April 2016 - Cleveland Browns Wiretap

Browns Playing To Win, Not Lock Up No. 1 Pick

Dec 29, 2016 3:33 PM

The Cleveland Browns are one loss away from locking up the No. 1 overall pick, but Hue Jackson says they'll play to win in Week 17.

The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to sit their stars in the season finale with a playoff berth locked up.

"Oh no, we are trying to win a game," Jackson said. "That talk, we don't even get into. Like I said before, these guys have worked so hard that every chance you go out there, you are trying to win.

"All of that will take care of itself on how it all unfolds. First pick, second pick, third pick, there are good players every year. We are going to be at the top of the draft regardless of how we finish. We will be fine that way."

At 1-14, the Browns are guaranteed either the first or second pick. They also have a first round pick coming from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Zac Jackson/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Misc Rumor

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Myles Garrett Prefers Avoiding Cold-Weather City In NFL

Dec 27, 2016 8:11 PM

Myles Garrett said he would prefer to not be drafted by a cold weather city. The first two picks will be the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. The Browns are reportedly extremely high on Garrett, who ranks first in Jeff Risdon's Top-125.

"Doesn't matter (who drafts me) ... but I'd like not to go anywhere cold," Garrett said Tuesday, per The Houston Chronicle. "Whoever picks me up, I'm going to try and play my best for, to be the best player on the field at any given time. It doesn't matter who picks me up, I'm going to try and be a franchise player for them."

Garrett has drawn comparisons to Jevon Kearse.

Chase Goodbread/NFL.com

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

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Browns Win First Game Of 2016 Yet Likely Secure Top Pick In 2017

Dec 25, 2016 11:22 AM

The Cleveland Browns secured their first win of 2016 in Week 16 to avoid becoming the second 0-16 team in NFL history as they defeated the Chargers 20-17.

The Browns' win had put the 49ers in the driver's seat to secure the top overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft but they defeated the Rams 21-20 with a late two-point conversion.

The unlikely series of events was a reminder that the 49ers hold the tiebreaker with the Browns in draft order, should it come to that. The NFL uses reverse order of strength of schedule in those situations, and entering Week 16, the 49ers (.513) were well below the Browns (.565).

Cleveland will clinch the No. 1 spot if they lose to the Steelers in Week 17.

Kevin Seifert/ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Draft, Draft Misc

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Brian Hartline: Terrelle Pryor A 'Flash In The Pan'

Dec 22, 2016 8:21 AM

Terrelle Pryor may not deserve a big contract when he becomes a free agent this offseason, according to former teammate Brian Hartline.

Hartline spent one training camp and one game as a teammate of Pryor's last season before he was released last May.

"If I'm building a team, what is he?" Hartline told 105.7 The Zone in Columbus, Ohio. "Is he my No. 1? God, I hope not. Because let's put it this way: For me, I want a guy day in and day out I know what I'm getting. You don't know what you're going to get."

Hartline also was a teammate of Pryor's at Ohio State in 2008.

"I need stability," Hartline said. "I need constant production. Is he a No. 2? OK, yeah. I mean maybe. I don't know ... he kind of disappeared in the last couple weeks. If he was a quarterback, they'd be like, 'Oh, they're figuring him out. He can't do it anymore. They're finally figuring out the rookie quarterback.'

"But for Terrelle, they're like, 'Oh no, he had a down game.' So I'm very apprehensive as a Cleveland Browns guy to give out a contract."

Hartline didn't stop there, saying Pryor had one year as a receiver and is "a flash in the pan."

Pat McManamon/ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Misc Rumor

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Only Steelers Rank In Top-10 In Offense, Defense DVOA (Infographic)

Dec 21, 2016 10:38 AM

The NFL has very teams this season that excel in all facets of the game. Further evidence of this issue shows itself in the fact that there is only one team ranking in the top-10 in both Football Outsiders' Offensive and Defensive DVOA: the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are 9-5 after winning five straight games and must beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16 to ensure their place in the playoffs. Pittsburgh ranks third in total DVOA and first in Weighted DVOA.

Last season, the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs ranked in the top-10 on both sides of the ball. The Chiefs are the closest team to joining the Steelers in the top-10 in both Offensive and Defensive DVOA at 13th and 12th.

The Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots rank first and second overall in DVOA as they rank second and third, respectively in Offensive DVOA but 20th and 19th in Defensive DVOA. The Atlanta Falcons rank first in Offensive DVOA, 27th in Defensive and fourth overall. The Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders have similar splits as the Cowboys and Patriots, while the Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants are the inverse of those teams with top-5 defenses and offenses below the NFL mean.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team, IQ, Stats

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Browns Sticking With Robert Griffin III As Starter

Dec 19, 2016 4:10 PM

The Cleveland Browns are sticking with Robert Griffin III with two games left to avoid a winless season.

After Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills, Hue Jackson said that "everybody is in play" to start at quarterback against the San Diego Chargers on Saturday.

However, Jackson announced on Monday that Griffin remains the team's No. 1. He also mentioned the possibility of subbing in Cody Kessler.

"I do have that card to where I could put Cody in the game. Won't hesitate," Jackson said.

Josh Alper/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Misc Rumor

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Jaguars, Dolphins, Browns, Rams Will Have 2017 Home Games In London

Dec 13, 2016 7:30 PM

The NFL has announced the four games that will be held in London next season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams will play home games overseas.

The games are as follows:

9/24/17 or 10/1/17; Baltimore Ravens vs. Jaguars; Wembley Stadium

9/24/17 or 10/1/17; New Orleans Saints vs. Dolphins; Wembley Stadium

10/22/17 or 10/29/17; Minnesota Vikings vs. Browns; Twickenham Stadium

10/22/17 or 10/29/17; Arizona Cardinals vs. Rams; Twickenham Stadium

NFL

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Misc Rumor

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Jimmy Garoppolo Likely To Receive Trade Interest From Browns

Dec 11, 2016 12:18 PM

The Cleveland Browns are expected to address the quarterback position in the offseason through a trade.

Some believe Cleveland will pursue a trade with the New England Patriots for Jimmy Garoppolo. The Browns and Patriots were trade partners earlier this season.

With Tom Brady continuing his career with no signs of regression, the Patriots could look to trade Garoppolo.

The Browns traded down last year in the draft instead of selecting Carson Wentz.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Browns Enamored With Myles Garrett

Dec 12, 2016 8:34 AM

If the Cleveland Browns finish the 2016 season with the worst record in the NFL and secure the top overall pick, they could select Myles Garrett.

The Browns have given an "astronomical grade" to Garrett during their evaluations. The Browns are enamored with Garrett, according to the source.

Even if the Browns go with Garrett with their No. 1 selection, Cleveland still has an extra first-round draft pick from their trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

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Robert Griffin III To Start At Quarterback Against Bengals

Dec 8, 2016 4:32 PM

The Cleveland Browns will start Robert Griffin III at quarterback.

"It's all about being in the right situation at the right time," Griffin said Thursday after he was named the starter for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. "My job is to make sure that this is the right situation and the right time."

Hue Jackson also said it's important to see Griffin so the Browns can garner more information before deciding if they should bring him back in 2017.

Pat McManamon/ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Browns

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Hue Jackson Won't Let Browns Trade Joe Thomas While He's Coaching
Joe Thomas has been mentioned in trade rumors for the past two years, but Hue Jackson says the Browns aren't moving the left tackle.

Mary Kay Cabot/Cleveland Plain Dealer