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Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
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For your Saturday entertainment …
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Two blowouts, one night
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Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
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Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Singletary update
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Gameblog: Cavs at Indiana Pacers – Here’s to LBJ and Free Throws
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OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
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Bowling season starts today
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Headed For Disaster
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Will Health Care Reform Pass?
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Federal Judge Declares DOMA Unconstitutional
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TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
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Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
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Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 09:12 p.m. EDT, Sep 01, 2009
BEREA: Tuesday at the Browns' headquarters was marked by mystery surrounding the injured reserve status of Ryan Tucker and perhaps a subtle message: Don't mess with Bryan Cox.
It might be mere coincidence that defensive line coach Cox had on-field training-camp clashes with two players — Shaun Smith and Louis Leonard — and neither remain on the roster. Leonard was traded to the Carolina Panthers for an undisclosed draft choice, with the injury-ravaged Panthers touting Leonard as a possible starter at defensive tackle.
''I think that was a good opportunity for us, for Carolina and for the player,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said of Leonard.
Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney scouted the Browns-Packers preseason opener, but the speculation was that Hurney was interested in Cleveland's Corey Williams, who has yet to prove he fits a 3-4 defense. Williams signed a six-year, $38 million contract last season with $16.3 million guaranteed and was likely too expensive for the Panthers' tastes.
Leonard, a two-year veteran who was signed by the Browns in October 2007, has started just four career games.
He and Cox had words on Aug. 20, when Leonard apparently mouthed off to Cox and Cox responded, ''Don't you curse at me.'' Leonard initially balked when Cox told him to run laps, telling him, ''Don't come back until I tell you to.'' Leonard circled the field for four laps before he was allowed to rejoin his fellow linemen in drills.
''He just wants you to work hard, he wants to bring the best out of you,'' Leonard said of Cox after the incident. ''It might get rough sometimes. But he's a good coach and if you pay attention to him, you'll learn a lot.''
Defensive lineman Shaun Smith was released Aug. 8 after an altercation with Cox, but he had been on thin ice with the staff, reportedly told in the off-season to ''shape up and shut up.'' Smith signed with with the Detroit Lions.
The super-intense Cox played linebacker for 12 seasons in the NFL with Miami, Chicago, the New York Jets, New England and New Orleans. He's starting his fourth year as a coach on Mangini's staff, following him from the Jets.
Cox was an enforcer as a player and seems to be continuing that role as a coach. In one-on-one position drills, Cox often chides his players loudly if they're being dominated by another man.
In practice Tuesday, first-year defensive lineman Brian Schaefering knocked down fourth-string quarterback Richard Bartel. Center Hank Fraley came to the quarterback's defense and threw a punch, the first skirmish of training camp. ''Don't let him push you around,'' Cox yelled to Schaefering. When he got back to the sideline, Schaefering told Cox that Fraley had grabbed his face mask.
As for Tucker, the Browns placed the 12-year veteran on injured reserve, along with offensive lineman Fred Weary, to reach the 75-man roster limit. A mainstay on the right side of the line since 2002, Tucker reportedly had arthroscopic knee surgery last week. He's battled injuries the past two years, fracturing his hip in May 2008, then finishing the season on injured reserve for the third time in five years with a knee problem.
Tucker was to receive an $850,000 salary in 2009.
But Mangini praised Tucker for being an ''excellent locker room guy, an excellent example of what a pro should be.''
Mangini seemed to indicate the Browns might be exploring an injury settlement that would allow Tucker to rejoin the team later this season.
''That is one of the possibilities,'' Mangini said. ''You have a settlement and then there are rules on how many weeks of the settlement, plus six weeks and it creates different time frames.
''I like Ryan a lot. I've enjoyed my experience with him.''
Asked if he would bring Tucker back, Mangini said, ''It really depends on how it all works out, but I would definitely be open to that.''
If the Browns want Tucker to return, they have to reach an injury settlement within five days. Then, depending how many game checks Tucker's settlement would be, the Browns would have to wait out that time plus an additional six weeks before resigning him. Tucker could join another team as soon as the settlement is reached.
Tucker appears to be well-liked by his teammates.
''I love Ryan. I love the effort he puts in,'' quarterback Derek Anderson said.
''It's a tough situation. Tuck's one of those guys you'd love to have on the team,'' quarterback Brady Quinn said. ''He's a great leader. He works his tail off out here and his presence will definitely be missed.''
EDWARDS SCARE
The Browns appeared to get lucky when No. 1 receiver Braylon Edwards banged his right knee in a collision with defensive backs Hank Poteat and Hamza Abdullah. Edwards leaped for a Bartel pass, which he caught out of bounds during scout team drills. Edwards threw off the vest he was wearing (playing Chicago Bears receiver Devin Hester) and said something to the trainer about being ''stepped on.''
He walked to the other side of the field with two trainers, then tested the knee with a little jog. But he returned to drills, even flashing a thumbs-up sign to the media.
BROWNIES
Cornerback Rod Hood, released Monday, reached an agreement with the Bears, who host the Browns in Thursday's preseason finale. . . . Mangini said the No. 2 receiver spot could be filled by different players week to week, depending on matchups and the game plan. . . . Mangini still has not decided how long the starters will play against the Bears.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
BEREA: Tuesday at the Browns' headquarters was marked by mystery surrounding the injured reserve status of Ryan Tucker and perhaps a subtle message: Don't mess with Bryan Cox.
It might be mere coincidence that defensive line coach Cox had on-field training-camp clashes with two players — Shaun Smith and Louis Leonard — and neither remain on the roster. Leonard was traded to the Carolina Panthers for an undisclosed draft choice, with the injury-ravaged Panthers touting Leonard as a possible starter at defensive tackle.
''I think that was a good opportunity for us, for Carolina and for the player,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said of Leonard.
Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney scouted the Browns-Packers preseason opener, but the speculation was that Hurney was interested in Cleveland's Corey Williams, who has yet to prove he fits a 3-4 defense. Williams signed a six-year, $38 million contract last season with $16.3 million guaranteed and was likely too expensive for the Panthers' tastes.
Leonard, a two-year veteran who was signed by the Browns in October 2007, has started just four career games.
He and Cox had words on Aug. 20, when Leonard apparently mouthed off to Cox and Cox responded, ''Don't you curse at me.'' Leonard initially balked when Cox told him to run laps, telling him, ''Don't come back until I tell you to.'' Leonard circled the field for four laps before he was allowed to rejoin his fellow linemen in drills.
''He just wants you to work hard, he wants to bring the best out of you,'' Leonard said of Cox after the incident. ''It might get rough sometimes. But he's a good coach and if you pay attention to him, you'll learn a lot.''
Defensive lineman Shaun Smith was released Aug. 8 after an altercation with Cox, but he had been on thin ice with the staff, reportedly told in the off-season to ''shape up and shut up.'' Smith signed with with the Detroit Lions.
The super-intense Cox played linebacker for 12 seasons in the NFL with Miami, Chicago, the New York Jets, New England and New Orleans. He's starting his fourth year as a coach on Mangini's staff, following him from the Jets.
Cox was an enforcer as a player and seems to be continuing that role as a coach. In one-on-one position drills, Cox often chides his players loudly if they're being dominated by another man.
In practice Tuesday, first-year defensive lineman Brian Schaefering knocked down fourth-string quarterback Richard Bartel. Center Hank Fraley came to the quarterback's defense and threw a punch, the first skirmish of training camp. ''Don't let him push you around,'' Cox yelled to Schaefering. When he got back to the sideline, Schaefering told Cox that Fraley had grabbed his face mask.
As for Tucker, the Browns placed the 12-year veteran on injured reserve, along with offensive lineman Fred Weary, to reach the 75-man roster limit. A mainstay on the right side of the line since 2002, Tucker reportedly had arthroscopic knee surgery last week. He's battled injuries the past two years, fracturing his hip in May 2008, then finishing the season on injured reserve for the third time in five years with a knee problem.
Tucker was to receive an $850,000 salary in 2009.
But Mangini praised Tucker for being an ''excellent locker room guy, an excellent example of what a pro should be.''
Mangini seemed to indicate the Browns might be exploring an injury settlement that would allow Tucker to rejoin the team later this season.
''That is one of the possibilities,'' Mangini said. ''You have a settlement and then there are rules on how many weeks of the settlement, plus six weeks and it creates different time frames.
''I like Ryan a lot. I've enjoyed my experience with him.''
Asked if he would bring Tucker back, Mangini said, ''It really depends on how it all works out, but I would definitely be open to that.''
If the Browns want Tucker to return, they have to reach an injury settlement within five days. Then, depending how many game checks Tucker's settlement would be, the Browns would have to wait out that time plus an additional six weeks before resigning him. Tucker could join another team as soon as the settlement is reached.
Tucker appears to be well-liked by his teammates.
''I love Ryan. I love the effort he puts in,'' quarterback Derek Anderson said.
''It's a tough situation. Tuck's one of those guys you'd love to have on the team,'' quarterback Brady Quinn said. ''He's a great leader. He works his tail off out here and his presence will definitely be missed.''
EDWARDS SCARE
The Browns appeared to get lucky when No. 1 receiver Braylon Edwards banged his right knee in a collision with defensive backs Hank Poteat and Hamza Abdullah. Edwards leaped for a Bartel pass, which he caught out of bounds during scout team drills. Edwards threw off the vest he was wearing (playing Chicago Bears receiver Devin Hester) and said something to the trainer about being ''stepped on.''
He walked to the other side of the field with two trainers, then tested the knee with a little jog. But he returned to drills, even flashing a thumbs-up sign to the media.
BROWNIES
Cornerback Rod Hood, released Monday, reached an agreement with the Bears, who host the Browns in Thursday's preseason finale. . . . Mangini said the No. 2 receiver spot could be filled by different players week to week, depending on matchups and the game plan. . . . Mangini still has not decided how long the starters will play against the Bears.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
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