HEADLINES

Andy Moeller

Browns, OL Coach Andy Moeller Part Ways

September 29th, 2015 at 3:49pm CST by Luke Adams

The Browns and offensive line coach Andy Moeller have “mutually agreed” to part ways, effective immediately, says Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter links). Moeller had been under investigation in recent weeks for an alleged domestic incident, though he ultimately didn’t face charges.

“While no charges were filed in connection with the recent accusations asserted against him, and which Andy vehemently denies, he has advised the Browns that he desires to devote his full attention and focus on his family,” the Browns and Moeller’s agency said in a joint statement. “Andy states that this was a difficult decision but the right one for him, his family, and the club at this point in time.”

The Browns initially suspended Moeller indefinitely earlier this month while he was being investigated for a possible domestic incident. Berea prosecutor Jim Walters announced that no charges would be filed against Moeller, though he didn’t entirely exonerate the veteran coach.

“It is quite clear an incident of volatile nature took place,” the Berea prosecutor’s office said in a statement last week. “What is less clear is the actions of the two persons involved.”

As Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets, Moeller met with NFL officials yesterday about the incident and the investigation, and the league has yet to make a decision on potential discipline. No matter what the league decides, it doesn’t appear Moeller will be coaching in the NFL again this season.

Browns To Start Josh McCown In Week 3

September 23rd, 2015 at 8:34am CST by Luke Adams

Last week, reports suggested that the Browns would have played Josh McCown over Johnny Manziel at quarterback if the veteran signal-caller had been medically cleared, and even after Manziel led the team to a Week 2 win over the Titans, it appears that stance hasn’t changed. After passing through the concussion protocol and getting the go-ahead, McCown will start this weekend against the Raiders, the Browns announced today in a press release.

McCown, 36, led the Browns all the way down the field in the team’s opening series of the regular season, completing five of eight passes for 49 yards, and picking up another 23 yards on the ground. However, he suffered a concussion on the very last play of the drive, when he took a big hit while trying to dive into the Jets’ end zone.

Manziel held his own in McCown’s absence, so the leash for the veteran figures to be a little shorter beginning this weekend than it would have been at the start of the season.

In other Browns news, Berea prosecutor Jim Walters won’t be filing charges against offensive line coach Andy Moeller, according to Vince Grzegorek of Cleveland Scene (Twitter link). The Browns suspended Moeller indefinitely earlier this month while he was being investigated for a possible domestic incident.

“It is quite clear an incident of volatile nature took place,” the Berea prosecutor’s office said in a statement, per Grzegorek (Twitter link). “What is less clear is the actions of the two persons involved.”

While Moeller will no longer face charges for the incident, the NFL could still suspend him after conducting its own investigation, so we’ll have to wait and see whether or not he’s reinstated by the Browns.

Extra Points: Los Angeles, Moeller, Catapano

September 8th, 2015 at 10:09pm CST by Zachary Links

If two teams are to wind up in Los Angeles, it could happen by commissioner Roger Goodell locking Rams owner Stan Kroenke and Chargers owner Dean Spanos in a room and demanding that they work it out, Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times writes. However, if the Rams, Chargers, and Raiders all continue to insist on moving to L.A., then things could get ugly in a hurry. In that scenario, the Rams would push the Inglewood project and the Chargers and Raiders would push their joint venture in Carson in an all-or-nothing vote. These types of NFL decisions require a three-quarters majority (meaning the support of 24 of 32 owners) and it’s generally believed that the Rams and Chargers-Raiders have the requisite nine votes to block the other. If both plans are voted down, that means no one will be moving to Los Angeles for the 2016 season.

Here’s more from around the league..

  • The woman who accused Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller of assaulting her said he “tried to strangle me and beat me up” in her 911 call, as Evan MacDonald of the Northeast Ohio Media Group writes. The woman also said that Moeller might have been drinking that night. Moeller has been suspended indefinetly by the Browns and he may face assault charges based off of these allegations.
  • Prior to signing with the Jets‘ taxi squad, defensive end Mike Catapano had workouts scheduled with the Bears, Packers, and Vikings, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. The Long Island native was in heavy demand, according to Wilson.
  • A federal judge has dismissed the NFL Players Association’s claim that the NFL engaged in illegal collusion to hold down player salaries during the uncapped 2010 season, as Michael David Smith of PFT writes. The union had claimed that teams broke labor laws by agreeing to effectively have a cap even though it was an uncapped year, but the judge said that any such claim from the NFLPA was nullified by the fact that both sides signed the 2011 CBA.

Browns Suspend Offensive Line Coach

September 7th, 2015 at 6:40pm CST by Luke Adams

6:40pm: Moeller is under investigation for an alleged assault of a woman at his home, Pat McManamon of ESPN.com writes.

2:47pm: According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link), Moeller’s suspension comes as a result of an investigation into a possible assault.

1:46pm: The Browns will open the season with general manager Ray Farmer serving a four-game suspension, and the club announced today that a member of the coaching staff will be suspended as well. In a statement, the Browns indicated that offensive line coach Andy Moeller has been suspended indefinitely, effective immediately (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).

“Over the weekend, Andy was involved in an incident, involving allegations that we take very seriously,” the Browns said in their statement. “We have followed our internal protocol, determining that right now it is best for the team and for Andy to take time away from the organization to focus on his personal matters.”

While the details of the incident involving Moeller aren’t clear, he was previously suspended in 2011 when he was on the Ravens’ coaching staff, after he was found guilty of driving under the influence.