Fans 24/7 http://www.fans247.com/ en Sat, 19 May 2012 23:18:16 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.fans247.com/images/SeamusLight/misc/rss.png Fans 24/7 http://www.fans247.com/ 2012 Dream Season http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57362-2012-Dream-Season&goto=newpost Sat, 19 May 2012 16:42:27 GMT Man, I know this is the figment of one writer's imagination, but damn........

I loves me the taste of this Kool Aid! Not one but two wins over the Stools? Oh yeah!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...nd-browns-game ]]> Dawg House brooks1957 http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57362-2012-Dream-Season <![CDATA[Weeden's Path to the North Coast]]> http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57361-Weeden-s-Path-to-the-North-Coast&goto=newpost Sat, 19 May 2012 12:45:23 GMT Found this on Yahoo, so I'd like to share. Always interesting to look behind the scenes.

How Weeden became a Brown By Dan Pompei | National Football Post – Sun, May 13, 2012 6:00 AM EDT

After the season ended, the Cleveland Browns knew that in order to get where they wanted to go, they needed better quarterback play. So they looked at every option available to achieve that goal.

Their first conclusion was they needed to help their quarterback better, no matter who it was. They tried to do that by using their most valuable commodity, the third pick in the draft, to select running back Trent Richardson. But they also wanted to make sure they had the best player possible under center.
So this is what the process led them to do.

Step 1: Dream about Peyton Manning. This would have been like Quasimodo dreaming of Esmeralda, however. Manning was looking for a better looking suitor. “We think we are going to be a lot better, but I don’t think we were going to be in Peyton’s mindset in terms of where he wanted to go,” Browns general manager Tom Heckert told me. “He wanted a team that at least was in the playoffs.”


Step 2: Take a wild swing at Andrew Luck. The Browns actually had the ammunition to trade for the first pick in the draft. Team president Mike Holmgren had a talk with Jim Irsay about it, and Heckert worked the possibility with Colts general manager Ryan Grigson, a former co-worker in Philadelphia. “Grigson is one of my best friends,” Heckert said. “I talked to him numerous times about trading up. He told me from Day 1 they weren’t going to do anything with the pick. They knew they were taking Luck from the get-go.”




Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert agreed that Brandon Weeden was their kind of QB.

Step 3: Try to move up two spots to take Robert Griffin III. With the Rams looking to deal down, this was a legitimate possibility. The Rams asked for the Browns’ best offer and the Redskins’ best offer. Of the initial offers, the Redskins’ was superior. When the Browns tried to sweeten their offer, the Rams told them it was too late. The pick, and RGIII, went to the Skins.


Step 4: Study Matt Flynn and other available veterans. There was some appreciation of Flynn in the Browns’ front office. But there wasn’t more appreciation for Flynn than there was for incumbent Colt McCoy. “To make a move with a veteran guy we didn’t think was better than Colt, we weren’t going to do that,” Heckert said. “Colt is a good player. If we went into the season with Colt, we would have been fine.”


Step 5: Consider taking Ryan Tannehill with the fourth pick, or moving down a few spots to do so. The biggest problem the Browns had with taking Tannehill is they liked Richardson more. And they couldn’t have them both. “We didn’t want to use that early pick on a quarterback,” Heckert said. “Trent was the guy we wanted. That made it tough to even think about the Tannehill thing. We didn’t spend a whole lot of time talking about him. We liked him as a player but didn’t see a way we were going to get him.”

Step 6: Compare McCoy to the best quarterback who was available to the Browns in the draft. Heckert didn’t say it, but the truth is there was another quarterback the Browns liked better than Tannehill who was available later in the first round—Brandon Weeden. And they liked him better than McCoy, too.

“We spent a lot of time with Weeden at the school and here,” Heckert said. “The more we watched him and talked to him, the more we thought he could come in here and be our guy. He tells you about the age being a positive and being mature, and it’s the truth. You sit down and talk with him, he’s been through a lot of stuff. He knows the deal. He’s very confident.”

So the Browns decided they could live with McCoy, but they liked Weeden better. “They are complete opposites as quarterbacks,” Heckert said. “Colt is a smaller guy but a really good athlete. He doesn’t have a huge arm. Brandon is a bigger guy with a strong arm who is not near the athlete Colt is. They both are super intelligent. The intangible stuff they are very similar. They both are super workers, they both won a ton of games. The size, athletic ability, arm strength are drastically different.”
So the Browns had to figure out when to take Weeden. At 22, their first inclination was to draft wide receiver Kendall Wright. Then they could have traded up from 37 to get Weeden. Worst-case scenario they could have gone with McCoy and given him a new running back and wide receiver. But when Wright went off the board at 20 to the Titans, the Browns were left with an easy decision.
Now, the plan is for Weeden to come to camp as the first-string quarterback, with McCoy as the No. 2. They will not rule out the possibility of McCoy beating him out. Heckert said the team has not tried to actively trade McCoy, but they would listen if someone came knocking.


If there is one thing the Browns have learned in the quarterback evaluation process, it’s that it helps to be open-minded.


Dan Pompei covers pro football for the Chicago Tribune. Follow him at Twitter@danpompei
Follow @footballpost on Twitter for the latest news.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfp-sun...JRtDS0HIY5nYcB ]]> Dawg House brooks1957 http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57361-Weeden-s-Path-to-the-North-Coast WELGARZ - GOEDERT - DAMON http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57360-WELGARZ-GOEDERT-DAMON&goto=newpost Sat, 19 May 2012 07:58:20 GMT Just reading where Nick Welgarz cleared waivers, and was outrighted to AA and, Jared Goedert was promoted to Columbus. Goedert was hitting .395 ... Just reading where Nick Welgarz cleared waivers, and was outrighted to AA and,
Jared Goedert was promoted to Columbus.

Goedert was hitting .395 at AA --

Not sure what is happening with Welgarz ? --anyone hear? -- He was a hot Prospect
with power -- and Goedert is starting to hit again.

I was talking with Johnny Damon down at Lizs Ice Creme Parlor --

No he wasn't a customer, he was working the floors swinging a broom -- badly at that
nuff said. ]]> The Hot Corner Stoney Greywolf http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57360-WELGARZ-GOEDERT-DAMON Funny Kyrie video http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57359-Funny-Kyrie-video&goto=newpost Fri, 18 May 2012 20:15:14 GMT Enjoy:
]]> In The Paint David http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57359-Funny-Kyrie-video Should the Browns Sign a Veteran DT, or Stick With Rookies? http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57358-Should-the-Browns-Sign-a-Veteran-DT-or-Stick-With-Rookies&goto=newpost Fri, 18 May 2012 19:28:28 GMT Should the Browns Sign a Veteran DT, or Stick With Rookies? by Chris Pokorny (http://www.sbnation.com/users/Chris%20Pokorny) on May 15, 2012 8:34... Should the Browns Sign a Veteran DT, or Stick With Rookies?
by Chris Pokorny on May 15, 2012 8:34 PM EDT



When the Cleveland Browns drafted defensive tackles John Hughes and Billy Winn in the third- and sixth-rounds, respectively, it seemed as though they would contribute as depth players right away. Now that starter Phil Taylor is projected to miss a significant amount of time, and possibly the entire season, should the Browns give those rookies a chance at starting, or bring in a veteran to help replace Taylor for the year?
Last year, when the Browns lost Eric Steinbach during the preseason, they inserted Jason Pinkston, a fifth-round draft pick, into the starting lineup for the entire season. That might be easy when you've got veteran Pro Bowlers like Joe Thomas and Alex Mack beside you, but what happens when you're asked to step in on a defensive line that is young and struggled to defend the run in 2011?
At a luncheon in Canton on Monday, head coach Pat Shurmur talked about the possibility of Hughes contributing right away, and whether they would consider bringing in a veteran player:

"Unfortunately with what happened to Phil Taylor, John’s gonna have to step it up and be a quicker part of what we do," Shurmur said. … "We’re not gonna plug him in. He’s gonna have to get in there and compete with the other defensive tackles to win that spot. If he ends up being the guy, he’s obviously not as big as Phil. But I really believe he can create pass rush inside and play well against the run."
"We’ll continue to look at a veteran really at any position," he said. "And we’ll know about how it all fits once we can get into the OTAs, and they’re all out there working together."
If the Browns do decide that they would like to bring a veteran in, there isn't a very large field to choose from. You've got Albert Haynesworth, but I'd give a definite "no thanks" there. Former Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, 26, was looking for a multi-year deal from Denver but did not get it. Denver appeared to move on from him based on the way they drafted, but Cleveland seems more like a fit for a guy wanting a one-year deal. A veteran run-stuffer like Kelley Gregg is available, but has traditionally played in a 3-4 defense.
The two most attractive options to Cleveland might be Fred Robbins and Tommie Harris. Robbins was with the Rams the past two years, meaning he had some overlap with Shurmur. Likewise, Harris was with the Bears with Dick Jauron was there, so there's some overlap there too. Both players are at the closing stages of their career, but could probably help out in defending the run.
What do you think? Should the Browns sign a veteran defensive tackle to be a part of the rotation, or should they stick exclusively with the youth movement in this case?

Quote:
I would like to see a veteran brought in on a short-term deal and between aforementioned Robbins and Harris, I would go with Robbins. jmho
]]> Dawg House stabber27 http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57358-Should-the-Browns-Sign-a-Veteran-DT-or-Stick-With-Rookies <![CDATA[Rookies & Wild Cards - Offense Will Be Different]]> http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57357-Rookies-amp-Wild-Cards-Offense-Will-Be-Different&goto=newpost Fri, 18 May 2012 15:46:21 GMT Pat Shurmur has what he couldn’t get as a rookie head coach. Now, where does he go with this strange new gift, an offseason? Certainly the... Pat Shurmur has what he couldn’t get as a rookie head coach.
Now, where does he go with this strange new gift, an offseason?
Certainly the discovery of an offense is a top priority as Browns rookies and veterans wind through their first week together.
It’s go time for Shurmur, who by Father’s Day will have taken his mysterious assortment of skill-position players through three, three-day blocks of voluntary spring practices and one mandatory, three-day minicamp.
The Browns will keep their depth chart to themselves until the league makes them publish one the week of the preseason opener (Aug. 10 at Detroit).
Here, however, is an educated guess as to how the brass imagines that depth chart playing out, along with a look at what’s new and what might rock the boat.
QUARTERBACK
1, Brandon Weeden; 2, Colt McCoy; 3, Seneca Wallace; 4, Thad Lewis
What’s new Everything. Weeden is part of a dynamic that has not existed since 1999, in that he is a rookie thought to have a chance to play well immediately on a team expected by the brass to win as early as now and no later than next year.
Wild card Weeden begins to doubt himself, as rookies often do, and McCoy rides a streak of confidence and determination into the season. If McCoy plays and wins, the Weeden timetable warps into the Brady Quinn zone.
RUNNING BACK
1, Trent Richardson; 2, Brandon Jackson; 3, Montario Hardesty; 4, Chris Ogbonnaya; 5, Adonis Thomas
What’s new A running back personnel icon Bill Polian says might have been the best player in the draft.
Wild card Richardson will be nursed through the preseason to keep him fresh for the 16-game grinder. Hardesty will get a chance to relocate the form that caused general manager Tom Heckert to view him as feature back material worth trading into Round 2 (2010) to get. If Hardesty finds it? Rather than having an ordinary change-of-pace back (Jackson) to spell Richardson here and there, a dynamic second option is on board.
WIDE RECEIVER
1, Greg Little; 2, Mohamed Massaquoi; 3, Joshua Cribbs; 4, Travis Benjamin; 5, Jordan Norwood; 6, Carlton Mitchell; 7, Josh Cooper; 8, Rod Windsor; 9, Owen Spencer; 10, Bert Reed; 11, Jermaine Saffold
What’s new Weeden throws “a pretty ball,” Shurmur says. That arm talent and accuracy could change a lot. Benjamin injects an element team president Mike Holmgren calls “fast on fast.”
Wild cards There are a whole deck of them.
Can Little make a big jump as a second-year pro? Can Massaquoi justify Holmgren’s belief that he is much more than he has shown? Can a coordinator with Brad Childress’ credentials finally decode the perfect role for Cribbs? Is Benjamin a track man or can he play? Will the chemistry between college teammates Weeden and Cooper point to an unexpected key role for him? Might someone else — Windsor’s Arena League numbers were astonishing — surprise?
TIGHT END
1, Ben Watson; 2, Evan Moore; 3, Alex Smith; 4, Jordan Cameron; 5, Dan Gronkowski
What’s new Patriot star Rob Gronkowski’s big brother starts the year on the roster after not being signed until Dec. 20.
Wild card Shurmur volunteered a thought about Cameron during a stop in Canton this week. He said the 2011 Round 4 draft pick stepped on the accelerator in the offseason and looks like a different guy.
Cameron is a former basketball star who did little as a USC tight end but is an intriguing sleeper.
Moore’s per-catch average dropped from 20.1 yards in 2010 to 9.5 in 2011. He might play more if Mitchell Schwartz pans out at right tackle. If Scwhartz is ready, it would mean a good blocking tight end, Smith, wouldn’t be needed to bail out a struggling right tackle.
It circles back to Weeden. How much better might Moore be — and every other receiver — if Weeden delivers?

http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x198...l-be-different ]]> Dawg House stabber27 http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57357-Rookies-amp-Wild-Cards-Offense-Will-Be-Different Browns Going Back To the White Face Mask - Chris Cogong Tweets http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57356-Browns-Going-Back-To-the-White-Face-Mask-Chris-Cogong-Tweets&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 23:47:13 GMT _h_ttp://www.waitingfornextyear.com/wp-contenAttachment 1072... http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/wp-contenWard-helmet.jpgt/uploads/2012/05/Ward-helmet.jpg
Attached Images
]]> Dawg House stabber27 http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57356-Browns-Going-Back-To-the-White-Face-Mask-Chris-Cogong-Tweets Next Wes Welker Signed By Patriots http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57355-Next-Wes-Welker-Signed-By-Patriots&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 14:20:11 GMT Report: Rookie WR Ebert inks deal with Pats By: Christopher Price... Report: Rookie WR Ebert inks deal with Pats

By: Christopher Price


Tweet





The Patriots have agreed to a four-year contract with seventh-round pick Jeremy Ebert worth $2.148 million, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com.

Ebert is a 6-foot, 195-pounder out of Northwestern who put together impressive back-to-back seasons in 2010 and 2011, when he had a combined 137 catches -- as a senior, he had 75 receptions, 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns. For his college career, he had 156 catches and 20 career receiving touchdowns. According to Wilson, his deal includes a $48,200 bonus.

Ebert is the second Patriots' draft pick to agree to a contract. Second-round pick Tavon Wilson signed a four-year, $4.217 million contract that includes a $1.507 million signing bonus earlier this month.

For more Patriots news, check out weei.com/patriots.

This is the guy I had us picking in my mock as either a 7th rounder or UDFA. Remember his name cause I really feel he will be taking Welker's place in a year or two. Pats really have a great scouting group imho. ]]> stabber27 http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57355-Next-Wes-Welker-Signed-By-Patriots JOHNNY DAMON HOLDS LAST SUPPER -- http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57354-JOHNNY-DAMON-HOLDS-LAST-SUPPER&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 21:38:23 GMT I was surprised that Johnny called me to fly in for his dinner party. Other invited guests were Felix Pie, Dan Wheeler, Miguel Tejada, Nick... I was surprised that Johnny called me to fly in for his dinner party.
Other invited guests were Felix Pie, Dan Wheeler, Miguel Tejada,
Nick Norglaz -- Ron Spilburg, and Ryan Garko.

Garko was elected as chef --- sorry Jim -- not sure how that was worked out,
probably a good thing :)

I asked John why he invited me, John said I was a loser to as a Tribe Comedian
writer, -- I said Okaaaay -- again why I was invited -- Johnny rolled his eyes.

After a few silent and uneasy moments, Garko yells from the kitchen,
ORDER UP !! -- we all ran to the kitchen excitedly, but to our dismay, sitting
on the table was Dixie Cups and plates with -- cold baked beans, S&S hotdogs, no buns,
mayonaise, no mustard or ketchup -- and a bag of airlines peanuts half eaten.

Tejada asked what in the hell was this, everyone nodded in agreement,
Johnny shrugged his shoulders, said well its free, and besides I could be next,
have to save pennies you know.

I'd say so Johnny, I'd say so, Garko was heard saying the hell with this, no more
paychecks around here, and slammed the door as he left.

Indians Funnier Side -- Stoney Comic Corner -- It is eeezzzzzzz? ]]> The Way I See It Stoney Greywolf http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57354-JOHNNY-DAMON-HOLDS-LAST-SUPPER RELEASE DAMON AND LET CUNNINGHAM PLAY http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57353-RELEASE-DAMON-AND-LET-CUNNINGHAM-PLAY&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 03:05:45 GMT Hang them up JD -- all the signs are here -- Cunningham take his place -- Pure and simple. Hang them up JD -- all the signs are here -- Cunningham take his place -- Pure and simple. ]]> The Hot Corner Stoney Greywolf http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57353-RELEASE-DAMON-AND-LET-CUNNINGHAM-PLAY PIE -- GARKO -- MARSON/UECKER -- http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57352-PIE-GARKO-MARSON-UECKER&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 02:47:25 GMT Felix Pie opened up a taco stand for the Alanta Braves -- signed to a Minor contract to play homeplate, gets a bonus if he trips up 110 oncoming... Felix Pie opened up a taco stand for the Alanta Braves -- signed to a Minor contract
to play homeplate, gets a bonus if he trips up 110 oncoming base runners from
third base.

Ryan Garko found a home with Tampa, as a Red Snapper fisherman, gets a bonus if
if he serves shrimp during team meetings. Signed to minor contract.

Now Marson sits with a .059 BA -- didn't know they keep stats that low.

Talked to Bob Uecker, he smiled, and said, my lifetime.219 BA looks pretty good,
now doesn't it?

Marson couldn't hit a bull in the arse with a soup ladel --

Damon is on schedule to win the prestigeous Here's Your Sign Award -- with a .149 BA
who goes first, Marson or Damon --

Kotchman raised his BA from low .146 to .203 with 13 RBI -- starting to contribute -
no jokes, good to see.

Manny doing a good job managing when considering everything -- Indians are battling and
still in FIRST is quite remarkable --

Indians Sidebar: ]]> The Way I See It Stoney Greywolf http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57352-PIE-GARKO-MARSON-UECKER Well played, Mr. Haden http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57351-Well-played-Mr-Haden&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 15:54:28 GMT http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/joe-haden-browns-db-takes-ohio-teenager-her-092311028.html http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highsc...092311028.html ]]> Dawg House TommyStiletto http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57351-Well-played-Mr-Haden <![CDATA['BIG RED' is ready to compete with Colt McCoy For Starter]]> http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57348-BIG-RED-is-ready-to-compete-with-Colt-McCoy-For-Starter&goto=newpost Mon, 14 May 2012 19:18:15 GMT *Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden ready to start competition for starting job* *Published: Sunday,... Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden ready to start competition for starting job

Published: Sunday, May 13, 2012, 8:43 PM Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012, 6:07 AM

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer






BEREA, Ohio -- Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden wrapped up rookie minicamp Sunday and will leap right into his much-hyped battle for the starting job with Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace Monday in the off-season program.
"Absolutely, I think we're just going to compete," said Weeden at the close of rookie camp. "Nothing will change. I know Colt [is] a good guy. I know Seneca is a good guy. I met Seneca, so I'm looking forward to just being part of the other quarterbacks."
He said the nature of a quarterback competition is misinterpreted.
"Obviously, we're all here and we're going to help each other," he said. "We're human beings. That's really what it comes down to. I'm going to be asking questions to those guys. They've been doing it for a couple years. Seneca for 10."
The Browns are currently in Phase 2 of the off-season program in which players are permitted to work on the field with coaches for about an hour a day. The next phase is organized team activities, full-squad practices that begin May 22.
Weeden, 28, said his five years in minor-league baseball have prepared him for the competition.
"It's obviously going to be different because it's new guys, but we're going to go out and we're a team now," he said. "We're all playing for the name on the front of the jersey, and we're all going to compete to have the best team and win as many games as possible. I'm just going to go about my business. Obviously, it's my first time out, but I'm not going to act any other way than myself."
Shurmur said the Browns are excited about what they saw of Weeden in the five rookie camp practices.
"I think he generally operated well," Shurmur said. "Other than a couple of plays, we did almost everything under center. And I think he handled that extremely well because he's very accurate, he throws a good ball and we can see that he's got a chance to be a very good player."
Weeden's innate throwing ability has impressed the Browns. He threw a tight, fast spiral, launched an effortless deep ball and displayed nice touch on shorter passes.
"I think he's a very smooth thrower," Shurmur said. "He throws the ball easy, and I think a guy that can throw the ball with a smooth motion, the ball presents itself to the receivers well. I think that helps them be more efficient catching it. I like what I've seen from him just in terms of throwing the football, for sure."
Weeden said his experience as a pitcher in the minor leagues has helped him with ball placement.
"For the backs especially, when they're on the little check-downs, trying to lead them up field away from the defender," he said. "I take a lot of pride in doing that, and I think a little bit of that comes from baseball. It's obviously just a comfort in throwing those balls."
Weeden's former Oklahoma State receiver, Josh Cooper, who had an impressive camp as an undrafted free agent, can attest to the quality of Weeden's arm.
"He can either fire it in there or put some touch on it," Cooper said. "He's that kind of quarterback. He knows what to do with the ball. It's a tight spiral, it's coming fast and it's usually right on the money."
But even Cooper had to adjust. As a sophomore, he dislocated two fingers in practice trying to field a Weeden ball.
"It happens," Cooper said. "It's coming so fast, it was just bad luck for me."
Weeden believes he accomplished his goal of getting better each day of camp. By Day 2, his improved grasp of the scheme was evident. It helped that he stayed up late cramming with Cooper the night before camp opened.
Weeden was pleasantly surprised by how much the coaches let him air it out.
"That's one of the misconceptions of the West Coast offense is that we don't really throw the ball down the field," he said. "But we did. We're throwing verticals, throwing corners, which I really like. I think I proved I can throw that ball on the sideline, the corners and the comebacks, so that's the funnest part of my game for me."
His footwork also looked surprisingly good for a quarterback used to playing out of the shotgun.
"For how old he is," joked Cooper, "he's a very mobile quarterback."
And smart, too, according to fullback/tight end Brad Smelley.
"That's what you need in this league," Smelley said.



© 2012 cleveland.com. All rights reserved.

Quote:
I come from a community that loves to use nicknames and the one I like for Brandon Weeden is Le Grande Rouge or in English................BIG RED and I hope not unlike that great champion racehorse Secretariat who was also known as Big Red.
]]> Dawg House stabber27 http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57348-BIG-RED-is-ready-to-compete-with-Colt-McCoy-For-Starter <![CDATA[What Trent Richardson's Contract Could Look Like When Done Article]]> http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57347-What-Trent-Richardson-s-Contract-Could-Look-Like-When-Done-Article&goto=newpost Mon, 14 May 2012 11:59:21 GMT May 10, 2012 by Craig Lyndall (http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/author/craig/) Image:... May 10, 2012 by Craig Lyndall

The new rookie wage scale is supposed to make contracts easier. Now that we are in the second year of the program, I expect it to be even easier than last year, especially for Trent Richardson who wants his deal done by Friday. Most of the rookies at the top of the first round get their four-year deals fully guaranteed. Last year’s third-overall selection Marcell Dareus agreed to a 4-year $20.4 million deal with the Bills.
The breakdown of that deal looked something like this.
Salaries Signing Bonus Cap Number
2011 $376,371 $3,335,000 $3,711,371
2012 $1,302,605 $3,335,000 $4,637,605
2013 $2,230,210 $3,335,000 $5,565,210
2014 $3,157,814 $3,335,000 $6,492,814
Total $7,067,000 $13,340,000 $20,407,000
So without too much trouble the Browns should be able to figure out how to get Trent Richardson’s deal done as long as it doesn’t get too nit-picky in terms of structure. Just assume that Richardson’s deal will be 100% guaranteed and four years long and probably with an option year for the fifth year. ]]> Dawg House stabber27 http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57347-What-Trent-Richardson-s-Contract-Could-Look-Like-When-Done-Article Good news for Andra Davis http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57346-Good-news-for-Andra-Davis&goto=newpost Mon, 14 May 2012 00:04:12 GMT He was always one of my favoite Browns of the last decade. Congrats Andra!! ---Quote--- Veteran NFL player gets degree from UNLV LAS VEGAS... He was always one of my favoite Browns of the last decade. Congrats Andra!!

Quote:
Veteran NFL player gets degree from UNLV
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- NFL linebacker Andra Davis is among some 3,000 students who received undergraduate degrees Saturday at UNLV.
UNLV athletic officials say the 33-year-old linebacker took part in commencement ceremonies after earning his bachelor's degree in social science studies from the College of Liberal Arts.
Davis, who lives in Denver, took online courses and completed an internship at a Las Vegas public charter school for at-risk students.
He played for the University of Florida, but didn't graduate before he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2002. He also has played for the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills, and currently is a free agent hoping to continue his career.
Former Browns defensive line coach Andre Patterson encouraged Davis to get his degree.
]]> Dawg House Bustando http://www.fans247.com/showthread.php?57346-Good-news-for-Andra-Davis