Browns select Alabama RB Trent Richardson

Only a few hours prior to the start of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns made some noise by giving up a 4th, 5th, and a 7th round pick in order to swap picks with the Minnesota Vikings. Although the Vikings weren’t targeting Richardson, but they were targeting a trade and with the fear that another team would make the trade with the Vikings and take Richardson before they had their pick the Browns decided to be aggressive and take the player they wanted. Speaking of aggressive, that is a perfect work to describe the player that the Browns drafted.

Trent Richardson, RB from Alabama, is an explosive runner who possesses speed, power, and elusiveness. He is a RB that defenders don’t want to go head to head with. Richardson is a great selection who will help give Colt McCoy more options and help him develop as well. This was a great, and necessary move by the Cleveland Browns.

Browns drop Tony Pashos despite his sacrifice

Last season when Cleveland Browns’ Right Tackle Tony Pashos played with a ruptured peroneus longus tendon in his left foot he thought that he was watching out for his beloved team’s back. But today the 31 year old has gotten a taste of business and disloyalty in a world of “what have you done for me lately?” Pashos’ agent Rick Smith told the press today that the right tackle is upset about learning that the browns will release him next Tuesday. Now this is a man who is not necessarily the best out there since most can argue about his performance, but talk about adding insult to injury.

On the business side, releasing Pashos gives the browns an opportunity to use someone who is healthier and ready to hit the ground running for the up-coming season. Pashos could have opted to have his surgery right after the injury and would have been side-lined for about 9 – 10 months in rehab but he chose to put off surgery and keep playing on a busted foot because he wanted to help his team. It was very obvious that he would be disabled for a lengthy period but he made a poor decision in that aspect because his performance was not quite stellar in the final preseason game. Performing at 100% is key to athleticism but many players show loyalty and heart by making poor judgment and hopefully this is not a career impeding one for Pashos.

Cleveland Browns’ Scott Fujita involved in New Orleans Bounty Investigation (Hypocrite or not?)

The Browns’ Line Backer, Scott Fujita is supposedly an advocate for players’ safety on the field but with light shedding on the New Orleans Saints’ tradition of putting bounties on opposing teams’ offensive line, this player is beginning to look quite hypocritical due to his time with the Saints while playing under then Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Fujita once called for independent neurologists to be present at every NFL game to attend to players who may suffer from concussions which apparently may have been inflicted by a player who inflicted it due to monetary incentives. Let’s take a step back a note where this all stemmed from. Apparently Gregg Williams had a very effective way of motivating his defense to give the fans the skull smashing hits that jolts us out of our seats and sends us screeching ouch for the fallen player. This motivation was the mighty dollar ranging up to $25,000 for a knockout! Think you’re reading a boxing blog? No my friend, we’re still talking football here. Will Fujita be disciplined for his actions or will he get a slap on the wrist? I am very interested in seeing what the NFL, Team management, and affected players will do about this. In my opinion it is absolutely unacceptable and un-professional for these men to take such action against fellow players be it for money or for victory. If you hit that hard naturally I can understand, but for you to intentionally target a specific player with the intention of knocking him out cold with the possibility of serious injury or even death is just inhumane. Let’s keep an eye on what happens as we find out more.

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Cleveland Browns Willing to Trade Up Using the 22nd Pick

The Cleveland Browns are happy with the season Colt McCoy just had, but his inconsistency and inability to show that he has the potential to be an elite, top tier quarterback has made it obvious that they are targeting Rober Griffin III on Draft Day. However, the Browns have two first round picks, their own pick, the fourth overall, and the Falcons draft pick (from the Julio Jones trade) which is the twenty-second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Browns are not hiding from the fact that if they need to use both picks in order to acquire their target, Robert Griffin III, they will not hesitate to do so. The Cleveland Browns head coach, Pat Shurmur, made that statement yesterday. However, they would be satisfied, as they should, using both picks to take two talented young players to build around and go into the 2012 season with Colt McCoy as their starting QB.

Browns Fall in Final Game

It was a solid defensive performance, but the offense didn’t show up against the Steelers.  In the final game of the year, Cleveland made it close but ultimately lost 13-9 after a hail mary pass to end the game could not be completed.  It was a similar story for the 4-12 Browns who’s great pass defense kept them in the game, but their inept offense never really gave them a chance.

The Browns held a battered Roethlisberger to just 221 yards passing with no touchdowns.  It was the rush defense that struggled once again, despite the Steerers losing Mendenhall early to what some believe is a torn ACL.  Redman took over as the feature back and ran for 91 yards and the only touchdown of the game for either team.  The Steelers ended up running for over 160 yards as a team.

Seneca Wallace did not perform well in his third start of the year.  He completed just 16 of 41 passes for 177 yards, no TDs and an INT.  He was able to scramble for 44 yards, which actually led the team.  That is more of a hit on Hillis than anything, as he could only manage a meager 30 rushing yards on 10 carries.  This team will not win through the air, but it was clear that they didn’t think the running game would work against the stout Pittsburgh rush defense.

Greg Little was held without a catch on 5 targets.  It was poor ending to a promising rookie season for Little, who ended up with over 700 yards receiving.  He had his ups and downs, but he has emerged as the number one target on this team.  Josh Cribbs ended up the leading receiver with 7 catches for 91 yards.  He had probably his best year as a pass catcher, finishing for over 500 yards.  He may be a bigger part of the offense next year, depending largely on what happens in the offseason.

It should be an interesting offseason for the Browns who have a lot of questions to answer.  They have some holes, obviously in the run defense and the passing game.  They also have a top first round picks, including the 4th overall pick.  There second one will come down to where Atlanta finishes in the playoffs.  Everyone in the world thinks Andrew Luck is going first overall to the Colts, but after that it becomes more of  a question mark.  The Browns can go a number of ways, with the next top players including CB Morris Claiborne, OT Matt Kalil, WR Justin Blackmon, and QB Robert Griffin III.  Of course, the Browns two best players are Haden and Thomas, so they likely are hoping one of the two offensive play makers fall to them.  It will be interesting to see if Holmgren will give up on McCoy so early, but if Griffin is there, I think he will be the pick without a doubt.  Blackmon would be a great consolation prize and would give this offense some serious fire power along with Little.

The running back situation has to be decided as well.  Hillis won’t be under contract, but I would be surprised if the Browns don’t ultimately re-sign him.  He clashed with management earlier this year about a contract extension, but he lost a lot of leverage when he couldn’t stay on the field this year.  He ended up with just one 100 yard outing, which won’t exactly wow potential suitors in the free agent field.  Of course the Browns don’t have much leverage either.  They drafted Montario Hardesty  in 2010 with the expectation that he would ultimately become the lead back.  He can’t even stay on the field, so there is no way the Browns would be ready to hand him the starting reigns.  I think the most likely scenario will be Hillis signing a short deal, one or two years, that will allow him to prove he is healthy and effective.  Then he can seek that big contract next offseason.  Cleveland could go another way as well.  If they have had enough of Peyton, they could seek out a free agent to compete with Hardesty, or take Trent Richardson who should be available at there 4th overall pick.  There is a lot of talent at RB in this draft, so it won’t be surprising to see them take one with their second first round pick also.

Browns Fall Again

The Browns played their final away game of the season on Sunday, and just like most of the other ones, they lost.  The Ravens went off to a 20-0 lead early in the third quarter before allowing Cleveland to make it close with a final score of 20-14.  Joshua Cribbs scored first for the Browns with an 84 yard punt return.  Seneca Wallace made it a one score game after he connected to Evan Moore for an 8 yard score.  Cleveland would have received the ball with nearly two minutes left of the clock to make one final push for a win, but an unacceptable encroachment penalty allowed the Ravens to get a first down on a fourth and short.  They kneeled out the clock to take the victory.

I mentioned how Seneca Wallace had the chance to prove his worthiness as a starter in this game.  He didn’t exactly embarrass himself out there against one of the top defenses in the league, but didn’t exactly separate himself from Colt McCoy.  He finished with a typical line that Colt has produced this year, finishing with 147 yards, one score and an INT.  Wallace may have a chance to compete for a starting job next year, but no outside competition is brought in, Colt McCoy will likely be the favorite to start.  Another big story going into the offseason will be what the Browns decide to do with Peyton Hillis.  He had his best game of the season with 112 rushing yards on 24 carries.  However, it has been much of a lost season for Hillis who struggled to stay healthy, and has been ineffective much of the time when playing.  He also fought with management earlier this year about a contract extension.  His best bet may be to stay in Cleveland, however, as he certainly did not do much to earn a long term deal.  Helping his case to stay a Brown is the lack of offensive talent currently on the roster.  Hardesty has been even less effective and healthy, so Cleveland would be smart to keep Hillis around.

Little was the leading receiver, but didn’t have an incredible game.  He had 4 catches on 12 targets for 40 yards.  He now has over 60 catches and over 700 yards on the season.  A very impressive rookie season for Little, who has already emerged as the top target in the passing game.

The Browns lost their last 5 games, and 8 of their last 9.  It certainly has been a disappointing season for Cleveland, but growing pains were somewhat expected.  There was definitely higher expectations for some players, and more progress from players such as McCoy, Hillis, and Hardesty would have been made things much better for fans.  They will try to end on a high note and take out the Steelers at home this Sunday.