Author: admin

The Greater Cincinnati Browns Backers announce a party this Sunday September 28 for the game against the Bengals downtown at Sully’s. Since the Bengals have decided to no longer offer us tickets (yes, Mike Brown, we were buying your garbage long before the johnny-come-lately Bengals fans took our seats) for the game here in Cincinnati.

No charge for members and visitors can join us for $10.

Beer, pop, and snacks at halftime are on the club. The rest is up to you. We’ll also hold a raffle for Browns merchandise and a special raffle for tickets to attend the Browns-Bengals game later this season in Cleveland. The proceeds from the tickets raffle will go to Donate Life. You’ll also be able to help out Donate Life by purchasing a bracelet. Club t-shirts will be available for $10.

We look forward to seeing you there.

It appears Sully’s wont have the game tonight – so Ann has made arrangements with Willie’s in Covington. For those of you that don’t know, Willie’s used to be our home until we outgrew the space. However, they have always been great about using their old-school satellite to grab the preseason games out of the sky for us.

Please note, Sully’s will have all of the regular season games and the preseason Monday night game. The preseason games are regional telecasts and not always available via the NFL channels on DirecTV. See you tonight. – Matt Booher

Willie’s Sports Bar – COVINGTON
401 Crescent Ave
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 581-1500

The NFL released schedules yesterday and the big talk around the league seems to be the five Cleveland Browns primetime games. We’ve known since last year that this team was ready for primetime, but wow, five games under the lights is pretty remarkable.

Planning the bus trip might be a little tricky this season, but we’ll figure something out.

Sep 07  DALLAS @  CLEVELAND      4:15 PM

Sep 14     PITTSBURGH @ CLEVELAND    8:15 PM

Sep 21     CLEVELAND @ BALTIMORE     4:15 PM

Sep 28     CLEVELAND @ CINCINNATI     1:00 PM

Oct 06     Bye

Oct 13     NY GIANTS @ CLEVELAND     8:30 PM

Oct 19     CLEVELAND @ WASHINGTON     4:15 PM

Oct 26     CLEVELAND @ JACKSONVILLE 4:05 PM

Nov 02     BALTIMORE @ CLEVELAND     1:00 PM

Nov 06     DENVER @ CLEVELAND    8:15 PM

Nov 17     CLEVELAND @ BUFFALO     8:30 PM

Nov 23     HOUSTON @ CLEVELAND     1:00 PM

Nov 30     INDIANAPOLIS @ CLEVELAND 1:00 PM

Dec 07     CLEVELAND @ TENNESSEE     1:00 PM

Dec 15     CLEVELAND @ PHILADELPHIA 8:30 PM

Dec 21     CINCINNATI @ CLEVELAND     1:00 PM

Dec 28     CLEVELAND @ PITTSBURGH    1:00 PM

Provided by Paul Thiel (appeared in GCBB Newsletter)

Looking forward to free agency to begin on February 29, the Browns faced a lot of concerns for a 10-6 team. Their starting quarterback was about to become a free agent, even if a restricted one. Their only proven running back was about to become a true free agent. Unknown to us, their number two wide receiver had expressed that at age 33 he no longer considered himself up to the rigors of being a starting wide receiver. Their proven veteran depth on the offensive line in the form of Lennie Friedman and Seth McKinney was about to become free agents. Their defensive line boasted possibly two NFL quality starters when they need a rotation of at least four and preferably six. They lacked both run stopping ability inside and, aside from Kamerion Wimbley, pass rush ability outside at linebacker. Add to all this the lack of a first round draft choice to fall back on in areas where free agency failed, and Phil Savage clearly had his work cut out for him.

And so free agency began. After going back and forth on the years, the Browns finally relented and inked Jamal Lewis to a three year deal worth about $17 million with six to seven million of it guaranteed. This signing solidifies the Browns’ running back situation for 2008. The concern is that Lewis’ production will thereafter decline quickly because of his age – 29 in August – and his punishing running style. Very often runners decline in a hurry at age 30. (See Shaun Alexander.) Let us hope that the Browns do not end up paying Lewis millions after he is shot.

Having re-signed their own key free agents, the Browns next turned their attention to their beleaguered defensive line. After reviewing draftable players, the Browns decided that they were unlikely to get immediate defensive line help late in the second round and beyond. They also saw the top defensive line free agents either unsuited to a 3-4 or restricted. They therefore decided on trades. First the Browns sent their second round pick to Green Bay for franchised defensive tackle Corey Williams, 6-3½ 313 27 a 2004 sixth round draft choice out of Arkansas State. Williams is big and quick, and he will hustle and chase, but despite his size there are questions about his ability to hold his ground and his durability. The Browns turned around and signed Williams to a six year contract for $39 million.

The Browns next completed an off then on trade with Detroit for two time pro bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, 6-4½ 340 29 on March 12 a 2001 second round draft choice out of Texas. Rogers is huge and powerful, a freakish athlete for his size, has explosive strength and quickness and will rush and chase. But Rogers has also always carried the fat and lazy tag. He has played at a Romeo-esque 370 pounds and at anywhere near that weight tires easily and is ineffective. How good Rogers will be is completely up to him and his weight. This trade was risky enough in that the Browns gave up both their third round draft pick and also starting cornerback Leigh Bodden. The Browns then redoubled their risk by signing Rogers to a six year contract for $42 million. It is only a slight exaggeration to say that this deal could make or break the Browns’ defense for years to come.

The Browns next turned their attention to real free agency signing ex-Patriot wide receiver Donté Stallworth to a seven year deal worth $35 million. Stallworth, 6-0 200 4.4 27, was a 2002 New Orleans first round draft choice out of Tennessee. He is a top athlete with tremendous balance and body control. He is very quick, fast and strong for his size, has great explosive speed and strength. He runs good routes, breaks tackles, can make the exceptional catch, is a dangerous runner after the catch and can be a game breaker. Despite all this, Stallworth has never been a top wide receiver possibly because of ball dropping, consistency and durability issues or possibly because of the quarterbacks and systems he played with/in. Stallworth is still young and talented enough that if the Browns’ offense is right for him, he could be a hall of famer. I was amazed that the Browns were able to sign him as their number three receiving option. This should complete the making of a top five offense.

On March 10 the Browns signed offensive guard/center Rex Hadnot, 6-2 325 26 a Dolphins 2004 sixth round draft choice out of Houston to a two year contract. Hadnot is a smart, tough, aggressive overachiever who lacks height and athletic ability. He was an ordinary starter for 55 games for the Dolphins and figures to be a backup replacing Seth McKinney for the Browns. On March 11 the Browns followed up by re-signing backup center Lennie Friedman thus solidifying the veteran backups on the offensive line.

Having lost linebacker Chaun Thompson to Texas in free agency, the Browns turned around on March 21 and signed linebacker Shantee Orr, 6-1 259 4.75, a five year veteran who went undrafted after coming out of Michigan early in 2003. Orr is quick and has a great motor and football intelligence, but he lacks the movement skills to excel as a traditional linebacker. Expect to see Orr on special teams and perhaps as a pass rusher in passing situations

Having missed out signing rush linebackers Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom, the Browns still have work to do in free agency. They still need to beef up their defensive line rotation. No one should be reassured that the fifth and sixth defensive linemen will come from Rams reject Louis Leonard and 2007 Browns draft choices and practice squaders Melila Purcell and Chase Pittman. The Browns still need a big, run stopping inside linebacker and probably still a pass rushing outside linebacker. Plus they now have at least a question mark at cornerback without Bodden. There is still time in free agency, and I expect the Browns to sign more free agents. But with the draft rapidly approaching, don’t expect anything until after the June 1 cuts provide a new batch of free agents on the market.

Derek Anderson and Kellen Winslow were added to the AFC Pro Bowl squad on Monday bringing the total of Cleveland Browns invited to Hawaii for the NFL Pro Bowl to six. Anderson and Winslow join Braylon Edwards, Josh Cribbs, Joe Thomas, and long-snapper Ryan Pontbriand and represent the largest Browns contingent at the Pro Bowl since the Browns sent eight in 1988.

The Pro Bowl will be televised by FOX on Sunday, February 10 at 4:30pm. Tune in and check out the Browns in the Pro Bowl since Jamir Miller last appeared for Cleveland in 2001.

Injury Report

Cleveland: Did Not Participate in Practice: LB Antwan Peek (ankle), DE Orpheus Roye (knee); Limited Participation in Practice: WR Joe Jurevicius (knee), DE Robaire Smith (neck), DL Shaun Smith (biceps), TE Kellen Winslow (knee).

San Francisco: Out: QB Trent Dilfer (concussion); Did Not Participate in Practice: QB Shaun Hill (back); Limited Participation in Practice: WR Arnaz Battle (ankle), RB Frank Gore (ankle), WR Jason Hill (groin), CB Marcus Hudson (knee), RB Michael Robinson (shoulder), LB Derek Smith (shoulder), CB Shawntae Spencer (quad); Full Participation in Practice: LB Jeff Ulbrich (ankle).

News and Notes

Joining Elite Company: Browns RB Jamal Lewis, who has rushed for 8,977 yards in his career, is 23 rushing yards away from becoming the 26th running back in NFL history to surpass the 9,000-yard mark. In the Browns Week 15 win over the Bills, Lewis went over the 1,000-yard plateau for the season, becoming the eighth Browns RB to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and marking the 21st time in Browns history that a RB has rushed for 1,000 yards or more. Lewis has now rushed for 1,000+ yards in six of the eight seasons he has been in the NFL. With 1,176 rushing yards on the season, Lewis ranks fifth in the AFC and seventh in the NFL.

NFL Rushing Leaders

Player Team Yards
LaDainian Tomlinson SD 1,418
Willie Parker Pit. 1,316
Adrian Peterson Min. 1,305
Brian Westbrook Phi. 1,291
Willis McGahee Bal. 1,207
Fred Taylor Jac. 1,202
Jamal Lewis Cle 1,176

In addition, Lewis currently has nine rushing touchdowns on the year. In 2006, Lewis finished the year with nine touchdowns and his season-high total is 14 set in 2003.

NFL Rushing TD Leaders

Player Team rushing TDs
LaDainian Tomlinson SD 15
Adrian Peterson Min. 12
Joseph Addai Ind. 12
Earnest Graham TB 10
Marion Barber Dal. 10
Jamal Lewis Cle 9

Maurice Jones-Drew (Jac.) and Clinton Portis (Was.) have nine rushing TDs.

Home Sweet Home: With a win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17 at Cleveland Browns Stadium, the Browns would establish a franchise high with seven home wins in one season. Thanks to H Thanks to their 8-0 win over the Bills in Week 15, the Browns marked their sixth consecutive victory at home. The last time the Browns won six-straight home games was in 1994. The six home wins also tie the franchise-record for home wins in a season and marks the 11th time in team history the Browns have won six games at home.

Double-Digit Delight: In addition to being able to set a franchise record for home wins in a season with a victory over the 49ers, the Browns would also finish the year with 10 victories. With a victory on Sunday, the Browns would reach double-digit wins for the first time since returning to the NFL in 1999 and for the first time since finishing 11-5 in 1994.

Getting His ‘Phil’: Browns K Phil Dawson needs four points in the Week 17 contest with the 49ers to set the franchise record for most points in a season by a kicker. Dawson is also 15 points away from breaking Jim Brown’s franchise record of 126 points in a season (1965).

Dorsey Three-Year Extension: The Browns signed QB Ken Dorsey to a three-year contract extension on Wednesday. Dorsey has been the third quarterback for the Browns in each of the last two seasons. Dorsey appeared in one game for the Browns in 2006 and has appeared in 12 career games, including ten starts, during his five year career with Cleveland and San Francisco. During his career, Dorsey is 171-of-317 passing for 1,712 yards with eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Roster Tidbits: On Wednesday, the Browns announced that they signed DE Bobby Hamilton, signed DE Melila Purcell from the practice squad to the active roster, and have signed DE Zach West to the practice squad. Hamilton is a 12-year NFL veteran and has played in 164 career games, including 102 starts, with the N.Y. Jets, New England and Oakland. Hamilton was a member of the 2001 and 2003 New England Super Bowl championship teams. Purcell was a sixth-round, 200th overall, draft choice of the Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft and has spent the entire season on the club’s practice squad. West spent two weeks this season on the New England Patriots practice squad. West is an undrafted rookie out of Texas El-Paso.

From The Locker Room

Head Coach Romeo Crennel

(On whether it will be devastating if they don’t get the help they need Sunday night because of all they have accomplished this season)- “If we don’t make it, we’ll be disappointed that we didn’t make it. But what we’ve been able to accomplish this year has been a lot of positive things for the community, for the team, for the organization and I don’t think you can take that away because – particularly if we win on Sunday – even if we don’t make it, it’s a 10-win season and a 7-1 home record. All of those things are tremendous accomplishments.”

(On whether he got the response he was looking for from his players yesterdays as they prepare for this weeks game)- “Morale was good. I didn’t see a hangover. I think guys are disappointed that we were not able to wrap it up when we had it our hands. Now they know that it’s somebody else’s hand and when you don’t have control you’re disappointed about it. But I think that they’re going to go play a good football game on Sunday and the attitude was good yesterday trying to get ready for it.”

(On how QB Derek Anderson has played this year)- “He’s played really good. When you think of what he has been able to do and where this team has come, he’s had a good year. Last week, he would like to have done a little bit better and I think this week he will do better. Overall, when you look at the total picture, it’s been a good year for him.”