Ok heat, how about you wait for said teams to play a game before completely writing them off. Fair?

There's only so many years you can give them the benefit of the doubt. Being a fan is kinda like dating a whore, you expect her to cheat, if she doesn't then you're pleasantly surprised. Thing is, I don't expect them to have a poor record this year, 8-8 is very doable. But that's mostly because of our easy schedule. We'll see, I haven't missed but one maybe two Browns games in 25 years. That won't change this year. I just don't get upset when they lose anymore because I expect it.

Cleveland Browns punter Reggie Hodges out for year with torn Achilles

Published: Tuesday, August 02, 2011, 3:02 PM    Updated: Wednesday, August 03, 2011, 7:51 AM

  By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer

 

BEREA, Ohio -- The last thing you'd think the Browns would need this year was a punter.

 

Think again.

 

They are trying out punters Wednesday to find a replacement for Reggie Hodges, who is out for the season after tearing his left Achilles tendon during Tuesday's practice. Hodges was the only punter in camp.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/08/cleveland_browns_punter_reggie_1.html

BTW, glad to see Phil "My Wallet" Taylor has finally signed. Now he can count his money, which is what he seems to want most.

 

And I'm also pleasantly surprised by the signing of former Eagles cornerback Dimitri Patterson. I think he's at least as good as Eric Wright was.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/08/cleveland_browns_agree_on_a_fo_1.html

No, I don't post on Cleveland.com, I'm called a realistic Browns fan. I'm not a rose colored glasses homer like you people. If you're not smart enough to see the difference between bitching about a crappy sports team and complaining about a city that you never step foot in then I feel very sorry for you. The fall back rebuttal to everything on here seems to be "do you post on Cleveland.com?" I've seen it used quite a few times in my short time on this site. Kinda getting old.

 

And yes, the Cavs had a horrid draft and the Browns had a horrid draft and free agency season.

 

"You people"?  The people (well the majority of those that attended games in Municipal Stadium) HERE are about as "real" as it gets.

 

And for the record, CDM and I are the only people on this board that can use the phrase, "you people".  OK! 8) O0

Mary Kay Cabot tweets that Browns sign free agent punter Richard McGee, released by Bears. He will be on the field in Berea on Thursday. In addition to signing punter McGee and CB patterson, the #Browns signed FA LBs Archie Donald and Eric Gordon. Hodges on IR.

 

See how smart I am?..... :)

ESPN: Updating our poll, 71 percent of #Browns fans believe Cle is too passive in free agency, while 29 percent do not. http://tinyurl.com/3sgrho2

 

Probably the first outlook for the coming season, so I'm not sure how "realistic" it is....

 

Cleveland Browns: Realistic Outlook for 2011-12 NFL Season

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/790964-cleveland-browns-realistic-outlook-for-2011-12-nfl-season

I looked at the "bold predictions" or whatever it was called and I can safely say that none of those are going to happen. Colt will NOT pass for 3K yards this season. Haden will not lead the league in interceptions, even though I do think he'll have his fair share. The Browns have about 0% chance of going 4-2 within the division and I won't even entertain the playoff prediction.

I looked at the "bold predictions" or whatever it was called and I can safely say that none of those are going to happen. Colt will NOT pass for 3K yards this season. Haden will not lead the league in interceptions, even though I do think he'll have his fair share. The Browns have about 0% chance of going 4-2 within the division and I won't even entertain the playoff prediction.

McCoy averaged over 150 yards a game last year, playing in 8 games, and against only one team with a losing record (Bengals) in his 6th start, where he finished with a QB rating of over 130.  In fact, McCoy's QB rating was *MUCH* better than Sam Bradford's was against teams with a winning record.  This despite McCoy having "3" practices under his belt before his 1st start, while Bradford received all 1st string snaps throughout training camp.  Not to mention the Flintstone's Offense that Colt had to run for Mangini, and the QB-friendly offense ran by Bradford.

 

Barring injury, McCoy ends up with AT LEAST 3,500 yards as he's playing a much easier schedule than last year's gauntlet (Steelers twice, Patriots, Saints, Jets, Ravens, Jags); 1,000 to the RB's, 1,000 to the TE's, and 1,500 to the WR's.

 

I'm going to training camp this afternoon, eager to see how Greg Little, Taylor, & Sheard look, not to mention the FA's/Trades that were signed that couldn't practice until today.

Went to family day at the stadium today, from what I could tell, McCoy will be out less than half way through the season. That kid is the check down king and can't fit a ball into tight coverage in the NFL. Wallace gives us a much better chance to win, BUT, if we're going to play the Luck lottery we might was well play Colt in order to lose more games. Little reminds me of Edwards, he can catch with his hands well but not with his body. So we'll see him dropping some easy passes on short crossing routes and catching the diving catches heading out of bounds.

 

My previous prediction of 8-8 is gone, I see us at 4-12 this year.

^You are too emotional to be a sports fan.  You form all of your opinions before anything even happens.  First,Tristan Thompson and now you are shaving 4 wins off of the browns based on Family day??  You are kidding, right?

^You are too emotional to be a sports fan.  You form all of your opinions before anything even happens.  First,Tristan Thompson and now you are shaving 4 wins off of the browns based on Family day??  You are kidding, right?

 

Actually, I'm usually right about what I say with my sports predictions. It's not emotion, it's seeing something and making an educated judgement from what you see. I based my 8-8 solely from our team last year and gave us a few more wins because of how easy our schedule should be. Now, with some of those teams improving (like Arizona getting Kolb) and us not filling the holes I figured we'd fill through free agency, I had to re-evaluate my prediction. Being a homer like most people in Cleveland does nothing but bring about disappointment. We actually had people chanting "super bowl, super bowl" at training camp in '08. That with an aging Lewis at RB, Derek Anderson at QB and no real defense. I saw us as an below average team and everybody jumped down my throat, but I was right. Oh well, I'm not too emotional, I just know what I'm talking about.

^ I am not saying you dont know anything about sports.  I am a huge fan myself and consider myself a non-homer and a realist.  But to go to family day thinking 8-8 and walk out of there saying 4-12 is just way too rash. 

^ I am not saying you dont know anything about sports.  I am a huge fan myself and consider myself a non-homer and a realist.  But to go to family day thinking 8-8 and walk out of there saying 4-12 is just way too rash.

 

To be fair, I didn't just start doubting my pick during the family day. When we didn't make as many moves in free agency, when I read about how Colt was struggling and when Hodges got hurt for the year, that was when I started doubting. But then when I saw with my own eyes what this team was looking like, I confirmed my beliefs and dropped my prediction.

 

This team has no depth at LB, a WR core that wouldn't strike fear in a college team and a QB who is unproven and has shown many signs of someone who can't make it in the NFL. Maybe there is a master plan from Holmgren and Heckert that was as fans don't see yet, but I don't trust anybody at this point. Everyone that has come in has sucked, these guys suck until they prove otherwise. Sorry, that's how it has to be. 

 

 

Hillis Trade = Genious

Falcons Trade = Genious (90% of NFL GM's said they would take the trade)

 

The only problem with your theory about how easy it is to evaluate and acquire talent, is that there are 31 other GM's whose job it is to do the same thing.  According to your theory, every team should win 10+ games a year, because it's so easy..

 

McCoy's QB rating was better than Sam Bradford's QB rating against teams with a winning record.  McCoy played in 8 games, 7 against teams with a winning record, beating the NE, NO, and putting the team in position to beat NYJ & JAX.  Bradford beat "1" team with a winning record, the 9-7 Chargers, and lost to the other 5 teams that he played.  Bradford did pile up some good QBR #'s against the Broncos & Panthers of the world though.  While Colt played only one game against a team with a losing record (Bengals), where his QBR was over 130.  Bradford also peed his pants against 6-9 Seattle when he had the chance to put his 6 win team into the playoff's.

 

McCoy outplayed Bradford last year, despite reportedly having only about 75% of his strength back due to the nerve injury in his shoulder.

 

Just come back to this board after half the season, that's all I ask..  I'll be here..

The Hillis trade was a nice one, the Falcons trade wasn't. Take off the homer glasses and you'd see the truth. McCoy is a smart and above average in accuracy. But his lack of arm strength and his inability to play within the pocket look like too much to overcome. As for all your skewed numbers defending Colt, HE didn't beat anyone, the Browns beat NE and N.O. And it wasn't really the Browns who beat the Saints, it was their defense and Ryans defensive game plan. If I recall correctly McCoys numbers in both those games were very average.

 

In fact, I just looked up the numbers and McCoy dinked and dunked his way to 174 yards with no TD's. In the N.O. game he passed for a staggering 74 yards. The first Pittsburgh game was the only game that I can recall that he actually had an impact on the game. The last few games he was an INT machine. Sounds a lot like the guy we're seeing at training camp. You have the right to be blind if you wish, ignorance is bliss. Until you actually watch this crap team play and it leaves you shocked that we haven't improved yet. Meanwhile all the people who have actual knowledge of the game aren't surprised in the least.

The Hillis trade was a nice one, the Falcons trade wasn't. Take off the homer glasses and you'd see the truth. McCoy is a smart and above average in accuracy. But his lack of arm strength and his inability to play within the pocket look like too much to overcome. As for all your skewed numbers defending Colt, HE didn't beat anyone, the Browns beat NE and N.O. And it wasn't really the Browns who beat the Saints, it was their defense and Ryans defensive game plan. If I recall correctly McCoys numbers in both those games were very average.

 

In fact, I just looked up the numbers and McCoy dinked and dunked his way to 174 yards with no TD's. In the N.O. game he passed for a staggering 74 yards. The first Pittsburgh game was the only game that I can recall that he actually had an impact on the game. The last few games he was an INT machine. Sounds a lot like the guy we're seeing at training camp. You have the right to be blind if you wish, ignorance is bliss. Until you actually watch this crap team play and it leaves you shocked that we haven't improved yet. Meanwhile all the people who have actual knowledge of the game aren't surprised in the least.

Sam Bradford's QB rating against New Orleans = 52.  Colt McCoy's QB rating against New Orleans = 68.  Bradford turned the ball over 3 times, one for a pick 6.  ZERO turnovers for McCoy.  Browns won big, Rams lost big. 

 

McCoy's QB rating against New England was over 100, completing 14 of 19 passes, while rushing for a 16 yard TD.  In fact, his average yards per completion aganst the Patriots was a staggering 12.5 yards per completion (more than double Bradford's yards/competion).

 

Here's a youtube of his "dinking and dunking" against New England:

Colt McCOY vs New England Patriots 2010 Week 9

 

While you discount his win against NO, you give him no credit for two other games where he put his team in position to win (Jets where Stuckey fumbled the ball in FG territory), and the JAX game where he led the team on a go-ahead drive with 2 minutes left (on one good leg), only have the Defense cave in..

 

In Bradford's next biggest game against Seattle for a playoff spot in that joke of a division (NFC West), his QB rating was again 52.

 

As far as dinking and dunking from an entire season perspective, Colt's avg yard per completion was over 7 yards, Bradford's was under 6 last season.

 

And again, McCoy had a serious shoulder nerve injury in his last game in college, where he was told he may need 2-3 years to fully recover.  Reportedly, he has now fully recovered, and even Grossi (grudgingly) admitted that his arm looks stronger.  I went to camp last week, and I can see that it is stronger (and he is bigger).

 

Heatohio and 8titles:

 

I've deleted one message by each of you in which both of you resorted to name-calling. Dial down the emotion! I don't care what you feel or say about the Browns, but ripping fellow forumers could result in you getting time off or I lock the thread. Either way, if you persist, you can take your talents to cleveland.com.

 

 

I wanted to learn more about the Browns' new cornerback, and I found this.....

 

 

Philadelphia Eagles Cornerback Dimitri Patterson Ranks as 24th Least Valuable Player in the NFL

Published: 12th Jul 11 12:37 pm

 

According to a list by Bill Barnwell of www.grantland.com, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Dmitri Patterson ranks as the 24th least valuable player in the National Football League.

 

Barnwell’s list takes into consideration the following factors: playing time, expectations, and salary. It also “focuses on the 2010 season without forgetting those who sucked in 2008 and 2009.”

 

The list included one player on the Eagles, and that would be cornerback Dimitri Patterson, who ranked 24th.

 

Patterson is a free agent and will likely not be signed by the Eagles for 2011, specifically considering the draft which brought in Curtis Marsh Jr (in the third round).

 

I can’t say I’m upset, especially because Patterson was probably the worst defensive player on the team last year. He was promoted to starter after Ellis Hobbs allowed Titans’ wide receiver Kenny Britt to record 225 yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles in week seven. Then he was benched after a dismal game against the Minnesota Vikings in week 16, but he finished the season as the team’s starter.

 

SOURCE: http://www.rantsports.com/philadelphia-eagles/2011/07/12/philadelphia-eagles-cornerback-dimitri-patterson-ranks-as-24th-least-valuable-player-in-the-nfl/

Here's how I look at the McCoy situation: This is his year to prove himself.  The Browns aren't going to the playoffs regardless of who's at QB, so let him go out and show the organization if he's going to be the starter of the future.  If he shows that he can't play at this level consistently for a full season, guess what, this team can make a serious bid for Andrew Luck next year.  They will likely land a top ten pick, and they will also have some other extra picks to play around with to move up to get Luck if the Browns aren't at #1 (which I don't think they will be anyways).  If McCoy isn't the answer, I feel very confident that Luck would be--but it would set the club back another one or two years, which would kind of stink.

I totally agree about giving McCoy a shot. He deserves it. And I'm rooting for him all the way, I'm a Browns fan and want Browns players to do well. I just have little faith in this organization to make the right draft pick if we do suck it up this year. We'll have the 1st overall pick and trade down to take the top ranked punter at the end of the 1st round. But we'll get five 4th round picks for it, so we'll be all good.  :-(

Defensive back Brown likes Cleveland's new defense

The Associated Press

Aug. 9, 2011, 2:23PM

 

BEREA, Ohio — Sheldon Brown made defensive plays at Cleveland Browns camp on Tuesday like he knew what was coming.

 

The veteran cornerback stepped in front of receivers to knock away passes — when he wasn't making interceptions.

 

"Sheldon is doing a nice job," new coach Pat Shurmur said. "His preparation is very, very good. He's getting a lot out of camp, playing very well."

 

Brown looked completely comfortable in new coordinator Dick Jauron's defense. He should. Having four down linemen and three linebackers in front of him is the same basic concept he learned in eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before being traded to Cleveland a year ago.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/football/7690178.html

browns tonight. LET'S GO BROWNIES ! ! !

That looked pretty dawg gone good

^ No sh!te...not quite sure what to think. I only got to listen to most of it until garbage time in the 4th...I was switching back and forth between the Brownies and Tribe in my car. AM to FM, AM to FM...

1st team Offense 2-3 on scoring drives and let's be honest that one drive should've yeilded points by only having to go 2 yards with 2 downs to convert on the 1st down. Overal they looked great and what shocked me the most is how McCoy was just driving down the field with his arm showed good poise, accuracy, and decisions. Jury is still out on that Owen dude the rookie fb I think it was a mistake to let Vickers go because dude was a beast and loved the fans and organization but let's see what this kid can do i'll be rooting for him to open up some holes for Hillis (:. Little looked good and Cribs looked amazing as so did D.Jackson on the D. Can't wait for the season to come HERE WE GO BROWNIES HERE WE GO WOOF WOOF !!! lol

Well that was a pleasant surprise. The offense AND the defense looked pretty crisp considering the players met the coaches only two weeks ago. All the extra-curricular studying of the West Coast offense by Colt & Co. appears to have paid off. As for the defense, pundits kept saying that tackling would suffer by the lack of contact drills in practice. But I was very impressed by the Browns' tackling, especially by the first team. They did a nice job of wrapping up. The offensive and defensive lines looked solid. The DL may have enough talent to put pressure on the QBs. It will be interesting to see if and when this unit gels. And Colt looked outstanding (that 37-year seam pass to Watson was something to behold!) but Seneca kept sailing the ball too much, overthrowing receivers. I'd like to see more out of the running game. But a great first start -- especially considering how new many of the players are to both systems and the coaches are to the players.

I hope that was a sign of things to come, BUT, lets not forget a year ago against the very same team how great Jake Delhomme looked. I remember thinking how great of a pick up he was and that he was going to have a very good year. We all know how that turned out. I think Hillis is going to struggle without having Vickers in front of him much like he struggled yesterday. Cribbs is looking like he can be the 3rd WR option, or possibly the second depending on how Little progresses. But last night Little looked solid. As I figured our 1st string defense looked very good, the rest of them pretty much sucked except for a few individual plays. That's to be expected on a team with zero depth at all the positions. Tackling looked crisp, but we're still lacking that difference maker. D'Quell Jackson is still looking like he's going to rack up 100 tackles with everyone of them being 5-10 yards down the field. You hardly heard Hadens name, when you're a CB that's a great thing. Nice confidence builder even though it's preseason. I hope this team proves me wrong this season but I still have to stick with a prediction of 4-5 wins.

Norwood looks like he could develop into a playmaker.  Overall solid performance from our brownies...

Norwood looks like he could develop into a playmaker.  Overall solid performance from our brownies...

 

He reminds me of a Dennis Northcut that can actually catch.

I didn't think about it at the time I heard but it is kinda funny that Shurmur threw his review flag in a scrimmage.

First team definitely looked good! Hopefully will be an exciting year. Ill be there the first game when we beat the Bengals! :)

 

...but Seneca kept sailing the ball too much, overthrowing receivers.

 

Atleast this year they are staying in bounds. Last year all of his downfield sideline throws went sailing out of bounds.

 

Colt looked great though!

Here are my notes from the game last night:

 

It really wasn't a good game to judge the running game because the Packers are so stout against it (particularly with Raji in the middle) and they were stacking the box. 

 

The jury is out on Marecic as a fullback, but I can pretty much guarantee he will be an impact special teams player at the very least.

 

Buster Scrine is a future starter and definitely should be in the lead for the nickleback role this year.  He looked really good covering the slot and seems to have that same passion for the game that Haden does.

 

Anybody catch Little absolutely laying out that DL near the sideline?  This guy has some Hines Ward in him in terms of toughness at the WR position.

 

McCoy is the offensive line's best friend with his footwork within the pocket during pass protection.  He makes there job a lot easier with his instincts to keep the pocket formed around him.

 

D Jackson is still going to make a lot of tackles, but I would like to see them closer to the line of scrimmage.  Titus Brown is very intriguing as a second option at MLB.  He seems like he needs to get in better shape, but he has all the tools it appears (and a mouth full of gold teeth to boot).

 

The TE group is unbelievably good and athletic.  It would be interesting to see all four split out wide in the red zone.

 

Shaefering should play a lot in this system.  He was very disruptive and it didn't seem like any of the Packers could hold their block on him.  Taylor and Rubin will need plenty of breathers.

 

My biggest concern might actually be at DE.  I didn't care much for what i saw out of Mitchell and Sheard.  Mitchell looks like he lacks the athleticism and lower body bulk to be a real impact player, but I can't say that for sure as the sample size is so small.  Sheard did not look comfortable and was losing the battle on most plays.  Why the hell is he starting in a 4 pt stance..... that makes no sense for the weak side DE

 

If Mike Adams is our starting FS, we will know the spot in the secondary most teams will target.  He is a dime defense player, nothing more.

 

B Jackson is a nice change of pace back to bring in for Hillis on occasion.  As mentioned above, nothing really to go on from last night for Hillis and the running game.  If McCoy keeps playing like that, then things will open up in the running game much more because the defense will be forced back on their heels.

 

Norwood should serve as a significant upgrade over Stuckey.

 

LJ Castille is a physical specimen.  I wouldn't be surprised at all if he made the team even though the numbers game at receiver is tough - MoMass, Robo, Cribbs, Little, Norwood, and probably room for one more as long as they don't keep Alex Smith and count Evan Moore as a WR.  I think it comes down to Castille and Hagerty.

 

Auston English showed a little something and could make the team.  Typically, aside from special teams players (Ventrone, etc) and the QB, only one or two of the players you see playing in the 4th quarter of these games actually make the team.

The Browns played the Packers 2nd team. I'm not moved one bit.

 

Talk to me on week 1 of the regular season.

 

The more i see this thing unfolding, the more im thinking we are all going to be in for a fun year and shocked.  Holmgren is just breeding confidence and a good culture within the organization.  Today he gets Tressel and Carr into camp, two life long winners.  He essentially hook sup Colt McCoy and Brett Favre over the summer for some advice.  I think this team plays a really weak schedule this year and is going to surprise everyone.  You heard it here first.  9-7 maybe 10-6.

 

Note:  I am basing NONE of this off of the first preseason game, either.

I'm with MTS, I will believe it when I see it for real.  Don't get me wrong, I am plenty excited for this season.  I just want to see consistent play and effort in games and feel like we moved closer toward that ultimate goal.  All the things I read about Colt McCoy, combined with what we saw last year looks really promising.  Then again, Brady Quinn said all the right things but never panned out on the field.  Although, Colt has already shown a lot more than BQ.

 

Isn't it great to have a preseason without a QB contest?!

 

I LOVE that Braylon Edwards is out in San Francisco and no longer with a team that looks promising.  Who's their QB anyway... Troy Smith?  Alex Smith?  Sorry, I know that bit was off topic.

 

 

"I LOVE that Braylon Edwards is out in San Francisco and no longer with a team that looks promising.  Who's their QB anyway... Troy Smith?  Alex Smith?"

 

Andrew Luck as of next year...

^ no way.  Bengals may have the first pick next year.  San Fran has talent, they wont be the worst team in the league.

I would be all over the SF/Harbough suck for luck conspiracy, but then they ended up using a high pick on a QB this year (Kaepernick).

 

But playing for a low level team is not what I find amusing about Braylon going to SF...

But playing for a low level team is not what I find amusing about Braylon going to SF...

 

At the risk of going way off topic, would you mind indulging me?  "Suck for luck"  :-D, that is the first time I have ever heard (read) that.

 

I had mixed feelings last year when they fired Eric Mangini.  After reading that article about the way he handled Colt McCoy I don't feel so bad anymore. 

Colt definitely seems happier this year.

But playing for a low level team is not what I find amusing about Braylon going to SF...

 

At the risk of going way off topic, would you mind indulging me?   

 

I ain't one to gossip, so you didn't hear this from me...

 

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=braylon+edwards+gay+rumors

 

But just so the record is clear, I don't believe it to be true.... but I do get a kick out of how much I know it gets under his skin.  When he was with the Browns, and assuming the rumors were true, I was all for him officially coming out of the closet.  Would have been interesting to see how loose the coverage was in subsequent games.

There sure are a lot of starters sitting this game out.  I hope Suh and others don't touch McCoy much.

Nice hands Marecic... oops! 

Nice hands Marecic... oops!

 

And he can't block worth $h!t. I miss Vickers already.

Yeah, I was shocked with Vicker's departure.  He will be missed.

 

Is it just me or is Phil Taylor huffin and puffin out there?

 

Haha, Bernie Kosar "Is that a chicken???"  I guess he doesn't watch pokemon... I SWEAR I don't either  :-D

Phil Taylor will be a bust, he's got his money, no need to get into shape now.

I will take that bet heat.  He did a decent job against the Lions.  He may not end up being All-Pro, but he won't be a bust.  I think you are letting your personal feelings about the Browns' decision to trade down in the draft cloud your judgment on Taylor.  Plus, he has a LOT more money to make if he is successful.  What he got as a late 1st round pick is nothing compared to what he can earn if he proves to be a serviceable DT in the NFL.

HeatOhio is going to fine something hate no matter what.  Just one of those people.  Two weeks ago Colt McCoy was the next Ryan Leaf.

I will say this about the performance of our DTs on Friday.... DQ Jackson sure seemed to have plenty of room to run around and make plays.  Another plus is that it seems they will not be rotating sides.  Jauron stated that he would prefer to have a left DT and a right DT as opposed to a designated 1 technique and a designated 3 technique, but he wasn't sure that both Taylor and Rubin would have the necessary versatility.  Seems like he saw what he wanted to see in practice

Well, I am not here to make bust predictions about Phil Taylor.  I am no expert, I just felt he looked very tired at times.  For the most part, I focused on Phil and he seemed to be away from the ball on many plays.  I remember a couple of instances where he sort of jogged towards the ball late in a play.  Still, he is a rookie and this is his second exhibition game so I expect him to learn and develop which takes time.

 

Can someone familiar with the position explain it better?