(Photo via Reddit.com/r/nfl)

Cleveland started things off Thursday night by making a big move to trade up one slot to select RB Trent Richardson with the #3 pick, much to the delight of the Dog Pound. But when their second pick of the first round came up, and when WR Kendall Wright - who they had been targeting - was snatched out from under them by the Titans at pick #20, the Browns were left with Weeden as the best available player on their board.

GM Tom Heckert says “there wasn’t really an afterthought”, but perhaps they should have given a bit more consideration as to how it would effect their incumbent QB. Because now, the Browns are apparently considering trading McCoy, and the Cleveland offense is looking like it will be totally re-vamped for the 2012 campaign.

BONUS LINK: Browns superfan Mike Polk (of “factory of sadness” fame) posted this video welcoming Weeden to Cleveland.

This is his response:

[H/T Scene & Heard]

(Photo: ESPN.com)

In an unprecedented disciplinary move, the NFL has suspended Steelers’ LB James Harrison for one game following his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns QB Colt Mcoy last Thursday (VIDEO HERE).  It was Harrison’s fifth illegal hit against a QB in the past three seasons, which qualifies Harrison as a “repeat offender” and therefore made him subject to suspension.

From the league’s official statement:

Harrison was penalized for roughing the passer in last Thursday night’s Steelers-Browns game for an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit against a defenseless quarterback, Cleveland’s COLT MC COY. In addition to four fines for illegal hits against quarterbacks in 2009 and 2010, Harrison also was fined twice for unnecessary roughness during that period. Harrison totaled six fines in that two-year period.

The 2011 League Policies for Players manual states: “Players who were fined for violations in 2009 or 2010, and whose fines were either partially or fully upheld, will be considered second and/or repeat offenders under this policy.”

Prior to now, the league had only levied fined against players for such behavior, but Harrison has been the poster child for the league’s new policy against helmet-to-helmet hits for years now. Despite the fact that Harrison plans to appeal, there really is no defense for the way he lowered the crown of his helmet directly into McCoy’s facemask the way he did on this play. Roger Goodell had finally seen enough, and decided to drop the hammer.

Whether or not you agree with the legue’s crackdown on vicious hits, this is the NFL today … like it or not. And after years of fines and warnings, it’s clear that Harrison still just doesn’t get it. Maybe missing some actual game time will get through to him.

BONUS GIF OF THE HIT AFTER THE JUMP

(Image via mocksession.com)

(Image via mocksession.com)

[VIDEO HERE]

Check out the extra leg kick for emphasis while Simpson is in the air, as though he had been shot in the chest with a cannon. And the worst part is, he actually drew a penalty against Fujita with this performance!!!

I mean, it’s a pretty decent Manu Ginobli impression, but let’s pray that the NFL doesn’t start going the way of the NBA and international soccer, with players taking dives like this at every chance the get in an effort to draw flags. It’s football, gentlemen. Let’s act like it.

Cushing MAAAAAD!!! (Photo: Imgur.com)

Texans LB Brian Cushing has a reputation as a bit of a loose cannon on the field, and this mic’d up segment from NFL Films’ Sound FX gives us a bit more insight as to exactly why he’s earned that rep. Watch as Cushing offers to step in at QB, admires his guns on the big screen, does pushups on the sideline to keep warm, says he “likes his odds” going 11-on-1 against the Browns offense, and discusses poetry with Arian Foster.

But the wildest moment comes when Cushing removes his helmet during an altercations with a Browns lineman, then delivers a headbutt, splitting Cushing’s forehead wide open (see banner pic). Afterwards, Cushing had to say “I’ll just keep my helmet on from now on”. Probably a smart move, Brian.

VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP

The Autumn wind is a Raider (Photo: TDH)

The gameday program honors the Raiders fallen owner (Photo: TDH)

The afternoon served as a tribute to Davis, with many former Raider greats - Like Rich Gannon and Bo Jackson here - returning to pay tribute (Photo: TDH)

The Browns prepare for slaughter in a sea of black (Photo: TDH)

Aaah, the Raiderettes ... (Photo: TDH)

Hats off to you, AL! (Photo: TDH)

Shortly after this photo was taken, TDH was harassed by a gang of elementary school Raider Nation toughs for daring to wear an Eric Metcalf jersey into Oakland Coliseum.** During the incident, his cell phone/camera was dunked in a big gulp of Dr. Pepper***, thereby ending his photographic endeavors for the afternoon.

** – Dramatization. May not have actually happened.
*** – This either.

(Photo: NYDailyNews.com)

Two days after Giants S Deon Grant was caught diving to the turf in an effort to stop the clock and slow the Rams no-huddle offense, the NFL issued a warning that players, coaches & teams caught faking injuries to disrupt the flow of the game could be punished with fines, suspensions and/or loss of draft picks. Although referees are powerless to penalize players suspected of feigning injury during the game itself, the league sent a memo to all 32 teams saying they would be reviewing questionable plays and handing out disciplinary action where appropriate for “conduct detrimental to the game”.

But several players have indicated that feigning injuries has long been a strategic part of the game, and is something that is even coached in certain circles:

“I’ve been places where it has been (taught),” said Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the players’ union executive committee. “They have a name for it and I’ve been places where it’s been pre-called. I’ve been places where it’s one player who has been designated. Maybe I’m getting everyone in trouble, but I’m just being honest.”

“It’s always been in the game,” Ravens All-Pro safety Ed Reed said. “It’s all tactical stuff you need to use. Whatever it takes. … If you’re tired, you’re tired. You get a break however you can.”

Added 49ers running back Frank Gore: “Hey, I feel if it helps, do it. I’m bound to do it. Whatever it takes to win …”

Obviously, we don’t want to see football go down the road of constant flopping that has taken over the NBA and international soccer, but it’s not like this has become an overwhelming problem in the sport (yet, at least). Plus, Goodell is going to have a tough time enforcing this rule, when its nearly impossible to say definitively whether or not a player was hurting, cramped, got a stinger, or whatever … unless they’re a particularly bad actor (like Grant).

Grant maintains that he banged his knee on the previous play, and went down when he realized he wouldn’t be able to get off the field in time, but nobody’s buying that. Grant is a savvy veteran, and he wasn’t the only Giant to fall to the ground on the play. And the injury time out might have saved the game for the Giants, who were able to catch their breath and force a field goal on the drive. So regardless of any potential punishment, the Giants would probably say it was worth it.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan didn’t go so far as to say he’s coached the tactic himself, but he didn’t deny it either, adding ”It happens all the time, and warnings will come out … and it’s happened again.”

Sunday confirmed Indy's worst fears. (Source: NBCSports.com)

Week 1 in the NFL is a lock to produce its share of over-the-top, knee-jerk reactions. Half the league’s fan base wakes up Monday morning feeling great about themselves — and life. The other half are looking around the house for sharp objects. The meaningless preseason has given way to real games, and losses can’t be shrugged off — for some teams, Sunday was a reality check. Here’s a look at yesterday’s biggest losers:

5t. Cleveland (27-17 to Cincinnati): Extremely disappointing for the Browns. Cleveland has won only ONE opener since 1999, despite hosting every one of those games. With their new pass-oriented attack run by Colt McCoy, the Browns looked poised to take a step up in the AFC North — instead, they’re 0-1 after dropping a stinker to Cincy, who many considered worst team in football.

5t. New York Giants (28-14 to Washington): Every other team in this division gets massive media hype, but Washington could end up surprising. They’re immediately dismissed because Rex Grossman‘s at quarterback, but the Shanahans love this kid, and he performed yesterday. For the (heavily banged-up) Giants, a loss that raises more questions about Eli Manning, but not earth-shattering. They played even in the first half and, more importantly, this is a team that does not give up.

4. Kansas City (41-7 to Buffalo): A nightmare opener for the Chiefs, who were as lifeless as they appeared during a tumultuous preseason. Last year’s 10-6 team looked hundreds of miles away.

3. Dallas (27-24 to New York Jets): The Cowboys ended this one in embarrassing fashion, but it was the loss of their starting three corners for most of the second half that allowed Mark Sanchez to find his receivers (including the tedious Plaxico Burress) and climb back in. It’s a bitter defeat for Dallas, but they looked fantastic defensively early on, and there’s reason for hope here. Jason Garrett is putting together a team that could (or should, at least) defeat anyone else on this list.

2. Pittsburgh (35-7 to Baltimore): Are the Steelers in trouble? Not yet. The team has climbed out of bigger holes than this. The team is aging, yes, but they are among the best-coached squads in the game. The Ravens wanted this one more — and it showed.

1. Indianapolis (34-7 to Houston): Nobody picked Indy to go anywhere without Peyton Manning, but Sunday’s trainwreck was clear confirmation that the Colts are in jeopardy without their all-everything quarterback. Granted, it’s going to take Kerry Collins time to learn the offense, but there was very little, if anything, to be hopeful about in this one.

Hillis became the face of the Browns -- and Madden -- after last season. (EA Sports)

Madden NFL 12 doesn’t go on sale until Tuesday, but cover boy Peyton Hillis did his Browns teammates and coaches as solid Monday by handing out advance copies of the game.

“With the guys, I brought them a few copies yesterday and they’re excited about that,” Hillis told the Plain Dealer. “To bring a smile to their face and see them excited about something is really nice. I like to hear the guys joke around about it. I can take a lot of heat.”

Last year, it was tacklers who took the heat, as Hillis blasted his way onto the scene with 1,177 rushing yards and 11  touchdowns, with another 477 yards and two scores through the air.

Is Hillis caught up in the fanfair?

“No, because we’re in the middle of football now and the regular season is in a couple of weeks,” Hillis said. “I’m more focused on that right now instead of the game.”

Hillis, who has downplayed winning the cover contest from the start, remains thankful to the fans who voted him past the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Michael Vick.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I’ve been very blessed. I’m kind of speechless at times. You never can lose focus. You can’t stay humble enough. You just have to go out there and do what you can. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had, but it’s time to move on and get focused on more important things.”

Coach Pat Shurmur, logging sleepless nights trying to get his West Coast offense installed, admitted he doesn’t have much time to toy around with Madden.

“I’ve actually never played the game,” said Shurmur. “My son, I would consider him somewhat of an expert. … I think (Kyle is) interested to see what I look like in the game, too. But, yeah, I have a copy. It was nice of (Hillis).”

NFA founder Daniel Wolf was shipped an advance copy and spent a weekend playing Madden NFL 12 before its release. Check out his detailed game review, in which he scored it a “B.”

The Browns hope Massaquoi is ready to roll West Coast-style.

The Cleveland Browns are finally getting some players back.

Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi returned to practice Saturday after suffering a fractured left foot at “Camp Colt,” the workout sessions organized during the lockout by quarterback Colt McCoy.

Massaquoi told the Plain Dealer he wasn’t certain when the injury occurred during the practices in Austin, Texas.

“I have no clue where it came from or when it happened,” said Massaquoi. “It was just one of those things where it flared up and we dealt with it. And now hopefully that’s the end of it.”

With Cleveland’s opener against the Bengals less than two weeks away, an injury-gripped preseason has forced coach Pat Shurmur to make roster decisions without seeing his full squad in action.

He’s not about to make Browns fans forget about this guy, but Massaquoi appears to be a good fit in Shurmur’s West Coast offense, which McCoy has run with efficiency so far, throwing four touchdowns to one interception in three preseason tilts.

With Eric Steinbach out indefinitely and a laundry list of Browns nicked up, it’s hard to imagine how Cleveland can compete in the AFC North beyond fiddling around with the Bengals.

In what appears to be a lockout-induced scheduling tick, the Browns don’t play Pittsburgh or Baltimore until December, giving this young team — with new offensive and defensive schemes — time to mature before the big boys hit the scene.

From another angle, having to play the Steelers and Ravens four times in the course of a month is impossible to spin positively — it’s not something even the best of team’s would look forward to.

The Browns better grow up fast.