The Raven Report 9.8.15: On #Browns #Buckeyes #Indians

By @nevaRWilliams

The Cleveland Browns have filled out their practice squad over the weekend. In case you missed it, running back Terrance West was traded to the Tennessee Titans for a 2016 7th round draft pick. With the trade of West and the concussion history of Duke Johnson, running back Shaun Draughn earned himself a place on the practice squad.

Wide receiver Darius Jennings also made the team. Jennings caught a touchdown from Johnny Manziel during the preseason, while also showing solid work as a kick returner. He averaged 23.3 yards per return on 9 attempts, including a 54 yard return in the first preseason game.

Offensive linemen Andrew McDonald, Erle Ladson and Darien Miller were also added to the practice squad.

Seventh-round pick Hayes Pullard made the squad after having a strong performance at the end of camp and in preseason games. The 6’1”, 240 lbs. Pullard will likely get the call up to the team if something happens injury-wise with the inside linebackers.

In the secondary, the Browns kept corner Kendall James and safety De’Ante Saunders.

As of right now, preseason fan favorite Josh Lenz is not with the team. 2015 4th round pick Vince Mayle has been signed by the Dallas Cowboys to their practice squad.

Cleveland has also signed defensive lineman Dylan Wynn and center Garth Gerhart to the practice squad. Former Jaguars offensive lineman Austin Pasztor was also claimed off of waivers.

The Browns have signed quarterback Austin Davis to be their 3rd QB on the roster. Davis, 26, is 6’2”, 220 pounds. Last season, he was with the St. Louis Rams and started eight games, putting up 2,001 yards, 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, with an 85.1 QB rating. Davis was cut Saturday by the Rams. Hopefully, Davis will have more success with the team than recently cut Thad Lewis, who had a 56.8 rating in the preseason and took SEVEN sacks in the final preseason game against Chicago last Thursday. Johnny Manziel is also on track to be available and ready for the season opener on Sunday versus the New York Jets.

On the rumor side of things, the Browns may look into signing recently cut runnings Jonas Gray, who was with New England, and Montee Ball, who last played with Denver.

Linebacker Nate Orchard, running back Duke Johnson and cornerbacks Pierre Desir, Justin Gilbert and Charles Gaines did not practice on Monday. The team also put Charles Gaines on the IR/Designated Return list with a hamstring injury. Gaines is able to return in Week 8.

Lastly for the Browns, they have suspended offensive line coach Andy Moeller indefinitely. It’s said that the incident is a very serious assault situation. Moeller has a history of drinking-related issues going back to his days with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2011, the Ravens suspended him for two games. Here is the official statement from the Browns:

The Ohio State Buckeyes opened up their season last night in Blacksburg, Virginia, facing off against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Buckeyes were led by starting QB Cardale Jones who had 186 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, along with 99 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown. On his first touch of the game, Heisman candidate Ezekiel Elliott had an 80 yard touchdown run, and finished with 112 yards rushing. The highlight star of the game was quarterback-turned-receiver Braxton Miller. In his first game at his new position, Miller had 6 rushess for 62 yards with a touchdown, and 2 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown that was topped off with a spectacular spin move that left Hokies players and fans in jaw dropping awe. Receivers Michael Thomas and Curtis Samuel each had touchdowns of their own. Check out the full “On The Mark: Buckeyes Recap” later today here on TripleThreatCLE.com.

In early Labor Day baseball Monday, the Cleveland Indians took a win from the Chicago White Sox, 3-2, at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Ryan Raburn and Trevor Bauer led the way for the Tribe. Raburn drove in a pair of solo home runs off of White Sox starter Chris Sale, as Bauer pitched seven innings of two hit baseball in the win that ended the White Sox four game win streak. Bauer earned his 11th win as he allowed just the two runs on two hits, while striking out six and walking five “Pale Hose”. Cody Allen came on in the 9th for his 29th save on the season.

Tonight’s game will see the Indians’ Carlos Carrasco (12-9, 3.53) face Carlos Rodon (6-6, 4.10) of the White Sox. First pitch is at 8pm EST.

On The Mark 12.13.14: #Browns vs. #Bengals Preview

Johnny Starter.  Johnny Manziel Starts His First Game As A Cleveland Brown Sunday.
By @MarkW2112

The Cleveland Browns, who have been solid on defense but struggling mightily on offense, have turned to rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel to lead the Browns offense this Sunday against division and Ohio rival Cincinnati Bengals.  With only 3 games left in the season and the playoffs on the line, head coach Mike Pettine had no choice but to go with Johnny Football after 4 very rocky starts for Brian Hoyer, who threw 1 touchdown and 8 interceptions in the past few weeks.

The Browns, 7-6, are still in the thick of the playoff chase but their chances of making them remain slim if they lose Sunday with 3 games left.  The loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week was a huge letdown after the defense was sensational against Andrew Luck and their powerful offense.  This weekend, facing a division rival, look for the defense once again to step up against Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, who seems to have issues with all pro cornerback Joe Haden every time they meet.  Look for a lot of the same pressure and different looks the defense showed the Bengals the first time they faced back in November in Cincinnati.

As for the offense, at this point, it's an unknown what will happen.  Manziel, however, appears to be ready to go and do what he does best, which is making off the cuff plays using his feet to keep the defense off balance.  That said, look for a big game from both Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell as the Bengals concentrate on stopping Manziel.  Also expect Josh Gordon to have his best game since coming back during the Atlanta game.  There is no doubt Manziel will make mistakes but they will be exciting mistakes nonetheless.

My take: It's finally Johnny time.  We'll see if he lives up to the hype but if his touchdown series against Buffalo is any indication, I think he's more than ready to take over the Browns quarterback position.  I also expect the Bengals offense to look much better this time around than it did in Cincinnati.  It will be a tough match up to say the least.

Prediction:  It will be close.  It's a pick em game for sure.

What: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
Where: First Energy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
Time: 1 PM
TV/Radio: Fox, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 in Cleveland and The Browns Radio Network elsewhere in Ohio.

On The Mark 11.7.14: #Browns Recap

Browns Dominate Both Sides Of The Ball, Destroy The Bengals 24-3, Tied For First Place
By @MarkW2112

The Cleveland Browns are now tied for first place with a 24-3 pounding of the Cincinnati Bengals that wasn't even close.  Brian Hoyer, now 9-3 as a Browns starter, was sharp once again, throwing for 198 yards while the running trio of Terrance West, Ben Tate and Isaiah Crowell each scored a rushing touchdown and combined for 170 yards rushing with West leading the way with 94 yards.  Even without Andrew Hawkins or Jordan Cameron as well as fighting the wind at Paul Brown Stadium, Hoyer was able to get the ball to Miles Austin, Travis Benjamin, Taylor Gabriel and Gary Barnidge when needed.

On the other end, the Browns defense was dominating from start to finish against Andy Dalton, who may have had one of his worst games a pro.  He threw for 3 interceptions,  2 of them to Buster Skrine, and was off all night.  A.J. Green, covered by Joe Haden for most of the night, was a non factor and Greg Little, for all of his "someone will pay" comments, was once again plagued by stone hands and was hit with a personal foul for head butting.  Tashaun Gipson also caused a fumble on Jeremy Hill which was recovered by Joe Haden so the Browns had 4 turnovers all together as well as keeping the Bengals to 3 points in 4 quarters.

My take: The Browns are for real.  They brought their A game to a Thursday night national audience on the road.  Mike Pettine, Jim O'Neil and Kyle Shanahan all had great coached games tonight with the players absolutely ready for this important division series.  It also ended their 17 game AFC North road losing streak.  Ironically, their last AFC North win on the road was to Cincinnati in 2008.  Even with the wind and rain, Brian Hoyer showed his leadership on offense while the Browns were absolutely dominant on defense.  The Browns are a viable playoff team at this point.  Damn that feels good to type!

Next up: A long 10 day stretch until they face the Houston Texans back in Cleveland.  The Browns fans will be pumped for that game.

On The Mark, 9.8.14: Browns React

 A Tale of Two Half's: Browns lose to Pittsburgh 30-27 after incredible 24 point comeback 

By @Markw2112

It was thrilling finish to what started out as a disastrous start for the Cleveland Browns.  But the results were the same as they've been for years; the Browns lose another opening day game, this time to the hated Pittsburgh Steelers, 30-27.  It didn't start out so close.  The Browns came back from a 24 point halftime deficit to tie it up in the fourth quarter.  The Browns offense, however, couldn't move the ball with their last two possessions, including their last in which they went backwards to almost the goal line.  This led to the Steelers getting the ball at their 40 yard line and Ben Roethlisberger orchestrating a drive to the Browns 24 yard line, where Shaun Suisham kicked the game winning field goal as time expired.

The first half of the game was all Steelers.  Roethlisberger ripped apart the secondary, seemingly picking on rookie Justin Gilbert.  He had 278 yards passing the first half alone, finishing 23-of-34 for 365 yards and a touchdown.  He was able to avoid pressure and make will his throws to whichever receiver was there to catch them.  He also had help from Le'Veon Bell, who had 109 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

The Browns, led by Brian Hoyer, had a nice first drive, including a 47 yard pass to Jordan Cameron, yet were only able to score a field goal.  After that, it seemed the offense couldn't get anything going.  Ben Tate ran the ball well to start the game but was out of the game by the second quarter due to a knee injury.  Terrance West took his place but couldn't seem to spark the offense either.  The Browns special teams at times weren't so special either, culminated by Antonio Brown's karate kick to the face mask of punter Spencer Lanning.  With Roethlisberger having his way with the defense, all hope seemed lost as the Browns went in to the locker room down 27-3.

But something happened during halftime that lit a fire under the team (whether by Pettine, the team veterans or both).  With the Browns receiving the ball to start the second half, Hoyer led the team 80 yards down field and ended it with Isiah Crowell's first touchdown as an NFL pro.  After a 3-and-out by the defense, the Browns were able to drive it down again, this time from their 41 yard line with another Crowell touchdown.  Just like that, it was 27-17 Steelers.  Another FG and touchdown drive by the Browns and the game was tied at 27.  The Steelers and their fans were shell shocked.  I'm pretty sure Browns fans were too.

Yet, in the end, the Browns did what they always seem to do (choke) and the Steelers did what they've done the past 11 years against the Browns in Pittsburgh (win).  

There were positives on both ends.  The young running team of Terrance West and Isiah Crowell came up big with 132 total yards and 2 touchdowns.  Andrew Hawkins, Miles Austin and Taylor Gabriel had some clutch catches and the defense seemed to play better in the second half with some big time plays by Armonty Bryant, Paul Krueger and Jabaal Sheard.

My take is this: the Browns have another coaching staff with new playing systems on both sides.  It might take time to gel.  But the missed tackles on defense and the play of Justin Gilbert are still a huge concern going in to the New Orleans Saints game next Sunday in Cleveland.  They may not win next week but we can hope they make it fun.  And hopefully no chants for Johnny Football either.

Next game: Home opener against the New Orleans Saints, 1 PM, on Fox.  

(And possibly the return of Josh Gordon?  Stay tuned...)