers are close by (ie: the twitter caption or the prior posting).

 

If you want to read "the why":

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-browns/cleveland-browns-1.270107/comments-from-browns-coach-mike-pettine-after-saturday-s-practice-in-berea-1.616559

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Interesting, I wonder how much the charter cost them.

I priced an Amtrak charter about 3-4 years ago. If you're operating to/from a location on an existing Amtrak line (as the Browns were), it costs less than what I was seeking to do which was to operate on a non-Amtrak route and that would have cost about $20,000. My guesstimate is that this charter cost the Browns perhaps $7,500-$10,000. However, this train had a luxury private car tacked on the end of it (did Haslam go with them?), so that surely jacked the up price at least a few thousand more. That includes insurance, switching fees, food, alcohol and a couple of white-jacketed stewards.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

I priced an Amtrak charter about 3-4 years ago. If you're operating to/from a location on an existing Amtrak line (as the Browns were), it costs less than what I was seeking to do which was to operate on a non-Amtrak route and that would have cost about $20,000. My guesstimate is that this charter cost the Browns perhaps $7,500-$10,000. However, this train had a luxury private car tacked on the end of it (did Haslam go with them?), so that surely jacked the up price at least a few thousand more. That includes insurance, switching fees, food, alcohol and a couple of white-jacketed stewards.

 

Quite the value vs an aircraft!    Hopefully Haslem puts that back into the team somehow!

Why not buses?

On why the team is taking a train to Rochester:

 

“You need to talk to Simon (Gelan), my assistant, on that one. He handles all team travel. I just think from a – I’m not sure whether our plane was too big to go into Rochester and we’d have to fly into Buffalo then bus another hour and a half up to [Rochester]. I’ve taken the train before having been in Baltimore and been in New York, going down the I-95 quarter on the train. To me, it’s the best way to go. It’s an airplane minus being way above the ground (laughter) and having people search your bags.”

 

On if taking a train was done for team bonding reasons:

 

“No, but its, to me it’s better than a bus, you can relax. Coaches can get a lot of work done. We’ll load tomorrows practice on to our tablets and be able to work on the train. It’s just much more relaxed way to travel.”

 

On if it is a charter train:

 

“It is a charter train, yeah.”

 

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-browns/cleveland-browns-1.270107/comments-from-browns-coach-mike-pettine-after-saturday-s-practice-in-berea-1.616559

Why not buses?

 

Four hours each way on a bus? No thanks. Especially for big guys like football players? You get a LOT more legroom on a train, plus there were two cafe cars stocked with food and drink from Constantino's and a first-class observation car at the end of the train with white-linen tablecloths, real china and glass, and white-jacketed stewards at your service. BTW, the train is scheduled to return to Cleveland at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

 

Legroom at Amtrak coach seat...

son-3.jpg

 

Private car (anyone with $$ can charter one at http://www.aaprco.com/chartercars/cars_for_charter.html)...

extra1.jpg

extra2.jpg

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Well..... things are not looking any better for Justin Gilbert this camp.  Seems like he might be yet another bust for a 1st round pick.  On the bright side, rave reviews are coming in for Shelton.

Well..... things are not looking any better for Justin Gilbert this camp.  Seems like he might be yet another bust for a 1st round pick.  On the bright side, rave reviews are coming in for Shelton.

 

Gilbert's problem isn't his athleticism. It's what's between his ears. Seems very immature and unwilling to learn. When he claimed his performance in the first preseason game (outside of getting burned by Pierre Garcon) was "flawless", it showed he's delusional. And yesterday he was getting lit up not by Sammy Watkins (thankfully, since the Browns essentially traded Watkins for Gilbert) but by UDFA's! Dude needs to get his head reattached to his body and stop pretending he's all that. Otherwise he's going to be telling woe-is-me stories in bars when he's 65 years old.

 

And yes, I friggin' love what I'm seeing from Shelton. Looks like an absolutely beast. Also loving Bloodbath Solomon. Still trying to figure out how he got cut by four teams.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Change of plans. Browns' train ETA in Cleveland now 2 p.m. Wednesday.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Change of plans. Browns' train ETA in Cleveland now 2 p.m. Wednesday.

 

One of the few Amtrak early arrivals in this part of the world.... :)

Change of plans. Browns' train ETA in Cleveland now 2 p.m. Wednesday.

 

One of the few Amtrak early arrivals in this part of the world.... :)

 

Might be even earlier. Train left Rochester at 9:45am. A crew member will be added at Buffalo, where it's due at 10:45am, meaning it could arrive Cleveland as early as 1:45pm depending on CSX freight traffic.

 

BTW, to stay more on Browns FOOTBALL stuff, I started "The Danny Shelton man-crush thread" at barkinghard.com using the following very brief video....

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/CMtsGqjWEAATp7X.mp4

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Change of plans. Browns' train ETA in Cleveland now 2 p.m. Wednesday.

 

One of the few Amtrak early arrivals in this part of the world.... :)

 

Might be even earlier. Train left Rochester at 9:45am. A crew member will be added at Buffalo, where it's due at 10:45am, meaning it could arrive Cleveland as early as 1:45pm depending on CSX freight traffic.

 

BTW, to stay more on Browns FOOTBALL stuff, I started "The Danny Shelton man-crush thread" at barkinghard.com using the following very brief video....

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/CMtsGqjWEAATp7X.mp4

 

Did the Bills take the train with them to Cleveland? 

Did the Bills take the train with them to Cleveland? 

 

Not that I'm aware of.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Wonder if Direct TV and Randy Moss were thinking of the Cleveland Browns receiving corps when they made this commercial??

 

DEAR CLEVELAND GROCERY STORES: Don't put the Fruity Munch on the top shelves!!!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doTj5s6T4hA

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Wonder if Direct TV and Randy Moss were thinking of the Cleveland Browns receiving corps when they made this commercial??

 

DEAR CLEVELAND GROCERY STORES: Don't put the Fruity Munch on the top shelves!!!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doTj5s6T4hA

 

Maybe they should have cast Christian Kirksey.

Maybe they should have cast Christian Kirksey.

 

Why? He's 6'-2"

 

The smurf WRs are:

 

Shane Wynn, 5-6

Andrew Hawkins, 5-7

Taylor Gabriel, 5-8

Travis Benjamin, 5-10

 

I might even throw RB Duke Johnson (5-9) in there as an honorary member as he will likely be asked to catch a lot of passes (if he can stay healthy).

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

5'-6"?  McCown will have the option of throwing passes to him between DB's legs.

Maybe they should have cast Christian Kirksey.

 

Why? He's 6'-2"

 

Not on last year's Madden

I think you missed the joke

Here ya go...

 

I think you missed the joke

 

Yes, I missed it. What does it mean?

 

EDIT: funny video!

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Just reported, the Browns are shutting down Johnny Manziel's elbow for a while.

I think you missed the joke

 

Yes, I missed it. What does it mean?

 

EDIT: funny video!

It was a programming glitch in an early version of Madden '15.  In one of the skills challenges Kirksey was with the Titans, and 1"2".....

 

It would have been an infinitely cooler commercial....

#Browns QB Johnny Manziel done for preseason with sore elbow. No date yet for him to throw again. http://t.co/F5ZkW4dmI7

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

#Browns QB Johnny Manziel done for preseason with sore elbow. No date yet for him to throw again. http://t.co/F5ZkW4dmI7

 

See what happens when he's not in the clubs chasing the ladies.  :angel:

Wow....

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

#Browns QB Johnny Manziel done for preseason with sore elbow. No date yet for him to throw again. http://t.co/F5ZkW4dmI7

 

See what happens when he's not in the clubs chasing the ladies.  :angel:

 

 

i kek'd!

 

F4139354-2885-40DF-9F71-C1E1EF1B69F0_zpsxcxqgju6.jpg

 

 

Very curious to see what the Browns do at WR with the cuts looming.  You'd think that Bowe and Hartline are certainties.  Then you have Hawkins, Gabriel, and Benjamin (do they keep all three midgets?).  That's five.  The coaching staff loves Marlon Moore for his special teams impact.  Vince Mayle hasn't shown much but was a 4th round pick.... although the Pats just cut their 4th round WR yesterday.  Terrelle Pryor might have the most potential of the bunch but not a lick of NFL experience at the position.  Lentz and Jennings have been pleasant surprises during camp.  Keeping 7 of those guys is possible, I suppose.  Somebody is going to get cut who will get picked up by another NFL team.

 

I'm also interested to see if Jamie Meder makes the team, which would mean they keep three NTs (Kitchen was cut).  Not out of the question since Big Phil is injury prone.

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