On The Mark 10.26.15: #Browns v. #Rams Recap

Browns beaten down by the Rams, 24-6
By @MarkW2112

The Cleveland Browns lost to the St. Louis Rams, 24-6, in a game that the Browns could have won.  But, instead, turnovers and penalties killed any momentum they may have had during drives.  Josh McCown was 26-of-32 for 270 yards, but was sacked 4 times and fumbled.  The biggest turnover was in the very beginning of the game, when a screen pass to Taylor Gabriel was fumbled and brought back for a touchdown by the Rams Rodney McLeod.  Gary Barnidge made another spectacular play and had 101 yards receiving, but the run game once again was ineffective with Robert Turbin leading with 30 yards on 5 carries.

The defense actually played another solid game until they got tired from being on the field too long.  That and the fact that Todd Gurley got going after the first quarter, rushing for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.

My take:  The season is over for the Browns.  Coming back from 2-5 will be almost impossible.  Mistakes, penalties and turnovers show how much of a huge mess the Browns are in.  It may be time for Johnny Manziel to start the rest of the season.  But with bull headed Mike Pettine, he may stick with McCown if he isn't suffering from another concussion.

Player of the game:  Todd Gurley, who looks every bit the first round running back, especially hurdling over defenders and his own men to get more yards.

Turning point:  Taylor Gabriel's fumble which was picked up by Rodney McLeod for a touchdown.  It was really the only points they needed to win the game.

Next for the Browns: next week, at home, against the Arizona Cardinals.

#Browns Preview 10.23.15: Cleveland Browns @ St. Louis #Rams

By @mrgroce

Fresh off a disappointing 26-23 loss to the Denver Broncos, the Cleveland Browns travel to St.Louis to take on the Rams who are coming off of their bye week. The Browns found every way possible to lose this game and midway through overtime accomplished their mission. Questionable coaching decisions, bad defense, and terrible QB play eventually killed the Browns chances of pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the young season. Peyton Manning struggled for most of the game, but Denver realized they were facing the worst run defense in the NFL and decided to hand the ball off for the rest of the overtime and finished the Browns off with a field goal. 

That same run defense must now prepare to face one of the newest studs in the league, running back Todd Gurley. I'm a little biased here because Gurley was my favorite player coming out of college in this year's draft. After missing all of training camp, preseason and the first two games of the year Gurley has gained over 300 yards in the two games he has started this season. The Browns coaching staff has heard all season long how bad the run D is, so I'm sure they have been stressing to the players to not allow themselves to get embarrassed by a rookie. The Rams only average 309 yards per game and have the second worst passing attack gaining only 183 receiving yards per game. QB Nick Foles has one of the worst passing ratings in the league only registering a lowly 77.6 per game. WR Tavon Austin is questionable for this week's game and WR Kenny Britt only has 183 yards all season. Stopping the run seems to be the recipe for victory for the Browns this week. 

Browns QB Josh McCown has shown why he's not a franchise quarterback while at the same time allowing us to see how he has stayed in the league for 12 years. When he's on he hits everything in sight, but when he's off he is absolutely terrible. The Rams have one of the top defensive lines in football. They have 19 sacks in only five games. WR Travis Benjamin and TE Gary Barnidge had big games last week and seem to be the most targeted options for McCown. If Cleveland could get a consistent run attack this offense could be dare I say, dangerous. Before the season started the number one question Browns fans asked were "where will the points come from"? Who would've imagined the Browns would be the 6th best scoring team in the NFL averaging 23 points per game? Running back Robert Turbin who made his Browns debut carried the ball ten times for 27 yards. Isaiah Crowell had 32 yards rushing and Duke Johnson finished with 38 yards rushing. The offensive line hasn't played the way everyone expected this year, but I can't blame them for the run game being this dismal. It's time for one of the three backs to step up and take over the lead rusher position and carry this offense on their back. 

The Rams have beaten the Seahawks and Cardinals, but have lost to the Redskins and Steelers (minus Ben). Seems like they play to the level of their competition which is great news for the Browns. Two average teams with average quarterbacks means this one will come down to turnovers and who commits fewer untimely penalties. If I was to use that logic I'd have to go with the Rams, but Cleveland knows that a loss here which would drop them to 2-5 will pretty much end their season. That level of desperation has me thinking that the Browns will find a way to pull this one out 27-17. 


What: Cleveland Browns (2-4) at St.Louis Rams (2-3)
When: Sunday Oct. 25 1:00 PM
Where: Edward Jones Dome St.Louis
TV/Radio: CBS, WKNR 850 Cleveland, WKRK 92.3 The Fan, WNCX 98.5

Leadoff with Lee 2.25.15 #Browns #McCown #Kane #JoshHamilton

By @cleeverizon

- Josh McCown visited the Browns Tuesday & Wednesday. But before we get to excited about signing McCown, he also visited with Bills last week and met Bears & Jets at combine. However Josh McCown will make his decision on a team possibly in a few days. The Browns are in the running. And he wants  to talk things over with family. It sounds as if the Browns have offered him a contract.

He would be a good transition quarterback for the Browns as they prepare their future signal caller whomever that maybe. Even though I would rather have Sam Bradford who the Rams maybe be willing to part with for a 3rd round pick or future conditional 1st or 2nd round pick depending on Bradford's play and health. But the Browns will need to find out the punishment that he NFL will issue for "TextGate" before they can even dip their feet into those waters.

- Looks like the quarterback situation is going to get interesting, per Pro Football Talk the Browns Ray Farmer & Brian Hoyer are set to meet. It's a safe assumption they will be talking about the "TextGate" situation and both sides will determine where to go from there.

- The Browns are also rumored to be interested in Buccaneers free agent DE Adrian Clayborn. He's had 13 sacks in 4 years in the NFL but was hurt in 2012 and 2014. His rookie year in 2011 he has 7.5 sacks and started all 16 games. Most recently in 2013 he has 5.5 sacks and 16 games started. He suffered a torn bicep cost him his 2014 season. Despite his two season ending injuries Clayborn has produced on the field. Cleveland needs help on the defensive line and would be ready to play right away rather than sit like a rookie would.

- NFL sources have indicated that free agent wide receiver Cecil Shorts and the Browns have mutual interest with each other. Shorts would provide a big target as he is 6'0, 200lbs and would allow Andrew Hawkins and/or Miles Austin to play their natural slot position.

- Sources close to Browns tight end Jordan Cameron have said he is not interested in resigning with the team and will test the free agent market.

- The Packers released LB AJ Hawk, their 2006 first-round pick. It saves them $3.5M this year, which comes off their cap.  He ranks No. 1 in franchise history with 1,118 tackles.

- The Detroit Lions have parted ways with RB Reggie Bush.  

- Bulls announce Derrick Rose will undergo surgery after an MRI revealed medial meniscus tear in right knee and will be out indefinitely. The Bulls have paid Derrick Rose $944,608 for each game he has played in over the last 3 seasons (56 games).

- LeBron James set the all-time NBA record for assists by a forward, with 6,136 passing Scottie Pippen (6,135).

- Kendrick Perkins officially signed with the Cavs Tuesday, his Cleveland salary will be $443.068 for the remainder of the season with a salary-cap number of $279,975.

- Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane is expected to miss 12 weeks after undergoing surgery of his left clavicle. The Florida Panthers' Alex Petrovic cross checked Kane in the lower back which led Kane to be slammed into the boards, causing the fracture. The regular season ends April 11, with the playoffs starting a week later. Kane would be expected to miss the start of the playoffs with hope that he could return in the Western Conference finals, should Chicago reach that far.

- Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton could be facing some discipline from Major League Baseball after revealing that he's had a drug related relapse which may have included but not limited to cocaine use. Hamiltion is currently undergoing rehab after his shoulder surgery earlier this month and is expected out until at least May. That could change now, obviously. Hamilton signed a 5-year, $125 million deal with the Angels before the 2013 season.

- Former St. Louis Ram Michael Sam and Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin have joined the cast of the new season of Dancing With The Stars.

- The city of Inglewood, CA has approved the "Hollywood Park" stadium plan project to build a Los Angeles based NFL stadium for the St. Louis Rams. The unanimously approved project would build a $1.86 billion, 80,000 seat stadium adjacent to the multi-use redevelopment at the old Hollywood Park racetrack. Workers could potentially start building by the end of 2015.

The Raven Report 1.6.15: Cavs Trade Waiters & L.A. Rams

By @nevaRWilliams

- Last night, the Cavaliers suffered an embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, 95-92. Kevin Love's monster game of 28 points and 19 rebounds was squandered away when point guard Matthew Dellavedova took it upon himself to blow three straight possessions to seal the win, including missing two free throws. Joe Harris scored 16 in his first start, while Tristan Thompson added 18 points and 9 rebounds.

Now you might be asking yourself, why would Joe Harris get the start? Well, Dion Waiters was expected to start but was pulled right before the game. Why? Because GM David Griffin had something up his sleeve and the Cavaliers pulled off a three-way trade that involved Waiters, the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The deal breaks down like this:

Thunder: Dion Waiters

Cavaliers: J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, Protected 1st-Round Draft Pick (OKC)

Knicks: Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk, Lance Thomas, 2019 2nd Round Pick (CLE)


Waiters, 23, while averaging 10.5 points, just never seemed to find his fit on the new Cavaliers. From his reluctance to give up his starter role for a 6th man bench role, or his dicey shot selection and pouty attitude, it was bound to be a break up with the team sooner or later.

Smith, 29, is averaging 10.9 points, while Shumpert, 24, is averaging 9.3 points, along with 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Shumpert will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2015.

The Thunder's pick sent to the Cavaliers is protected as follows: The Cavs will get the pick if it is outside the top 18 this year or if its outside the top 15 in 2016 or 2017. If it doesn't happen in either of the three years, it becomes two second round picks.

The Knicks also waived center Samuel Dalembert to save them $3.8 million. The Cavs could look into signing the big man as well.

As far as salaries go, J.R. Smith will make $5.9M, and has a player option for $6.3M in 2015-16. Iman Shumpert makes $2.7M and has a qualifying offer $3.8 in 2015-16. Dion Waiters this season will make $4M, then $5.1M in 2015-16 and finally a qualifying offer of $6.7M in 2016-17.

- It seems as thought the St. Louis Rams could be back in Los Angeles as early as 2016.

Rams owner Stan Kroenke has joined with owners of a 60 acre Hollywood Park site, purchased last year, to build an NFL stadium that would be adjacent to the Forum and Hollywood Park.

The planned "City of Champions Revitalization Project" would include an 80,000 seat stadium, a performance venue that seats up to 6,000, 890,000 square feet of retail, 780,000 square feet of office space, 2,500 new residential units, a 300 room hotel and 25 acres of public parks, playgrounds and open space.

The 80,000 seat stadium could also help in Los Angeles' bid to host the 2024 Olympics and possibly bid for a future World Cup.

TV Weekend 8.8.14 - 8.9.14

NFL
Saints @ Rams (Friday, NFL Network, 8 PM)

Preseason, Browns @ Lions (Saturday, NBC/WKYC/NFL Network, 7:30 PM)

MLB
Indians @ Yankees (Friday, STO, 7 PM)
Cardinals @ Orioles OR Tigers @ Blue Jays (Friday, MLB Network, 7 PM)

Indians @ Yankees (Saturday, FOX Sports 1, 1 PM)
Cardinals @ Orioles (Saturday, FOX Sports 1, 4 PM)
Nationals @ Braves OR Dodgers @ Brewers (Saturday, MLB Network, 7 PM)

GOLF
2014 PGA Championship, Third Round (Saturday, CBS, 2 PM)

TENNIS
ATP Tennis, U.S. Open Series, Rogers Cup, Quarterfinal (Friday, ESPN 2, 7 PM)

WTA Tennis, Rogers Cup, First Semifinal (Saturday, ESPN 2, 1 PM)
ATP Tennis, U.S. Open Series, Rogers Cup, Semifinal (Saturday, ESPN 2, 3 PM)
ATP Tennis, U.S. Open Series, Second Semifinal (Saturday, ESPN 2, 8 PM)

OTHER SPORTS
Little League World Series, Southeast Regional, Final (Friday, ESPN, 7 PM)
Little League World Series, West Regional, Second Semifinal (Friday, ESPN, 9 PM)
SOFTBALL: Big League World Series, Second Semifinal (Friday, ESPNU, 7 PM)
WOMEN'S SOCCER: FIFA U-20 World Cup, Brazil vs. United States (Friday, ESPNU, 9:45 PM)

SOFTBALL: Senior League World Series, Final (Saturday, ESPN, 12 PM)
WOMEN'S SOCCER: FIFA U-20 World Cup, England vs. Mexico (Saturday, ESPNU, 12:45 PM)
NASCAR RACING: Nationwide Series, ZIPPO 200 at The Glen (Saturday, ABC, 2 PM)
Little League World Series, Great Lakes Regional, Final (Saturday, ESPN, 2 PM)
MOTORCYCLE RACING: Pro Motocross Championship, Unadilla National (Saturday, NBC, 3 PM)
SWIMMING: U.S. National Championships (Saturday, NBC, 4 PM)
Little League World Series, Northwest Regional, Final (Saturday, ESPN, 4 PM)
SOFTBALL: Big League World Series, Final (Saturday, ESPN 2, 5 PM)
Little League World Series, New England Regional, Final (Saturday, ESPN, 7 PM)
Little League World Series, West Regional, Final (Saturday, ESPN, 9 PM)
WNBA: Minnesota Lynx @ Phoenix Mercury (Saturday, NBA TV, 10 PM)

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WWE Friday Night Smackdown (Friday, SyFy, 8 PM)
Girl Meets World (Friday, Disney Channel, 8:30 PM)
The Knick, SERIES PREMIERE (Friday, Cinemax, 10 PM)

Hell On Wheels (Saturday, AMC, 9 PM)
Outlander, SERIES PREMIERE (Saturday, STARZ, 9 PM)