Why we shouldn’t be surprised by the Indians attendance
August 3, 2013WFNY Stats & Info: Miami’s Jose Fernandez dominates the Indians
August 3, 2013CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora visited Berea for Cleveland Browns training camp this week and filed a lengthy article about his key notes on Friday night.
Earlier in the morning on Friday, LaCanfora’s colleague Pat Kirwan shared his thoughts on the Browns. His notable observations surrounded improvements being made by several defensive linemen and the remaining question mark at tight end.
Now, here are the main tidbits from LaCanfora’s latest:
- Brandon Weeden “will be given every chance to show he can be the Browns’ quarterback and it’s his job to lose.” Yet, the writer doesn’t have much faith in his ability to hold that position for very long. He said he’d be “fairly stunned” if the team doesn’t address the position in next year’s draft.
- Along with offensive coordinator Norv Turner, the writer gave additional credit to emerging third-year wide receiver Greg Little. He’s been more of a consistent force than second-year man Josh Gordon, who isn’t expected to be included in every single set even after his return from a two-game suspension.
- Again, trade acquisition Davone Bess was described as “clearly the best receiving option for Weeden right now” and a “security blanket any developing quarterback would covet.” When Bess was first linked with Cleveland, I noted he’s one of just 10 NFL players with 50+ catches in each of the last five seasons.
- The writer said “he wouldn’t be surprised at all” if young kicker Brandon Bogotay beats out veteran Shayne Graham.The NFL’s trend toward younger kickers was noted as a reason why. It was previously noted that the Browns could carry two kickers. Bogotay, whose father grew up in Euclid, was a kickoff specialist at the University of Georgia and only had three field goal attempts while backing up current Vikings All-Pro kicker Blair Walsh.
- Defensive coordinator Ray Horton spoke highly of the Browns’ quick retooling. “It’s very refreshing,” he said, “because we have a bunch of football people down the hall who have all been different places, they know football, they know players and we can coach.” Instead of spending time on evaluations, Horton said this frees up time to focus on the contending teams in the AFC.
The Browns will begin their preseason schedule at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at home against the St. Louis Rams. The team is hosting a Family Night tonight from 6:30-9 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
[Related: Training Camp News and Notes: Richardson sits out; Taylor fights with Mack]
3 Comments
After Lombardi used him as a ghostwriter a few months back, I can’t read anything LaCanfora writes without a heavy dose of cynicism.
not sure I like the coaches not having a ton of input on the player evaluations. mostly, because I am sure they will point out the players at the bottom of the roster they like the best and sometimes the eyes on the practice field can deceive you if you don’t also break down the tape.
Graham needs to get his act together and start putting the ball through the uprights, or else Bogotay could be doing more than just taking kickoffs and 50+ yard field goals for the Browns.