2014 Browns Autopsy today on NNR

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Note: On NNR today Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports & I reviewed the Browns 2014 season and discussed the needs of the team in the draft and free agency for 2015. The podcast is on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi has talked about covering the Browns in terms of the 100 years’s war. Unless the Browns are able to convince a veteran QB to come, they will be forced to start Johnny Manziel or a rookie QB in 2015. That could well make the 100 year’s war seem like a weekend in Vermont.

There is almost no chance that the Browns can bring in a quality veteran QB in giving the reputation of instability and lack of solid wide receivers. But there is no chance to bring a quality WR in without a solid QB to throw to him. The best chance the Browns have is to trade for a QB under contract then recruit a veteran WR.

My first choice would be to trade with the Titans for QB Zack Mettenberger. He played college ball at LSU in a pro style offense. He is 24 years old and started 6 games for the Titans. If they decide to Read more at FryingPanSports

Something is rotten in Denver.

Note: On NNR yesterday Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports & I reviewed the Divisional NFL Playoff games including the issues of calls and the Bills naming a coach. The podcasts are on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

The loss by the Broncos was a wake up call for the team, team ownership and their Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning. Some difficult decisions will have to be made over this off season by both Peyton and team management. The biggest problem for the Broncos is that those decisions will be made by John Elway.

Elway’s first order of business was to get rid of a coaching staff that took the defensively challenged Broncos to the Super Bowl last year and won four straight division titles. But why was the team defensively challenged? Elway felt that bringing in Manning would solve all the issues of the team. But the neglected D allowed the Seahawks to blow out the Broncos. This year Elway did add some better players on D but the O line was thin. When injuries occurred the O line became the problem. An already fragile 38 year old QB suffered an injury that ended the Broncos season.

On Peyton’s side the issues Read more at FryingPanSports

The Vikings and Panthers may have given their suspended players a gift.

Both the Vikings and Panthers suspended their players involved in spouse or child abuse for last weeks game. Now both teams have declared their active for the week 3 games.

But here is the rub. By suspending RB Adrian Peterson and DE Greg Hardy the teams have taken action against them for their off field issues. Now the NFLPA can claim that because the two were suspended for a game, any additional suspension would be double jeopardy which is prohibited in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. That could prohibit the team or league from taking any additional action against the two players on the same issue.

So far the NFLPA has not shown a great deal of guts in challenging the league on suspensions. It will be interesting to see how these latest issues turn out. I suspect that the NFLPA will back off again. But time will tell.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: News, Notes and Rumors podcast are on hold until the site is fixed. Thanks for your support and patients.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and Read more at FryingPanSports

The entire NFL drug testing program is at risk over Gordon.

 

There is a reason we have not heard a word about the possible suspension of Browns WR Josh Gordon. A suspension based on one sample slightly over and the other well under the limit could generate a law suit by the NFLPA. That suit could easily knock down the entire drug testing program.

The problem is this—How can 2 tests of the same sample come up with 2 entirely different results? That result puts the entire program and methodology in question. If the methodology is flawed, should the league be able to continue testing? A judge will clearly side with the players.

The other issue is the NFL level of failure is 100 lower than that of the Olympics. If the league can not get the same result from the same sample, what validity does the test have? The obvious answer is none.

So Commissioner Roger Goodell must step carefully or risk throwing the baby out with the bath water. If there was a negotiated settlement, it would have been announced already. I am betting that the League will hope this debacle just fades away. If the league decides to punt, there will be no announcement. At this point for … Read more at FryingPanSports

News, Notes & Rumors for 08/19/14

The radio version of NNR is a podcast while we look for a new broadcast host. Check out last night’s show reviewing week 2 and previewing the Browns/Redskins game.

News:

Thank heavens that the stupid extra point from the 15 yard line is over. The only thing that would be similar to this dumb move would be to move the free throw line to the 3 point distance. Somebody in the NFL office has WAY too much time on his hands.

It was Flag Day weekend again this week. Someone in the NFL office has to get the zebras under control. Every time a pass hits the ground both the QB and WR involved campaign for a flag. The refs are getting more camera time than a senatorial candidate.

There were a number of serious injuries this week. The Falcons lost their starting LT Sam Baker (PCL) for the year. The Jags have lost WRs Cecil Shorts (hamstring), Allen Robinson (hamstring), Tandon Doss (ankle) and RB Toby Gerhart (hip) for several weeks. The Rams lost OL Barrett Jones to back surgery. He is out indefinitely. They also lost RB Isaiah Pead to a ACL injury. He is expected to miss … Read more at FryingPanSports

AFL Star Abner Haynes is a great roll model.

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I have had the great pleasure and honor of having Abner Haynes on News, Notes & Rumors many times over the 5 years that the show has been on. Abner brings a combination of honesty and great sense of history to NNR. But there are a number of things that most fans that did not have the pleasure of watching him play don’t know. Being older than rock myself, I fondly remember watching Abner play.

He signed with the Dallas Texans of the AFL in 1960 having been drafted by the AFL, NFL and CFL. As a black man from a small school, he faced racism and the doubt he could play at the professional level. But from day 1 he proved he was up to the challenge. In 1960 he gained over 800 yards rushing and caught 55 passes for 576 yards. Most important he scored 12 touchdowns as a rookie. He was not only the rookie of the year but also won the player of the year in the AFL after the 1960 season.

But he proved his metal when the AFL scheduled their All Star game in New Orleans. Abner led the revolt of the minority players … Read more at FryingPanSports