Monthly Archives: July 2014

MY 2014 PRE-SEASON ALL-AFC NORTH DEFENSE

DE- Carlos Dunlap                         Bengals

NT- Haloti Ngata                           Ravens

DE- Wallace Gilberry                     Bengals

OLB- Vontaze Burfict                    Bengals

ILB- Lawrence Timmons               Steelers

ILB- Karlos Dansby                        Browns

OLB- Terrell Suggs                        Ravens

CB- Joe Haden                               Browns

CB- Lardarius Webb                      Ravens

SS- Troy Polamalua                      Steelers

FS- Donte Whitner                        Browns

 

P– Sam Koch                                 Ravens

 

Team Totals – Ravens 4, Browns 3, Bengals 3, Steelers 2

 

MIKE PETTINE TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWING DAY #2 OF CLEVELAND BROWNS TRAINING CAMP

Check out what Browns head coach Mike Pettine had to say to the media following day #2 of Browns training camp in Berea, Ohio. (7-27-14)

Opening statement:

“Just before we get started real quick, I know some people might ask about [OL Jason] Pinkston. Pinkston’s unavailable to practice and due to his circumstances I cannot comment on it any further. I want to give you more, but just given the circumstances, I can’t. That’s where we are with Jason.”

On if he has any idea when he’ll be back:

“No.”

On if he’ll be back:

“Possibility.”

On if it’s health related:

“I will not speak on it further.”

On if QB Johnny Manziel took a step back today:

“No, and I don’t know if I want to stand here every day just walking off the field and evaluate the performance. Until we watch the tape and look at the grade sheets and kind of know what was asked of him and what he did and making sure the guys around him are doing the right thing—it’s similar to after a game. I don’t know how much true evaluation I’ll be able to offer. Sometimes you think one thing and you get in and watch the tape and your opinion changes completely, so it’s hard to say.”

On what he was trying to get accomplished today with the passing game:

“We’re still in the install. What we installed in the spring, we circle back. We start right at the beginning. We do have a handful of new guys, but it’s still repetition. We’re still very much in just the basic. We haven’t put pads on yet. We’ll even circle back in some of these core concepts we put in, in shorts. We want to make sure we get these practiced well with pads also. Some of the things that went in day one and two, we’ll go back into the install for tomorrow.”

On if it’s encouraging to see QB Brian Hoyer looking confident on his knee today after talking about it  yesterday—monitoring it, seeing if there’s swelling, things like that:

“It is and I think it’s just a matter of getting the repetitions with confidence. I think anybody coming off (an ACL injury), it’s just human nature, may be a little flighty early with lots of big bodies flying around. I think he’ll only get more comfortable as we go.”

On how you’re not comparing apples to apples when comparing which quarterback had the better day—they were working with two different supporting casts:

“It’s not. They still have things they need to accomplish every play. That starts with getting the play and calling it right in the huddle—all the minute details that they’re being evaluated on. Footwork, where their eyes are, if their eyes are where they’re supposed to be as far as making the read, the mechanics of the throw—all those things go into it. I’m thinking that we will mix the groupings up, but it’s just still so early. We’re still technically under the rules of the mini-camp. Until we put pads on and really get going, things will stay as they are.”

On if he thinks he’ll keep this ‘Brian Hoyer first team reps’ thing going a little bit longer or if he thinks he’ll get Johnny in there:

“A little bit longer. The players are off on Wednesday. Then we’ll get with—not just with the quarterback competition but with the other groups—and evaluate. These are the players that have gotten reps with this group, and we want to make sure we get things evened out so we get a good evaluation.”

On moving TE MarQueis Gray to full back in mini-camp and if he’s staying there:

“Yeah, we’re hopeful. That’s a position that, as I’ve talked about before, any time you have a versatile player there that can do the fullback jobs but has a history of a tight end, receiver-type skill set, from a defensive perspective, I always thought that was problematic. You don’t know what you’re in. Usually, when there’s a true fullback in the game, it really restricts the call-sheet offensively, and you can really dial in defensively when you have a guy that’s that hybrid-type in there. That can cause some problems.”

On why they didn’t see OL Joe Thomas out there:

“Joe is just one of our veteran guys. He’ll periodically have a day off. We didn’t want to just give him all the days in shorts and then turn around and not have him in there for when we got started in pads. When he’s out there he’ll be on a pitch count and then we’ll periodically have scheduled days off just for being a veteran player. He’s shown he’s done it. We’ll give some other guys an opportunity.”

On if DB Joe Haden is OK as well:

“He returned to practice.”

On if he thinks that Brian Hoyer was a little too geeked up yesterday given all the circumstances he had yesterday—coming off an injury, hometown guy, his dream job, all the Johnny Manziel hype—and if today he was more relaxed:

“Yeah, I think that for all the things you said, he would have to be a robot not to be affected. I don’t know if you asked him that or not. There was a lot going on inside his head, but it’s a solid start for both quarterbacks.”

On what’s going on at the inside linebacker sport next to LB Karlos Dansby:

“Competition—we’ve got (LB) Craig Robertson. We’ve got (Chris) Kirksey. We even out Dansby on the edge today for a couple of snaps and let those other guys play inside. We’ll mix and match. It’s part of what we do to get guys cross trained. You always want to be in a position to have your best 11 out there. I think we’ll have more than enough reps to get that position evaluated before we get to the opener.”

On if DL Phil Taylor has tried the conditioning test again:

“No, he’s rehabbing right now.”

On fans taking notice of Johnny Manziel’s gear change—he changed his shoes—and if that means anything:

“Well I got tied up inside. I never even knew that he came out. I’m a black shoe black sock guy myself, much more conservative. By the time I came out he had his regular shoes on anyway.”

On if there is a team rule you have to abide by in relation to his shoes:

“Yeah, I think it’s the equipment, team issued gear. DL Calvin Barnett came out yesterday and decided to wear Oklahoma State socks. That lasted a day. Even though they were Browns’ orange, that lasted a day.”

On what he sees from WR Andrew Hawkins after making nice catches over the last few days, but still developing chemistry with the quarterbacks:

“It’s why he’s here. We identified that in him. He’s been an ultimate professional. He’s been great with the other guys in the room. You would think he was a 10-year veteran with the way he carries himself. When we talk to the young wide receivers, he’s the guy—if you want to pattern yourself after a guy, that’s the guy. He comes out and works hard every day, on the field, off the field. It’s been a very pleasant surprise. To me, when you have a guy that has that type of separation ability, that type of quickness that can turn a short game into a long one, it can only be a plus for you.”

On what he’s looking forward to with the first day of pads and if there is anything special planned:

“Nothing special planned for, but I want to be able to hear the practice. To me, you know when the pads are popping and we’re getting after each other. It’s been tough on the offense because it’s advantage defense when you’re not in pads. It’s a little tougher to block a guy when there’s less blocking surface. That to me, has been what’s been missing so far is to master the physical techniques that you’re not able to practice without pads on, and tomorrow will be the start of that.”

On how good DL Desmond Bryant is when he’s healthy and how important he can be to the defense:

“Very important—He’s already flashed some. We didn’t have him for the spring and these past two days he’s already jumped off the tape a little bit for us. He’s another guy we’ll keep an eye on how many reps he’s taking. I think the nice thing about that defensive line room is the depth, that we can keep a guy like Des fresh, that he doesn’t necessarily have to be out there all three downs, that we can save him for the long third down and let him rush the pass.”

On when he watched the tapes last year, if he saw a difference in how he played the rest of the season as opposed to the first few games when he was arguably the best defender the Browns had:

“Yeah, it was noticeable. I don’t know the exact details of it, but he was darn good early.”

On if there will be any Oklahoma drill tomorrow:

“No.”

On if there will be an inside run drill tomorrow:

“Yes, we’ll do an inside run period every day. It essentially ends up being no wide receivers, no corners. We won’t get too exotic defensively. It’ll be let’s line up and see who can play. To me it’s the counterpart of when we do seven on seven. That’s usually advantage offense—clear pass rush, no throwing lanes—whereas that inside drill should be advantage defense. It’s more of a mentality thing. We want to come off. We want to block people. We want to get off blocks. We want to knock people back. If we want to establish that mentality, we have to do that drill.”

On why he think that the shift around the NFL has been a passing league, but the Browns and the really most of the AFC North seem to believe in defense first, that the run sets up the pass, smash mouth football and why he still believes that’s the way to win:

“I think it’s been proven. I know that you look at what we did in the offseason, the improvement at running back and some of the moves we made up front. We’re still going to have the ability to throw the football. We’re not just going to put one wide receiver out there and go two tight ends. We want to be an efficient offense whether it’s running or passing. We’re not just going to say we’re going to run. You want to be unpredictable. That’s when you’re the most successful, when you’re throwing it when people think you’re going to run and vice versa. I think you have to have the ability to run the football. When you get a lead you can win the game, or when it’s bad weather and you can’t throw it you have to be able to move the ball still.”

On things getting a little feisty at practice and if he likes that:

“Not necessarily. I use the phrase—and you guys will probably get tired of me saying it—it’s competitive, not combative. I talked to all the players that were involved with both of them. We don’t need that. It’s not good for them. It’s not good for us. It’s not going to help guys make the team. It’s going to happen. I understand it, but it’s a bad habit to have in practice because then you can say, ‘I won’t lose my cool in the game.’ That’s easy to say and that’s harder to do.”

LEBRON JAMES TO WEAR #23 AGAIN FOR THE CAVS

After asking the fans on Twitter and Instagram to help him make the decision as to which jersey number he should wear for the upcoming 2014-15 season with the Cavs, LeBron James has decided to once again wear number #23.

LeBron Powder Toss Photo

Photo courtesy of David Richard

James took to social media to make his announcement today.

James wore number #23 for the first seven years of his career in Cleveland before switching to #6 when he signed with the Miami Heat as a free agent in 2010.

MY 2014 PRE-SEASON ALL-AFC NORTH OFFENSE

QB- Ben Roethlisberger                Steelers

RB- Giovani Bernard                     Bengals

WR- A.J. Green                               Bengals

WR- Antonio Brown                      Steelers

WR- Torey Smith                           Ravens

TE- Jordan Cameron                     Browns

LT- Joe Thomas                             Browns

LG- Kelechi Osemele                    Ravens

C-  Alex Mack                                Browns

RG- Marshall Yanda                     Ravens

RT- Andre Smith                           Bengals

 

PK – Justin Tucker                        Ravens

PR- Antonio Brown                      Steelers

KR- Jacoby Jones                           Ravens

 

Team Totals – Ravens 5, Browns 3, Steelers 3, Bengals 3

TRANSCRIPT OF JONNY MANZIEL’S PRESS CONFERENCE FOLLOWING THE 1ST DAY OF BROWNS TRAINING

 

Johnny Manziel Smiling at NFL Draft

So how did the first day of training camp (7-26-14) go for Johnny Football? Has he learned from his so-called off the field mistakes yet? Read that and more here in the official Browns transcript from his post-practice press conference.

On the first day of training camp:

“It felt like Day 1. It was really good I think. We ran the ball really well; better than we did in OTAs. That’s nice. We’re getting great push. I think our offensive line is doing a really good job. It was really good, got better as the day went on. I think we’re getting better.”

On if there is a different intensity to training camp practice compared to the spring:

“It’s absolutely a different intensity. We had a team meeting yesterday and on the board it shows how many days we have until the first preseason game, second, our first [regular season] game. It’s getting real now. We only have 42 days until the first game and 16 until the first preseason game. It’s getting close. It’s getting real.”

On Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam saying he hopes Manziel can learn from LeBron James and Derek Jeter:

“Those are two of the greatest athletes to play their respective sports in this country. I’m sure they all made their mistakes at 21 years old, 20 years old, when they first came into the league. What I take away from that is you learn from the best and you learn how those guys have carried themselves, which is extremely well on and off the court. I think I absolutely agree with Mr. Haslam that I can learn from guys like that.”

On if he’s comfortable during this time of year playing football:

“Yeah, it’s great. I have a smile on my face pretty much 24-7 being around here. The days get a little long, but that’s what training camp is, and I think everybody knows that. Going into this, they go into it with that mindset. Everybody’s ready to be back. It’s a grind, but we’re lucky enough to come out and, as our job, play football every day and come out here and have a great fan base, people that are cheering for us 24-7. It’s awesome. It’s a great feeling.”

On much different practice is with fans attending:

“It’s definitely different for me having practices open to the fans and stuff, but they’re cheering throughout the entire day. I really did enjoy it. I think it’s great for our fans to get a chance to see up close and personal that we’re working extremely hard to try and change things around here and we’re trying to be successful. Hopefully, we continue to bring this buzz and this excitement to the city.”

On what it’s like seeing his No. 2 jerseys in the stands at practice:

“Personally, I’ve had an incredible fan base that’s followed me and really come out of the woodwork here in Cleveland for me. It’s truly incredible. I’m truly thankful to have those guys, but more than anything, it’s not just my number, my name on the back. It’s Cleveland. It’s the Browns. It’s awesome to have the fan base that we have for this team, not just me. It’s a great turnout today, and I’m sure that won’t stop anytime soon.”

On what his biggest challenge is right now:

“We’re going to be going quick, Day 1 install, Day 2, Day 3. We’re going to keep going on. To really try and lock down these days one day at a time, I really feel like I have a great grasp on that install, go to the next install. Get a grasp of that, and on and on and on until we get our entire playbook in. Then from there, go back over, review, really just feel comfortable with everything. That’s what I have to do. The plays that I feel comfortable with, I know I can go out and execute better. That just takes time. That takes reps. That takes going over it time and time again. Really it just takes time.”

On what lessons he has to learn:

“Here’s the thing that I want to say. The reason that I’m popular or the reason that people follow me and there’s been such a buzz around me is when I went out on Saturdays at Texas A&M, I played with an extreme amount of passion and I played with my heart on my sleeve, but more than anything, I had fun. I have fun playing this game. I have fun going out on this field playing football. It’s what I live for. It’s what I do, same way off the field. Whether I’m playing golf, going out having a night life, whatever it is, I have a lot of fun. That’s what my life is, and luckily for me I’m living out my dream of playing in the NFL having a ton of fun. My dream has come true, and I finally got some time to get some downtime and celebrate that with my family, with my friends. This is the greatest life that I could have ever imagined for me, and I’m loving that. Will I continue to get better being a professional and learn lessons about life? Of course, I’m 21 years old. Age is not an excuse, but I need to mature and I have done some immature things. Moving forward, I’m going to try and mature and get better and handle myself better as a professional. That’s really all I can say about that. My life is incredible. I’m blessed to be in this position. I’m going to have fun each and every day, whether it’s practice, whether it’s training camp, whether it’s during the season going out and playing a game which will be even better, or it’s going out in the offseason or playing golf or hanging out with my family. Life is fun. Enjoy while it’s here.”

On if there are plays in the playbook that suit him better than others and if he thinks that gives him an edge in the quarterback competition:

“There are definitely plays that suit me being able to be mobile and run around a little bit. We have some read stuff that definitely plays into my hand a little bit. I don’t know if that gives me an edge, but I know it’s fun for me being able to get plays that I’m comfortable with and I feel like I’ve ran throughout my career playing football.”

On how he maximizes every play and practice:

“For me, every rep, every little special teams drill that we do, going over to the side working with the quarterbacks, every little thing I have to take extremely serious and really pay attention. Whether I’m in or (Browns QBs) Brian’s (Hoyer) in or Tyler (Thigpen) or Connor (Shaw), whenever someone else is in I have to take a mental rep and continue to not just look at my plays on a scripted sheet, but look at the entirety of it and see what I could potentially get when we’re in the season. Taking mental reps, what I would do here, looking at the entire defense and trying to pick up even when I’m not in is something that I think I could take advantage of.”

On how he and the offense got better at practice:

“I know for me, personally, came out a little slow, just bouncing around a little bit. Then, as we got into some team periods, started moving the ball a little bit the offense started to pick up. It was good to see. We started throwing the ball down the field a little more. I know our first team period was a lot more just rollouts, some runs. As the scripts went on, as our team periods went on and our situations, it just picked up. We started throwing the ball down the field, and people started to liven up, which was nice.”

MY 2014 BROWNS PROJECTED STARTERS FOR WEEK ONE

This is of course subject to change based on injury, practice and game performance, but this is how I see the 2014 Cleveland Browns lining up on Sunday, September 7th at Pittsburgh.

I’ve said it all along and I’m sticking to it, I believe it would be smart to start Brian Hoyer at quarterback for the first three games of the season if healthy, and see how he does. If he plays well and you’re winning you stick with him. If he struggles, or the offense struggles and you’re 1-2, or 0-3 after playing Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Baltimore then use the bye week in week #4, to reevaluate the QB position and decide if it’s time for Johnny Manziel to be your starter in game four at Tennessee.Johnny Manziel Browns SI Cover Photo

On defense I know that the Browns spent a lot of money in free agency on outside linebacker Paul Kruger last year, but he was a big disappointment. I believe there’s a great chance for second year linebacker and last year’s first round pick Barkevious Mingo to step up in camp and earn a starting job there. I also believe that this year’s first round pick, Justin Gilbert will beat out Buster Skrine for the right corner back spot and start from day one.

Here are my projected starters as of (7-26-14) for the Cleveland Browns:

OFFENSE

QB- Brian Hoyer

RB- Ben Tate

WR- Andrew Hawkins

WR- Miles Austin

WR- Nate Burleson

TE- Jordan Cameron

LT- Joe Thomas,

LG- Joel Bitonio

C – Alex Mack

RG- John Greco

RT- Mitchell Schwartz

 

DEFENSE 

LDE- Ahtyba Rubin

NT- Phil Taylor

RDE- Desmond Bryant

LOLB- Barkevious Mingo

LILB- Craig Robertson

RILB- Karlos Dansby

ROLB- Jabaal Sheard

LCB- Joe Haden

SS- Donte Whitner

FS- Tashaun Gibson

RCB- Justin Gilbert

YOU CAN’T HURRY LOVE

Phil Collins said it best in song, “I need love, love, ooh to ease my mind.” And, “ You can’t hurry love. No, you’ll just have to wait. Love don’t come easy, but it’s a game of give and take.”

Isn’t that the truth for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

After signing Andrew Wiggins, the number #1 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft yesterday, the Cavs will have to wait until August 23rd at the earliest, in order to add Love, as in Kevin Love, to their roster and maybe ease the mind of LeBron James.2014 NBA Draft

Due to NBA rules, the Cavs cannot trade Wiggins for 30 days after the signing of his rookie contract. So LeBron, Cavs G.M. David Griffin, T-Wolves head honcho Flip Saunders and NBA fans everywhere will have to wait and see if the most talked about trade this off season will come to fruition. If it does happen, will it be with the Cavs and will Wiggins will be in the deal? If not the Cavs, then does Love go to Chicago or Golden State and for whom?

Kevin Love BR

Photo courtesy of Bleacher Report

 

Let’s say the Cavaliers end up winning the Kevin Love sweepstakes and it costs them Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and at least one first round draft pick along with other players/contracts(that’s the rumored deal that’s out there now). With Love on the roster it would make the Cavaliers starting line-up arguably one of the best, if not the best starting line-up in the NBA. But what would it do to the Cavaliers depth this season and in the future?

Here are the potential Cavs line-ups and depth charts with Love and without Love. You decide which roster you’d prefer to have.

With Kevin Love:

PG- Kyrie Irving, Matthew Dellavedova

SG- Dion Waiters, Joe Harris

SF- LeBron James, Mike Miller, James Jones

PF- Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Dwight Powell,

C- Andy Varejao, Brendan Haywood

 Without Kevin Love:

PG- Kyrie Irving, Matthew Dellavedova

SG- Andrew Wiggins, Dion Waiters, Joe Harris

SF- LeBron James, Mike Miller, James  Jones

PF- Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett, Dwight Powell

C- Andy Varejao, Brendan Haywood

Take your time in making your decision on which roster you would prefer because David Griffin and the Cavs can’t do anything for another month. As much as they would like to hurry Love to Cleveland, there’s still a lot of give and take that has to happen.

ANDREW WIGGINS SIGNS WITH CAVS, BUT WILL HE STAY WITH CAVS?

The Cleveland Cavaliers made it official today, signing Andrew Wiggins, the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

The 6’8, 200 pound swingman was chosen by Cavs G.M. David Griffin over Jabari Parker and his Jayhawhks teammate Joel Embiid.

Andrew Wiggins photo Sitting & Smiling

Wiggins left after his freshman year at Kansas where he averaged 17.1ppg and 5.9rpg. In 4 games for the Cavs in the Las Vegas Summer League, Wiggins averaged 15.5ppg.

By signing Wiggins today the Cavaliers are unable to trade the talented rookie for 30 days, as they continue to explore the possibility of dealing for Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love.

Minnesota part owner, president and head coach Flip Saunders has made it clear that if the Cavs want Love, Wiggins must be the centerpiece of the deal.

There have been varying reports on whether or not the Cavaliers are willing to part with Wiggins. If they do, his salary of $5.5 million for his rookie season will now count as part of the deal since he has officially signed his contract, but any trade involving Wiggins can’t officially happen now for 30 days. The Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors are also reportedly interested in trading for Kevin Love.

Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst the Cavs have also signed 2nd round pick, shooting guard Joe Harris out of Virginia to a 3-year, $2.75 million dollar contract.

 

FRANK CALIENDO AS MORGAN FREEMAN READING LEBRON’S LETTER, PLUS HIS JON GRUDEN, CHRIS BERMAN AND MORE

I don’t call him the funniest man in America for nothing. Here”s a double dose of comedian and friend, Frank Caliendo doing what he does best.Frank Caliendo and Kenny Roda photo

 

First, his dead on Morgan Freeman impression while reading LeBron’s SI.com letter –

“The LeBron James Redemption”

Second, his segment last night with Keith Olbermann nailing his Jon Gruden, Chris Berman and John Madden impressions –

You can see more of Frank Caliendo this Friday, July 25th at 7pm on ESPN as the four letter network airs a 30 minute special – “The Best and Worst of Frank Caliendo Impressions”.

PODCAST -THE RODA REPORT ON 92.3 THE FAN 7-23-14

If you missed the “Roda Report” today on 92.3 The Fan with Andy Baskin and Jeff Phelps you can listen here as we talked Cavs/T-Wolves trade, Coach Luke stopped by and Hoyer vs Manziel in camp.

 Listen here – CBS Cleveland