Holdup on Cleveland Browns QB Brandon Weeden's deal is full four-year guarantee, league source says

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The holdup on Brandon Weeden's contract -- and that of the three players picked behind him -- is a fully guaranteed contract for all four years, league sources said today.

It's the same issue that caused Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor, the No. 21 overall pick last year, to hold out for the first four days of training camp.

With the NFL's new rookie slotting system, guaranteed money is usually the only point of contention. Weeden, the No. 22 overall pick, is set to receive a four-year deal worth about $8.1 million, but is intent on the fourth-year guarantee as opposed to the three that many players late in the round receive.

Ultimately, the Browns and Taylor agreed last year to a combination guaranteed base/roster bonus for 2014 instead of the full guarantee. The $750,000 roster bonus, due in early March, forces the Browns to make an early decision on whether or not to keep Taylor for the year. His base for the final year is also $750,000. Overall, his deal was worth four years, $8.1 million.

Weeden, who participated in the NFL Play 60 in Berea Friday as part of the rookie symposium, said he's still hopeful a deal will get done before training camp, which opens to the public July 28th. Rookies report a few days earlier.

"It'll get done,'' said Weeden, one of 14 unsigned first-rounders including teammate Trent Richardson. "We’re working. It takes two sides, though.''

If the Browns decide not to budge on the guaranteed fourth year, Weeden will most likely have to settle for the combination guarantee/roster bonus that Taylor received.

Last year, picks one through 16 -- and No. 20 pick Adrian Clayborn of the Bucs -- received all four years fully guaranteed. This year, picks one through 16 received the four years and picks 17, 18 and 19 got the combo package. No. 20 overall pick Kendall Wright remains unsigned by the Titans, presumably because he's working off Clayborn's fully-guaranteed four-year deal from last year.

This year's No. 21 overall pick, defensive end Chandler Jones of New England, signed a four-year deal worth $8.17 million, but didn't receive the roster bonus in the fourth year that Taylor secured, according to profootballtalk.com.

The Browns still have almost a month to resolve the issue, but sources expect Weeden to be in on time, especially considering he's set to be the starting quarterback.

As for No. 3 overall pick Richardson, his holdup is likely tied to the "offset language'' that clubs want in the contract. Offset language means that if a player with a guaranteed contract is let go and signs with another club, the original team is off the hook for the portion of the salary paid by the new club. For example, if Richardson were due $5 million in 2015 and his new team paid him $4 million, the Browns would owe him $1 million.

Offset language is the major reason the first eight picks have yet to sign, a source said.

"For me, I think I’m really just waiting on one and two (Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin) to get done," Richardson said at NFL Play 60. "Then when the big guys get done, I can sign.''

Richardson will receive a four-year guaranteed contract worth close to $21 million.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/06/holdup_on_brandon_weedens_deal.html

Cowboys aren’t interested in Colt McCoy

With the Cleveland Browns willing to accept pretty much anything in order to dump quarterback Colt McCoy, you would think there would be at least a few teams interested.  So far that doesn’t seem to be the case.

One team that you can cross off the list of potential landing spots for McCoy is the Dallas Cowboys, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.

It looks like Stephen Mcgee will be the Cowboys’ third quarterback going into training camp.

http://profootballzone.com/nfl/cowboys-arent-interested-in-colt-mccoy/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ProFootballZone+%28Pro+Football+Zone%29

Three Reasons The Cleveland Browns Should Get Rid Of Seneca Wallace

Posted by LG on June 21, 2012 at 6:22 am.

The Cleveland Browns have a abundance of quarterbacks coming into camp this season. With drafting Brandon Weeden in the first round of the NFL draft the Cleveland fans are thinking Weeden could move into the starting role. With that being said it is no secret Seneca Wallace doen’t want to be the third string Q.B.. Wallace is one guy who has been vocal about not riding the bench even though he should have been use to it by now his tenth year in the NFL.

There are three reason the Browns should release Wallace, the three reasons are simple. He started in the last three games of the 2011 season and could not get the Browns a win. Why should Wallace get to stay and run his mouth about him being the guy to mentor Brandon Weeden? Wallace has never been the guy. He is a weak back-up NFL quarterback at best. His dis-like of Colt McCoy has been clear to see. Wallace refused to help McCoy last season even though it may have lead to the Browns being a better football team.

Wallace is a guy who put his own personal wants and needs above that of the Cleveland Browns,there is not any player that should be able to get away with that on the Cleveland Browns. Wallace had three chances to show something to the Cleveland Browns and the fans last season and he showed why he is a back up quarterback at best. Three starts no wins, these are the reasons the Browns should cut Seneca Wallace and if Brandon Weeden gets the starting role and the team makes Colt McCoy the back up, the Browns will at least have a guy with plenty of heart that could get the team a win.

Losing all three games he started in McCoy’s absence, are three reasons the Browns should cut Seneca Wallace.

http://clevelandsports360.com/wordpress/three-reasons-the-cleveland-browns-should-get-rid-of-seneca-wallace/

Browns President Mike Holmgren Likes Colt McCoy Why Not Tony Grossi?

Posted by LG on June 18, 2012 at 6:33 am.

Many people in Cleveland May already know, former Browns Beat writer Tony Grossi does things to irritate the Cleveland Browns and team President Mike Holmgren. The latest is Grossi’s attempts to interpret things Holmgren says negatively when it comes to what the team is going to do with Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. Browns President Holmgren said at his latest press conference, he liked Colt McCoy and   the Browns would determine who their starting quarterback would be before the season starts. Grossi then comes out saying the Cleveland Browns would look to deal McCoy and would ask very little in return for him.

Grossi covered the Browns for years with the local news-paper the Cleveland Plain dealer before being removed last season after he let a tweet get out about Browns owner Randy Learner. Grossi may be slightly out of touch with reality when it comes to the statements he continues to make about the Cleveland Browns. Grossi who now works for ESPN Cleveland continues to make assertions about the Browns looking though his eyes only. Grossi must not be listening to the same statements the Browns are making when they hold these press conferences.

The Cleveland Browns were less than impressed with the things Grossi has written about the team and Grossi continues to come out with these jaded views of what the Browns should do. Mike Holmgren has to be fit to be tied when it comes to Tony Grossi and sooner rather than later the Teams President may want to limit the amount of coverage made available to Grossi. If the Browns do deal McCoy, of course Grossi would looks as though he had the inside scoop. I really don’t know why the Cleveland Browns would deal McCoy who can win some football games in favor of having Seneca Wallace as the back-up when he could get any wins last season at all. Besides, Wallace has been in the league for ten years. McCoy is still young, he didn’t have a very good chance last season and the Browns know that.

It is just too bad Tony Grossi doesn’t know it. As it comes closer to the NFL season we will see what moves the Cleveland Browns make. As far as listening to Grossi, I guess we have little choice.

http://clevelandsports360.com/wordpress/browns-president-mike-holmgren-likes-colt-mccoy-why-not-tony-grossi/

Rookie WR Josh Cooper looking to make a home with Cleveland: Browns Insider

By Tom Reed, The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio -- When Josh Cooper returns for Browns training camp next month, the rookie receiver will be staying with quarterback Brandon Weeden and his wife, Melanie.

The arrangement between old Oklahoma State teammates is temporary, but Cooper admits to feeling a bit like the Owen Wilson character in "You, Me and Dupree."

"I'm definitely the Dupree in the equation," Cooper said in reference to lodging with a married couple. The undrafted free agent isn't worried about crashing on somebody's basement futon. He's just trying to find a home on the Browns' roster.

The slot receiver from Mustang, Okla., lacks the size and NFL experience other competitors enjoy. Cooper does, however, hold one advantage: a familiarity with the Browns' presumptive starting quarterback. He was Weeden's second-favorite target at Oklahoma State behind Justin Blackmon, making 161 catches for 1,696 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The duo's chemistry, as well as Cooper's ability to catch the ball, have been evident during the minicamp and organized team activities. The coaching staff will get a more accurate evaluation of the 5-foot-10, 190-pound receiver when the Browns don pads and the defense can begin applying punishing hits.

Cooper is used to having to prove his durability and nerve while running routes in high-traffic areas infested with linebackers.

"You have to be tough in the slot," Cooper said. "I've always prided myself on being a hard-nosed player and that's what I will try to do here."

Every NFL organization trolls the late rounds and free agency looking for the next Wes Welker, the undersized, undrafted possession receiver who has flourished in New England. Cooper, who grew up near Welker's hometown of Oklahoma City, doesn't pattern his game after any specific player, he said.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur seems to appreciate Cooper's football acumen, route running and ability to maximize his talents. The 23-year-old has seldom dropped a pass in drills.

"I'm very impressed with what I've seen from him," Shurmur said. "I think he generally gets it. He understands how to uncover in the slot area. There is something to that because you are surrounded by lots of guys, and to understand leverage and how to get open is a skill."

During the draft's final round, the Browns asked Cooper's future landlord to help recruit him should the receiver not get selected. Cooper said he didn't need much convincing.

The Browns aren't the only team outfitting their rookie quarterback with a pass-catching security blanket from college. The Indianapolis Colts, who selected Andrew Luck with the first pick, drafted Stanford tight end Coby Fleener and signed receiver Griff Whalen.

Even in drills, observers can see Weeden knows where to find Cooper and where to place passes. But the receiver knows his friendship and association with Weeden means little as the club whittles its roster.

"It's a business," Cooper said. "I am not here because of him. I have to come out here and prove myself every day."

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/06/rookie_wr_josh_cooper_looking.html

Browns QB Seneca Wallace says “probably not” to the Browns keeping both him and Colt McCoy.

Browns QB Seneca Wallace has decided to force the team’s hand in a series of quotes today that could down as a classic case of “be careful what you wish for you just might get it.”

In assessing whether or not the Browns will keep both him and Colt McCoy to backup Brandon Weeden, Wallace was blunt in his statement to the media according to cleveland.com

“Can any of you guys see all three of us being here?” Wallace said. “You’ve written about it, so that answers your question…Probably not,” he said.

Wallace went on to more or less state that he could ask for a trade if he’s listed as the third guy on the depth chart by responding to the question with  ”I don’t know, we’ll see when it gets to that point.”

“No, not really (I don’t want to be the No. 3),” said Wallace.”That’s something that obviously for no reason you go down to the third guy, and we all know the third guy doesn’t dress on Sundays and if that comes down to that decision, obviously neither one of us (him or McCoy)wants to be that third guy.”

As for how he wants the Browns to handle all of this drama, Wallace feels like it’s time to move forward with Weeden…he just wants to be the backup.

“If you’re going to move forward with a guy and (want him to) be your franchise guy, you need to put all of your focus on that guy and let him play and take all of the media situations out of it and the fan situations out of it and let him play in order to build that franchise the way you want it.”

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Colt is still fighting for the number one spot.

“When I come out to practice, in my mind, I’m the starter,” said McCoy.

Wow.  I hear where Wallace is coming from but if he really wants to “focus” on helping Weeden be the franchise guy then he should be laying low.

McCoy maybe fighting for his job but Wallace has certainly not done himself any favors by throwing in his two cents publicly.

He was always a favorite of Mike Holmgren’s who brought him with him from Seattle.  There is no shortage backup guys in the NFL, so really saying what you are and are not willing to do in the press is not a good look.

http://www.playersview.net/browns-qb-seneca-wallace-says-probably-not-to-the-browns-keeping-both-him-and-colt-mccoy/

The time has come for the Cleveland Browns to trade or release QB Colt McCoy

By Eric Schmidt

Despite the politically correct chatter coming from the coaching staff and front office of the Cleveland Browns, rookie QB Brandon Weeden will likely be the starter in Week One for the club this season. The Browns organization can say all they want that Weeden will have to earn the starting job, but a team doesn’t draft a quarterback in the first-round who turns 29 later this year, to sit on the bench. The time has come for the Browns to either trade or move QB Colt McCoy.

Team OTAs and mini-camps will be winding down over the next few weeks as the NFL readies itself for the opening of training camp in late July. Weeden will head into camp and needs to get as many repetitions as he can record before the start of the regular season. It is apparent that a rift has opened between the Browns and McCoy, so keeping him on the roster just creates a distraction as well as hurts Weeden in practice.

Personally, I don’t think that the Browns surrounded McCoy with the offensive weapons he needed in order to succeed while he was starting for the franchise. Whether or not the selection of Weeden was the right choice for the Browns remains to be seen, but the team pushed their chips to the center of the table in April and selected Weeden. If that is the direction the franchise wants to go, then go with it.

The selection of McCoy was a reach two seasons ago, entering the league with questions surrounding his arm strength. The experiment, however misguided it was, seems to have come to an end. Move on. Allow McCoy to create a fresh start with another team. He will turn 26 later this season and allow him to try to pursue his career elsewhere. The club has veteran Seneca Wallace under contract for the next two seasons, at that time, the Browns should have an idea whether or not Weeden is going to have a successful NFL career or if the Browns need to blow the position up starting all over once again.

End the distractions, give each Weeden and McCoy a fair shake.

http://www.thepigskinreport.com/2012/06/the-time-has-come-for-the-cleveland-browns-to-trade-or-release-qb-colt-mccoy/

'The Cleveland Browns are not for sale': Browns spokesman

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio --"The Cleveland Browns are not for sale,'' team spokesman Neal Gulkis told The Plain Dealer today.

Gulkis was responding to a report by radio reporter Howard Eskin of WIP in Philadelphia, who said the Browns may be for sale. Eskin reported on his Twitter account that former Eagles President Joe Banner is interested in putting together a group to buy the Buffalo Bills, and the Browns and St. Louis Rams may also be for sale.

Another Browns source said he hadn't heard anything about the team possibly being for sale.

Shortly after his Tweet, Eskin joined The Bull and The Fox radio show on 92.3 The Fan to expound on his report.

"It's my understanding that the Bills are (Banner's) first priority,'' said Eskin. "I was also told by an NFL source that Cleveland and St. Louis may be for sale, but Joe's first order of business from what I was told was Buffalo, if in fact he can get that money together and do all of those things.

"Cleveland and St. Louis were secondary in the information that I got. ... I was told my somebody I truly, truly respect with information, but outside of that, I know nothing further.''

Eskin said he heard about the interest in Buffalo from "a couple of different people. Cleveland and St. Louis was by someone else, but it all connected, because Buffalo was mentioned in that conversation as well.

"I don't know how serious (it is). Obviously there's a thought there, because if NFL people are getting a feel for this, then there is a thought there that the Browns could possibly be sold. For the right price, anything could be sold.

"It's kind of an interesting dynamic, and I know it would be important to the people in Cleveland.''

The Browns have been owned by the Lerner Family since 1999. Randy Lerner inherited the team in 2002 when his father, Al Lerner, died.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/06/cleveland_browns_may_be_for_sa.html

Phil Dawson wants to finish his career in Cleveland

June 5, 2012 By Craig Lyndall

The Browns were back working today and Phil Dawson has joined the team after receiving his second straight franchise tag designation from the Browns. Dawson is a great guy and a fan favorite, so what he had to say to the media today was especially nice to hear.

(On the chances he will finish his career as a Cleveland Brown) – “You know what, I’d like to. I really would. I’m not thinking about my career being over at this point, but it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to go play somewhere else. So, we’ll see what happens. I’ve told you guys before I’m not very good at predicting the future, but I’m just going to go to work like I always do and hope that things get worked out.”

(On approaching Lou Groza’s record) – “That was a goal I set in 1999 when Danny Kight and Chris Boniol were out here competing against me in training camp. If I would had admitted back then that, that was one of my goals you guys would have laughed me out of town and I wouldn’t have blamed you. So a lot of work, a lot of years and a lot of effort has taken place since then. To even be remotely on the horizon close to that is a pretty neat thing.”

Despite the poor teams that Dawson has been a part of, there is little doubt that he will go down in Browns history along with guys like Josh Cribbs as one of the very few bright spots during decidedly dark days in the history of the franchise. If he can somehow bridge the gap between the dark days and a brighter future it would be that much better. Now, the hard part…

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/2012/06/phil-dawson-wants-to-finish-his-career-in-cleveland/

The Cleveland Browns Gave Colt McCoys Jersey Number To HorseShoe Casino

Posted by LG on June 4, 2012 at 6:35 am.

Colt McCoy who was promised the chance to compete for the teams starting quarterback position has seen his jersey number given to the new Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns gave a jersey to the casino and it has the number 12 on the back of it and the name Horseshoe on it. Why would the Browns give a jersey to the Casino with McCoy’s number on it? Isn’t this a bit disrespectful? Why Not give them one with Brandon Weeden’s number on the back?

The Browns may have already made up their minds on who the starter will be once the season opens up. McCoy may be just going through the motions with little to gain. The Cleveland Browns may not even have Colt McCoy on the teams roster once the season starts. For the team to give a jersey to the new Casino with McCoy’s number on the back shows me the Browns have very little respect for the quarterback. It is going to be interesting to see how the Cleveland Browns deal with McCoy’s future.

http://clevelandsports360.com/wordpress/the-cleveland-browns-gave-colt-mccoys-jersey-number-to-horseshoe-casino/

Open question to Cleveland Browns fans: Who do you want, Coach Shurmur or Coach Klein?

Michael W. Youngman--Lead Analyst C.B.R.

Recently the Sporting News has released their NFL Head Coach rankings and not surprisingly the Cleveland Browns’ Pat Shurmur is near the bottom ranking 26 out of the 32 head coaches in the NFL. The rankings take into consideration both what a coach has accomplished thus far and where their status stands as of now. 18 of the 32 coaches listed in the pole have three years or less experience as a head coach. Also it includes Joe Vitt of the New Orleans Saints who will be coaching the team in Sean Payton’s absence this season due to his suspension for his role in the “bounty” scandal.

Shurmur's team had a rough start last year. He had no offseason program due to the lock-out, a weak offense which struggled to score points, and the team finished 4-12. So it’s not surprising that Shurmur wound end up near the bottom of the rankings. In fact Shurmur has “at times” appeared lost on the sidelines. He has made mental mistakes in play calling and sometimes resembles more like a spectator than a coach. As I was watching TV the other day I came across the classic Adam Sandler film “The Waterboy (1998)” and it made me think of an excellent question for the very loyal Cleveland Browns fan. Who do you want on the sidelines for the Cleveland Browns, Coach Shurmur, or Coach Klein (played by Henry Winkler)? Let’s compare the two.

Past coaching experience:
Coach Shurmur came to the Browns with 11 years of coaching experience in the NFL prior to last season. He came to Cleveland by way of St. Louis but he spent most of his coaching career under Eagles coach Andy Reid as an assistant in one form or another.
Coach Klein came to the Louisiana Mud Dogs by way of assistant coaching experience at fictional Louisiana University under famed Coach Cabinaugh. Unfortunately he was taken advantage of by fellow assistant coach Red Beaulleu and apparently suffered a nervous breakdown shortly after which gives coach Klein his “spaced out” personality. It is not clear if coach Shurmur had a nervous breakdown in his past but he does have that slightly medicated look at times when on the sidelines.

Coaching expertise
Pat Shurmur is known as an offensive minded coach. He comes from the Andy Reid coaching tree and runs probably the last “pure” form of the West Coast Offense in the league. However a weak offense last season did not reflect his offensive expertise and the only true reliable offensive weapon was “Old Faithful” Phil Dawson who made seven 50+ yard field goals in 2011 and made 24 of 29 attempts total. But the big bright spot for the Browns last season was the defense and its leader middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson who led the team and most of the league in tackles (2nd in NFL).
Coach Klein was known for his offensive creativity however the Mud Dog offense was lack luster as Klein's confidence was shaky at best. His team’s only offensive weapon was (like the Browns) their kicker Derek Wallace (Lawrence Gillard Jr.). However it was the defense that carried the Louisiana Mud Dogs a trip to the Bourbon Bowl. The leader of that Defense was middle linebacker Bobby Boucher Jr. (Adam Sandler) whose relentless rage was the true bright spot of the team. Of course by the end of the film coach Klein was able to show off his expertise and designed plays that helped the offense score points and won the Bourbon Bowl. So I guess coach Klein wins that round.

Presentation and Personality
One thing I do miss about some of the former coaches that have been in Cleveland is their personality. For example I took a great deal of enjoyment out of Romeo Crennel’s press conferences. Even Butch Davis was wildly animated at times. But Pat Shurmur (even though he may be a good coach) has to be the dullest head coach in the NFL. His press conferences and demeanor on the sidelines is similar to watching grass grow.  Coach Klein on the other hand appears entertaining on the sidelines. It’s as if he isn’t exactly sure where he is but he is having fun and showing emotion even if it is rather odd.
So there you have the two coaches side by side. So if you were Mike Holmgren which would you choose to run your team? Coach Shurmur or Coach Klein? You can vote below.
On a small side note, doesn’t coach Farmer Fran in the film remind you of Dallas’s Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan? The resemblance is eerie.