So, what's your thoughts on signing Edwards
What a difference a year makes.
This time last May, the NFL was hurtling towards what looked to be an impassable labor stoppage. It’s easy now to forget how quickly mini-camps were swapped for circuit courts and how close Arena football came to becoming a desperate alternative for starved fans. A year later, it would seem all wounds have healed as the corporate NFL monolith has regained its momentum and is steamrolling to another heavily anticipated start.
Perhaps no better evidence can be offered than from a Thursday story that practically no one read.
In case you missed it, the NFL’s Referees Association are pursuing a new labor contract with the league. As you may have guessed, negotiations have stalled and the league office announced that it is looking into hiring replacement officials for the 2012 season.
Trampled under the weight of April’s draft, Bountygate and more troubling research about brain trauma, this story certainly wasn’t dissected like a 2011 NFL courtroom saga. In most respects, the average NFL fan doesn’t invest much thought into the lives of the league’s referees – much less care about yet another intricate round of legal haggling.
Considering an NFL referee’s relatively light 20-24 game schedule and traditional temporary status (most have full-time careers outside of football), the prospect of a prolonged labor fight would seem to instantly favor the league. While NFL referees are clearly skilled professionals – having to absorb and instantly enforce the league’s massive rulebook while physically tracking world-class athletes – there are still part-time employees who border on being individual contractors.
At this point in the labor talks, it would appear the referees need the NFL more than the league needs them – at least if you listen to Ron Baynes, who has been tasked with recruiting referee replacements for the league.
When asked about the league’s criteria for replacement officials, Baynes revealed he is looking for “lower-division college, professional league and semi-professional league officials whose window of opportunity for advancement has pretty much closed but who have the ability to work higher levels but just got overlooked.”
Or in other words – anybody who has refereed anything – anytime – anywhere.
Not exactly the most inspirational of words for an NFL referee. Unlike a replacement player – such as those seen during the 1987 player strike and basically during the latter portions of NFL preseason games – replacement officials wouldn’t dramatically affect the outcome of a game. The gap between an NFL referee and a potential replacement is not as distant as the one found between an NFL starter and an Arena League rookie. While that may be a simplistic comparison, most referees can handle the complexities of the game – at least once the basic physical demands are met.
However, in a league that is suddenly concerned with all things relating to safety, it would seem that using experienced NFL referees would be preferable to having to field several crews of replacements.
Of course this entire story could be nothing more than the league performing due diligence by creating a contingency plan – while flexing its Herculean muscles in the form of replacement referee leverage.
Otherwise, NFL referees are about to become an endangered species – joining a list of things deemed irrelevant by the league in recent years.
Or – why stop at referees? Perhaps the league could find replacements for these spare parts:
1. Kick Returners
Seriously, what’s the point anymore? After moving the kickoff line up in some skewed attempt to limit violent player hits by increasing touchbacks, the NFL practically legislated away its most exciting play. In the process, kickoffs have become both as meaningless and predictable as an extra point. In the playoffs, kickoffs – and special teams in general – have been dismissed as some sub-genre of the game – instead of serving as a highly refined skill that rewards teams who boast well-rounded rosters. Yet, the league’s Sisyphean task of reducing injuries in a game predicated on constant collisions will only lead to more rule changes and eventually the outright banning of kickoffs.
2. Throwing Over the Middle of the Field
While we’re at it, why not make the middle of the field safer for wide receivers to roam? While most of the talk about helmet to helmet hits usually revolves around quarterbacks (or those who are hit by Pittsburgh’s James Harrison), the most violent acts are committed by linebackers and safeties blasting receivers on 7-10 yard routes. In many cases, the fault for some truly ugly hits lies with the offensive play caller – who is inadvertently leading his receiver into danger. Of course, an erratic quarterback can also be cited here. Unless the game evolves back into a three yards and a cloud of dust era (highly unlikely given the league’s current pass-friendly rules), look for Pro Bowl-esque rules coming to an NFL field near you.
3. Lawyers
After Jeff Saturday and Robert Kraft became the twin beacons of labor goodwill last season, I was reminded of what the NFL truly stands for – The National Federation of Lawyers. Or, only in the NFL could the Players’ Association think they walked away with a long-term solution. In time, it will be revealed that the players were again fleeced by a small Army of lawyers representing the league’s owners. The clauses pertaining to player safety alone will be continually challenged in the coming years – especially as more attention is paid to player safety.
This can only mean more lawyers, maybe more courtrooms – and a return to 2011.
On the eve of rookie minicamp, Browns coach Pat Shurmur stuck to the company line regarding Brandon Weeden.
In a flurry of interviews this week with local and national sports talk shows, President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert have reiterated that although the organization expects Weeden to become its starting quarterback, he must first prove himself worthy. The Browns’ bigwigs insist that they don’t want to simply hand the 28-year-old Weeden the starting job, even though they recently drafted him in the first round (22nd overall).
So has Shurmur told Weeden he’ll need to earn it?
“Yeah, I think that’s the speech that I give all the rookies, and it’ll be part of what I say tonight as well,” Shurmur said Thursday afternoon during a conference call with reporters. “We drafted these players for a reason. We drafted them with the idea that they could come in and start, or until they start, can be effective role players. But they have to come here and do it. And by doing it, that’s what [we mean when] we talk about competing.
“They understand it. … I’ve reminded all of them. They don’t expect anything will be given to them because that was the case when they went to college as well. I’m sure they all will look at this as if this is just another step in their football careers. We don’t give anybody anything. They’ve got to earn it in our eyes.”
Shurmur said Weeden would compete with Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace.
“They’re out there trying to do their very best, and then we’ll decide who the starter is of course,” Shurmur said. “I’ll decide who the starter’s going to be when we play against Philadelphia. It’s going to be a fun thing to talk about. I can feel it already.”
Weeden is one of 37 players set to take part in the Browns’ rookie minicamp, which will be held today through Sunday at the team’s headquarters in Berea. The list will include 11 draft picks, 15 undrafted rookie free-agent signings, tryout players and some others with one year of NFL experience who are allowed to participate per league rules.
Shurmur said he expects the rookies to be healthy and able to participate in the minicamp, including running back Trent Richardson, the third overall pick who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee for a meniscus tear Feb. 3.
Shurmur is eager to see his new players, some of whom will likely be counted on to start immediately. In addition to Weeden, Richardson and offensive right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, a second-round pick (37th overall), linebackers James-Michael Johnson and Emmanuel Acho could receive an opportunity to enter the starting lineup right away.
Browns starting strongside linebacker Scott Fujita has been suspended by the NFL for the first three games of the upcoming season for his alleged role in the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal. Fujita has denied involvement and reserved the right to appeal. But Johnson, a fourth-round pick (120th overall), and Acho, a sixth-round selection (204th overall), might benefit if the suspension is upheld.
“What Scott’s going through is league business,” Shurmur said. “As far as we know right now, he’s going to be out for three games. We’ll plan around that and see what happens. We feel good about the linebackers we drafted, and I’ll be better able to talk about them after this weekend.”
Draft picks reach deals
The Browns agreed to terms of four-year contracts with fourth-round pick Travis Benjamin, fifth-round choice Ryan Miller and seventh-round selection Trevin Wade, league sources said Thursday.
Terms of the deals were not immediately disclosed.
The Browns drafted Benjamin, a wide receiver from Miami, 100th overall. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Benjamin started nine of 11 games last season, catching 41 passes for 609 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned 25 kickoffs for 592 yards (23.7 average) and 11 punts for 121 yards (11.0 average) as a senior.
The Browns took Miller, an offensive lineman from Colorado, 160th overall. The 6-7, 321-pound Miller started all 37 games during the past three seasons, including 13 as a senior. Most of his collegiate experience was at right guard, but he also played some right tackle.
The Browns picked Wade, a cornerback from Arizona, 245th overall. The 5-10, 192-pound Wade had 52 tackles, 13 pass breakups and two interceptions last season as a senior. He finished his four-year collegiate career with 12 interceptions.
Speaking engagement
Shurmur is scheduled to speak Monday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club.
The luncheon club meets at Tozzi’s on 12th, located at 4210 12th St. NW, Canton. Lunch will be served starting at 11 a.m. The program is scheduled to run from 12:10-1 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for members and $22 for non-members.
Brownies
The United States Football League announced Thursday that James Bailey, a former executive vice president of the Browns, has been named to its board of advisers. … Browns offensive left tackle Joe Thomas was ranked 82nd on the NFL Network’s “The top 100: Players in 2012.” Players vote to determine who makes the list
The Browns took Miller, an offensive lineman from Colorado, 160th overall. The 6-7, 321-pound Miller started all 37 games during the past three seasons, including 13 as a senior. Most of his collegiate experience was at right guard, but he also played some right tackle.
Browns DT Phil Taylor will undergo surgery next week to repair the left pectoral muscle torn while lifting weights on Thursday.
A torn pectoral injury usually costs a player the entire season, though Taylor has an advantage in that it occurred four months before the opener. The timetable should be in the 4-6 month range, leaving Taylor as a candidate to open the season on the PUP list. The loss of Taylor is devastating to a defense with little depth up front. Even with Taylor in the lineup last season, the Browns were a dream matchup for opposing fantasy backs.
Have a round on the Hound here .No promises, but if you keep your tab open, it would be more motivational..
play nice in the sandbox
BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor tore his left pectoral muscle and will undergo surgery next week, coach Pat Shurmur said today.
Shurmur acknowledged that the injury "could be'' season ending. But he cautioned, "I don't want to cancel him out for the year.''
"He's going to miss a significant amount of time ... more months than weeks," Shurmur said this morning as the Browns opened their rookie minicamp. "It's too early to speculate how long that will be. It's just one of those things that happened.''
At a luncheon at the University of Akron, Browns President Mike Holmgren said, "I think there is a chance he can come back and play'' this season.
Holmgren said the Browns might have to wait until final cuts to see which linemen get released, "but in a perfect world you'd like to have the guy in camp with you.''
Taylor suffered the injury while lifting weights at the Browns training facility Thursday.
Injuries of this nature often take at least six months to heal. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson underwent season-ending surgery in each of the past two seasons for two separate torn pectorals. In 2010, Jackson suffered the injury in training camp and missed the entire season. In 2009, he was injured six games into the season and missed the final 10 games."By his own admission (Jackson) feels better, stronger than before,'' said Holmgren.
Added Shurmur: "Everybody recovers at a different rate. Our guess is he'll be a fast healer.
"It's unfortunate. We feel bad for Phil. But he's in good spirits and he's going to come back from this thing stronger than ever."
Taylor was the Browns' first draft pick (21 overall) in the 2011 draft. He started all 16 games last season.
The Browns drafted defensive tackle John Hughes in the third round out of Cincinnati and signed defensive ends Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker in free agency.
Former Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis says the NFL is a silent killer. In an article in USA Today, Lewis (via radio interview with WCNN), talks about concussions and other dangers related to the sport.
Lewis is also feeling the aftereffects of the pounding he received courtesy of 2,542 career carries.
"Oh yeah, your memory, headaches, dizziness. Your eyes get sensitive to the light," Lewis said. "You're up all night. You can't really sleep sometimes. A lot of that is stuff that a lot of people might deal with on a regular basis, just who knows why? But at the same time, these are things that an actual NFL player actually deals with -- an ex-NFL player or even one that's playing now -- you deal with that all the time. It's even like with Junior Seau. Who knows what this guy was dealing with, but he was an icon. Who could he talk to? Who could he speak to? And those are the outlets that he probably didn't have."
Post-concussion problems led to his retirement following the 2009 season, writes Nate Davis. Lewis says he first suffered from it in the opener that year but didn't realize (nor did the Cleveland trainers) how severe his symptoms were; he actually returned to that Week 1 contest when his backup was also injured and was plagued until being shut down later in the year.
More Cleveland Browns
The QB starting job is Brandon Weeden's to lose (ESPN).
Kent State's coach says Trent Richardson is going to be special (Ohio.com).
Pat Shurmur is pumped (The News-Herald).
What could Trent Richardson's contract look like (WFNY)?
BEREA, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson were impressive in their first rookie minicamp camp practice today.
Weeden showed off his strong arm, throwing nice, tight spirals with good velocity and zip. He completed plenty of out routes and several deep balls. He also looked fluid operating under center and dropping back. His footwork looked completely natural despite throwing primarily out of the shotgun in college his last two seasons.
"I feel really comfortable under center,'' he said. "I'll be honest, I like being under center more because I can see more of what's going on, and you get the ball immediately. If I had to pick one of the two -- not that I don't like being in the shotgun -- but I like being under center.''
Weeden said he's determined to beat out Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace for the starting job.
"That's the approach that we're all going to take,'' said Weeden. "It's going to be fun. Colt's been in this system for two years, so he understands the offense. I'm going to ask him questions and we're going to learn together and compete. that's what it's all about. I think he would answer the same way: we're going to do whatever we can to help this team win games, plain and simple. Whether it's me, him, obviously I hope I'm the guy. I'm going to do everything in my power to be the guy but you've got to take it one step at a time.''
Weeden showed off his natural chemistry with former Oklahoma State receiver Josh Cooper, his second-leading receiver there, and also completed some balls to fourth-round pick Travis Benjamin. His quick release and accuracy -- although under no pressure yet -- were evident.
"Even when I first picked up the football, I've always been a natural thrower,'' he said. "Obviously if we get our feet set it's really easy. I was fortunate. When I got to the college level, I took a lot of pride in it. Today I threw the ball fairly accurately, not as good as I can. I've been blessed to be able to throw the football.''
Weeden hopes to bring a championship to the win-starved Browns fans.
"Before I'm done playing I want to win a Super Bowl,'' he said. "That's my goal as a player.''
Richardson showed good burst and speed, and also caught the ball well out of the backfield. He bobbled the first few exchanges, but settled into his game after that.
"You've got to get used to the double numbers on the jerseys,'' he said. "They're kind of slick. I didn't have double numbers or a slick jersey (at Alabama). When I got used to the handoffs with Brandon, another quarterback and stuff, I went with the flow. I know it was a rough start but as it went on, everything smoothed on out.''
He also learned quickly why Weeden was able to throw 90-plus mph fastballs in the minor leagues.
"He's got a strong arm,'' said Richardson. "I was three yards away from him, he threw it real hard and I had to put my hands up real fast. I can see why he played baseball.''
The camp runs through Sunday.
• The Browns also signed sixth-round defensive tackle Billy Winn of Boise State. He becomes more important now that Phil Taylor is out for months with a torn pectoral muscle.
• Browns coach Pat Shurmur said the team has not discussed acquiring receiver Plaxico Burress, who told Sirius XM Radio that the Browns are one of about four teams he's like to play for.
Nice to hear a QB sound like a QB and sound confidant.. Good to see #3 hand off to #33..
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/ind
ex.ssf/2012/05/cleveland_browns_fir
st-round_p.html
Here is some Richardson video. Dude looks like he doesn't need shoulder pads...
http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/medi
a-center/videos/Rookie-Mini-Camp-Ri
chardson-Pratice-Footage/5513a026-c
330-4405-8803-3e0bcc63c4ec
However, both are rookies and will likely both go through some growing pains during their first season. If the Browns want to help ease the growing pains for their new quarterback, Weeden, they may want to look into a veteran wide receiver still available in free agency, Plaxico Burress.
