Tag Archives: NFL

NFL

Allen Named AP MVP

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New Orleans —

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been named the 2024 Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player, recognizing his outstanding performance throughout the season. Allen’s leadership and exceptional play were pivotal in guiding the Bills to their fifth consecutive AFC East title.

Throughout the 2024 season, Allen showcased his versatility and skill, accounting for 41 touchdowns while committing only six interceptions. Notably, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to record a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in the same game during a Week 13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. His dynamic playmaking abilities were instrumental in the Bills becoming the first team to score at least 30 touchdowns both rushing and passing in a single season. 

His outstanding performance earned him second-team All-Pro honors, with 18 first-place votes, finishing behind only Lamar Jackson, who secured 30 first-place votes. 

This MVP award is a testament to Allen’s growth and development as one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks. His combination of arm strength, mobility, and football intelligence has solidified his status as a cornerstone of the Bills’ franchise and a prominent figure in the league.

In addition to the MVP honor, Allen was also recognized with the Art Rooney Award at the 14th Annual NFL Honors, highlighting his excellence both on and off the field. 

As the Bills look ahead, Allen’s leadership and performance will continue to be central to their pursuit of championship success.

NFL

Bears to Hire Johnson

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One of the hottest names in recent coaching cycle history, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, is finalizing a deal to become the 19th head coach of the Chicago Bears.

Johnson, 38, began his NFL coaching career in 2012 as an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins. He climbed the Miami coaching ladder, eventually becoming their wide receivers coach in 2018. Johnson joined Detroit in 2019 where he started as a quality control coach before becoming their offensive coordinator in 2022.

Under Johnson’s tutelage, former number one overall pick Jared Goff led the Lions offensive to multiple top five finishes in total offense including the number one spot in 2024. Now he takes over a team led by another former number one overall pick in Caleb Williams.

The addition of Williams, along with wideouts Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, to an offense that already had a number one option in wide receiver D.J. Moore gave Bears fans hope that they’d escape the dismal performances they’d grown accustomed to. However, Williams didn’t develop as quickly as the team hoped. That, paired with multiple offensive coordinators and head coaches, along with below average offensive line play led the Bears to another disappointing season.

Now enter Johnson, a former walk on quarterback at North Carolina. Though his offense in Detroit featured star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and other stud pass catchers, the roots of the Detroit offense were heavily entrenched in its top tier offensive line, grit, and a two headed monster at running back.

While the open air stadium Bears offense played like a finesse dome team, the dome dwelling Lions were built like a blue collar three yards and a cloud of dust team that loves to punch you in the mouth. Given their struggles and lack of identity, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Johnson carry that identity to the Windy City.

Johnson’s work with Goff, his offensive ingenuity, and the type of offense he ran in Detroit make this a home run hire for Chicago and will allow Williams to develop into the type of player the Bears thought they’d get when they took him at number one in last years draft.

With promising players on defense, weapons outside, and Williams at quarterback, a rebuilt offensive line could have the Bears trending upward quickly in an extremely competitive NFC North.

Draft, NFL

Nashville to Host 2019 NFL Draft

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As we’ve said and heard so many times in the Cleveland area, there is always next year.

For once, however, it has nothing to do with a heartbreaking loss on the field for one of our beloved sports teams but instead refers to the city and its desire to host the NFL Draft, along with Canton.

The 84th NFL Draft will take place on April 25-27, 2019 in Nashville, incorporating iconic city landmarks across the Music City stretching from Lower Broadway to Nissan Stadium.

The announcement was made today at the annual Spring League Meeting in Atlanta following a review of the proposal by the Super Bowl & Major Events Advisory Committee and full ownership. This is the result of a comprehensive evaluation process over the past several months of plans submitted by various cities to host the 2019 NFL Draft.

“Following an exciting and successful event in Dallas, we’re thrilled to take the NFL Draft to Nashville. The city has a passionate fan base and offers iconic locations that will enable us to expand the Draft in unique ways,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We look forward to working with the Tennessee Titans, the City of Nashville, and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp to deliver a memorable celebration of football to our fans and incoming players.”

The NFL Draft returns to primetime with Round 1 on Thursday, April 25. Rounds 2 and 3 will follow on Friday, April 26, and Rounds 4-7 will conclude the event on Saturday, April 27.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Sign Thomas and Callaway

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Berea— The Cleveland Browns have come to terms on contracts with two more of their 2018 NFL draft selections as DE Chad Thomas and WR Antonio Callaway have signed their rookie deals.

The team now has six of their nine draft picks under contract.

Thomas, a defensive lineman from Miami (FL), was the Browns third round pick (67 overall). He started 33 games at the U where he totaled 103 tackles, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his career.

Callaway, a talented yet troubled pass catcher from Florida, was the Browns fourth round selection (105 overall). When he was on the field he showed big time playmaking ability. During his college career he caught 89 passes for just under 1400 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

The remaining unsigned players for the Browns draft class are first round picks Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward, as well as second round running back Nick Chubb.

Browns, NFL

Taylor Dealt to Arizona

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The Cleveland Browns have traded CB Jamar Taylor to the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round draft pick.

Taylor, a 2013 second-round choice by the Miami Dolphins, was acquired by Cleveland in a trade that saw them deal the 223rd selection in the 2016 NFL Draft for Taylor and the 250th pick.

With the addition of the 5-foot-11, 192 pound Taylor, the Cardinals instantly gain an experienced corner to a roster in need of just that. He will likely battle to start across from perennial All-Pro CB Patrick Peterson.

Taylor, 27, started 29 games for the Browns over the last two seasons , tallying three interceptions.

With the off-season signings of cornerbacks EJ Gaines, Terrance Mitchell, and TJ Carrie, and the selection of Denzel Ward with the fourth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Taylor was likely the odd man out and probably would not have made the Browns final roster out of training camp.

This is the third trade made by new GM John Dorsey that saw him get value in return for a player that would have likely been cut before the season when you factor in the trades of quarterbacks Kevin Hogan and Cody Kessler to Washington and Jacksonville respectively.

Browns, NFL

Browns to be Featured on Hard Knocks

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Berea, Oh— The Cleveland Browns have been selected to be featured on the Emmy Award winning HBO show “Hard Knocks”.

A 30-person NFL Films crew will be in Browns training camp at team headquarters in Berea, Ohio shooting more than 2,000 hours of footage over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will have unencumbered access to players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, living quarters and practice fields.

HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE CLEVELAND BROWNS will be filled with interesting story lines as they follow head coach Hue Jackson and his football team as they attempt to turn around the teams misfortunes, including an 0-16 record. Other storylines will include number one overall pick Baker Mayfield adjust to the NFL, wide receiver Josh Gordon and his continued return to the NFL after missing time to drug suspensions and putting his life back together, as well as the relationship between Jackson and GM John Dorsey.

“NFL Films has always been exceptional at bringing fans closer to the game and they do an outstanding job with every show they produce, including HBO’s Hard Knocks,” said Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam.  “We have been asked multiple times about being featured on Hard Knocks, and we really felt like it was our turn this year and the timing was right. We want to be great partners in this league, and we also recognize Hard Knocks gives fans a special opportunity to learn more about our team and players. Organizationally, we are confident about where we are headed, but we have a lot of work to do in order for this franchise to earn the respect of our fans on the field. We understand winning is ultimately most important to our fans. We’re looking forward to partnering with HBO and NFL Films to show how our team is working hard at training camp to prepare for the 2018 season.”

“I’ve been a part of Hard Knocks and when you experience it first hand, you come to appreciate the inside look it really gives fans,” said head coach Hue Jackson. “We are excited about what we are building within our organization and feel good about the progress we have made this offseason. Being able to bring our fans in so they can get to know our players and our organization in a different way will be a huge positive for us. I want people to see how much our players and coaches care, how hard they work and how badly they want to win for Cleveland. This will be a great opportunity for our team.”

“Like many, I was reluctant about being the featured team on Hard Knocks but once we sat down and talked about it as an organization, I feel a lot better and understand why the time is right,”  said general manager John Dorsey.  “Hue and I both feel like this team is in a good place and that we are in the process of building something that will lead to success. Being a part of Hard Knocks will give our fans the opportunity to see how passionate the people in our building are about winning and how excited we are about getting to work and preparing for the 2018 season.”

Narrated by Liev Schreiber, the show will debut Tuesday August 7 at 10 p.m. with new episodes debuting on subsequent Tuesdays until the finale on September 4.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Get Avery Under Contract

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The Cleveland Browns have signed LB Genard Avery.

Avery, a fifth-round pick out of Memphis, played in 50 career games, starting 34 of them. The 150th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft recorded 232 career tackles with 45.5 of them for a loss.

He is expected to be an immediate contributor on special teams and could work his way to a regular member of the Browns defense as well.

The Browns have now signed four of their 2018 draft picks, as Avery joins OT Austin Corbett (second round), WR Damion Ratley (sixth round), and CB Simeon Thomas (sixth round) as picks under contract.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Sign Three Draft Picks

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On the final day of rookie minicamp in Berea, the Cleveland Browns reached terms with three of their 2018 draft picks.

Tackle Austin Corbett, a second round pick out of Nevada, wide out Damion Ratley, a sixth round selection from Texas A&M, and cornerback Simeon Thomas, a sixth rounder from Louisiana-Lafayette all signed their first NFL contracts.

Corbett’s deal is worth about $7.5 million, while the pair of sixth rounders deals will be worth about $2.5 million.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Add 13 Undrafted Free Agents

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The Cleveland Browns have announced the signings of 13 undrafted free agents.

The list includes three wide outs, three offensive lineman, three defensive backs, two defensive lineman, a running back, as well as a punter.

The 13 rookies will join the rest of the teams rookies from the 2018 NFL Draft at rookie mini camp which runs from May 4-6.

The list of undrafted free agents can be found below.

Evan Berry

WR

5-11

202

11/4/95

Tennessee

Fairburn, Ga.

Elijah Campbell

DB

5-11

190

8/24/95

Northern Iowa

St. Paul, Minn.

Michael Carrizosa

P

5-10

227

9/18/95

San Jose State

Salinas, Calif.

Christian Dilauro

OL

6-6

300

11/11/94

Illinois

Uniontown, Ohio

Daniel Ekuale

DL

6-3

300

1/13/94

Washington State

Pago Pago, American Samoa

Micah Hannemann

DB

6-0

195

8/15/94

BYU

Alpine, Utah

Desmond Harrison

OL

6-6

295

10/8/93

West Georgia

Houston, Texas

Dontrell Hilliard

RB

5-11

202

2/26/95

Tulane

Baton Rouge, La.

Fred Lauina

OL

6-4

315

5/17/95

Oregon State

Nuuuli, American Samoa

Montrel Meander

DB

6-2

215

9/20/94

Grambling State

Amarillo, Texas

Da’Mari Scott

WR

6-0

205

8/8/95

Fresno State

Muskegon Heights, Mich.

Trenton Thompson

DL

6-3

288

7/27/96

Georgia

Albany, Ga.

Derrick Willies

WR

6-4

207

10/17/94

Texas Tech

San Bernadino, Calif.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Get Edge Rusher Thomas in 3rd Round

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DALLAS— After trading the 64th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to Indianapolis for the 67th and 178th in this years draft, the Cleveland Browns have chose Chad Thomas, and edge rusher from Miami, with the 67th pick.

Thomas, a 6’5″ and 277 pound athletic freak, has outstanding speed off the edge and shows excellent hand usage. He is a fairly raw prospect, with an inconsistent motor, so it will be up to the coaching staff to get the most out of Thomas.

In his senior season at Miami, he had 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss. Expect him to be a situational pass rusher early on in Cleveland who can rush from inside or out.

The Browns next selection is in the 4th round.

Browns, Draft, NFL

2018 NFL Draft: Top 10 Available on Day Two

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After selecting Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick and Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward with the fourth overall pick on day one of the draft, the Cleveland Browns enter day two of the draft with picks 33,35, and 64 in the second round. They do not have a third round pick after trading it to Buffalo for Tyrod Taylor.

With that being said, here are my 10 best players remaining on day two of the draft:

  1. EDGE Harold Landry, Boston College
  2. RB Derrius Guice, LSU
  3. DT Maurice Hurst, Michigan
  4. OT Connor Williams, Texas
  5. CB Josh Jackson, Iowa
  6. TE Mike Gesicki, Penn State
  7. G Will Hernandez, UTEP
  8. RB Ronald Jones II, USC
  9. C James Daniels, Iowa
  10. EDGE Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Select Denzel Ward with Fourth Pick

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DALLAS— With the fourth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns selected Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward.

Ward, a native of Macedonia, Ohio recorded 37 tackles and two interceptions for the Buckeyes in 2017. Seen by many as the top press corner in this years draft, Ward will be an instant starter in the Browns revamped secondary.

At 5’10” and 185 pounds, Ward ran a 4.32 yard 40-yard dash at this years combine. Ward is physical, athletic, and is excellent at not allowing receivers to get separation in routes.

On a team that has not had a shutdown corner since Joe Haden was healthy a few years ago, Ward will be a welcome addition.