Archive for August, 2009

If you recall, last year we were dumbfonded by Romeo Crennel’s infatuation with I♥Derek Anderson and that he never put Brady in to start until November 6th against the Broncos. Ultimately, Romeo was fired and all of our waiting was thrown to the curbside as another coach, Eric Mangini, wanted to revive the QB competition. Mangini is strong-willed, stubborn, and downright resistant to announce who the starter will be. I find him to be the Dick Cheney of the Browns (which isn’t a bad thing when his predecessor maintained the, “Boys will be boys,” attitude; literally letting them run around on the field and punch people in weight rooms).

So who will be the starter? I’d think it only fair that Derek will probably start against the Bears on Thursday. It is probably his last chance to pull a rabbit out of his hat or a Hail Mary down the field. I’m not holding my breath, but this is not the same Derek as last year. This is a more “goofy” Derek. *I* didn’t say that, his teammates did. Check it out in the USA TODAY.

So who will ultimately be the starter for the 2009 season? If I were a betting man, I’d put money on Brady, but the 80s band Men At Work said it best…

Here are your Brady Quinn and Browns Training Camp links for August 26th through August 27th:

• Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 26
  Dawgs By Nature's recap from the final day of camp
• Indecision ’09 lingers in Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition
  Nicely put, Bud Shaw (Plain Dealer)
• Video: Brady Quinn Interview (Aug 27, 2009)
  Brady talks about getting ready for next preseason game (Official site)
• Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson to play with Cleveland Browns starters
  No surprise. They have a combined 3 quarters to prove themselves (SI)
• Browns Notebook: Camp ends with whimper
  Canton Rep talks about final day of camp
• Cleveland Browns training camp log — Day 26
  Plain Dealer report with video
• Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 25
  The news as reported by Dawgs By Nature
• Brady Quinn Wallpaper with Browns schedule
  From deviant art

Here are your Brady Quinn and Browns Training Camp links for August 20th through August 23rd:

• Video: Brady Quinn Post Game Press Conference
  From official site
• Behind-the-Scenes Brady Quinn Training Video
  Muscle
• Video: Brady Quinn Discusses Day 20 of Camp
  Via official site because we all love video, right?
• Quinn making strides in Browns’ QB derby
  Thursday was a good day for Brady (Tribune Chronicle)
• Browns Notebook: Quinn just wants to play
  And we just want to watch him play…as the starter (Canton Rep)

Oh, come on! You were thinking it too. Don’t front!

Anyway, I had to let some time pass before posting my thoughts on last night’s game. I was all sorts of PO’d, which you wouldn’t expect after a Browns win. Yesterday was all well and good, but one tiny fact remains (that many appear to be overlooking): IT WAS THE FREAKIN’ DETROIT LIONS! You know, the team that failed to win a single game last season? The worst team in the entire NFL. Shouldn’t the Browns (and all the fans) have expected them to win? I mean, I did.

And I’d like point out what I posted right after the Green Bay game. You know the game that featured a real opponent?

Even in preseason action, the Lions are much, much worse than Green bay. What if D.A. goes and plays lights out in that game while Brady just puts up ok numbers? Does the tide turn again? Will this roller coaster ever end?

Remember that? And what happened? DA looked like a real QB. Of course it helped that he was playing the freakin Lions. It also helped that he got the entire 1st quarter to himself. And that leads me to my first complaints. Where was this whole alternating quarter idea last week in Green Bay? Mangini changed QBs drive-by-drive then. But then, against the cupcake opponent, he gives DA a chance to shine with allllll of the 1st team players. Good job coach. Equal reps indeed. Read the rest of this entry »

Thankfully, the game will be broadcast to those in the WKYC viewing area. There was some doubt due to low ticket sales (even with many of them 50% off.) I can see how this might not have been the best way to start the season in Cleveland with Detroit having a no win record last year and the Browns… well the Browns.

But you can expect great things tomorrow at 7:30PM.

The NFL Network has you covered again (which I am actually surprised) by a re-telecast. The info:

NFLNET Sun, 8/23, 10:00 AM

TV/radio: WKYC Ch. 3; WMMS FM/100.7.

On an aside, a member of the Brady Bunch message board actually mentioned something positive about Brett Favre (yawn). Brett in Minnesota may proof interesting, at least on September 13th. Those of us outside Cleveland may have a better chance of seeing the game live as people may want to watch Brady Quinn pummel Old Man Favre.

Anyone else wondering if there will be some payback to “trash talking” Shaun Smith? Nail em Brownies!

Here are your Brady Quinn and Browns Training Camp links for August 19th through August 20th:

• Browns Notebook: Quinn just wants to play
  And we just want to watch him play…as the starter (Canton Rep)
• Video: Mary Kay Cabot and Tony Grossi analyze Thursday’s action at Cleveland Browns training camp
  Like it says: video recap of the day (Plain Dealer)
• Cleveland Browns: Eric Mangini Thursday press conference
  Transcript provided by Plain Dealer
• Anderson is not the short answer for the Browns: Terry Pluto
  That's all we're trying to say too… (Plain Dealer)
• Mangini can’t wait too long to pick QB
  Can someone please send this memo to Mangini? (Dispatch)
• Pick a quarterback already
  PREACH! (Dayton Daily News)
• The Never-Ending QB Battle Continues
  Mangini wasting valuable team chemistry time with this stupid competition (The OBR)
• Aug. 19: QB battle could last a while
  Yippeee…NOT! (Beacon Journal)
• Scout.com: Wednesday Camp Notes
  The OBR's report
• Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 19 – Not Too Eventful
  Dawgs by Nature reports…not much at all

Here are your Brady Quinn and Browns Training Camp links for August 17th through August 18th:

• Browns: Blackout for Saturday’s game avoided
  Glad the game will still be on TV! (WKYC-TV)
• Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini in no hurry to decide on starting quarterback
  This is really getting old (Plain Dealer)
• South Bend Tribune: Mistakes haunt Quinn, Browns
  More about preseason game #1 (Beacon Journal)
• Scout.com: Tuesday Camp Notes
  The OBR's Tuesday recap
• Browns camp update: Mangini rips team’s sloppy play
  More about Mangini being pissed off. *loves it* (Chronicle-Telegram)
• Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 18 (Morning) – Alex Mack Plays Some Guard
  Dawgs By Nature recaps today's morning practice
• ‘Bad football’ irks Mangini
  Like a coach who lets his team have it when they don't play well (Beacon Journal)
• Cleveland Browns training camp log: Aug. 18
  From Plain Dealer, with pictures
• Quinn in control in Cleveland?
  Makes sense (Pro Football Talk)
• Scout.com: Camp Notes: 8/17/09
  Rundown of camp from The OBR
• Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 17 – It Only Gets Worse
  Dawgs By Nature's training camp report
• Browns’ Mangini not ready to announce leader in QB competition
  I really hope this is a case of Mangini just not showing his hand… (NFL.com)

On news stands now is the October issue of Muscle and Fitness. And who do I see on the cover?

HOT CHI PAPA!! Stimulus package is right!!

I haven’t read the article yet, but the title is “TIME TO SHINE: The Browns’ Brady Quinn knows his future starts in the gym.” After a less than stellar game on Saturday (I still haven’t pushed myself to watch it yet) we are in need of some VITAMIN B! By the look of his hair, this article was written in the spring way before voluntary training sessions and camps; and where was our man Brady? Not fishing in Oregon like some other people… but working his ass off! Or rather toning it up just nice.

Muscle & Fitness have on their website extra material. It’s about… No. Words cannot describe it. Just look for yourself. Better yet. Buy a couple copies. There’s also an article on the Lingerie Football Ladies. Tight ends for everybody! Woo-hoo!!

Here are your Brady Quinn and Browns Training Camp links for August 13th through August 16th:

• Packers Run Through the Browns in 17-0 Shutout
  Recap from Dawgs By Nature
• Browns First Preseason Game: Quick Notes and Thoughts
  Dawg Scooper's thoughts on the Packers game
• Quinn has 6.32 million reasons to become the Browns starter
  Different angle than we're used to reading about (Pro Football Talk)
• I Feel Like I’m Taking Crazy Pills: Thoughts On Cleveland’s Quarterbacks
  Don't usually link to items on Bleacher Report, but this one's worth a read
• Video: Brady Quinn Postgame Presser
  Official Site
• Video: Eric Mangini’s Postgame presser
  Official site
• Quinn the leader by default in QB derby
  Sheer truthiness (Morning Journal)
• 50 percent off all Lions tickets!
  Tempting…very tempting. (Official Site)
• If victories are rare in 2009, Mangini’s choice at QB must be a winner for the long run
  PREACH! (Plain Dealer)
• Video: Coach Mangini’s Day 13 Press Conference
  From Official Site

Leading up to the Packers game, Eric Mangini had maintained that there was really no significance in who starts the preseason opener because the other would get the start for the home game against the Lions.

After the hot mess that was the Green Bay game, Mangini seems to have changed his mind, according to the Plain Dealer.

Quinn got the start, but Mangini declined to pronounce Anderson the starter for the second game in Cleveland on Saturday.

“I’m going to look at how many reps they both end up getting and see how the week goes,” he said.

Dun, dun, dun…

Perhaps he was just so disgusted by what he saw tonight (from all QB’s) that he needs to see more in camp before naming a starter. Or perhaps what little he did see has changed his outlook on the QB competition. You have to think that if he’s changing his tune, it will be to Brady’s advantage.

We’ll see!

The Browns looked, well, ugly tonight in Lambeau. Brady Quinn got the start, but the team failed to put any points on the board in 4 quarters, while the defense seemingly was unable to provide the much-needed stops to keep the Packers from moving the chains in a 17-0 loss. It definitely could have been worse than it was, but it was, after all, a preseason game.

So what about the QB competition? To be honest, none of the QB’s looked good. All 3 who played (Quinn, Anderson, and Ratliff) recorded at least 1 INT, with Ratliff turning the ball over 3 times. And failed to score points for the Browns. However, you can’t fault Brady for the penalty on a 1st quarter field goal that effectively cost the team 3 points. He wasn’t even on the field!

If you look at all 3 QBs “work” today, it’s easy to see that Brady performed the best; although that’s not saying that much. In Brady’s first possession, he moved the offense down the field. While the drive didn’t result in a TD, it did initially give the Browns a field goal before Hank Fraley’s penalty. Here’s what Mangini had to say about Brady’s limited action:

“I thought Brady did a nice job with the two drives he had,” Mangini said. “But with any drive, the ultimate objective is to score points.”

Brady’s final stats in 2 series was 7/11 for 68 yards and 1 INT. He had positive yardage and pass completions; something Derek Anderson can’t claim. He finished 0/2 for 0 yds and an INT. If memory serves me correctly, he was only on the field for 5 total plays. His first series was a 3 and out and the second series resulted in an INT on the 2nd play of that series. Not a good day for D.A. That’s a 0 QB rating, isn’t it?

Brett Ratliff played the entire second half, but didn’t accomplish much. The media seems to be the ones trumpeting the whole “Ratliff is a darkhorse to start” nonsense. I don’t see it. I see him as the 3rd QB and nothing more. I won’t judge him on his performance tonight (because everyone was bad), but Brady and D.A. need not look over their shoulders for him, regardless of what he does in training camp 2 minute drills.

I will say this, though. My boy, Mike Furrey had a great game. The bright spot for the Browns IMO. I also like Josh Cribbs as a WR. Braylon was Braylon, with his no pass catching self. The Browns desperately need to find a running game. Like, now.

Now, what happens next week? Mangini has already gone on record that whichever QB didn’t start today gets the start next week. So that means Derek will get the home start against Detroit. Even in preseason action, the Lions are much, much worse than Green bay. What if D.A. goes and plays lights out in that game while Brady just puts up ok numbers? Does the tide turn again? Will this roller coaster ever end?

It’s one thing to look good in training camp, but quite another to show it in game situations. I’m still waiting for Derek to do that. And I’m still waiting for Brady to get his chance without worrying if he’s going to get pulled.

Check out some pictures after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m sure more will be put here after the game, but in case you didn’t know, or are not as lucky as those who have access to WKYC (the local station showing the game), the NFL Network will rebroadcast the game at 1:00AM later today (very early Sunday).

So set the DVR, tell TiVo, or stay up late and cheer Brady Quinn on!

I have been known to take rumors and gossip about Brady Quinn and run with them. For example, when I heard he was going to be traded to Denver I had my therapist on the phone. When he broke his finger, I put mine in a cast because I had severe sympathy pains. When that BRUTE Shaun Smith hit Brady (Oh he did. WE know he did.) we at Brady Quinn Fan took up pitchforks, flaming torches, and boards with one crooked nail at the end, and were prepared to storm the gates to Smith’s house.

We’re fans. We can do this.

But when you’re an accredited newspaper/writer you don’t have the luxury to take something which was evidently “off the cuff” and turn it into media fodder. If any writer spent as much face to face time with Brady and Derek as we here at Brady Quinn Fan only fantasize about [Brady - not Derek. Ok, maybe a little Derek just out of curiosity.] then you most certainly should know when they are joking. It was totally obvious to us and we didn’t need to be in the locker room to hear it. I mean really. Brady Quinn cheating? Were there pigs in the sky over Cleveland that day? I know the rumor wasn’t started in Cleveland but it certainly wasn’t stopped there either.

Plus, it’s bad enough with the REAL starting quarterback frenzy, but tauting Ratliff as a ‘current rage’ is really pushing it into hyperbole. Don’t go all bandwagon either just because other journals and gazettes did an article. I don’t need to name any names (Brady did for me below) but I’d expect reporters to report factual information and not allusion or innuendo.

FYI: Brady, Derek, and Brett really didn't say these things below.

Here are your Brady Quinn and Browns Training Camp links for August 13th:

• Video: Coach Mangini’s Day 13 Press Conference
  From Official Site
• Browns Notebook for Aug. 13: How will receivers respond to Stallworth suspension?
  The Canton Rep's report for Day 13
• Scout.com: Berea Report: No Call at QB
  The OBR discusses the back and forth at QB
• Cleveland Browns training camp log: Day 13
  Plain Dealer's Day 13 recap (with video)
• Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Thursday 8/13 Practice
  Dawg Scooper breaks down the day's action
• Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 12 – Two Days from Gameday
  Dawgs By Nature Thursday Report
• Cleveland Browns training camp log: Day 12
  Quick recap, plus pictures from Plain Dealer