Joe Haden Reveals His Next Move

Joe Haden commits to Steelers for three years, $27,000,000 and will play Browns in opening game

Now, this ought to be a fascinating opener.

Joe Haden, the Pro Bowl cornerback, released by the Browns on Wednesday, has agreed a three year contract with arch rivals the Steelers. This deal is worth $27,000,000, including $7,000,000 assured for this season, reports profootballtalk.com.

No longer do the Browns have to pay the $4,000,000 Haden was due to receive from them this season.

On September 10, the Browns will play hosts to the Steelers at the FirstEnergy Stadium. This particular run of events should add some extra fascination to the match.

“A tough competitor” according to receiver Antonio Brown. “He is a ruthless opponent. Certainly someone you need to be prepared and ready for. He is quick and strong”.

Originally, Haden was meant to enroll with the Steelers on Wednesday evening in Charlotte, NC, which is where the Panthers and Steelers play tomorrow evening in the preseason finale.

Released by the Browns on Wednesday morning, Haden could enroll with his new team after 16:00, and his next deal was revealed within minutes.

Adam Schefter, from ESPN, said that Haden had been offered … Read more at FryingPanSports

Brock Osweiler Starts For The Browns

Brock Osweiler announced as Browns starter for the preseason opening match versus Saints

Brock Osweiler is set to start the preseason opening match on Thursday evening, versus the Saints at First Energy Stadium, according to Browns manager Hue Jackson.

The second man will be Cody Kessler, followed by Kevin Hogan and DeShone Kizer.

This does not mean though, that Osweiler will begin the season opening match versus the Steelers on September 10. Kizer could well end up doing that instead.

Jackson said that, at this point in the quarterback assessment process, he will have Osweiler start in the Thursday preseason opening match versus the Saints. While many factors are taken into account during the assessment, it is ultimately about running the offense effectively and efficiently, Jackson noted. Jackson went on to say that he wants his starters to have the ability to do this in all circumstances.

Osweiler has not really got any reps in the first team, so this will provide him with that opportunity. Everyone is looking forward to watching how he fairs in the limelight during the week and versus the Saints.

Speculation is rife that the Browns might be attempting to groom … Read more at FryingPanSports

Top 5 Questions facing AFC West Teams

DV    5How fast can Elway get QB Paxton Lynch ready?
4Can Run game be top 5 this year? It will have to be.
3Can DV D Overcome D losses of DT Williams, olb Watson & cb Watson?
2Can the additions on O line of Leary & Watson solve the problem?
1Can DV win games with Siemian at QB or will Lynch start for DV?
KC     5Was OT Okung addition by subtraction?
4Can RB Kareem Hunt replace Charles as the all-around back?
3Can Smith find anyone to catch the ball since Maclin is gone?
2Did KC do enough to replace FA DT Dontari Poe?
1Did the move up to get Mahomes indicate KC are not happy with Smith?
OK     5When will S Reggie Nelson and Karl Joseph return to work?
4Who will carry the ball for OK? Lynch is 96 and the others are small.
3Did OK do enough at REC getting WR Patterson & TE Cook?
2Can OLB Irvin give OK Pass rush opposite DE Mack?
1When will QB Derek Carr be ready to start and will he be as effective as last year?
Read more at FryingPanSports

Cleveland Browns NFL Draft 2011 thru 2016

2011 – Cleveland Browns
RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
1 21 Phillip Taylor DT Baylor
Over drafted and over weight Played 4 seasons with CL out of FB. BUST!
2 37 Jabaal Sheard DE Pittsburgh
was drafted as a 4/3 end but CL changed to 3/4 & he was fish out of water. Starts for NE
2 59 Greg Little WR North Carolina
was released after 3 seaons was cut by 4 other teams as well. BUST
4 102 Jordan Cameron TE USC
Played 4 seasons for CL caught 80 balls in 13 but concussions limited him. Plays for MI now
4 124 Owen Marecic RB Stanford
Played 2 yrs with CL Avg 2.0 y/att not much of a blocker either.
5 137 Buster Skrine DB Tennessee-Chattanooga
Played 4 seasons for CL Started 2 spent too much time picking dasies to be resigned. NJ now.
5 150 Jason Pinkston T Pittsburgh
Played 1.5  seasons for CL Retired due to blood clots
7 248 Eric Hagg DB Nebraska
Too slow to be a S & too light to be LB. OUT OF FB.

2012 – Cleveland Browns
RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
1 3 Trent Richardson RB Alabama
Traded … Read more at FryingPanSports

The Eagle D is coming around

View image | gettyimages.com

The Eagle D is coming around.

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 6, our views of all week 6 games including the Browns/Broncos.

On Monday night the Giants scored a TD on their 1st possession. But then the Eagle D shut them down. While the Eagle O is still trying to fit all the new gadgets into the game, the D has figured it out and is playing very well. The early issues on defense were primarily caused by the lack of rest. When the O can’t convert 3rd downs in a no huddle O, the D is on the field a lot.

The team has missed ILB Mychal Kendricks for a couple of weeks. Despite that the D is playing aggressive defense. Rookie 3rd round pick Jordan Hicks has been outstanding. He has helped the D continue to improve. His instincts are outstanding.

Two early interceptions, one of which was a pick 6, made Giant QB Eli Manning tentative. That combined with WR Odell Beckham Jr. being the primary target made the job of the Eagle D much easier. … Read more at FryingPanSports

2015 NFL Draft – QB

NFL Draft (2)

Note: On NNR today Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports & I previewed the NFC East.  The podcast is on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

Bill Smith

1. Brett Hundley QB UCLA rJr 6-3 227

Hundley could have been the 1st pick in the 2014 draft but decided to stay in school. He suffered this year from a lack of quality receivers and a bad line.

Strengths:

He has played in a pro style system in terms of pass patterns although has not worked much under center. He has an NFL arm and anticipates throws fairly well. He reads college defenses well but will need work to adjust to NFL coverages. He is athletic and can run when necessary. He will be a value and be taken in the middle of the 2nd round.

Weaknesses:

Like almost all QB’s coming out of college, he needs to improve his drop back footwork. He also has not seen many complex defenses in the Pac-12.

2. Marcus Mariota QB Oregon rJr 6-4 215

Mariota will likely be the 2nd QB off the board. There is a concern if he can adapt to the NFL pocket style passer.

Strengths:

He is a winner. He led his team to … Read more at FryingPanSports