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This is why we are horrible...teams have no issue finding a FB, shoot they sign some off the scrap pile and plug them...with solid-good results...This Franchise hasn't had a good FB since what T-Smoot and Vickers era?? For real...we can't even find, sign, draft a freaking FB...And our front office has too much pride in their scouting to even sign one...Lets draft a guy whom is like the same size of our HB whom wasn't a FB in college and boom...we fixed the problem...not! You can get an elite FB in FA for $2 mill a year....very cheap and problem solved...Problem is our FO outsmarts themselves yearly...puts us at a disadvantage yearly...That's another reason why I don't believe this FO will ever get their QB....because they can't even obtain a FB that isn't a liability...

I remember someone calling for us to sign Jerome Felton the entire off-season. When he signed elsewhere, I remember that same person saying we should draft the giant fullback from Alabama.

At least we got a punter.

Lmao! Right...There was two superb FBs in FA this year (Felton signed with buffalo I believe, and the Giants FB Hyonoski) Fowler the FB from Alabama...I would have drafted him in a heartbeat versus Vince Mayle...Fowler looks pretty good with exception of that play he tried to run backwards on lol

We still put ourselves in a disadvantage when not having the right personal to run basic essential plays

This is where Ballpeen says, "Put Cam Erving at guard."

My response to that would be, "Can't be much worse than Malcolm Johnson." And, "At least we would be playing our first round pick."

Heck put Erving at FB lol can't be any worse as Malcolm Johnson is non existent...

Heck I still remember when the Bucs threw Warren Sapp at FB and he ran right over Courtney Brown and called him soft...And I believe Michael Pittman ran in behind him untouched...

It's disturbing the way this FO has assembled this team, lets be a strong running team...Yet lets tinker with our Oline scheme, start the season with no prominent RB to carry the team...No blocking FB...while we are at it...Lets give this team no threats to keep the D from stacking the box...and lets bring in a career journey backup to fight that D when they stack the box...unbelievable...

I think I'm just sick of seeing piss poor results when we all had hope (well at least temporarily) that this time would be different...I can attest to it, that this time around is no different than what we've had for 16 years...I will take Butch Davis back with open arms over this Lol it's that bad

Yup.

Before the season started I was reading on here about our top 5 elite OL and our elite top 10 defense, and we already are in the bottom part of the heap on both sides of the LOS.

And we just finished our 3-0 stretch that was going to springboard us to the playoffs. Wait until the schedule gets hard ... then we can "Battle like a Brown."

Sadly, I think at MOST we got a punter!!

Sounds a lot like most years.

What's more interesting is we have a fullback that can't lead block, but we still dial in alot of plays with him in the formation lmfao.

Brilliant Flip!

This franchise and direction are no different than the one(s) from the past eras...Look at all the holds still needed for next year: #1 WR, #1 TE, #1 QB, #FB #1RB (maybe) An edge rusher OLB, another starting MLB (Dansby will probably retire)
Not even going to get into coaching/coordinators...We aren't advancing to any playoffs anytime soon.

Browns Mailbag: When will the running backs start catching more passes?

Andrew Gribble

Link

Why aren't the Browns running screens anymore? With what they have at WR (size-wise) it seems to me that screens would be a big part of their game. Scott R., Columbus

Through three games, Cleveland’s running backs and fullback have combined for 10 catches and 59 yards. Six of those receptions happened Sunday against the Raiders, and they all came from rookie running back Duke Johnson Jr. The problem, though, was one of Johnson’s receptions went for 18 yards and the other five combined for 14. The Browns did not complete a pass to a running back or fullback against the Titans.

Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo has said he wants to get the running backs more involved in the passing game, and Sunday’s game was a step in that direction. Now, it’s about getting them in the position to make significant gains after the catch.

Any news on the status of Dwayne Bowe's hamstring? I think it would be great if he's 100% and can go this week since with all his years in KC, he played a ton against San Diego and that would seem to be a large plus. - Charlie C., Sheridan, Wyoming

Bowe wasn’t listed on the injury report last week, so it can be assumed he’s completely healed from a physical standpoint. What’s been holding Bowe back, though, is all of the time he missed during an integral portion of training camp because of the injury.

Browns coach Mike Pettine said Monday the injuries on defense forced the team to bring up more bodies on that side of the ball and make all three of their healthy inactives offensive players. Bowe, of course, was among them and was inactive for the second time this season. In Cleveland’s home opener against Tennessee, Bowe played eight snaps and was targeted once.

“Dwayne will help us, but he’s just not there yet,” Pettine said. “The setback that he suffered during training camp, it’s just hard to make those reps up, especially now that we’re in a practice week. We’re hopeful that we’ll get him out there and he’ll contribute as we expect him to.”

For what it’s worth, there’s no team Bowe has been better against than the Chargers. In 14 games against them, Bowe has 65 catches, 843 yards and six touchdowns.

Great. So 60 yards and 1/2 a touchdown per game is the best he's been against a team.

Surely if you can develop your 1st round QB by having him hold a clipboard and taking those "mental reps" that you keep talking about, instead of actual physical reps then a 10 year vet receiver should be a mental rep mastermind by now lol.


Bowe is a lazy has been and this regime ishurting the team by defending this guy.

or so you'd think.

I'm guessing that this is the explanation that is suitable for public consumption after the way he gator-armed the one target he got. If he isn't going to put forth the effort, he's expendable.


Question: If a player is on the roster, but is inactive for a game... does that game count toward their accrued seasons total? I know that it still counts toward contract years and all, but I'm wondering if a player has 7 years in the league and is on a roster for their 8th, but is inactive for every game... will they still then have 8 accrued seasons?

If they do not accrue the season, then their number of years does not increase, thus neither does their minimum salary.... just an odd thought that popped into my head.

With non-McCowns throwing him the ball. I guess McCowns don't throw him the ball now either, but those circumstances are different.

Dwayne Bowe has never really been good. He has one great season (buoyed by an unsustainable TD total) and has lived off the reputation of that season.

Another reason why Farmer needs to go. Can't draft. Signed this boat anchor. Nice job Ray. See ya.

Browns RB Robert Turbin returns to practice

Link

Former Seahawk hopeful he can play soon

On Thursday, running back Robert Turbin (ankle) practiced for the first time as a Cleveland Brown.

The team kept his repetitions limited, but Turbin was off the exercise bike and in his cleats, running full speed and catching passes with shoulder pads and a helmet on.

“I’m getting there,” Turbin said. “I’m getting real close.”

Running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery has been spending extra time with Turbin to make sure he’s mastering the offense. Because he hasn’t been able to participate on the field, Turbin said he’s made it a point of talking more with his new teammates in the locker room and cafeteria to build camaraderie. And on Sundays from the sidelines, he’s already envisioning himself in Cleveland’s offense.

“You want to approach the game from a mental standpoint, use your imagination a little bit, use some imagery and see yourself out there,” Turbin said. “Getting handoffs, making decisions and making cuts as if it were you on the field.”

The Browns claimed Turbin on Sept. 10 when he reached an injury settlement with the Seahawks after spraining his ankle in the preseason. Last year in Seattle, Turbin backed up Marshawn Lynch and rushed for 310 yards while averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Turbin also caught 43 passes for 427 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons with the Seahawks.

Turbin’s goal is to return next week against the Ravens, and, if not, the following week at FirstEnergy Stadium against the Denver Broncos.

Cleveland currently ranks 25th in the NFL in rushing, averaging 86.3 yards per game.

A stout 5-foot-10, 222 pounds, Turbin is a powerful runner but describes himself as a balanced back.

“I feel like I can do a little bit of everything,” Turbin said. “There’s not one skill that I have – it’s more a variety of all of them.”

Meanwhile, Chris Johnson is lighting it up in Arizona. But, we have a guy who is "getting there." Freaking Browns!

A running back returning to a line that can't run block and a defense that gives up tons of points and makes the offense become a pass happy team.

Doesn't sound like anything that'll help us.

He was dirt cheap, too, but mostly because the entire league was wary of him.

He's old now and didn't produce well recently - and then was dealing with a gunshot to the shoulder in the offseason. That's why he was unsigned until mid-August and still only got a one year deal.

If that doesn't say it all, I don't know what does.

Put Shelton in at FB. Follow your block. He has to get push!

Does any of that diminish his performance thus far compared to Turbin's?

j/c

For those who saw Pitts vs Baltimore last night, how did either of those offenses prove superior to the Browns? After all both have elite receivers and running backs. Yet, it was absolutely painful watching.

Defense! Forsett and Bell both ran over 150 yards.

I guess Pittsburgh had an excuse not having Big Ben. Baltimore gave up a life line wining. Pittsburgh stole Browns playbook!

Yeah, I guess you can say that not having one of the best QBs in the league available could be a hindrance.

Big Ben won't last the season behind that OL. Pittsburgh, which ain't hurting my feelings, looks the worst I have seen in 30 years. If Big Ben is the only thing holding things together, there is some tough road for the B & G.

People of this board debated hard what is needed OL or play makers. Pittsburgh survived having play makers and a defense. Well, defense is gone. OL is typical. Offensive play makers is all they have left. How long can Big Ben produce at a level carrying his team?

If Cleveland stays the course, it will be interesting seeing who turns things around. Obviously, Pittsburgh has the advantage having a stronger front office.

Nope. Just pointing out that like other players that folks on here go gaga over and say "we shoulda got that guy!" about, there were 30 other teams that passed on him and for sensible reasons. It was a risky move for them to pick him up that has paid off; we've made our own risky move with Turbin and we're waiting to see if it'll pay off. Two moves - both still in play.

and both teams supposedly have "elite" QB's...

Pittsburgh pass blocking has been pretty good through four weeks. They have only 17 QB hits and they've passed the ball way more than anyone (they've also played one more game).

Running the ball isn't working so well for us, so I for one am glad we are changing things up and not sticking to the run.

'When it's time to change, you got to rearrange, what you are and what you're gonna be.' -The Silver Platters

Man if we could consistently attack deep, defenses be forced to get that safety outta the box.

I was watching the Giants game yday when I saw two deep safeties and I thought... I'm not sure our offense gets to see that look too often.