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Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2009 > September
September 2009
Quinn deserved a chance to finish
If the Browns were going to give Brady Quinn such a short leash, such a wickedly small margin for error, then they should have scrapped the whole Quinn experiment before it began and drafted Mark Sanchez.
This has officially reached the nonsensical stage. I’ve not been on the Quinn bandwagon, but if he’s your guy, you’ve got to stick with him.
In case you missed it, Quinn played poorly in the Browns’ latest disgrace Sunday, a 34-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens that wasn’t even quite that close.
And then, to start the second half, in came Derek Anderson, replacing Quinn for the rest of the game. Anderson was no great relief, throwing three interceptions and doing nothing to convince anybody that he’s the answer even if Quinn is benched for next week’s game against the suddenly resurgent Cincinnati Bengals.
This is a building year for the Browns, as all years seem to be. Problem is, there doesn’t seem to be a quarterback to rebuild with. Then again, how will we know for sure if one of them isn’t given a chance to fail.
Quinn — or Anderson — deserves a chance to prove he’s the guy, or isn’t the guy. And that’s why Quinn should have been left out there in the second half, even if it meant he would take some lumps, Tim Couch-style.
I thought Anderson should have been the starter out of training camp, if only because there’s some evidence, based on the 2007 season, that he can lead an offense down the field and put points on the board.
But now I’m thinking it probably wasn’t the brightest move to pass on Sanchez, who already is starring for the New York Jets as a rookie. (I know. I know. Anybody the Browns draft — Adrian Peterson, Ben Roethlisberger, Richard Seymour, LaDainian Tomlinson, Ed Reed, Sanchez — wouldn’t be nearly as good for them as for someone else. At least that’s what respondents to this blog tell me whenever I suggest otherwise.)
It was a draft-day trade, you’ll recall. The Browns dealt the Jets the No. 5 overall pick (which became Sanchez) in exchange for the Jets’ first-rounder (center Alex Mack) several middling defensive players and a third-string quarterback.
Thing is, the defense stinks, too, even with this supposed infusion of talent.
How’s that Sanchez decision looking now?
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Rookie goes berserk in locker room
Witnesses say cornerback Coye Francies caused a scene in the locker room today, reacting inappropriately to a prank by hurling a bucket of ice and at least one punch.
Great. Just what the team needs two days before they play the Baltimore Ravens.
Here’s the Associated Press account:
As the team returned from practice Friday, a dripping-wet Francies, who had been soaked by teammates, stormed into the locker room carrying a water bucket full of ice. Before he could be stopped, Francies tossed the ice on cornerback Brandon McDonald, hitting him with cubes and covering the floor.
Francies flung some ice in the direction of safety Mike Adams before heading toward safety Abram Elam’s corner cubicle. Francies then swung his arms at Elam, who deflected the blows, before Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers grabbed him by the back of the shirt and escorted him out a side door.
“Welcome to the Browns locker room!” wide receiver Braylon Edwards hollered as players rushed over to check on the commotion.
“Calm down, man,” Rogers told Francies as he pushed him outside.
Francies returned a few minutes later and went straight to his stall at the back of the locker room, next to the equipment area. He still seemed irritated so as he sat there. Rogers, linebackers D’Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton and safety Brodney Pool tried to calm him down.
At the other end, McDonald did some housekeeping in front of his stall.
“It was just guys having fun,” McDonald said, whisking the ice into a dust pan with a broom. “I was the first one he saw. He got a little aggressive, it’s no big deal. We handled it. It’s over now and we’re going to worry about the Ravens. We don’t want to have any misconceptions in the locker room.
“So that’s it. We took care of it, and we’re moving on.”
After dressing, Francies had cooled down enough to smile.
“It’s all just fun and games,” he said. “We were just playing around.”
Later, Francies went to coach Eric Mangini’s office to explain what happened and acknowledged he had overreacted.
Mangini wanted to do some further investigating and consulted with other players and team leaders to make sure there was no lingering conflict.
“I said, ‘Was there anything malicious about this? Is there something deeper here?’” Mangini said. “And to a man, they said, ‘No it was nothing like that.’ He’s a rookie, he’s young. He should have put it in the right context. I trust the guys I talked to. I talked to him afterward and he said, ‘I should have handled it differently.’”
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Another Savage draftee bites the dust
The team picked up tight end Greg Estandia off waivers from Jacksonville and signed free agent defensive back Anthony Madison today while waiving tight end Martin Rucker and defensive back Marquis Floyd.
Rucker had been a big-time pass-catcher at Missouri, inspiring then-Browns GM Phil Savage to trade a 2009 third-round draft pick for the right to take him in the fourth round in 2008.
Like many of the moves that ultimately led to Savage’s dismissal, this one didn’t work. Even with Kellen Winslow Jr. traded away, Rucker was still buried on the depth chart behind Robert Royal and Steve Heiden, neither of whom is exactly Pro Bowl caliber.
Of the five players selected by Savage in the ‘08 draft, gone are Rucker, LB Beau Bell and WR Paul Hubbard. Remaining are DT Ahtyba Rubin and LB Alex Hall. So that draft can officially be classified as a waste of time.
Estandia was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bengals on May 1, 2006. He played at UNLV (2002, 2004-05) and led the team with 49 receptions for 563 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior.
Madison was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers on April 30, 2006, playing in 38 games over three seasons with the Steelers (2006-08), recording 46 special teams tackles.
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Why can’t a Russian billionaire buy the Browns?
Saw a story on ESPN.com today about Russia’s richest man, Mikhail Prokhorov, making a takeover bid for the NBA’s New Jersey Nets.
The headline I would have preferred to see:
“Russia’s richest man makes takeover bid for the Cleveland Browns.”
Their current billionaire owner, Randy Lerner, has to be at wit’s end after an 0-2 start that has seen his team score one touchdown and collapse in the second half of both games.
Too bad the team doesn’t seem to be for sale.
On a Monday radio show in Cleveland, iconic former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar referred to Sunday’s 27-6 loss in Denver as “crushingly embarrassing.”
Pretty much sums it up.
So how about a hostile takeover by this Russian guy, a former nickel mining baron. Guess it’s impossible, given the Lerner family’s majority ownership, but a fan can dream, right?
Might not make any difference in the record, but it could be entertaining. Can’t imagine a Russian nickel mining baron hiding from the spotlight the way Lerner does. Heck, he might actually allow cameras at a press conference. And he might even be there.
And the guy’s worth an estimated $9.5 billion, which would come in handy in free agency, especially if there’s an uncapped year in the NFL’s future, as many are predicting.
Maybe it’s time for Browns fans to start a letter-writing campaign. Dear Russian billionaire …
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Brian Daboll divulges the game plan
If left up to the discretion of head coaches, offensive and defensive coordinators would never be allowed to speak publicly. So in recent years the league mandated that they be made available at least once in a while.
Not surprisingly, the first question asked of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll at his press conference today had to do with quarterback Brady Quinn.
“He’s a young guy,” Daboll said. “I think the in-game experience from game one to coming into this week for practice has served him well. He’s had a good week of practice. What we are looking for is him to get the adjustments down for the game plan, but I have been pleased with him this week.”
On other topics, Daboll said:
— Tight end Robert Royal (or, as bumbling Fox commentator Brian Billick called him, Royal Roberts) was not intended to be the focal point of the passing game against Minnesota. It just worked out that way based on coverage.
— He’s good friends with Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels from their days with the Patriots: “We spent a lot of time together. He has a great family. His wife, his kids, his parents I’ve met. Josh is a really smart guy. He understands offensive and defensive football. I expect those guys to be ready to go. He is a really good coach.”
— Denver’s defense presents big challenges. “They do a lot of different things defensively to prepare for. It cuts into practice time. You have to prepare for some of the 3-4. You have to practice for some of the 4-3 stuff.”
— Quinn is strong-armed enough to make all the throws, even deep ones. “What I’m looking for from Brady, is to make sure he makes the right reads. If that read calls for the deep pass then that’s what he’s going to throw.”
OK, so nobody promised any deep thoughts from the coordinators when it was decided they should be made available.
What, you expected him to actually divulge the game plan.
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2 Browns in top 100 NFL players
A list of the NFL’s top 100 players found its way into my e-mail in-box. A panel assembled by The Sporting News of more than 100 Hall of Famers, former executives and other “experts” ranks left tackle Joe Thomas No. 41 and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers No. 71.
While it’s wonderful that Thomas, in his third season, is behind only Walter Jones of the Seattle Seahawks at his position, my eyes were drawn to the No. 3 player considering he’ll be paying a visit to Cleveland Browns Stadium with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday to open the season.
Yes, that’s the same Adrian Peterson who could have been wearing an undecorated orange helmet had the Browns selected him instead of Thomas in the 2007 draft.
I know. The NFL is not exactly bursting with left tackles of Thomas’ caliber, and General Manager Phil Savage certainly wasn’t fired for taking him. But I thought Peterson should have been the choice. In fact, in the days leading up to the draft, we projected the Browns taking Peterson at No. 3 in the Dayton Daily News. That’s how much of a no-brainer I thought it was.
When Savage dropped a pre-draft hint that Thomas would be the pick, I tended to think he was just blowing smoke, especially given his familiarity with the Oklahoma personnel stemming from his scouting and eventual drafting of Brodney Pool (starting safety), Antonio Perkins (bust) and Travis Wilson (bust).
Peterson shockingly lasted until No. 7, where the Vikings shrewdly scooped him up. On Sunday, he’ll be the one doing a Jim Brown impersonation up and down the field.
And where are the Browns? They open the season with their running game in the hands of a 30-year-old Jamal Lewis, an injury-prone Jermone Harrison and a sixth-round draft choice (James Davis).
Think Eric Mangini wishes Savage would have drafted Peterson? I’m guessing he does.
The Bengals, by the way, were shut out of the top 100.
Here’s the list:
Top 10: Peyton Manning, QB, Colts; Tom Brady, QB, Patriots; Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings; Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals; LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers; Albert Haynesworth, DT, Redskins; Ed Reed, S, Ravens; Randy Moss, WR, Patriots; Troy Polamalu, S, Steelers; Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons.
Nos. 11-20: Ray Lewis, ILB, Ravens; Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers; Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts; Steve Hutchinson, G, Vikings; DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Cowboys; Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers; Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles; Drew Brees, QB, Saints; James Harrison, OLB, Steelers; Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Raiders.
Nos. 21-30: Jared Allen, DE, Vikings; Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles; Andre Johnson, WR, Texans; Steve Smith, WR, Panthers; Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals; Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos; Shawne Merriman, OLB, Chargers; Osi Umenyiora, DE, Giants; Walter Jones, OT, Seahawks; Kevin Williams, DT, Vikings.
Nos. 31-40: Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals; Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers; Terrell Owens, WR, Bills; Alan Faneca, G, Jets; Patrick Willis, ILB, 49ers; Mario Williams, DE, Texans; Jeff Saturday, C, Colts; Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys; Brian Dawkins, S, Eagles; Matt Birk, C, Ravens.
Nos. 41-50: Joe Thomas, OT, Browns; Michael Turner, RB, Falcons; Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins; Bob Sanders, S, Colts; Terrell Suggs, OLB, Ravens; Justin Tuck, DE, Giants; Pat Williams, DT, Vikings; Joey Porter, OLB, Dolphins; Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts; Eli Manning, QB, Giants.
Nos. 51-60: Brett Favre, QB, Vikings; Asante Samuel, CB, Eagles; Chris Snee, G, Giants; Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers; Jordan Gross, OT, Panthers; Charles Woodson, CB, Packers; Lance Briggs, OLB, Bears; Tommie Harris, DT, Bears; Antonio Cromartie, CB, Chargers; Jammal Brown, OT, Saints.
Nos. 61-70: Brian Urlacher, MLB, Bears; Matt Light, OT, Patriots; Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons; James Farrior, ILB, Steelers; Vince Wilfork, NT, Patriots; Adrian Wilson, S, Cardinals; Lofa Tatupa, MLB, Seahawks; Jay Cutler, QB, Bears; Kris Jenkins, NT, Jets; Chris Johnson, RB, Titans.
Nos. 71-80: Shaun Rogers, NT, Browns; Julian Peterson, OLB, Lions; Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Titans; Trent Cole, DE, Eagles; Darnell Dockett, DT, Cardinals; Antoine Winfield, CB, Vikings; Willie Parker, RB, Steelers; Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos; Leonard Davis, G, Cowboys; Aaron Kampman, OLB, Packers.
Nos. 81-90: Jon Beason, MLB, Panthers; Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions; Kris Dielman, G, Chargers; Andre Gurode, C, Cowboys; Jay Ratliff, NT, Cowboys; DeMeco Ryans, MLB, Texans; Roddy White, WR, Falcons; Michael Vick, QB, Eagles; Michael Roos, OT, Titans; Cortland Finnegan, CB, Titans.
Nos. 91-100: Ryan Clady, OT, Broncos; Haloti Ngata, NT, Ravens; John Abraham, DE, Falcons; Casey Hampton, NT, Steelers; Logan Mankins, G, Patriots; Steven Jackson, RB, Rams; Richard Seymour, DE, Raiders; Darrelle Revis, CB, Jets; LaMarr Woodley, OLB, Steelers; Dallas Clark, TE, Colts.
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Lewis not among final cuts
Looks like veteran running back Jamal Lewis will be staying with the Browns, after all.
Despite days of national speculation to the contrary, the 30-year-old Lewis was not among the 23 cuts announced this afternoon by first-year coach Eric Mangini.
The only notable subtractions, in fact, were linebacker Beau Bell, a fourth-round pick in 2008, and veteran receiver David Patten.
Bell was a remnant of former general manager Phil Savage final draft and helped contribute to his demise by not amounting to anything.
Remember how Savage trumpeted Bell as a guy with a second-round grade and what a steal the Browns were getting in the fourth? I laughed then and it’s just as sad/funny now.
The moves leave the roster at 52, one under the NFL limit. Here’s the complete list:
Waived
FB Charles Ali, DB Brandon Anderson, QB Richard Bartel, DB Tra Battle, LB Beau Bell, OL Branndon Braxton, LB Titus Brown, OL Dustin Fry, DL Adam Hoppel, WR Paul Hubbard, RB Chris Jennings, WR Lance Leggett, OL Pat Murray, WR Jordan Norwood, OL Kurt Quarterman, DL Brian Schaefering, OL Isaac Sowells, DL Santonio Thomas.
Contract terminated
DB Hamza Abdullah, RB Noah Herron, DB Corey Ivy, WR David Patten, TE Aaron Walker.
In addition, the team reached an injury settlement with DL Melila Purcell, who had been on the club’s injured reserve list.
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Tucker placed on injured reserve
Ryan Tucker perhaps has played his last NFL game. That’s just speculation, of course, but the offensive lineman wound up on injured reserve today (not released yet, as some outlets reported), and that’s never a good sign for a veteran.
Reports are that Tucker had surgery last week, but the Browns (of course) would not confirm it. Nor would they say if Tucker is automatically out for the season with this designation. Most likely they’ll reach an injury settlement and cut him loose at some point.
Whatever happens, Tucker’s loss is a blow to the Browns on the field, and also to anyone who deals with the team on a day-to-day basis. There wasn’t a better guy in that locker room when it came to being available and accountable, even after the toughest losses.
Head coach Eric Mangini put it this way: “Ryan is such a good guy. He is such a fun guy to work with as a coach, because of his approach, his professionalism, all the things that you look for as part of a team, as a coaching staff.
“He’s an excellent locker room guy. He’s an excellent example of what a pro should be and that’s how you usually have longevity in the league. He has great toughness and passion for the game. There are a lot of really fine traits with him as a player and as a person.”
Tucker, though, had not exactly been an ironman on the field in recent seasons. There were injuries to his knee and hip, various surgeries and even a bout with depression that kept him out of the mix for a while.
So while his versatility would have come in handy, it’s doubtful the team was counting heavily on him, especially after bringing in a bunch of free-agent linemen of various (dubious?) skill levels in the offseason.
The only sure things on the O-line continue to be left tackle Joe Thomas and left guard Eric Steinbach. Rookie Alex Mack is the likely center because they figure he’s at least as good as Hank Fraley and they didn’t draft him in the first round to keep the bench warm.
Such underwelming talents as John St. Clair, Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack and Rex Hadnot are vying for spots on the right side. Tucker, who had been with the Browns since 2002, has played both guard and tackle. Guard Fred Weary also went on IR today, further eroding the depth.
In another move, the Browns traded reserve defensive end Louis Leonard to Carolina but would not say for whom or what. I’ll go out of a limb right now and say it’s not Julius Peppers. Actually, it’s a low-round 2010 draft pick. Carolina media report that it’s a seventh-rounder.
“That’s another area we’ll keep internal,” Belich … er, Mangini, said. “That will be the case with all trades.”
