Mike Pettine

Browns Links: Haslam, Manziel, Thomas, Pryor

August 1st, 2015 at 4:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

A recent history of abandoning fledgling operations, the Browns may be ready to ride this one out in hopes of it completing a long-sought-after franchise rejuvenation. Owner Jimmy Haslam threw his support behind GM Ray Farmer and second-year coach Mike Pettine, vowing to not “blow things up” if the team sputters this season, according to Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com.

“I think we’re on the right track, so we’re not going to blow things up,” said Haslam, who axed the Browns’ previous power structure of Joe Banner, Mike Lombardi and Rob Chudzinski, along with the decision-making troika before that (Mike Holmgren/Tom Heckert/Pat Shurmur. “I understand why people might ask that after a couple of bumps in the road the first couple of years, but we’re not going to do that. I think we’re putting in place a good foundation.

“… (Farmer and Pettine are) quality people; they’re smart; they work hard; they’ve been around football all their life,” Haslam said. “Listen, if I would’ve said this time last year we were going to be 7-9, you all would’ve probably said that was pretty good, right?”

Instances like Textgate, a reported riff between Pettine and Farmer, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan fleeing Cleveland with two years remaining on his deal, and Johnny Manziel‘s disastrous rookie year have the organization in a rough spot.

Speaking of Manziel, here’s some news surrounding the Browns’ mercurial backup quarterback and from the rest of the team.

Haslam does not intend to give up on Manziel, contrary to some of the rumblings from anonymous sources around the league, and that the 2012 Heisman Trophy recipient doesn’t have to show he’s capable of succeeding in the league this year to receive another shot. “I think it’s important — everybody forgets he’s barely 22 years old,” said Haslam, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “He’s still young, so I think over the next couple of years we’ve got to see if Johnny can be a legitimate quarterback or not. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him or our coaches to say it has to happen this year.” Manziel seems to be entrenched as a backup behind journeyman Josh McCown.
A hallmark of consistency but not much of an offseason buzz-generator considering his sturdy status, Joe Thomas said he’s not looking to find a way out of Cleveland despite the Browns’ struggles throughout the All-Pro left tackle’s tenure, reports Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. “It’s more important for me to take this Cleveland Browns team to the playoffs, for only the second time since they’ve come back, turn this team back into a contender year in and year out, than it is to go somewhere and latch on with an all-star team and go to the playoffs or win the Super Bowl. Because I don’t think it means as much,” Thomas told Grossi.
Grossi is 50-50 on Terrelle Pryor making the 53-man roster and advocates the team use him in short-yardage or two-point conversion scenarios, but the coaching staff is set on using him only at receiver. The former Raiders signal-caller has stood out early in camp but still an uphill battle with the likes of Travis Benjamin, Taylor Gabriel and 2015 draft choice Vince Mayle hovering as the Browns’ potential backups.
The ESPNCleveland scribe said the team doesn’t want to use versatile first-rounder Cameron Erving at right tackle in order to keep starter Mitchell Schwartz in the lineup and view what Michael Bowie can do with reserve reps.

AFC Notes: Brady, Pettine, Broncos, Chargers

July 27th, 2015 at 9:11pm CST by Zachary Links

After Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti denied that he was among those pushing commissioner Roger Goodell to keep Tom Brady‘s full four-game suspension, Colts owner Jim Irsay issued a similar denial today.

“That’s not true at all,” Irsay told Zak Keefer of The Star when asked about a recent assertion made by ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. “I haven’t talked to Roger Goodell about DeflateGate since late January. Not true. That’s not the way things work involving someone else’s business and someone else’s team. It’s not something I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around ownership (in the NFL) for half a century.”

Irsay claims his last interaction with Goodell regarding the Deflategate controversy came months before the results of Ted Wells’ investigation were released in May. Here’s more out of the AFC..

Despite a recent report to the contrary, Browns coach Mike Pettine swears he’s on good terms with GM Ray Farmer, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal writes. “I think it was that late summer slow news day,” Pettine said. “The unfortunate thing is this: When you don’t win, when you have the history, or not so recent history of the Browns, to me, there’s not much credibility there. You can take an individual event and extrapolate that out to it has a negative connotation to it. That was the disappointing part of that.”
If the status of Antonio Smith‘s case doesn’t change, he could report to Broncos training camp on Thursday, Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post writes. Denver excused Smith from voluntary offseason workouts to tend to his personal matters but the club has remained in contact with him over the past two months and is expected to determine his status soon. If the Broncos decide they need more time to make a decision on Smith he cannot be fined for his absence from camp. Smith is being investigated following a complaint of sexual child abuse.
NFL executive Eric Grubman will visit San Diego again on Tuesday to get a briefing from the Chargers and local government officals on the progress of the stadium initiative, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets.

North Rumors: Packers, Pitta, Browns

July 21st, 2015 at 11:43am CST by Luke Adams

Packers president Mark Murphy wasn’t thrilled to see his a handful of his players at the center of off-field incidents this offseason, with Datone Jones having been suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, while Letroy Guion and Andrew Quarless were each arrested and could be suspended as well. However, the team still doesn’t have any plans to release any of those players to send a message, as Murphy tells Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

“While we’re disappointed in all the situations, we have to let the process play out and see exactly what happens in each situation,” Murphy said.

As we wait to see how Quarless’ legal situation plays out, and whether or not Guion receives discipline from the NFL, here are a few more items from around the league’s two North divisions:

Although Dennis Pitta has made “significant progress” in his recovery from a fractured and dislocated right hip, his NFL future is still up in the air. According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens tight end will likely begin the 2015 regular season on the physically unable to perform list, which would sideline him for at least the first six weeks. Pitta, who will earn a guaranteed $4MM base salary this year whether or not he plays, has yet to be medically cleared to practice.
In his latest piece for ESPNCleveland.com, Tony Grossi highlights the departure of former Browns director of player engagement Jamil Northcutt, suggesting that the so-called mutual parting reflects a “seeping rift” between head coach Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer. Sources have told Grossi that Northcutt was a recipient of Farmer’s illegal in-game texts that earned the GM a four-game suspension, though another source says that’s not accurate.
The Vikings don’t have interest in free agent guard Evan Mathis, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News, who tweets that the team wants to see what it has in its young players. Minnesota could consider revisiting Mathis later if the club’s guard play is an issue.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Janie Mayeron has ordered the NFL and the Players Association into settlement negotiations in their battle over Vikings running back Adrian Peterson‘s suspension, writes Dave Campbell of The Associated Press. The legal fight stems from the NFLPA claiming that the league “deliberately ignored” Judge David Doty’s ruling when Doty sided with the union in rejecting arbitrator Harold Henderson’s decision to uphold Peterson’s suspension.

Extra Points: Browns, Bengals, Bonuses

May 3rd, 2015 at 6:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Fond of assessing teams’ draft performances hours after their completion, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. provided some additional immediate analysis (Insider subscription required) on which teams’ depth charts improved the most.

Not coincidentally, six of Kiper’s eight teams mentioned here made their first pick in the top 10, with only the Browns and Seahawks drawing mention for their selections in the middle and near the end of the rounds, respectively.

While Kiper chastised Seattle for reaching each year, he’s come to accept what the franchise does may work, considering the annual production from homegrown players. He identified Tyler Lockett as a potential impact player for a team mostly devoid of them on the outside. Beyond their two first-rounders, the Browns’ third-round bolstering of their backfield with Duke Johnson drew specific praise from the longtime draft expert.

Here is some other news from around the league …

With interior-line players coming to Cleveland after first-round notifications, the Browns were definitely not as flashy in this draft as they were last year, writes Jeff Schudel of the Lorain Morning Journal. Characterizing this year’s class as one orchestrated by Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer rather than what he determines as a Jimmy Haslem move in getting Johnny Manziel last year, Schudel notes the Browns, who may start Josh McCown rather than the first-round quarterback they traded up for in 2014, are planning for low-scoring contests this season.
Coming off a torn ACL sustained in a bowl game, Cedric Ogbuehi seems destined for the physically unable to perform list to start his NFL career, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com in his look at Cincinnati’s new depth chart. Second-round tackle Jake Fisher should also be ready for work at center, offers Hobson, with offensive line coach Paul Alexander preferring versatility from his charges.
With teams allotted $86K in bonuses to dole out to undrafted free agents, this year they are using funds from an unlimited area to compensate for that figure, reports Philly.com’s Paul Domowitch (Twitter links). By splitting finances for undrafted performers between bonus money and base salary guarantees, the latter not having a specific limit like the former, teams are spending quite a bit to land their post-draft targets.
The 49ers did the most in terms of securing future resources during this draft, by acquiring two of the five 2016 selections exchanged this weekend, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Wilkening. The Chargers and Cowboys traded the 49ers fifth- and sixth-round picks, respectively, in next year’s draft.

Sunday Roundup: Collins, AFC North, Pats

May 3rd, 2015 at 12:56pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at a few notes from around the league on this post-draft Sunday:

The La’el Collins saga will be one of the more fascinating storylines to watch over the coming days. Gil Brandt of NFL.com tweets that if Collins is cleared of any wrongdoing after his meeting with Louisiana police tomorrow, he will sign as an undrafted free agent. Brandt adds that there will be a great deal of interest in Collins’ services if he is, in fact, cleared.
Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com looks at what Collins could make as an undrafted free agent,
It appears that Browns ownership is “digging in” and committing to the Ray Farmer–Mike Pettine regime, writes Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com.
Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer passes along Farmer’s and Pettine’s responses to questions as to why the Browns did not select a quarterback in this year’s draft. The GM and head coach simply reaffirmed their faith in the team’s current signal-callers while acknowledging that the group does not include an elite talent. However, Pettine simply stated, “We’re not going to over-prioritize the quarterback position.”
The Ravens have invited Maryland DE Andre Monroe to rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis, writes Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.
Paul Dehner, Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer describes how the Bengals passed on the “acrobatic athletes and track stars” in this weekend’s draft and instead focused on powerful linemen and strong tight ends.
The Eagles may regret not selecting an offensive lineman in the draft, writes Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. As we learned earlier today, however, four of the team’s 16 undrafted free agents are offensive linemen.
Although they did not address their cornerback need in the draft, Karen Guregian of The Boston Herald believes the Patriots strengthened the secondary simply by adding some punch to the team’s pass rush.
The Patriots passed on drafting a receiver for the second consecutive year, meaning that third-year wideout Aaron Dobson will still have a good chance to live up to his considerable potential, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com.
With a draft class that most analysts agree is a strong one, and after an active free agency period, Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union says the Jaguars are finally adding depth to their roster and creating some much-needed competition.
Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune says the Saints‘ draft class, which does not include a single wide receiver or tight end, reaffirms their faith in Drew Brees, Sean Payton, and the offense as a whole.

First-Round Rumors: Titans, Mariota, Rams

April 30th, 2015 at 12:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Titans‘ No. 2 overall pick appears to be the hottest trade chip on the market today, and Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (Twitter link) hears that the club has spoken to the Rams and the Jets, in addition to the Browns and Eagles. According to ESPN’s Bob Holtzman, the Titans are “open for business” when it comes to trading the second overall pick, but the team is using the Robert Griffin III trade as a point of reference, which would mean getting three first-rounders for the No. 2 pick.

Multiple reporters, including Jay Glazer of Fox Sports and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links), are suggesting that the Titans’ asking price is massive. Rapoport points out that Tennessee is seeking such a huge return that it’s making rival teams think the Titans just want to draft Marcus Mariota and be done with it.

As we wait to see what the Titans will do with their pick, let’s check in on a few more first-round rumors…

Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (on Twitter) hears from multiple sources that UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks is in the mix for the Cardinals in round one.
The Rams‘ discussions with the Titans haven’t amounted to anything “meaningful” at this point, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Meanwhile, Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link) hears that the Rams may be looking at bailing out of the top 10 and picking up more picks. The Jets and Washington have also been cited as potential trade-down candidates in the top 10.
Browns coach Mike Pettine told NFL Network’s Andrea Kremer that “opinions on Marcus Mariota in this building are varied,” according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (via Twitter). Cabot notes (link) that opinions on Johnny Manziel inside the building were varied too, but that didn’t stop the Browns from drafting him in 2014. She also hears that the Browns do not want to surrender their first-rounder in 2016 to land the Oregon quarterback (link).
A big problem for the Browns in any potential trade involving Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford is that he may not negotiate a long-term deal anytime soon with the Browns, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets. Bradford may prefer to be dealt to the Titans and, presumably, would be more open to a long-term deal there.
In the event that the Browns acquire Sam Bradford or another quarterback, the Cowboys will not be interested in trading for Johnny Manziel to replace Brandon Weeden, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets.
NFL.com’s Michael Silver says that the Jaguars are a team to keep an eye on as they could move their high second round choice to get back into the back third of the first round.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Browns Notes: Pettine, Manziel, Mariota

April 21st, 2015 at 3:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The Browns traded down, then up, then up again during the first round of last year’s draft, and if the right opportunity arises, the team likely won’t hesitate to move up again this year. Head coach Mike Pettine told reporters today, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link), that the Browns showed last year they were willing to move, and he’s sure GM Ray Farmer‘s phone will ring again this time around.

Field Yates of ESPN.com (Insider-only link) agrees that the Browns, armed with a pair of first-round picks, are in a good spot to trade up if they want to, listing them among the teams most likely to make a deal during the first round next Thursday.

We’ve got a few more Browns-related notes to pass along, so let’s round them up, with all links going to Ulrich’s Twitter account…

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported earlier this month that the Browns have “90%” moved on from Johnny Manziel in their minds, but Pettine said today that the young signal-caller is still very much in the team’s plans. Pettine quipped that the report was “90% inaccurate,” adding that it could be filed in the “ridiculous category.”
When asked if he was willing to trade up in the draft for Oregon star Marcus Mariota, Pettine said, “Sure. Why not?” with a smile, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal tweets.
Pettine said that there were a handful of guys absent from workouts, but they all reached out to him and he was well aware of it ahead of time, Ulrich tweets.
The head coach is optimistic that something will get worked out with free safety Tashaun Gipson, Ulrich tweets. “[You] never want the business side to affect the football side. We’re very optimistic we’ll get that worked out,” the coach said. Gipson has yet to report to Cleveland’s voluntary program. The safety received a second-round RFA tender from the Browns in March and was less-than-thrilled about that.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Browns May Lose Draft Pick For ‘Textgate’

February 4th, 2015 at 11:46am CST by Luke Adams

The NFL is expected to conclude its investigation into a sideline text-messaging incident involving the Browns either this week or early next week, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, who reports that the team are facing potential sanctions for the rule violation. Per Cabot, Browns GM Ray Farmer may be suspended, and the team could also be fined and even lose a 2015 draft pick for its actions.

Nearly a month ago, it was reported that a high-ranking official for the Browns texted the sidelines from the press box about playcalls during a game. Multiple sources have since told Cabot that it was Farmer who violated the NFL’s electronic use policy by texting the sideline, where his messages were apparently relayed to coaches. Per Cabot, the league is expected to announce sanctions for the Browns as soon as this week, and no later than three weeks or so from now — Farmer is facing a suspension of three or four games if it’s confirmed he violated the policy, and Cleveland may also be penalized a draft pick, though it’s not clear how high a pick it would be.

As we wait to see how the league rules on the situation, here are a few more Browns-related notes:

In a piece examining the situation in Cleveland, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com writes that the culture in the Browns building is “toxic.” Many of those who can leave – like former OC Kyle Shanahan – are eager to do so as soon as possible, according to La Canfora, who reports that, at season’s end, Shanahan presented head coach Mike Pettine with a 32-point breakdown explaining why he wanted out of his contract, which prompted the two sides to draw up an agreement to allow him to walk away.
Multiple team sources tell La Canfora that Farmer is “a path of least resistance” for owner Jimmy Haslam on personnel decisions. La Canfora also hears that it wasn’t unusual for Farmer to text and/or call ex-QBs coach Dowell Loggains during game days. There has been growing friction between Farmer and Pettine as well, writes the CBSSports.com scribe.
One team source, to La Canfora, on Haslam: “Jimmy is way too hands on. He’s like Jerry Jones, only without the football knowledge. There’s tension between [team president] Alec [Scheiner] and Pettine. Everybody sees that. Alec is involved in everything; it’s too much for him. There are no divisions. The guys on the business side want to run football operations. The GM wants to coach the team and have input on play calling. Jimmy calls the shots, and everyone is afraid of him with that quick trigger finger. If you stand up to Jimmy, he’s done with you. Jimmy’s own worst enemy is Jimmy.”
Tight end Jordan Cameron isn’t interested in re-signing with the Browns, sources tell La Canfora, who adds that the club isn’t interested in bringing in Mark Sanchez as a veteran QB option.
Calling the Browns a “raging dumpster fire,” Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com writes that Farmer must face the music and answer several questions about his decisions and his actions.

Browns Notes: DeFilippo, Manziel, Hoyer

January 22nd, 2015 at 1:05pm CST by Zachary Links

In his 2015 salary cap outlook for the Browns, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap writes that the team faces an interesting decision with cornerback Buster Skrine. They drafted a replacement for him in Justin Gilbert but Skrine is the more proven commodity and he came up with four interceptions in 2014. Fortunately for the Browns, they have a good amount of cap space and can afford to hedge their bets by retaining him. Here’s more out of Cleveland…

At today’s introductory press conference, new Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said he isn’t sure if his starting quarterback “is in the building or not,” according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (on Twitter). Brian Hoyer, of course, is set to hit unrestricted free agency, leaving 2014 first-rounder Johnny Manziel and undrafted rookie Connor Shaw on the depth chart at this time.
DeFilippo said hasn’t studied Hoyer much but will meet with him this week, according to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram (on Twitter).
Head coach Mike Pettine admitted that he has had some “healthy debate” with GM Ray Farmer but says that talk of “friction” between the two is overblown, according to Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald (on Twitter).
DeFilippo said he and Pettine have discussed having an experienced former play-caller on the staff at quarterback or wide receiver coach, according to Cabot (on Twitter). DeFilippo does not have previous play calling experience in the NFL.
Pettine told reporters, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter) that he only offered the offensive coordinator job to one person.

AFC North Links: Webb, Browns, Eifert

December 27th, 2014 at 11:30am CST by Ben Levine

Lardarius Webb has battled a back injury all season, and the Ravens cornerback told Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun that he suffered nerve damage in his back during training camp, severely hampering the start of his season. However, the 29-year-old is starting to regain his old form, and his defensive coordinater believes he’ll be a force for the rest of the season.

“I actually graded the film on the plane on the way back, and then I came in and watched the film again on Monday morning and I texted him right after I got done and said, ‘That’s the best you’ve played all year. You look like you’re kind of getting back to the Lardarius that I know,'” said Dean Pees. “I think that is a very, very positive thing about him. Hey, we need him right here at the end. I was very pleased with the way he played.”

Webb echoed that sentiment:

“Yeah, I feel awesome. It was late in the season and everything, but I do feel good now. I’ve been through a long season. I started off on the back burner with a back injury. I’ve just been trying to catch up the whole time and get it right eventually. Now, I’m right.

“That’s how nerve injuries do, they take time. I had to fight through it all year with the good and the bad. It would be perfect going into the playoffs to play your best game. Hopefully, we can continue playing and win this game and go into the playoffs and keep improving on the back end. It’s been a long year, a humbling year. I’ve been through a lot of adversity since I’ve been in the NFL. That’s been my career.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the AFC’s northern division…

Browns‘ cornerback Buster Skrine is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil wants him back, reports Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald (via Twitter). With Joe Haden playing at a Pro Bowl level and first-round pick Justin Gilbert on the roster, Skrine may be more comfortable going elsewhere to continue his career. Skrine has not talked about his next contract.
Meanwhile, Browns coach Mike Pettine was asked if he wants Skrine on the team next season. “Yeah, he’s a Brown,” he answered (via Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com). “It’s tough when you have guys that are up (for free agency). That’s the reality of business. As far as what we’re looking for, and I already talked about it, just everything from Buster from A to Z is a guy that you want on your football team.”
Before the season, Browns safety Jim Leonhard declared 2014 his final NFL season. According to Tom Reed of Cleveland.com, the veteran is sticking by the statement. “But, no, it’s not happening. I’m very happy with my decision and I’m looking forward to that next chapter . . .I definitely want to get out and travel a little bit with the family. Outside of that, head back to Madison (Wisc.) and figure it out. I had a lot of conversations with people and we’ll see what happens, where this thing leads.”
Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert has struggled through injuries all season, and head coach Marvin Lewis confirmed yesterday that the 24-year-old’s season is over. Eifert had left shoulder surgery earlier this month, helping repair an injury he sustained in training camp. “It’s been unfortunate for him,” Lewis said (via ESPN.com’s Coley Harvey), “but it was the best thing for him.”

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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