Cleveland Browns (2008 Season)

[LitlBuck]

As most of you know, I am usually not any loss for words after a Browns game but these 3 exhibition games have me completely baffled. I know that we have some injuries but to be dominated the way we have been makes me wonder if last year was just an aberration. About the only thing that has proved is the run stuffing when Shawn Rogers is in the game. Our defensive backfield is terrible and we lack depth at almost every position. Even our OL which is supposed to be the strong point of this team has not shown up. I don't expect much improvement this Thursday and just hope we don't get taken to the woodshed by the Cowboys. It just does not look good.

[LitlBuck]

PD

In defeat, Rogers still made big impression
by Mary Kay Cabot
Saturday August 23, 2008, 10:40 PM

DETROIT -- Too bad for the Browns that defensive lineman Shaun Rogers' homecoming game didn't come during the regular season.

Rogers, playing against the team that unloaded him for cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick, played like the two-time Pro Bowler he is during a 26-6 loss to the Lions.

Rogers bounded out with a flourish, making three tackles on the first drive, all for 2-yard gains or less. Almost every time running back Kevin Smith came near him, he fought off the double-team and swallowed him.

"I just look to come out here and try to have that type of performance anytime I go out there," Rogers said. "It's not about me and the Lions. It's about the Browns vs. the Lions. I tried to come out here and play within the scheme of the defense and not try to make this thing personal."

It did get personal once. After Rogers stuffed running back Tatum Bell for no gain in the second quarter, he was showcased on the huge scoreboard to a chorus of boos. But he egged on the crowd by putting his hands behind his ears as if to say, "I can't hear you!"

"It's still entertainment," he said. "I wanted to go out there and have fun as well as handle business. I was just trying to keep it clean. They're Detroit fans and if they're not rooting for the home team, what are they doing here?"

He said his feelings weren't hurt by the reaction.

"I don't play for the Lions anymore, I play for the Browns," he said. "If I played for the Lions, I'd be a little disappointed, but I don't."

Continued

[LitlBuck]

PD

Browns Insider: Third straight loss has players antsy for improvement before opener
by Mary Kay Cabot
Saturday August 23, 2008, 9:28 PM

DETROIT -- Jason Wright feels there must be a sense of urgency on the part of the Browns to snap out of their doldrums.

"It's not panic mode and it's not freaking out, but certainly urgency," said Wright, who averaged 5.3 yards per carry in place of the injured Jamal Lewis (hamstring) during Saturday's 26-6 loss to the Lions. "We need to be intentional about our approach."

The running back said it's no longer a matter of just coming to practice to correct the mistakes made the previous week.

"We have to up our level of intensity and aggressiveness as far as doing whatever it takes to get better," he said. "It's taking care of our bodies, knowing the playbook -- everything. And it has to have a certain urgency to it because our preseason is effectively over in a few days."
Does the team have enough time to get it together before the opener against Dallas Sept. 7?

"We have no choice," said Wright. "Yes -- because we have to."
Continued

In the above article, it state said Rodney Pool has had 3 concussions since he has been a Cleveland Browns and he had one last year. That does not sound good to me.

[IronBuckI]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

PD


In the above article, it state said Rodney Pool has had 3 concussions since he has been a Cleveland Browns and he had one last year. That does not sound good to me.

Not good at all. It would be even worse if Brodney Pool had suffered those concussions.

[NFBuck]

Law talking to three teams

Posted: Sunday August 24, 2008 06:50AM ET


Ty Law, who is still a free agent, remains the top option for teams looking for cornerback help. Law visited with the Jets and has spoken with both Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Browns coach Romeo Crennel. "I'm just training and getting ready to go," Law said. "I should be out there holding it down opening week. I have not decided which team I'm going to play with yet. I have to talk to my agent and family, and will make a decision soon."
Boston Globe

Make this happen Phil. I don't care if he's old, he's a cut above anybody they have back there right now.

[IronBuckI]

Call Deion [censored]ing Sanders if you have to!!

[jlb1705]

While they're letting everybody un-retire, might as well give Darrell Green a call too.

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by jlb1705

While they're letting everybody un-retire, might as well give Darrell Green a call too.

Maybe Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield aren't busy...

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Secondary becomes primary problem for Browns Browns allow Lions to throw all day long
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist

Published on Sunday, Aug 24, 2008

DETROIT: Well that sure will make everyone rest easier, won't it?
The Browns only trailed 16-6 at halftime in Saturday's full-priced exhibition game against the Detroit Lions, which is a great improvement from the 30-3 deficit in the first quarter against the New York Giants.
If this continues, they might only lose the opener by six or seven points.
Seriously, though ?
The Lions have this fine gentleman who sings a fight song of sorts every time the Lions score.
''Forward down the field.''
''A charging team will not yield.''
''Go hard, win the game.''
''With honor you will keep your fame.''
Cont...

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Struggling Browns cause for concern Coach Crennel says he's worried about losses; injuries are no excuse
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Monday, Aug 25, 2008
DETROIT: Let the hand wringing officially begin.
With Saturday's 26-6 loss to the Detroit Lions, the Browns will have to address the fact that they have some problems on both sides of the ball.
It's not a situation that can be chalked up to the preseason. The third preseason game is usually the one that serves as the tuneup for starters before the regular season.
With the Browns looking more like lambs being led to the slaughter at the past two exhibition contests, the Dallas Cowboys are looming large in a Sept. 7 season opener that, for the most part, will be televised nationally.
Coach Romeo Crennel said it succinctly postgame Saturday night when he was asked whether there were any bright spots in the game: ''No.''
Cont...

[osugrad21]

CPD

Injuries hurting Browns preparation

by Mary Kay Cabot Sunday August 24, 2008, 8:21 PM


AP PhotoIt hasn't been pretty to watch for Romeo Crennel and the rest of the Browns.

The Browns are running short on time and healthy bodies to prepare for the season opener against the Cowboys on Sept. 7.
Their star-studded inactive list of 15 players for Saturday's Lions game featured six starters, special teams ace Josh Cribbs and three 2008 Pro Bowlers in Cribbs, Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards. It also included running back Jamal Lewis, who suffered a pulled hamstring last week.

The starting offense, in fact, has yet to play a series together this preseason, with tight ends Kellen Winslow (hamstring) and Steve Heiden (ankle) sitting out the first game against the Jets, Edwards (foot) missing the past two and Anderson and Lewis sitting out the Lions game.
Thanks in part to the injuries, the Browns offense looked woeful in the 26-6 loss to the Lions, managing just 102 net yards and two field goals in the first half.
Problem is, the Browns are in a brutal stretch of three games in 11 days -- with the preseason finale Thursday night at home against the Bears. With only two days to practice this week -- Monday and Tuesday -- the Browns are faced with some decisions.

Cont...

[osugrad21]

Canton

A shaky start for Browns QB Quinn
Backup doesn't make a case to unseat Anderson
Monday, August 25, 2008
By STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM

Rattled early and too often, Brady Quinn regained his unflappable bearing in the aftermath of his shaky first NFL start.

The Lions, who have assembled a fairly light, very quick front seven, gambled that the kid wouldn't be able to exploit their gambling blitzes.

"That's something that as a young quarterback you expect," Quinn said matter-of-factly after Saturday's 26-6 loss, in which the Browns trailed 16-6 after he played most of three quarters.

"We really didn't do anything the first two (series), so they're gonna keep (blitzes) going."

Quinn didn't take a single sack, getting the ball out quickly but often not on the money.

In spending 24 passes to buy just 106 yards, he succeeded only in avoiding a quarterback controversy.

The guess is fewer fans will clamor for him to move past Derek Anderson. That's not a guess in relation to the Browns' brass: Anderson will start against Dallas on Sept. 7 if he can get past the concussion that knocked him out of last Monday's game against the Giants.

Head Coach Romeo Crennel said Quinn at times was guilty of "trying to get the ball out faster than you need to because you're worried about something."
Cont...

[osugrad21]

Canton

Ex-Brown Bodden sees reality of NFL, preseason
Monday, August 25, 2008


The GLC was mercifully finished. Players meandered through the Ford Field catacombs to their locker rooms.

The last ones in were No. 80, orange helmet in hand, and No. 30 from Detroit. Kellen Winslow Jr. gave Leigh Bodden a long-lost-brother hug.

Then it was time for Bodden, on the eve of his 27th birthday, to go back through the door to his strange blue world.

A few minutes later, at his locker in a far corner, Bodden said, "It was different being a different jersey, seeing those guys play.

"It's just ... reality. That's pretty much what it was. It's business and ... you know. You can't stay there for forever."

Earlier in the day, two Ohio writers sat down in a restaurant beside Ford Field and were surprised to find Bodden eating a pregame meal. As the writers approached to greet the cornerback, someone wearing a No. 28 Bodden Browns jersey walked by, oblivious to the fact he was a few feet from Bodden in the flesh.

Bodden was a Brown for five years, more than half the expansion era. He played against Detroit in five "Great Lakes Classics." He was a Brown for every game Romeo Crennel coached through Dec. 30, a day he broke up two passes against the 49ers.
Cont...

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by IronBuckI

Call Deion [censored]ing Sanders if you have to!!

Originally Posted by jlb1705

While they're letting everybody un-retire, might as well give Darrell Green a call too.

Originally Posted by NFBuck

Maybe Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield aren't busy...

Call Bernie Parish

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Have a backup plan Injured Browns to sit out Thursday's game with Bears
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008

BEREA: Perhaps the Browns are just being cautious with Derek Anderson's and Brodney Pool's concussions.
Perhaps a pulled hamstring wouldn't keep Jamal Lewis from playing if this were the regular season.
Perhaps Sean Jones' swollen knee is nothing more than a swollen knee.
The latter might require the biggest leap. But it appears certain the Browns will have a limited cast of characters available for Thursday's preseason finale at home against the Chicago Bears and that backup Brady Quinn might take over again in place of quarterback Anderson.
They could be without starting safeties Jones and Pool for the second consecutive preseason game and Jones' status for the Sept. 7 opener against the Dallas Cowboys might be in question. His absence would thrust nickel back Mike Adams into the lineup at strong safety against the Cowboys.
Nick Sorensen, primarily a special teams player in his previous seven years in the league, has been playing in Jones' spot while Adams takes over for Pool.
Cont....