My thoughts so far

[StanleySpadowski]

-- It's great to see Fasano getting some good reviews. I don't think most fans realize that TE is the hardest position for a rookie in the NFL. Pick a TE outside of Shockey and their second year is where usually "get it".


-- Nice hearing that some old Cowboys are floating around camp giving pointers. I'd much rather see Novacek giving tips than Jim Burt.


-- I don't understand why no one's paying attention to Darilek. He's been a quality NFL player, much more so than the Proctors of the world.

-- I'm making my bold prediction right now - Ware is going to push the "official" sack record this year - He'll get his normal beat the tackle sacks but this year he'll pick up the Merriman garbage sacks because others will be applying pressure also.

-- People are worrying that L. Davis is getting beat in drills. Don't be. There's a reason he's a guard where he can maul people and not a tackle where he can get beat to the outside. Think Larry Allen who doesn't fall down every other play.

-- In other NFL news, the Browns aren't going to be as bad as some think and look at the Bills as a real sleeper in the AFC.

 

[Cbz40]

-- It's great to see Fasano getting some good reviews. I don't think most fans realize that TE is the hardest position for a rookie in the NFL. Pick a TE outside of Shockey and their second year is where usually "get it".


-- Nice hearing that some old Cowboys are floating around camp giving pointers. I'd much rather see Novacek giving tips than Jim Burt.


-- I don't understand why no one's paying attention to Darilek. He's been a quality NFL player, much more so than the Proctors of the world.

-- I'm making my bold prediction right now - Ware is going to push the "official" sack record this year - He'll get his normal beat the tackle sacks but this year he'll pick up the Merriman garbage sacks because others will be applying pressure also.

-- People are worrying that L. Davis is getting beat in drills. Don't be. There's a reason he's a guard where he can maul people and not a tackle where he can get beat to the outside. Think Larry Allen who doesn't fall down every other play.

-- In other NFL news, the Browns aren't going to be as bad as some think and look at the Bills as a real sleeper in the AFC.

I agree w/everything ....well almost. The Browns will be lucky to win 4, tops. You heard it here first.

 

[big dog cowboy]

-- In other NFL news, the Browns aren't going to be as bad as some think and look at the Bills as a real sleeper in the AFC.

They may not be as bad as some think. But you will never know it looking at their record. Take a gander at their schedule. Those first 10 games are brutal. They will be lucky to win 2 maybe 3 games. It's possible they could just win one vs the Raiders.

Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh
Sun 9/16 Cincinnati
Sun 9/23 at Oakland
Sun 9/30 Baltimore
Sun 10/7 at New England
Sun 10/14 Miami
Sun 10/28 at St. Louis
Sun 11/4 Seattle
Sun 11/11 at Pittsburgh
Sun 11/18 at Baltimore

 

[MichaelWinicki]

They may not be as bad as some think. But you will never know it looking at their record. Take a gander at their schedule. Those first 10 games are brutal. They will be lucky to win 2 maybe 3 games. It's possible they could just win one vs the Raiders.

Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh
Sun 9/16 Cincinnati
Sun 9/23 at Oakland
Sun 9/30 Baltimore
Sun 10/7 at New England
Sun 10/14 Miami
Sun 10/28 at St. Louis
Sun 11/4 Seattle
Sun 11/11 at Pittsburgh
Sun 11/18 at Baltimore

Agreed.

The Browns are clearly the worst team in their division. If they played in the AFC East or the division with Detroit & Minny you could say that they would have a shot at more than 6 wins. But not in their division. All those other teams are clearly better.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

In one sense it sucks for the Browns to burn through all there division home games the first month but at the same time they could win two out of those three.

Pittsburgh's having some serious OL issues and reports have them struggling a little defensively early in camp.

If there's one game that the Browns get up for an play well in, it's the home game vs. the Ravens.


If Cleveland gets any play at all from their DL, I can see them winning nine games. Six or sevens more likely, but don't discount them. Just be prepared for the meltdown when the Browns are sitting at 3-3 after six games

 

[03EBZ06]

Good points.

I'd like to add that I'm glad to see Hamlin doing well, it appears that he will do just fine as a FS, something we've been lacking for awhile.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree w/everything ....well almost. The Browns will be lucky to win 4, tops. You heard it here first.

I agree. Given the division and how poor the Browns are 4 to 5 games max and I think they may be expecting too much.

 

[theebs]

I agree on the bills. I think they have the makings of a very good offense.

I just came home from vacation in central new york at my parents. That is all they talk about up there the bills cowboys monday nighter. I ran into three people in one day I have not seen in about 4 years and the first thing they brought up was "are you coming back up for the bills game, we can wait"

that game is going to be like a super bowl for them, and need I remind everyone that Dick jaroun's defense played very well against us in 05, so I am imagining he will find a way to play tough, and again the atmosphere in that place is going to be ecstatic.

That monday nighter is going to be a tough game. Alot of people keep chalking it up on here like some gimme. I see it as an extremely tough game.

and as far as the browns are concerned I think if bentley gets strong and in shape at some point of the season, they have one of the better offensive lines in the league by the end of the year. I have no idea how many games they win, but I dont think they are like 1-15 or 2-14 bad. if they got to 7 or 8 wins I would be suprised but not shocked.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree on the bills. I think they have the makings of a very good offense.

I just came home from vacation in central new york at my parents. That is all they talk about up there the bills cowboys monday nighter. I ran into three people in one day I have not seen in about 4 years and the first thing they brought up was "are you coming back up for the bills game, we can wait"

that game is going to be like a super bowl for them, and need I remind everyone that Dick jaroun's defense played very well against us in 05, so I am imagining he will find a way to play tough, and again the atmosphere in that place is going to be ecstatic.

That monday nighter is going to be a tough game. Alot of people keep chalking it up on here like some gimme. I see it as an extremely tough game.

and as far as the browns are concerned I think if bentley gets strong and in shape at some point of the season, they have one of the better offensive lines in the league by the end of the year. I have no idea how many games they win, but I dont think they are like 1-15 or 2-14 bad. if they got to 7 or 8 wins I would be suprised but not shocked.

I agree I don't think this game is a walk in the park. This is a prime time game at their place. There coming off a 7-9 season and no reason to think they will not improve as a team.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

People are going to have to explain to me what exactly will make the Browns so much better this year than they were last year. This team picked #3 overall. Why should they be much better?

 

[HighTechDave]

People are going to have to explain to me what exactly will make the Browns so much better this year than they were last year. This team picked #3 overall. Why should they be much better?

no, and you are right. They will suck bad

 

[junk]

-- I don't understand why no one's paying attention to Darilek. He's been a quality NFL player, much more so than the Proctors of the world.

I guess we have different definitions of quality. He's never started a game and spent the bulk of 2006 out of football.

What makes him a "quality" NFL player?

 

[StanleySpadowski]

People are going to have to explain to me what exactly will make the Browns so much better this year than they were last year. This team picked #3 overall. Why should they be much better?

The Browns had a lot of injury issues last season, especially on the offensive line. Bentley appears to be going to play this season and they've added Thomas and Steinbach. There were times when they lined up with one or two even average NFL starters on the OL. This year they look to have average or above players at every position. I don't think people understand how bad their OL was last year. Add two pro bowl caliber talents and a top five draft pick and that's a serious upgrade for any team.



Defensively, they've added Robaire Smith to upgrade their biggest weakspot and might finally get a season out of Gary Baxter after paying him big dollars two years ago.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

I guess we have different definitions of quality. He's never started a game and spent the bulk of 2006 out of football.

What makes him a "quality" NFL player?

I was using "quality" to mean that he's actually been on an active roster and saw time in meaningful games.

 

[JackMagist]

I was using "quality" to mean that he's actually been on an active roster and saw time in meaningful games.

So did Mario Edwards.

I'm not writing him off by any means but what you give as evidence that he is a "quality" player is pretty weak. It is certainly not enough for me to get excited about him...but I will give him a chance.

 

[dallasfan]

-- It's great to see Fasano getting some good reviews. I don't think most fans realize that TE is the hardest position for a rookie in the NFL. Pick a TE outside of Shockey and their second year is where usually "get it".

Quaterback is by far the hardest, but I get your point.

 

[Teague31]

hearing about carp and fasano coming on is very exciting. we need these 2 guys to be players.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

In one sense it sucks for the Browns to burn through all there division home games the first month but at the same time they could win two out of those three.

Pittsburgh's having some serious OL issues and reports have them struggling a little defensively early in camp.

If there's one game that the Browns get up for an play well in, it's the home game vs. the Ravens.


If Cleveland gets any play at all from their DL, I can see them winning nine games. Six or sevens more likely, but don't discount them. Just be prepared for the meltdown when the Browns are sitting at 3-3 after six games

Almost everyday i hear of some new misfortune for the Browns.
If I did not know better I'd think the 'Boys are heading for a No 4 pick with the Dols, the Packers and possibly the Texans or Oakland stinking it up more than the Browns.

:starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Quaterback is by far the hardest, but I get your point.

I'm not sure I agree with you. Out of last year's pro bowl TEs, Witten's 35 catches as a rookie lead the group, in front of Gonzales, Gates and Crumpler.

Most QBs have rough rookie seasons but there are recent examples of rookie QBs having good years. With the exception of Shockey, rookie TEs struggle mightily.

 

[junk]

So did Mario Edwards.

I'm not writing him off by any means but what you give as evidence that he is a "quality" player is pretty weak. It is certainly not enough for me to get excited about him...but I will give him a chance.

Agreed. I hope someone steps up and seizes that backup center position, but a guy whose "meaningful" game time was some special teams snaps and wasn't good enough to land on a roster last year has a long road to haul.