Browns Workout Trick-shot Kicker Havard Rugland

 

Per source, Browns worked out trick shot artist Havard Rugland of Norway to replace Phil Dawson. Rugland is 6-2, 245. Can he transfer these skills to the NFL?

 

After 13 years of playing on a losing team, Phil Dawson says goodbye to the Cleveland Browns fans,he joins the 49ers

The only man who played on every Browns team since they returned to the NFL has landed the kicking role on the San Francisco 49ers. Phil Dawson says goodbye Cleveland, it was a lot of fun. Now the Browns let a guy go who average around 95% accuracy. Dawson was money for the team when inside or near the 50 yard line.

Phil Dawson was the guy the Browns used a franchise tag on one year, and they simply let him walk away from the Cleveland Browns this off-season. After playing for the Browns for 13 years, Dawson has landed on a team that gives him a real shot  at play-off football but a return trip to the Super Bowl.

Dawson could walk away from the 2013 season wearing a super bowl ring. The 49ers have a real chance at repeating a super bowl appearance in 2014.

The 49ers have built up their team with some good free agents and they have a boat load of draft picks they can use in the 2013 NFL draft. Nobody deserves it more than Phil Dawson, he is a real class act and he should get a shot at post season play. Every kicker has to dream about making a kick that can get your team a super bowl win.

Dawson now has a chance at making that dream a reality.

The Browns are going to miss the guy they were used to sending out on the field to make those 3 points at a time. Most of his career in Cleveland he was the leading scorer on the Browns. Many times the Cleveland offense sputtered and it was Dawson who put points on the board.

Many fans have to be wondering what this new ownership in Cleveland is thinking. Phil Dawson could have been a been a valuable asset to the Cleveland Browns in the 2013 season.

I sure hope who ever they get doesn’t miss a field goal that cost the team a win. If he does the fans will let him hear about it.

http://clevelandsports360.com/wordpress/after-13-years-of-playing-on-a-losing-team-phil-dawson-says-goodbye-to-the-cleveland-browns-fanshe-joins-the-49ers/

Georgia LB Jarvis Jones, possible target for Cleveland Browns at No. 6, apparently has no stenosis afterall, report says

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones, a possible target for the Browns at No. 6 in the NFL Draft, has been cleared to practice without restrictions and apparently doesn't have stenosis after all, according to a medical report sent to NFL teams.

In a memo obtained by Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune and the National Football Post, leading orthopedist Dr. Craig Brigham, who examined Jones at the NFL Combine on behalf of the league, concluded that Jones doesn't have a career-threatening narrowing of the spinal column. Doctors at USC diagnosed that condition on Jones in 2009.

Jarvis, who led the nation with 14.5 sacks in 2012, suffered a neck injury his freshman year at USC and was told by doctors he'd never play for them because of the stenosis they discovered during exams. Jones transferred to Georgia, where he worked his way up to becoming arguably the best pass-rusher in the country last season. In addition to the sack title, he led the NCAA with 24.5 tackles for a loss and seven forced fumbles.

In the memo, Brigham wrote that Jones apparently sustained in 2009 "either a very mild incident of spinal cord concussion or merely a stinger that has long since resolved." More importantly, he informed teams that even if Jones suffers another similar injury, it wouldn't necessarily be career-ending. He concluded, "Jarvis is cleared to play without restriction."

The good news for Jones could mean he'll be gone by the time the Browns pick at No. 6.

Teams will have a chance to look at him further at his Pro Day March 21, and clubs also can invite him to town for further medical exams. Jones, who skipped the Combine workouts to focus on his Pro Day, recently told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that teams have given him good feedback following Brigham's positive report.

"People are still talking to me," he said. "Nobody has taken me off the board. The doctor said I was fine and cleared me and the [scouting] Combine went fine for me. I was cleared medically. Teams know my situation. Everything went great. I did everything they asked me to do. I'll have my pro day, and then I'm going to meet with a whole lot of teams."

Jones said he felt the rumors that he had dropped out of the top 10 were all part of the pre-draft lying game.

"People were telling me teams do that because they want me to drop to them because they don't have high picks," he said. "I can't control none of that. I know what teams were telling and I know what doctors told me. So I just focus on what I can control, which is trying to be the best football player in America."

The Browns are targeting top pass-rushers in free agency such as Baltimore linebacker Paul Kruger and Detroit defensive end Cliff Avril. But if they don't land one of them, they'll likely take a hard look at Jones on draft day.

Bidding war for Kruger? The Browns and Colts will engage in a bidding war for the Ravens outside linebacker, the Baltimore Sun reported today, citing league sources.

The Plain Dealer reported Sunday that the Browns have called agents about Kruger and fellow Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.

Kruger played for Colts coach Chuck Pagano when Pagano was defensive coordinator of the Ravens, and the Colts are seeking a replacement for Dwight Freeney. One source told the Sun that Kruger could command $10 million to $12 million a year.

The Browns probably have a better shot at Kruger than Ellerbe, who's expected to receive a significant offer from the Ravens, according to the Sun. Kruger had nine sacks during the season and 4.5 during the playoffs, including two in the Super Bowl. Jean-Francois on radar: The Browns are believed to be one of several teams interested in 49ers backup defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois. The Eagles and Titans are also expected to pursue him, according to reports in the Sacramento Bee and the Tennesseean.

Jean-Francois, 26, was a seventh-round pick of the 49ers in a 2009 out of LSU. A solid run defender, he's been part of the tackle rotation in San Francisco.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/03/georgia_lb_jarvis_jones_possib.html

Colt McCoy’s rising salary places doubt in return to Browns in 2013

The Cleveland Browns may have told Colt McCoy that he was in the teams plans for 2013 but that is no guarantee. McCoy’s salary is scheduled to rise thanks to playing time escalators.

McCoy’s base salary for 2013 was to be $575,000 but will now rise to $2.325 million.

Since the Browns do not consider McCoy an option at the quarterback position, and he falls short of the teams ideal vertical passer, his time in Cleveland may be over.

If the Browns do release McCoy there are options. Cleveland area beat writers consider Matt Moore, former Dolphins backup, and Derek Anderson as viable options.

The 26-year old McCoy has appeared in 24 games over his three year span in Cleveland. He has thrown 21 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

http://tireball.com/nfl/2013/03/03/colt-mccoys-rising-salary-places-doubt-in-return-to-browns-in-2013/