Cleveland Browns

In a several part series here at DawgsByNature, I will be breaking down Davone Bess' film in an effort to illustrate some of the characteristics that I expect him bring to the field next season. With the focus of many fans and media members being on the players acquired on defense in the NFL Draft, Davone Bess may be getting overlooked but the fact remains: Bess is another weapon we've quietly added to an already budding young offense. After breaking down and watching his film, I am confident The Browns were able to land a dominate slot receiver with their trade during the draft. Bess has shown consistency vs good defenses; great route running ability; quickness; termendous hands; field awareness and balance; toughness; power; and play making ability. These will all be welcome additions to the field on Sundays for Browns fans and our offensive gameplan. Let's start with a double whammy. Let's take a look at our new WR, Davone Bess absolutely tear up the Steeler secondary for a 26 yard TD with the "icing on the cake" being a very clear illustration of the Steerler's head hunting ways. Film Room: Davone Bess vs Pittsburgh, 26 yard TD This is a simple out route, that Bess runs perfectly and then some. Here you can see him lined up in the slot near the top of the screen and the route he will perform. The defense is in a Nickle package, playing man to man press on the WR's with single safety deep --- the defense is getting ready to blitz. Here you see the CB, William Gay, playing press coverage. Bess sets up the CB by jumping off the line of scrimmage, showing an inside route. He sinks his foot in the ground. . . . . . and uses his speed and quickness to immediately beat the CB and gain inside leverage. Chad Henne sees this, and you can see him ready to release the ball well before Bess even breaks out of his route and turns his head. Here you can see 6 rushers, including one gloriously sandwiched Steeler eating turf. As soon as Bess whips his head around, he is looking for the ball and more importantly he expects it. This is good because as you can see, the ball is already on it's way. Notice Bess has run his route well beyond the first down marker here, which is an always well appreciated in Cleveland because either by scheme or by their own ineptitude, Browns' WR of past have been terrible at running routes that get us first down yardage. Here you can see another illustration of how Bess immediately gets his head around and looks for the ball. Not bad for a small slot receiver, extending his arms, using his body to shield from the defender and going out to snag the ball with his hands. Then, Bess makes the difficult catch while under pressure from the CB --- who has now made up one of the two steps Bess won at the beginning of the route. Again, notice the space he still has created; his arm extension; body placement between the defender; ability to use his hands to snag the ball away from his body; and the focus displayed to make the catch under pressure. Once Bess completes the catch, again, notice where he finishes the catch: with his body between the ball and the defender. He's now pivoted to the sideline, initializing an explosive first step out of his route and down the sideline. Here he shows the power to beat and then shed the tackler, who is now literally hanging on, trying to drag him to the ground. After making such a play some players might lose their awareness of the rest of the defense, but Bess is able to remain balanced, in bounds, all while also keeping his eyes up and focused on what's next >>> He's already picked up Clark approaching. He's now up out of his crouch and in the open field, having just smoked the CB, he's already focused on setting up the safety with his short distance quickness and footwork. Here you can see his move beginning to the inside, which has caused Clark to begin taking a big step inside. Here you can see the resu

On Monday, it was reported that the NFL and the NFL Players Association were working towards a deal to move the 2014 NFL draft to May. At first glance, that might not be such a big deal. It’s only a month later, right? But then you consider the already mind-numbing buildup to April’s draft and you begin to shake in terror at the thought of what an extra month of pre-draft coverage would look like. That’s another month of hilariously wrong mock drafts. It’s another month of everyone becoming self-proclaimed “draft analysts,” especially on Twitter. And it’s another month of smokescreens, false information and sloppy reporting. It is, of course, a genius move on the NFL’s part. While fully understanding it can currently do no wrong, the NFL can now simply extend its overwhelming power and influence throughout the year. There used to be periods of relative quiet during the NFL calendar; the league now aims to crush that with its mighty, money-hungry fist. No other league calendar changes look to be made at this time, but the biggest domino is already about to fall. The monster that is the NFL draft continues to grow, and there is nothing we can do about it.

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner says the Cleveland Browns initially see recently signed quarterback Brian Hoyer, from St. Ignatius, as someone who will play a backup role.

On May 11, I had the opportunity to interview quarterback Brady Quinn with a few questions posed by his Notre Dame and NFL fans. The Seattle Seahawks signed Brady in early April as a backup to QB Russell Wilson. Congratulations signing with the Seattle Seahawks. On the roster you are number 10. How do you feel to be wearing the number 10 again? “Ten has always been a number that has brought me much pride to wear.  It was a tradition at my HS for the QB to wear the number and it was the number I tried to make famous while at ND along with many of the other greats who wore, 3, 5 and 7.” Have you moved out to Seattle yet? What are you most impressed with regarding the facilities in Seattle: Century Link Field & Virginia Mason Center? No more #9 Kansas City Jersey. Brady will be wearing the number 10 once again for Seattle. “I’ve been in Seattle now a month and a half.  The facility at VMAC is second to none.  I have not had a chance to be down at Century Link field but I look forward to the experience and hearing the noise of the 12th Man!” Being new Seattle Seahawks fans, what should we know about the Hawks? What have you quickly learned? “The fan base is extremely positive and loud.  Just being around town for a short amount of time you can feel the excitement the fans feel for this upcoming season.  Playing in Seattle is truly a home field advantage with the atmosphere the 12th man creates.” What are you doing with your off time; besides training and working out? “During my off time here in Seattle, I’ve been trying to find a place to live.  Since there are so many large corporations headquartered here, (Boeing, Starbucks, Microsoft, Expedia, Nordstrom, and Amazon just to name a few) that it has been difficult to find a place.  I’ve been focusing on football as much as I can during the day and then at night trying to look for properties, but due to the high demand its been tougher than I anticipated.” QB coach, Carl Smith, said of you, “His best football is ahead of him,” a compliment your fans agree with. How do you respond to such a statement from a man you will be working very closely with? “I enjoyed my time with Coach Smith and can’t wait to continue to work with him.  He’s been a big help in getting me back to enjoying the game of football and not looking at it as such a business.  I think I’ve continued to get better and will continue to do so this year.” Here at Brady Quinn Fan we are very excited for Brady and look forward to seeing him work with the Seattle Seahawks. It goes to show that with hard work, determination, and an enduring spirit and love of God, nothing can stand in your way. I want to thank Brady again for taking the time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions and hope we can do it again. Seattle Seahawk Coach, Carl Smith, said of Brady Quinn, “His best football is ahead of him.” We think so too and cannot wait to make room for a Seattle Seahawk 10 jersey. Best of luck!

Former Cleveland Browns linebacker David McMillan, 31, was fatally shot over the weekend in an apparent robbery attempt.

Each offseason, Pro Football Focus seeks out a little more than a handful of players who they deem as "secret superstars" heading into the next NFL season. Last year, they gave that label to Cleveland Browns safety T.J. Ward. Another member of the Browns was given the label for 2013, and it's a guy who has gotten a lot of low-key love from fans and other sites: OG John Greco. Before we get to Greco, here are the other "secret superstars" that PFF has named for 2013 as of this post: Arizona Cardinals OT Bobby MassieBaltimore Ravens RB Bernard PierceAtlanta Falcons CB Robert McClainBuffalo Bills DE Alex CarringtonCarolina Panthers CB Captain MunnerlynChicago Bears DT Nate CollinsCincinnati Bengals CB Adam Jones ...and now Greco. The utility offensive lineman filled in for Jason Pinkston at left guard last season for 10 games, and he could be a serious contender to start at either guard position in 2013. Here are some of the highlights from the article by PFF, explaining why he is projected to be a "secret superstar" this season: Greco started with a bang, delivering the best performance of his career in his first start for the Browns against the Indianapolis Colts. Perfect in pass protection, it was as a run blocker that he truly starred. The highest yards per carry for the Browns that day came on runs to either side of him. ... ... Pinkston was better as a pass blocker in the limited amount of action he saw in 2012, with a PBE Rating of 98.0 before his injury. Greco was impressive as a starter, but his own PBE Rating of 96.5 wasn’t much better than Pinkston’s 2011 mark — it was his work as a run blocker that set him apart. Playing 714 snaps, Greco’s run blocking grade of +11.3 was seventh among all guards. ... ... When you look at the players at the guard position in the NFL, there are two tiers at the top. The first features Evan Mathis alone, such has been his level of dominance at the position, but in the next tier you have players like Mike Iupati, Marshal Yanda and Josh Sitton. It’s unlikely that Greco is going to put together a season that would put him on par with Mathis but, with 16 starts and a slight improvement in play, it’s not out of the question for him to enter that second tier. If a guy has that type of potential, how can he not be a starter? One thing is for sure: Rob Chudzinski will give him a legitimate chance to start. The team has no long-term investment when it comes to a contract in Jason Pinkston or Shawn Lauvao, so it's not like there is a need to build a guy for the future if Greco ends up being the "here and now."

Back in February, we reported on rumors of proposed changes to the NFL offseason that would see the Combine, free agency, and the NFL Draft each pushed back several weeks, resulting in the draft not being held until mid-May. According to reports from ESPN's Adam Schefter today, it appears as though some of those changes will begin going into effect in 2014. Looks like 2014 NFL draft will be held May 15-17. In 2015 and 2016, league year would start early March, combine mid-March. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2013 If Schefter's projections about the draft are accurate for 2014, it means it would be one week later than our projection from back in February, and three weeks later than when the 2013 NFL Draft took place. Also, in a unique twist, reports are indicating that by 2015, the new league year (including free agency) would start before the NFL Combine. That can change teams' scouting strategies tremendously; previously, they had to play a "guessing game" as to which positions they should scout for, since there was no guarantee who they would get in free agency. With the change, teams can bag up their free agents and then narrow down who they want to scout at the Combine. This is the type of change that, in the long run, I'm sure we will get used to because everything the NFL does ends up thriving anyway. In terms of an instant reaction, it throws a wrench in the type of coverage formats we have been doing for years at Dawgs By Nature: there will be a little more dead time after the Super Bowl, but less dead time in May than usual. Just think: if the changes were in effect this year, the draft would have just wrapped up last weekend. What do you think of the pending changes to the offseason schedule?

for anyone new I Have writings plomens and other things well a new coach gm another 3-year plan and on will Weeden be the guy or Campbell or Hoyer Weeden has a lot to learn to be a franciese QB T-Rich on the other hand is what u are looking for in a star back plus with goron and little u have 2 good WR J Thomas is a ALL Pro and Alex mack is Solid but i expect your offense to improve under Norv I Really like R Horton as a DC he will install a attick D that should help u guys out Krueger and Minago Should give u more playmaking ability at OLB the bad news with cleland is heir new GM Is big on copying New England which is fine but not many tom brady out there bollom line - yes the AFC North is brutal but i do see the browns getting a little better but u are still 2 years away this is a 4-8 win team i say 6-10 for anyone new I Have writings plomens and other things well a new coach gm another 3-year plan and on will Weeden be the guy or Campbell or Hoyer Weeden has a lot to learn to be a franciese QB T-Rich on the other hand is what u are looking for in a star back plus with goron and little u have 2 good WR J Thomas is a ALL Pro and Alex mack is Solid but i expect your offense to improve under Norv I Really like R Horton as a DC he will install a attick D that should help u guys out Krueger and Minago Should give u more playmaking ability at OLB the bad news with cleland is heir new GM Is big on copying New England which is fine but not many tom brady out there bollom line - yes the AFC North is brutal but i do see the browns getting a little better but u are still 2 years away this is a 4-8 win team i say 6-10

The Browns will host the Miami Dolphins at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 8 for the 2013 season opener. Vic Carucci explains what to look out for when the Dolphins come to town.

This year's draft began on Thursday, April 25. Reports say the 2014 draft -- which would again last three days -- might begin on Thursday, May 15.