Metcalf Up The Middle: February 24, 2008

Friday, February 29, 2008

Early Strike

The Browns sent us on an emotional roller-coaster this morning. The trade for Corey Williams is an excellent move. He's big and stout against the run, and has surprising quickness. You may not like the 3-4 system, but it is here to stay with the Browns, and Corey Williams is a good fit.

The news that Derek Anderson had hit the free agent market made most Browns fans happy. It is no secret that most Cleveland fans clamor for Brady Quinn (maybe not the fans in Westlake). Anderson was on the market for a grand total of about nine hours before he re-signed with the Browns. Something smells weird on this one. Either Anderson took a quick look and realized no one was going to give him the big money he was looking for or Phil "The Macho Man" Savage has something else up his sleeve.

Just speculation, but Miami has no QB at the moment. Maybe they would like a proven QB who all of a sudden has a very manageable contract. Maybe they would prefer to do that than spend the $30 million guaranteed it will take to sign the #1 pick. Watch free agency closely. If the Dolphins don't pick up a QB, things could get interesting...stay tuned.

Meanwhile, a national writer actually just wrote this:

"In my book, the Anderson and Lewis re-signings as well as the trade to acquire Green Bay defensive tackle Corey Williams makes -- gasp! --- Cleveland the team to beat in the AFC North."

I THINK I JUST WET MYSELF...

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Orpheus

Orpheus Roye was released by the Browns today. I'd make some joke about "Orpheus" related to The Matrix, but I'm not into science fiction...NERD. Roye has been with the Browns since 2000, and he has been one (maybe the only) reliable presence on the front line for much of that time. Perhaps most importantly, he always seemed to have a little extra tiger in the tank when the Browns played the Steelers, something that was greatly appreciated by the fans. In the end, injuries caught up to the grizzled veteran.

This release amplifies the already pronounced need to add bodies along the defensive line. Look for the Browns to take a run at the prototypical high motor white guy Justin Smith early in free agency.

Me Fail English? That's Un-Possible!

Loyal readers (both of you) may remember Roderick Green from the 2004 Draft Report. Green was notable in that he achieved (achieved?!?) the lowest score in the history of the Wonderlic. Green scored a whopping 3 out of 50 questions correct. The Roderick Green Memorial Award for lowest Wonderlic score has been passed out in each subsequent draft report.

Well, Mr. Green signed a new contract with the 49ers today. Congratulations, Professor!

O Romeo, Romeo! Snippets of Genius From the OLD Coach of the Browns

We're sad to lose the wonderful bits and pieces that filled this section, and wish all the best to Romeo, an absolute gentleman.

"Like they say, make hay when the sun is shining, so that's what they try to do." - 8.5.08 - talking about the host of new contract demands from Browns players.

"I haven't really proven much other than I can win 10 games and not make the playoffs," - 1.08 - self explanitory...

“Being 9-5, guarantees that we will probably win more games than we lose this year.” - 12.17.07 - a tongue-in-cheek answer to what a 9-5 record means.

"Romeo Crennel has been Romeo Crennel ever since he got here in 2005. Ahh, and has been doing the same thing, will continue to do the same thing. So whatever they want to say about Romeo Crennel, they can go ahead and say. If it's positive I'll feel a little bit better about it, if it's negative I'll feel a little bit worse about it, but I'm going to do what I think is best for the Cleveland Browns." - 11.29.07 - in response to going from the "hot seat" to possible coach of the year.

"If he throws the 3-yard pass over the middle and the guy runs for 10, now we have 10 more yards and we kick the field goal and go into overtime," - 11.11.07 - technically, we'd have 13 more yards, but hey, whos counting.

"You know, when you get the first pickle out of the jar, it makes it easier to get the rest of them out. So as far as winning on the road, we need to get that first pickle out of the jar. - 10.25.07

"Well it's not as strong as the other one, cause the other one is the good one, you know?" - 10.22.07 - speaking of LeCharles Bentley's knee

"Well, its played out the way its played out, and you really didn't know how it was going to play out." -10.15.07 - answering a question on whether or not he was overjoyed at how the decision to start Derek Anderson at QB has played out

“As good as they think they are, they’re never as good as they think they are.” - 9.21.07 - speaking of rookies

"If...if I didn't eat as much, I'd be skinny, you know?" - 9.20.07 - talking about uselessness of speculation

"If you make a throw and the receiver dives for the ball and catches it, then it's a good throw and a good play. If you make the throw and the receiver dives for the ball and drops it, then it's not a good play. So that's how close it is." - 9.17.07 - Explaining the fine line between a good team and a bad team

"A division win! How about that? Yaaaay.'' - 9.16.07 - After Cleveland beats Cincinatti 51 - 45

"Last week we lost, this week we won, so we're 1-1." - 9.16.07