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Browns Pulse
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Browns at the Half |
 Browns after the Half
Dawgtalkers Beat writer, Mustaffa Leak
The Browns built on the 2 wins they mustered at the end of the 1st Quarter of the season and now stand 4-3, two games behind division leaders Baltimore.
As evidence of their growth, they beat last year's divisional champs Pitssburgh, who despite an aging squad still have a very potent offense.
The Browns are 4-2 in the division and must hope that Pittsburgh and Cincinnati can steal some games off the impressive Ravens.
Results
Week 5 @  L 21-37
Week 6 Bye
Week 7 vs W 22-15
Week 8 vs  W 20-9
* The Browns offense has found some consistency, scoring 23,22,21,22 and 20 points in their last 5 outings. The scheme is predicated on possession and minimising turnovers and seems to be achieving a degree of success.
* QB Jonathan Crompton has steadily improved after a terrible start. His numbers are mediocre [85-186 45.70% 1155 yards 7 TDs 8 INTs 60.7 rating] but he has managed games well and crucially has not thrown any more INTs than TDs since Week 2.
* The Browns defense continues to surprise – they rank in the Top 10 in all the major defensive categories and rank 2nd in sacks. After suffering at the hands of the powerful Pittsburgh offense in Week 5, they came straight back and stifled the Steelers to secure a win the following week. How far the Browns can go this season depends on how well the defense holds up in the second half.
* HB James Davis has agained missed substantial playing to due to injury. Even though he was supplanted as the #1 HB by Ryan Grant, Davis is still an integral piece of the offense as a change of pace back and the running game has struggled in his absence. Superstar return man and wildcat weapon Josh Cribbs has also missed a number of weeks and is not due to return till Week 14.
Rookie Watch
* 1st round pick FS Omar Mann has 25 tackles, 1 FF and 1 FR, 3 deflections and 1 catch allowed (7th in team).
* 2nd round pick CB Cobrani Rogers has featured as a starting and nickel CB and has 19 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and has 5 pass deflections and 11 catches allowed.
* 3rd round pick LT Kareem Newton has 26 pancakes but has allowed 4 sacks in the past 3 games after not conceding a sack in the opening 4 games.
* 4th round pick WR Anthony Perez has occupied the problem #1 slot and has 17 receptions for 205 yards with 1 drop. He has also picked up his first professional TD catch and has 2 TDs on the season and is developing into a viable and dangerous pass catcher.
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Forum Discussion
(by D_Roberts on 08/24/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 21 |
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Browns after Quarter 1 |
Browns after Quarter 1
Dawgtalkers Beat writer, Mustaffa Leak
The opening quarter could be described as a game of two contrasting halves. The Browns are 2-2 - the same start as in 2010 - yet coaches, staff and players hope they manage to snag more than another solitary win, as happened last season.
Crucially, the Browns are 2-1 in the division and play their remaining games - against Pittsburgh (twice) and Cincinnati, in the next 3 games.
Results
Week 1 vs  L 7-20
Week 2 @  L 0-20
Week 3 @ W 23-7
Week 4 @ W 22-19
* After averaging 3.5 points in their first 2 games, the Browns averaged 22.5 points in games 3 and 4. Browns coaches admitted they "tore" the playbook apart to find something that worked which minimised turnovers and maintained possession.
* QB Jonathan Crompton symbolised that difference. In games 1 and 2, he threw 0 TDs and 3 INTs and had a passer rating averaging 37. In games 3 and 4, he has thrown 2 TDs and 2 INTs, averaging 69. Not good by any means, but improvement is being made.
* HB Ryan Grant was signed to a 5 year deal after the week 2 loss to the Seahawks. He has made an immediate impact and has rushed for 225 yards in 2 games. James Davis has complimented Grant nicely but it became apparent that without a real threat on the ground, the offense was severely handicapped. The improvement has been marked and the Browns rushing offense now ranks 8th (125 yards per game).
* The Browns defense has exceeded all expectations – at least outside Berea. The unit ranks 6th in Total Yards allowed (287.5), 9th in rushing yards allowed (81.3), 7th in scoring defense (16.5 points per game) and is 3rd in sacks.
Rookie Watch
* 1st round pick FS Omar Mann has 13 tackles (6th in team).
* 2nd round pick CB Cobrani Rogers has featured as a starting and nickel CB and has 11 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and has 5 pass deflections and 8 catches allowed.
* 3rd round pick LT Kareem Newton has 18 pancakes and has not conceded a sack (2nd in team).
* 4th round pick WR Anthony Perez has occupied the problem #1 slot and has 9 receptions for 103 yards with 1 drop.
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Forum Discussion
(by D_Roberts on 08/11/2010)
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Replies - 2 :: Views - 51 |
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Browns Training Camp Blog |
Browns Training Camp Blog
Dawgtalkers Beat writer, Mustaffa Leak
After a very interesting draft and free agency period, the Browns are set for 2011. Training Camp revealed several new starters and highlighted some key areas and position battles:
* Last year’s 2nd round pick, CB Crezdon Butler was earmarked to start opposite Antonio Cromartie going into 2011. However, the drafting – and subsequent displays in camp – of 2nd round pick Cobrani Rogers have piled doubt on that assertion. Rogers is polished for a rookie, aggressive and plays the run very well.
* Talking of the secondary, the average age of the Browns’ starting defensive backfield is 24. No doubt there will be some growing pains for the unit but look for some cohesion – and turnovers – as the season progresses.
* ROLB Adalius Thomas was signed to a 1 year deal in free agency to solidify a young and inconsistent linebacking corps. Thomas may have lost a step but he is solid against the run and a leader.
* RE Derrick Harvey was signed to a 3 year, $12m deal and was signed to replace the aging Bobby McCray. However, Harvey has not established himself as the clear starter and who starts come Game 1 is still up in the air.
* WR Randy Moss has quickly developed an understanding as the go-to guy for 2nd year QB Jonathan Crompton. A surprise for many is the play of rookie 4th round pick WR Anthony Perez. Insiders slate that Perez will start as the #1 receiver in a lot of packages, allowing Mohamed Massaqoui and Moss to take up the #2 and #3 slots. Perez has shown flashes of brilliance in camp and the doubts over his catching seem to have been allayed, for now.
* Sophomore QB Jonathan Crompton has looked assured in practices but the biggest surprise has been the play of 2nd round pick QB Chester Bryant. His play has enamoured Browns’ staff to the degree that they did not follow through on the plan to pick up a veteran backup.
* Veteran LG Reggie Wells has been surprisingly usurped by rookie 4th round pick Brad Jones. There were concerns over Jones’ strength and experience but he has shown enough for the coaches to give him the nod. Alongside 3rd round selection, OT Kareem Newton, the Browns will start 2 rookies on the offensive line.
* Elsewhere, HB James Davis returns as the featured back after ending 2010 on IR. Davis needs to prove he can carry the load 20-25 times a game for a season or HB may become a priority in the 2012 draft. 5th round selection Ross Drayton will figure as a short yardage back but the plans for Drayton surround an eventual move to FB.
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Forum Discussion
(by D_Roberts on 07/26/2010)
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Replies - 1 :: Views - 24 |
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Browns Draft 2011 |
Browns 2011 Draft
Dawgtalkers Beat writer, Mustaffa Leak
The Browns suffered the ignominy of a 3-13 season to begin their Gridiron tenure. However, personnel at Berea were pleased at the progress shown out of the young players cutting their teeth on the unforgiving fields of the GFL.
The Browns did not make make any big plays in free agency prior to the draft. However, they did offer help and assistance to sophomore QB Jonathan Crompton by offering veteran WR Randy Moss a one year deal said to be worth just over $10m.
Draft
The Browns traded away their rights to 1.2 to Minnesota, picking up OG Chris Degeare, whom GM Roberts had coveted from the inaugural GFL draft, 1.11 and 2.16.
1.11 FS Omar Mann | Age 22 | 6’3” | 220 lbs
Key Atributes: 90 SPD, 63 AWR, 66 STR, 89 AGI, 91 ACC, 84 JMP, 70 TAK
Notes: The Browns have aggressively targeted the secondary since the inception of GFL in the belief that this will make the defense much harder to play and score against. Mann is a freakish specimen, having the size of a linebacker but with safety speed and athleticism. Mann completes an intimidating tandem of safeties, matching up with the 6’2” 205 lbs Shann Schillinger. Mann was the #4 player on the Browns’ board overall.
2.10 CB Cobrani Rogers | Age 24 | 6’0” | 202 lbs
Key Atributes: 94 SPD, 69 AWR, 66 STR, 90 AGI, 93 ACC, 89 JMP, 62 TAK
Notes: Rogers was not the planned pick at this spot but having a 1st round grade, was too good to pass up. Rogers is smart for a rookie and possesses great size, strength and speed for the position. He will complete a young, big, fast and athletic secondary in Cleveland that should form the base of the squad for years to come.
2.12 QB Chester Bryant | Age 21 | 6’6” | 245 lbs
Key Atributes: 60 SPD, 60 STR, 65 AWR, 90 THP, 84 THA
Notes: The #2 QB on the Browns’ board, Bryant is raw but has all the physical attributes you’d like in a QB. The Browns’ really like Crompton but Bryant has that extra size and zip in his passes and will at least make a valuable backup in time. Bryant needs seasoning, but the Browns aim to draft a QB in every draft in the hope that they can keep talent at what is a pivotal position.
3.2 OT Kareem Newton | Age 24 | 6’7” | 318 lbs
Key Atributes: 54 SPD, 65 AWR, 94 STR, 61 AGI, 80 ACC, 73 PBK, 90 RBK
Notes: #3 OT on the Browns board. Roberts gambled that he would be available with 3.2 and luckily he was. Great size, power and athleticism. However struggles in pass protection and will need to improve his technique. Was pencilled in as the starter at LT when the draft class was announced as Roberts had a gut instinct regarding his selection. Time will tell whether that was indigestion or not.
4.2 WR Anthony Perez | Age 21 | 6’2” | 210 lbs
Key Atributes: 93 SPD, 59 AWR, 56 STR, 90 AGI, 94 ACC, 71 CTH, 60 CAR, 92 JMP, 33 RBK
Notes: Big receiver with fantastic speed and athleticism. Willing blocker and great leaping ability. Huge question mark surrounds his hands and inconsistency in catching the ball; tends to body catch instead of extending his hands. If the Cleveland coaches can improve his catching, he will have been a steal at this slot.
4.10 OG Brad Jones | Age 22 | 6’5” | 302 lbs
Key Atributes: 57 SPD, 54 AWR, 85 STR, 61 AGI, 76 ACC, 80 PBK, 86 RBK
Notes: Jones lacks ideal strength but is an athletic and versatile lineman who possesses good techniques. Is still raw, having converted from Basketball just 2 years ago, but has a very high ceiling as an athletic, finesse type guard. Jones will compete with incumbent Wells for the LG spot and will either make the starting spot his own or become a very good backup.
5.2 HB Ross Drayton | Age 21 | 6’1” | 246 lbs
Key Atributes: 83 SPD, 50 AWR, 79 STR, 90 AGI, 89 ACC, 83 CAR, 89 BTK
Notes: Drayton was selected with the hope that the skew may improve his rather pedestrian speed. At 246 lbs and with fantastic strength, he will become the short yardage back for the Browns and may ultimately be moved to FB.
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Forum Discussion
(by D_Roberts on 07/20/2010)
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Replies - 2 :: Views - 34 |
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Browns End of Year Report |
Browns End of Year Report
Dawgtalkers Beat writer, Mustaffa Leak
A record of 3-13 does not look or sound impressive. In fact, it looks and sounds downright atrocious. However, peeling the layers off the onion that was the Browns’ inaugural season in Gridiron (v2), there are several green shoots.
* The Browns lost 9 games by 10 points or fewer. Sure, those are still losses but the team was competitive in the majority of games.
* The Browns were very pleased with rookie QB Jonathan Crompton out of Tennessee, selected with pick 5.3 in the maiden Gridiron draft.
In four games, he was by far and away the most impressive of the Browns triumvirate of QBs [69-130 53% 901 yards 9 TDs 5 INTs 82.2 rating] and despite possessing only decent arm strength, he has shown enough for the Browns to commit to him for the 2011 season. At the very worst they have unearthed a very good backup QB.
* The Browns still plan on drafting a QB with one of their first 4 picks. Despite having the 2nd overall pick, the Browns brain trust do not feel that any of the talent available is a real upgrade on Crompton, who also has a year under his belt. Names in the frame are Cameron Hester, Chester Bryant, John Stringer and K.C. Williams.
* The Loss of HB James Davis mid-season hurt the Browns offense as he had shown good progress and ability. The Browns figure on Davis returning and remaining the starter given the dearth of standout talent in the draft.
* Defense remains a priority for the Browns, with safety a glaring hole. Look for the Browns to go DB early.
* Rookie MLB Jamar Chaney was team MVP with 127 tackles, 13 for loss, 2 sacks 3 Forced Fumbles and 2 INTs. A close second was rookie DT Cam Thomas who had 38 tackles, 4 for loss, 6 sacks and 1 INT. The Browns expect that Chaney should garner some interest as DROY.
* Elsewhere on defense, rookies ROLB Jason Worilds and FS Shann Schillinger cemented their starting spots. The defense looked good for long periods in games but the offense did not provide the respite or any impetus to build upon in the vast majority of offensive snaps.
* Rookie CB Crezdon Butler struggled early but made his way into the starting line-up late in the season. The coaches plan on starting him opposite Antonio Cromartie in 2011.
* The Browns will not re-sign any of the vets they pencilled in Free Agency in 2010 except for LG Reggie Wells.
* If they could, the Browns would trade DT Shaun Rogers, who did not play as well as expected. As in the past, Rogers took plays off and the feeling is amongst the backroom staff that they would be better served with a less talented but more team oriented guy manning the middle next to Cam Thomas.
* With very few brights spots on offense, the play of WR Mohamed Massaqoui was impressive enough. The 2nd year wideout out of Georgia had 1029 receiving yards and 5 TDs.
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Forum Discussion
(by D_Roberts on 07/06/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 20 |
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At A Glance
| INJURY REPORT |
| PLAYER |
POS |
OVR |
LENGTH |
 Josh Cribbs |
WR |
84 |
1 week |
| AFC North |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #10 |
 Ravens |
6-4-0 |
0.600 |
2-2 |
| #21 |
Browns |
5-5-0 |
0.500 |
4-2 |
| #15 |
 Steelers |
5-5-0 |
0.500 |
3-2 |
| #26 |
 Bengals |
3-7-0 |
0.300 |
0-3 |
| BROWNS SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Mon |
vs Ravens #10 |
|
| 2 |
Sun |
at  Seahawks #19 |
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| 3 |
Sun |
at Bengals #26 |
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| 4 |
Sun |
at Ravens #10 |
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| 5 |
Sun |
at Steelers #15 |
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| 7 |
Mon |
vs Steelers #15 |
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| 8 |
Sun |
vs Bengals #26 |
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| 9 |
Sun |
at  Colts #8 |
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| 10 |
Sun |
vs  Jaguars #17 |
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| 11 |
Sun |
vs  Bills #20 |
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| 12 |
Sun |
at  49ers #24 |
4:05pm |
| 13 |
Sun |
at  Broncos #7 |
4:15pm |
| 14 |
Sun |
vs  Rams #1 |
1:00pm |
| 15 |
Sun |
vs  Cardinals #9 |
1:00pm |
| 16 |
Sat |
at  Titans #31 |
4:00pm |
| 17 |
Sat |
vs  Texans #11 |
1:00pm |
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#21 Cleveland Browns
