Container Top
Homes   Jobs   Cars   Shopping


Archive for the ‘Derek Anderson’ Category

Browns-Giants: A Quick Preview

Monday, August 18th, 2008

In between shooting video trying to take notes Saturday, one thing was obvious about tonight's match-up against the Giants, the second quarter won't come soon enough.

Why?  Simply because there's little left to to decide when it comes to the season's starters.  Barring any type of injuries, the first team is set.  Yes, Browns fans, you should go ahead an pinch yourselves because you were actually able to read that.

So what does tonight do?  It allows Browns Coach Romeo Crennel to fill in some holes. Pay close attention to wide receivers Travis Wilson and Steve Sanders tonight.  Some think they're locked in a battle for the third wide receiver slot behind Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth. 

Judging from Wilson's training camp and performance against the New York Jets, I'd say that he all but has that spot locked up.  The fact that Sanders is in the conversation for that spot bodes well for him.   One player whose name appeared on the radar:  Lance Leggett, a 6-3, 200 lbs. receiver out of The U (University of Miami, Fla.) who thrilled the training camp crowd Saturday with an acrobatic catch where he tapped the ball away from a Browns receiver and hauled it in himself as he fell to the ground.  Apparently, he's been grabbing everything in sight for the past week.

Coach Crennel and his staff will also be looking closely at the second team defensive backfield, especially after they got lit up for two bombs of 70 or more yards against the New York Jets.  They signed two safeties - former Buckeye Brandon Mitchell and A.J. Davis - last week, but it's doubtful they believe they're the long-term answer to their problems there.  The Browns will be combing the waiver wire as teams begin cutting players in the hopes of finding someone who fits their needs.  Rumors have swirled around another Buckeye who may eventually be available.

As for the game itself, consider this a dress rehearsal.  With the Browns on prime-time television a whopping five times (and maybe more) this year, it gives the team a chance to prepare for the attention that comes with such an appearance.  While it certainly won't have the impact a regular season game will, for at least a quarter we'll get to see whether this incarnation of the Browns is ready for its closeup.

Training Camp Observations - July 30 Morning Practice

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Weather that caused an immediate sweat remained in Berea for the Cleveland Browns morning practice - only this time it brought a calvacade of clouds - the dark ones too.  While some of the fans were disappointed that they got drenched for a brief spell, Browns Coach Romeio Crennel couldn't help but show his happiness over the soaking.  "We learned how to play with our feet under us.  It was good," he said. 

 Indeed that proved to be the case as the weather didn't seem to faze the players - with the exception of a minor slip here and there.  Some of the rest of us are still drying out, however.

 Crennel brought in game officials for the morning practice for the first time during camp.

"We had the officials here to put emphasis on what happens in games," he said.  "The officials are looking at things evne though they're not dropping flags.  If they see a guy do something they talk to them and say 'Look, that's going to be a penalty, we we were able to re-inforce the proper way to play the game."

Brady Quinn continues to draw a lot of attention, especially from fans. He looked good throwing a few balls on out patterns, but what is very obvious when you look at him and Derek Anderson is how differently they approach the game.  On many of the passing plays Anderson looked down field first before checking down to a receiver.  Quinn seemed to look shorter first.  Crennel said that has worked to change that through the first week of camp.

One thing that you can see in the Browns defense, first and foremost is that they're active, secondly when given the chance, they like hitting.  In the case of Jereme Perry, he apparently loves it.  He laid wideout Efrem Hill out on a play that elicited "oohs" and "ahhs" from the fans that saw it.

 Once again, running back, Travis Thomas looked good.  In the two days I've been here he's yet to drop a ball and he looks to hit holes with some pop.

The Browns must address two perceived weaknesses on offense - lack of depth at the running back and wide receiver positions. If Travis Wilson can continue to have a consistent camp, he may fill the latter role.

How pumped are Browns fans?  Pumped enough to cheer when kicker Phil Dawson, taking practice kicks, made several in a row, the longest being 48 yards.