Browns unveil plans for daily radio show

The Browns will launch a radio show later this summer, the team announced this morning. The show, titled "Cleveland Browns Daily," will air year-round on WKNR (850-AM) from 6-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. It also will stream live on ClevelandBrowns.com and ESPNCleveland.com.

The Browns have hired Vic Carucci to serve as the show's host. Carucci, who has covered the NFL since the late 1970s, most recently worked as a columnist for NFL.com and will continue to make weekly appearances as a host and co-host on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Hillis, McCoy Saying All the Right Things

When he isn’t pulling half-ton trucks, compact cars or four-wheelers around rural Arkansas, Browns running back Peyton Hillis is mentally preparing for the upcoming season.  All of the glitz and glamor that have come with the autograph sessions, television and radio appearances, and gracing the cover of the most popular sports video game franchise in the history of the industry mean very little to a guy who has his sites set on one thing.

A Super Bowl in Cleveland.

Hillis is just the latest in a line of relatively new Browns players who have not only embraced the city in which they play, joining the likes of fellow second-year starters Joe Haden and Colt McCoy.  In a recent interview with Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot, Hillis said that he would “not be happy” until the Vince Lombardi Trophy found a home alongside Lake Erie.

The host of the now famous “Camp Colt,” McCoy recently told Cabot that no one within the Browns organization would accept another 5-11 season; it would be the third consecutive season with said record.  With a season under his belt and additional weapons at his disposal, McCoy is expected to take another step in his career and help the Browns return to a level of prominence – one that has not been sustainable since their return in 1999.

With the current labor negotiations hindering player-coach contact, McCoy took it upon himself to hold multiple “camps” at the University of Texas as well as one in Cleveland where he and teamates  could learn the intricacies of the West Coast offense – a scheme used by new head coach Pat Shurmur.  The veteran players have even gone as far as to pay for the free agents and rookies (including wide receiver Greg Little) to attend.

Naturally, the goal-setting Hillis attended the camps.  The only difference: Hillis arrived inside of a truck rather than pulling it with a chain tied to his chest.

Original story http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/hillis_mccoy_saying_all_the_right_things/5280172

Little Had 93 Parking Tickets While Going to North Carolina

Browns second-round draft pick wide receiver Greg Little had 93 parking tickets while attending North Carolina according to Andy Curliss of the Raleigh News Observer.

The 93 tickets were associated with five different vehicles. Those vehicles had nine different license plates on them, apparently from the use of dealer tags.

Little has declined to comment.

Ex-49ers coach thinks Browns have winner in Holmgren

The Packers, apparently, are shielded from the lake effect by Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, a bite of land that separates the city of Green Bay from Lake Michigan.
The teams that are either on or nearer one of the Great Lakes are getting clobbered.
The Lions, representing Lakes Michigan and Huron, had the NFL’s worst record of the 2000s.
The Bills, representing Lakes Erie and Ontario, join Detroit as the only teams not to appear in a postseason game since the 1990s.
The Browns, who could cliff dive from their stadium into Lake Erie, lost their team to the Chesapeake Bay in 1996 and have been losing since they came back from scratch.
Fans of all three teams need a little light. For the purposes of this column, Detroit and Buffalo will have to fend for themselves.
We offer, though, a glimmer of hope for Cleveland, via a voice from a past linked to five Super Bowl championships.
Bill McPherson was a defensive coach on all five San Francisco teams that won Super Bowls in an era associated with offensive mastermind Bill Walsh. By the time Mike Holmgren joined the team as quarterbacks coach in 1986, McPherson had been with the 49ers for seven years.
Holmgren spent his last three years in San Francisco, 1989-91, as offensive coordinator. McPherson was defensive coordinator. Both were magnificent in Super Bowl XXIV, a 55-10 demolition of Denver.
McPherson’s side fared roughly as well in the next year’s NFC title game, but Holmgren’s side came up short in a 15-13 loss to the Giants, a game that propelled Bill Belichick to the head coaching job in Cleveland.
One can only imagine what might have happened if Holmgren had won a second straight Super Bowl. Would HE have leapfrogged Belichick as the Browns’ top choice? Would Walsh have advised Holmgren to accept the job?
Holmgren was late to come to Cleveland, as president in 2010. It’s not nearly enough to say the Browns have been slow to recover from the Belichick era. It has been much more complicated and much worse than THAT.
From his retirement home in San Jose, Calif., though, McPherson sounded quite convinced things will get better in Cleveland. The reason, for him, is Holmgren.
“Mike is really bright, as you know,” McPherson said during a conversation the other day. “He has done some great things as a coach and he has so many good attributes, a lot of them coming from being associated with Bill Walsh.
“Beyond that, so much of it is what Mike has done with what he has learned.”
THREE SUPER BOWLS
Holmgren piloted Green Bay to two Super Bowls in the 1990s. The Packers had not been to one since the 1960s. He coached Seattle to a Super Bowl several years later. The Seahawks had not been to the big game in their 29 previous seasons.
“Mike is one of the best guys I know,” McPherson said. “We used to ride to work together when we were with the 49ers. We lived about a half mile apart in Santa Clara. He still has a place out here up on a hill.
“I’ve talked to him since he went to Cleveland. He said the first thing he had to do was buy a snow blower.
“As I got to know him, I thought he had more in his personality and mental makeup that was similar to Bill Walsh than anybody I knew.”
Walsh was a Paul Brown follower to a large extent — he had worked for Brown’s Bengals and flew in for Brown’s funeral in Massillon in 1991. Walsh turned the 49ers from the pits into a dynasty, working for just 10 years. He handed his headset to George Seifert in 1989 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993.
TWO SIDES OF WALSH
On game days, Holmgren and McPherson used to communicate with Walsh from the press box.
“Bill could fool you,” McPherson said. “He could be standing there on the sidelines looking very calm, but sometimes he would cup his hand over his mouthpiece, and he would yell so loudly at Mike that you could hear the sound spilling from Mike’s headphones.
“And Bill might be saying, ‘Mike! Will you give me a (bleepity-bleep) play? ARE WE GONNA GET A PLAY?’ ”
Holmgren was the star pupil then. Now he is the big boss in Cleveland. The guess is he was both fair and stern with the last head coach, Eric Mangini, and will be supportive and demanding with the new one, Pat Shurmur.
“Mike knows how to deal with people,” McPherson said. “He can be very nice. He can fire it up. He can be funnier than anything, or he can be ... look out.
“I think he’s really smart with offense, and really smart dealing with people.”
WHAT ABOUT DEFENSE?
Holmgren will be very hands on in terms of helping Shurmur replace Mangini’s offense with a West Coast system. He won’t get nearly as involved with defensive coordinator Dick Jauron, who has been a head coach with three NFL teams.
McPherson has a little background with Jauron. He had retired as defensive coordinator when Walsh, who had assumed an executive position in the early 1990s, talked him into coming back as director of pro personnel.
The team needed a defensive coordinator and interviewed Jauron. If the job hadn’t gone to Jeff Fisher, McPherson said, Jauron would have been hired.
McPherson predicts that Jauron will be an important part of what he expects to be a strong Browns team under Holmgren’s direction.
“One of the assistant coaches who will help a lot is Dwaine Board,” McPherson said.
Board played defensive end for McPherson for 10 years in San Francisco. He was hired in January as the Browns’ defensive line coach.
“(Board) is very serious and very bright,” McPherson said. “Guys will respect him. As a coach, he was one of those players you’d have been happy to have as one of your own kids.
“He’s smart as hell. He majored in computer science. When he was starting out as a coach with us in San Francisco, he set up a computer program for George Seifert.”

 

• Article Source:
• http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x438675412/Around-the-NFL-Ex-49ers-coach-thinks-Browns-have-winner-in-Holmgren

Peyton Hillis isn't letting Madden cover, NFL lockout slow his preparations for 2011 season

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On any given day in the town of Conway, Ark., Browns running back Peyton Hillis can be seen trudging through his neighborhood with a half-ton truck harnessed to his chest.

On lighter training days, he'll lug a small car or all-terrain vehicle around the block.

"I know it's weird, but if you saw it, you can see it works," he said. "It's just something a buddy of mine came up with and I've been doing it since my junior year in high school."

One thing is for certain: The newly-minted Madden 12 cover boy and 1,000-yard rusher hasn't let success or fame go to his head.

"You can never get complacent," said Hillis, who beat out Eagles QB Michael Vick for the Madden 12 cover that will debut in August. "All of this has been exciting for my friends and family and the people of Conway. Things like this don't happen around here very often and the people are very proud of me. It just makes me want to work that much harder for them, for the Cleveland fans and the people I grew up with. It's truly a blessing."

When Hillis isn't attached to a hunk of metal, he's doing a variety of other things to prepare for the season.

"I have coaches from Conway High working me out and all kinds of local fitness experts," he said. "I'm doing yoga, MMA and things like that. I'm an unorthodox player, so I have to do things that fit my kind of game."

Family and friends have also been able to help with the fumbling issue that plagued Hillis last season. After leading all running backs with eight fumbles in 2010 and tying for third among all NFL players with five lost, Hillis knew he had to take some drastic measures in the off-season.

"I'll carry a ball around with me all day and ask people to try to knock it out of my hand when I least expect it," he said. "I'll give them some money and stuff so people get pretty geeked up about that. It just helps me to take care of the ball without even thinking about it."

 

Peyton Hillis Highlights

So has it cost him an arm and a leg?

"Sometimes they'll get it out, but most of the time they don't."

For the folks who think that Hillis wore down toward the end of last season, guess again. He was playing with cracked ribs for the final three games that made every breath, every move excruciating.

"I broke them at the very beginning of the Cincinnati game [Dec. 19] and then aggravated them in the Baltimore game the next week," he said. "They were really bad in the last game against Pittsburgh, too [six carries, 13 yards]. It was tough to cope with, but I did it because I wanted what's best for the team and I wanted to play for the guys. I wanted them to know how much the team meant to me, and I wanted to do them that favor."

That's one of the reasons Hillis is excited to have second-year running back Montario Hardesty recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Head coach Pat Shurmur said recently that Hardesty, who was pegged as the No. 1 tailback heading into last season, should be full-go by training camp.

"It'll take a lot of the beating off of me and he'll add a lot to the team," said Hillis. "I'm excited about having him back out there and I hope he comes back 100 percent. If he does, I know he'll help the team out tremendously."

Hillis even welcomes the threat to his starting tailback job.

"I always find competition in each and every thing I do and it will bring competition -- no doubt about it," he said. "But being professional and being who I am, I like competition. I like a good challenge and I'm always up for anything."

He's also up for whatever role Shurmur has for him in the West Coast offense -- the same scheme he excelled in as a rookie under Mike Shanahan in Denver in 2008.

"I'm going to go out with the same mindset I had last year, trying as hard as I can," he said. "I'll do all that I can, all they want me to do and I'll let everything else take care of itself."

Hillis, who rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 TDs in 2010, acknowledged that the West Coast is a good fit.

"There will definitely be more passing involved," he said. "You have to be more versatile to be a running back in the West Coast. Catching the ball out of the backfield is really important and they can also split you out wide a lot more in the slot and stuff like that. So it's all things I believe I can do really well and I feel really comfortable with that."

Hillis attended both of the "Camp Colts" at the University of Texas this off-season and regained his familiarity with the West Coast terminology.

"The first couple of days may be a little tough, but it will come to me a lot faster for sure than if I never learned it," he said. "Then again, the past five years I've had five different coaches and five different playbooks, so I'm kind of used to the situation."

Hillis said he hasn't been back to Cleveland since the end of the season, but is looking forward to his day-long youth football camp at St. Ignatius on July 9. Part of the proceeds will go the Cleveland Muny Football League.

"I really enjoy teaching kids the basics of football and giving them information," he said. "When I was growing up, I didn't go to any special camps. I hope it's exciting for them because I know it's exciting for me."

Hillis, who doesn't believe in the Madden curse, hasn't set any individual goals.

"I'm not going to be happy until Cleveland wins a Super Bowl," he said. "Those individual goals come and go, but Super Bowls and the relationships you make with coaches, teammates and fans last forever."

For more information on Hillis' youth camp, log onto peytonhilliscamp.com

Colt McCoy credits teammates with the success of first three lockout camps

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Colt McCoy credits his teammates with the success of the three lockout camps he's hosted over the past few months.

Josh Cribbs dubbed the sessions "Camp Colts'' but McCoy prefers to deflect the attention.

"My teammates are really willing to work hard and that's what's made them so great,'' said McCoy in a phone interview. "We don't accept the things that have happened, especially last year. We felt like we had the opportunity to win some games there and didn't get it done, so guys are really working hard, they're staying in shape and they're willing to make the extra effort.''

McCoy, who's organizing a full-squad session in the near future along with linebacker Scott Fujita, said players for the most part have paid their own expenses to Austin, Tex. twice and Cleveland once. The first and third camps were held at the University of Texas and the middle one at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea.

"Guys were willing to pay a little extra money for their flights and for their meals when we got together and it's all going to be worth it,'' said McCoy. "The turnouts have been great and it's all going to pay off during the season. I'm just proud of all of them for putting forth the effort.''

McCoy said the veteran players have helped the rookies and other young players pay their way to the camps.

"We do everything we can as a team to make sure everybody can get there,'' McCoy said. "The rookies and free agents don't have any money, so we definitely make sure that all the guys that want to be there, can be.''

One rookie that McCoy was especially glad to see at the last camp at Texas June 9-11, was receiver Greg Little, the second-round pick from North Carolina. Little sat out all last season on a suspension for accepting improper benefits.

"It was great having Greg there,'' said McCoy. "He's in shape, he ran great routes and he has good hands. Drafting him as high as they did, I think the coaches have high expectations for him. It was good to get him with Mo (Mohamed Massaquoi), Jordan Cameron (rookie tight end), Brian Robiskie, Ben Watson and Evan Moore. Those guys kind of took him under their wing and taught him a little bit.''

From what he saw of Little, McCoy definitely expects him to make up for lost time.

"He's not going to be missing a step,'' said McCoy. "I think he's done a great job of staying in shape and continuing to work. Obviously he wanted to play last season and that didn't happen, but he was in the same (West Coast) system that we're putting in in Cleveland, so system-wise I think he'll be fine.''

McCoy was also happy to have fellow quarterback Seneca Wallace making his first appearance.

"Having Seneca around, he's been in the West Coast, so without having a coach there, he was able to answer some of the deep playbook questions that I might have -- even though I feel like I have a great grasp of the playbook. It was nice to have an extra arm, and I'm blessed to have both Seneca and Jake Delhomme around to help me out. Jake was able to come to the second camp in Cleveland, and those guys provide some of the experience I lack.''

McCoy said he's excited to get the whole team together soon for a players-only camp if the lockout lingers. He declined to reveal the time and place.

"I think it will happen, but everybody will just have to know pending the lockout this is where we're going to meet and this is what we're going to do,'' he said. "But as we get closer (to the season), guys are getting more anxious and I think we'll have a great turnout on both sides of the ball.''

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/06/cleveland_browns_quarterback_c_14.html

On NFL's fringe, rookie free agents wait out the lockout

Married and a father, with another child on the way, former Virginia Tech running back Darren Evans suddenly found himself in the unenviable role of unemployed football player in a shuttered league eight weeks ago.

With one season of eligibility remaining, Evans, 22, gambled and declared for the NFL draft in April after advisers told him he was a lock as a middle-round pick. As the three-day draft approached an end, Evans says, the Washington Redskins called to say it was unlikely any team would select him.

"After hearing those words … everything kind of went blank," he says bleakly.

Evans was devastated when all 32 teams passed on him. Normally, the snub would not be a huge issue. Hundreds of eager rookie free agents are a solid return on investment for owners; such players represent a cheap source of labor. Teams quickly scoop up and sign the best of them, then provide invaluable rookie orientation before the start of grueling training camps in late July.

However, with the longest labor stoppage in league history surpassing 100 days this week, Evans remains one of hundreds of unsigned free agents whose childhood dreams of playing in the NFL might be in jeopardy if the owners' lockout lingers. Such is the collateral damage in the battle between billionaires (owners) and millionaires (players) in the league's first offseason lockout.

"These guys are the forgotten warriors of the lockout," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock says. "I feel horribly for them. This is uncharted territory. They are scared to death they may not get an opportunity with the NFL."

For unsigned rookies, the lockout is a double whammy.

They were given the cold shoulder on draft day, then the lockout forced them to miss rookie practice sessions in May, hours of classroom instruction and critical time studying playbooks. A truncated training camp and preseason schedule would make it more difficult for rookie free agents to earn roster spots. Teams are limited to 53 players, plus eight on their practice squads. Instead of investing in developing rookie free agents, coaches likely will turn to more experienced players to fill their active rosters.

"You will have a class of (rookie free agents) where many will disappear into thin air — a guy like (Dallas Cowboys quarterback) Tony Romo might never exist," says NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly, a former general manager with the Redskins and Houston Texans.

Every team in the 2003 draft ignored Romo, now a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback, before the Cowboys signed him as a free agent.

The chance of earning a roster spot as a rookie free agent is dubious at best, but dozens of such players earn their way on to teams each season.

Some develop into stars. Pro Bowlers such as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, Cowboys receiver Miles Austin and Texans running back Arian Foster are prime examples.

Foster, bypassed in the 2009 draft, last season smashed the NFL record for most yards from scrimmage (2,220) by an undrafted player.

Quarterback Kurt Warner, overlooked by scouts when he emerged out of Northern Iowa in 1994, led the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals to Super Bowls before retiring after the 2009 season.

But if the labor impasse impacts the scheduled start of training camps next month, less practice time will lead to a flattened learning curve, which means "it is going to be an uphill climb, much more than in the past, for those undrafted kids," agent Joe Linta says.

Missing important drills

In recent weeks, owners and players, mired in a dispute over how to split revenue, appear to have moved closer to a new collective bargaining agreement during several negotiating sessions.

But because there is no deal yet, free agents (and all current players) are barred from being signed or having contact with teams and their facilities.

Lifting weights or tossing the football around on a high school field with buddies is one thing; getting on a field for bona fide practices is something else, says retired Super Bowl quarterback Rich Gannon, who stresses that "repetition is the mother of learning."

"Realistically, (undrafted free agents) have very little chance of having any type of impact — or making a roster," says Gannon, a CBS analyst. "The reason guys do not make it in this business isn't because they can't run, block or tackle. For the most part, it is because they cannot handle the volume of information in a short period of time.

"They make a mistake and repeat it the next day. Then the coach says, 'I can't play with that guy — go get me someone else.' If you are a coach, you want guys who understand your system because, at the end of the day, it is your (behind)."

Former coach Jim Mora Jr. knows this as well as anyone. Preseason games — the current schedule calls for four — are mostly where rookie free agents state their cases to make a team.

"If the preseason is cut down, it is going to be really, really, really difficult for those guys," says Mora, now an NFL Network analyst. "Missing OTAs (organized team activities, held in the offseason) and minicamps are deterrents to making a favorable impression on the coaching staff."

The rookies do have football options, chiefly the United Football League and the Canadian Football League. And when it comes to the NFL, not everyone concurs that undrafted rookies face longer odds than usual if there is a protracted lockout.

"I don't think there will be much of a difference," Rams general manager Billy Devaney says. "As long as they show something, they can get caught up to speed."

Chargers coach Norv Turner agrees. "The guys who would have made your team by coming into (spring practice) in May are going to be the same guys who make it (under a limited training camp)," he says.

Ex-Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, an undrafted free agent who recovered from bone cancer two years ago to resume playing last season, says, "Whether you are a first-round (draft choice) or whether you are undrafted, you have to learn the (pro) system."

'It's crunchtime for money'

Without a new labor deal, rookie free agents remain in free fall.

In Evans' case, financial pressures bear down on the 230-pounder like a menacing middle linebacker. He and his wife, Taneesha, live with one of his cousins in their hometown of Indianapolis. The couple get by on savings and the largesse of family members.

"If this whole (football) thing just totally blows up in my face, I will go to work," says Evans, who as a redshirt freshman in 2008 rumbled for a then-school record 253 yards rushing against Maryland.

"If I get knocked down, I have to get up, because I will have three people depending on me."

Evans' economic concerns are one example of the anxiety affecting his unsigned brethren.

The best of them would have received signing bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. Under the expired labor agreement, the minimum NFL salary — which is typically what such players are paid — was $325,000 for rookies.

This year, the uncertainty has led some undrafted free agents such as former Michigan State tight end Charlie Gantt and California wide receiver Jeremy Ross to find jobs or rely on financial support from family, friends or their agents.

Gantt will begin working Monday at a suburban Detroit hospital, transporting patients for $12.02 an hour.

"It's crunchtime for money," Gantt says. "I expected to be drafted, so it was a tough day, very disappointing. I was very depressed. It is going to be tougher to make a team, but I hope someone will see my ability and take a chance."

Ross recently moved in with friends from church and intends to find work. "Now that I don't have scholarship checks, I actually have to get a job and work," he says. "The lockout has helped me mature."

Former Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts, a pre-med graduate, spends his days working out in Lubbock — when he is not shadowing an orthopedic surgeon. He also plans to get married next month.

"We (players) are pretty much at the mercy of the lockout," Potts says. "I have a lot of time to beef up a Plan B. Plan A is to still play football — although Plan B is becoming a bit more realistic."

Likewise, free agent hopefuls such as former West Virginia star running back Noel Devine and North Carolina safety Deunta Williams maintain positive attitudes.

"I am keeping up my spirits," Devine says. "The toughest part is keeping your faith strong for all the right reasons, whether it is family or love of the game."

Williams has worked hard to rehabilitate a broken right leg suffered in his final game for the Tar Heels in December.

"You just have to keep grinding," he says.

Even so, some players might not be able to overcome a higher hurdle without the benefit of a traditional training camp. "It would be a shorter time for coaches to discover your character, intelligence and desire," agent Tom Condon says.

The NFL's competition committee has discussed expanding training camp rosters to 90 players from the current limit of 80 to help make up for the missed practice time this spring, but there has been no formal proposal on the matter.

Gannon understands the potential predicament for unsigned rookies if the labor shutdown extends into late July or August.

"These are kids who worked a lifetime for this opportunity," he says. "They were not drafted, but they are talented enough to play in the league. Somebody is going to give them a chance, but how realistic of an opportunity is it? It's a joke."

Linebacker Gary Brackett says he was the longest of long shots when the Indianapolis Colts signed him as a rookie free agent eight years ago. He says this class of rookie free agents will have to hit the ground running.

"I was iffy," he says. "(This season), players won't have the same margin of error. You have little room for error as it is. In this situation, there is no room for error."

Brackett mentors Evans, challenging him during workouts in Indianapolis and advising him on the nuances of pro football. His best advice: hone special-teams skills.

"Darren absolutely fits into the NFL. I would be surprised if he didn't make it," Brackett says. "He is a natural talent with a great motor."

Evans revved up last season after knee surgery that wiped out his 2009 campaign. A tough power back, he split time in the backfield and led the Hokies in rushing and touchdowns as Virginia Tech won the Atlantic Coast Conference title.

He figured he was a surefire draft pick, particularly after he says that several teams, including the Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins, appeared to express serious interest in drafting him. He was wrong.

Now he is determined to prove talent evaluators were wrong, too, as he tackles reality.

"All this NFL stuff now, whether it happens or not, I am prepared for life," says Evans, whose family includes 4-year-old son James.

"I might not get a fair chance to prove myself, but the football thing remains an absolute dream of mine. I won't give up without a fight."

Article source:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-06-24-undrafted-free-agents-lockout_n.htm

Remembering Clarence Clemons, and the day he almost got a shot with the Cleveland Browns

In the early 1960s, the Maryland State College football team had an offensive lineman with all kinds of promise. He was big, smart, strong and quick.

You might even say he was born to run.

And he was this close to blocking for the Cleveland Browns.

Instead, Clarence Clemons became the "Big Man" with the sweet saxophone, Bruce Springsteen's baritone sidekick in the E Street Band.

"I was looking toward a pro career," he said, "but God had another plan for me."

Clemons grew up in eastern Virginia, an equally skilled artist and athlete. His talents earned him a split scholarship in football and music to a college with a tradition for winning and sending players to the NFL.

Emerson Boozer, Johnny Sample, Earl Christy and Charlie Stukes all played at Maryland State and would go on to play in the Super Bowl in January 1969 - Boozer, Sample and Christy with Joe Namath and the New York Jets, Stukes with the Baltimore Colts. There was also Roger Brown, one of the "Fearsome Foursome" of the Los Angeles Rams, future Hall of Famer Art Shell of the Raiders, and many more.

Clemons dreamed of adding his name to that list.

"I loved the sport, I loved the game," he said.

Clemons was a 6-2, 250-pound center on offense and a defensive end for the Maryland State College Hawks. He wore No. 50 and made quite an impression.

Boozer called him hard-nosed. Christy described him as an overachiever.

"I'll tell you one thing," Christy said, "he had a lot of desire. He had a desire second to none. When he brought it, he brought it every play."

Just winning a scholarship and making the team was an accomplishment. Clemons played football there from 1960 to 1964. Yearbook photos show him as one of the bigger guys on the team, but not the biggest.

Teammate Charlie Holmes, a fullback who ran behind Clemons, said his longtime friend was a bit undersized when he arrived on campus. But Clemons developed with weight training and a growth spurt after his sophomore year.

"When he got bigger and stronger," Holmes said, "then he became a force."

All along, Clemons, whose father bought him a saxophone at age 9, never went anywhere without his instrument. His musical group in college played halftimes at Hawks basketball games and in local clubs.

Still, football was his heart's desire.

In its day, the historically black college under legendary coach Vernon "Skip" McCain was a powerhouse well known by NFL scouts. But while teammates were drafted and signed by NFL teams, no one bit on Clemons.

A chance meeting altered fate.

Clemons was looking for work when he ran into his old friend Holmes, who was shopping in downtown Newark, N.J. Holmes had been drafted by the NFL and the old American Football League but was injured and cut. He told Clemons to apply at the prison where he worked. Clemons was hired as a corrections officer and later promoted to counselor.

Meanwhile, the two played semi-pro football together for two seasons with the New Jersey Generals, getting paid maybe $100 per game.

It was around 1964 to 1966, Clemons wasn't too sure. It was also right around the time the Browns had won their most recent NFL title and just missed another. Fullback Jim Brown was about to leave football for Hollywood.

During a semi-pro practice, Clemons apparently caught the eye of a Browns scout, who told the coach he wanted him to try out in Newark.

But the day before he was to show the Browns what he could do, Clemons slammed his blue Buick Riviera into a tree. He still remembers the out-of-body experience -- hovering over the accident scene as emergency crews pulled him from the car. He awoke in the hospital. The wreck had nearly torn off an ear.

"I was by myself, thank God," he said.

Clemons' injuries were so severe, his doctor told him to take a year off from football. He never played again.

"Yes," said Boozer, "he was good enough to play pro, there's no question about it."

The Browns' loss was rock 'n' roll's gain.

Clemons always carried his horn in his car to jam with anyone he could. Within a year of the accident, he met up with Springsteen on the Jersey Shore club scene. They both have described the first time they played together as magical.

As Springsteen says in the song "Tenth-Avenue Freeze-Out":

When the "Big Man" joined the band, from the coastline to the city, all the little pretties raised their hands.

By the mid-'70s, Bruce and the E Street Band were well on their way, with Clemons riding shotgun on stage instead of opening holes for Browns running back Leroy Kelly on Sunday afternoons.

"He could have been an excellent football player," said Stukes, a former college teammate who played eight NFL seasons. "But I think that's where his heart always was, in the music industry."

Had Clemons made the Browns, he may have been on an offensive line with Gene Hickerson, Dick Schafrath, Monte Clark and John Wooten.

And "The Boss," without him, may have been the Beaver Brown Band.

Clemons never got to wear a Browns uniform, never made the NFL. But he reached football's promised land anyway.

"I finally made it to the Super Bowl," he said, a reference to the band's halftime show on the biggest stage in 2009. "Maybe if I had made [the Browns], I might have taken them there, I don't know."

Instead, Cleveland fans are left with a hungry heart.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/02/saxophone_man_clarence_clemons.html

Josh Cribbs is fighting the law

Josh Cribbs is a football hero in Cleveland, and now he wants to be a hero to those who have received parking tickets in Cleveland Heights. When Cribbs got a ticket last week and there were eight minutes left on his meter, he was none too pleased on his Twitter.
He posted a picture  that shows his ticket with the meter in the background along with the following:
"Police in cleveland heights just wrote me a ticket & my meter had time left wow..smh can u say not Guilty lol"
The story didn't end there, though.
The $15 ticket would be cheaper to pay than contest, according to Cribbs' tweet this week. Maybe because he got paid this off-season he feels it is a good use of funds to fight the good fight anyway.
Two more tweets followed:
"So I'm going to contest my $15ticket in Cleveland heights, I just learned of the scam that's occurring, to contest is a $50 court cost.smh"
"I'm going to fight it 4everybody who gets a parking ticket b4 the meter expires & can't fight it bc of the court cost!!"
There is a reason that Josh Cribbs is one of the most popular Cleveland Browns players in recent memory.
Watch out Cleveland Heights parking enforcement: Josh Cribbs has a to-do list with your name on it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_localcle/20110621/ts_yblog_localcle/josh-cribbs-is-fighting-the-law

Story of the Week: Terrelle Pryor Edition

It’s happened again.
A professional athlete is seeking redemption. Only this time, the specific athlete has yet to enter the NFL.
In the case of Terrelle Pryor, the star crossed former Ohio State quarterback has already enjoyed the spoils of playing big-time football at the collegiate level. Pryor’s Ohio State haul included receiving tattoos in exchange for autographed goods, while also collecting a small fleet of expensive cars. Of course, this story is nothing new as college athletes and “improper” gifts go together like Scarlett and Grey in this particular case and universities, boosters and BCS television money in every other.
Likewise, what has occurred since Pryor’s exodus from official collegiate status is a narrative that has been told before – or at least spun, woven and cut until a new meaning is made.
Cleaning Up
The first step in Pryor’s NFL journey came during a press conference last week, in which super-agent Drew Rosenhaus re-branded his newest product as a unique investment opportunity for teams seeking additional help through the league’s supplemental draft.
National Football Post.com – Drew Rosenhaus on Terrelle Pryor
"When there is a supplemental draft, look for him to go early. Right now, people can say what they want. We both have something to prove. There's no doubt. I believe in this young man. He's going to be a real asset to the National Football League.”
Perhaps Pryor’s experience in trading away assets has prepared him for the likes of Rosenhaus – who is clearly salivating at the opportunity to take his cut of a new player contract. Much like the players he represents, Rosenhaus has taken a financial hit during the locked-out offseason. With no labor agreement in place, there is no free agent movement and hence, no percentages of new player contracts heading Rosenhaus’ way.
In landing Pryor, Rosenhaus is making a smart bet. While Pryor may be considered damaged goods to some, it’s likely that some team will take a flyer on the former Buckeye quarterback. One modest-sized rookie contract later and Rosenhaus – clearly the best agent in sports – will come out ahead.
Of course, it helps to have friends in high places.
ESPN.com – AFC North Blog – Browns Should Take Flier on Terrelle Pryor
“In Cleveland, Pryor would work with two quarterback gurus -- Browns president Mike Holmgren and head coach Pat Shurmur. The pair developed NFL quarterbacks such as Brett Favre, Matt Hasselbeck, Donovan McNabb and Sam Bradford, just to name a few. Like many observers, I have doubts about Pryor at quarterback in the NFL. But I like his chances a lot better working with Holmgren and Shurmur.
At best, Pryor turns out to be a viable starting quarterback in the NFL. Otherwise, Pryor could try his talents at wide receiver. Oh, by the way, the Browns need help there, too. They have arguably the league's worst group of receivers.
Holmgren said after the draft that his only regret was that Cleveland didn't select a developmental quarterback in the later rounds.”
In Walker’s defense, this has been a difficult offseason for any football writer to produce compelling material. Simply put, nothing much outside of a courtroom has occurred. However, in linking Pryor to Cleveland, Walker is doing little more than sending smoke down the pipeline between Columbus and Cleveland.
For years now, Browns fans doubling as Buckeye supporters have used OSU as an exclusive NFL recruiting source. The likes of Joe Germaine, Craig Krenzel, Michael Wiley and Joe Montgomery have all been cited as fixes to the Browns’ expansion malaise. The same could be said for Troy Smith, Brian Hartline, Kurt Coleman and Quinn Pitcock. While all of the above players enjoyed quality collegiate careers, these names present compelling testimony as to why most league scouts travel outside of their given comfort and time zones.
Of course, Walker struck a nerve as most Cleveland media sites ran his story, which generated some impressive page views and fan discussion. After all, Pryor the athlete remains an intriguing story. Perhaps the ultra-talented, but half-finished college product could become a legitimate NFL quarterback or wide receiver. But then again, someday Ted Ginn, Jr. could realize these same projections.
Yet, in my view, the bigger story remains the perception of Pryor as shown through various media outlets. Pryor’s past is considered scandalous, as his actions are being framed within the context of Jim Tressel’s Columbus departure. Certainly, Pryor took advantage of his status as a big-time college athlete and in a sense, his actions ultimately cost Tressel his job.
However, laying the blame squarely on Pryor is mind-numbingly naïve. While not exactly a victim – especially considering his somewhat lavish lifestyle – Pryor was simply caught up in the broken NCAA system. Somehow we’re supposed to pass judgment on college athletes who try to cash in on their own celebrity – while universities are getting Bernie Madoff-rich by feasting off the spoils that these same players create.
Yet, Pryor has become the fall guy for the actual fall guy in Tressel. By clumsily handling some incriminating emails, Tressel painted himself into a corner that will ultimately set back the OSU football program. Of course, it’s hard to tarnish an image as sterling as Tressel’s – who by all accounts, has been considered a “good guy” going back to his days at Youngstown State. Yet, much like Pryor, Tressel was operating within the same confines of a system that is completely removed from any nostalgic tinge of academics or amateurs playing for “the love of the game.”
So now Pryor has to practice the quintessential 21^st century American media art of reinventing himself – something that Rosenhaus holds a virtual doctorate in.
“I hope that the people at Ohio State will embrace him in the future, will forgive him and will give him an opportunity to come back. He said to me, 'Drew, I'm going to be a Buckeye for life.'”
Small steps first.
The American media cycle dictates that a “flawed” player will undergo several months of damaging critiques, before being elevated back into the good graces of an aging and increasingly skeptical public. Based on last week’s press conference, Pryor is just beginning this journey. However, in time Pryor’s image will be restored – at least to the origin of whatever it was before.
Again, there is only so much to write about and often, “character profiles” are cheap, entertaining filler that agents are only too happy to promote. After all, who doesn’t love a good redemption story? And with the background and lifestyles of 21^st century athletes so strikingly different than the experiences and values of most fans, enterprising writers will always have volumes of material at their disposal.
On this point, let’s go beyond the “cleaning” metaphor and call this for what it is. Players are continually being “sanitized” for an audience who has little connection to the realities of contemporary sports and the athletes who represent them.
Which makes the following rather unique.
Pro Football Talk.com – Moon Thinks Pryor Should Get a Chance To Play
“It just saddens me that people still think that way.  This is a kid that just needs a little bit more fine-tuning, he needs to be coached a little bit better, but he’s got all the skill set in order to be a great quarterback and I just don’t understand why we still have all that narrow-minded thinking when it comes to great athletes like a Terrelle Pryor, like a Cam Newton, or anyone else that has great athletic ability.  African-American quarterbacks get penalized because of their athleticism sometimes.”
Moon is correct on a few points, but I can’t help to think that he truly wants to say something far more honest. While the former Oiler quarterback certainly holds a legitimate frame of reference in this discussion, his use of the term “athlete” could point more to the idea that some coaches are wary of taking on a player who may not bend exactly into a given system.
As for the racial component of Moon’s comments, obviously such sentiments still exist. Much like fans, many coaches are removed from the backgrounds of some players. However, these factors are often complicated by the massive investments made by franchises towards players. In this sense, covering one’s bases is the most rational action to take. And besides, if all works out for the best, a franchise will improve and some writer somewhere will have a terrific redemption story to write.
The Naked Truth
For the most part, Moon is right. But here’s the thing – on the field, Pryor isn’t that good.
It’s easy to become intrigued with Pryor, simply because of his proximity to Cleveland. Pryor’s OSU ties have raised his profile around these parts for the past few seasons, but the stark realization is that we’re focusing on a player who is far from a finished product. Just the mere fact that Pryor did not declare for the regular NFL draft speaks volumes regarding his progression as either a quarterback or wide receiver. Despite what Rosenhaus is selling, Pryor’s status as a “supplemental” pick should be taken literally – as in the league’s extra draft often features players who at best would have been 5^th to 6^th round choices in April.
As for Pryor’s value, it wouldn’t have been difficult to see him drafted in such a round back in April. Pryor certainly has talent and possesses some great size for a quarterback. However, Pryor’s passing touch and accuracy are similar to those of former Brown Derek Anderson. Pryor’s passes often had a lofty arc to them – almost to the point of floating away like a stadium beach ball. Mobility wise, Pryor can certainly run, but was oddly statue-esque when he remained in the pocket. There are some serious footwork concerns with Pryor, which should be a major red flag when it comes to playing within a shrunken NFL pocket.
Pryor’s greatest asset heading into the NFL is his unique blend of size and speed. However, a critical eye would suggest that Pryor’s size advantage would be neutralized in the NFL. As for his sometimes blazing speed, I never caught the impression that Pryor ever operated at a top level in college. At times, Pryor seemed to coast – perhaps as a result of the long strides he took as a runner, which were reflective of his larger body frame.
This last point is significant as it relates to the idea of Pryor becoming an NFL wide receiver. Unless his game is radically altered at the next level, it’s hard to imagine Pryor becoming a quality wide receiver. Pryor exhibits a sort of “wind-up” mechanical feel that most likely would not translate to the quick timing routes found in today’s NFL. In this sense, Pryor seems to be more of a long-distance runner than an NFL sprinter.
But of course, we’re still talking about a quarterback – which will always be the most precious commodity in the NFL. Despite some of Pryor’s on-field shortcomings, taking a 5^th round flier on a project quarterback is fairly reasonable for any team. In the Browns’ case, there could certainly be a spot available on the roster, at least if veteran Jake Delhomme and his hefty contract are not retained.
Ideally – as Walker states – Pryor could become Mike Holmgren’s Idle Hands project for the next couple seasons, while Colt McCoy tries to assume the role of franchise leader. However, it’s more than possible that Pryor simply becomes the victim of broken collegiate athletics, his own unique talents or both.
And what a story that would be.

Article Source:

http://cle.scout.com/2/1081242.html

Pat Shurmur says he has the foundation for a good team

CLEVELAND -- After watching more film of his first NFL roster than he ever anticipated, Browns coach Pat Shurmur likes what he has to work with so far.

"I feel good about what we have to start with, I feel good about the coaches we have in place and I'm anticipating when we can put it all together,'' Shurmur said today after working with kids at the Cleveland Browns Youth Football Camp at the stadium. "I feel like the systems that we're teaching are time-proven. I'm not going to be predicting, but I feel like we've got the foundations of a good team.''

Shurmur isn't crying "woe is me'' over trying to install a new offense and new defense without any off-season practices.

"I don't feel like we're at more of a disadvantage,'' he said. "We're one of 32 teams. New teams, old teams, every year you re-create the chemistry that makes you a good team. I guess naturally there should be some anxiety going into a new season without preparation to this point with the players, but once we get up and running, we'll get it all taught.''

Shurmur addressed a number of other topics this morning:

• On whether or not the Browns would be interested in former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft: "I can't comment on that situation.''

• On Bucs coach Raheem Morris admitting he's talking to his players: "We're making an effort to follow all the rules to the 'T' and we realize what the rules are. We know it's a little bit restrictive. As coaches you want to be in a coaching setting, but we're making every effort to follow the rules.''

• On running back Montario Hardesty's availability for training camp: "To the best of my knowledge, he's progressing well and will be ready to participate (fully) once training camp starts. That's my understanding. We'll see when we finally get to training camp.''

• What's the most important thing after the lockout ends: "To get the players in. That will be the focus. Get the players in and start to communicate with them and get them up to speed so that we can really compete and play well this season.''

• On priorities in free agency: "Filling our roster with some good young talent as well as some of the guys that are currently in the league. They're equally important.''

• On plans for training camp: "We've planned a full training camp and we'll adjust accordingly. I was in there this morning proofreading some of the stuff, but it's ready to go. We'll just get it up and running when the players get here.''

Article Source:  http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/06/cleveland_browns_coach_pat_shu_5.html

Has Peyton Hillis Been Snubbed from the NFL Top 100?

The NFL Top 100 has been a hot topic of discussion for football fans all around the country over the past seven weeks.
Peyton Hillis has been a hot topic for Cleveland Browns fans since he was acquired one year ago. Hillis was one of very few stars for the Browns last season and had an impact that was felt throughout the entire organization. The Browns unveiled a completely new offensive element because of Hillis' success, and now seem to have an entirely new offensive mentality heading into the 2011 season.
The NFL Top 100 completed its eighth episode on Sunday night and has listed players 100-21 in dramatic video fashion. Two Cleveland Browns players have made the list of the top 100 players, however, Hillis has not been mentioned or hinted to be on the list throughout the entire process.
Josh Cribbs and Joe Thomas both made appearances at numbers 84 and 43, respectively. While both players obviously deserve the honor, one would have to argue that there may have been better options, even on the Browns' current roster.
According to a report posted on Ohio.com (found here), Hillis did not make the top 100 players despite his 1,177 yard rushing total and his spotlighted performance during the 2010 season. Even more strange is the fact that the Madden 2012 cover athlete will not be highlighted among the top 100 players in the NFL.
The Browns franchise and fan base are certainly proud of Cribbs' and Thomas' accomplishments throughout the 2010 season, but should feel slighted at Hillis' absence from the list. However, fans may also get a slight bit of satisfaction from Hillis' unexpected disappearance, as this could be fuel for another stellar season in 2011-12.

Article source:

http://www.chatbrowns.com/articles/4262935-Cleveland-Browns-Has-Peyton-Hillis-Been-Snubbed-from-the-NFL-Top-100

One More Embarrassing Figure in Franchise History

One of the most hated and most embarrassing figures in Browns history is Braylon Edwards, who began acting up while he was still with the team and hasn't shut up since. 

Edwards had one standout season in 2007, but then absolutely crashed and burned after that. Fans booed him because, well, that's what fans tend to do when you're not only not doing your job, but appear to not even be trying to. 

Edwards, however, didn't see it that way. In what was, for all intents and purposes, a hysterical tantrum worthy of a four-year-old, Edwards whined and screeched that Browns fans didn't like him "because he went to Michigan".

It seemed that Edwards forgot that a) he played for an NFL team called the Browns, not an NCAA team called the Buckeyes, and b) that the Browns have had many players on their roster who were beloved by fans despite Michigan being their alma mater. 

He also went on to further embarrass himself by punching a friend of LeBron James at a downtown Cleveland nightspot. At the time, James was king in Cleveland, and attacking anyone associated with him was grounds for an angry mob of Clevelanders to hunt you down.

Obviously, no matter who took their talents where, this is never OK, though many Clevelanders are now probably wishing he'd socked LeBron instead. Either way, it was more embarrassing evidence of what a problem Edwards was. 

And sadly, Edwards still couldn't let it go after being traded to the Jets. When New York came to town to play the Browns in 2010, Edwards still couldn't shut up, tweeting that he was coming to Cleveland and that the fans should "bring ya damn popcorn". Amazingly, Edwards made it out of Cleveland alive that weekend.

FO: Broken Tackles by Peyton Hillis and Browns' Offense

A few days ago, Football Outsiders posted a report on how running backs ranked when it came to broken tackles last season. Would Peyton Hillis' tough running style put him toward the top of the broken tackle rankings? You might think so, but then again, part of Hillis' success didn't come from breaking away from defenders -- it came from lowering his head and pushing the defender(s) back an extra yard or two before being stopped.

There are two ways to look at the broken tackles rankings: the total amount of broken tackles, and the percentage of plays that broken tackles occurred.

Total Broken Tackles: Hillis ranked 8th in the NFL with 35 broken tackles. There were a lot of good running backs listed ahead of him, such as Arian Foster, Chris Johnson, and Darren McFadden. None of the other AFC North running backs were ranked ahead of Hillis.

Percentage of Broken Tackles: FO does not list the complete rankings for this category, only the top 10 and the bottom 10. By my estimate of scanning the non-ordered table, Hillis ranked 20th in the league with a 10.6% rate. This category is less important to an extent because most of the highly-ranked running backs are either backup running backs, or receive few touches. Hillis, for example, had 331 touches last season, but no one in the top 10 had more than 285 touches, and most of the backs listed had less than 225 touches.

The final statistic that FO investigated was, "Broken Tackles by Offenses." This measured everyone on the Browns, not just Hillis, and not including special teams plays. The Browns broke a tackle on 6.7% of the plays they ran, which was good for 6th in the NFL. That seemed a bit high considering Hillis seemed like our only guy who could break away from a defender. Where a team ranks probably isn't too important on the outcome of the season though, as the Ravens, Jets, and Packers are at the bottom of the list, while the Panthers, Bills, and Browns are in the top seven.

Article source:

http://www.chatbrowns.com/articles/4255690-FO-Broken-Tackles-by-Peyton-Hillis-and-Browns-Offense

Browns Interested in Minnesota Vikings' Ray Edwards

The Cleveland Browns have spent most of the last two seasons building along the defensive side of the ball and look to maintain a line that could compete with some of the elite offenses in the NFL. Although some of the cornerstones seem to be in place, Cleveland could always use another defensive talent to help them through the grind of future NFL seasons.

Ray Edwards could possibly be a player that can not only solidify the Browns' defense, but put them over the top in an AFC North division that has become one of the best in the NFL.

Edwards has been with the Minnesota Vikings for the past six seasons and has slowly become one of the more consistent pass rushing threats in the NFL. Since 2006, Edwards has collected 29.5 sacks, and has collected over 50 tackles on two separate occasions. However, Edwards did serve one league suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy in 2007.

The Browns have not had a defensive player that could match Edwards' pass rushing ability since Kamerion Wimbley posted 11 sacks in 2006 (Marcus Bernard posted 7.5 in 2010). In fact, the Browns were out-sacked by opposing teams in 2010 by a margin of 36-29.

Jabaal Sheard will likely take over one of the starting defensive end positions when the 2011-12 season finally begins. However, even with Sheard's presence, there is still a significant hole at the other end of the defensive line. Matt Roth would likely be a candidate to fill that void, but his future with the club will not be decided until after the lockout is lifted.

Edwards has much greater upside than Roth and has more experience as a true defensive end. Edwards has also played at a high level for several seasons which makes him a more reliable option than anyone on the Browns' current roster.

To many, Cleveland may still be considered a team that is going through a rebuilding process. However, if the Browns manage to acquire some key free agents this fall, then Cleveland may finally be ready to turn the corner and challenge for the AFC North for years to come.

Article source:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/737036-nfl-rumor-mill-cleveland-browns-interested-in-minnesota-vikings-ray-edwards

Is Jake Delhomme Headed Back To The Carolina Panthers?

Jake Delhomme came to the Cleveland Browns last year expecting to be the starting quarterback for several seasons. Colt McCoy was considered a work in progress and Delhomme was supposed to be a mentor that could help the younger players on the Browns’ offense mature. Fast-forward to this summer and Delhomme’s status with the Browns has completely changed.

Cleveland may not retain Delhomme next season as the Browns have decided to move forward with Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace at the front of their quarterback depth chart. Trade rumors have been circulating through various regions of the NFL, however only one really seems to have any type of ammunition.

The Carolina Panthers will be entering next season with Cam Newton, Jimmy Clausen, and Tony Pike on the active roster and need a veteran presence to help the quarterbacks grow. Delhomme was a fan favorite throughout most of his career with Carolina and even led the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance in the mid-2000′s.

The Browns will likely release Delhomme when the labor agreement is finally reached in a few weeks. However, expect Cleveland to test the open trade market in order to gauge interest around the league.

Article source: http://www.chatbrowns.com/articles/4249442-Cleveland-Browns-Is-Jake-Delhomme-Headed-Back-To-The-Carolina-Panthers

Pat Shurmur Must Build on Cleveland Browns' 2010 Offense to Be Successful

When the Cleveland Browns first unveiled Pat Shurmur as the head coach for the 2011 NFL season, many fans began to wonder what the direction of the offense would be moving forward.

Shurmur spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams and controlled a different style of offense than what the Browns have seen in several years. Cleveland finally climbed their way back into football relevance by riding on the legs of Peyton Hillis and capitalizing on key throws by Colt McCoy. However, one would have to wonder if Shurmur's new offensive scheme will actually hurt the Browns during the 2011 season.

Throughout Shurmur's tenure with the Rams, Steven Jackson was the front-runner in a mediocre offense. Jackson was forced to carry the Rams franchise due to a complete lack of talent in 2009 and the growing pains of Sam Bradford in 2010. Shurmur worked the rushing game relentlessly as Jackson gained a total of 2,657 rushing yards in 31 games.

In Cleveland, the fans, as well as the organization, are worried about the well-being of Peyton Hillis and the rushing attack for the 2011 season. With the type of workload that Jackson saw in St. Louis, Hillis will likely be beaten and bruised when Cleveland enters the toughest part of the 2011 season.

Much of the success for the Browns will rest on the arm of Colt McCoy and the ability of Shurmur to adjust to Cleveland's offensive strengths. McCoy has shown, in his short time with the Browns, that he can be an accurate passer but needs time to survey the field and pick his targets. With the west coast system that Cleveland is expected to run, McCoy should be playing to his strengths and using short passes to build sustained drives.

Hillis will simply remain a question mark until the 2011 season has ended. Shurmur said that he intends to "run a very hard rushing style and impose a physical rushing attack" and will likely use Hillis more in the passing game than Eric Mangini and Brian Daboll did in 2010.

Shurmur will need to find an offensive balance between the west coast system that he wishes to implement and the offensive playbook that Cleveland used one season ago. If that mix can be determined early in 2011, Cleveland may be a tough team to beat during the course of the season.

Wallace Says He’s Preparing Like He’s the Starter at QB

Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer reports Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace re-signed with the Browns in March knowing Colt McCoy was “the guy” heading into training camp, but it won’t stop him from trying hard to beat out McCoy for the starting job.
Seneca Wallace said he’s fine if the Browns tell him point-blank that McCoy has the edge in camp.
“Colt is a younger kid and he’s from Texas and people know him,” Wallace said. “He should get the opportunity to be the starter and I’m not worried about that. But I’m comfortable with this system and I’m going to prepare every day like I’m the starter. That’s what I’ve got to do.”
Wallace, who signed a three-year deal worth $9 million plus incentives, isn’t conceding anything. He has spent seven seasons in this West Coast offense under then-Seahawks coach and current Browns President Mike Holmgren and knows it inside and out.

LeBron’s failure warms Cleveland’s heart

CLEVELAND – From the old wooden bar at Flannery’s Pub you can look out the big front window, across Prospect Street and the East 4th parking lot, and see Quicken Loans Arena, former home office of LeBron Raymone James.

Late Sunday night, a crowd of Clevelanders gathered here to watch their onetime hero turned all-time traitor, and with each disinterested LeBron offensive possession, each failed LeBron chase down of Jason Terry, each embarrassing LeBron crunch-time turnover, the prevailing emotion was simple.

Laughter.

They weren’t hating LeBron here. They were laughing at him.

LeBron started it, of course, laughing at Cleveland nearly a year ago when he took himself to a Boys and Girls Club in Connecticut of all places to announce on national television that he was taking his talents to South Beach. That South Beach has about a million nightclubs and technically no basketball arena said it all.

So on Sunday, Cleveland laughed right back.

All over Flannery’s and places like it across Ohio, they cracked oft-told jokes. (“I asked LeBron for a dollar, he gave me 75 cents back. He doesn’t have a fourth quarter.”) They showed pictures on their cell phones mocking LeBron as a quitter. Bartenders rang bells and shouted things like, “Last call for LeBron.”

They mostly reveled in the beauty of a night right out of their wildest dreams, LeBron coming up small on the biggest of stages, standing around as lesser talents on the Dallas Mavericks blocked his shortcut to a NBA title, winning the game 105-95, the series 4-2.

This was the girlfriend that dumped you getting dumped herself – only live in HD while an entire city toasted her comeuppance.

“He can’t blame the supporting cast,” Cavs fan Keith Clapacs said. “He can’t blame Mike Brown. There’s no excuses. Ball’s in your hand and you didn’t do it. It’s your elimination game, and Jason Kidd is diving on the floor for loose balls? You’re losing the hustle plays, committing turnovers?

“It’s the whole too-cool-to-care thing. He was too cool to care.”

From Miami, LeBron would later send his message to them, to the folks enjoying his failure.

“At the end of the day, all the people that was rooting on me to fail – at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today,” James said. “They have the same personal problems they had today …

“They can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal, but they have to get back to the real world at some point.”

A sentiment to which Ryan Smith, an insulation installer from Mentor, Ohio, with a Jameson on the rocks in front of him, offered this simple response:

“[Expletive] LeBron James.”

---

Perhaps there’s no greater example of the life of a Cleveland sports fan than watching a series not involving your team so you can root for someone to lose.

No city has lost like this one, not a single major professional sports championship since 1964, when the Browns won a pre-Super Bowl NFL title. You’d have to be in your mid-50s to remember it. Cleveland’s modern sports memories are defined in short terms, as if elaborating is just too painful: The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, The Move and, of course, The Decision.

You want collapses? The 1997 World Series is as bad as anything the Cubs or Red Sox ever dealt with. It’s just this city doesn’t have the media poets to chronicle it like Chicago or Boston. You want the true gut punch? Their beloved Browns moved to Baltimore only to finally get their act together and win a Super Bowl.

And then there was this, LeBron James, the local kid from Akron, the one who claimed he understood your heartache, the one you defended for years, the one that was finally going to deliver sporting glory. He bails for some fair-weather sports town and an arena full of white-covered chairs with pretty people who can’t even be bothered to watch the game while it’s going on.

So, yeah, when LeBron James’ dream gets delayed, you bet you’re going to get regional schadenfreude like nothing we’ve ever seen.

Yet LeBron’s take, the same one that too often has been bandied about nationally, doesn’t begin to understand the emotions in Cleveland.

It’s too trite and small to view Cleveland as some bottomed-out, post-industrial postcard to the past. These aren’t all people trapped in awful times or terrible circumstances or living small lives in jealousy of LeBron’s big one.

There’s money here. There is success in Cleveland. There is contentment. As sure as there are poor in Miami, as sure as the VIP area of the Mansion Nightclub isn’t the full reality of South Florida, neither is some boarded-up East Cleveland warehouse the story here.

There are doctors and lawyers and entrepreneurs and financial planners and artists and teachers and dreamers and, yes, insulation installers. (“In the column can you mention the company, Pure Seal Inc.?”)

There are happy families and neighborhoods and the American Dream in full view. There are plenty of people who don’t have any personal problems who are quite content to keep their talents in Cleveland, a place they love just the way it is.

“We get a bad rep,” said Pawel Wencel, who happily moved back from Washington, D.C., and watched the game at Flannery’s. “It’s not New York. It’s not L.A. And we don’t want it to be.”

Why New York or L.A. can never seem to get that is anyone’s guess.

The distaste for James didn’t come solely from the desperate and the depressed, and to suggest as much is to miss the entire point, to insult the entire region all over again.

The “bitter” storyline has been told so many times that fans here are as sick of it as they are LeBron. There’s been an overcorrection of late, a trend to say they are over LeBron, that they are better than to bother with him.

That’s not honest either, though. This mattered. No one should have to apologize for it.

It’s not just how LeBron left but how he operated when he was still here. He talked such a big game. He promised to end the title drought. He gave them all those endless playoff runs, all those spring nights of entertainment. He was good to them. Then he wasn’t, bailing before the proper Hollywood ending.

And for what? To stand around and watch J.J. Barea drive the lane?

Nothing angers fans like getting stood up by someone who had promised the moon. When college football coach Lane Kiffin bolted Tennessee for USC, there was a movement to name a local sewer treatment plant after him.

It’s human nature.

With LeBron, a championship felt inevitable.

That was the destination. What was also lost was the journey.

The Cavs drew people together, city and suburb, white and black, rich and poor. They also connected family and friends. They gave reason to send a text message to someone you had drifted away from. They provided a reason to share an experience with your parents or your children or both. They offered an excuse to catch a game with a high school buddy.

And it gave all those ex-Clevelanders who had to chase their professional and personal dreams elsewhere feel that pull to these old neighborhoods, those old sunsets over the lake, those old memories of days and people back home.

At its best, that’s what professional sports can do for a place. It makes a city come together in the shared pursuit of something simple and tangible, even if, in the end, it’s not all that important. It just feels that way in the moment.

And that’s what many here feel James stole when he left. In one swift Decision, it was gone.

Downtown was marked by desolate streets, empty parking garages and half-filled bars on Sunday. The place should’ve been popping. That game in Miami should’ve been that game right here at the Q. Those fans screaming in Florida should’ve been right here in Ohio.

LeBron left, and that’s what he took with him to South Beach. And maybe that’s too much of a burden to put on guy who simply chose to take a job in another town, but that’s what comes with all the millions, with all the commercials, with all the chutzpah of calling yourself “King.”

So watching his little plan blow up, watching him have to answer for the same failures he produced across the street, watching him find out that maybe it’s him, not them, yeah, that’s a good night here.

It just is.

LeBron James had the right to leave. And Cleveland has the right to laugh.

Article Source:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AhDlXhUa1neVLQoKf7ra_Ku8vLYF?slug=dw-wetzel_cleveland_laughs_at_lebron_james_061211