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January 2009
Freeman makes public appearances
Former Wayne High School and Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman will be signing autographs on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the following locations:
11:00 - 12:30 The Buckeye Room at Tuttle Crossing Mall
2:30 - 4:00 Cardboard Heroes at The Mall of Fairfield Commons
5:30 - 7:00 Cardboard Heroes at Dayton Mall
Freeman is coming off a successful week at the Senior Bowl where he led all players in tackles after a solid week in practice. He is a potential top NFL Draft Pick.
TweetBrowns add to coaching staff
With still no general manager in place, Cleveland Browns new head coach Eric Mangini raided the cupboard of his former employer the New York Jets by signing four of the team’s position coaches.
The club announced today the hiring of five new assistants to Mangini’s staff.
Joining the Browns are defensive line coach Bryan Cox, defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, defensive quality control coach Andy Dickerson, quarterbacks coach Carl Smith and assistant strength and conditioning coach Rick Lyle.
Four of the five coaches were part of Mangini’s staff in New York, with Cox, Henderson, Dickerson and Lyle all having spent the past three seasons on the Jets coaching staff.
“I am pleased to announce the addition of five new coaches to our staff,” said Eric Mangini. “These men are outstanding teachers and their energy and expertise will have an immediate impact on our team.”
Mangini and his staff look to revitalize a 4-12 franchise that came into the ’08 season with thoughts of being Super Bowl contenders.
TweetBrowns staff sparse at Senior Bowl
Day two in Mobile got off to a brisk beginning as I awoke to temperatures in the 30’s. So I grabbed some coffee and a breakfast Danish made especially for me by my personal chef Otis Spunkmeyer, and prepared myself for a morning of cold and more interviews.
While at the North practice, I noticed something unusual. There seemed to be a lack of personnel from the Cleveland Browns organization. The Browns staff is usually scattered about Mobile like fire ants. This year it’s more like Where’s Waldo?
Every year I look forward to seeing a familiar face from the Browns organization, Zac Jackson, who covers the Senior Bowl like a lid on a Tupperware container, but he was nowhere to be found in Mobile. Huh, Mr. Jackson where are you? Browns fans are lost without your coverage.
To appease my curiosity I went searching for answers. Apparently, with a new regime in Cleveland, significant changes are expected to take place in their house from top to bottom. I was told by a source that the organization was going through some major restructuring but they were not specific on details.
It was also stated that with no General Manager in place the organization is lagging behind a bit.
Here are my thoughts. If there are major changes afoot let them be tough. No more of this wishy washy quarterback business or prima donna players throwing tantrums. Address some of these team issues first. I know Browns fans would love to see the team accomplish what the Arizona Cardinals have this season and that can’t even begin happen until the team becomes one.
I like Eric Mangini but too many times we have seen defensive coordinators who are brilliant at that position fail as head coaches. (Think Romeo Crennel.) I just hope he is not being set up to fail with what seems to be a slow front office process taking place in Cleveland. I am very curious to see what transpires during the next several months in Browns Town. I will do my best to keep Browns fans updated and I hope to get more concrete information on what is taking place with the club while here in Mobile.
TweetThis and that from the Senior Bowl
I attended the North practice on Monday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium where the Senior Bowl is played. The stadium was half filled with NFL personnel. Reason being, the South squad held their practice at the same time across the bay in Fairhope. Still there was a lot to be seen on the playing field.
Bad news Cincinnati Bearcat fans! Star defensive backs Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith have seen better days in practice I’m sure. Mickens looked like he was trying to get a feel for things while Smith appeared to be a little distracted.
Smith was told more than once by the Bengals secondary coaching staff to finish the play. He seemingly gave up once the receiver caught the ball and was not being aggressive enough to the coaches liking. He didn’t play with that fire. Hopefully, he’ll show some improvement over the week, but definitely looked out of sorts on this day.
I know Mickens and Smith are both better than what they showed NFL scouts on Day 1.
Okay, I don’t want to hear anymore talk about Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis being intimidating. I’ve got news for you. USC linebacker Rey Maualuga is absolutely scary from a physical standpoint. He’s 6-foot-3, 254-pounds of sheer terror. I’m not afraid of a lot of things, but this guy may cause me to have nightmares. Maualuga could be seen walking around the team hotel looking like he’s ready to eat some people. I asked one player his first impression of the linebacker. He said, “He’s big, fast and will knock your head right off”. I wasn’t quite sure if he was referring to the playing field or just period. I hope I don’t have to offer up an arm in exchange for an interview with this guy.
TweetA Senior Bowl Moment
After a 10 1/2 hour drive on Sunday, I arrived in Mobile Ala. for the 2009 Senior Bowl. I was greeted by sunny skies and 65 degree weather, a welcome escape from the frigid temperatures of a typical Ohio winter. I thought about breaking out the sun tan lotion, but felt I was chocolate enough already.
Before settling into my room at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, okay Motel 6, I stopped off at Senior Bowl headquarters to pick up credentials. There I ran into and chatted with two members of the Cincinnati Bengals staff about the big week of practice for their coaches. The Bengals organization is very enthused about coaching the North squad here in Mobile. Based on some conversation within the organization, I believe if head coach Marvin Lewis has his way this will be a banner year for the club during the draft.
I also got the chance to rap to Notre Dame safety David Bruton (Miamisburg) for a brief moment. Bruton had just finished up his physical and said that he was headed back to his room to get some much needed sleep before Monday’s events. Bruton is not staying anywhere close to Motel 6.
As I was exiting headquarters I saw a lot of top prospects milling about. I thought the holiday season was over but apparently it lasts a bit longer down here at the Senior Bowl. I saw these guys walking around with boxes of shoes and NFL gear from various teams. I looked down at my well worn driving sandals and thought to myself, “Brutha can you spare a Nike?” And I could also use a pedicure.
Formal proceedings at this week’s Senior Bowl will get underway later this morning with the official weigh-in of players. Both teams will then hold their initial practices this afternoon.
TweetWill the Bengals draft a bookend tackle?
The Cincinnati Bengals own the sixth overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft and many fans believe that the team should use the pick to select the top offensive tackle in the draft. If not with the team’s first selection at some point definitely.
That being said Mississippi offensive tackle Michael Oher would be a likely candidate either way to be drafted by the Bengals. He may very well be the best the draft has to offer at the position.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound left tackle was a consensus first-team All-American and All-SEC selection this season for the Rebels. Oher is a superb athlete with a rare combination of size, speed, strength and mobility to go along with other outstanding physical attributes. He has all the intangibles to become a solid bookend tackle at the next level.
Head coach Marvin Lewis and Co. will get a chance to see Oher firsthand during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl next week.
Aside from playing football, Oher is one of those players with an interesting story to tell.
Watch this riveting video of Oher’s perseverance in life…
TweetIt was the Hall of Fame callin’ McNabb
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb continues to carve his name into the history books like the faces of Mt. Rushmore.
“Hello, Hall of Fame? I’m on my way!”McNabb’s performance in a victory over the New York Giants on Sunday inched him one step closer to joining some of the league’s elite. Only four quarterbacks in NFL history have started more than five Conference Championship Games. They are Joe Montana (7), Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, and John Elway (6 each) - all Hall of Famers. McNabb will start his fifth on Sunday against Arizona joining Tom Brady and Jim Kelly.
Only seven quarterbacks have started in more playoff victories than McNabb’s nine, Montana (15); Bradshaw, Brady, and Elway (14); Brett Favre and Staubach (12); and Troy Aikman (11).
McNabb has led the Eagles to their 5th NFC Championship Game in the past eight seasons.
Next stop, Canton!
TweetAnother Buckeye could be turning pro
Brian HartlineAccording to a source with knowledge of the situation, Ohio State junior wide receiver Brian Hartline is expected to declare himself eligible for the 2009 NFL draft. Word comes a day after junior running back Chris Wells declared for the draft. Hartline finished the season second on the team in receiving with 479 yards and four touchdowns.
Despite information received, Hartline said during a phone interview on Friday that he is mulling over the decision to enter the draft, but hasn’t crossed that bridge yet.
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