Browns DT Phil Taylor will undergo surgery next week to repair the left pectoral muscle torn while lifting weights on Thursday.

A torn pectoral injury usually costs a player the entire season, though Taylor has an advantage in that it occurred four months before the opener. The timetable should be in the 4-6 month range, leaving Taylor as a candidate to open the season on the PUP list. The loss of Taylor is devastating to a defense with little depth up front. Even with Taylor in the lineup last season, the Browns were a dream matchup for opposing fantasy backs.

T.I.G.I.F ..WOOF


======================= (_)



Have a round on the Hound here .



Hangs sign on door .


Gone Racing


play nice in the sandbox

Have a round on the Hound here .
play nice in the sandbox

No promises, but if you keep your tab open, it would be more motivational..

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor tore his left pectoral muscle and will undergo surgery next week, coach Pat Shurmur said today.

Shurmur acknowledged that the injury "could be'' season ending. But he cautioned, "I don't want to cancel him out for the year.''

"He's going to miss a significant amount of time ... more months than weeks," Shurmur said this morning as the Browns opened their rookie minicamp. "It's too early to speculate how long that will be. It's just one of those things that happened.''

At a luncheon at the University of Akron, Browns President Mike Holmgren said, "I think there is a chance he can come back and play'' this season.

Holmgren said the Browns might have to wait until final cuts to see which linemen get released, "but in a perfect world you'd like to have the guy in camp with you.''

Taylor suffered the injury while lifting weights at the Browns training facility Thursday.

Injuries of this nature often take at least six months to heal. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson underwent season-ending surgery in each of the past two seasons for two separate torn pectorals. In 2010, Jackson suffered the injury in training camp and missed the entire season. In 2009, he was injured six games into the season and missed the final 10 games.

"By his own admission (Jackson) feels better, stronger than before,'' said Holmgren.

Added Shurmur: "Everybody recovers at a different rate. Our guess is he'll be a fast healer.

"It's unfortunate. We feel bad for Phil. But he's in good spirits and he's going to come back from this thing stronger than ever."

Taylor was the Browns' first draft pick (21 overall) in the 2011 draft. He started all 16 games last season.

The Browns drafted defensive tackle John Hughes in the third round out of Cincinnati and signed defensive ends Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker in free agency.

Former Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis says the NFL is a silent killer. In an article in USA Today, Lewis (via radio interview with WCNN), talks about concussions and other dangers related to the sport.

Lewis is also feeling the aftereffects of the pounding he received courtesy of 2,542 career carries.

"Oh yeah, your memory, headaches, dizziness. Your eyes get sensitive to the light," Lewis said. "You're up all night. You can't really sleep sometimes. A lot of that is stuff that a lot of people might deal with on a regular basis, just who knows why? But at the same time, these are things that an actual NFL player actually deals with -- an ex-NFL player or even one that's playing now -- you deal with that all the time. It's even like with Junior Seau. Who knows what this guy was dealing with, but he was an icon. Who could he talk to? Who could he speak to? And those are the outlets that he probably didn't have."

Post-concussion problems led to his retirement following the 2009 season, writes Nate Davis. Lewis says he first suffered from it in the opener that year but didn't realize (nor did the Cleveland trainers) how severe his symptoms were; he actually returned to that Week 1 contest when his backup was also injured and was plagued until being shut down later in the year.

   

More Cleveland Browns

The QB starting job is Brandon Weeden's to lose (ESPN).

Kent State's coach says Trent Richardson is going to be special (Ohio.com).

Pat Shurmur is pumped (The News-Herald).

What could Trent Richardson's contract look like (WFNY)?

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson were impressive in their first rookie minicamp camp practice today.

Weeden showed off his strong arm, throwing nice, tight spirals with good velocity and zip. He completed plenty of out routes and several deep balls. He also looked fluid operating under center and dropping back. His footwork looked completely natural despite throwing primarily out of the shotgun in college his last two seasons.

"I feel really comfortable under center,'' he said. "I'll be honest, I like being under center more because I can see more of what's going on, and you get the ball immediately. If I had to pick one of the two -- not that I don't like being in the shotgun -- but I like being under center.''

Weeden said he's determined to beat out Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace for the starting job.

"That's the approach that we're all going to take,'' said Weeden. "It's going to be fun. Colt's been in this system for two years, so he understands the offense. I'm going to ask him questions and we're going to learn together and compete. that's what it's all about. I think he would answer the same way: we're going to do whatever we can to help this team win games, plain and simple. Whether it's me, him, obviously I hope I'm the guy. I'm going to do everything in my power to be the guy but you've got to take it one step at a time.''

Weeden showed off his natural chemistry with former Oklahoma State receiver Josh Cooper, his second-leading receiver there, and also completed some balls to fourth-round pick Travis Benjamin. His quick release and accuracy -- although under no pressure yet -- were evident.

"Even when I first picked up the football, I've always been a natural thrower,'' he said. "Obviously if we get our feet set it's really easy. I was fortunate. When I got to the college level, I took a lot of pride in it. Today I threw the ball fairly accurately, not as good as I can. I've been blessed to be able to throw the football.''

Weeden hopes to bring a championship to the win-starved Browns fans.

"Before I'm done playing I want to win a Super Bowl,'' he said. "That's my goal as a player.''

Richardson showed good burst and speed, and also caught the ball well out of the backfield. He bobbled the first few exchanges, but settled into his game after that.

"You've got to get used to the double numbers on the jerseys,'' he said. "They're kind of slick. I didn't have double numbers or a slick jersey (at Alabama). When I got used to the handoffs with Brandon, another quarterback and stuff, I went with the flow. I know it was a rough start but as it went on, everything smoothed on out.''

He also learned quickly why Weeden was able to throw 90-plus mph fastballs in the minor leagues.

"He's got a strong arm,'' said Richardson. "I was three yards away from him, he threw it real hard and I had to put my hands up real fast. I can see why he played baseball.''

The camp runs through Sunday.

• The Browns also signed sixth-round defensive tackle Billy Winn of Boise State. He becomes more important now that Phil Taylor is out for months with a torn pectoral muscle.

• Browns coach Pat Shurmur said the team has not discussed acquiring receiver Plaxico Burress, who told Sirius XM Radio that the Browns are one of about four teams he's like to play for.

Nice to hear a QB sound like a QB and sound confidant..  Good to see #3 hand off to #33..


http://www.cleveland.com/browns/ind
ex.ssf/2012/05/cleveland_browns_fir
st-round_p.html

Here is some Richardson video.  Dude looks like he doesn't need shoulder pads...


http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/medi
a-center/videos/Rookie-Mini-Camp-Ri
chardson-Pratice-Footage/5513a026-c
330-4405-8803-3e0bcc63c4ec

One of the most popular topics pre and post-NFL Draft has been the wide receiver situation for the Cleveland Browns.

Many fans, writers and media pundits have been very adamant in their claim that the Browns have one of the worst receiving corps in the league, and were upset they failed to add any major talent at the position in the 2012 NFL Draft. Instead of using an early-round selection on a receiver, they chose to use a fourth-round pick on Miami Hurricanes speedster Travis Benjamin.

With the selections of Alabama running back Trent Richardson and Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden in the first round, the Browns bolstered their receiving corps indirectly. Richardson will draw extra defenders in the box to try and stop his hard-nosed rushing attack, and Weeden’s big arm will force defenses to pay more attention to the Browns’ passing attack—regardless who the receivers out there are.

However, both are rookies and will likely both go through some growing pains during their first season. If the Browns want to help ease the growing pains for their new quarterback, Weeden, they may want to look into a veteran wide receiver still available in free agency, Plaxico Burress.

Last year, many organizations and writers (including some of us here at NFA) considered Burress to be too risky after having been out of the league for two years and even though he would come cheap, he was thought to be nowhere near football-ready.

While the naysayers did not buy in initially, Burress actually had a pretty successful season for the New York Jets. He finished the year with 45 receptions, 612 yards and eight touchdowns. Those numbers would have put him second in receptions and yards on the Browns behind rookie Greg Little, and first in touchdowns by a large margin (Josh Cribbs and Evan Moore each had four).

The current Browns’ receiving corps has potential, but it severely lacks someone like Burress. His size (6’5” and 232 pounds) would give Cleveland’s rookie quarterback a major target to throw to—especially in the redzone. And according to Fox 8 Cleveland sports anchor John Telich, “Plaxico Burress says Cle is one of the teams he is interested in playing for #NFL.”

Even though Burress may be interested, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said, “We haven’t talked about Plax right now,” according to Pro Football Talk.

While they may not be interested right now, team president Mike Holmgren hasn’t ruled out adding another wide receiver to the mix. He said, “There’s a chance between now and the time … we tee up that there will be an addition to the wide receiver group. But if there isn’t, then honestly I feel pretty good about our guys.”

If the Browns do decide to add Burress to the mix, it will likely satisfy fans’ constant desire for the team to add a veteran wide receiver via free agency. He has cleaned up since spending time in jail, and could be a mentor to some of the team’s bigger receivers (like Carlton Mitchell) with untapped potential.

A target like Burress could really open up passing lanes for Weeden, and also take some attention off the team’s underneath-route playmakers like Little and Cribbs. A move like that could really propel the Browns’ stagnant offense, and force defensive coordinators to game plan a little harder each week.

Until the Browns decide to do something, this is just another in a long line of pipe dreams/rumors swirling around the organization. But this is one rumor general manger Tom Heckert should take seriously, and who knows, one that could maybe help the Browns to score more in the redzone next year.



Follow National Football Authority on Twitter: @NFAuthority & @TheRealBobEvans 
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However, both are rookies and will likely both go through some growing pains during their first season. If the Browns want to help ease the growing pains for their new quarterback, Weeden, they may want to look into a veteran wide receiver still available in free agency, Plaxico Burress.

took the words right out of my ..keyboard . i have been harping on growing pains to many growing pains the last three months . speed this process up some Heckert . sign a veteran WR

 

Happy Mothers Day to all of you .


time to give thanks for all they do !

the rest of you Muthers have a good one to

So far, the arm is the star: Brandon Weeden showing Browns he has all the throws

Filed by Scott Petrak May 13th, 2012

BEREA — Brandon Weeden rolled to his left, squared his shoulders and let it rip. He was still on the move when he released the ball, and it looked as if both feet were off the ground.

The result was a 20-yard rope along the sideline to tight end Joseph Halahuni, a tryout from Oregon State. Completion. First down.

On an uneventful Saturday at Browns rookie minicamp, this was the “SportsCenter” highlight.

“Nice throw, Weeds,” senior offensive assistant and former Pro Bowler Nolan Cromwell yelled.

Through two days and four practices, Weeden’s arm has been the star of camp. It’s necessary to remember he hasn’t faced any veteran defenders or much of a blitz, but there’s no debate about the throws.

“He is a very smooth thrower,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “He throws the ball easy and I think a guy that can throw the ball with a smooth motion, the ball presents itself to the receivers well. I think that helps them be more efficient catching it.

Browns hoping free-agent Cooper can fill the slot

By Steve Doerschuk

It’s a stretch way longer than the Oklahoma panhandle to suppose Josh Cooper can be the next Wes Welker.

In Cooper’s last three years at Oklahoma State, he caught 161 passes for 1,695 yards.

In Welker’s last three years with the New England Patriots, he caught 331 balls for 3,805 yards.

Yet, Cooper said after his second day of Browns rookie minicamp he has heard others compare him to Welker a thousand times.

It makes a certain amount of sense.

BEREA – The Browns held their third practice of rookie minicamp today on a windy morning. All 36 players practiced, and will return to the field this afternoon.

A few observations from the first session of the two-a-days.

** Quarterback Brandon Weeden continues to impress with his arm. His athleticism also looks better than advertised.

The play that jumped out was a 20-yard out to tight end Joseph Halahuni, who’s on a tryout from Oregon State. Weeden took the snap from center, rolled left and threw while moving – both feet might’ve been off the ground. It was a strike.

“He’s got decent feet and he’s naturally accurate. It’s just a matter of him getting used to how we do things and I think that accuracy will show,” Browns coach Pat Shurmur said.

Earlier, he threw his first wobbler of camp.

Browns notes: Brad Smelley, that other ‘Bama guy, making a good impression, too

Filed by Scott Petrak May 13th, 2012

BEREA — The kid from Alabama has looked good through two days of rookie minicamp.

Make that the other kid from Alabama.

Running back Trent Richardson, the No. 3 pick in the draft, came as advertised and has received the lion’s share of the publicity. But it’s Crimson Tide teammate Brad Smelley who has been the surprise of camp.

Smelley, a seventh-round pick playing H-back, caught several balls and showed good athleticism for his 6-foot-2, 235-pound frame. He had a big day in Alabama’s national championship win in January, catching a game-high seven passes for 39 yards. He calls receiving a strength.

“Absolutely. That’s something I work on every day,” he said Saturday after the morning practice of two-a-days. “I’ve worked on it all my life basically, so I feel comfortable catching the ball.”

H-back is a hybrid of a fullback and tight end. Smelley took repetitions in the backfield and at the line of scrimmage.

After four years as a linebacker at Ohio State, Andrew Sweat signed as an undrafted free agent with the Browns. But Sweat, who was an Academic All-American with the Buckeyes, has decided to pick academics over athletics.

Sweat chose not to attend this weekend’s rookie minicamp in Cleveland and not to try to play in the NFL at all. Sweat told the Columbus Dispatch that he has been accepted to five law schools, and that’s what he has decided to make his priority in life.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur told reporters that Sweat had informed the team he decided not to pursue a career in the NFL.

For those of us who love football but never had the physical ability to play it at a high level, it’s difficult to comprehend a man who has the chance to play in the NFL but chooses to do something else instead. But if Sweat will be happier in law school than in an NFL locker room next fall, good for him.