Monthly Archives: March 2016

Cleveland Browns 2016 Offseason Media Schedule

Browns Helmet Sideways Photo

Date(s) Event

April 5  Offseason workouts

April 19-21 Voluntary veteran minicamp

April 22 Pre-draft availability

April 28-30 NFL Draft

May 13-15 Rookie minicamp

May 14 Fan Fest

May 18 OTA session #2

May 25 OTA session #5

June 1 OTA session #8

June 7-9 Mandatory veteran minicamp

TBD Training camp

 

BROWNS OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE ON SIGNING RG3

Browns sign QB Robert Griffin III

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have signed free agent QB Robert Griffin III.

“We are excited to add Robert to our team,” said Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown. “Robert possesses a unique skill set at the quarterback position. He has played at a high level in this league and is intent on doing everything in his power to return to that level on a consistent basis. After meeting with him, having him work out for us and doing our diligent research, we felt it was right to grant him an opportunity with our organization. We were able to see and feel his passion and commitment to re-establishing himself as a starting quarterback in this league and his embrace of the hard work that will be is essential to his development. We’ve been clear on the importance of improving and stabilizing the quarterback position for our franchise. We have said that the draft is and will be our primary focus, but we will always look to complement the draft through free agency, and this is one of those examples. We look forward to working with Robert and getting him in the building with his teammates at the start of the offseason program on April 4.”

“We are excited about Robert joining the Cleveland Browns,” said Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson. “He brings starting experience to our team and organization. He’s a young, athletic, talented passer and he’s really just starting out in this league. Just like every player on our team, Robert will have to earn every opportunity he gets. He will compete with the rest of the quarterbacks on our roster and he helps improve our QB room, which was one of my goals upon taking the job. It’s a special room and we want to put special people and players in that room. We are looking forward to working with Robert, as well as the rest of the quarterbacks on our roster. We have a lot of work to do to prepare to be the best QB room in the NFL and we look forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”

“I’m excited about the opportunity to join the Dawg Pound and help build something here in Cleveland,” Griffin said. “Coach Hue and Pep (Hamilton), I had a great meeting with them. I really believe in what they preach and how they can help not only me as a player but this team win games and that’s what we’re all about.

“I’m just excited to come in and compete. Nothing’s ever been given to me in my life, so I just want to go out and compete with the guys and grow with this team. I feel like that’s all I’m really focused on. I cherish the opportunity to get another chance to play this beautiful game.”

Griffin is 6-2, 218 pounds and entering his fifth NFL season out of Baylor. Originally selected by Washington with the second overall pick in 2012, Griffin has appeared in 37 games with 35 starts. He has completed 679 of 1,063 passes (63.9 percent) for 8,097 yards with 40 touchdowns, 23 interceptions and a 90.6 rating. He has added 1,480 career rushing yards with eight scores.

Griffin set NFL rookie records for passer rating (102.4), interception percentage (1.27) and rushing yards by a quarterback (815) en route to being named 2012 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection. He led the Redskins to a 10-6 record and their first division title in 13 years. Griffin totaled 3,200 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 815 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

Starting 13 games in 2013, Griffin recorded a career-high 3,203 passing yards, as he became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to record 3,000 passing yards in each of his first two seasons. He started seven games in 2014 and registered 1,694 passing yards. Last season, he was inactive 15 games and dressed but did not play in another. He was released by Washington on March 7.

He started 40 games at Baylor and earned the Heisman Trophy following the 2011 season. He completed 800 of 1,192 career passes (67.1 percent) for 10,366 yards with 78 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He added 2,254 rushing yards with 33 touchdowns.  In 2011, Griffin led Baylor (10-3) to its first 10-win season since 1980, as well as the program’s first bowl victory in 19 years. Griffin graduated from Copperas Cove (Texas) High School and set numerous high school and college track and field records. He was born in Japan, where his parents were stationed for the military.

 

BROWN WAIVE JOHNNY MANZIEL

Browns Official Press Release 3-11-16

 BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have waived QB Johnny Manziel.

Manziel appeared in 14 games with eight starts after being selected by the Browns in first round of the 2014 draft. He completed 147 of 258 passes for 1,675 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He added 259 rushing yards and one score. Last season, Manziel started six games and threw for 1,500 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 230 rushing yards.

 

 

 

MCKINLEY HEAD COACH RICK HAIRSTON ON WINNING THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

Following his team’s thrilling 51-47 win over Jackson to claim the Canton District Championship, McKinley head coach Rick Hairston shared his feelings with me on the victory and so much more…..

Rick Hairston with Kenny Roda on District Title Win

Rick Hairston on Sidelines vs Jackson 3-5-16

LEPEAR TOLES ON BEATING JACKSON TO WIN DISTRICT TITLE

After scoring 20 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists and coming away with 5 steals in McKinley’s 51-47 District Championship win over Federal League rival Jackson, LePear Toles put into words what the victory meant to him and how hard he had to work to get it…

LePear Toles Smiling Postgame with Ball

TERRY FRANCONA ON MICHAEL BRANTLEY AND WHERE’S HE AT IN HIS SHOULDER REHAB

I asked Tribe manager Terry Francona if he’s encouraged about where left fielder Michael Brantley is in his rehab of that right shoulder, and how important Brantley is to the team’s success…..

 

Terry Francona Talking to the Media

INDIANS MANAGER TERRY FRANCONA TALKS TO ME ABOUT SHORTSTOP FRANCISCO LINDOR

Covering the Tribe in Spring Training 2016 for News-Talk 1480 WHBC I had a chance to talk to Indians skipper Terry Francona about A.L. Rookie of the Year runner-up, shortstop Francisco Lindor…..

Terry Francona Press Conference Photo Spring Training 2016