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Kenyon Coleman is ripped. Shaun Smith is fat as always.

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Sunday Aug. 2

Posted August 2nd, 2009 by Marla Ridenour

The Browns may be unfamiliar with the no-huddle offense, but that's wasn't any excuse for a meltdown a little more than halfway through Sunday's lone practice.

Rookie center Alex Mack was the first offender, messing up the snap count as a defender rushed quarterback Derek Anderson unblocked. Ten-year veteran Hank Fraley was summoned as Mack took a lap. A few plays later linemen Isaac Sowells and Kurt Quarterman were flagged for penalties and joined Mack. Then Fraley's snap went into the ground.

That was the last straw for coach Eric Mangini, who sent the entire offense on a lap around the field. Anderson set a decent pace, with the lineman bringing up the rear. Defensive back Corey Ivy enjoyed the offense's misery, slapping their hands as they went by and saying, "Pick it up, George," to George Foster.

"They should have (run)," linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said. "That two-minute, they threw flags all over the place."

Left guard Eric Steinbach agreed.

"It got pretty sloppy towards the end," he said. "As practice went on, it kind of fell off, guys were jumping offsides, the ball was on the ground too much. I can see why the whole offense went."

Who's not practicing: Arguably the Browns' top two players were sidelined as defensive lineman Shaun Rogers (presumably hurt on Saturday) rode the exercise bike next to receiver Braylon Edwards (on the reserve-non-football injury list with an undisclosed ailment). Rookie cornerback Don Carey was nowhere to be found after hurting his left shoulder Saturday. Returning was rookie cornerback Coye Francies, who began camp on the same list as Edwards.

QB update: Anderson clearly had the upper hand in the competition with Brady Quinn. Anderson's body language has changed dramatically since the June minicamp, when he looked like he didn't want to be in Cleveland any longer. On Sunday, he was sharp, decisive and managed the team well, especially in the two-minute drill. During seven-on-seven, he threw touchdowns on three of four snaps he took (finding rookie running back James Davis, tight end Aaron Walker and tight end Robert Royal). Anderson received a low five from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll after the throw to Royal.

To end the practice, both quarterbacks got a chance in the 2:00. Quinn faced the first-team defense and failed to score. His series ended on fourth-and-15 when he found receiver Lance Leggett open, but the throw was behind Leggett and out of reach. On Anderson's chance against the second team, he marched the team down the field. On the final play, with 20 seconds left, he found receiver Joshua Cribbs for the touchdown, Cribbs catching it just as the theme from "Rocky" came on the loudspeaker. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan threw his cap to the ground in disgust.

Defensive stars: Defensive lineman Robaire Smith (who tore his Achilles last September) had a good takedown in one-on-one tackling drills and Jackson batted down an Anderson pass. But cornerback Brandon McDonald survived an aerial onslaught from Quinn to Leggett. Quinn threw to Leggett deep on four of six consecutive passes and Leggett caught none. McDonald recorded two good breakups, Leggett dropped one and cornerback Eric Wright, defending on one, was flagged for interference.

Quote of the day: Coach Eric Mangini said emphatically he will not use a two-quarterback system this season, but does not anticipate trading the loser of the competition. "In my mind, Brady and D.A. will both be here," Mangini said.

Celebrity watch: Ryan's father, Buddy, the former coach of the Arizona Cardinals and defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion 1985 Chicago Bears, arrived for a five-day stay and watched on the field. At one point he took notes, saying he was jotting down players he wanted to watch when he catches the Browns on "NFL Sunday Ticket."

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At one point he took notes, saying he was jotting down players he wanted to watch when he catches the Browns on "NFL Sunday Ticket."

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So DA sucked less than BQ???

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-- MoMass dropped an easy long ball which Quinn had placed perfectly. He tried to catch it with his body.

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Be prepared for more of this...Massa excelled at interviews and that's why Mangini drafted him (and why banking on character is overvalued)...too bad he can't catch....just like 95% of the scouting reports suggested....good that Mangini is in the elite 5%

MoMass is Qunicy Morgan all over again...what a waste of a pick, esp. after picking up Robo....and yeah, I´m still not over that disgusted feeling back on draft day when they picked him

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J/C

I caught this on the sportsline.com rapid reports at the top of the page. Thought you all might be interested in it!

10:07 AM: Rookie RB James Davis, who is becoming an increasingly intriguing option for the Browns, bolted through the line and raced 80 yards for a TD.

This new rapid reports thing is actually pretty cool, it allows you to keep up with camp. Check it out here http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page/CLE

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Mangini punishes offense with laps
Multitude of mistakes infuriates new coach, who makes them run

By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer


Published on Monday, Aug 03, 2009

BEREA: Last season, the only significant jogging in Browns' training camp came when Donte' Stallworth spiked Braylon Edwards while he was trotting on the field in socks.

On Sunday, new coach Eric Mangini showed his team that repeated mistakes won't be tolerated, making the entire offense run a lap after a meltdown during no-huddle work more than midway through practice.

''They should have,'' linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said. ''That [drill], they threw flags all over the place.''

The blunders began when rookie center Alex Mack botched the snap count as a defender rushed quarterback Derek Anderson unblocked. Ten-year veteran Hank Fraley was summoned as Mack took a lap. A few plays later linemen Isaac Sowells and Kurt Quarterman were flagged for penalties and were sent jogging. Then a snap by Fraley went into the ground.

That was the last straw for Mangini, who told the offense to head out. Anderson set a decent pace, with the lineman bringing up the rear. Defensive back Corey Ivy enjoyed their misery, slapping their hands as his teammates went by and saying, ''Pick it up, George,'' to George Foster.

Left guard Eric Steinbach didn't have a problem with Mangini's most extreme discipline to date.

''It got pretty sloppy toward the end,'' Steinbach said. ''As practice went on, it kind of fell off, guys were jumping offsides, the ball was on the ground too much. I can see why the whole offense went.''

Jackson praised the offense for getting it together when they returned.





''They actually picked up 4 yards, they made completions,'' Jackson said. ''It speaks volumes for them because they were dead tired and they didn't want to run a lap. But they got positive plays out of it.''


Buddy Ryan visits

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's father, Buddy, 75, the former coach of the Arizona Cardinals and defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion 1985 Chicago Bears, flew in from his home in Northern Kentucky for a five-day stay.

Buddy Ryan said he was enjoying the chance to visit his grandchildren, whom Rob Ryan just brought in from the West Coast. But Buddy Ryan may also be offering some instruction on the Bear defense, the system featuring eight players at or near the line of scrimmage that made him famous.

Mangini has said some of the ''Bear'' will be incorporated into the playbook.

Asked if the scheme was new in 1985, Buddy Ryan said, ''We put it in in '78 when I went to Chicago. We didn't have anybody who could rush the passer or stop the run. We had to do something. Then we kept adding to it. Somebody said it was just an eight-man front. If that's the case, Marilyn Monroe was just another girl.''

Watching on the field, at one point Buddy Ryan jotted some notes. He said he was making a list of players he wanted to pay attention to when he catches the Browns on NFL Sunday Ticket.

''They look like they have some potential,'' he said.

Ryan said he'd already looked at film of Saturday's practices and that two Pro Bowl players, nose tackle Shaun Rogers and left tackle Joe Thomas, stood out.

''I thought I was watching Reggie White,'' Ryan said of Rogers. ''He looked great; 73's come along pretty good.''

Ryan said he didn't want his twin sons Rob and Rex, coach of the New York Jets, to follow in his footsteps.

''I tried to talk them out of it when we were in Philly,'' Ryan said. ''The food service guy at the airport wanted to hire them in a management program and they said, 'We want to coach.' They did the job they wanted to do and they've done a great job.''

Injury report

Rogers (presumably hurt on Saturday) rode the exercise bike next to receiver Braylon Edwards (on the reserve-non-football injury list with an undisclosed ailment). Rookie cornerback Don Carey was nowhere to be found after hurting his left shoulder Saturday. Returning was rookie cornerback Coye Francies, who began camp on the same list as Edwards.

Anderson shines

Anderson had a great day, especially in the two-minute drill. During seven-on-seven, he threw touchdowns on three of four snaps he took, receiving a low five from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll after the last to tight end Robert Royal.

To end the practice, both quarterbacks got a chance in the two-minute. Brady Quinn went against the first-team defense and failed to score. His series ended on fourth-and-15 when he found receiver Lance Leggett open, but threw behind him. On Anderson's opportunity, against the second team, he took a snap with 20 seconds left and found receiver Joshua Cribbs for a TD. Cribbs caught it just as the theme from Rocky came on the loudspeaker and Rob Ryan threw his cap to the ground in disgust.


No platoon

Mangini said emphatically he will not use a two-quarterback system this season, but does not anticipate trading the loser of the competition. ''In my mind, Brady and D.A. will both be here,'' Mangini said.

Brownies

Jackson said linebacker Eric Barton, a fellow University of Maryland product, was fined $1,700 by Mangini, but Jackson didn't disclose Barton's offense. Barton is one of six Browns who played for Mangini with the New York Jets in 2008. . . . Defensive end Robaire Smith, coming off a torn Achilles, had a good takedown in one-on-one tackling drills.
also be offering some instruction on the Bear defense, the system featuring eight players at or near the line of scrimmage that made him famous.

Mangini has said some of the ''Bear'' will be incorporated into the playbook.

Asked if the scheme was new in 1985, Buddy Ryan said, ''We put it in in '78 when I went to Chicago. We didn't have anybody who could rush the passer or stop the run. We had to do something. Then we kept adding to it. Somebody said it was just an eight-man front. If that's the case, Marilyn Monroe was just another girl.''

Watching on the field, at one point Buddy Ryan jotted some notes. He said he was making a list of players he wanted to pay attention to when he catches the Browns on NFL Sunday Ticket.

''They look like they have some potential,'' he said.

Ryan said he'd already looked at film of Saturday's practices and that two Pro Bowl players, nose tackle Shaun Rogers and left tackle Joe Thomas, stood out.

''I thought I was watching Reggie White,'' Ryan said of Rogers. ''He looked great; 73's come along pretty good.''

Ryan said he didn't want his twin sons Rob and Rex, coach of the New York Jets, to follow in his footsteps.

''I tried to talk them out of it when we were in Philly,'' Ryan said. ''The food service guy at the airport wanted to hire them in a management program and they said, 'We want to coach.' They did the job they wanted to do and they've done a great job.''

Injury report

Rogers (presumably hurt on Saturday) rode the exercise bike next to receiver Braylon Edwards (on the reserve-non-football injury list with an undisclosed ailment). Rookie cornerback Don Carey was nowhere to be found after hurting his left shoulder Saturday. Returning was rookie cornerback Coye Francies, who began camp on the same list as Edwards.

Anderson shines

Anderson had a great day, especially in the two-minute drill. During seven-on-seven, he threw touchdowns on three of four snaps he took, receiving a low five from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll after the last to tight end Robert Royal.

To end the practice, both quarterbacks got a chance in the two-minute. Brady Quinn went against the first-team defense and failed to score. His series ended on fourth-and-15 when he found receiver Lance Leggett open, but threw behind him. On Anderson's opportunity, against the second team, he took a snap with 20 seconds left and found receiver Joshua Cribbs for a TD. Cribbs caught it just as the theme from Rocky came on the loudspeaker and Rob Ryan threw his cap to the ground in disgust.

No platoon

Mangini said emphatically he will not use a two-quarterback system this season, but does not anticipate trading the loser of the competition. ''In my mind, Brady and D.A. will both be here,'' Mangini said.

Brownies

Jackson said linebacker Eric Barton, a fellow University of Maryland product, was fined $1,700 by Mangini, but Jackson didn't disclose Barton's offense. Barton is one of six Browns who played for Mangini with the New York Jets in 2008. . . . Defensive end Robaire Smith, coming off a torn Achilles, had a good takedown in one-on-one tackling drills.

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Anderson shines

Anderson had a great day, especially in the two-minute drill. During seven-on-seven, he threw touchdowns on three of four snaps he took, receiving a low five from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll after the last to tight end Robert Royal.

To end the practice, both quarterbacks got a chance in the two-minute. Brady Quinn went against the first-team defense and failed to score. His series ended on fourth-and-15 when he found receiver Lance Leggett open, but threw behind him. On Anderson's opportunity, against the second team, he took a snap with 20 seconds left and found receiver Joshua Cribbs for a TD. Cribbs caught it just as the theme from Rocky came on the loudspeaker and Rob Ryan threw his cap to the ground in disgust.

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Aug 3 2009 | 10:53:40 am
Neither QB - Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn - has shown great accuracy in game simulation drills with the Browns offense today.

Aug 3 2009 | 9:38:53 am
QB Brady Quinn looks sharp on short and medium-range routes, but has been outperformed by QB Derek Anderson so far in Browns camp.

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Rob Ryan threw his cap to the ground in disgust.

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Opposing Offenses should never score, even in Practice. Ya get us to it happening in practice ya get use to it during the games, It's a matter of Pride

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Tony Grossi's blog: Cleveland Browns QBs stymied in two-minute drills
by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer
Monday August 03, 2009, 1:00 PM
BEREA, Ohio -- Observations from the morning workout on Day 3 of Browns training camp ...

• Neither quarterback stood out in two-minute drives. Derek Anderson's series with the first team ended at the 47-yard line with an incompletion. Brady Quinn advanced the second team to the 35. Anderson had a ball deflected by end Kenyon Coleman, but he recovered on the next play to find Jerome Harrison scooting uncovered in a zone. Quinn was sacked on a blitz by cornerback Corey Ivy on his first down. After tight end John Madsen let a ball go throuh his hands, Quinn connected with Paul Hubbard on a crossing route for 22 yards, the longest play of either drive. Earlier in the practice, Quinn aired out a bomb to Lance Leggett, who made a juggling catch over Ivy. The ball traveled about 55 yards in the air and was right on target. Anderson was intercepted in one drill when safety Hamza Abdullah stepped in front of tight end Robert Royal.

• Rookie receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was criticized for drops in some pre-draft scouting reports, but he made the catch of the day in a one-on-one drill against Ivy. Quinn zipped the ball high to Massaquoi running a slant and Massaquoi stretched his long arms for the ball and secured it firmly.

• Receiver Braylon Edwards and nose tackle Shaun Rogers continued to work out with trainers. Lots of stationary bike pedaling. Cornerback Don Carey was out with what is believed to be a shoulder injury. Fullback Charles Ali also was not on the field after suffering an unspecified injury Sunday evening.

• It was a big day for tight end Steve Heiden, who practiced for the first time without a red jersey to limit his contact. Heiden was pleased afterwards with his practice. He had major knee surgery in December.

• Hank Fraley and rookie Alex Mack are rotating practices with the first team. This morning was Mack's turn. The first team line was Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Mack, Floyd Womack and Ryan Tucker.

• Rookie running back James Davis continues to impress with quick feet and aggressive running. Mangini said Davis has been noticed because he's usually the first man down the field on special teams.

• Cornerback Rod Hood spent the morning on the first-team defense in place of Brandon McDonald. Mangini said it's just part of a normal rotation.

• With Edwards still sidelined, the starting receivers were Josh Cribbs and Massaquoi. In three-receiver formations, Mike Furrey lined up in the slot.

• Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley looked good in coverage of Heiden, breaking up a pass over the middle. Wimbley seems to be everywhere on the field.

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This time, No. 3 is No. 1
Aug 3rd, 2009 @ 12:16 pm by Steve Doerschuk

So much for the notion that the first two days of practice were the latest sign Brady Quinn is the guy.
What the brass is really thinking about the QBs is going to be hard to pin down.
It seemed a pattern might be developing, favoring Quinn, in the first two days of practice. Quinn was the first quarterback to run the first 11-on-11 drill each day.
This morning, however, Derek Anderson got that distinction.
Each quarterback looked OK when it was his turn. I don’t think it’s my imagination when I say there was an extra bounce in Anderson’s step when he hit the field in that 11-on-11 today.
My sense is that he intends to put up the fight of his life.
The one thing I noticed about Quinn today is that he is throwing deep balls way more than he did in last year’s camp. His distance has been good, and his accuracy has been OK.

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- WR Braylon Edwards (ankle), NT Shaun Rogers (ankle) and Don Carey (shoulder) all missed the Monday morning practice session. Edwards and Rogers were enjoying a pleasant morning riding on the stationary bikes, while Carey was not on the field.

- CB Eric Wright left the practice session after appearing to have tweaked a hamstring. Corey Ivy gained additional reps when Wright went down and fared reasonably well in breaking up a couple passes, although he was beaten by WR Lance Leggett on a deep route. QB Brady Quinn laid in a perfectly thrown pass from 50+ yards out into the waiting arms of Leggett, who bobbled the pass, but hauled in what was a TD reception.

- With Rogers on the sideline, Robaire Smith, Ahtyba Rubin, Louis Leonard and C.J. Mosely rotated at the nose tackle position. Rubin, believed the be the front-runner to backup Rogers this season, fared best of the group.

- During drills pitting offensive versus defensive linemen. Mosely blew by LT Joe Thomas with surprising ease. Thomas did not set in position quick enough and Mosely wasted little time in exposing Thomas. In their next encounter, Thomas anchored down, displayed a quick and decisive punch, stopping Mosely dead in his tracks, providing the defensive lineman very little drive opportunity.

- Rubin gaining some additional exposure as he got the best of two encounters with rookie center Alex Mack. On one occasion, Rubin drove Mack into the backfield and the second Rubin maintained the upper hand in a very physical battle.

- Veteran center Hank Fraley worked well in the practice session, limiting the advances of NT Shaun Smith and Louis Leonard. Lined up with the starting unit in team drills, Fraley was in the middle of some effective blocking in drills.

- Midway through the session on Sunday, veteran Ryan Tucker gained reps with the starting unit. Since this time, Tucker appears to be regaining his feel for the game, and has been much more competitive and fluid in drills.

- Alongside Tucker has been free agent acquisition Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack. Womack has been quietly effective throughout the four practice sessions to date.

- John St. Clair lined up as the starter at RT early in the camp sessions, but has worked with the second unit at LT and RT of late. This movement is part of the evaluation process of the coaching staff to determine versatility and depth.

- Undrafted rookie free agent Branndon Braxton continues to display some impressive skills. Long and athletic, Braxton is showing improving footwork and strength that makes him a viable prospect for this team. Braxton is a player to watch and evaluate his development.

- OLB David Bowens has been effective in gaining pressure coming off the edge from his OLB position. Throughout practice sessions Bowens has been driving linemen, TE's and RB's back in drills; this morning Bowens destroyed RT George Foster in one specific blocking drill. Foster did make a better showing when the two faced off again; in gaining positioning and balance, Foster fended off the rush of Bowens.

- TE Steve Heiden got to remove the red limited-contact jersey and was involved in drills, catching a pass in a team drill midway through the session.

- TE Martin Rucker was blown off the ball in blocking drills by OLB Alex Hall. In their second encounter, Rucker fared better, but still had his hands full with the quick and decisively stronger Hall.

- DE Kenyon Coleman batted down a pass again in today's practice session. Getting hands up to block the view of the QB has been a facet worked on during drills.

- The ILB's, namely Eric Barton and D'Qwell Jackson play instinctively; flowing to the ball has not been an issue for the pair as the defensive staff installs new scheme packages.

- The Monday morning session was an up and down affair for Quinn and Derek Anderson. Anderson threw the ball well on most occasions, but was again intercepted, this time by safety Hamza Abdullah who returned the pick for a TD. Despite the interception, Anderson's poise and accuracy were solid for the second straight session.

- Quinn simply appears to get better as a practice session progresses and facing live competition. Granted, the QB still threw numerous passes behind the receivers, one which would have been an easy TD pass to rookie Jordan Norwood. But, his overall touch down field is improving with each passing session. As with Anderson, the number of errant passes should diminish once the timing with the receivers and within the offensive sets become second nature.

- Another practice in the books and another day I have to write about rookie RB James Davis. Again in this session against top-of-the-depth chart competition, Davis' quick one-cut-and-go ability, coupled with what appears to be excellent vision and quickness makes him interesting and intriguing to follow. Now, we have viewed players in the past waltz into camp and excite -- let's see what happens in a couple weeks when the practices begin to take their physical and mental toll on a player and the preseason games begin.

- WR Paul Hubbard has not gotten off to a solid start in camp. Hubbard has dropped a few passes, which was the knock on the speedy receiver when coming out of Wisconsin. During the Monday morning session, Hubbard cut off a route which resulted in an incomplete pass, came back and made a fantastic reception of a Quinn dart in the hurry-up, then flailed aimlessly at another Quinn attempt later in the same session.

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I have a question for everyone. Have anyone heard news from Brian Daboll our OC? Does he have a personal faivorite at QB. I haven't heard anything from this guy.

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Wow. Some of that was kind of depressing. But I do appreciate it.

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MoMass is going to be a wasted pick I fear.

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I felt that way after we drafted him

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Wow. Some of that was kind of depressing. But I do appreciate it.

Everyone is mentioning Davis. How does Harrison look?

MoMass is going to be a wasted pick I fear.

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Wow. Some of that was kind of depressing. But I do appreciate it.

Everyone is mentioning Davis. How does Harrison look?

MoMass is going to be a wasted pick I fear.

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one thing that is a pleasant surprise is the number of deeper shots quinn has been practicing. this will only help his game as i've always felt he's been too timid and unwilling to take strikes down the field, allowing the defense to play a short game, taking away the run.

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This Davis kid is getting lots of praise,, makes you kinda wonder how, if he's so good, how'd he last till the late rounds.... If true, I'm glad we got him...

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A new Paul Hubbard appears

Aug 3rd, 2009 @ 8:00 pm by Steve Doerschuk

- Phil Savage liked Wisconsin wideout Paul Hubbard well enough to trade into the sixth round last year, at the expense of a Round 5 pick this year.
After this morning’s practice, the talk was about how hard it will be for Hubbard to make the team. He seemed in danger of losing trust from quarterbacks if he didn’t stop dropping practice throws.
Well, in the evening session, albeit after changing from full pads to shorts, Hubbard made a couple of spectacular catches. On one, Hubbard leaped in double coverage and snatched the ball away from two defensive backs, one of them veteran safety Nick Sorensen. I couldn’t pick out the cornerback, but the point was Hubbard made a great play.
Hubbard also made one of the better catches during an 11-on-11 two-minute drill in the morning practice, but that was after looking shaky in position drills.
Brady Quinn threw a lot of balls toward Hubbard over the course of the morning practice. The results were choppy. Quinn was disgusted with himself during one 11-on-11 sideline throw that sailed far over Hubbard’s head.
By the end of the day, there was a buzz about Hubbard, who is trying to prove he isn’t a big athletic track guy masquerading as a football player.
- Quinn had a rough evening practice, throwing 11-on-11 picks to two of the new starters, linebacker Eric Barton and safety Abram Elam.
On the Barton pick, about 20 yards downfield, Quinn lobbed the ball, giving the veteran ex-Jet plenty of time to break and catch. The one to Elam was underthrown.
Derek Anderson threw the ball well for the most part. He seems to have improved on his throws in the 10- to 15-yard range. They hit the receivers in stride and get there in a hurry.
- Something Joe Thomas said today caught me off guard. Big Joe said it would be strange playing without Eric Steinbach after they spent two seasons side by side, but he added, “Whoever ends up at left guard I’m sure will do very well.”
I had begun to think Steinbach was locking down the position. Maybe he is, but …
- Rookie RB James Davis got lit up big-time by LB Leon Williams during a “live” blocking drill, in the evening practice.

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