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Browns terminate Stallworth's contract
Colts kicker Matt Stover, 42, is oldest player in Super Bowl history
Browns, Dolphins make unusual trade
Holmgren dislikes quarterback battles
Cavs' hoops throw Bryant for a loop
Winfield won't let pain intercept playoff chance
NFL title games include several players with local ties
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Man robbed at Tallmadge Avenue eatery
Another winter punch heading toward Ohio
Four teens restrain man, take items from his Akron home
Complaints against officer keep coming
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Region makes way for latest batch of snow; cancellations rise
Cuyahoga Falls residents come home to find burning couch on balcony
Blogs:
First Bell - On Education:
No City of Akron basketball tonight
Pets:
Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
Law, Love and Chocolate
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
OFCCP Report
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 06:22 p.m. EST, Nov 09, 2009
BEREA: On Monday, Browns tight end Michael Gaines opened the locker-room door for reporters with a greeting of ''Welcome to a new season.''
While coaches and players received a needed break during the bye last weekend, nothing really had changed when they returned. When it comes to naming a starting quarterback, Browns coach Eric Mangini was just as secretive as ever.
He seems to have decided his choice for the Monday night home game next week against the Baltimore Ravens, but he wasn't willing to reveal it.
''I'll let you guys know about that on Wednesday,'' Mangini said. ''We'll talk about that more in preparation for the Ravens.
''I know where I'm headed. I haven't sat down with quarterbacks yet. That's part of it.''
Mangini dragged out the training-camp battle between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson until the day of the regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, announcing Quinn about 90 minutes before kickoff.
Quinn's stint lasted just 10 quarters before he was lifted at halftime Sept. 27 against the Ravens. Mangini declared Anderson the starter for the next game against the Cincinnati Bengals on the Wednesday before.
This time, the presumed choice is Quinn.
Since a 23-20 overtime loss to the Bengals, Anderson has suffered through a miserable four-game stretch. He remains last in the league in passer rating at 36.2, has completed only 42.9 percent and has a 3.1 rating in the fourth quarter. He has thrown two touchdown passes and nine interceptions.
Anderson declined to talk Monday, while Quinn said little.
''I have no idea,'' Quinn said of the upcoming decision. ''I'm looking forward to trying to get better today and I'll take it day by day. That's really all you can do at this point.''
Mangini said he stuck with Anderson because he believed the Browns could move the ball better. Observers figured it had more to do with the $11 million in escalators Quinn could earn if he played in 70 percent of the snaps this season. Barring a flurry of overtime games, that window has now passed. Quinn's 62.1 rating against the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and the Ravens defenses, which ranked 18th, first and 12th, respectively (going into Monday night), might be looking a little better.
On SportsCenter on Monday, the Browns were ridiculed because the New Orleans Saints' defense has scored more touchdowns (seven) than the Browns' 31st-ranked offense (five).
While that seemed like perfect bulletin-board material for Mangini, Quinn said, ''We have to look at other things right now besides that.''
Perhaps the only difference after a weekend away was that Mangini seems more aware that he's fighting for his job and less willing to jump into the speculation about owner Randy Lerner's search for a new general manager after George Kokinis left the team Nov. 2. Last Wednesday, Mangini seemed to imply he would have a say in that decision.
When Mike Holmgren, the latest rumored candidate to head the football operations, was mentioned, Mangini deflected every question. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Lerner is infatuated with the former Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks coach, who retired after the 2008 season.
''With any of the names that come up, I talk to Randy all the time about different things,'' Mangini said. ''My focus is going to be on what we're doing day to day.''
Asked whether he felt any urgency to get a general manager, Mangini said, ''Anybody who can help us be successful, whether it's player, coach, whoever it is, I'm open to anybody who can help us improve.''
Mangini wouldn't answer when asked whether he knew Holmgren, who has been to three Super Bowls and won one with the Packers in 1996.
Benard called up
Rookie linebacker Marcus Benard received a standing ovation when Mangini announced in front of the team that the undrafted free agent from Jackson State had been signed to the active roster.
''I was trying to keep my cool, act like I've been here before. Then everybody starts clapping,'' Benard said.
The move might signal that linebacker Eric Barton is headed to injured reserve.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported last week that Barton has a bulging disc in his neck and was contemplating season-ending surgery. Barton suffered what was announced as a shoulder injury late in the first half of the Browns' last game Nov. 1 at Chicago.
Now Benard must prove in practice that he deserves to be on the 45-man active roster against the Ravens.
''When any kid dreams about football, he thinks about Monday Night Football,'' Benard said. ''This is a big stage. I'm definitely going to call the family and tell them, 'Make sure you watch.' ''
When it was suggested that Benard can now dream about getting a sack on Monday night, he said, ''There you go. A sack or a few.''
Brownies
About 3,000 to 4,000 tickets remain for Monday night's game, but the Browns have until 8:30 p.m. Friday to avoid the first blackout since 1995. Of the remaining four home dates after the Ravens, only the Pittsburgh Steelers game on Dec. 10 is sold out. . . .Running back Jamal Lewis was back on the practice field after missing two days last week, when Mangini implied Lewis was being rested. . . .Mangini said more tryouts would be held today. . . .In practice squad moves, tight end Evan Moore and wide receiver Chris Williams were signed and tight end Colin Cloherty was released. . . .Left tackle Joe Thomas found time for some hunting and fishing in his native Wisconsin over the weekend. But he was relaxing in front of the television when his father-in-law caught a 42-inch muskie.
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: On Monday, Browns tight end Michael Gaines opened the locker-room door for reporters with a greeting of ''Welcome to a new season.''
While coaches and players received a needed break during the bye last weekend, nothing really had changed when they returned. When it comes to naming a starting quarterback, Browns coach Eric Mangini was just as secretive as ever.
He seems to have decided his choice for the Monday night home game next week against the Baltimore Ravens, but he wasn't willing to reveal it.
''I'll let you guys know about that on Wednesday,'' Mangini said. ''We'll talk about that more in preparation for the Ravens.
''I know where I'm headed. I haven't sat down with quarterbacks yet. That's part of it.''
Mangini dragged out the training-camp battle between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson until the day of the regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, announcing Quinn about 90 minutes before kickoff.
Quinn's stint lasted just 10 quarters before he was lifted at halftime Sept. 27 against the Ravens. Mangini declared Anderson the starter for the next game against the Cincinnati Bengals on the Wednesday before.
This time, the presumed choice is Quinn.
Since a 23-20 overtime loss to the Bengals, Anderson has suffered through a miserable four-game stretch. He remains last in the league in passer rating at 36.2, has completed only 42.9 percent and has a 3.1 rating in the fourth quarter. He has thrown two touchdown passes and nine interceptions.
Anderson declined to talk Monday, while Quinn said little.
''I have no idea,'' Quinn said of the upcoming decision. ''I'm looking forward to trying to get better today and I'll take it day by day. That's really all you can do at this point.''
Mangini said he stuck with Anderson because he believed the Browns could move the ball better. Observers figured it had more to do with the $11 million in escalators Quinn could earn if he played in 70 percent of the snaps this season. Barring a flurry of overtime games, that window has now passed. Quinn's 62.1 rating against the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and the Ravens defenses, which ranked 18th, first and 12th, respectively (going into Monday night), might be looking a little better.
On SportsCenter on Monday, the Browns were ridiculed because the New Orleans Saints' defense has scored more touchdowns (seven) than the Browns' 31st-ranked offense (five).
While that seemed like perfect bulletin-board material for Mangini, Quinn said, ''We have to look at other things right now besides that.''
Perhaps the only difference after a weekend away was that Mangini seems more aware that he's fighting for his job and less willing to jump into the speculation about owner Randy Lerner's search for a new general manager after George Kokinis left the team Nov. 2. Last Wednesday, Mangini seemed to imply he would have a say in that decision.
When Mike Holmgren, the latest rumored candidate to head the football operations, was mentioned, Mangini deflected every question. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Lerner is infatuated with the former Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks coach, who retired after the 2008 season.
''With any of the names that come up, I talk to Randy all the time about different things,'' Mangini said. ''My focus is going to be on what we're doing day to day.''
Asked whether he felt any urgency to get a general manager, Mangini said, ''Anybody who can help us be successful, whether it's player, coach, whoever it is, I'm open to anybody who can help us improve.''
Mangini wouldn't answer when asked whether he knew Holmgren, who has been to three Super Bowls and won one with the Packers in 1996.
Benard called up
Rookie linebacker Marcus Benard received a standing ovation when Mangini announced in front of the team that the undrafted free agent from Jackson State had been signed to the active roster.
''I was trying to keep my cool, act like I've been here before. Then everybody starts clapping,'' Benard said.
The move might signal that linebacker Eric Barton is headed to injured reserve.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported last week that Barton has a bulging disc in his neck and was contemplating season-ending surgery. Barton suffered what was announced as a shoulder injury late in the first half of the Browns' last game Nov. 1 at Chicago.
Now Benard must prove in practice that he deserves to be on the 45-man active roster against the Ravens.
''When any kid dreams about football, he thinks about Monday Night Football,'' Benard said. ''This is a big stage. I'm definitely going to call the family and tell them, 'Make sure you watch.' ''
When it was suggested that Benard can now dream about getting a sack on Monday night, he said, ''There you go. A sack or a few.''
Brownies
About 3,000 to 4,000 tickets remain for Monday night's game, but the Browns have until 8:30 p.m. Friday to avoid the first blackout since 1995. Of the remaining four home dates after the Ravens, only the Pittsburgh Steelers game on Dec. 10 is sold out. . . .Running back Jamal Lewis was back on the practice field after missing two days last week, when Mangini implied Lewis was being rested. . . .Mangini said more tryouts would be held today. . . .In practice squad moves, tight end Evan Moore and wide receiver Chris Williams were signed and tight end Colin Cloherty was released. . . .Left tackle Joe Thomas found time for some hunting and fishing in his native Wisconsin over the weekend. But he was relaxing in front of the television when his father-in-law caught a 42-inch muskie.
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.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Paradise, Oh
Posted 07:05 PM, 11/09/2009
Everything about the Browns is sad and pathetic.
They really need to be contracted by the league and just shut down to provide mercy for the people of NE Ohio.
Fake franchise. A mob front, money skimming organization.
cleveland, oh
Posted 07:10 PM, 11/09/2009
mangini
cleveland, oh
Posted 07:14 PM, 11/09/2009
HEY LERNER IM BACK WITH THE CAPS ON TO ! I DO NOT WANT TO BE A FRONT OFFICE PERSON I AM A COACH FIRE MANGINI OH I FORGOT HE WILL NAME THE QB ON WEDNESDAY SO HE CAN FAKE THE WAVENS OUT ! LOL"WHAT A JOKE !
cleveland, oh
Posted 07:18 PM, 11/09/2009
hey mangini this will be your last pro job as a head coach quit now so i can take over and fix this mess you and lerner made !
cleveland, oh
Posted 07:24 PM, 11/09/2009
hey mangini !!!
Middleburg Hts., Oh
Posted 12:54 AM, 11/10/2009
Said Al Lerner to his wife: Honey, let's leave the team to ArSon
Posted 08:20 AM, 11/10/2009
Oh no. Lerner is "infatuated" with someone again! We know how this usually ends.
medina, oh
Posted 10:02 AM, 11/10/2009
Whoa, Check out AkronNewsNow.com
They report that as of 9:38 am this morning, Mangini announced that DA has been released from his contract and Bernie Kosar has been signed to a 10 day contract and will start the Monday Night Game as QB. Mangini also said he plans to turn over all offensive play strategy to Kosar who will diagram plays in the dirt while on the field.
Posted 11:09 AM, 11/10/2009
i have been a loyal mangini supporter through the thick and thin of the this season. i just think that successful programs stick it out and don't jump ship every three or four years. but watching mangini the last week or so it just occured to me that the best word i can come up to describe him is "creepy" he just does not seem to ever be on the same page as anyone else.
Indianapolis, IN
Posted 12:55 PM, 11/10/2009
Get Colt McCoy and Mack Brown.
Wichita Falls, Tx
Posted 03:56 PM, 11/10/2009
Mack Brown will not leave Texas!!!! Second, we do have a chance for McCoy, though I would not draft him. I would build the DEFENSE, first and foremost!!! Who would I draft, since it does look like we will have the #1 pick? If I can get some fool of a team to give me there #1,& 2 this year, and either another #1 or a #2 & 3 next year, I would trade DOWN. If I couldn't trade down, I will use the 1st pick on, "DT Ndamukong Suh" from Nebraska. Total monster, and remember only pick Defense with high draft picks. Look what good it did to get Offensive players, wasting great choices on chumps. BUILD THE DEFENSE!!!! I shouldn't have to tell anyone this.
Antioch, Fl
Posted 09:15 AM, 11/11/2009
"Mangini wouldn't answer when asked whether he knew Holmgren, who has been to three Super Bowls and won one with the Packers in 1996."
I can't think of a better example of Mangini's most jaw-dropping character trait. What possible strategic advantage can he gain by not answering a question like that?
At some point it might be better to stop evaluating his coaching ability and start looking at his mental health. Paranoia generally isn't a positive.
churchview, va
Posted 05:54 PM, 11/11/2009
where is Holmgren or Mckay or somebody we need help...
