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.

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.

(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.

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.

Many learned of the news via T.O.’s Twitter account.

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.

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…

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.

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…

• 4:16 p.m.: We are still hearing disturbing rumblings that Josh Cribbs may hold out starting Week One. That would be problematic: Josh is arguably the Browns only blue-chip player beyond Shaun Rogers. Throw Joe Thomas in there, I suppose (I’m not sure Braylon Edwards deserves the accolades at this stage–he needs to show up consistently).
• 4:19 p.m.:My favorite part about watching the Browns is that I’m not at work. But I’m convinced that a fleet of interns and secretaries from my office could put up 350 yards against the Browns defense.
• 4:20 p.m.:The game stream–which we’re downloading off the net, and streaming onto our TV–has just gone dead. This could be a real short game report.
• 4:21 p.m.: It came back on. We’re in L.A., streaming some bizarre channel out of C-Town, getting the lowdown on Northeast Ohio’s five-day forecast and local Taco Bell promotions.

Is Brady Quinn a quarterback--or just a male model playing a quarterback on TV? I am concerned.

4:30 p.m.: Bernie Kosar is announcing. People rip on him, but he’s honest. He lashed the team for their performance last week.

4:31 p.m.: I have a really bad feeling about the opener against Minnesota. I have learned to trust these bad feelings about the team, especially under the national spotlight.

4:33 p.m.: Game still hasn’t started. Yawn.

4:35 p.m.: Seventy-plus yard return by Josh Cribbs CALLED BACK BY A FLAG. Derek Anderson starts and hits rookie Mohamed Massaquoi for 20-plus yards; then hits Braylon inside the Lions 20, but Braylon’s out of bounds; now hits Cribbs downs to the Lions 25; and Furrey to the Lions 15–they’re passing relentlessly with Anderson in there. Anderson hands off to Jamal Lewis, who rumbles to the four. A brusing run. First and goal at the four and LEWIS BLASTS OVER LEFT GUARD FOR A TOUCHDOWN. Nice drive by the Browns. 7-0.

NOTE: THIS IS CLEVELAND’S FIRST TOUCHDOWN SINCE NOVEMBER 2008.

Here’s what the old Dawg Pound looked like:

4;46 p.m.: First pick in the NFL draft Matthew Stafford is PICKED OFF BY CB ERIC WRIGHT, who takes it back to the Detroit five. Nice work by the Browns defense on their home turf. Then Wright gets nailed for a celebration penalty. Mangini will speak with Wright about that. The Browns will now start at the Lions 20.

4:51 p.m.: Anderson still in. Incomplete to Edwards. Jamal Lewis gets stuffed at the line. Anderson scrambles to the Lions 15. The penalty killed them. This team cannot afford to “celebrate” and lose touchdown opportunities. So… Dawson nails a FG. 10-0.

4:55 p.m.: Some of you might recall Eric Wright’s scorching of the New York Football Giants last October:

4:56 p.m.: SHOULD WE RENEW JOSH CRIBSS CONTRACT? How about YES. He just took a punt return back 84 yards for a score. 17-0 Browns.

5:05 p.m.: The Browns shut down the Lions again (four straight three-and-outs) and now Anderson hits Braylon on a nice pass, and then throws deep to Massaquoi, who nets a pass inteference. Browns at the Lions 20. Jamal Lewis takes it for a few (he looks slow, but bruising). Browns have third and five. Anderson under center. Three receiver set. Andersen throws it away. Dawson comes in and hits the field goal. Browns 20-0 with four minutes left in the first quarter.

5:15 p.m.: Browns knock Stafford and the Lions off track again. The Browns look pretty good against a team that went 0-16 last season. They are tackling and playing with intensity–but, again, we’re up against a team that hasn’t won a regular season game since 2007.

5:20 p.m.: BRADY QUINN ENTERS THE GAME ON 3rd and 1 and gets sacked. Ouch. Not what he was hoping for. Anderson came in and lit it up. Quinn is going to have to generate points to make an impression today.

5:25 p.m.: Stafford completes a pass, but the receiver fumbles the ball and Hank Poteat of the Browns recovers it. Detroit challenges the call. And they win the challenge–Detroit keeps the ball. But ends up punting.

5:37 p.m.: Brady Quinn is back in. This is an important drive for him. And… Brady CONNECTS with rookie wideout Brian Robiskie on a 24-yard pass. Rookie James Davis is in at runningback. A lot of people are talking about Davis. A sixth-round pick who has lit up practice. He runs for a few yards. Then Brady connects on a 15-yard pass that’s called back for a false start. First bad penalty on offense tonight. Brady is composed, that’s one thing you have to like about him–but he can’t like the playcall here: a draw play to Davis on third and ten. The Browns punt. Not bad work by Quinn. Lively arm and good presence, but the drive dies.

The Browns have high hopes for rookie James Davis from Clemson.

5;41 p.m.: The Browns have mystified and shut down Matt Stafford. He’s thrown a pick, been rushed, missed open receivers, and been generally, well, a rookie quarterback. The Browns take over again with a few minutes left in the second quarter. Their defense has looked smart today. Tough and composed. Not as many terrible penalties. And a nice turnover early in the game.

5:44 p.m.: Brady Quinn completes to James Davis, but it’s killed by another penalty. The offense isn’t talented enough to make these stupid penalties. A handoff to James Davis for 14 yards. A nice burst and rumble off left tackle. On third and six, the Lions go offsides, so we’re looking at third and one. Brady hands off to Davis, who makes the yardage for a first down. Brady gets hit in the arm/hand on a long throw. He then throws to Jamal Lewis, but Jamal drops it. On third down, Brady hits Furrey, but it’s not enough. It was a sort of gutless screen pass on third and long–not an imaginative selection. Browns punt to Detroit’s 14.

5;51 p.m.: The Lions bring in Daunte Culpepper on offense. The bushy-haired Stafford stands quietly on the sidelines.

5:58 p.m.: The Browns defense is driving Detroit crazy. They aren’t showing much, but they’re pressuring Culpepper and covering receivers. They’ve stifled Detroit thus far. With 0:55 left in the half, Detoirt goes for it on fourth and one. The Browns STUFF the Lions RB, but a flag is thrown: holding offense. WOW. The Browns looked tough on that play (hey, when you’re a Browns fan, you take what you can get).

6:01 p.m.: The Browns have Derek Anderson back in to run the two-minute drill. (They put Brady in last week.) Derek completes a pair of nice passes to James Davis to the Browns 40 or so. Only 15 seconds left. They’ve got a long way to go. Anderson throws a tipped ball that’s picked off by Detroit and gives the Lions a chance to score. Yikes, not what Derek wanted–but I like Mangini testing him. PS – The Lions nail a long FG and score. 20-3 Browns at halftime.

6:19 p.m.: The start of the second half. I’m going to sit back and watch some of this. I can’t imagine too many people are relying on these updates to follow the game.

6:21 p.m.: I had an awesome bowl of speghetti and sauce during the first half. WAIT! The Browns just picked up a fumble and have the ball at the Lions 45. Who will enter as quarterback? (What I like is that a bunch of young players and rookies and Mangini imports are making a difference in this game. That said, we’re gonna’ need big plays and consistent performance to beat the Vikings in Week One. Still feel wicked strange about that game. I don’t like the whole Vikings vibe right now–and I don’t like a fresh Adrian Peterson in Week One rumbling down the sideline.

6:24 p.m.: Brett Ratliff is in. So is James Davis. I doubt we’ll see any more starters at this point. They hand the ball off three times to Davis. And punt. Not impressive.

6:28 p.m.: OK… I’m gonna’ sit back and watch this for a while.

6:55 p.m.: Rookie James Davis (photo below) takes a third-and-twelve carry for an 81-yard touchdown! 27-10 Browns. It’s been a long time since the Browns had a strong, young runningback. James Davis fell in the draft due to an injury at Clemson. We’ve seen a lot of players shine in camp and through the preseason, and then VANISH when the games counted. We will monitor the progress of JD.

Browns win 27-10.

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)

1. 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.
2. Wiretap all draftees’ cell phones.
3. Fire everyone on ESPN set but Tirico and Kiper.
4. All draft picks announced by drunken fans of respective teams and/or Chairman Kaga from Iron Chef.
5. 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.
6. Tits (preferably Kelli Croyle’s).
7. Announce combine drug test results right before draft begins.
8. Force teams to show their draft boards once the draft has ended.
9. All seventh round picks decided by fan poll.
10. 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