Tag Archives: Browns

BROWNS 2014 TRAINING CAMP INFO

Browns 2014 training camp features 13 free public practices, beginning July 26

Browns to host Family Day scrimmage at Akron’s InfoCision Stadium, Aug. 2

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns 2014 training camp will feature 13 free public practices at the team’s facility in Berea, beginning July 26, as well as free access to the team’s scrimmage during Family Day at InfoCision Stadium in Akron on Aug. 2, the club announced Friday.

Browns Helmet Sideways Photo

When the Browns host their intrasquad scrimmage in Akron, it will mark the first time Family Day has extended outside of Cleveland, allowing fans from Akron and beyond to enjoy live Browns competition. Since 1946, Cleveland has played 19 preseason games in Akron, with the most recent exhibition contest drawing 30,751 fans on Sept. 8, 1973.

All practices at the team’s Berea training facility and Family Day in Akron are free to fans, who may register online and print a ticket for admission.

Browns fans may sign up to attend practice sessions by visiting www.ClevelandBrowns.com/BrownsCamp14, which will be activated this afternoon and will also provide daily updates, including weather, appearances and additional information for each practice. More information about Family Day registration will be available at a later date.

Open registration for all practices begins at 10 a.m. this Thursday. In order to accommodate as many Browns fans as possible, individuals are asked to notify the team if they learn they are unable to attend after obtaining a ticket.

Fans will have the opportunity to register for up to four practices in Berea, along with a maximum of five guests, as space permits. Parties wishing to attend more than four practices or book for groups of six-or-more people are encouraged to contact the Browns ticket office directly (440-891-5050).

When arriving with their ticket, fans can enter the Browns training facility through the Beech Street entrance, with gates opening one hour before each session starts. Guest- and membership-services stations will also be available to all visitors inside and outside the complex to assist fans.

Parking is available on the campus of Baldwin-Wallace University, near the intersection of Beech Street and Bagley Road.

In 2013, a total of 56,306 fans attended Browns training camp when combining the 13 open practices at the Browns training facility in Berea and Family Night. Training camp practices at the facility last year averaged 2,475 fans per session, the second-highest average since 2005, bolstered by a Berea training camp-record 4,466 fans on Sunday, July 28.

Cleveland Browns Training Camp is presented by Northeast Ohio Ford Dealers, in association with University Hospitals and Discount Drug Mart. The 2014 Cleveland Browns Family Day is in association with University Hospitals.

Browns fans may call Browns guest services (440-891-5050) for more information on registration and practice times. Details are also available atwww.ClevelandBrowns.com/BrownsCamp14, on Twitter by messaging @BrownsFanSquad or e-mailing tickets@ClevelandBrowns.com

Browns 2014 training camp schedule:

 

DATE TIME (EDT) DATE TIME (EDT)
Saturday, July 26 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8 No practice
Sunday, July 27 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 P1: Browns at Lions
Monday, July 28 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.   7:30 p.m., WKYC
Tuesday, July 29 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 No practice
Wednesday, July 30 No practice Monday, Aug. 11 10:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
Thursday, July 31 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 1 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 2** Family Day Thursday, Aug. 14 No practice
11:30 a.m.-2:10 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 3 No practice Friday, Aug. 15 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 4 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 Practice closed
Tuesday, Aug. 5 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17 No practice
Wednesday, Aug. 6 9:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18 P2: Browns at Redskins
Thursday, Aug. 7 Practice closed 8 p.m., ESPN/WKYC

 

*All practice dates and times are approximate and subject to changeAll public practices are subject to weather conditions. Practices moved into the field house will be closed to the public for space reasons.

**The Browns will host their Family Day scrimmage at Akron’s InfoCision Stadium.

 

CLEVELAND BROWNS 2014 TRAINING CAMP

PROHIBITED/ALLOWED ITEMS

 

  • Smoking is prohibited.
  • Weapons, noisemakers, animals and aerosol cans are prohibited.
  • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Plastic bottles and boxed liquids are permitted. Cans and glass are prohibited.
  • Soft-case coolers are permitted. Hard-plastic coolers are prohibited.
  • Cameras are permitted but must not interfere with another fan’s enjoyment of practice. The images reproduced may not be used commercially. Commercial video equipment is prohibited.
  • Umbrellas, strollers, purses, fanny packs, backpacks, and diaper bags are permitted but are subject to inspection.
  • Portable folding chairs and lawn chairs are permitted but are subject to inspection.

 

DIRECTIONS FOR FAN PARKING

 

From the North to Cleveland Browns Training Facility

Take I-71 South (Columbus) to Bagley Road exit #235

Turn right onto Bagley Road

Continue on Bagley Road to Beech Street on right

Parking available at Baldwin-Wallace

 

From the South to Cleveland Browns Training Facility

Take I-71 North (Cleveland) to Bagley Road exit #235

Turn left onto Bagley Road

Continue on Bagley Road to Beech Street on right

Parking available at Baldwin-Wallace

 

From the East to Cleveland Browns Training Facility

Take I-480 West (Toledo) to I-71 South (Columbus)

Continue on I-71 South to Bagley Road exit #235

Turn right onto Bagley Road

Continue on Bagley Road to Beech Street on right

Parking available at Baldwin-Wallace

 

From the West to Cleveland Browns Training Facility

Take I-480 East (Youngstown) to I-71 South (Columbus)

Continue on I-71 South to Bagley Road exit #235

Turn right onto Bagley Road

Continue on Bagley Road to Beech Street on right

Parking available at Baldwin-Wallace

 Handicap Parking: Handicap-accessible parking is located at the Berea training facility. Parking and entry for those with a proper handicap tag will be available near the Browns training facility entrance at 76 Lou Groza Blvd.

 

“RR60” PODCAST – THE RODA REPORT IN 60 SECONDS

The Roda Report Podcast on the topics of the day in 60 seconds or less. #RR60

Johnny Manziel Browns SI Cover Photo

MY Q and A WITH JOHNNY MANZIEL AT HIS FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE

Johnny Manziel responds to the questions I wanted answers to at his first press conference at Browns headquarters in Berea on 5-9-14. (Roda Edit)


Johnny Manziel Browns SI Cover Photo

MANZIEL MANIA – DAY 1 MINI-CAMP – WHAT DID JOHNNY SAY TWEETS

Need more Johnny Manziel info than you’re already getting? OK, here are tweets that were sent out when Manziel spoke to the few local media members that were allowed to be a part of Browns rookie mini-camp today in Berea.

Daryl Ruiter @RuiterWrongFAN  ·  Johnny Manziel on text “I wouldn’t exactly call it legendarily” added Loggains only ast. Coach to text him during draft

 

Daryl Ruiter @RuiterWrongFAN  ·  “I’m a rookie; i need to earn my place, earn my keep.. Don’t want to be handed anything i don’t deserve” Manziel

 

Daryl Ruiter ‏@RuiterWrongFAN –  Manziel on if he needs to be humbled “I got passed up 21 times”

 

Daryl Ruiter @RuiterWrongFAN  ·  Manziel watched a lot of #Browns last season; well aware of talent thats here and felt it’d be 1 of best spots to land compared to others

 

Daryl Ruiter @RuiterWrongFAN  ·  “We’re teammates & there shouldn’t be any friction there at all…there’s always competition” – Manziel on relationship w/ Hoyer

 

Mary Kay Cabot @MaryKayCabot  ·  #browns Manziel said he’s not sure if “wreck this league” was an exact quote but it was along those lines.

 

Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot –  #browns johnny on his text: “this was a place I felt comfortable with. This was the place I wanted to be.”

 

BROWNS – CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF

The Browns organization did a great job in the draft of maneuvering back up in the first round of the NFL Draft to select Johnny Manziel, but how they’ve handled some things since then off the field, lets just say, they need to learn from their mistakes already.

Manziel-Gilbert-Farmer-Pettine Jersey Photo

BROWNS DROP GREG LITTLE FROM THEIR ROSTER

Over the last three years as I searched the internet for accurate stats, it looks like the Cleveland Browns rank second in the NFL in a category you don’t want to be ranked that high in, dropped passes. The Detroits Lions look like they are first over the past three seasons with 126 drops, followed by the Browns with 114 footballs hitting the ground. One of the main culprits that helped the Browns reach that spot, Greg Little, was cut today by the team after three years in Cleveland.

Greg Little Photo with Joe Haden

Little was a 2nd round pick back in 2011 out of North Carolina.  He came with some baggage, as he was suspended for the entire 2010 season at North Carolina by the NCAA for receiving improper benefits and then lying about it to investigators.

The Browns though were willing to take a chance on Little because of the ability they thought they saw in him and his 6’2 – 220 pound frame, thinking he could be a top flight receiver in the NFL. However Little never came close to that.  Instead he would be known for                                                  dropping passes, 29 to be exact over his three years in C’Town.

Little finishes his Browns career with 155 catches out of 311 targets for 1,821 yards and 8 touchdowns. Those numbers average out to 52 catches for 607 yards and 2.6 touchdowns per season. Not nearly the production they were expecting from the 59th overall pick in the 2011 draft.

Is it somewhat surprising that Ray Farmer cut Little with the potential season long suspension of Josh Gordon still pending? Yes it is. But Farmer must feel that while he has no true number one wide receiver amongst this group of Nate Burleson, Andrew Hawkins, Travis Benjamin, Josh Cooper, Tori Gurley and Charles Johnson, along with a group of undrafted free agent wide outs, it was still best for this team to give those a guys a chance to do what Little couldn’t consistently do, catch the ball!

2014 CLEVELAND BROWNS SCHEDULE

CLEVELAND BROWNS 2014 REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE

DATE                                     OPPONENT                                NETWORK            ET

Sun., Sept. 7                 at  Pittsburgh Steelers                                            CBS                  1 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 14           NEW ORLEANS SAINTS                             FOX              1 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 21           BALTIMORE RAVENS                                CBS              1 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 28              BYE WEEK

Sun., Oct. 5                  at  Tennessee Titans                                              CBS                   1 p.m.*

Sun., Oct. 12            PITTSBURGH STEELERS                            CBS               1 p.m.*

Sun., Oct. 19               at  Jacksonville Jaguars                                            CBS                  1 p.m.*

Sun., Oct. 26           OAKLAND RAIDERS                                  CBS               4:25 p.m.*

Sun., Nov. 2            TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS                        FOX                1 p.m.*

Thurs., Nov. 6           at  Cincinnati Bengals                                              NFLN                 8:25 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 16          HOUSTON TEXANS                                   CBS               1 p.m.*

Sun., Nov. 23             at Atlanta Falcons                                                  CBS                     1 p.m.*

Sun., Nov. 30             at  Buffalo Bills                                                       CBS                     1 p.m.*
Sun., Dec. 7             INDIANAPOLIS COLTS                            CBS                 1 p.m.*

Sun., Dec. 14          CINCINNATI BENGALS                            CBS                  1 p.m.*

Sun., Dec. 21             at  Carolina Panthers                                               CBS                   1 p.m.*

Sun., Dec. 28             at  Baltimore Ravens                                                CBS                   1 p.m.*

 

Podcast – BROWNS ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION, CAVS ON A ROLL and OSU CAN’T SHOOT

Roda Report

MEET THE BROWNS CANDIDATES

So the two most important positions on a football team are Head Coach and Quarterback. The Browns don’t have either one right now unless, based on two games, you’re ready to give the QB job to Brian Hoyer. I for one am not. But they are in the process of trying to fill those two vacancies and here is a list of candidates for both spots. Which two guys would you like to see fill those roles for the Browns in 2014?

COACHES THEY’VE INTERVIEWED THAT ARE STILL AVAILABLE:

Dan Quinn – Seahawks Defensive Coordinator – 43 years old

Mike Munchak – Former Titans Head Coach – 53 years old

 

COACHES THEY WOULD LIKE TO INTERVIEW:

BRONCOS_PRACTICE_1JL0142

Adam Gase – Broncos Offensive Coordinator – 35 years old

Gus Malzahn – Auburn Head Coach – 48 years old

 

QUARTERBACKS AVAILABLE IN THE DRAFT:

Johnny Football Photo - Courtesy AP

Johnny Manziel – Texas AM  –  6’1-210pds-Sph.

Teddy Bridgewater – Louisville  –  6’3-196-Jr.

Blake Bortles – Central Florida  –  6’4-230pds-Jr.

Derek Carr – Fresno St.  –  6’3-218pds-Sr.

A.J. McCarron – Alabama  –  6’4-214pds-Sr.

Zach Mettenberger – LSU  –  6’5-230pds-Sr.

Aaron Murray – Georgia  –  6’1-208pds-Sr.

David Fales – San Jose St.  –  6’3-220pds-Sr.

Tajh Boyd – Clemson  –  6’1-225pds-Sr.

Jimmy Garoppolo – Eastern Illinois  –  6’3-222pds-Sr.

Ideally from people that I have talked to I believe the Browns would love to come away with the combination of Adam Gase as their head man to coach Johnny Manziel at quarterback. Those are the two names I’m hearing the most from sources around the league. But Gase has to interview for the job first, and then say YES, while “Johnny Football” has to still be there at pick number #4 in the draft or the Browns have to move up to get him. So that’s a couple of big “IF’s” and because of that Jimmy Haslam, Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi better have a few back up plans in case their dream scenario falls through. You know Haslam’s ideal situation is to eventually, either after this year, or next year, have Peyton Manning come in and be a major piece in the Browns front office or coaching staff.

*Gus Malzahn could be the wild card if the Browns could entice him to leave Auburn for the NFL.

Are you on board with landing Adam Gase and Johnny Manziel to take the Browns into the future? If not, what’s the “Dynamic Duo” you’d like to see the Browns front office get?

Respond here in the comments section, or tweet you thoughts to me @TheKennyRoda on Twitter.

UNSTABLE BROWNS NOT A PREMIUM DESTINATION

A friend and media source of mine said something to me this morning that sums up the Browns head coaching search in a nutshell. He said, “If you’re looking for stability for you and your family, then don’t take the Cleveland Browns head coaching job.” He’s so right.

Think about it. Rob Chudzinski got one year to prove what he could do as a first time ever NFL head coach. That’s not normal in the NFL. In that one year he dealt with a front office that traded his starting running back after two games, selected only five players in the draft because of trades for next year, still had roughly $20 million dollars under the cap to spend on free agents, the owner was, and still is being investigated by the FBI and the IRS and the team openly admitted that they were focusing on the 2014 season. How many first year coaches would perform well in that situation?

photo (47)

I’m not saying Chud was blameless. He made some bad in game decisions and other mistakes I’m sure, but how is he supposed to grasp what it takes to be a head coach if he doesn’t get the chance to learn from his mistakes. And you as a front office had to expect there would be some growing pains when you hired him and gushed about his potential, even though he had never been a head coach at any level before.

Jimmy Haslam came from an organization that’s had three head coaches since 1969. That stability is why the Pittsburgh Steelers are considered one of the model franchises in the NFL. The Browns, if someone takes the job, will have hired their seventh different head coach in the last sixteen years. It will be their third head coach in a little over a year. Couple that lack of stability, with a front office who’s “Q” rating isn’t very high in NFL circles (Mike Lombardi’s score is lower than Joe Banner’s) and you can see why over the last twelve months a lot of big name coaches talked to the Browns, but none of them took the job.

It’s looking again like the Browns will have to settle for their head coach. Settle for their third or fourth choice. Settle for a guy who is so eager to get a head coaching job he’ll even take the Browns gig. Or settle for a guy who’s looking to prove that his failure the first time around as an NFL head coach was not a true representation of what he is capable of doing or that he has learned from his mistakes. Either way once again, the Browns aren’t going to get the guy they really wanted no matter what they tell you later.

This all started in 1999 when their first choice Brian Billick told them no and went to Baltimore and won a Super Bowl. Last year they really wanted Chip Kelly and he too said no and went to Philadelphia and led them to the playoffs. Now solid candidates like Bill O’Brien and Lovie Smith have already taken other NFL  jobs.  Josh McDaniels, told the Browns no and according to Albert Breer from the NFL Network, the primary reason McDaniels returned to Foxboro was “Creating stability for his family. He has 4 young kids and he knows his job is secure there.” Vanderbilt’s James Franklin, a reported Browns candidate, looks like he’ll take the Penn State job over the one here in Cleveland. Smart move on all their parts.

Here’s hoping the guy that ends up taking the Browns head coaching job isn’t looking for stability, but instead he’s just looking for a chance to prove himself. If so, he better do it in a hurry, because based on past history here in Cleveland you don’t get much time to show what you can do.