ReportWire

Tag: Ohio Cleveland Browns

  • Browns beat Rams 19-17 in preseason game

    [ad_1]

    CLEVELAND —  Browns coach Kevin Stefanski went with Tyler Huntley instead of Shedeur Sanders when his team had a chance for a winning preseason drive on Saturday.

    What You Need To Know

    • With Huntley behind center, Cleveland (3-0) drove into position for Andre Szmyt’s 37-yard field goal as time expired in a 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams

    • Huntley and the Browns benefited from three Rams penalties for 25 yards, including a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on linebacker Tony Fields II

    • Sanders looked like a typical fifth-round rookie in his five series during the second half

    With Huntley behind center, Cleveland (3-0) drove into position for Andre Szmyt’s 37-yard field goal as time expired in a 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

    Huntley was signed to Cleveland’s roster after injuries at quarterback early in training camp. He moved the Browns 46 yards in six plays, completing his only pass for 7 yards. The veteran also had a 9-yard scramble to the Rams 24-yard line.

    Huntley and the Browns benefited from three Rams penalties for 25 yards, including a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on linebacker Tony Fields II that advanced the ball to the Rams 33.

    Sanders looked like a typical fifth-round rookie in his five series during the second half. After passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns on Aug. 8 at Carolina, Sanders managed only one first down and was sacked five times.

    Sanders thought he was going to have the reins for the final drive after Los Angeles’ Jordan Waters scored on a 2-yard run with 2:08 remaining. But Stefanski told Sanders he was going with Huntley.

    “It wasn’t my decision. Of course, that’s every quarterback’s dream and that’s what every quarterback thrives for, those moments, so it wasn’t me,” said Sanders, who completed 3 of 6 passes for 14 yards. “I was happy that Huntley got in, and he handled his business. If anybody else would do it, it would be him.”

    While Stefanski wasn’t happy with Sanders’ play — including taking a 24-yard sack early in the fourth quarter when he kept scrambling backward instead of throwing the ball away — he wasn’t ready to put all the blame on the rookie.

    “We didn’t play great as an offense in the second half. That’s never on one person,” Stefanski said. “So we can be better in a bunch of areas and just felt like we wanted to give Snoop (Huntley) a last drive.”

    Stefanski also had to be pleased about the play of Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel. Flacco had a touchdown pass and Gabriel directed two scoring drives as the Browns continue to evaluate their quarterbacks. Cleveland may start the regular season with four QBs on the roster.

    Flacco, the 18-year veteran named the Week 1 starter, completed 9 of 10 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. The first-team offense was in for three series and 17 plays. On the second drive, he completed all four of his passes, including a 15-yard scoring strike to rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr.

    “We completed the ball, did what we had to do at times, didn’t try to do anything crazy, got the ball in a few guys’ hands just to get them feeling the football too. So, ultimately, it was a good day,” Flacco said.

    Gabriel went 9 of 11 during a two-minute drive late in the first half. The drive went 86 yards in 11 plays, including a 3-yard touchdown to Gage Larvadain with 17 seconds remaining. That put the Browns up 17-6 at halftime.

    It marked the second consecutive week the third-round pick led a two-minute drive at the end of the first half. The possession at Philadelphia resulted in a go-ahead field goal.

    “You want to continue to be aggressive and learn when it’s time to give it a shot or time to give it up and throw the ball away. So things that I’m learning and continue to grow, but want to do that for us to get better,” said Gabriel, who was 12 of 19 for 129 yards and a touchdown.

    Winn goes the distance for Rams

    Rams third-stringer Dresser Winn completed 15 of 23 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown. Waters finished with 41 yards on six carries.

    Winn was off target on his first four passes before completing 12 straight for 145 yards. His first completion was for 33 yards up the left sideline to Terrance Ferguson on the first play of a six-play scoring drive that was capped with a 1-yard TD pass to Drake Stoops with 1:55 remaining in the first half.

    “Stetson (Bennett) played eight full quarters. We thought it was an earned opportunity for (Winn),” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “I thought Dresser played really well. (Quarterbacks coach) Dave Ragone was outstanding in getting him ready for this game.”

    It was the second straight preseason that the Rams (2-1) have played Bennett in the first two games and Winn in the finale.

    “I’m thankful for this opportunity. If somebody needs you to play, I needed to show I could play,” Winn said. “I’ve got to start out faster, but it felt a lot smoother once I got going.”

    Key injuries

    Browns: Starting center Ethan Pocic suffered a knee injury during the first series and did not return. Stefanski said Pocic will have an MRI on Sunday.

    Up next

    Rams: Open the regular season at home against the Houston Texans on Sept. 7.

    Browns: Host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.

    [ad_2]

    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

    Source link

  • League still reviewing latest claims against DeShaun Watson

    League still reviewing latest claims against DeShaun Watson

    [ad_1]

    ATLANTA (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is still reviewing the latest claims of sexual assault and battery against Deshaun Watson.

    The Cleveland Browns quarterback resolved the civil lawsuit filed against him by the woman but that doesn’t preclude him from being disciplined by the league.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Cleveland Browns quarterback resolved the civil lawsuit filed against him

    • The league, per standard procedure, has sought to interview the plaintiff through her lawyer, Tony Buzbee

    • Watson was suspended for the first 11 games in 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy

    • Watson, who is in his third season with Cleveland after being acquired in a controversial trade from Houston, had strongly denied the allegations

    “We’re continuing our review like we would,” Goodell said Tuesday at the conclusion of the league’s fall meeting. “As you know, we take the personal conduct policy seriously so our people are working diligently.”

    The league, per standard procedure, has sought to interview the plaintiff through her lawyer, Tony Buzbee.

    Watson was suspended for the first 11 games in 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions.

    Watson was also fined $5 million and had to undergo mandatory evaluation before he was reinstated by the league.

    The latest lawsuit was filed on Sept. 9 in Harris County, Texas. The unidentified woman alleged Watson had sexually assaulted her in 2020 while on a dinner date in her apartment. She was seeking damages in excess of $1 million.

    Watson, who is in his third season with Cleveland after being acquired in a controversial trade from Houston, had strongly denied the allegations. The 29-year-old has previously settled nearly two dozen civil lawsuits.

    Watson has struggled in Cleveland after the Browns traded a slew of draft picks to get him and gave him a $230 million guaranteed contract. The Browns are 1-5 this season and some fans are calling for the team to bench Watson in favor of backup Jameis Winston.

    Kickoff progress

    The NFL is pleased with the early results from the new kickoff rule and league executive Troy Vincent said no changes are planned this season.

    The 32% return rate through six weeks is a 90% increase from last season when the play was essentially “ceremonial” as Vincent called it. The return rate was 17% at this time in 2023 and increased to 22% by the end of last season. A 33-35% return rate is the goal, Vincent said.

    Moving the spot of the ball from the 30-yard line to the 35 after a touchback will be discussed in the offseason.

    Jeff Miller, who oversees player health and safety, said there have been no ACL or MCL injuries on kickoffs and only one concussion.

    “What was the overall objective? It was putting the foot back in the game, reducing the head injuries as well as some of the lower-extremity injuries, which is all promising,” Vincent said.

    Vincent added the league has to explore how to make the onside kick a more viable option.

    Hip-drop tackles

    Seven players have been fined for hip-drop tackles but none over the past two weeks, Vincent said.

    “Coaches and the players have been outstanding with sending in video, whether it’s their own club without the player making the tackle or something in another game,” Vincent said.

    No player has been penalized yet for a hip-drop tackle during a game. Vincent said there have been about 22 questionable tackles but none met the four-point criteria.

    Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon has complained about being injured on a play he thought should’ve been flagged for a hip-drop tackle.

    “It’s just so important that all four of the elements show up,” Vincent said. “Reviewing that after the game, some of us have just a better feel and an eye for when those things occur. If there’s not an unweighting and trapping of the legs, you’ve got to stay away from it. But that’s during the week, it gives us and many others the opportunity to evaluate so one player is not penalized for something that didn’t occur, especially in real time with all things kind of look the same. We’ve tagged probably 22 to date that were questionable. But again, by the letter of the law or the rule, all four elements were present so we have to stay away from it.”

    Violent gesture fines

    Several players have been fined or penalized this season for making violent gestures such as finger guns during celebrations.

    There were eight penalties and fines in the first four weeks combined, and two more in Week 5. Fines have ranged from $6,250 to Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase getting docked $19,697 last week.

    “Those policies and rules have been in place,” Vincent said. “When you start getting into violent gestures, there’s just no place in professional football for that. … Just think about where we are as a society and we have fans and children tuning into the game. You can make the first down, big tackle, have spontaneous gestures, but the violent gestures. … where we are and what we’re trying to represent, that just doesn’t. And we’ve talked to the players, we’ve talked to the coaches. We’re not trying to make it not for fun, but we also have a responsibility as professional athletes.”

    [ad_2]

    Associated Press

    Source link

  • Browns LT Wills Jr. out, but team catches lucky break

    Browns LT Wills Jr. out, but team catches lucky break

    [ad_1]

    CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns got a little lucky before getting to Las Vegas.

    What You Need To Know

    • On Friday, the Raiders ruled out wide receiver Davante Adams and defensive end Maxx Crosby — the team’s two best players

    • Cleveland’s had major protection problems up front as Deshaun Watson was sacked eight times last week and has been dropped a league-high 16 times in three games

    • As the injuries piled up last week, left guard Joel Bitonio moved to tackle, center Ethan Pocic slid to left guard, Nick Harris played center and rookie Zak Zinter replaced Teller

    On Friday, the Raiders ruled out wide receiver Davante Adams and defensive end Maxx Crosby — the team’s two best players — with injuries ahead of Sunday’s game against Cleveland, a development that caused a massive swing in betting odds.

    Crosby injured his ankle two weeks ago and struggled on Sunday against Carolina. One of the league’s elite pass rushers, Crosby will miss a game for the first time in his career.

    Adams injured his hamstring in practice on Thursday.

    Crosby’s injury is a pregame win for the Browns, who have been ravaged by injuries to their offensive line and will be without starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. He injured his right knee last week while making his season debut following surgery in December.

    Wills will sit out along with tackle Jack Conklin and tight end David Njoku, who were all ruled out Friday before practice by coach Kevin Stefanski. Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) will also miss the game.

    With Wills out, Stefanski will again be forced to play at least one backup and maybe more. It was a similar situation last week, when the Browns (1-2) lost three offensive linemen to injuries in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants.

    Cleveland’s had major protection problems up front as Deshaun Watson was sacked eight times last week and has been dropped a league-high 16 times in three games.

    Another positive for the Browns is that Myles Garrett practiced for the second straight day while dealing with injuries to both feet, an Achilles tendon and thigh. The NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year said Thursday that he’s not 100% but “good enough” to play.

    A first-round pick in 2020, Wills finally got back on the field following knee surgery and rehab only to hurt the same knee when he got rolled up on by a New York defensive player in the third quarter.

    Wills didn’t practice this week but had expressed optimism he could play. James Hudson III, who hurt his shoulder against the Giants, will likely take his spot against the Raiders.

    Hudson had taken over at right tackle last week when Dawand Jones, who has been dealing with knee issues, was ineffective and benched at halftime.

    Conklin was on the cusp of playing right or left tackle last week, but the two-time All-Pro suffered a hamstring injury in practice. He hasn’t played since hurting his knee in last year’s opener and undergoing reconstructive surgery.

    If all that wasn’t enough, the Browns placed right guard Wyatt Teller on injured reserve earlier this week. Teller sprained a knee ligament against New York and will miss at least four games.

    Stefanski wanted to get through Friday’s practice before committing to his starters on the line.

    “I know we have options,” he said. “There’s things that we can do based on who’s available.”

    As the injuries piled up last week, left guard Joel Bitonio moved to tackle, center Ethan Pocic slid to left guard, Nick Harris played center and rookie Zak Zinter replaced Teller. Zinter is expected to make his first NFL start Sunday.

    Njoku sprained his ankle in the opener and missed the past two games, depriving Watson of one of his top playmakers. He returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday but isn’t ready to play just yet.

    [ad_2]

    Associated Press

    Source link

  • Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is back practicing

    Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is back practicing

    [ad_1]

    BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Denzel Ward has almost moved past another concussion.

    Cleveland’s three-time Pro Bowl cornerback returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering at least his fifth documented concussion while playing in the NFL.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ward remains in the league’s concussion protocol, but he’s entered the final stage by being cleared to be back on the field

    • Ward got hurt on Aug. 12 when he hit the back of his head on the ground while defending wide receiver Elijah Moore on a pass over the middle

    • The 27-year-old Ward has developed into one of the game’s top cover cornerbacks since being drafted out of Ohio State with the No. 4 overall pick by the Browns in 2018
    • The Browns are hoping he’ll be available when they face Dallas in this season’s opener on Sept. 8

    Ward remains in the league’s concussion protocol, but he’s entered the final stage by being cleared to be back on the field.

    “He’s doing well,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said following the workout. “As you know, he’s progressing. Certain benchmarks you need to hit and that type of thing, but he is doing well.”

    Ward got hurt on Aug. 12 when he hit the back of his head on the ground while defending wide receiver Elijah Moore on a pass over the middle. He was wearing one of the soft-shell helmet covers known as Guardian caps that are now required by the league.

    The 27-year-old Ward has developed into one of the game’s top cover cornerbacks since being drafted out of Ohio State with the No. 4 overall pick by the Browns in 2018.

    But his concussions are a concern.

    He’s had at least five as a pro, including one suffered in a game against Kansas City in the final exhibition a year ago. Ward wasn’t cleared to play in the season opener against Cincinnati until two days before the game.

    When camp opened last month, Ward said he wasn’t concerned about an inordinate number of concussions.

    “I know I got a few concussions, but I don’t go out there thinking about the concussions,” he said. “I did a lot of research over the season and the offseason on concussions and just how to treat them and stuff like that. I go out there, play fast, play hard and try to win games. You don’t know what’s going to happen out there.”

    The Browns are hoping he’ll be available when they face Dallas in this season’s opener on Sept. 8. Ward likely will be matched up with Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb, who signed a four-year, $136 million contract extension on Tuesday.

    Ward had two concussions as a rookie and another in 2022. Still, he has started 76 games in his six seasons, recording 15 career interceptions and returning two for touchdowns.

    “Denzel’s that guy,” defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson said. “It means a lot to see him back out here healthy and everything, running around. Just you’re happy to see your guys get back on the field, your brothers you play with and everything. All of us are happy to be back out here.”

    As the league has put a major emphasis on safety in recent years, Tomlinson said there is more talk inside locker rooms about head injuries along with added measures taken to ensure players are better protected.

    “It’s a whole different awareness in that field in this day and age,” he said. “And we have different helmets they upgrade to every single year. We get head scans. We do all the things necessary for that. We’re playing a very violent, physical game and we do the best of our ability to protect ourselves from that.”

    While Ward returned, the Browns are still without their starting offensive tackles.

    Right tackle Jack Conklin was not on the field during the portion of practice open to media members. Conklin practiced for the first time Tuesday after suffering a season-ending knee injury in last year’s opener.

    Stefanski said the Browns are still taking it slow with Conklin by “ramping him up.”

    Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. remains sidelined as he also works his way back from a season-ending knee injury. He passed his physical and was activated from the injured list Monday.

    [ad_2]

    Associated Press

    Source link