Bleacher Report - Articles by John Arend

Browns Start Free Agency With a Bang, Show Kellen Winslow the Door

John Arend — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:59:12 -0500

The Cleveland Browns have once again made a splash on the first day of free agency, trading TE Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for draft picks.

GM George Kokinis announced the trade today.

"The draft picks we have obtained through this deal will give us greater flexibility as we look to infuse more talent and create competition and depth on this football team,” he said.

It is unknown what picks or how many Tampa Bay gave up for Winslow. Most would say that with Winslow's off-field issues, he probably only demands a second or third-round pick, but apparently the Browns have managed to acquire multiple picks judging by Kokinis' statement.

Stay tuned. I will be posting again when more information is revealed.

UPDATE: Early reports are a 2009 second round pick and a 2010 fifth round pick.

Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions: A Match Trade in Heaven?

John Arend — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:40:41 -0500

Previously, I outlined the possibility of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets making a trade that could benefit both teams. Today, I explore another trade scenario including the Detroit Lions.

After recently restructuring Daunte Culpepper's contract, the Lions have made themselves a possible trading partner with the Browns. The Browns owe Derek Anderson a $5 million bonus on March 15. Culpepper's new contract does not pay him until a team workout program starts around March 17. It also has a weight clause whereas the Lions can cut him if they decide he is out of shape.

What does this mean? It means the Lions have some room to try to swing a deal with the Browns to get Derek Anderson after he is paid the $5 million bonus. If the deal happens, the Lions have a loophole to get out of Culpepper's contract. If it doesn't, they still have a veteran quarterback on their roster.

Almost all of the expert mock drafts have Detroit taking Matt Stafford with their first pick overall, though. If the Lions had not recently changed regimes, I would insert a joke here about how they'll probably take wide receiver, Micheal Crabtree. Fortunately for Lions fans, the joke of a new first round wide-receiver every year should die off soon.

However, the Lions will have a lot riding on their first overall pick. Along with it comes a large contract with an unproven player. Matt Stafford is described by many scouts as a young kid with a rocket arm and problems with inconsistency.

Sound familiar, Browns fans? Derek Anderson has practically the same scout profile. The plus side of Anderson is his NFL experience. If they Lions decide it is not worth throwing their first overall pick at the top of what many consider to be a weak quarterback class, they could trade for his mirror image with NFL experience for a much lower price.

Rather than using their first overall pick on Matt Stafford, they could spend their second or possibly one of their two third-round picks trading for Derek Anderson. Then, the Lions could focus their efforts on one of the other, more deserving holes in their roster with the first overall pick.

Cleveland Browns and New York Jets: A Match Trade in Heaven?

John Arend — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:57:59 -0500

So the Browns are reportedly shopping Derek Anderson. At least one analyst at ESPN has even go so far as to say the Browns will be looking for at least a second-round pick for the quarterback. I think it's pretty safe to say that a second-rounder is probably the high trade value for Anderson right now though.

Actually, Anderson is a perplexing problem for the Browns. He has shown signs of inconsistency and mental lapses, but these are things that can be drilled in order to fix. He has the arm strength and athleticism to be a great quarterback if his problems can be limited.

He's also owed $5 million by March as a guaranteed roster bonus. To put it simply, the Browns need to decide if it's worth investing the money to try and train this guy while Brady Quinn still sits in the wings.

So who might be willing to take a chance on this guy when the Browns are reportedly asking so much. In the matter of about 48 hours, the New York Jets have become a great possibility.

As of a few days ago, the Jets were reportedly estimated to be above the 2009 NFL salary cap. Seeing as the NFL cap rule is a strict rule and not a guideline as in MLB and the NBA, the Jets had to find a way to make space or risk being fined or lose draft picks.

Yesterday, the Jets released defensive back David Barrett to put them slightly under the projected 2009 cap. Today, Brett Favre has told the team he will retire thus taking his $13 million contract off the books. This puts the Jets at about $15 million under the salary cap.

Now, what does that have to do with the Jets interest in DA? Eric Mangini was said to be the only one in the Jets organization to be against the Brett Favre trade. He was much more comfortable with the game-management style quarterback, than Brett's gun-slinger mentality. Many of Derek Anderson's critics have said that he is much like a young Brett Favre who made a lot of mistakes, but made up for them with athleticism.

Not only does this not bode well for DA staying in Cleveland, seeing as Mangini was recently hired by the Browns, but it also increases New York's likelihood of wanting DA. Rex Ryan, the new head coach of the Jets, recently even told Favre he'd like him to stay with the team. So now the Jets even have a head coach who likes the gunslinger mentality.

Okay, so we have the motives for the move, what about the means? Remember that DA is due a $5 million bonus in March whether he is cut or retained by the Browns. The only way for the Browns to avoid investing this money in the quarterback is if they trade him to a team willing to take on paying the bonus and taking the cap hit. Now that the Jets have made about $15 million of space, they have the room to make the trade.

What about that second-round draft pick the Browns are asking for? Well, the Browns are currently without picks in the third, fifth, and seventh rounds and the Jets have picks in every round and an extra fourth round pick. Seeing as the Browns only have a few weeks before they'll owe Anderson his bonus, they'll probably be willing to concede to a third round pick or even a lower pick package of some sort.

In fact, a lower pick plus a player maybe the best route for both teams. The Browns are in need of depth at every position and have glaring holes at many starter spots. The Jets have their own weaknesses on the roster, but lack the cap space to do much about it. Since trading for DA would take away at least $5-million in cap space, they might want to trade away a higher-paid under-performing player in order to make room for the quarterback's salary. The change of scenery could help both Anderson and whoever the Jets would choose to trade.

So are the Browns and Jets a match trade in heaven? Maybe not a perfect match, but the possibility is there.

Small Talk, Big Hopes: Cleveland Browns Fans' Begins Dialogue Here

John Arend — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:21:37 -0500

This is the start of a new source for Cleveland Browns fans to sound off. Each article will be based on topics that you, the fans, want to talk about.

Have a question? I'll do my research and give you my best response. Have a comment? I'll sift through and post the best ones you send me. I'll even add my own take on it. Only questions and comments sent directly to arendjd@gmail.com will be considered.

I'm not a professional journalist, just a fan like the rest of you. Consider this a place similar to the water cooler, break room, or dinner table; a place to talk about anything Cleveland Browns.

This week, I'll get the conversation going by talking about the hot topic of Browns beat writers: new head coach Eric Mangini.

Mangini introduced himself to the fan base by assuring them of his dedication to winning and his knowledge of the Cleveland Browns tradition. Those statements are already being called into question by the media who cover the Browns on a regular basis.

Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is the only writer in northeast Ohio who has consistently written positive articles in favor of the new authority in Berea.

Most other writers seem to be upset that their easy access to players and easy-going coaches is gone, and feel they need to take out that frustration by nitpicking every move owner Randy Lerner and Mangini make.

Do not get me wrong. I'm not always on board with some of the decisions I hear are being made, but sometimes change is for the better.

The first major controversy stirred up by the Mangini was painting over a mural in the training facility. The mural depicted the likes of Browns greats such as Paul Warfield, Lou Groza, and Jim Brown. Many said this was the biggest disgrace a man could bestow upon those names that brought so much pride to the shores of Lake Erie.

I look at it differently. Anyone who has ever succeeded knows they did it by looking forward while respecting the past. There are plenty of other shrines to the past scattered around Berea and Cleveland Browns Stadium. Does adding a little space to look forward actually hurt that much?

The other big controversy with Mangini is his reluctance to allow pretty much anyone to influence his authority. He is completely tight-lipped with media and talks to his own players only when he absolutely has to. This is his way of keeping things in-house and out of the hands of the opposition.

This is a great thing for the organization. Not so for the media covering it.

Because they have absolutely nothing to write about, the media has taken the "crucify him" approach. Fortunately for the Browns organization, I don't think Mangini much cares about that. If he can make this team a winner, no one will care what the media says about him.

My suggestion for Browns fans would be to have patience and give Mangini a chance before you join the ranks of the media. Like it or not, he's our best hope for the foreseeable future.

Cleveland Browns Fans Are Restless: Was Regime Change the Only Medicine?

John Arend — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:51:48 -0500

Cleveland Browns fans are known throughout the NFL as one of the most loyal fanbases in all of sports. The lengths they went to keep their team's name, history, and colors in the city of Cleveland have been unparalleled in sports history. Since receiving their team back in 1999, though, they have had little to cheer about.

Now going through their fourth regime in 10 years, one must ask the question, "Is there anything that will break this group's resolve?" Unfortunately for the fans and the NFL, the answer is, "Yes." After conversing with many Browns supporters, one will quickly realize that 10 years and two winning seasons is not enough to keep even the most rabid of fans interested.

Many fans have already quit caring. Cleveland's other teams have started to pull attention away from the Browns organization—something many thought would never happen.

The Cavaliers have quickly jumped from the last team anyone in Cleveland cared about to the city's first real hope for a championship era. The Indians struggled last year but are still garnering more interest than the Browns after making some key offseason moves that could take them back to the playoffs for the second time in three years.

The economy isn't helping either. Many Clevelanders can only afford to show their support for one team when the economy is booming, let alone when they may lose their jobs any minute. Most fans feel the only sound investment at this point are the Cavaliers.

Contrary to popular belief, Randy Lerner is not stupid. He has to realize that he cannot expect his organization's supporters to continue to keep their interests in a perpetual loser. He must know that hiring Eric Mangini as the newest head coach is not enough to make fans excited for next year.

However well Mangini does with turning the team into a winner, it will still take time and probably patience before it happens. There's no doubt developing a winner is the best way to put fans in your stadium and get them to buy merchandise, but what gimmick will Lerner turn to while the rest of us wait for a winner?

Let's take a look at what has been attempted since the Browns returned 10 years ago.

1. Pick Exciting Players in the Draft Whether It's a Gamble or Not

I think everyone can agree Tim Couch was only selected because he would excite the masses. Unfortunately, picking a lineman to protect him first would have been a better, although less exciting, move.

2. Continuously Bring In Sexy Quarterbacks Without Addressing Their Protection

The endless list of quarterbacks who were beaten and broken while in Cleveland is humiliating, but they all brought some sort of hope first.

3. Introduce a New Logo

Did anyone actually like the Football "B"?

4. Pull One Back From History

Although the "Brownie" is beloved by most Cleveland fans, he only held their interest for so long.

5. Catchy Slogans Cure Everything

"The Name on the Door is Cleveland" was supposed to remind players and fans that it's a team sport and no one is greater than the whole. Edwards and Winslow didn't get it.

So will Randy Lerner go back to the well this year or try something new? Here are a few things he might try.

1. Nothing:

Lerner might realize that a winning team is all Cleveland wants and opt not to continue to belittle them with marketing gimmicks.

2. Hold a Public Tryout

The Eagles tried it back in the day. Disney even made a movie about it. Don't look for this to happen anytime soon in today's NFL though.

3. Hold a Press Conference

Lerner is notoriously camera-shy. Many critics say fans don't trust him because they've never gotten a chance to know him. He may finally decide that the best thing for him and the fans is to sit down for a nice Q and A session.

4. Unveil a New Uniform

Most fans would be outraged at the idea of losing the uniforms they've grown up loving, but would a change spark a new confidence in players? If not a completely new uniform, maybe a completely different alternate. They did try it with brown pants once and orange jerseys before that, but it was still essentially the same design. If not that, they could try to tweak it again and bring back the orange pants.

Ultimately, a new jersey would be the only moneymaker for Lerner.

Cleveland Browns: State of the Roster 2009 Offseason

John Arend — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:47:56 -0500

Eric Mangini was hired in today as the Browns head coach for the next four seasons. There has been much controversy already over whether he should have been hired, but Randy Lerner has officially married himself to Mangini for at least the foreseeable future. With that in mind, let's take a look at our current roster and the free agency class of 2009.

Most reports I've read, put the Browns cap position somewhere in the middle of the NFL's ranks. Phil Savage signed a lot of large contracts while handling the Browns' check book, but somehow the organization has some wiggle room to work this off-season. Unfortunately, picking fifth in the draft will not help the situation. The front office may not have to shell out first pick money, but the rookie market will demand a large contract for any top-10 pick.

For the remainder of the article, I will give an overview of the players we risk losing to free agency this off-season, comment on their worth to the team, and give a rundown on how I feel the Browns should address the holes in their roster.

Cleveland Browns 2009 Free Agents

Safety:

Mike Adams - Good special-teamer and a decent backup, but with five years experience, he hasn't shown any potential for improvement. Time to move on.

Sean Jones - Has been a solid starter since being drafted by the Browns four years ago. He's a good player and probably one of the best safeties going into free agency this year. He's worth trying to keep around until the Browns can train a replacement.

Cornerback:

Travis Daniels - Getting old and isn't going to be a starter anymore. He'd be worth keeping, but only for a minimum contract.

Daven Holly - Holly showed a lot of potential before his injury last year. The Browns should be able to keep him for a small contract and gauge how well he's recovered in training camp.

M Linebacker:

Andra Davis - Davis is a class act who's past his prime in the 3-4 defense. He should have a few years left in him in the NFL, but for a different team that runs the 4-3.

O Linebacker:

Willie McGinest - Similar to Davis, but probably couldn't see significant playing time in even the 4-3.

Shantee Orr - He was a one-year stop gap that didn't pan out.

Tight End:

Darnell Dinkins - Never lived up to his potential and is probably the worst TE (including upside) of the four on our roster.

Guard:

Lennie Friedman - Solid, versatile back-up. Only good to us at a minimum contract though.

Seth McKinney - See Friedman

Running Back:

Jason Wright - See Friedman and McKinney

The following is not a complete list of free agents. It is a list of free agents in areas I believe the Browns need to investigate. Some are proven veterans who deserve big contracts, some are older veterans who could be worth signing for a mid-range contract, and some are younger players with upside and worth taking a chance on. Next to each name, I will give a monetary ranking of $-Low, $$-Medium, $$$-High, based on age, potential, other players on the market in their position, and player's worth compared to a draftee.

NFL 2009 Free Agents

Safety:

Jermaine Phillips, 7 years, 6'-1" 214 lbs, Tampa Bay $$$

Oshiomogho Atogwe, 4 years, 5'-11" 210 lbs, St. Louis $$

Darren Sharper, 12 years, 6'-1" 215 lbs, Minnesota $

Dawan Landry, 3 years, 6'-1" 220 lbs, Baltimore $

Mike Brown, 9 years, 5'-10" 207 lbs, Chicago $$

Cornerback:

Nnamdi Asomugha, 6 years, 6'-2", 210 lbs, Oakland $$$

Chris Gamble, 5 years, 6'-1", 200 lbs, Carolina $$

Deltha O'Neal, 9 years, 5'-11", 194 lbs, New England$

M Linebacker:

Ray Lewis, 13 years, 6'-1", 245 lbs, Baltimore $$

Karlos Dansbury, 5 years, 6'-4", 240 lbs, Arizona $$$

Jonathon Vilma, 5 years, 6'-1", 230 lbs, New Orleans $

Channing Crowder, 4 years, 6'-2", 247 lbs, Miami $$

O Linebacker:

Bart Scott, 7 years, 6'-2", 240 lbs, Baltimore $$$

Guard:

Stacy Andrews, 5 years, 6'-7", 342 lbs, Cincinnati $$

Jahri Evans, 3 years, 6'-4", 318 lbs, New Orleans $$

Running Back:

Brandon Jacobs, 4 years, 6'-4", 264 lbs, NYG $$$

Derrick Ward, 5 years, 5'-11", 228 lbs, NYG $$

Darren Sproles, 4 years, 5'-6", 180 lbs, San Diego $$

Analysis:

Now assuming with all of this information that the Browns can make two major signings this year, including the draft pick in the top 10, here is what my plan of attack would be.

Sign Karlos Dansbury as the big-name free agent.

Try to keep Sean Jones with a mid-range contract, but if not sign one of the lower rated free agents as a stop-gap to train a mid to low pick draftee

Resign Holly low and sign Deltha O'neal as an insurance policy.

From this point on, decisions hinge on the draft. I feel that the Browns should attempt to trade down and not only regain some picks they lost last year, but also get out of cap trouble in the top-10 picks. If they can early on in the preseason, they should try to make a run at another big name like Jacobs or Phillips.

If those names are gone by the time they can trade down, they should use a little extra money and possibly overpay for a guy like Ward, Sproles, Scott, or Brown. If they can't trade down, which is more probable, they should draft one of the top two LB's and address the other positions of need with lower picks or low-contract free agents.

I'll admit, I don't follow college football as much as I'd like so I can't be a good judge of the draft, but I would love to write an article detailing the draft and how it could help the Browns this year if someone would like to co-write it with me. Leave a message in the comments or on my profile board with your qualifications and I'll get back to you.

Having watched the Cincinnati Bearcats all season, here are a few of my opinions on some of their players.

If Tony Pike changes his mind about not going into the draft this year, he would be a good player to pick up in the late rounds or as a UDFA. He may not be ready for the NFL but he has shown a lot of potential for a good coach to mold.

Any of the Bearcat's DB's could be diamonds in the rough this year. If they played for a bigger school, they might have a chance of being drafted higher.

Mardy Gilyard will be the next Devin Hester/Josh Cribbs type player (only probably a better WR). Look for him to be another diamond this year if he goes out for the draft. If he stays in school, he has the potential to make a name for himself both on special teams and at WR next year.

Connor Barwin has potential to be a good NFL player, but he's probably a few years of experience away. He's a utility player who can play on both sides of the ball. Look for him to land on the Patriots since they love that player type.

The 2009 Cleveland Browns Pharmacy

John Arend — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:27:38 -0500

I'll start out with a list of figurative and literal ailments contracted by the Cleveland Browns in 2008.

1. Staph - This is not to be confused with the 2008 staff of the Browns front office, but was just as damaging to the team's play on the field. It kept our veteran leader Joe-Joe off the field this year.

2. Undisclosed Illnesses - Kellen Winslow contracted one of these midway through the season and it was compounded by a revisit of the dreaded staph infection. Or was it the other staff? They bungled that situation up even more also.

3. Ankle, Knee, Foot, and other Leg injuries - Daven Holly - down. Antwan Peek - down. Robaire Smith - down. Corey Williams - Slowed. Beau Bell - down. Derek Anderson - down. Braylon Edwards - slowed. Donte Stallworth - Slowed. Kellen Winslow - down. Ryan Tucker - down. Martin Rucker - slowed. Do I need to keep going?

4. Butterfingers - This is a rare, but very contagious disorder. It usually is brought on by a large amount of pressure and little leadership to guide oneself through it. Braylon Edwards to have caught the worse case of it, but he wasn't the only one on the team to suffer its symptoms this season.

5. Offensive Ineptitude - This is a disease caused by turning to third and fourth string quarterbacks and its main symptom is the inability to score in any way other than field goals.

6. Lack of Leadership - This is a particularly difficult disease to diagnose before it's already done it's damage. The Browns have suffered from it for a long time now, but it had been in hiding before this year. It finally reared its ugly head when Romeo consistently made poor game day decisions and Savage contradicted his own preaching of professional attitude by not taking control of the Kellen Winslow situation and lashing out on a fan through e-mail.

Some have tried to defend Romeo by saying he has someone else making the clock management decisions and field goal calls, but isn't he the one who chose those people? As for Savage, maybe his long-term goals would have been good for the organization, but his gambling attitude has left the Browns roster in a tough predicament for any new GM to come in to.

Now it's time for the prescriptions. Luckily, some of these issues can be fixed with only a few remedies.

1. A qualified head coach and GM - The word qualified is the kicker here. The Browns have enough talent to rebound in the next year or so, but they need a leader who can push the right buttons. This means that they need to be able to gain the players respect, but also establish authority. Look at the Steelers' transition to Tomlin. He has a great friendship with his players, but they also realize that he's in charge and play for him regardless of what he tells them to do.

This remedy can have an influence on all diseases in the Browns organization. It will take the proper precautions against staph. It will manage players privacy well. It will train the players properly to avoid numerous sprains and strains. It will hold players accountable for their mistakes and push them to be better.

2. A solid draft - This is more of a band-aid than a medicine. Picking solid players will be important to adding needed depth the the roster and push starters to earn their jobs rather than expecting they'll always have them.

3. Solid Interim Leadership - Randy Lerner needs to make sure his scouting department is doing there best right now when they have lost their leader. The next GM will have very little time to prepare for the draft and will need his scouts to stay on beat until he gets there.

4. Old faithful (Rest, Chicken-Soup, and Time) - The fans need to rest and forget about football for awhile, give themselves time to recharge, and get ready for another tough season. While we all hope the Browns can have a quick turn-around, it might be best to expect the worst and look forward to the long-haul. It could keep us all from giving up on the Browns.

As they say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." I'm thinking will need both the ounce and the pound to weather this storm.

Braylon Edwards Feels Spurned by Browns Fans Because He's a Wolverine? Part 2

John Arend — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:46:17 -0500

This is a follow up to the article published this morning on the Bleacher Report. To see the original article, please follow the link below.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/94033-browns-fans-negative-toward-edwards-hes-a-wolverine

Well, he's done it again. Braylon Edwards has dropped the ball...Figuratively speaking. Here are a few quotes a follow up interview conducted with him last night.

"I'm not Paul Warfield, Webster Slaughter or Jim Brown. I've given my all to this city for four years, and I realize it will never be enough. I went to the Pro Bowl last year and resurrected this team from the darkness, and nobody cared."

Really Braylon? Is that really how you feel? First off, you didn't resurrect this team. You helped bring it to the surface before plunging back down to drown again. Secondly, a LOT of people cared. The city hasn't been that electric since the 80's. You couldn't walk a block on game day without seeing multiple Edwards jerseys. Now you might think a jersey isn't much with your salary, but to a Cleveland fan it's a big investment. Many of them sacrificed other things because they thought your jersey would be something they could proudly wear for years.

"People in this town believe they are entitled to too much. They have been disrespectful to me and my family. I've gone out in public with my family and have had to deal with being called foul names. My parents have been called vulgar things at restaurants."

Okay, so having your family be sworn at in public is not good. I agree with you that those fans are taking things too far. However, to say that the fans in Cleveland feel entitled to too much is going too far as well. The people of this city fought hard to keep their team there and only want a winner. Not to mention if it weren't for those hard working people paying you through tickets and merchandise, you might be just like them.

"My biggest problem is that I actually give a damn. I'm always rushing back from surgeries and injuries, never missing games or practices. But through this, I've learned how to overcome adversity. I'm also proud of how my foundation has taken off. I've been doing all this community service in Cleveland ...my charity efforts will only be in Detroit from now on."

Really? Never missing practices? How about when you missed that practice to go to a certain game. Grow up Braylon. Move on from the fact that you played for Michigan. Everyone else has.

Also, I find it very shallow and telling of why you started charity in Cleveland when you threaten to take it away from under-privileged children who I'm sure were grateful to receive it and never said a bad word about you. It's fairly obvious now that you only performed charity here for publicity and not for the children and people who need it. The entire reason that you should be doing charity in the first place is for them, not for you.

Grow up Mr. Edwards. You still have a lot to learn.

Braylon Edwards Feels Spurned by Browns Fans Because He's a Wolverine?

John Arend — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:13:03 -0500

According to the Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw, Braylon Edwards feels like fans of the Browns don't like him because he played for Michigan. Here is a portion of what Edwards said, thanks to WTAM.

"It is what it is...I've learned since being here that I'm very unappreciated. Not by the organization, just in the eyes of the fans and the city. Since Day One, I've been a marked man coming from Michigan. It's just gone that way."

The following is a reenactment of my reaction after first reading this.

Blink...Blink...Blink..."Whaaaa?"...Blink...Blink...Blink...

And scene!

Seriously, though, I have little cousins more mature than the way Edwards depicts himself by making this absurd comment. In reality, the OSU-Michigan rivalry, and to a lesser extent the ND-Michigan rivalry for some fans, has very little to do with players after they graduate.

Although it is a rivalry of monumental proportions on Saturday, Sunday is a new day and a new league. Browns fans may poke fun at you for playing at Michigan. They may not have liked the idea of it when you were first drafted, but they know that you are now an NFL wide receiver. Your alma mater matters little in the eyes of a fan who just wants the Cleveland Browns to win.

In 2007, Edwards did a lot of things to polish up his reputation. He donated money to a scholarship fund, visited a sick young boy (and paid for his funeral when he passed on), and became a Pro Bowl player for the Browns fans to cheer for on Sundays. The first two being very honorable and showing signs of maturity in a young millionaire athlete. Edwards went a long way to earn the respect of his former rival fan base.

Now, in one short statement, he has done a lot to damage the very foundation of that respect. His lackluster season full of dropped passes and aspirations may have eroded the trust he built up only a year before, but not completely destroy it.

He did lose the respect of many fans, but most remembered everything he did on and off the field in 2007 to earn that respect. For some, his maturity off the field was the only sign of growth they could hold on to this season. Now, that foundation has been compromised.

Edwards has slipped back into his sophomoric mindset that the world is out to get him because he played for an inferior team to the north. I had hope that he would be able to come back next season with a renewed passion to perform, but if all he can think about is Michigan, I have my doubts.

So to Phil Savage, or whoever is the Cleveland GM after this season, please consider giving Braylon Edward"scissor-hands" what he wants. Trade him back to an inferior team in Michigan. Even if takes throwing in a draft pick, Calvin Johnson couldn't be any worse for this team's relationship to its fans.

Cleveland Browns Fans' Christmas List

John Arend — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:51:54 -0500

That may look like Santa Claus in the picture, but no, it's just Romeo Crennel.

With only 10 days left before Christmas, sugar plums of next year are already dancing in the heads of many Browns fans. So I've compiled a revised 12 Days of Christmas. Here are 12 presents Browns fans may be hoping to receive.

12 Months of Patience

It will take the patience of a saint to deal with the changes about to occur within this organization. Even if there is a quick turn-around like the Miami Dolphins, it will likely involve some controversial moves leaving some scratching their heads.

11 Healthy Starters

There is no arguing this team could have been drastically different if they could have stayed healthy. That being said, a football team is more than its starting lineup. For the sake of the Browns though, let's hope for eleven healthy starters on each side of the ball.

10 Bringing Wins

Unless there is a huge offseason story—which can't be ruled out with the Browns—Brady Quinn will be the starter of the Browns next year. If he can't grow into the role of starting quarterback, it could set back the Browns for years.

9 Or More W's

Nine wins doesn't necessarily mean a playoff berth, but anything less than a winning season could be the breaking point for many fans.

8 Decent Home Games

Last year, the Browns came close to this with a 7-1 home record, but the first game against the Steelers left something to be desired. This year the Browns have played like the fans don't matter at home. The only decent game being played against the Giants.

7 Rounds of Magic

They may not have a pick in all seven rounds, but the Browns can pick up some impact players with what they do have. This may include making some trades back into rounds we don't have picks in, or trading down for more picks.

6 Decisive Division Games

For the Browns to gain some respect, they need to take control of their division. The Steelers have been on top or at least in the mix for years. The Browns need to compete with all three division rivals to earn some respect though.

5 Years of Consistency

Since the Browns returned in '99, Romeo Crennel is about to be the only head coach to stay in place for four complete seasons. Butch Davis was out before finishing his fourth season. For the Browns to be a consistent winning team, they'll need better stability from the head coach position.

It wouldn't hurt to have consistent coordinators, either. These spots have seen more turnover more than some positions on the roster.

4 Playoff Games

Ideally, the Browns would only need three playoff appearances to have a Super Bowl game in their history books, but let's not get too greedy here. I'd be happy to see the Browns claw their way into the Super Bowl, even it has to be the longest route possible.

3 Games of Passion

They don't even have to win any of the games left this season. They at least need to show they care though. Cleveland has tolerated enough losses to know how to handle themselves, but it's never encouraging to see lackluster effort on game day.

2 Rival Routes

The Steelers have dominated the Browns for years. The fans of Cleveland would love to see this turn around with a series sweep over their hated rivals in commanding fashion.

1 GOLDEN RING!

Five Golden rings would be nice, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. The road to a dynasty has to start somewhere.

Browns vs. Broncos Lore: The Drive, The Fumble...The Switch?

John Arend — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:14:02 -0500

The Browns and Broncos renew their rivalry tomorrow night in Cleveland. These teams have a storied history for big headlines.

In the 80's, the Elway-led Broncos defeated the Browns twice during key playoff games in back-to-back seasons. These games were key to the Browns making their first Super Bowl appearance ever and both taken away in the final minutes of play.

The first game of legend is simply known as "The Drive." During this game, the Browns had Denver pinned deep at their own two-yard line with a little over five minutes left to play. John Elway drove his team down the field to tie the game up with only 37 seconds remaining. The Broncos then went on to win in overtime by kicking one through the uprights.

John Elway drove his team down the field to tie the game up with only 37 seconds remaining. The Broncos then went on to win in overtime by kicking one through the uprights.

The second of these storied games is known simply as "The Fumble." Down 21-3 at the half, the Browns staged a comeback in the final two quarters and had the game in their grasp at the Bronco's 8-yard line. Down by only seven, Bernie Kosar handed off to Earnest Byner. Reaching the three-yard line, Byner was stripped of the ball and Denver took over possession at their own two; The irony is potent. The Broncos intentionally gave Cleveland a safety and the game was over.

Since then, the Browns and Broncos have only met a handful of times. However, they still have recent connections. Since returning to the league, many defensive outcasts of the Browns have found their way to the Broncos. In fact, so many former Browns were on the Denver squad, that some in the media began to refer to them as the "Brown-cos."

Thursday's Story

Thursday's game will be the kick-off to NFL Network's weekly series of prime-time games. Both teams have seen media coverage in the short week prior to meeting that could play a major role in who wins.

The Broncos, normally known for churning out 1,000-yard rushers, are without there first and second-string running backs. They enter Thursday's game with only one halfback and one fullback active on their roster. Will this game turn into an all-out air attack for the Broncos and eventually be known simply as "The Air-Raid?"

The Browns enter the game with a new quarterback in the team's starting position. On Monday, the organization announced that Derek Anderson would be demoted to backup duties while Brady Quinn takes control of the offense.

The offense has struggled under Anderson this season and many think head coach Romeo Crennel made the move to give his team a spark. If Quinn leads this team back to its explosive potential and somehow manages to pull this team back into playoff contention, will this game eventually be known simply as "The Switch?"

Early Polls Are In: Titans Lead Comfortably Before Election Day

John Arend — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:33:30 -0500

It's now officially the half-way point of the NFL season. Every team (with the exception of the Steelers) has played at least half their schedule and if the playoffs started tomorrow, here are the teams who would be elected to play.

AFC

North–Steelers (5-2)

South–Titans (8-0)

East–Patriots (5-3)

West–Broncos (4-4)

Wild Cards–Ravens (5-3) and Jets (5-3)

NFC

North–Bears (5-3)

South–Panthers (6-2)

East–Giants (7-1)

West–Cardinals (5-3)

Wild Cards–Redskins (6-2) and Bucs (6-3)

Obviously, like any poll, final results may differ. Here's a look at whats happening around the league. Starting with tonight's game.

MNF–Steelers vs. Redskins

Regardless of who wins and loses, the standings will stay the same. However, the dynamic of the races will be affected.

If the Steelers lose, they will still be on top in the AFC North, holding the tie-breaker over the Ravens, but The Raven's and Steelers still meet AT Baltimore later this season. This spells trouble for the Steelers. The Ravens just completed a sweep over the Browns and have a win over the Bengals. If the Ravens split the series with Pittsburgh, the tie-breaker would be determined on division record, which Baltimore currently has the upper hand in.

If the Redskins lose, they would still hold a better record than the closing Eagles, but in the NFC East, everyone is above .500 for the season. Losing tonight would mean only having one loss less than the division worst Cowboys.

AFC North

As stated before, the Steelers need to win tonight to keep the heat off. In a smash-mouth division, the coming cold weather games will be brutal on these teams and all it takes is a crushing hit to a team captain to change the landscape of this division series.

The Steelers veterans will know what to expect in the coming months, but are years of physical abuse in the North going to take their toll this year?

The Ravens are looking hot this year and they're doing it all with a Rookie led offense and an aging defense. Will they have what it takes when the snow starts to fly?

The Browns are three games out of this division race owning no tie-breakers. They were the toast of the division before the season started. Will they start playing the way they were expected to and close the season strong?

The Bengals finally won a game, but are all but mathematically out of the running for the division.

AFC South

The Titans sit comfortably in the lead of this division. A year removed from taking three teams to the playoffs, the AFC South's closest contender is the Colts who have four losses more than the Titans. Tennessee has gone undefeated this year, even after switching from their high drafted QB to their aging veteran.

The Colts are struggling. There is no doubt about that. They've shown signs of life though. With the division practically out of reach, can they return to all-pro form and make a second-half push to a wild-card spot?

The Jaguars are spinning out of control. Some still held out hope after their loss to Cleveland, but losing to the Bengals was probably the twist of a dagger they won't recover from this year. They're o-line is almost completely different from last year's after a series of unfortunate events. Will they be able to use the rest of the year to regroup or will they be making moves this off-season?

The Texans are constantly raising eyebrows. Every year, someone inevitably says, "They really aren't that bad. They're showing improvement." They always end up in the bottom of the league though. Are they actually improving this year? Their record, including an embarrassing loss to Indy, says no.

AFC EAST

The Patriots are in first place, right where most assumed they would be. They are in first, because they hold the tie-breaker to a three-way tie in the division (Take a moment to recover from that double-take... Ready? Okay, read on.) After losing Tom Brady, the Patriots have rallied to resemble a decent team. In a division race this close, will that be enough to return to the big game?

The Jets are one of this year's roller-coasters. After trading for Brett Farve, they have made many people ask, "Is he really that much better than Chad was?" Sure, he has a winning attitude and a canon in arm form, but is his gun-slinger attitude going to help or hurt this team in the long-run?

The Bills were expected by many to be improved this year. They've lived up to the minimal hype and currently sit tied for first, even after losing their starting QB for a few weeks. Will their consistent play translate to a division crown?

The Dolphins were the joke of the league a year ago. Now, they are one game out of a four-way tie to the division lead. (If you keep doing double-takes like that, you're going to give yourself whiplash.) Will Parcel's gain yet even more respect by turning around another team?

AFC West

What is going on in this division? If it weren't for the division-leading Broncos, every team would be under the .500 mark. The Chiefs and Raiders weren't expected to do much this year, but the Chargers have vastly under-performed. Will the Bronco's take advantage of this and crawl into the playoffs?

Will the Chargers start playing the way people expected them to and get a grip on this division?

Will Al Davis ever let go and let his team grow up?

Will the Chiefs salvage their season and finish respectably?

NFC North

The Bears toyed with the Lions yesterday, letting them smell their first win. Even after losing Orton, they still kept Detroit win-less. If Orton's out for an extended period, will they be able to hold their one-win lead?

The Packers traded away long-time QB Brett Farve at the beginning of the season. It's looking as though it was a good decision with Rodgers playing relatively well thus far. Will he be able to lead this team to division crown in his first year?

The Vikings are disappointing many. They currently are tied for second with the Packers, but with no proven QB, will they be able to move up?

The Lions are terrible this year. During the Browns/Ravens game yesterday, one TV analyst commented on how bad they are with a hint of disgust in his voice. They sure have plenty of WR talent though!

NFC South

This division is another tight one. The Panther sit in first, but only because they have played one less game than the second place Bucs. Will they continue to perform as the year goes on?

The Bucs are playing like always. Run, Run, Run. Defend. Run some more. Defend. Pass only if needed. Will this old-school mantra prevail in the Modern NFL?

Atlanta is turning heads. They are a single win out of being tied for second-place. Will they continue to surprise us with a playoff berth?

The Saints are still alive with a .500 record. Will the recent steroids controversy end up hurting this team enough to keep them out of the play-offs?

NFC East

The Giants are in the lead of quite possibly the most talented division in football. Their only loss coming in Cleveland. It's hard to find problems with this team. They lost many of their "key players" from the Super Bowl Team a year ago and are still playing at a high level. Some people even think this team is better than last years.

The Redskins started the season with an embarrassing loss, but have rallied to be only a game out of first place. This team has an impressive quarterback that no one talks about, because they win by running the ball. They can't start to let up. If they do, Philly and Dallas are chomping at the bit to take their place.

The Eagles are a dominating force when Brian Westbrook is on his game. McNabb is showing everyone why they haven't let him go yet. The team doesn't have a high profile receiver though, and many are asking if they can win this run-heavy division without one.

The Cowboys are reeling. They've been able to stay alive by winning against the Bucs without Tony Romo, but the games they've lost without him have put them in a deep hole. They'll need the strong play in this division to cool down if they want a chance to make a run to the playoffs.

NFC West

Does the west coast even care about football? The only team in either west coast division with a record above .500 is the Arizona Cardinals. All they have to do is stay average to finally make the playoffs. The rest of their division is in shambles and there doesn't seem to be a cure in sight.

The Seahawks top a three-way tie for last place in this division. When your record is 2-6, that isn't something to celebrate. The Rams have shown signs of life since making the switch at head coach, but they still have a long way to go. The 49er's switch at head coach has been entertaining, but it doesn't seem to have helped. It may be time to start playing for draft placement.

Cleveland Browns Stadium: The House That Loyalty Built

John Arend — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:20:01 -0400

Many Browns fans can remember the day. The chill that ran down their back. For some, the tears that welled up inside. For others, the confusion that ensues when one learns an absolute is really just a maybe.

It was the day that many believed Art Modell had thrown the equivalent of a knock-out blow to the city of Cleveland and many of his loyal customers. For almost 50 years, the fans of the Cleveland Browns made Art Modell a very rich man, through their loyalty to a team that had become the butt of many jokes.

Then, with one quick sucker-punch, he took one of the more storied franchises in the NFL out of the cradle of its sport. For what? Were Browns fans not buying tickets? Were they not buying merchandise? Of course they were! In fact, many experts had picked the Browns to win the Super Bowl that year. Of course fan enthusiasm was at a high.

What was the reason for this? Art Modell wanted a new stadium and the City of Cleveland didn't want to just give it to him. As stated before, for 50 years, the fans of the Cleveland Browns had made Art Modell a lot of money. Why should they now also have to foot the bill for his new stadium?

If you are a regular patron at a local bar, do they make you pay for a new building when they want to expand? If you are a loyal customer at a car-dealership, do you have to pay for their new showroom? The answer is a resounding no. In fact, in most cases like these, you are rewarded for your loyalty with free drinks or cheaper rates.

Cleveland knew this and so did its fans. So, when Modell threw that right hook and sent us to the mat, we didn't stay down. We stood back up, and through our swollen black eye, we fought back. It started with letters in the local paper. Then protests formed outside of games. The NFL's office was flooded with objections through letters and phone calls. Many fans even made the trip to testify in Washington DC.

Cleveland proved to everyone that sometimes a football team isn't just a football team. Sometimes, it's part of a city's identity and, in turn, a fan's identity. What did this fight accomplish? Cleveland was granted an expansion team as soon as the NFL could process all of the odds and ends.

This was no ordinary expansion team though. This was the Cleveland Browns. The players may be different. The front office may be different. The owner may even be different. The fans are the same though, and with them come the years of memories that constitute its history.

Art Modell may have succeeded in moving the players, coaches, and front office to a new city, but nothing could take everything else out of Cleveland's possession. This Sunday, the franchise once owned by Art Modell comes to Cleveland. The Ravens may own the all-time series against its step-brother, but after almost 10 years of pulling itself back up, Cleveland is ready to start making up ground.

When the Ravens come to Cleveland Browns Stadium this weekend, the fans will be ready. Although the stadium's construction has been completed for years now, its personality has been slowly growing. This Sunday is the day the true Dawg-Pound will be reborn. This Sunday will be the day old Municipal Stadium passes on its reputation to its younger brother.

This Sunday, Cleveland reminds the world that the team on the field plays the game, but they play it for us and our presence will be felt by any opposing team that walks through our door. To quote Phil Savage's team mantra, "THE NAME ON THE DOOR IS CLEVELAND!"

Cleveland Rocks, Just Not Loud Enough To Wake the Neighbors

John Arend — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:31:52 -0400

After an absolutely pathetic start to the season, the Cleveland Browns have quietly been putting together a solid record. At 3-4, no one can say the Browns are a contender yet, but when you look at the records around the league, and the 3-1 record the Browns have put up in the past four games, things start to look a little different.

Obviously, the Browns have their problems with injuries, a tough schedule, a brewing QB controversy, and a certain loud-mouth tight end. The truth is, however, this is a team on the verge of pulling it together or falling back to the cliche, "Playing for next year."

Here are a few interesting tid-bits that have caught my attention.

-Derek Anderson's average passer rating in the first four games of the season was a meager 54.03. He was sacked eight times and threw seven interceptions. That's bad, right? Well consider this: He was without Dante Stallworth in all of those games and hadn't practiced with Braylon Edwards since the second week of the preseason.

-Derek Anderson's average passer rating in the past three games is 91.6. Much better. You can attribute this to only being sacked twice, throwing no picks, and having plenty of practice with a full cast of WRs. Oh, and not to mention this is all despite Edwards constantly dropping easy passes and K2 "being a distraction."

-Anderson's two best games were with Steve Heiden starting and K2 watching on TV. This is purely speculation, but I'm starting to believe the value in Joe Jurevicius didn't stop with his third-down receptions last year. It also included his veteran presence on the field and the example he and Jamal Lewis set for the younger players. I get the feeling that Steve Heiden fills that void. Example? Winslow plays against the Redskins and fellow young TE, Darnell Dinkins has an on-field dispute with Anderson. Coincidence? Maybe? We shall see.

-If Braylon Edwards wants to regain the respect he earned last year, he HAS TO STOP DROPPING PASSES.

-The Browns' defense is vastly improved this season and is sitting at seventh in the league, allowing only 17.6 points per game. Oh, and that young secondary everyone was worried about when the season started, they are currently sitting at eighth in the league, averaging only 203.9 yards allowed per game.

Those are just a few interesting facts that I've been mulling over lately. Maybe I'm just being optimistic, but I think this team is closer to quietly climbing the ladder than falling back down.