Rams were better than the Browns last year, but I don't see how they're better this year. Who's going to catch Bradford's passes? And who's going to run the ball now that Jackson is gone?

 

If Weeden can play comparably to how Bradford played last year (3,700 yards, 21 TDs, 13 INTs), I think the Browns have the chance to be a high-powered offense. Not just good, but high-powered.

 

To me, the biggest concern for the Browns this year is the defensive secondary. We need Bademosi, Owens and the two draft picks (McFadden, Slaughter) to perform. I really want to see the drafts picks play this preseason.

I'm sick of having to apologize for being a Browns fan. The Rams blow and Bernie was 100% right, even if he probably shouldn't have said it on the broadcast. Fisher and Clemens should worry about getting ready for the season opener, not what the opposing team's color guy was saying on TV.

 

 

The Rams are better than the Browns, so when Cleveland players start screwing up, will Bernie have that same passion?  Fisher did overreact.  Can't stand Fisher but he can coach.

 

The rams will certainly not be better than the Browns THIS YEAR!

 

You really lost me with your Fisher can coach comment...What are you basing that on? His 61 - 67 record since 2002?!?!

The Rams are better than the Browns

 

Certainly didn't look that way

Poor Montario Hardesty, Hamstring, finger and knee all in the preseason.  Someone get Sally Field over here and get that man some Boniva.

Between him and Richardson, I expect to see a lot of Jackson, Lewis, and Ogbannaya this year.

I think Jackson or Hardesty is gone from this team, maybe even both with Lewis doing well in camp. Ogbannaya will make this team thanks to him beefing up to take the FB role. Now only if he could learn how to block.....

They have to keep one.  You can't depend on Lewis being your every down back should TRich gets hurt.  My money is they keep BJax and place Montario on the PUP list

Yeah I wouldn't want to gamble on Hardesty as back up with his own injury history

The Rams are better than the Browns

 

Certainly didn't look that way

 

There is a noticeable theme regarding City Blights posts.  He must not have seen the same game we were all watching.

I love what I'm seeing so far (minus the injuries). These game notes summed up my feelings as well....

 

http://www.barkinghard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=230551#post230551

Took my boys to their first Browns game tonight. They had a good time.

 

I am not getting excited yet, but it was damn refreshing to watch a team that just functions on both sides  of the ball.

 

I also should know that T Rich doesn't have afterburner speed when he gets outside and stop being disappointed when he gets caught on the outside. I couldn't tell from my seats but were the up the middle run problems a lack of holes or T Rich missing the holes?

 

 

The injuries sucked, but even that I suspect was a function of the much higher (and badly needed) intensity level we are seeing this year.  I like what I'm seeing.

you cant take much from preseason, but I believe you can see overarching trends that we can see this year.  They are organized like a real team and they will be aggressive.  If the browns don't win much this year, they will at least be fun and watchable.

 

Although it isn't this year, i maintain that 2014 will be a great year for cleveland sports.

Except for Lewis, none of these are lasting injuries and none are potential starters this year except Bogotay. Let's face it -- Lewis is a backup, albeit a very capable backup. And this team has depth at RB, as it does at other positions.

 

Two places where we apparently lack depth is on the offensive line and the secondary. But when rookie Garrett Gilkey came in for Jason Pinkston (who is filling in for Shawn Lauvao), I thought he played well against a good Detroit defensive line and settled down after the first few rough plays. I am still interested to see how our defensive back draft picks perform, but it was good to see Chris Owens in there. He made a difference last night although Megatron wasn't in there to really test this defensive backfield. But I thought we shut down Burleson and Bush pretty well.

 

There's a lot to be excited about, including how this coaching staff is night and day compared to last year. Coach Chud, despite this being his first year as a head coach, sounds and acts like a head coach. I love how he mixes fun and discipline and has two awesome coordinators who are putting players into schemes that fit them. It's so refreshing!

 

Not only is Weeden much more likely to succeed in this offense, but Phil Taylor looks like he's in a good scheme on the defensive side -- as is Jabaal Sheard. I keep telling everyone he'd rock as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. He has the size and speed to excel out there, rather than be all locked up by playing in traffic. Sheard is a guided missile at OLB.

 

Travis Benjamin looks like a natural as a returner. He learned from one of the best last year -- we may not have any drop off from Cribbs. Kicker Bogotay has a hell of a leg. Hope he heals that groin soon!

 

And yes, Josh Gordon is that good. I was overjoyed when they spent a second-round pick on him in the supplemental last year. If Chud's discipline can rub off on this kid, I think he has a chance to be great. Yes, I said "great."

 

Yes, I've seen good preseason games and performances before. But I haven't seen ones like this where all aspects of the game were hitting on all cylinders and it didn't appear to be occurring accidentally. I can see some of the fine-tuning they've been doing and the techniques in positioning, use of hands (except Haden's hold during Benjamin's nullified kick return), and our players out-muscling their players. This is a nice mix of talent, teaching and schemes coming together.

 

One of these years, this team is going to start winning again. I don't know if it's this year because I'm not from the future. But when it does happen, this is probably how it's going to look in preseason. All we can do is just enjoy them as they play 'em.

Bogotay has good strength on kickoffs but I worry about his field goal abilities. I'll have to watch more and see how he progresses.

I love what I'm seeing on both sides of the ball.  Second straight game our 1's went up by three scores before the opposing team got any points.  There aren't many teams that will 'out-physical' the Lions, but it sure looked that way last night.  The defense just looks nasty and KJP is dead on with Sheard.  I'm not sure how Mingo is going to win a starting job because Sheard looks to be a potential pro-bowler at OLB.  A friend mentioned to me last night that the Steelers had targeted Sheard the year he was drafted envisioning him as an OLB in their 3-4 scheme.

 

I hope they are not showing too much of T Benjamin.  Teams are not going to kick to him in the regular season if he keeps flashing that "gotta get home for dinner" urgency on kick returns.

 

I liked the separation Gordon showed on the deep routes, but was more impressed with the slant over the middle he caught which he turned into a first down by coming back a few yards to elude the tackle.  That was an elite play showing elite speed.

 

The other thing that stood out to me was the clock/game management Chud showed.  Where Shurmer would have got flustered, Chud remained calm and collected and used his TO's correctly at the end of the half.

 

I also should know that T Rich doesn't have afterburner speed when he gets outside and stop being disappointed when he gets caught on the outside. I couldn't tell from my seats but were the up the middle run problems a lack of holes or T Rich missing the holes?

 

Mostly a lack of holes.  Keep in mind that when playing the Lions, you are facing Suh, Fairley, and Tulloch straight up the middle.  Plus, while our O-line is outstanding at pass blocking, they are a mediocre run blocking unit, especially up the middle.  They are all more technicians than road-graders.

Glad to hear that Gilkey did well, I met him at my son's adaptive flag football program that the Browns sponsored. He seem like a good kid and physically impressive.

 

 

Only the Browns would have a wiener dog race at halftime, followed by what could be called a “wiener race” a little later on…..

Browns still won't name Weeden starting QB

August, 16, 2013

By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

 

Even though it's probably a formality at this point, the Cleveland Browns still won't officially name Brandon Weeden their starting quarterback.

 

Weeden has been one of the top quarterbacks this preseason and has taken every snap with the Browns' first-team offense this summer. In two preseason games, Weeden has completed 18-of-25 passes (72 percent) for 229 yards and three touchdowns. He's led the Browns on five scoring drives (three touchdowns and two field goals) in six possessions.

 

"I'm still going to wait to name a starter," coach Rob Chudzinski told reporters on a conference call Friday afternoon.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/80632/browns-still-wont-name-weeden-starting-qb

I feel like I'm getting flipped off by the poll at the top...

 

 

Browns looked good last night.  Sad to see Lewis go down, though.  I remember him at Pitt and I think he could have been a nice change of pace back for this squad.

Interesting tweets.......

 

"@brentsobleski: Told before camp #Browns had high hopes for OG Gilkey this year. Envisioned as possible starter. Didn't think much then but real chance now"

 

"@brentsobleski: Interesting solution to #Browns lack of depth at CB. Ray Horton used FS Gipson in the slot a lot and even wide once. Aubrey then moved to FS"

Interesting tweets.......

 

"@brentsobleski: Told before camp #Browns had high hopes for OG Gilkey this year. Envisioned as possible starter. Didn't think much then but real chance now"

 

"@brentsobleski: Interesting solution to #Browns lack of depth at CB. Ray Horton used FS Gipson in the slot a lot and even wide once. Aubrey then moved to FS"

 

I've known Sobo......errr....Brent for years, he's one of the in-house experts at the Orange and Brown report.  He and Lane Adkins have forgotten more about football than Mike "ProFootballTalk" Florio has ever known.  Particularly, in Brent's case, about the OL.  I was impressed by Gilkey but thought I might be overly optimistic.  Glad to hear otherwise.

I always like Soboleski's stuff too. So just because an offensive lineman comes from Chadron State doesn't mean he has less value. The kid's in the NFL now. You now how many Division I linemen would love to be in his shoes today? The scouts saw something in him that they didn't see in all those SEC, Big 10, PAC 12, Big East, ACC, etc linemen that aren't in the NFL now. Good for Gilkey. He's got a shot.

 

BTW, moving Free Safety Gipson to the nickle corner is brilliant. He's a converted corner and one of the fastest guys on the team (Travis Benjamin still says he's faster). If Gipson can play man-on-man or has a burst to get to a spot or to a player in zone, then keep him there.

 

EDIT: BTW, I bought my first Browns shirt in years yesterday. I couldn't decide between a T-shirt and a golf shirt, so I bought both. Yep, I'm feeling it. So are many sports commentators. The guys on the NFL Network this morning were gushing over the Browns.

 

EDIT2: this is the kind of preaseason story I like reading....

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/08/cleveland_browns_rookie_free_a.html

"@CleSportsProbs_: Colt McCoy, Derek Anderson, and Josh Cribbs all got cut today by their teams."

Kinda surprised about Cribbs.  I still think he can contribute something to just about any team.  Maybe it was a medical issue?  The other two.... I'm not surprised at all.  Neither is a 3rd string project, so it was either win the backup job or get the axe.

The same tweeter says she's been fooled -- that apparently Colt hasn't been released. However it does appear that former Browns Seneca Wallace and Mo Massaquoi wre released by the Saints and Jaguars, respectively.

 

EDIT: Browns cut FB Brock Bolen

 

EDIT2: "@MaryKayCabot: #browns have traded dl Brian Sanford to Seattle for guard John moffett, per @JasonLaCanfora. Moffett depth for injured pinkston and lauvao."

 

"@NateUlrichABJ: John Moffitt started 6 games for #Seahawks last season & 9 in 2011. He'll bolster guard position #Browns have had decimated by injuries"

 

EDIT3: "@brentsobleski: Coach Bielema told me a couple months back of the three centers highly drafted from Wisconsin recently, Moffitt was best run blocker."

[move]BREAKING NEWS!!!!      BREAKING NEWS!!!!      BREAKING NEWS!!!!      BREAKING NEWS!!!!      BREAKING NEWS!!!!      BREAKING NEWS!!!!      BREAKING NEWS!!!!      BREAKING NEWS!!!!      BREAKING NEWS!!!![/move]

 

Brandon Weeden named starting QB....

I'm a fan of Chud.... but he gets a big thumbs down from me for his use of 'coach speak.'  I can't remember a great NFL coach who troubled themselves with it. 

I'm a fan of Chud.... but he gets a big thumbs down from me for his use of 'coach speak.'  I can't remember a great NFL coach who troubled themselves with it. 

 

I hope its a case of his inexperience and falling back on it to hide his insecurity regarding this unnecessarily sensitive matter. It became necessary when his superiors in the front office weren't sold on Weeden last year, so I suspect he felt he had to at least provide the guise of a QB competition to placate them.

Oops....

 

"@NateUlrichABJ: #Browns' trade for G John Moffitt has been voided. Team gets rights back for DE Brian Sanford."

Oops....

 

"@NateUlrichABJ: #Browns' trade for G John Moffitt has been voided. Team gets rights back for DE Brian Sanford."

 

There was a physical issue.  But then Moffitt was immediately traded to Denver. 

 

Yep, I thought I updated my post yesterday with a follow-up tweet from Ulrich who said Moffitt has problematic knees. Apparently the edit didn't take. Oh well.

It could have just been second thoughts leading to being more critical than usual.  The word I'm hearing is they get happier with Gilkey every day.

I like Gilkey too. He seemed to catch on fast last week against Detroit. They still need a backup to Gilkey until Lavauo and Pinkston return. Then we'll figure out who starts. Maybe one or both of those guys is recovering faster than expected, or there's an OL in camp who may suffice until the second week of the season.

Why was the 'sticky' removed from this thread?

Why was the 'sticky' removed from this thread?

 

I may have bumped the button when I changed my vote on how many wins I think this team will achieve this year. The sticky has restored.

^ that's cheating! The 2012 season is already over! ;)

^ that's cheating! The 2012 season is already over! ;)

 

Sorry -- thought it said 2013. So I changed it for this year and altered the number of potential wins each voter expects. I think Browns fans are more optimistic, but I also left more "low-win" answers in there because it still may be easier for this team lose more than win more until it can prove it knows how to win.

Browns message board finally back

 

http://brownschat.clevelandbrowns.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/4731011

Gipson named the starter at FS (no shocker there).

 

I think the Moffit trade fell through because the Browns were looking for a reliable stop-gap until either Pinkston/Lavao returns or Gilkey gets up to NFL game speed.... and they didn't want to trade a backup DL who they obviously like for someone who they suspect might have to miss some time early on.  We wanted more than just added depth.  They will probably grab a veteran on the waiver wire to fill the need if there are any concerns about Gilkey.  We might also see one of the backup OT's start taking reps at G

 

I'm concerned about Sheard being out day-to-day with an undisclosed knee injury.  Has anyone heard any specifics about what the prognosis is?

I like Gipson better at nickel corner, but we don't have any other choice but to put him at FS with the lack of talent in the secondary.

 

Good thoughts on the Moffit trade. I think they wanted more stable, healthy, long-term depth at guard than what Moffit offered. When his health and personal issues surfaced (seemingly after his arrival), the failed physical allowed them to back out. Wonder if he truly earned the failed physical or if thet failed him to cover their behinds?

 

I wouldn't get too upset about Sheard right now. This sounds like one of those injuries that keeps a player out of a preseason game but not a regular season game. We'll see.

Uh-oh.....

 

"@MaryKayCabot: Barkevious Mingo's bruised lung could keep him out for months considering he spit up blood, two thoracic surgeons... http://t.co/EGgPDzr4Yr"

Uh-oh.....

 

"@MaryKayCabot: Barkevious Mingo's bruised lung could keep him out for months considering he spit up blood, two thoracic surgeons... http://t.co/EGgPDzr4Yr"

 

When will our curse be lifted???? When????

I'll wait for something more conclusive than speculation from doctors that haven't actually seen Mingo. A bunch of doom and gloom to rile up readers.

Well that sucked. I may add more thoughtful commentary later. Maybe.

Well that sucked. I may add more thoughtful commentary later. Maybe.

Well put.

Weeden calling "not fairs" for a defense not playing vanilla zone defenses like he saw in weeks 1 & 2 of preseason.  The dress rehearsal looked a lot like 2012; staring down WR's, no pocket presence, inaccurate, etc, etc..

^He called "not fairs"?  Did he actually say something like that?  I haven't seen any quote like that.  It wouldn't make sense, anyways.  We didn't see "vanilla zone defenses" in weeks 1&2.

 

The big issue last night was 3rd down conversation rate, something we did very well with in the previous two games.  Smaller, quicker defenses also seem to give us more problems than the bigger, hit-you-in-the-mouth defenses

I was at a wedding, a very nice wedding.  I suppose I'm glad I missed this one.  At least they don't count.  The patriots got trounced too.  Does it really mean that much?