Josh kept all things contractual in-check afterward:

“Cleveland’s a blue collar city. The last thing this city wants is a player talking about money and running around and we haven’t won any games. I mean, you have to do it on the field first, and show them what you can do. I know I’ve been doing it pretty good, but we have to win games and then it will come. Being a leader on the football team, I didn’t want to bring those distractions to our football team inside the locker room, off the field. I didn’t want to be a problem. What I wanted to do was let my play speak for itself, and hopefully I did enough of that tonight.”

On a team that’s currently 2-11, Josh has been one of the Browns’ few bright spots this season. That’s even more reason for the team to offer Josh a long-term deal that keeps him in town for the rest of his career.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Cleveland Browns Need to Pay Josh Cribbs

Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns / Image: Zuma Press

Brady started the season and got nowhere. And he has the numbers to prove it. After three starts, Brady has a sickly 62.3 quarterback rating. Derek filled in for five games and didn’t fare any better. In fact, he was worse with just two touchdowns to nine interceptions and a 36.2 QB rating. Are you serious? In the team’s only aforementioned win, Derek was a ridiculous 2-of-17 passing for 23 yards. I’m almost positive I could attain those same numbers against any defense in the National Football League. That’s how bad that was.

Now that we’re into the second half of the season, Brady is more than ready to get back on the field:

“I don’t spend a lot of time on the past. I think you always try to go back and be critical of yourself, but a lot of times I try to look at more fundamental things and I try to look at some (specific) things—what could I have done different in this situation? And again, I always feel confident in what I put out there on the field.”

Well, with little left to play for (except pride, blah blah), the Browns announced today that Brady would, in fact, get the starting nod against the Ravens. Under normal circumstances (like, if the team had any hope of making the playoffs), I would say Browns fans would be excited to see the popular Brady Quinn back under center. But who really cares at this point? He has nobody to throw to. And the New Orleans Saints defense has scored more touchdowns than the Browns offense this season. So, where’s the excitement coming from? At least the Browns aren’t beating themselves. They lead the entire NFL in fewest penalties. But not so fast. They have the worst turnover differential at -11. No matter how you slice it, it’s a sad state of affairs in Cleveland.

Source: ClevelandBrowns.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brady Quinn Named Browns Starter Again

I sent an email to VP of Corporate Communications Brian McCarthy and he told me all NFL clubs received the following memo from Commissioner Roger Goodell:

“If a club has at least six players unable to participate as the result of confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu, it can receive roster exemptions for those players and promote players from its own practice squad to replace them. A club can receive a max of eight such exemptions. They must be medically confirmed cases of swine flu. This procedure does not apply to any other type of flu or illness. There is a deadline for promoting practice squad players pursuant to these procedures at four hours prior to kickoff.”

He also said the rationale for the policy was to try to anticipate potential issues. This policy, which was discussed with the Competition Committee, was implemented in the event an outbreak of H1N1 materially affected a club’s roster. As with all issues of player health and safety, medical considerations must and will have priority over competitive concerns.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Cleveland Browns Sacked By Flu Bug

Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns / Photo: Newscom

Browns head coach Eric Mangini said what he could about the situation:

“We’re not looking to move Brady Quinn. We get calls all the time that we listen to, but Brady is a Cleveland Brown, and it’s not anything we’re looking to do.”

In other words, the Cleveland Browns aren’t actively pursuing a trade for quarterback Brady Quinn. But they are getting phone calls. And they’re listening. As far as Brady is concerned, he said he’s under contract with the Browns and is focused on the team’s next opponent—the Pittsburgh Steelers. But he does have a house for sale, which he claims has nothing to do with anything other than a shorter commute to work.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Browns Not Looking to Trade Brady Quinn

Rob Ryan, Cleveland Browns / AP Photo

Coach Ryan didn’t agree with the end result:

“You can watch the tape. I’m not saying anything, but maybe the posts were crooked. Look at it. I don’t want to get fined. I pay enough money already on the house I don’t even live in in California. I don’t want to make this a big story, but I was disappointed. I thought it missed. Of course, I’m not an expert. That’s why I’m saying maybe somebody else should look at it.”

They already have. According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, the NFL has reviewed the kick from a number of angles and feels the correct call was made. I watched the end of that game and my initial reaction was that the kick was wide right. In fact, I was stunned when the officials raised their arms signaling a good kick and thus, the end of the game. I thought I saw a missed field goal. Of course, I haven’t looked at numerous replays like the league did, but I can understand coach Ryan’s concern. You can watch the replay of it here. The CBS announcers act as though Shayne split the uprights.

Source: ESPN.com, NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Rob Ryan Speaks His Mind, Disputes Loss

Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns / Photo: Newscom

It’s been a season of turmoil for the Braylon (and the entire Browns organization, for that matter)—who never realized his full potential in Cleveland. In four games, Braylon only has 10 catches for 139 yards and no touchdowns. (Of course, he’s probably dropped more balls than any other receiver in the National Football League since he was drafted five years ago.) And he’s under investigation by the league for allegedly assaulting local club owner Edward Givens just two days ago. So, Braylon doesn’t arrive in New York without baggage. But his upside for success apparently outweighed the obstacles according to the receiver-needy Jets, who hope a change of scenery will enable Braylon to catch more balls than he drops.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Braylon Edwards Traded to N.Y. Jets

Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns / Image: Zuma Press

I don’t know why coach Mangini was keeping this decision a secret anyway. It isn’t like prep work for Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson is a lot different. Both are built roughly the same and play a similar style game—they’re pocket passers. Derek is a bit older and slower. But he also has a bigger arm. Brady is no Michael Vick but he will use his legs when necessary—certainly more than Derek would. But there’s no huge difference here. So coach Mangini is probably not all broken up about the word getting out. He was just being difficult. (I wonder where he learned that?)

Anyway, the decision to start Brady Quinn is not a surprise. I know it’s certainly the popular decision, generally speaking, among Browns faithful. Brady is the fan favorite. I also believe he’s more versatile and gives the Browns a better chance to win. If he should go down to injury or fail to live up to his expectations, however, the Browns at least have the comfort of turning to an experienced and capable number two option.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brady Quinn Will Start at QB for Browns

Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns / Image: Zuma Press

Browns head coach Eric Mangini won’t admit to it, however, insisting nothing has been decided yet:

“My goal is to give each the opportunity to prove they are the starter. We’ve split reps equally. We’ve split situations equally. And they’ll both get a chance. But at some point, one will make a really strong case that they should be the starter. And at that point, we’ll name one.”

Interestingly, rumor has it Brady has had an unfair advantage. According to an ESPN.com report, Derek said the radio receiver in his helmet wasn’t working recently, so he had to work with hand signals. He said Brady, who was quarterbacking the White team, schooled White defenders on those hand signals, which, obviously, made it harder for Derek to perform well. Hmmm.

Sources: ClevelandBrowns.com, ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brady Quinn Leading QB Race in Cleveland?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell / Photo: Newscom

• “The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable. While the criminal justice system has determined the legal consequences of this incident, it is my responsibility as NFL Commissioner to determine appropriate league discipline for your actions, which have caused irreparable harm to the victim and his family, your club, your fellow players and the NFL.”
• “The conduct that led to your conviction plainly violates both the Personal Conduct and Substances of Abuse policies. Either provides me with full authority to take appropriate disciplinary action against you, including a fine or suspension without pay, and to impose appropriate conditions on your continued participation in the NFL. In this case, there is ample evidence to warrant significant discipline under both policies.”
• “There is no reasonable dispute that your continued eligibility for participation at this time would undermine the integrity of and public confidence in our league. Accordingly, I have decided to suspend you indefinitely, effective immediately. In due course, we will contact your representatives to schedule a meeting with you, after which I will make a final determination on discipline. Pending my final determination, you will not be permitted to visit the club’s facility or participate in any team activities.”
• “Everyone associated with the league derives tremendous benefits from participating in our game and from the extraordinary support we receive from the public. With these benefits comes, among other things, the responsibility to conduct ourselves in a lawful and responsible way, with no entitlement to or expectation of favorable treatment.”

Under NFL policies, all NFL employees recognize that alcohol-related violations of law will not be tolerated and that they will be held accountable over and above any sanctions imposed by a court of law. This accountability to the NFL for alcohol-related violations of law includes discipline in the form of major fines and suspensions without pay. The level of discipline is significantly increased in cases involving aggravating circumstances and/or repeat offenses.

In addition to a comprehensive testing and treatment program for substance abuse, the NFL and NFL Players Association have extensive education and prevention resources available to players and all other league and club employees. One of those resources is a “safe rides” program used by most clubs to provide players and other employees with alternative means of transportation if they have consumed alcoholic beverages. Commissioner Goodell notified all clubs earlier this year that there will be increased emphasis on addressing DUIs and other misconduct.

Source: NFL Media

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Roger Goodell’s Letter to Donte’ Stallworth

Donte' Stallworth, Cleveland Browns / Image: Zuma Press

Cleveland Browns GM General Manager George Kokinis made the following statement:

“The Browns are very conscious of the seriousness of the charges to which Donte’ Stallworth plead guilty to today. We are continuing to evaluate the situation and will make the decisions that we believe are in the best interest of the Cleveland Browns.”

Some people will say this punishment is not enough. But in Donte’s defense, he had an excellent pre-accident history of community service, plenty of references that attested to his good character, no traffic violations or criminal convictions, a complete post-incident cooperation with law enforcement, and a willingness to accept complete responsibility for his actions. Therefore, the terms of the plea were agreed upon between the State Attorney’s office and the police. And the Reyes family was in agreement. Obviously, no sentence can bring Mario Reyes back to his family. But the idea is that this plea deal will provide them some kind of closure as a just punishment.

Bringing football back into the equation, I wonder how NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will rule in this matter? I do know he will make a decision before training camp. And if the price is similar to what Leonard Little paid (on a guilty plea of involuntary manslaughter after killing someone while driving drunk in 1998), it will be an eight game suspension.

Source: ClevelandBrowns.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Donte’ Stallworth Pleads Guilty