15
Mar
2010
Jets land Tomlinson; Browns ship Quinn to Denver
It was a busy Sunday in the NFL, with the New York Jets signing RB LaDanian Tomlinson, and the Cleveland Browns sending QB Brady Quinn to the Broncos for FB Peyton Hillis, 2 picks and a $5 footlong.
Tomlinson – the eighth leading rusher in NFL history – chose New York and Rex Ryan over joining Brett Favre in Minnesota, and believes that the Jets will give him a chance to contribute and win a championship. LDT (sorry, there’s only one LT in New York sports lore) will replace the recently-released Thomas Jones, and will back-up Shonne Green on the Jets depth chart.
Meanwhile, Mike Holmgren continues to clean house in Cleveland, trading former 1st round pick Quinn to Denver for a fullback and two late round picks. Ouch. In addition, the Browns traded another former 1st round pick – LB Kamerion Wembley – to the Raiders. Apparently Holmgren wants to start fresh, and thinks the duo of Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are an improvement over the tag team of Quinn & Derek Anderson … we shall see. In the mean time, it’s back to the drawing board once again for Browns fans.
25
Nov
2009
Brady Quinn’s girlfriend could knock you out
Alicia Sacramone would automatically become the Browns 2nd best Linebacker (Original Photoshop/hack job: ArtieFufkin)
The video below is from 2007, but it suddenly became relevant again with the news that Browns QB Brady Quinn is dating Olympic Gymnast Alicia Sacramone.
You may remember Sacramone as the sassy, thickly built, silver-medal-winning gymnast who stole your heart Beijing 2008. I remember her from my dreams, and thanks to this video, from my nightmares:
TheDarkHorse has already said that Sacramone would automatically become the Browns 2nd best Linebacker. And if her sweet lovin’ had anything to do with Quinn’s 300-yd, 4-TD performance last week, Mangini had better get this girl a locker. They can use all the help they can get.
17
Nov
2009
It gets worse for Cleveland: Josh Cribbs injured on final play
(Photo: Tony Dejak/AP via Cleveland.com)
Since most of the nation had turned their attention elsewhere before the end of the Ravens/Browns MNF game (and who could blame them), you probably missed this one.
On the final play of the game, WR Josh Cribbs – perhaps the sole bright spot for Cleveland this year – was leveled by DE Dwan Edwards after pitching the ball on a hook-and-ladder play, and was taken to the hospital to be evaluated for a possible concussion. Cribbs was imnobilized on the field and carted off on a stretcher as a precautionary measure, but had all feeling in his extremities.
Here’s video of the play:
After the game, Ravens DE Trevor Pryce said the Browns shouldn’t have been running the play in the first place, with the game so far out of reach:
“Running a play like that when you’re down 16 — what are you trying to prove?” Pryce said. “I don’t understand it. I don’t want to say something like that, but heck, it’s the truth.
“Bad things happen when you do something like that. When people are running around like crazy, somebody’s going to get hurt. Dwan hit him because he had the ball. He didn’t try to hurt him. We prayed for Josh. I hope he’s OK. He’s a great player.”
Ummm … I’m pretty sure Cribbs didn’t have the ball anymore. In fact, he took 3 steps without it before getting crushed by Edwards. Some have even suggested that the hit may have been payback for an earlier play where Browns QB Brady Quinn went low at the knees of LB Terrell Suggs following an interception. Suggs did not return to the game, and the severity of his injury is not yet known. When asked if there was any retribution intended, Edwards said, “Absolutely not.”.
And just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for Cleveland, it turns out that the final play where Cribbs was hurt was set up by their fourth time out of the game. So the play should never have even happened. Yikes.
11
Sep
2009
Brady Quinn at the board
Now that T.O.’s leaked it to the world, we can put our magnifying glasses and fingerprint kits away and sit back and take in the glory of the Brady Quinn Era.
Quinn visited with the NFL Network this week to talk with Solomon Wilcox about play progression. It’s a good thing he’s got that down–checking off his first receiver may the norm this Sunday when his Browns host the Vikings. Cleveland is a horrendous 1-9 in season openers since returning to the league in 1999. To make things worse, each one of those games have been at home (their only win came in 2004, in a 20-3 content over the Ravens). There’s pressure on Eric Mangini to turn things around. As for Quinn, most of the Browns faithful have been calling for him to run the show since last season’s opening debacle vs. the Cowboys.
Time will tell if he lives up to the hype, but there’s no question he’s smarter than some of the other jokers they’ve put on the field.
9
Sep
2009
Quinn named starter in Cleveland…
Per Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer, Browns QB Brady Quinn has been named the starter for Sunday’s home duel with the Minnesota Vikings.
Many learned of the news via T.O.’s Twitter account.
7
Sep
2009
Mangini’s mystery wrapped in a riddle, inside an enigma
Per beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini will not reveal his starting quarterback for Sunday’s home opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Cabot reports that Mangini will “tell the two quarterbacks in the ‘near future’ in separate conversations with each of them. He said he’ll explain to them why and how the decision was made. He said as a defensive coordinator, it’s difficult to prepare for an offense when the quarterback is unknown… He said he expects both quarterbacks to prepare as though they’re the starter.”
Quinn or Anderson? Who cares. Stopping this guy is the issue.
This is dangerous territory. We doubt the Minnesota Vikings are in awe of either quarterback. Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson combined for one touchdown pass in the preseason–it’s not as if the Vikes are game planning for Joe Montana, only to discover, moments before kickoff, that Steve Young is starting.
The bigger concern for Cleveland is containing Adrian Peterson and finding a way to rush for more than 30 yards against Minnesota’s blistering defensive front. These head games equate to nothing, and Minnesota’s feathers are unruffled by this mystery.
4
Sep
2009
Derek Anderson to the Patriots?
As mentioned earlier today, we’ve been hearing chatter regarding a series of potential trades in the National Football League–including one that may permanently end the QB debate in Cleveland.
In the wake of the Cutler debacle, there was talk about Josh McDaniels pursuing a trade with the Browns for QB Brady Quinn. It never went down. Meanwhile, speculation about a Derek Anderson trade dates back to January 2008.
Tonight, on the eve of the 2009 season, the New England Patriots are without a solid backup for Tom Brady. With only two quarterbacks on the roster, something has to change.
There’s chatter all over the grid that Mangini’s decision to sit both Quinn and Anderson last night had a purpose: resting Quinn for the starting role in Week One, and positioning Anderson for a trade that will happen over the next 48 hours. People speculate that the Browns and Pats couldn’t be talking–the Belichick/Mangini feud would prevent that, right? Nonsense. If the deal makes sense for both coaches and both teams, the trigger will be pulled.
While Derek Anderson is far from perfect, he’s young with a cannon arm, and may appeal to Belichick in the same way Vinny Testaverde did in 1993, when Belichick made the decision to release Bernie Kosar, much to the horror of the entire city. (People forget that Vinny wasn’t even healthy when Bernie was cut, but he figured into the coach’s plans for 1994, and he helped lead the Browns to an 11-5 season and their most recent playoff win–over Bill Parcells and the Patriots, of all teams.)
Derek Anderson recalls, in some ways, the imperfect--but dangerous--skillset of Vinny Testaverde.
People ripped on Vinny for his perceived lack of intelligence–and his knack for throwing costly interceptions. Belichick loved his arm, and fawned over his athleticism. Inherent to Anderson are some of those same strengths and weaknesses–when he thinks too much, and gets tight, he suffers. When he’s loose (we’ve said before that he should drink about three beers before every game), the guy just guns the ball all over the field. Anderson can be frustrating beyond comprehension–but he’s downright dangerous when he’s on. Besides, he’s toiled on a team that’s been in flux since the Reagan era. What would happen to Anderson under the guidance of Belichick and the Patriots? It’s a scary thought.
DEVELOPING…
29
Aug
2009
Quinn will be named starter in Cleveland…
While Head Coach Eric Mangini hasn’t made the official announcement–and may continue to hold his tongue–everyone knows what’s coming: Brady Quinn will be named the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. In no way did Quinn decisively vanquish Derek Anderson (who seems like he’d be much better with a few beers in him at gametime, loose and frenzied, just gunning it across the field like it’s his backyard), but he took care of business tonight in the team’s third–and most critical–preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. Check out the highlights here.
It’s questionable whether or not these preseason games provide adequate ground for a true quarterback competition–especially one as flimsy as this–it’s simply been a stage for the inevitable. Anderson, as always, flip-flops between white hot and ice cold. Meanwhile, we have no idea what Quinn can do over the course of a season, but he’s more Mangini’s style: controlled, orderly, and methodical.
In the eyes of many, Anderson needed to wipe Quinn off the field to win this job–he didn’t even throw a touchdown pass. Tonight, Quinn did, and while nobody in Pittsburgh is shaking in their shoes just yet, he will lead this team in 2009.
Case closed.
The Browns last four opening-day starters at the quarterback position were almost as funny as these guys--Quinn can do no worse.
22
Aug
2009
( ( ( LIVE GAME BLOG ) ) ) Browns vs. Lions
The Browns 10-year rebuilding plan continues today!
And we are here to follow the action. After a dismal showing against Green Bay last Saturday, will the Browns have their act together today in Cleveland Browns Stadium? Will Eric Mangini‘s team be different than those coached by Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, or Romeo Crenell–or is this just more of the same?
Aspects of the game the Browns need to improve:
- Every aspect
There’s an incredible amount of attention on the QB battle between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, but the reality is that neither of these guys has separated from the pack. Neither has shown they can play consistent football week to week (or even practice to practice). The “quarterback controversy” here, in my opinion, is the fact that we’re going into the season for the eleventh time since the Browns return to the league WITHOUT a clear-cut starter–and minus a true leader at the position.
Here are two problems that suggest disaster for this team: (1) They cannot run the football; (2) They cannot stop the run. That’s the recipe for a painful, long season. This team that has to get tougher, smarter, and refuse to lie down. Winning or losing preseason games is not of core importance–but playing well, gaining confidence, and nailing down Mangini’s new system are critical.
Will the team get their act together today? We’ll post throughout the game, right after the jump…
24
Apr
2009
Countdown to the Draft: 1 day
ESPNs draft coverage has been known to induce seizures
Alright … it’s almost time to get into full geek/sloth mode and spend the next 2 days on the couch & computer for the NFL Draft! Woo-hoo!
Deadspin.com has posted their 2009 NFL Draft Jamboroo, which includes tons of ridiculous/helpful information for this weekend’s draft, as well as this incredibly sage advice for ESPN & NFL Network:
Ten Quick Ways To Improve The Draft Telecast (from Deadspin)
- Increase the number of prospects invited to New York to 30. Make them all sit on stage until their name is called to step up.
- Wiretap all draftees’ cell phones.
- Fire everyone on ESPN set but Tirico and Kiper.
- All draft picks announced by drunken fans of respective teams and/or Chairman Kaga from Iron Chef.
- Force the Top 10 prospects to live in a house together between the combine and the draft and film it. Right before the draft, have them each vote on who they think should be the top pick (they can’t vote for themselves). Winner with the most votes gets $500,000.
- Tits (preferably Kelli Croyle’s).
- Announce combine drug test results right before draft begins.
- Force teams to show their draft boards once the draft has ended.
- All seventh round picks decided by fan poll.
- Ritual Pussycat Doll sacrifice to hooded cobra.
Here are a few more links to help you get ready for the big day:
-
Quinn after finally getting the call up
Pro Football Weekly’s final player rankings for the 2009 draft, regardless of position
- NFL.com’s Mock Draft Central, including the latest from Pat Kirwan … if you’re into that sort of thing
- With Leather wonders who will be this year’s Brady Quinn, and be left floundering in the green room on national TV, waiting for their name to be called
- And finally, in case the draft just isn’t your bag, Bootleger brings us their list of Things Better than Watching the NFL Draft
