Why Michael Vick Is a Perfect Fit As a Jacksonville Jaguar

Written by Daniel Wolf

As the Michael Vick circus continues, everyone and their grandmother are trying to predict where he might end up.

There have been many solid arguments for a few teams, but here is a new one to bring to the table.

Vick is a perfect fit in a Jaguars uniform.

You might be thinking, “Why would the Jags want him?”

The answer is quite simple: current quarterback David Garrard is playing to retain his job this year and a little competition never hurts.

This is not to say that Garrard is a horrible quarterback, but he cannot play at a consistent level and everyone from the general manger to the head coach to the fans know this.

Whether or not, Vick can actually compete at the higher level will remain to be seen, but still having a guy with the talent that Vick has cannot hurt.

Especially if the Jags want to utilize the Wildcat formation.

Can you even imagine Vick lining up behind center with Maurice Jones-Drew behind him?

That is a very dangerous combination.

Vick may also be a good fit to catch some passes, as a wide receiver, for the Jags since they constantly have receiver issues the last few seasons.

Another reason that Vick would be a perfect fit in Jacksonville is the fact that he will fill seats at the stadium during home games.

The Jags are having trouble filling seats and that is evident to all, since you can see all the empty seats that are just covered up so it won’t look as bad during games.

Vick could probably fill those covered seats.

In conclusion, no matter what team lands Vick, he will draw huge crowds (of fans and activists) and it will be a media frenzy.

 

Brady Quinn Versus Derek Anderson: One Shall Stand, One Shall Fall

Written by Daniel Wolf

Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source

To start, I could not resist using a Transformers quote in the headline of this article since the movie is killing it at the box offices around the world and quickly approaching a worldwide gross of $1 billion.

Over the past several months, I have been reading article after article after article about the quarterback competition, and I kept telling myself, “I really don’t want to get involved by writing an article of my own, since there have been so many articles thus far.”

Now I cannot resist.

I compare it to the cartoons where a character is shown a giant button but told not to push it no matter what.

After staring at that button for so long now, I have to push it because it’s driving me crazy.

So here it goes…I’m pushing the button.

It really doesn’t matter who you like and dislike in the quarterback competition, because it is not your decision in the end.

Browns coach Eric Mangini will be making a final decision to end the never-ending quarterback competitions here in Cleveland.

Hopefully…it will be the right decision in the long run and there is nothing you, as a fan, can do about it.

Whether it is Quinn or Anderson, whoever does come out on top, needs to perform under the pressure of playing for the Browns.

The Cleveland fans are relentless and have always loved the backup quarterback, especially whenever the starter does not perform at a high level, which will be a lot of pressure on whoever wins this.

With the Browns looking to focus on running the ball a lot more in 2009, Anderson’s gunslinger style of play will probably not cut it, but it still remains to be seen if Quinn is really the answer at quarterback since it is not known if he can consistently and accurately throw down the field.

If Quinn or Anderson do not produce in 2009, then look for the Browns to consider taking a quarterback in the 2010 NFL Draft, with top quarterback prospects Colt McCoy of Texas and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma.

Or maybe Brett Ratliff is the answer if Quinn or Anderson don’t pan out. Not too much is known about Ratliff, except that he smoked the Browns in a preseason game last year.

In conclusion, instead of continuing the endless search for its franchise quarterback, how about either Quinn or Anderson just stepping up and taking over this franchise that needs a permanent face at quarterback.

Remember in Transformers, Optimus Prime is the one left standing, but he takes a serious beating to get there.

Who will be the Browns version of Optimus Prime and be left standing at the end?

Quinn versus Anderson…let the battle begin!

Playing Football Under The Radar: Cleveland Browns TE Steve Heiden

Written by Daniel Wolf

Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source

Before Kellen Winslow there was Steve Heiden. Now that Winslow is gone, there is once again Heiden to take over the tight end position.

Even though new coach Eric Mangini brought in another veteran tight end in former Buffalo Bill Robert Royal, the starting tight end position is Heiden’s goal once more.

Heiden, Martin Rucker and Royal will look to battle it out in training camp.

Heiden was drafted in 1999 by the San Diego Chargers in the third round pick, at No. 69. After hardly seeing any playing time for the Chargers, he was then traded to the Browns in 2002.

He then slowly started to work himself into the Browns starting lineup before getting an ankle injury in 2003 that took him out of the last seven games of the season.

The year following, the Browns used their high draft pick on Winslow, and everyone knows that story. Winslow got hurt at the beginning of the 2004 season while trying to recover an onside kick against the Dallas Cowboys.

Then in 2004, with Winslow hurt, Heiden started thirteen games and broke out.

Heiden once again stepped into the starter role in 2005, due to Winslow’s bike accident, and gave the Browns great leadership, blocking ability and solid pass catching skills.

The next few years (2006-’08) saw a decrease in production from Heiden statistically because of Winslow’s pass catching abilities, but Heiden was still brought in to do the blocking and dirty work, which he never complained about.

Heiden has fully recovered from his 2008 injury and it has been reported that he his ready for training camp.

Now that Winslow is gone, the starting tight end job is Heiden’s for the taking. He may not be as dynamic as most other tight ends in the league, because Heiden is more the silent type.

Silent, but deadly.

No matter who becomes the starter Heiden will always be a class act who is the definitive team player, and look for him to once again be the model of consistency for the Browns in 2009.

Buffalo Bills Fans Go Bananas For Terrell Owens at Training Camp Practice

Written by Daniel Wolf

Just a few days after Terrell Owens’ VH1 television show called The T.O. Show aired and drew crowds to watch him in real life, Owens is drawing more crowds this weekend to watch him some more on the football field.

Over 5,000 Bills fans showed up to the first training camp practice to catch a glimpse of Owens and hopefully get an autograph too.

The Bills are the fourth stop for Owens after San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas.

A very unlikely place for Owens to land, Buffalo gave him $6.5 million to come play for one year.

Fans that were in attendance made the practice feel like a circus-like environment coming equipped with Owens memorabilia the likes of his new limited edition cereal that is available in Buffalo grocery stores and Owens No. 81 Bills jerseys.

There were even some fans that had the letters “TO” painted on their chests.

It was almost like gameday in Buffalo.

“It adds a lot of excitement,” Coach Dick Jauron said. “I don’t know how (the attention) can be bad.”

“I’m used to it,” Owens said with a shrug. “Everywhere that I’ve been, it’s always been that type of reception.”

“I know that the Buffalo fans are very very fanatical,” Owens said. “So, coming out here, I expected nothing less.”

Fans were chatting “TO” when they first saw him and everytime Owens made a catch the fans cheered and Owens acknowledged them with smiles and peace signs.

Owens got the same type of treatment that former Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly, would receive from the team and fans without even playing a regular season game yet.

Whether Owens continues his career with Buffalo or not, will all depend on how well he plays in 2009, but if he chooses not to play football at least he has a television show to fall back on.

(Daniel Wolf also writes for and runs Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source)

Cleveland Browns Rookies Have Reported, But Their Top Four Have Not Yet Signed

Written by Daniel Wolf

Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source

NFL football has officially started in Cleveland.

Well kind of.

The Cleveland Browns may have finished last in the AFC North in 2008 but they are the first team to begin training camp in 2009 with their rookies reporting to camp on Friday.

All other players are to report to camp on August 1st for the first official day of Browns training camp as an entire team.

The problem with the rookies reporting is that not all of them are signed to contracts and unless they have signed, then they cannot report.

Of the rookies that have been signed and have reported are all of the second day picks: LB Kaluka Maiava, CB Coye Francies, CB Don Carey and RB James Davis.

The most notable rookies that have not signed are all of the teams first day selections which are: C Alex Mack, WR Brian Robiskie, WR Mohamed Massaquoi and DE/LB David Veikune.

Reports out of the Browns training facility have said that Mack is currently in Cleveland and trying to work out his deal so that he will be able to practice with the other signed rookies. Rumors state that the only thing keeping Mack from signing on the dotted line is the amount of guaranteed money involved.

Also, the Browns have also reported that negotiations with Robiskie, Massaquoi and Veikune have not gone well at all and are at a stand still.

Not good.

The Browns need to get all of their rookies signed immediately because they will only help the team in 2009, especially Mack and Robiskie, who are already being projected as starters come opening day against the Minnesota Vikings.

Fans will have to hope and pray that the team can get all of its rookies signed in time for the entire teams first practice at 8:45AM on August 1.

If the Browns know what’s good for them, then they will have their negotiators work 24 hour shifts in order to get these guys signed in time because if they cannot then that may be a sign of what’s to come in 2009.

 

 

 

Jamal Lewis In 2009: Still Hungry For More Or Running Out Of Gas?

Written by Daniel Wolf

Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source

After two years on the Browns, fans have either accepted Jamal Lewis into their hearts or they are still on the fence about the guy for a few different reasons.

Those reasons are quite obvious.

1) Lewis came from the extremely hated Baltimore Ravens franchise.

2) Lewis was excellent during his first year with the Browns, in 2007, but in 2008 struggled and many fans began to lose faith in his abilities.

First, a moment to step back into time to revisit one of the hated years of Lewis playing for the Ravens back in 2003. This was the year that Lewis ran the ball 55 times for 500 yards and four touchdowns in two games against the Browns.

Many Browns fans still have this memory burned into their brain and it may never be forgotten.

But that when then, and now Lewis is starting his third season in the brown and orange.

In 2007, when Lewis was released by the Ravens, he signed a one-year contract with the Browns, but many football analysts said that Lewis was “out of gas” and “he had already peaked as a NFL running back.”

Those comments fueled the fire within Lewis and he trained harder than he has ever trained before (which is crazy because his workout routines are notoriously grueling).

Former Browns General Manger Phil Savage even said, “a hungry Jamal Lewis is a good Jamal Lewis.”

Even though Lewis had over 200 yards rushing in the second game of the 2007 season against the Cincinnati Bengals, he still started the season off slow until the middle of November, when he finally began running over opposing defenses.

The last seven games of the year Lewis ran for 789 yards and averaged 4.7 yards per carry which helped give Lewis a new three-year contract with the Browns.

Many said that since Lewis received a new contract, he would no longer be as hungry to prove himself as he was in 2007 because he got a longer contract.

In 2008 Lewis showed he was still hungry, but a few problems occurred for him and the the line in front of him. Granted he ran for over 1,000 yards (barely), Lewis played most of the season with an ankle injury and the offensive line was not as good as the year prior due to injuries.

Even though fans saw that Lewis was not running with as much power, he was more tip-toeing while running the ball, but he was still running with desire and passion through his pain and injury.

There was one moment in 2008 where Lewis, a locker room leader and a passionate player, spoke his mind after a controversial loss to the Denver Broncos, where it looked like some of the Browns players ‘gave up’ playing the game.

Lewis blew up at his teammates by telling the media, “this is the NFL, you can’t call it quits until the game is over.”

“Some people need to check their egos at the door and find some heart to come out here and play hard. This is a man’s game. The way we went out there and played two weeks in a row, finishing the same kind of way, it’s not there. I think there are some men around here that need to check their selves, straight up.”

Many were angered with Lewis’ comments, but at this point in the 2008 season someone needed to say something regarding the teams play (or lack of play).

After the 2008 season, Lewis did the right thing to make his body 100 percent healthy and decided to get surgery on his ankle to clean it out.

So far in the 2009 offseason, Lewis has yet to participate in any team drills or practices, due to his recovery, but he has been working very hard with team trainers to help build back his running strength.

Reported rumors out of the Browns Training Facility say that Lewis will be ready for training camp in August, but without working with the team during mini-camps, will Lewis really be ready to step back into the starting role?

Backup Jerome Harrison has been taking a lot of snaps with the first team offense and rookie James Davis has been seeing a lot of snaps too.

Browns coach Eric Mangini has stated that he loves the style of running Lewis brings to the game of football and with that being said it pretty much secures Lewis’ position as the starting running back of the Browns, unless Lewis struggles.

Lewis may not show the power running skills of the past right away in August, but his desire to play football and his dedication to keeping his body conditioned all year long will keep him in top form even though he is turning 30 before the 2009 season begins.

Supposedly, once a NFL running back hits 30, it is only downhill from there, but Lewis may be the exception to that rule.

Since his performance in 2008 was mediocre, look for a hungry Lewis once again in 2009, and with a bigger and stronger offensive line in place, Lewis should be able to find bigger holes to pound his way through defenses.

Also, with a better rotation of backups, Harrison and Davis, look for a fresh Lewis at the end of games to continue pounding already fatigued defenses.

Is Lewis running out of gas?

Not in his mind, but his performance will need to prove that to the masses.

Is Lewis still hungry for more?

Lewis seems like that rare breed of player who will always be hungry for more until the day he can’t run a football anymore.

Josh Cribbs Tells ESPN Radio Host That He Will Be at Camp on Time

So far new Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini has been able to create more buzz out of Northeast Ohio than maybe any other coach has done for his team this offseason.

And the kicker is that Mangini has not even coached a regular season game for the Browns yet.

All the buzz has been due to Mangini either rubbing players the wrong way, trade rumors, or even telling players that there are no re-negotiations no matter what the last regime has promised in the past.

The biggest of all the news, currently, is that Cribbs has re-lapsed in his decision to play out this year under his current contract, and hope that his performance will grant him a chance for more money in 2010.

Once Cribbs came to the OTAs last month, everyone assumed that Cribbs’ holdout was water under the bridge, but in the last few weeks the rumor mill has once again been pumping out many rumors regarding Cribbs and his wanting to hold out out for more money again.

Saturday night (July 18) on ESPN Cleveland radio, 850AM WKNR, host Munch of Munch On Sports, had the chance to interview Cribbs.

Cribbs said that, “he will be attending training camp, regardless of the current contract dispute.” (paraphrased)

After all the various articles and news reports that have been issued, and from the words of the player himself, Cribbs will be coming to training camp on time.

(Listen…you can hear other Browns fans screaming from reading this too!)

Less than two weeks until camp begins, and now that Cribbs will be attending, it is time to get the roster on the same page and play some football!

Browns Fans Want To See More Of Jerome Harrison, You’re Getting Your Wish

Ever since Jerome Harrison was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Washington State, Browns fans have been waiting for him to get enough touches on offense to make a difference during games.

Harrison led the NCAA Division I in rushing his senior year at Washington State with over 1,900 yards.

The sad thing about Harrison getting drafted by the Browns is that the former regime of Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel did not know how to properly utilize the talent on their roster, especially rookie talent.

That does not matter anymore because Savage and Crennel are out and Eric Mangini is in (sorry George Kokinis, you may by the General Manager, but Mangini runs the Browns).

Now that Mangini is running the show, there have been many comparisons between Leon Washington of the New York Jets and Harrison due to their similar size, speed, elusiveness and play making abilities.

Those comparisons are astounding, and it is quite obvious that Mangini will be using Harrison in the same role for the Browns this year.

Even more exciting is the various thoughts of what using Harrison more will do for many different facets of the team.

Let’s examine those various thoughts.

First thought is using Harrison to run the ball will keep an aging Jamal Lewis fresh during games so that he can still be very strong at the end of the fourth quarter. Lewis will be pounding the defense inside the tackles, then Harrison will take advantage of a fatigued defense (by Lewis’ running) by using his own speed outside the tackle box.

Second thought is using Harrison as check down option for the starting quarterback. Harrison has receiver-like hands and his elusiveness in the open field will make tackling him very hard to do by opposing defensive backs.

Next thought is using Harrison more consistently will makes defenses more honest by confusing them because of Harrison’s versatility to run and catch.

The most exciting and final thought, which is news reported by Cleveland Plain Dealer writer Terry Pluto on Sunday, has the Browns considering Harrison as a punt returner now.

Mangini may be toying with this idea because of a possible Josh Cribbs holdout, but this idea may also be in place to keep Cribbs fresh since he will be seeing more time as a wide receiver and perhaps some defensive plays too.

Harrison’s open field elusiveness may also be playing a part in returning punts. He has the moves to juke coverage players out of their shoes, where as Cribbs is the kind of returner that will just run with power though coverage players.

Whether this new fact of Harrison returning punts is true or not, at least Mangini is thinking of ways to get Harrison involved during gameday.

Harrison may not be a feature back in the NFL, but the NFL is no longer a feature back type of league with most every team using two and three-headed running back attacks on offense, which makes Harrison a very dangerous addition to the Browns offensive attack in 2009.

The Cleveland Browns May Finally Use the Franchise Tag After the 2009 Season

Since the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, they have not used the franchise tag on any player that has been on its roster.

The franchise tag was created in 1993 during the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the Players Association.

A franchise tag can be looked at in two different ways: it guarantees a player will stay with his current team for another season or it can be seen as a way a team can retain a player against his will because he wants to test the free agency waters.

Most of the time a franchised player will not really have a big issue with the tag mostly because he will be getting paid an average salary of the top five paid players at the same position, but some players are angered by the tag because they desire a long term contract.

A tagged player can loose some value the following season especially if he has a bad year statistically or gets injured during his tagged year.

Either way, a big pay check is involved and many more options of what to do with that player, regarding his future with the team, can be figured out with the franchise label.

The Browns are approaching a situation where it might be in their best interest to finally dust off the franchise tag and get ready to slap it on wide receiver Braylon Edwards after the 2009 season ends.

Edwards is currently in the final year of his contract, and he is looking to hopefully get back to his 2007 form when he made the Pro Bowl.

Before the NFL Draft in April, there were many rumors flying around the NFL grapevine regarding Edwards getting traded away.

Unfortunately, the Browns upper management did not get a deal that included a first round draft pick, which they desired, and a trade did not get done.

Will Edwards still get traded before the trading deadline in week six this year?

It is possible because the injury bug could strike any star receiver and then their team will be forced to sacrifice a possible first round pick to help them contend through the 2009 season.

Only time will tell if that will even happen.

Still the Browns are in an interesting spot, and tagging Edwards at the end of 2009, gives them the opportunity to still shop him to other teams as long as another team is willing to pay Edwards the big bucks over a long term deal, which Edwards is looking to get.

The best thing for Edwards right now is to stay quiet, play some football and let his play speak for itself.

It doesn’t matter who will be playing behind center, Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson, but watch out for Edwards in 2009, because he may just surprise a lot of people so that he can get his big payday in 2010.

Currently, franchise tagged wide receivers make over $9 million in one year.

Cleveland Browns Linebacker Alex Hall Is Raw Talent That Is Ready To Erupt

During the 2008 season, there was one unknown rookie outside linebacker that saw limited time for the Cleveland Browns, but lit up offenses when he did see playing time.

That rather unknown rookie is Alex Hall.

Hall is beginning his second season as a Brown, and with a new regime in place, will get more playing time as long as he can raise some eyebrows in training camp and preseason.

Seeing limited playing time as a rookie under former Browns head coach Romeo Crennel was a normal thing while Crennel was in charge. For some reason, he just didn’t like to play rookies, but then you look at other teams that played their rookies and some preformed at a very high level.

Hall performed at a high level with the minimal playing time he received.

In 2008, Hall had 28 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles (according to nfl.com statistics).

With that kind of production in a small role, you would think that a coach would have played that player more, but that was not the case.

This caused many Browns fans to scratch their heads, especially since the defense had troubles getting to the opposing quarterbacks all year in 2008.

Hall may be a bit underweight for his position (he is 6 foot 5 inches, but only 250 pounds), but that is nothing that can’t be corrected with the proper nutritionist and weight trainer.

No reports have come out of the Browns training facility in Berea, OH stating whether Hall has or has not gained more bulk, but with such a raw talent that is ready to be unleashed, you can bet that Mangini is keeping Hall’s performance quiet to surprise opponents in 2009.

David Bowens may be above Hall on the depth charts right now, but a raw talent like Hall’s cannot be contained and it’s a matter of time until Hall reaches his potential and becomes a pass rushing force opposite of the other starting linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

Browns fans wanted the team to draft a pass rushing beast in the NFL Draft, but honestly, the Browns might already have that pass rushing beast in Hall.

Hall is definitely one of the players to watch in the preseason to see how his development progresses.

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