James Jackson

James Jackson wants a trade. This isn't news -- it's the Browns who really should want a trade, for the right compensation. Only now Jackson has finally pulled a Northcutt and spoken out, or, if you prefer, pulled a KJ and decided to be a problem-child. Anyway, I do doubt that Jackson's rant will have much of an effect on whether the Browns actually do trade him. It's the last year of his contract (he recently signed a one-year extension -- who knows why if he was so unhappy), so wherever he is he's gotta perform for his next deal, which would very likely be his largest and final contract. As I see it, it basically comes does to this: if the Browns think Dee Brown or Nick Maddox can be nearly as effective as Jackson, they should trade him .

As for compensation, a 5th rounder would be enough, and I'd be happy with a 4th. Butch Davis has been angling to net a 3rd but that's just not going to happen because the Browns really don't have much leverage -- there will be a lot of mediocre running backs hitting the market in the next week, and no team will pay such a high price to make a modest upgrade. Now is not the time to get greedy.

One final note -- it's interesting that Jackson and his agent has played this card. Jackson had two options: 1) force a trade to be a starter somewhere. Try and negotiate a new deal with the new team before the season starts, otherwise play the year as a starter. 2) Ride out the year with the Browns as a backup. Continue to perform well in spot duty. Hit the market next offseason. Maybe I am being conservative, but if I were a player I wouldn't percieve #2 as the less option. If anything, it allows Jackson the means of hitting the open market when teams should view him positively having played well for the Browns, and without racking up a lot of mileage either. He would have been able to get a Duce Staley type of deal in 2005. Instead, he went with the first route which means he'll either extend his contract with a new team now at below-market value (for a starter), or he'll be forced to produce on the field and that's not a proprosition without considerable risk -- Jackson is solid but he doesn't have talent to spare, and he has been somewhat injury prone. I think his agent may have done him a disservice.

Encouraging, Worrying

It was nice the Browns starters held a slim 7-6 lead over the Chiefs while they were on the field. Suggs and Green again looked excellent, and the defense seems to be adopting the old bend-but-don't-break style. All good things. But on the negative side, Garcia just can't get it going with the wide outs and that spells some trouble at this late stage of the preseason. And the starting d-line still seems unable to generate any tye of pressure on it's own merit.

Ravens Adding Deion

It sounds like it's imminent. While I have doubts he'll really be that good, I wouldn't bet against him, at a minimum, having his moments. It also makes me really, really want to see the Browns top the Ravens in the opener. And while I'm not all-in on Winslow's "soldier" mentality, I have to admit it would be nice to see him run over some of the loudmouths on the Ravens defense.

KC and the D

The Chiefs made big news by blitzing the Rams last week and basicaly shutting down one of the better passing offenses in the league (though without Pace that is now debatable). People are starting to proclaim the Chiefs' D up to par with their offense. But it's a mirage. Why? Cause thery are bringing blitzes during the preseason when 1) the defense is always ahead of the offense, and 2) blitz pickups are notariously missed. But pay attention to any NFL season and you see that teams who blitz a lot have effective first halfs, then get burnt like toast in the second half. Only the very rare teams with outstanding personnel can blitz consistently in December and get away with it.

So maybe tonight the Browns struggle against a blitzing defense. So what -- if anything perhaps that will help speed up the OL and RB's process of countering the blitz, and the team will be better off when the regular season starts.

Along these same lines, the Plain Dealer perpetuates a myth today with Mary Kay Cabot's article: "If the Browns' offense has been wondering how it will fare against the Ravens' swarming defense in the opener Sept. 12, it will find out tonight in the third preseason game in Kansas City." Sounds like a good preview, but it's just not accurate. The Ravens don't normally blitz very much; they run a 3-4 with often means one LB is rushing the passer, but unless another LB or a corner is also bringing it, it's not a blitz. It's more accurate to say the Ravens excel at cleaning up in the secondary with very good linebackers and defensive backs, and the 3-4 just adds to the challenge the opposing OL faces in determining who to block. Maybe out of that there is a similarity to KC's pointlessly blitzing preseason performances, but it isn't an obvious one.

Keeping left tackle Ross Verba healthy is more important now than ever.

No crap. Joaquin Gonzalez, who served rather admirably when pressed to start at left tackle late last season, is down for about 4 weeks. And along with that, we should be on Orange Alert -- any injury to Ross Verba would put the season on the brink before it even starts.

And YET AGAIN, Browns fans have to hope twine and bailing wire hold together the offensive line. I am 30 years old and for as long as I can remember this has been the case. Let the football gods look favorably on our weakspot this season, that we may get through the season with our anchors intact....

Bernie

It's nice to hear the Bernie made a visit to training camp this week. And it's actually better to hear that he spent most of his time inside headquarters meetiing with Randy Lerner, which suggests they were actually having significant discussions about whatever has been keeping the Browns and Bernie from somehow working together. Kosar's quotes in the local media following his visit did not hint there was anything formal that might come out of this -- he pretty much only said, "It's been a while — can't remember the last time (he visiting camp)." And he still said he was occupied with his family and business interests. But for the moment it's at least nice to know that Randy Lerner and company are making real efforts to getting the real history of the Browns back into the fold, and not just giving lip service to it.

Along those same lines, and along the same lines as comments I made a while back about Collins, I have to say I'm becoming more and more impressed with how Randy Lerner is reshaping the Browns. He seems really serious about turning the Browns into an organization that is truly setup to succeed. In fact, Lerner's active leadership is an important factor that is often overlooked when people criticize the Browns for so much front office turn-over and Butch Davis' seemingly unchecked power. In many ways, it is Lerner who seems to have replaced Policy. The results of all the changes can't be judged for a couple years, but to me the early signs are pretty positive.

Frost

One of the Browns offseason questions was how to replace the reliable Chris Gardocki. The unproven Derrick Frost was one of the few highlights of the Browns first preseason game, landing 3 punts inside the 20-yard line. While there's no way to say Frost is a great punter until he sticks the Steelers back deep in late-season, pressure-packed games, I'd say if he has another good performance this Saturday we can count on Frost to be a fairly capable replacement.

Steelers OG Simmons Goes Down

A pretty significant blow for the Steelers as starting RG Kendall Simmons tore up his knee and is likely out for the year. It's probably not a Verba-like, crushing blow to the Steelers offensive line, but it could be almost as big depending on how things play out. With a quarterback as immobile and shaky as Maddox, improvement over 2003 along the OL is a prerequisite to the Steelers getting back to .500 or better. That chances of that happening are looking somewhat bleak today.

"Fourth-year veteran Keydrick Vincent is the top backup at guard and likely will replace Simmons against the Houston Texas on Saturday at Heinz Field."

LeBron in Athens

I didn't see the game so I don't know how representative it is, but it sounds like LeBron is getting quite a bit of credit for the men's team not dissappointing (yet). It's probably wise to reserve judgement on the team and LeBron until they get at least into the medal round though.

From ESPN's Page2:

Two Words For You:
JAMES. GANG.

More LeBron is the solution to what's ailing U.S. Hoops.

The 89-79 win over Australia (coming from 12 points behind) was notable for the dominant 24-12 fourth quarter. On the floor for the entire period? LeBron.

Turns out he's a pretty stellar international player -- because the entire Olympic trick is passing and he does that better than anyone else on the roster. The U.S. played better precisely because LeBron was in there.

"Playing freshmen" might be anathema to Larry Brown's sensibilities, but it's time for him to build on his decision to play LeBron for the entire fourth.

If LeBron leads the U.S. in minutes played, it will win the gold and quash the critics. If Brown overthinks and limits LeBron's minutes -- because he's young, because he likes to celebrate after baskets, whatever -- the U.S. will have no one to blame but the guy doling out the PT.

ESPN ON Browns Camp

Their observations are all pretty much on the money, even to the point where they admit the team might not be as bad as commonly believed to be. They also chime in on the same-old same-old from Warren, and manage to give soem new hope that the guy may yet still become a force. Overall, a pretty even handed and somewhat more positive outlook that what the Browns have been getting treated to this offseason. In fact, no mention is even made of the front office upheaval. Maybe everyone is just sick of hearing about it. Let's hope that's the case for the coaches and players too.

TMQ's Verdict

Browns, call us back when you get some players. Ouch.

Trade Rumors

Would the Browns trade Quincy Morgan or Andre Davis to Miami fro unsigned defensive end Adewale Ogunleye? I think they would. On the surface this potential trade might not make much sense -- the Browns already have a lot invested in their current defensive line, and while the team has some decent receivers they don't have much proven depth beyond the top 3. But the Browns haven't had much of a pass rush for years.

You could make an argument than both Morgan and Davis are expendable. Morgan would clearly be my choice to go in a trade. Besides being a good blocker and a sporadically dangerous deep threat, the guy has just never learned how to properly catch a football. We'd lose a little something in trading him, but it may not be a big a loss as expected. Andre Davis, on the other hand, is not a perfect player -- although he's very solid in catching the ball and is a big threat over the middle, he does struggle to gain separation and get open consistently. But he catches the tough balls and, perhaps with the supposed stressing of the illegal contact rules this season, he may be primed for a more productive year. Were either of these players go in a trade, Northcutt becomes the second starting receiver and Frisman Jackson probably becomes comes in at flanker in 3 WR sets with Northcutt in the slot. It probably doesn't scare too many teams, but it is formidable. Especially when you figure Winslow into the mix.

Of course, it would be nice if the Browns could acquire an offensive lineman (say, Vernon Carey?) instead of Ogunleye. That could really transform the offense in a positive way. I'm sure Davis, Campo, and Robiskie are debating whether the upgraded pass rush would compensate for losing a weapon on offense. We'll see. One good thing -- the Browns do seem to have cap space to pay a guy like Ogunleye. If the Browns think he is the real deal (and on that count, I have no idea), I think the Browns pursue it earnestly.

Winslow Making Headlines

And I honestly don't know if they are good or bad -- I don't know what to make of the dude. But his words and actions in Tuesday's practice are definitely attention grabbing.

MMQB Loves the Browns

Well, almost. This cloumn is now in first place in the National Media - Positive Browns News category. He even throws in some love for Mark Shapiro.

One Game Out

Awesome. Enough that I really didn't care much about the Browns getting worked in Tennessee.

One Game Out

Before saying anything about the Browns vs. Titans, the Tribe deserves a note: they've been awesome for much of the season. I had thought they'd be among the most entertaining teams we've had in Cleveland, and they definitely are. Now we can really get into the fact they are good. Sure, they may stumble a bit down the stretch here and not win the Central. But I can't see them falling out of the race now that the bullpen is a bit more steady. And the offense is clearly the real deal. If you like baseball at all, the Indians are a really, really fun team to watch this year. They're already the most satisfying Cleveland team in the last year or two.

One Game Out

Before saying anything about the Browns vs. Titans, the Tribe deserves a note: they've been awesome for much of the season. I had thought they'd be among the most entertaining teams we've had in Cleveland, and they definitely are. Now we can really get into the fact they are good. Sure, they may stumble a bit down the stretch here and not win the Central. But I can't see them falling out of the race now that the bullpen is a bit more steady. And the offense is clearly the real deal. If you like baseball at all, the Indians are a really, really fun team to watch this year. They're already the most satisfying Cleveland team in the last year or two.

Jamal Reynolds Gone

That was quick. The guy must have been a major, major bust. Or, if you prefer, perhaps this means Word and Ekuban have looked pretty solid in camp.

Roger Brown

With the Indians 6 games over .500, now is a good time to remember little swarmy comments he's made. Like this one.

Nice to hear:

Players ringed the stadium and signed autographs after practice. They were in no hurry to leave.

Garcia was the last player to leave the field after signing autographs. He not only gave away his jersey. He also gave his shoes to fans before walking to the locker room.

"They Got Crushed"

Ouch. The concensus seems to be that the Browns paid Winslow like a #3 or maybe #4 pick. After digesting the numbers more it does seem like the Browns caved more than the Postons, if only because the incentives are so easily attainable --- Winslow can reach the incentives and still not be a great player. But I guess there's only so much we can worry about it now. As Grossi writes, "the contract won't matter if Davis is right about Winslow. Only if he is wrong."

Kirwan on Browns

Don't know how I missed this, but it's a pretty fair look at where the team is at right now. No surprises, but the criticism has the right tone and makes a couple key points -- the WRs might be okay, but are probably below-average overall by NFL standards, and the defense is in danger of being lackluster.

Delivered

Winslow signs the contract today. The deal is for the same dollars as the original "best offer," only much more guaranteed money. And the Browns can realistically claim they didn't move much from that best offer. It's probably a win-win sort of deal. I am really impressed with the way Collins handled this.

As a side note, it is funny how wrong the emerging conventional wisdom of a few days ago was wrong. As last as last eventing John Clayton was predicting gloom + doom and Winslow wouldn't sign until the regular season. People in the BerniesInsiders bulleting boards were raging about how Collins had screwed up the negotiations by "going public" and turning things confrontational. But none of that was true. The move did exactly what I was hoping it did -- apply a little pressure, putting the burden of movement on the Postons where it belonged, and drew a financial line that was unlikely to be crossed. Heck, even Len Pasquarelli said, "The move was an intriguing bit of gamesmanship, one in which the team seized some of the public momentum away from the agents, whose history is rife with long holdouts and contentious bargaining." How things change!

And it apparently worked, because none of the worst fears about the Postons seeking Monopoly money came true. All the rumored demands were just that. The Postons did got more guaranteed money, the Browns stay right around the dollar amounts they had previously discussed. It was by no means easy and the Browns still paid more for Winslow than for another #6 pick. But otherwise this wasn't too unlike any of the Browns other first round negotiations, except perhaps that the team played more aggressively.

Winslow Is Signed (We Think)

Not yet signed literally, but it is a done deal according to Fox Sports. No contract details of any sort, but if true he should be in camp Wednesday or Thursday. The Browns website is only saying, "the Browns would not comment, but the team hoped that leak indicated that the Winslow camp had the mindset to get a contract completed." So hold the champagne...

Still, if true, cool. Let's win some football games now.

And, if true, I have to hand it to Collins. So far I am really impressed by the guy. He's made _real_ changes to the way the Browns relate to the public (as opposed to Policy's bag of wind), successfully handled what was expected to be a massively contentious contract negotiation in which he was supposedly out of his league, and gotten all the other rookies to camp on time. Not bad. Although I'm sure we will hear a lot of innuendo from "around the NFL" that the Browns still somehow botched the Winslow thing, but my guess is that attitude is outdated. The Browns front office may have already turned the corner and the rest of the NFL and media haven't quite realized it. Now, hopefully the same can soon be said for the Browns ON the field....

Oh yeah, I heard John Clayton on ESPN radio this morning being ungodly pessimistic, how the Charger's Rivers negotiations had broken down but they were nothing compared to the Browns and Winslow. The guy is a jacka$$. I don't think I've ever heard him report something accurate about the Browns, and I question that his apparent scoops regarding other teams are any more accurate.

CB.com on Winslow non-deal

PatMac continues being a journalist, being firm but fair on the Browns and Winslow. I still don't see what a big mistake it was for the Browns to release information about their "best deal" offer though.

Positive Press

Rev up the bus, the 2004 Browns hype is (finally) starting up. Sportline kicks it off with a suite of mostly positive Browns articles as the team takes its turn in the site's training campe previews here and here. And Pro Football Weekly joins in a with a paragraph. This is about as good as it has gotten in the national publications.

Deal on Horizon?

WTAM reports that a deal is "looming" after Poston #1 spent a few hours in Berea yesterday. Even if he signed today, that would mean Winslow wouldn't practice until Wednesday or Thursday. I think everyone is getting anxious to see the dude in uniform and staying late in practice.

PatMac Putting It Together

Maybe this is how it will go at CB.com -- The big, leading headlines will show a tilt towards the Browns company line, but the smaller, news+notes-style stories contain nuggets of insight, criticism and praise. Witness PatMac's Ten & Out, which is probably the best thing he's written on the site so far. At the very least, there will be _some_ very good content. Some of the best lines.... "Leading up to the scrimmage, William Green was looking better and better at running back. In the scrimmage, Lee Suggs was the star." ... "Robert Griffith took the blame for the deep pass thrown to Lee Evans, but the coaching staff knew another thing: Evans beat Daylon McCutcheon." ... "When Verba tweaked his hamstring early in Friday's practice, it set off little alarm bells among the Browns coaching staff." ... "The Browns probably can't say it, but this is a huge year for (Courtney) Brown. He re-did his deal for this season, but there was no adjustment to 2005, when he's due to make $5.5 million." Good stuff!

The near-daily Ask Pat is also quite good. Don't miss his addressing the fact that he now works for Pravda. Hehe. All in all, I think it's great to have another place for good Browns content on the web.

Kendall

I'm bummed the Browns didn't get Kendall. We need depth at guard. I would have liked to have seen the Browns more eagerly pursue him, but last I read over half the NFL expressed some interest in him so for all we know the Browns did really go after him. Too bad.

Scrimmage W/Bills

I didn't see it so it's hard to comment. But from what I've gleaned these are the things to think following the scrimmage:

• The run defense is okay. Even though ESPN.com is falling over itself to proclaim McGahee and his 4TDs the next new superstar, it really doesn't sound like the Browns run D had a bad day at all. Travis Henry and McGahee both were pretty much bottled up by the first-team defense.
  
• Injuries at LB might be an issue. It sounded like most of McGahee's success came on runs to the outside, which tells me the linebackers had some problems gettin to the ball. I suppose that could mean the DL was getting beat and some offensive linemen were able to plant blocks on linebackers, but for now I think the linebackers have some issues. Hopefully this has more to do with injuries and changing roles than anything else.
  
• I'm not at all comfortable with Robert Griffith being the starting safety. His years in Cleveland haven't convinced me he's much better than Percy Elsworth. Maybe a little better. But I put a lot of the blame for Jamal Lewis' record-setting day on Griffith.
  
• Garcia didn't have a good scrimmage. But I'm nto worried about him at all. As long as he's looking good in practice and is able to turn the occasional sure sack into a first down, then I am a happy fan.
  
• Suggs is going to be the starter, but this isn't the end of William Green. Suggs demonstrating that he is a game player, not a practice player. Green, on the other hand, could be a fine starter if he could maintain his assertiveness. But for now it sounds like he's still slow to the hole, which is a big deal in the NFL.
  
• I'm becoming less and less enthusiastic about our WRs. Andre Davis is consistent but I'm starting to wonder if he'll be able to consistently get open -- everything I read says he is very slow to break free of aggressive coverage. Perhaps this year's newly enforced contact rules will benefit him. Morgan should be a very solid stater if he learned how to catch with his hands, but he hasn't so he won't be. Northcutt is still the best playmaker, even though there are only certain things you can ask him to do. Everyone else is an also-ran. Jackson sounds like a nice weapon. King is wuiet but at least consistent. CJ Jones might provide a spark. If I were a Browns WR I would be praying Winslow is the real deal and frees up space in the secondary.
  

This Week is Time for Winslow to Sign

Perhaps I am stating the obvious, but I think this week Winslow has to sign or else we are looking at some serious damage to his ability to contribute in the regular season. He's already behind, but another week will bury the guy in audibles and blocking schemes when he'll still be trying to get adjusted to the speed and level of physicality at the NFL level. The NFL regular season is not the place to learn this stuff. I'm not saying he can't make a diifference for the Browns in 2004 if he isn't signed this week, but he will likely flash some big-time talent between missed blocks and ro8ut-running mistakes. And while I'll cheer wildly when he makes a 60-yard TD catch, it's the ability for the Browns to avoid turnovers and get the tough yards that will be the biggest factor in the team's success.

In today;s news we saw that John Collins will likely increase the team's "best offer" to Winslow. Some people on the BerniesInsiders bulletin boards think this is a loss to the Browns, that Collins is botching things. So far I just don't see that. It seems to me that Collins wisely asserted himself by making the "best offer" public as it certainly painted the Postons in a negative light and applied some pressure where there otherwise would have been none. And, a week later, admitting the team will have to move from it's "best offer" is not an admission of defeat as much as it is realistic considering some of the other contracts that have been signed. But at least the team has played tough so far and made public it's determination to negotiate a deal they can live with. I'd probably choose this course of action over the old Policy-smooth-sell-then-show-frustration approach.

Peja?

You have think Paxson is making some calls offering Wagner, Diop and other players or picks for Peja Stojakovic. I doubt the Cavs have the right players to make an attractive enough offer, but if there is any player who would be just what the Cavs need I'd say he is the guy. If I were Paxson I would be willing to give up anyone on the roster outside of LeBron. A lineup with Snow/MacGinnis, LeBron, Stojakovic, Gooden, and Z would be pretty awesome.

Hehe

Funny stuff on KWII. I already resent the fact I have to call the guy KWII the same way I hated calling the President "W," but that's an entirely different matter.

Local Bills

Nate Clements, Lee Evans, London Fletcher. And Ignatius grad Drew Haddad is trying to make the team as a WR. He's made the Colts roster in the past, and recently was among the leading receivers of NFL Europe. He's probably nearing his last shot at the NFL so I hope he does well.

Local boys

Nate Clements, Lee Evans, London Fletcher. And Ignatius grad Drew Haddad is trying to make the team as a WR. He's made the Colts roster in the past, and recently was among the leading receivers of NFL Europe. He's probably nearing his last shot at the NFL so I hope he does well.

Local boys

Nate Clements, Lee Evans, London Fletcher. And Ignatius grad Drew Haddad is trying to make the team as a WR. He's made the Colts roster in the past, and recently was among the leading receivers of NFL Europe. He's probably nearing his last shot at the NFL so I hope he does well.

Local guys in Bills camp

Nate Clements, Lee Evans, London Fletcher. And Ignatius grad Drew Haddad is trying to make the team as a WR. He's made the Colts roster in the past, and recently was among the leading receivers of NFL Europe. He's probably nearing his last shot at the NFL so I hope he does well.

Local guys in Bills camp

Nate Clements, Lee Evans, London Fletcher. And Ignatius grad Drew Haddad is trying to make the team as a WR. He's made the Colts roster in the past, and recently was among the leading receivers of NFL Europe. He's probably nearing his last shot at the NFL so I hope he does well.

Local guys in Bills camp

Nate Clements, Lee Evans, London Fletcher. And Ignatius grad Drew Haddad is trying to make the team as a WR. He's made the Colts roster in the past, and recently was among the leading receivers of NFL Europe. He's probably nearing his last shot at the NFL so I hope he does well.

Local guys in Bills camp

Nate Clements, Lee Evans, London Fletcher. And Ignatius grad Drew Haddad is trying to make the team as a WR. He's made the Colts roster in the past, and recently was among the leading receivers of NFL Europe. He's probably nearing his last shot at the NFL so I hope he does well.

Local guys in Bills camp

As the Browns start practicing against the Bills, it's worth mentioning that, in addition to prominent Clevelanders who've made the Bills roster like Nate Clements, Lee Evans, and London Fletcher, Ignatius grad Drew Haddad is in Bills camp trying to make the team. He most recently played quite well in NFL Europe. This is probably nearing his final shot in the NFL so I hope it goes well for him.

Local guys in Bills camp

As the Browns start practicing against the Bills, it's worth mentioning that, in addition to prominent Clevelanders who've made the Bills roster like Nate Clements, Lee Evans, and London Fletcher, Ignatius grad Drew Haddad is in Bills camp trying to make the team. He most recently played quite well in NFL Europe. This is probably nearing his final shot in the NFL so I hope it goes well for him.

Various Mismash

Sean Taylor firing his agent would certainly seem to bolster Winslow's argument that Taylor signed a bad deal. Of course, whether a bad deal for #5 is still a bad deal for #6 could be another matter, except the Browns are already on record saying they were willing to pay Winslow the same as Taylor. It sure seems like, one way or another, the Browns are going to have to throw in a couple million more in guaranteed money than Taylor got. You'd think both sides would be able to save face on something like that.

Still, Sean Taylor is an idiot. You don't sign early then fire your agent when everyone else uses your deal as a benchmark to be surpassed. You're an adult, and part of being an adult is recognizing that a contract is binding, not something you can suddenly change by firing an agent. He's basically claiming ignorance. Except as an adult, ignorance is just an excuse that no one cares about. If I had to choose, I'd much prefer a punk like Winslow to an idiot like Taylor. Slim pickens I know. Plus, there's a few articles out there about how poorly Taylor has been looking in Redskins camp.

Bravo the Browns extending Daylon McCutcheon's contract. The guy has been solid, and he was the defense's best performer during the first couple years. He never seemed to regain his stellar tackling ability after hurting his arm (shoulder? wrist?) two years back, but I'm hoping that aggressiveness returns. He's certainly been solid in coverage throughout all five years, and I'm happy he'll be around for another five.

The more I read about camp, the more I think the following:

• Garcia is going to be great for this team. We already have had pretty good skill players, and this is the first time we have an aggressive, mobile quarterback. And he sounds like a real leader. If he stays on the field I think he'll really impress. Of course, getting Winslow to also throw to can't hurt either.
  
  
• If rumors of Gerard Warren's dominance at camp are true, that's great. But you also have to be suspicious until that dude can play well for a whole season.
  
  
• While reports are positive, I haven't heard anything that makes me think the offensive line will be much improved. It still sounds like improvement at guard is extremely important, and signing a veteran would be a good move that is, you know, actually possible (as opposed to signing a left tackle).
  
  
• Now that Chaun Thompson is out for at least 1-2 weeks with a busted wrist, can we stop pretending like he is the starter? Really, is there any harm in starting a more experienced LB and letting Thompson elevate himself to the starting lineup after a couple games? The dude hardly ever played defense last season. At least let the guy earn it this year cause if he flops early he's forever going to be labelled accordingly.
  
  
• I like Lee Suggs quite a bit but don't him winning the starting RB position outright over William Green. Green can run with more power and if he can be aggressive you can't keep him on the bench.
  
  
• I have no qualms about the receivers on this team except for maybe Morgan. Andre Davis is, to me, the one sure thing on offense. Northcutt isn't far behind. And Frisman Jackson and CJ Jones make for adequate backups and special team performers.
  
  
• PatMac's mention that Butch still have an "unpainted corner" in his office speaks to Butch's focus on football, his lack of attention to detail, or perhaps his plans for a bigger office. It was nice to read that Butch is losing weight this training camp cause he was looking positively fat last season. I know it sounds stupid but if the Browns come out of the gate strong I guarantee you'll hear commentators talk about how Davis's team is surprising athletic and aggressive, and one of the reasons people will feel that way is because Davis won't look so damn pudgy and slow on the sidelines. [This paragraph may mark the crossing of the Rubicon into overanalysis of the 2004 season.]
  
  
• David Gibson has been cut and DB Tim Wansley. The team still needs a dependable backup safety. Right now it's the rookie Curry and maybe Crocker.
  
  
• I will buy several beers for the first guy who heckles Kellen Winslow Sr. at the Stadium. He makes me thankful for my own father even more than I already am.
  
  
• I can see: Suggs and Green each rushing for 600+ yards. Garcia scrambling for 4-5 TDs. Andre Davis being considered the #1 wide out. Anthony Henry being considered for a backup ProBowl slot. Ekuban being cut. Shea being cut, or at least coming darn close. Derrick Frost putting his condo up for sale in about 5 months.

It's Working

The Browns appear to be getting friendly press coverage on the Winslow hold-out, as the web site's story on Garcia telling Winslow to get to camp appears to be getting paraphrased all over the place. It'd be really interesting to know how an AP story like this was promulgated and whether the Browns site is a primary source or the PD article was. The one on the Browns site seems closest to the AP version.

More CB.com junk

New homepage at CB.com. It's an improvement anyway. It also heralds the arrival of PatMac's Man About Browns Town column, which I suppose will be regular notes on the team. It sounds like the most interesting of things to be put up on the site, but the first article is a pretty lame puff piece about Garcia.

Somehow I missed PatMac's column on working for the Browns. A worthwhile read. I do at least get the sense that once he gets more comfortable working there and the season starts he will be more likely to write more informative and probably critical stuff.

It Could Happen in Cleveland

Or, rather, there might be a few guys who'd LIKE it to....

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CB.com is Dissappointing

"Garcia to Winslow: ‘Join us'" is the headline and it's an obvious PR piece that helps put the pressure on Winslow. THe forst 80% of the article is quotes from Garcia going on about how Winslow needs to be here, maybe it doesn't matter so much if Winslow isn't here, whatever. Only the at the very end do we see what is probably the prevaling sentiment in the locker room -- Jeff Faine and Terrelle Smith say things like, "I would like for Kellen to get as much money as he can." That would have made for a more interesting headline, or at least a nice counterpoint to the article if it had been written that way.

This and little else have been on the site in the last week. PatMac has a fluff piece about Warrick Holdman, and the rest is the same things reported everywhere else.

Silver Lining

At least we didn't draft Sean Taylor... Are all these Miami guys complete headcases or what?

Kendall

Are the Browns interested in veteran OG Pete Kendall or not? If not, I think we need to know why.

F***ed up Organization?

This site is ragging the Browns big time. They make some valide points, but nothing that hasn't been said numerous times elsewhere, and done more politely too. Still, the idea that Collins and Davis are at-odds is interesting and could be a problem. Or it could be an oversight. Or it could be intentional. Or it could be another instance of Butch saying one thing and doing another. Who knows. But this web site mentioned above is hyperventilating for show, thinking everyonw will think they are cool if they thrown some swear words into their copy. How about they get the facts right? Like how they claim the hiring of McMannamon and Carducci was not officially announced -- why don't you check the Browns web site, or even this one. It certainly wasn't a secret. Frickin' idiots.