Tag: Cleveland Browns

ESPN’s Mike Greenberg loses it on the Browns: ‘This team needs to just shut up’

The Browns’ frustrating season keeps getting worse.

The Cleveland Browns were labeled one of the most exciting teams in the NFL before the regular season kicked off, and with an influx of offensive talent, many analysts were expecting the Browns to make a potential playoff run in 2019. Instead, the Cleveland offense is an absolute mess, Baker Mayfield has regressed tremendously, and new coach Freddie Kitchens may be on the verge of losing his job.

The Browns entered Week 15 with extremely slim playoff hopes, but Cleveland fell behind early in Arizona and allowed 38 points in a loss to the Cardinals to fall to 6-8 on the season. After the game, Browns running back Kareem Hunt told Cleveland.com that he felt some of his teammates weren’t giving “110 percent” on the field.

On Tuesday, an exasperated Mike Greenberg advised everyone in the Browns locker room to just shut up for the rest of the season.

“This guy’s been on the Browns for like eight minutes, and a team that started with watches, ‘what watch are we wearing?’ And then it went to this, and then it went to that, and now Kareem Hunt is saying ‘you know, I feel like some of the guys weren’t giving 100 [percent.’ This team needs to just shut up! I mean, stop talking for crying out loud. They need an edict in the locker room. The next person who says a word, the kangaroo court is going to fine them whatever the maximum possible is….. This team needs to shut up.”

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WATCH: Cleveland Browns go entire decade without winning season

The Cleveland Browns have accomplished something no other NFL team could: Go the entire decade without a winning season.

The Cleveland Browns have accomplished something no other NFL team could: Go the entire decade without a winning season. Congrats!

The Browns lost 38-24 to the Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday, bringing their record to 6-8 with two games left. Not only did that loss mathematically eliminate the Browns from the playoffs, but it also guaranteed that Cleveland will not exceed .500 this season.

That makes it 12 straight years of .500 or sub-.500 football, taking you back to 2007 for the franchise’s last winning season at 10-6.

After the loss on Sunday, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke about how the team will work the last two weeks of this season without playoff contention on the table:

“[We’ll] see what type of men we have in the locker room. You have a job to do. You have to show up on Sundays and play. I know I’m going to do that. I’m going to get the offense ready to play against a very good Ravens team.”

Here’s how the Ravens can clinch the No. 1 seed in Week 16

The Ravens simply need to win and they’ve locked up the No. 1 seed but don’t even need to do that to ensure they’re the top AFC seed

The Baltimore Ravens didn’t get any help from the rest of the league in their quest to lock up the AFC’s top seed in the playoffs. But they still control their fate at 12-2 and can officially clinch their top spot in Week 16.

The Ravens needed both the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots to lose in Week 15 while beating the New York Jets on Thursday night. Though Baltimore handled their business, defeating New York 42-21 in another blowout win, both the Chiefs and Patriots easily handled their poor competition as well.

With all eyes on Week 16, the Ravens can continue their march to the top of the postseason seeding simply by beating the Cleveland Browns. A win would put them at 13-2, and with just one game remaining, not enough time for any other team to surpass them.

The Browns are fresh off a loss to the Arizona Cardinals and sit at 6-8. While Cleveland isn’t eligible to make the postseason yet again (their 10th consecutive season without a playoff berth) and have been inconsistent this season, anyone thinking they’ll be an easy win would be foolish. The Browns beat up on Baltimore back in Week 4, 40-25 — the last loss the Ravens have had this season.

But that’s not the only way Baltimore can lock up the No. 1 seed in Week 16. Below are the other scenarios for this week.

Ravens clinch No. 1 seed:

1) Ravens beat Browns

OR

1) Browns beat Ravens
AND
2) Bears beat Chiefs
AND
3) Bills beat Patriots

Ravens clinch No. 2 seed:

1) Browns beat Ravens
AND
2) Bears beat Chiefs

OR

1) Browns beat Ravens
AND
2) Bills beat Patriots

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Josh Gordon suspended for violating league’s substance abuse policy

Seattle Seahawks receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended indefinitely and without pay for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Seattle Seahawks receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended indefinitely, and without pay, for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse.

Gordon has a long history of substance abuse issues, having missed the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons for violations of the league’s policy.

He returned and played in five games with the Browns in 2017 and 12 between Cleveland and New England in 2018 before getting suspended, again, on December 20, 2018.

The Patriots kept Gordon around and he appeared in six games with them this season before he was placed on waivers and claimed by Seattle.

Upon claiming Gordon, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll indicated the team had a plan in place to help prevent this kind of event from happening.

“Hopefully, we’re putting together a really good plan,” Carroll said. “He has a really clear process that supports him. We’re all aligning to make sure that continues and he feels very good about that.”

Gordon has seven receptions for 139 yards in five games with the Seahawks this season.

Carroll will address the media at 3:00 p.m. PT. on Monday and will presumably provide more information on this developing story.

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Ravens injuries: LT Ronnie Stanley, ILB Chris Board still in concussion protocol

The Baltimore Ravens could be without left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who missed Week 15’s game against the NY Jets in the concussion protocol

The Baltimore Ravens simply need to beat the Cleveland Browns in Week 16 and they’ll lock themselves in as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. But they could have the tall task of beating a division rival without one of their best players.

According to coach John Harbaugh, left tackle Ronnie Stanley and linebacker Chris Board are still in the concussion protocol.

Both players missed the Ravens’ Week 15 42-21 win over the New York Jets. But with Cleveland likely attempting to play spoiler over Baltimore and looking to pick up a key win to potentially save jobs, missing Stanley would be a huge blow to the Ravens’ offense.

Stanley has been playing at an insane level, stepping up his game this season. He’s allowed just six pressures and no sacks through 13 active games, something that seems almost unheard of in this era of football. Of course, Baltimore features the top-ranked rushing offense in yards, touchdowns and yards-per-carry average — something Stanley is a big portion of.

Board hasn’t played much on defense after the Ravens signed L.J. Fort and Josh Bynes in the middle of the season. However, Board has gotten a number of snaps on special teams for Baltimore. And as a key reserve inside linebacker, Board would likely be counted on if there was an injury to Bynes or Fort.

With such a key game upcoming and with the playoffs looming in the future, the Ravens have an interesting question to ask themselves. While few teams have a chance to sit their players to rest up before the postseason, Baltimore might look to be extra cautious with Stanley returning in these final two games. But with a full week before the Ravens have to suit up against the Browns, there’s plenty of time for Stanley and Board to get healthy and back into the lineup.

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Cleveland Browns go entire decade without winning season (Brownswire)

The Cleveland Browns entered rarified air on Sunday, becoming the only NFL franchise to go the entire decade without a winning season.

The Cleveland Browns entered rarified air on Sunday, becoming the only NFL franchise to go the entire decade without a winning season.

WATCH: All the big plays from Cardinals’ 38-24 win over Browns

There were plenty of big plays in a game in which the two teams combined for more than 60 points.

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The Arizona Cardinals piled up over 440 yards of offense on Sunday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns. They rushed for 226 yards and won 38-24, ending a six-game losing streak.

There were plenty of big plays. Kenyan Drake scored four touchdowns. Tight end Dan Arnold had a highlight touchdown catch in the back of the end zone.

Chandler Jones had a sack.

Patrick Peterson picked off a pass.

Kyler Murray had a big run.

Relive all the big moments and see all the big plays from both teams in the above video.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 251:

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Ep. 250:

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Kyler Murray outduels Baker Mayfield in first matchup of former Oklahoma teammates, Heisman Trophy winners

Bragging rights were there for the taking, and bragging rights were won. Kyler Murray beat Baker Mayfield handily in first matchup.

Bragging rights were there for the taking, and bragging rights were won.

Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals beat Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns handily, 38-24, snapping a six-game skid.

The former Oklahoma teammates played together in 2017 with Mayfield leading the Sooners to the 2017 College Football Playoff and Rose Bowl game while Murray waited in the wings. Murray followed suit of his predecessor—the 2018 Oklahoma team went to the 2018 College Football Playoff and made an Orange Bowl appearance.

Both won the Heisman Trophy in their respected seasons and went on to become No. 1 overall picks in their NFL Drafts.

In Sunday’s game, Murray and the Cardinals jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. Arizona’s signal-caller had an electric 35-yard run on the team’s second scoring drive to help the cause.

Mayfield and the Browns battled back to make it a 14-10 game midway through the second-quarter, but then were outscored 24-7 until the waning moments of the game when Mayfield found a Cleveland receiver for a touchdown.

During the third-quarter of the game, Murray set the Arizona Cardinals’ franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback (501) on a five-yard run up the middle.

Murray had a solid outing on Sunday, going 19-for-25 through the air for 219 yards and a touchdown, but also added 56 yards with his feet. Mayfield went 30-for-43 for 247 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Both quarterbacks threw an interception.

Sunday’s matchup between the two college teammates and former No. 1 overall picks was the first such matchup since 1984 (Stanford’s John Elway, Jim Plunkett).

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Cardinals ride run game to 21-10 halftime lead

They averaged 7.6 yards per attempt on 19 first-half carries.

The Arizona Cardinals have done their best work offensively when they have been able to be balanced and run the ball effectively. In the first half against the Cleveland Browns, they were able to do just that.

They jumped out to a 21-10 halftime lead behind the power of their rushing attack. Against the Browns’ porous run defense that entered the game allowing nearly five yards per attempt, the Cardinals averaged 7.6 in the first half, running the ball 19 times for 145 yards.

Running back Kenyan Drake had 11 carries for 60 yards and scored twice. Quarterback Kyler Murray picked up 53 yards on five rushes and Christian Kirk also had a 28-yard run.

They had 107 rushing yards in the first quarter alone.

The success also opened up the passing game. Murray completed 12-of-15 for 154 yards. He had a touchdown pass and was intercepted once.

Were it not for the interception, the Cardinals might have more points.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 251:

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Ep. 250:

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