Events Calendar
Most Read Stories
NFL star Chris Spielman's wife loses cancer battle
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
Poor machine maintenance blamed for fire at Akron business
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
Indians add 7 players to 40-man roster
Body with gunshot wounds found in Canton Township creek
Man charged with raping, killing N.C. girl, 5
Union president says Akron saved only $21,000 with firefighter layoffs
Blogs:
Pets:
Sick Pets Get High-tech Health Care
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
Dealing with the Irish disappointment
Akron Zips:
Preview — Akron vs. Bowling Green
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Hey, somebody's gotta stick up for the Browns
Kent State Sports:
Kent State @ Temple | Preview
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Washington Wizards
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Bowling season starts today
All Da King's Men:
Attention Haters, Palin And Hannity Together
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Muslim McCarthyism & Death Prayers
Akron Law Café:
NEW- Case Law on Google!
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Norma asks if Barkitecture is still at Stan Hywet.
Sound Check:
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
Marla Ridenour
Big plays against Browns
Plays of 20 or more yards allowed by the Browns this season. • Nov. 16 vs. Baltimore (1): Joe Flacco to Derrick Mason, 41 yards.
Browns can't turn corner
Team's secondary remains a primary concern
BEREA: Brandon McDonald's resilience is being put to the test. Again. McDonald, a third-year cornerback with the Browns, is used to being in the spotlight, usually for all the wrong reasons. This time his moment to forget came on Monday Night Football, when he gave up Derrick Mason's 41-yard reception early in the third quarter that set up the only touchdown the visiting Baltimore Ravens needed in their 16-0 victory.
Surgery possible for Zastudil
BEREA: Browns coach Eric Mangini said surgery is ''definitely a possibility'' for punter Dave Zastudil, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a right knee injury.
Audio slideshow: Ravens review and Lions preview with Marla Ridenour
Heiden, Zastudil lost to injuries
BEREA: Browns tight end Steve Heiden and punter Dave Zastudil were placed on injured reserve Wednesday, joining inside linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton as starters lost this season.
NFL fine not Quinn's only problem
BEREA: A letter from the NFL had already arrived in Brady Quinn's locker, notifying him of the fine levied for his low blow on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs on Monday night.
Browns would welcome LeBron
BEREA: Last season, Cavaliers star LeBron James played out his football fantasies in an insurance commercial that had him clad in a No. 23 Browns jersey.
Cribbs misses practice with Browns after injury
Browns coach Eric Mangini said receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs would miss practice Wednesday after being carted off the field Monday night against Baltimore.
Browns' Quinn says he was fined for hit
Browns quarterback Brady Quinn said he was fined for his hit on Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs Monday night, but would not disclose the amount Wednesday.
Browns feel impact of devastating hits
Agents for Joshua Cribbs and Terrell Suggs lashed out angrily Tuesday after both Pro Bowl players absorbed punishing hits during the Browns' 16-0 Monday night loss to the visiting Baltimore Ravens.
Another awful night for Browns
They hang tough for half, fall apart again in third quarter
CLEVELAND: So much for second chances. Browns quarterback Brady Quinn's second stint in the starting lineup this season blew up in the third quarter tonight, marred by two interceptions and a low block on Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs that may come back to haunt Quinn whenever he faces the Baltimore Ravens.
Distractions swirl around Browns as they look for a fresh start
BEREA:A fan protest and a ranting running back. A coach fighting for his job, a young quarterback fighting for his future and an opponent fighting for redemption.
Browns vs. Ravens: Five things to watch
1. Brady Quinn The Browns' third-year quarterback returns to the lineup after being yanked at halftime of a 34-3 loss Sept. 27 at Baltimore after just 10 quarters. The former Notre Dame star, selected with the 22nd overall pick in 2007, is 1-5 as a starter. He will try to ignite an offense that is ranked 31st in the league and has scored just five offensive touchdowns, one with Quinn in charge.
Cribbs steps in to support late coach's son
BEREA: When Michael Drake crossed the field Oct. 30 during Stow High School's Senior Night, the announcer introduced the trio accompanying him as ''mother Patty, sister Abby and brother Josh.''
Lewis gets cheers from players
BEREA: Anyone wondering whether running back Jamal Lewis was speaking for his Browns teammates Thursday when he accused coach Eric Mangini of overworking his players need only have witnessed the locker room scene 24 hours later.
Lewis lambasts Mangini
BEREA: During his 10-year career, running back Jamal Lewis has never been afraid to speak his mind. Yet the Browns' co-captain refuses to march into coach Eric Mangini's office with his complaints, even though he's fuming over Mangini's long, physical practices that he believes are wearing out the players before game day arrives.
Browns' Lewis takes shots at Mangini
BEREA: Days away from playing his final game against the team who drafted him, Browns running back Jamal Lewis came out firing against coach Eric Mangini today.
Barton goes on injured reserve
Former University of Maryland inside linebackers Eric Barton and D'Qwell Jackson were supposed to be linchpins of the Browns' defense this season and were voted co-captains.
Ridenour: Browns are back but nothing has changed so far
BEREA: On Monday, Browns tight end Michael Gaines opened the locker-room door for reporters with a greeting of ''Welcome to a new season.''
Kosar would be wrong call as GM
BEREA: Bernie Kosar did not prove to be the Browns' knight in shining armor in 1986, '87 or '89. Heaven help the moribund team if owner Randy Lerner believes Kosar can save him now.
Audio slideshow: Browns talk with Marla Ridenour
Jamal Lewis will leave Browns on own terms
BEREA: Jamal Lewis hasn't changed his mind. The 30-year-old running back hasn't wavered from his plan to retire after this season, which he revealed after Sunday's 30-6 loss to the Bears in Chicago.
Browns talk with Marla Ridenour
Legal battle could follow Browns' ouster of Kokinis
BEREA: The ominous silence over Monday's ouster of Browns General Manager George Kokinis could signal a legal battle over money still due Kokinis.
Unhappy Browns fans meet with Lerner
BEREA: Longtime season-ticket holders Mike Randall of Massillon and Tony Schafer of Sandusky met with Browns owner Randy Lerner for nearly two hours in Lerner's office Tuesday.
Kokinis out as Browns' general manager
Team denies security officers escorted executive. Departure doesn't bode well for Mangini's future
BEREA: Browns General Manager George Kokinis was ousted Monday, but the team confirmed only that he is no longer ‘‘actively involved with the organization.’’
Browns notebook: Jamal Lewis plans to retire after bitter season
CHICAGO: Browns running back Jamal Lewis never envisioned closing out his career on one of the league's worst teams.
Fumbling, bumbling Browns
Lerner watches as Bears rout Browns
CHICAGO: Growing more frustrated with his underachieving football team and perhaps coach Eric Mangini, Browns owner Randy Lerner watched Sunday's 30-6 loss to the Chicago Bears from a Soldier Field tunnel.
Five things to watchin in Browns vs. Bears
1. Return specialists Save the refrigerator/bathroom breaks for when the Browns' offense is on the field because the Chicago Bears' Devin Hester and Johnny Knox and the Browns' Joshua Cribbs should put on a show on special teams.
Gunslingers don't necessarily make great quarterbacks
BEREA: Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be gunslingers. But if they do, remember it takes more than a rocket arm and a childhood Punt, Pass and Kick trophy to become a franchise quarterback in the NFL.
Five things to watch in Browns vs. Bears
1. Return specialists. Save the refrigerator/bathroom breaks for when the Browns' offense is on the field because the Chicago Bears' Devin Hester and Johnny Knox and the Browns' Joshua Cribbs should put on a show on special teams.
Coordinator doubts fans will protest
BEREA: Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan doesn't believe fans will embrace a protest planned by two longtime season ticket holders for the Monday night game Nov. 16 against the visiting Baltimore Ravens.
Deficiencies in red zone vex Browns
BEREA: When Derek Anderson slipped across the goal line on a broken play against the Cincinnati Bengals in Game 4, few knew the Browns quarterback was stepping into the dead zone.
Fans organizing a Brown-out
They jammed NFL fax machines and took fans' signatures to the league meetings when owner Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore after the 1995 season. Now wondering whether all that passion and pain were worth it, two longtime Browns season-ticket holders have decided it's time to protest again.
Audio Slideshow: Browns talk with Marla Ridenour
Marla Ridenour reviews the Browns Packers games and looks ahead to their next opponent, the Chicago Bears.
Mangini to stick with Anderson
BEREA: The ''Brady'' chants started in the second quarter, just after Browns rookie receiver Brian Robiskie turned inside and quarterback Derek Anderson threw outside, much to the delight of Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, who intercepted the pass.
Browns pack it in
Far from competitive, they leave Green Bay laughing
CLEVELAND: What does it say about the state of the Browns when a Green Bay Packers' scout team linebacker can get to the quarterback faster on a blitz than the Browns' starting safety?
Game feels different for Wright
Cornerback makes 4 solo tackles in return from scary car accident
CLEVELAND: After rolling and totaling his Mercedes early Friday morning, Browns cornerback Eric Wright arrived at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday with a new appreciation for the game.
Browns pack it in
CLEVELAND: What does it say about the state of the Browns when a Green Bay Packers' scout team linebacker can get to the quarterback faster on a blitz than the Browns' starting safety?
Five things to watch in Browns' game
1. Rough week Twelve Browns missed Wednesday's practice with the flu, leading tackler D'Qwell Jackson needed season-ending pectoral surgery and cornerback Eric Wright totaled his Mercedes at 2:10 Friday morning. All that and being 1-5 provided a challenging week for the coaches and players.
Five things to watch in Browns' game
1. Rough week Twelve Browns missed Wednesday's practice with the flu, leading tackler D'Qwell Jackson needed season-ending pectoral surgery and cornerback Eric Wright totaled his Mercedes at 2:10 Friday morning. All that and being 1-5 provided a challenging week for the coaches and players.
Mangini getting blitzed by critics
BEREA: It's time to throw a flag for piling on. Specifically for piling on Browns coach Eric Mangini, who's rivaling the father of ''balloon boy'' as America's favorite nonpolitical target.
Five things to watch in Browns game
1. Rough week. Twelve Browns missed Wednesday's practice with the flu, leading tackler D'Qwell Jackson needed season-ending pectoral surgery and cornerback Eric Wright totaled his Mercedes at 2:10 Friday morning. All that and being 1-5 provided a challenging week for the coaches and players.
10 Browns still out with flu
BEREA: Ten Browns players remained home with the flu Thursday, but coach Eric Mangini seemed optimistic that the worst has passed.
Browns block out the bad
BEREA: A quarterback learning how to shake off interceptions and dropped passes must deal with a new receiving corps. For the 1-5 Browns, it has been a woeful combination.
Browns notebook: Mangini struggles to plug defense
BEREA: The white board in Browns coach Eric Mangini's office might be covered with scribbled options as a flu outbreak and a season-ending pectoral injury to leading tackler D'Qwell Jackson plays havoc with his linebacking corps.
Browns' Jackson out for season
When coach Eric Mangini took over and began analyzing film of the Browns, he said inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was in the frame at the end of almost every play.
Browns trade rumor targets Williams
BEREA: Barring a last-minute offer that the Browns can't refuse, backup quarterback Brady Quinn and receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs should remain Browns after today's 4 p.m. trading deadline.
Browns looking forward to Steelers matchup
Defensive coordinator says 'Bring it on;' underdogs hope to shake off woeful history
BEREA: Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan stood at the podium in the Browns' media room Friday looking like he was ready to stomp on a Terrible Towel.
Browns try to shake history in game against Steelers
BEREA: Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan stood at the podium in the Browns' media room Friday looking like he was ready to stomp on a Terrible Towel.
Browns-Steelers: Five things to watch
1. James Harrison vs. Joe Thomas. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Harrison, the NFL's defensive player of the year in 2008 and a two-time Pro Bowler from Kent State and a Coventry High graduate, has recorded five of his team-leading six sacks in the past two games and has forced two of his four fumbles. He led the league in the latter category with seven last season, along with a team-record 16 sacks.
Cribbs says he loves Cleveland
BEREA: Browns coach Eric Mangini says he has no interest in trading Joshua Cribbs, and the Pro Bowl return man says he has not made such a demand.
Harrison and Lewis give Browns solid running game
BEREA: Jerome Harrison and Jamal Lewis might not make anyone forget Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner, but at least they've matched them in one regard.
Williams walks fine line on hitting quarterbacks
BEREA: Browns defensive end Corey Williams was still smarting from the $7,500 he was docked for roughing Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards last Sunday.
Quinn laughs off trade rumor
BEREA: Brady Quinn laughed off the hubbub over his decision to sell his Avon Lake home, repeatedly thanking reporters Wednesday for the ''free advertising.''
Quinn's home in Avon Lake reportedly placed on market
Browns backup quarterback Brady Quinn has put his home in Avon Lake up for sale, according to the Web site WaitingForNextYear.com.
Audio slideshow: Browns talk with Marla Ridenour
Marla Ridenour looks at last week's game against Buffalo and ahead to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Browns' dropped passes get no excuse
BEREA: The ring finger on Browns tight end Robert Royal's right hand is bent so grotesquely that he has to tape it to his pinky on game days. He seems headed for ligament repair surgery after the season, if not sooner.
Browns snap 10-game losing streak, but game is a real stinker
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.: If Paul Brown were alive, the legendary coach might ask to take his name off a certain professional football franchise in Northeast Ohio.
Ex-Bill makes key play for Browns
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.: Browns linebacker Blake Costanzo said defensive line coach Bryan Cox calls him ''Psycho.'' ''I try to play like that, under control, of course,'' Costanzo said.
Lewis keeps Browns moving with 117 yards
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.: Jamal Lewis had fresh legs, thanks to two weeks off with a hamstring injury. So when gusty winds played havoc with the Browns' passing attack and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll elected to keep handing the ball to the 30-year-old, 10-year veteran, Lewis was all smiles.
Divas dumped by Mangini
Browns coach trades Winslow, Edwards rather than deal with drama; goal is disciplined, selfless team
BEREA: Even before the Browns drafted Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards, fans in Northeast Ohio witnessed the birth of a diva. It was just called ''Manny being Manny.''
Browns at Bills: Five things to watch
1. No huddle In Buffalo, they're calling for embattled coach Dick Jauron to abandon the no-huddle, but he's not listening. ''We would if we thought it was the problem,'' Jauron said. ''I'm still a big believer in what we're doing. I've got to get us better prepared to do it.'' Jauron said the biggest advantage is ''being up on the ball and threatening the snap adds a lot more discomfort to a defense.''
Injury may force Browns' Jackson to sit out
Veikune lead candidate if linebacker can't play game in Buffalo Sunday
BEREA: There's a possibility Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson could sit out Sunday's game at the Buffalo Bills with a hamstring injury.
Browns carry on without big names
BEREA: Gone are quarterback Derek Anderson's top targets from 2007, the high-maintenance, play-making duo of tight end Kellen Winslow and wide receiver Braylon Edwards. And with them their combined 162 receptions, 2,395 yards and 21 touchdowns that sent all three to their first Pro Bowl.
Trade of Edwards signals new era for Browns
BEREA: Browns backup quarterback Brady Quinn went to practice Wednesday wearing a shiny pair of orange shoes.
Browns preview and review with Marla Ridenour
Edwards could face charge of assault
BEREA: The NFL and the Cleveland police department are investigating the incident in which Browns receiver Braylon Edwards allegedly punched a friend of LeBron James' outside a Cleveland nightclub early Monday morning.
Cleveland police will continue to investigate Edwards incident
The Cleveland police department confirmed Tuesday that it was continuing to investigate the incident early Monday morning that involved Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
Mangini gathering details on attack
Wide receiver reportedly punches man outside Cleveland nightclub
BEREA: Browns coach Eric Mangini has taken a hard line with his players since the day he was hired, his fines and no-nonsense attitude rubbing some of his veterans the wrong way.
Better isn't good enough for Browns
It takes overtime, but Bengals send Browns to 10th consecutive loss
CLEVELAND: Defensive line coach Bryan Cox had just told Shaun Rogers he'd played his heart out in a 23-20 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and the massive nose tackle still didn't feel like talking.
Browns-Bengals 5 things to watch
1. Derek Anderson The Browns' gunslinger makes his first start of the season, taking over for Brady Quinn, who was benched at halftime of his sixth career start. Anderson entered the game last week against the host Baltimore Ravens down 20-0; then he threw three interceptions but did direct a 66-yard field-goal drive in a 34-3 loss.
Bengals shape up Maualuga
BEREA: Rey, Ray and Robo. Two rookies and a special teamer who could pass for a high school senior represent the fundamental differences in the Cincinnati Bengals' and Browns' organizations and the priorities of their coaches.
Former Browns quarterback Couch defends Quinn and Anderson
BEREA: Former Browns quarterback Tim Couch believes that Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson can succeed in the NFL.
Anderson gets another shot
QB Quinn is demoted as Mangini seeks starter who can awaken offense
BEREA: Coach Eric Mangini spent nine months trying to bury the Browns' past. Then on Wednesday he ripped a page out of 2007, when another Ohio-born quarterback was dumped the day after the season opener.
Anderson gets another shot after QB Quinn is demoted
BEREA: Coach Eric Mangini spent nine months trying to bury the Browns' past. Then on Wednesday he ripped a page out of 2007, when another Ohio-born quarterback was dumped the day after the season opener.
Browns preview and review
Quinn unhappy with quarterback switch
BALTIMORE: Brady Quinn waited all his life to start the season as the quarterback of his favorite team.
Browns switch QBs, still lose
BALTIMORE: Is the Brady Quinn experiment over? Check back in 21/2 games. With just one meaningless touchdown in 10 quarters with Quinn as the starting quarterback, Browns coach Eric Mangini turned to backup Derek Anderson on Sunday in a 34-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Browns-Ravens five things to watch
Browns need a hammer
BEREA: Shaun Rogers was quick to act as enforcer Friday afternoon when Coye Francies reacted angrily to being soaked in a rookie initiation and took a swing at fellow defensive back Abram Elam.
Browns rookie Davis hits ground running
Browns' Davis might have to shoulder load with Lewis sidelined
BEREA: James Davis felt his welcome-to-the-NFL moment for probably a week. In the fourth quarter of the opener against the Minnesota Vikings, the Browns' rookie running back from Clemson caught a swing pass on the Browns' sideline and was met by the unstoppable force that is 5-foot-9 Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield. Davis stayed down for a few minutes before leaving the game with a shoulder injury.
Browns talk: Marla Ridenour looks at last week's game against Denver and ahead to Baltimore
Browns happy with Cribbs in lineup
BEREA: Wide receiver Joshua Cribbs might have taken over from quarterback Brady Quinn as the poster child for the Browns' woeful offense.
Browns, Robiskie agree on four-year contract
All eight Browns draft choices are now in the fold as receiver Brian Robiskie agreed to terms of a four-year contract, his agent Joel Segal confirmed tonight. Further terms were not disclosed.
Photos: Browns mini-camp
Browns officially sign Royal
Video: Browns camp report: Players talk Bears, worries
Video: Browns at Giants preview
Akron Beacon Journal sports writer George M. Thomas previews tonight's Monday Night Football game.
Video: Ridenour discusses Day 1 of Bridgestone Invitational
Akron Beacon Journal reporter Marla Ridenour talks about Day 1 at the Bridgestone Invitational. Also read her stories about the tournament in the Akron Beacon Journal and on Ohio.com.
