Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

NFL concedes officials' error on timeout set the stage for Josh Cribbs' injury: Browns Insider

Comment

November 20

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"John Kuntz, The Plain DealerThe Browns' Joshua Cribbs is taken off the field on a stretcher after a hit on the last play of Monday night's game. The NFL officials who worked the game said the Browns were erroneously awarded a fourth timeout, which allowed them to run the play. BEREA, Ohio -- The injury to Josh Cribbs on the last play of the Browns' game against Baltimore would never have happened if not for a screw-up by the game officials. Mike Pereira, head of NFL officials, admitted in his weekly appearance on NFL Network the Browns wrongly were awarded a fourth timeout in the fourth quarter. The Browns called timeouts with 3:24 left in the third quarter, 3:35 left in the fourth ..."

From CFL to Cleveland, Chris Jennings is the latest option to the Browns' feeble run game

Comment

November 20

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Tracy Boulian/The Plain DealerBrowns rookie running back Chris Jennings knowns he needs to impress in order to improve his chances of sticking in the NFL in 2010. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish to get another season next year," he said.BEREA, Ohio -- Next step in the de-evolution of the Browns' offense: More Chris Jennings at running back and less Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison. We saw Jennings, an undrafted free agent signed in August from the CFL Montreal Alouettes, take precious carries away from Lewis on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. In a game that was scoreless at halftime, Lewis ran 10 times for 36 yards and Jennings seven times for 18 yards. Each had ..."

Ravens' Dwan Edwards fined $5,000 for hit on Josh Cribbs

Comment

November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards was fined $5,000 by the NFL for the crushing forearm blow to Josh Cribbs' facemask that sent Cribbs to the Cleveland Clinic on a spine board, according to the Carroll County Times. Edwards said that his hit, on the final play of the game, was not a payback for Brady Quinn's low block on linebacker Terrell Suggs, one that resulted in a knee injury. Edwards was not flagged during the game and the Ravens were surprised he was fined, the Times reported."

Browns meeting with players union was routine, says team player rep Hank Fraley

Comment

November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Reports of the NFL players union looking into Browns complaints about long practices apparently were much ado about nothing. The meeting with representatives of the players union on Wednesday evening was not initiated by the Cleveland Browns, said lineman Hank Fraley, the team player rep. He said it was a routine update from union officials about the future of the league collective bargaining agreement and other topics. "We have a lot of issues about the CBA. We talked about a lot of different issues," Fraley said. "Our union with (new executive director) DeMaurice Smith now in charge is trying to grow a better relationship. A lot of times (in the past), these meetings were scheduled only ..."

Browns wrongly received a fourth timeout prior to Josh Cribbs' injury

Comment

November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The injury to Josh Cribbs on the last play of the Browns' game against Baltimore would never have happened if not for a screwup by the game officials. The Browns called four timeouts in the second half and were awarded all four. Mike Pereira, head of NFL officials, admitted the blunder in his weekly appearance on NFL Network. The Browns called timeouts with 3:24 left in the third quarter, 3:35 left in the fourth quarter and then with 3:29 left. At that point, the Cleveland Browns Stadium scoreboard erroneously showed they had one timeout left."

NFL fine not Quinn's only problem

Comment

November 19

Akron Beacon Journal

"A letter from the NFL had already arrived in Brady Quinn's locker, notifying him of the fine levied for his low blow on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs on Monday night. The ''good amount'' he was docked, which was all Quinn would divulge, might not put a significant dent in his bank account. But the inexperienced third-year quarterback cannot afford another mental setback in his already rocky Browns career. The hit on Suggs, which followed the second of Quinn's two third-quarter interceptions in a 16-0 loss, drew a personal foul and a fine that ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting to be $10,000. It will not be announced by the NFL until Friday. Browns defensive end Corey Williams ..."

Browns would welcome LeBron

Comment

November 19

Akron Beacon Journal

"Last season, Cavaliers star LeBron James played out his football fantasies in an insurance commercial that had him clad in a No. 23 Browns jersey. Members of the struggling Browns are now willing to make that a reality. ''I think he should come on down,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said Wednesday. ''I know he's pretty busy right now, but if he wants to give it a shot . . . the guy's gifted, gifted athletically, he's competitive, he's tough. I'm sure whatever he applied himself to, he'd probably be good in baseball, or soccer or or swimming. The guy's a freak athletically.'' After watching the Browns fall 16-0 to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, James suggested he could help ..."

Heiden, Zastudil lost to injuries

Comment

November 19

Akron Beacon Journal

"Browns tight end Steve Heiden and punter Dave Zastudil were placed on injured reserve Wednesday, joining inside linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton as starters lost this season. ''Steve and Dave worked extremely hard this year and you don't like to see anyone's season end prematurely because of an injury,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said in a statement. ''They both provided a veteran presence that will not be easy to replace.'' The Browns were awarded two players off waivers — receiver Jake Allen from the Green Bay Packers and linebacker Arnold Harrison from the Pittsburgh Steelers. An 11-year veteran, Heiden suffered an ankle injury in Monday night's 16-0 home loss to the ..."

Cribbs on bench with neck injury

Comment

November 19

Akron Beacon Journal

"Josh Cribbs isn't out of the woods yet with the neck injury he suffered Monday night after a hard hit on the final play of the game by Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards. Although a concussion has been ruled out, Cribbs sat out practice Wednesday and his status for Sunday's game against the Lions in Detroit remains uncertain. ''There was a lot of precautionary things that took place [at the hospital],'' Cribbs said. ''They tested me, are still running tests on me, because there's a lot of things that can happen as a result of it. So they're just making sure I'm all clear, all ready to go and coherent as the week goes along and progresses.'' As he recuperates, Cribbs has spoken to ..."

Browns' ugly woes might make it difficult to woo football executive

Comment

November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

columnist Bud Shaw

"People can't seem to get that old eHarmony commercial out of their minds, the one where Randy Lerner and Eric Mangini twirl around, tickle one another and tell the story of their love-at-first-sight relationship. That wasn't them? Oh. Anyway, I've heard concerns that the Browns owner is so desperate to get a credible set of eyes on this team as soon as possible he might fall head over heels again in a search for a top football executive without expanding the interview process to include other qualified candidates. That is seriously funny for reasons I'll explain later. But for now, don't worry. Hopefully, a built-in safeguard -- there's no reason for any coveted candidate, least of all ..."

Cribbs says last-play lateral call came from Quinn, not Mangini

Comment

November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns receiver Josh Cribbs confirmed Wednesday his lateral on the final play against the Ravens was not a coach's call, but rather a directive from quarterback Brady Quinn to keep the ball alive. The play resulted in a neck injury to Cribbs, one that kept him out of practice Wednesday and might prevent him from playing in Detroit on Sunday. "It was a call at the line," Cribbs said. "It wasn't a call that came in from the coaches. Brady had let us know to keep the ball alive, that he was going to throw the slant to me at the line and he gave the signal to keep it alive." After a 10-yard catch, Cribbs flipped the ball to Robert Royal and was immediately drilled under the chin by Baltimore's ..."

Quinn still struggling to move on; QB is fined for hit, apologizes yet again

Comment

November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Brady Quinn reported to work Wednesday with the image of his illegal hit on Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs still in his mind and a letter from the NFL reminding him of it. The league fined Quinn for the hit on Suggs, which came after he threw an interception to cornerback Chris Carr in the 16-0 loss to Baltimore on Monday night. Suggs may miss several games with an injury to his right knee. ESPN.com reported the fine was $10,000. The hit and injury to Suggs was the lowest point of what may have been the worst game of Quinn's playing career at any level. In the five NFL games Quinn has started and finished, Monday night's produced lows in completions (13), passing yards (99) and passer ..."

Shaun Rogers won't confirm or deny interest in Lions

Comment

November 19

Detroit Free Press

"Shaun Rogers returns to Detroit on Sunday with the Browns. But does the Pro Bowl defensive tackle wish he could play for the Lions again -- not against them -- even though he wanted out two years ago? That was the word in August. After former Browns defensive tackle Shaun Smith signed with the Lions, he said Rogers had spoken highly of the guys in the locker room and the staff at team headquarters in Allen Park. "He wishes he could come back here now," said Smith, who was cut Sept. 5. "He misses it. Come on. You've been here your whole career, and you see the talent they're bringing in." So is it true? Rogers rarely spoke to Detroit reporters as a Lion, at least toward the end of his ..."

Brady Quinn still struggling to move on; QB is fined for hit, apologizes yet again

Comment

November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Brady Quinn reported to work Wednesday with the image of his illegal hit on Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs still in his mind and a letter from the NFL reminding him of it. The league fined Quinn for the hit on Suggs, which came after he threw an interception to cornerback Chris Carr in the 16-0 loss to Baltimore on Monday night. Suggs may miss several games with an injury to his right knee. ESPN.com reported the fine was $10,000. The hit and injury to Suggs was the lowest point of what may have been the worst game of Quinn's playing career at any level. In the five NFL games Quinn has started and finished, Monday night's produced lows in completions (13), passing yards (99) and passer ..."

Browns coach Eric Mangini to LeBron James: Come on down

Comment

November 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns coach Eric Mangini was delighted to hear that Cavs superstar LeBron James thinks he could help the Browns' woeful offense. "I think he should come on down,'' said Mangini with a smile. "I know he's pretty busy right now, but if he wants to give it a shot, the guy's gifted, gifted athletically. He's competitive. He's tough. I'm sure whatever he applied himself to, he'd probably be good in baseball, or soccer or swimming. The guy's a freak athletically.'' Responding to a question about the Monday Night Football crew saying he'd be a great NFL tight end and has the "best offense in the city of Cleveland,'' James said, "If I put all my time and commitment into it, if I dedicated myself ..."

Browns QB Brady Quinn fined for low hit on Baltimore Ravens LB Terrell Suggs

Comment

November 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns quarterback Brady Quinn said this morning that he had been fined by the NFL for low hit on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs during the Browns' 16-0 loss on Monday night at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Quinn had been penalized on the play as he hit Suggs around the knees following an interception by Chris Carr. Suggs limped off after the play and didn't return. Several Baltimore players were critical of Quinn for what they called a "cheap shot.""

Lewis asks NFL to fine Browns' Quinn for hit on Suggs

Comment

November 18

Baltimore Sun

"At the end of a game punctuated by at least three disconcerting injuries, the Ravens' Ray Lewis asked the NFL to drop the hammer on Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn for his low bridge on Terrell Suggs. Lewis, who drew a $25,000 fine from the league for two incidents in the Ravens' Oct 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, said the hit on Suggs after a third-quarter interception was a dirty play. "Heck yeah, it was a cheap shot, when you're running down and you're looking at the quarterback going at somebody's knees who doesn't even have the ball," Lewis said after Baltimore's 16-0 win over the Browns on Monday night. "I want to see if he gets the same fine I got or even higher. ..."

Holmgren rumors heat up in Cleveland

Comment

November 18

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Former NFL great Jim Brown told a luncheon group in Cleveland on Tuesday that Browns owner Randy Lerner was "meeting with one of the great football minds in this country" to discuss a front-office role with the franchise and later intimated that he was speaking about Mike Holmgren. But a source close to the former Seattle Seahawks coach told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Holmgren won't make any decisions about his future until after the season ends. You can read the whole story here in the Plain Dealer. I'll stick with my previous take on this situation. Holmgren is smart. He'll test the waters and see what might be available. He'll let people know that he's interested in various ..."

Browns feel impact of devastating hits

Comment

November 18

Akron Beacon Journal

"Agents for Joshua Cribbs and Terrell Suggs lashed out angrily Tuesday after both Pro Bowl players absorbed punishing hits during the Browns' 16-0 Monday night loss to the visiting Baltimore Ravens. Cribbs was released from the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday morning after test results were negative. The Browns' receiver/returner was upended by Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards on the final play. Cribbs' representative J.R. Rickert questioned why Cribbs was on the field for a risky hook-and-lateral with three seconds remaining in an unwinnable game. ''He understands his role is to play and perform,'' Rickert said. ''From my perspective, this could and should have been avoided. I suggest he ..."

Ravens say Quinn's hit a cheap shot

Comment

November 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and the agent for linebacker Terrell Suggs accused Browns quarterback Brady Quinn of a cheap shot after Quinn's low hit on Suggs knocked him out of Monday night's game -- and maybe the season -- with a knee injury. "Heck, yeah, it was a cheap shot," Lewis told reporters after the Ravens' 16-0 victory. "When you're running down and you're looking at the quarterback going at somebody's knees who doesn't even have the ball. I want to see if he gets the same fine I got or even higher. Now this man is out four or five weeks because of some baloney like that. That's an illegal blow. I don't care how you want to look at it." Lewis was fined $25,000 last month for a ..."

Cleveland Browns' Eric Mangini admits lateral play was a mistake

Comment

November 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Josh Cribbs' agent is miffed that the Browns put his client at risk on the final play of Monday night's 16-0 loss to the Ravens, and coach Eric Mangini admitted that if he could do it over, he would had QB Brady Quinn hand the ball off. "I can't even put into words how upset I am at them for leaving him in like that," agent J.R. Rickert said. "Fortunately, he's doing well." Cribbs was hurt on the final play of the game, a hook-and-lateral on which he caught a short pass and then flipped the ball to Robert Royal. Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards drilled Cribbs in the facemask, knocking him to the ground right after the lateral. Cribbs was immobilized on a spine board and carted off, then ..."

Jim Brown says Browns owner Randy Lerner met Tuesday with a 'great football mind'

Comment

November 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns owner Randy Lerner could be stepping up his efforts to land a new head of football operations. At a luncheon Tuesday, Jim Brown, who holds the title of executive adviser with the club, said Lerner was interviewing somebody to turn around the Browns' fortunes. "At this moment, right now Randy Lerner is meeting with one of the great football minds in this country," Brown said in remarks prior to and during the luncheon. "And if things work out, that person will come in to run the football side of the Browns." Brown would not disclose who it was. When somebody asked if it was Mike Holmgren, Brown responded coyly, "You said it . . . and I heard it." Brown made his remarks at a ..."

Browns' final ridiculous play against Baltimore Ravens should be the symbol of coach Eric Mangini's misrule

Comment

November 17

Cleveland Plain Dealer

columnist Bill Livingston

"The captain of the Browns' ship of fools went a little overboard as the midnight hour approached Monday. Because of it, Eric Mangini too should be tossed over the side, like excess baggage. That probably won't happen until this miserable season -- with the same game being played over and over again, like the same day was re-lived over and over in the movie "Groundhog Day" -- finally wallows to a close. Nothing much figures to change with this rudderless franchise until then. Still, the half-baked slumdog of a play at the end of the Ravens game deserves particular censure. Down 16 points, last play of the game, a stadium that looked almost as empty as the head of owner Randy Lerner when he ..."

Ray Lewis accuses Cleveland Browns' Brady Quinn of cheap shot

Comment

November 17

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis accused Browns quarterback Brady Quinn of "a cheap shot'' when Quinn dove low after an interception and knocked linebacker Terrell Suggs out of the game with a knee injury. "Heck yeah it was a cheap shot," Lewis told reporters after the Ravens' 16-0 win. "When you're running down and you're looking at the quarterback going at somebody's knees who doesn't even have the ball. I want to see if he gets the same fine I got or even higher. Now this man is out four or five weeks because of some baloney like that. That's an illegal blow. I don't care how you want to look at it.'' After Suggs went down, Quinn went over and talked to him. Quinn also wore a pained ..."

Browns' Josh Cribbs released from hospital, but agent miffed about last play

Comment

November 17

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns receiver Josh Cribbs was released from the hospital and is doing well, but his agent is upset that the Browns left Cribbs in for the last play of the game and then ran a pointless hook-and-ladder with three seconds left that wouldn't have made a difference in the 16-0 shutout by the Ravens. "I can't even put into words how upset I am at them for leaving him in like that,'' said agent J.R. Rickert in a text. "Fortunately, he's doing well.'' Rickert said that Cribbs texted him at 3:48 a.m. as he was being released from the hospital and said he was fine. Cribbs, who was immobilized on a board and taken by ambulance to the hospital, underwent a series of tests, including some to ..."

Cribbs' game-ending injury just another pointless moment in a pointless Browns season

Comment

November 17

Cleveland Plain Dealer

columnist Bud Shaw

"Three seconds left on your half of the field, down 16 points, why do anything except take a knee? Why the Browns ran a fire drill play that ended with Josh Cribbs carted off the field because his head didn't swivel fast enough goes into the unanswerable file in an unfathomable season, Eric Mangini's first and perhaps only here. That's not the question being asked around the rest of the country, no doubt. The question being asked around the rest of the country after the Browns 16-0 loss to Baltimore: "Any chance there's an Antique Roadshow marathon we could watch instead?" But given the obvious doubts some Browns have about their head coach as voiced by Jamal Lewis last week, the final play ..."

Grim finish to another abysmal defeat underlines Cleveland Browns' plight

Comment

November 17

Baltimore Sun

columnist Terry Pluto

"I'm not going to insult your intelligence by writing that the Browns are a bad team. You know that. Nor am I going to get into a long discussion of the quarterbacks. You have watched Brady Quinn. You watched Derek Anderson. The results have basically been the same. The offense treats the end zone like a minefield with a huge Danger, Do Not Enter sign. I have nothing especially original to say about this 16-0 loss to Baltimore, or about this 1-8 season in which the offense has scored a grand total of five touchdowns. You have seen this game over and over, dating back to the second half of 2008. The Browns have lost 16-of-18, including the last nine at home. Instead, I found myself ..."

Ravens defeat Browns, 16-0

Comment

November 17

Baltimore Sun

"At least Brady Quinn played four quarters this time. Starting his first game since Sept. 27 at Baltimore, Quinn went 13-of-31 for 99 yards and two interceptions in the Browns' 16-0 loss to the Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Browns standout Josh Cribbs was injured on the game's final play and taken off the field on a cart. Moments after catching a pass and flipping the ball to Robert Royal, Cribbs was crushed by a Raven. Players from both teams remained on the field as the medical staff tended to Cribbs. In the first meeting between the teams, Quinn was yanked at halftime and replaced by Derek Anderson. The Browns fell, 34-3. The Ravens (5-4) snapped a five-game losing streak on ..."

Josh Cribbs taken to hospital for possible concussion following final play of Ravens loss

Comment

November 17

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The sight of Josh Cribbs immobilized and carted off on a stretcher after the last play of Monday's loss to the Ravens sent shock waves through his teammates. The injury came as the Browns tried a hook-and-ladder with three seconds remaining in which he caught a short pass and then lateraled to Robert Royal. Cribbs -- who was being evaluated for a concussion according to a league source -- was drilled after the play by defensive end Dwan Edwards, who knocked him under the chin and to the ground. One league source and Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce blasted the Browns for running the hook-and-ladder with the game out of reach. The source said Cribbs should never have been in the game at ..."

NFL players union to investigate latest complaints against Mangini practices: Browns Insider

Comment

November 17

Baltimore Sun

"The NFL Players Association will send a representative to Cleveland on Wednesday to talk to Browns players about Eric Mangini's practices and other issues, a league source confirmed Monday. The story was first reported Sunday by Jay Glazer of Fox Sports. "Things in Cleveland look bad and it just keeps getting worse and worse," Glazer reported. "The NFLPA wants to get to the bottom of exactly what Eric Mangini is doing with these guys. Not sure what they can really do but they're going out to see if there is anyway they can protect them." The report comes just days after running back Jamal Lewis blasted Mangini for working the players too hard during the week. Lewis came back the next ..."

Browns offense is down and out in 16-0 loss to Baltimore

Comment

November 17

Baltimore Sun

"The Browns' 16-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Monday night lasted one play too many. On the final play of another dismal offensive performance, Josh Cribbs was injured on a vicious, legal hit to his face by Baltimore's Dwan Edwards while lateraling the ball after a catch. Cribbs was strapped to a board and carefully carted off the field. He was taken out of Cleveland Browns Stadium in an ambulance still wearing his helmet. Coach Eric Mangini said the measures were precautionary and reported that Cribbs had movement and feeling in arms and legs. "He's got feeling in all parts of his body," Mangini said. "Taking him off on a board was more a precautionary measure, from what I understand. ..."

Some back kickoff boycott

Comment

November 17

Akron Beacon Journal

"Longtime season-ticket holders Mike ''Dawg Pound'' Randall and Tony ''Mobile Dawg'' Schafer had hoped their fellow Browns fans would follow their lead and skip the opening kickoff of Monday night's game in an attempt to send a message to Browns owner Randy Lerner. The results were mixed. When Browns kicker Phil Dawson lined up to kick the ball to Baltimore Ravens return man Ladarius Webb after the Ravens won the opening toss, Cleveland Browns Stadium appeared to be about three-quarters full. However, particularly full and raucous as usual was the Dawg Pound, one of the main groups the protesting pair were targeting. A sign that read ''True fans are here from start to finish'' gave a ..."

Bad news Browns a hopeless cause

Comment

November 17

Akron Beacon Journal

columnist Patrick McManamon

"The Browns played the Baltimore Ravens even Monday night for a half. Expect this to be the mantra from the coach following the eighth loss in nine games - well, we showed some positive things in the first half. Gosh golly gee whiz, get out the Black Label for that one Mabel. Whatever. What was painfully evident was that it took one possession and one completion and one touchdown for the game to swing the Ravens' way. All involved fundamental errors that 1-and-7 teams like the Browns make even though they cannot afford them. Take them in order. The Browns had the Ravens facing third-and-5 at their 46-yard-line. This is a good situation for a defense, and in the first half the Browns were ..."

Different QB, same result: Browns offense is down and out in 16-0 loss to Baltimore

Comment

November 17

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Browns' 16-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Monday night lasted one play too many. On the final play of another dismal offensive performance, Josh Cribbs was injured on a vicious, legal hit to his face by Baltimore's Dwan Edwards while lateraling the ball after a catch. Cribbs was strapped to a board and carefully carted off the field. He was taken out of Cleveland Browns Stadium in an ambulance still wearing his helmet. Coach Eric Mangini said the measures were precautionary and reported that Cribbs had movement and feeling in arms and legs. "He's got feeling in all parts of his body," Mangini said. "Taking him off on a board was more a precautionary measure, from what I understand. ..."

Distractions swirl around Browns as they look for a fresh start

Comment

November 16

Akron Beacon Journal

"A fan protest and a ranting running back. A coach fighting for his job, a young quarterback fighting for his future and an opponent fighting for redemption. It's hard to tell whether football or the controversies swirling around the home team will take center stage Monday night when the Browns (1-7) host the Baltimore Ravens (4-4) on Monday Night Football. ESPN producer Jay Rothman will try to keep it light, even showing a drawing of Browns hall of fame running back Leroy Kelly that analyst Jon Gruden made as a youngster growing up in Sandusky. Two former Ohio college quarterbacks - Gruden at Dayton and Ron Jaworski at Youngstown State - will be ready with detailed analysis of Brady Quinn, ..."

Cleveland Browns' Jamal Lewis and Dave Zastudil questionable for Ravens game

Comment

November 15

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Running back Jamal Lewis and punter Dave Zastudil are among eight Browns who are questionable for Monday night's game against the Ravens. Both were limited in practice on Saturday, a session that was closed to the media. On Friday, the Browns worked out punters after practice in the event Zastudil can't go. Leading the NFL with 25 punts inside the 20, Zastudil has been one of the lone bright spots for the Browns this season. He was also named Special Teams Player of the Week after the Buffalo game Oct. 11, during which he landed seven of nine punts inside the 20 and grossed 42.9 yards. Lewis could be playing in his last game against his former team and his mentor Ray Lewis, who thinks he ..."

Bad teams, angry fans, empty seats

Comment

November 13

Indianapolis Star

columnist Monte Poole

"When the Oakland Raiders announced Thursday that Sunday's home game against Kansas City would be blacked out on local TV, the news was completely expected. We're getting used to it. The only home game shown on local TV this season was the Monday night opener, for which the blackout deadline was extended. The last home game, a 38-0 loss to the New York Jets on Oct. 25, was played before the smallest assemblage of NFL fans here in 41 years. This is not what managing partner Al Davis had in mind when he moved the team from Los Angeles and signed a 16-year lease to play in Oakland. Nor does it delight the voiceless hostages, also known as his minority partners. But somebody, or some group, is ..."

Browns avoid blackout

Comment

November 13

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Browns averted their first local TV blackout of their expansion era when they teamed with ESPN, Bud Light and WJW Channel 8 to purchase the remaining tickets for Monday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens. The club said the four entities will distribute remaining tickets to the USO and other local organizations. ESPN is televising the game and it is additionally being shown locally on Channel 8. League rules require any game shown on cable TV to be simulcast on a local over-air station. WJW won the bidding. The last NFL game on ESPN to be blacked out locally was Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, in Oakland."

Jamal Lewis tees off on Eric Mangini's practice regimen

Comment

November 13

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Everybody says the Browns work hard under coach Eric Mangini. Jamal Lewis is the first player to say they work too hard to win. "The talent is there. There's talent all over this room, young and old," Lewis said of the 1-7 team. "At the same time, that talent's got to be able to be ready for Sunday and to be fresh for Sunday and be ready to go out and be efficient on Sunday. "You can work hard as you want. You can work all day, seven days a week all the way up to Sunday in practice. But at the same time, if you're going to work like that, then maybe on Sunday you're probably not going to get what you want out of your players." Lewis' comments were a stinging indictment of Mangini's ..."

Lewis lambasts Mangini

Comment

November 13

Akron Beacon Journal

"During his 10-year career, running back Jamal Lewis has never been afraid to speak his mind. Yet the Browns' co-captain refuses to march into coach Eric Mangini's office with his complaints, even though he's fuming over Mangini's long, physical practices that he believes are wearing out the players before game day arrives. Instead, Lewis turned to the media Thursday with an oddly timed rant blasting Mangini and his methods. ''Hey, this is his show, it's not mine. Not anybody else around here's show,'' said Lewis, an Atlanta native. ''We're just the crop. You've got to take care of your crop. If you don't take care of your crop, when it comes time to harvest, you're not going to make no ..."

Browns running back Jamal Lewis said team works too hard to win

Comment

November 12

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns running back Jamal Lewis said today the Browns work too hard during the week to be efficient on game days. They're 1-7 and he's tired of it. He said the team works every day for 2 1/2 to three hours and has practiced in pads through a half-season more than he did with the Baltimore Ravens in three seasons. "Hey, you want a W on Sunday when you work like that," he said. "There's talent all over this room, young and old," Lewis continued. "At the same time, that talent's got to be able to be ready for Sunday and to be fresh for Sunday and be ready to go out and be efficient on Sunday. "You can work hard as you want. You can work all day, seven days a week all the way up to Sunday ..."

Quinn returns to starting quarterback

Comment

November 12

Akron Beacon Journal

"Brady Quinn was practically working the room. Smiling wide, laughing and joking with teammate Robert Royal in the locker room before practice Wednesday, Quinn was obviously elated to have again been elevated to starting status as the Browns' quarterback. ''I'm excited to play,'' said Quinn, who met with coach Eric Mangini late Tuesday and learned the news. ''I'm excited to be part of Monday Night (Football).'' The change in Quinn's demeanor from quietly dressing in front of his locker like he has the past six weeks while serving as the team's backup to the more outgoing persona Wednesday, seemed as drastic as has been Mangini's carousel approach to the most important offensive position on ..."

Coach Mangini: This is not New England

Comment

November 12

Akron Beacon Journal

columnist Patrick McManamon

"Memo to coach Eric Mangini, the Browns and their fans: This isn't New England. It's Cleveland, and the Browns are 1-and-7. For whatever reason, folks in the NFL seem to have patented the notion that if things don't go well in one season, it's OK to go back years in your career and say things went well then. This somehow justifies what is happening in the present season. This practice has taken place with the Browns almost annually since 1999. Only former coach Romeo Crennel was straightforward enough to say what happened back then didn't matter if you don't win now. He was right. What happened two, five or seven years ago is irrelevant. Recently, though, interviews have come out with ..."

Quinn's time is now Browns fans

Comment

November 12

Cleveland Plain Dealer

columnist Bud Shaw

"From tall in the saddle to a Shetland pony, Brady Quinn rides again. People will go to the stadium Monday not to see if Quinn can establish himself as the future of the franchise -- that parade float already passed -- but whether given Eric Mangini's handling of his quarterbacks they'll be curious to see if Quinn can make it all the way to the second quarter without anybody warming up in the pen. The endorsement for Quinn returning to the job: He had a couple good weeks of practice. Based on that, good luck having the fans stay outside the stadium if the Browns win the opening kickoff, Dawg Pound Mike. (I have a friend who wrote a book. It got sent to a famous NFL broadcaster for an ..."

Jamal Lewis will consider himself a Raven at retirement

Comment

November 12

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Jamal Lewis said on a Ravens conference call Wednesday that he's retiring "just because I'm tired of it, tired of it and that was my goal, and that's all I wanted. So, time to move on." The Browns running back re-iterated that he "made that decision before the season even started." He admitted that Monday night's game -- his last against his former Ravens -- will be special. "Oh yeah, most definitely," he said. "That will be a great one. Being that I will be playing these guys for the last time, being able to suit up against Ray [Lewis] for the last time, it's a good thing. It will be a memorable moment." He said he'll look back at himself as a Raven as opposed to a Raven and a Brown. ..."

Brady Quinn named starter against Ravens

Comment

November 12

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"With eight games to go and careers possibly hinging on their outcomes, Browns coach Eric Mangini is turning his historically bad offense over to Brady Quinn again. Quinn, who was demoted after the first 2 1/2 games, officially was given the job to restart the Browns' second half of the season Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. How long will he last this time? "With any of these decisions, I'm not looking to change," Mangini said. "That's never the intention." Quinn was staggered by his first benching at any level of football in September. But he said he won't be looking over his shoulder this time. "Why should there be a concern?" he said. "I've been through it before. I ..."

Browns put Quinn back in starting role

Comment

November 12

Washington Times

"Brady Quinn is getting his second chance at starting. Quinn, benched just 10 quarters into the season for Derek Anderson, will start Monday night's game against Baltimore. He was pulled at halftime of the Browns' 34-3 loss to Baltimore on Sept. 27 and will make his return against one of the NFL's toughest defenses. "I'm excited to play," he said. "Every team in the NFL is tough - them especially. We've got our hands full right now." Coach Eric Mangini decided to go back to Quinn after Anderson went 1-4 as a starter and posted the NFL's lowest quarterback rating (36.2). Mangini said he would like to stick with Quinn for the remainder of the season. BILLS: Buffalo is going back to ..."

Brady Quinn will start MNF vs. Baltimore Ravens

Comment

November 11

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns coach Eric Mangini today named Brady Quinn the starting quarterback for Monday night's game against the Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Quinn replaces Derek Anderson, who went 1-4 in his five starts. "He's had good weeks of practice,'' said Mangini. "He's worked hard since the first transition was made. I look forward to him taking advantage of this opportunity and helping us improve.'' Quinn went 0-3 in his three starts, getting pulled at halftime of the 34-3 loss to the Ravens in Week 3."

Browns News