Tag: Rodney McLeod

Browns nominate their Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award candidate

Safety Rodney McLeod is up for the award

The Cleveland Browns have nominated safety Rodney McLeod as their candidate for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

The award is given to one player who “best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents and integrity in competition.” For the Browns, that is their elder statesman of the defensive side of the ball.

McLeod, who has publicly stated that 2024 will be the final season of his NFL career, has been known for his leadership at every stop of his career from the St. Louis Rams, to the Philadelphia Eagles, to the Indianapolis Colts, and the Browns. He has been a leader for guys like Ronnie Hickman Jr., Grant Delpit, and Juan Thornhill on the back end of the defense.

He is a big reason why Hickman has had success at the NFL level despite going undrafted in 2023, and a big reason that Delpit continues to take leaps each year of his career.

Now, we will see if McLeod brings home the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award hardware at the end of his final season.

Rodney McLeod is determined to finish his career in Cleveland

The safety is riding with the Browns in his last NFL season

It’s NFL trade deadline day around the league and there has been speculation surrounding Cleveland Browns safety Rodney McLeod.

We have seen one player traded in defensive end Za’Darius Smith.

This day means many rumors and speculations are going to surround struggling teams, especially those like the Browns, with many talented players. National media and fans are expecting Browns players to lose motivation and request a trade before it’s too late. In his last season, McLeod is determined to finish what he started in Cleveland.

When reporters asked if he wanted to be traded to a different team before his career ends, McLeod reiterated that he’s sticking with the Cleveland Browns and would prefer not to be traded. “I’m riding with this team. I’m in the boat. I’m not looking to escape.” McLeod said.

The Browns’ safety has been a pulse for the Cleveland Browns during a poor-performing season. His determination to continue improving with his current team should be a motivation boost for the rest of the roster.

Injuries to key DBs highlight Ravens’ struggles with pass defense in loss to Browns

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware they could exploit the secondary.

Those who call the NFL a league of parity (not “parody,” OMG! That common malapropism drives me insane) could certainly point to today’s 29-24 win by the Cleveland Browns over the Baltimore Ravens.

Worst beat first in the AFC North division as Baltimore’s five-game win streak ended, as did Cleveland’s five-game losing skid.

Jameis Winston, who many football pundits have declared “washed” for some time, finished 27 of 41 passing for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the Browns’ offense to heights that had not been seen under their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson this season.

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware the secondary was a position group that could potentially be exploited.

And things worsened for Baltimore even before a single pass was thrown, as Nate Wiggins (illness), Marlon Humphrey (ankle), and T.J. Tampa (IR) were all ruled out.

More change was still to come in the defensive backs position group, as Marcus Williams was benched for being largely ineffective this season. The Ravens’ pass defense has been a persistent problem this year, but it’s not as bad as it may seem.

Baltimore is so stout against the run that opponents consistently find themselves having to rely on their passing attacks heavily. Also, the Ravens entered the day in first place, with a 5-2 record, and teams with winning records tend to find themselves ahead, and even well ahead, most of the time.

And what do you do when you’re behind, often well behind?  You pretty much have to pass.

So, while today was undoubtedly a shocking surprise defeat, all is not lost.

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Baltimore has a penchant for blowing late fourth-quarter leads, but on Sunday, the Ravens took a step back toward the inconsistent unit that lost two straight to start the season.

In what can only be described as a shocking loss, the Cleveland Browns had their most impactful performance without Deshaun Watson in a 29-24 victory over first-place Baltimore in Week 8.

Lamar Jackson started the game 6-6 passing but finished 23-38 passing, for 289 yards (7.6 avg), two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 101.8 rating. Just like Baltimore had their five-game winning streak snapped, star running back Derrick Henry came back to earth, rushing for only 73 yards (6.6 avg) and one touchdown on 11 carries.

After missing two practices during the week with an ankle injury, second-year wideout Zay Flowers posted another 100-yard game, logging seven catches for 115 yards on the afternoon.

Zach Orr’s defense played without two starters at cornerback, and Jameis Winston carved up the Ravens. The former Heisman Trophy winner went 23-38 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns.

The Browns took the lead when Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass — his third of the game — to Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds left as Cleveland erased weeks of frustration.

Baltimore will now look to regroup with Bo Nix and the upstart Broncos heading to M&T Bank Stadium in Week 9.

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Former Eagles safety leads the Browns in TDs after Amari Cooper is traded to Bills

Former Eagles safety Rodney McLeod leads the Browns in TD after Amari Cooper is traded to Bills

If you ever need to know why an NFL team is struggling, the details are in the analytics and game stats.

The Bills acquired Amari Cooper in a trade Tuesday with the Browns, adding a true No. 1 wide receiver for quarterback Josh Allen.

Buffalo received Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round selection.

Cooper, 30, fills the Bills’ No. 1 receiver void, which was opened when the team traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans before the season.

With the former Alabama star traded away, former Eagles and current Browns safety Rodney McLeod is the top scorer on the team this season.

Through six games (1-5), McLeod leads Cleveland in touchdowns, scoring with two, including the blocked field goal by All-Pro Myles Garrett, which McLeod Jr. scooped and returned untouched to the end zone.

Cooper produced 2,660 yards and 16 touchdowns over two-plus seasons in Cleveland.

Cooper leads Cleveland with 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns, but his 4.7 yards per target ranks second worst in the NFL among qualifying pass catchers. His three drops are also tied for the sixth most in the league, and the Browns offense has failed to score 20 points in each of its first six games.

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Eagles vs. Browns: Best photos from Philadelphia’s 20-16 win over Cleveland in Week 6

Best photos from Philadelphia Eagles 20-16 win over Cleveland Brown in Week 6

It wasn’t the prettiest win, but Philadelphia did enough to avoid an ugly post-bye week loss with a 20-16 victory over the 1-5 Browns in Week 6. On defense, Vic Fangio’s unit held Cleveland to 244 total yards and 3-12 on third down.  The Eagles’ rushing attack was stifled, but thanks to the return of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Kellen Moore’s offense was able to amass 256 yards, passing 116 yards on the ground and explosive plays from their top two pass catchers. With preparation for the NFC East opener against the Giants set to begin, here are the top photos from the big win. ***

Browns DL Myles Garrett, DB Rodney McLeod combine for amazing special teams TD vs. Eagles

The Cleveland #Browns scored a touchdown when star DL Myles Garrett blocked a kick in their Week 6 matchup against the Philadelphia #Eagles.

The Cleveland Browns got a major boost from star defensive lineman Myles Garrett and veteran safety Rodney McLeod on Sunday when they faced the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6.

Late in the second quarter, Philadelphia attempted a 57-yard field goal that would have extended their lead to 10 points before halftime.

Garrett managed to block the kick, and McLeod recovered the live ball and returned it for a rare special teams touchdown.

When Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins nailed the extra point attempt after McLeod’s score, Cleveland drew even with the Eagles.

Check out this clip of the outstanding effort by Garrett and McLeod, which was posted to Twitter by the Browns’ official account:

 

Though Cleveland was ultimately defeated by Philadelphia in the second half, this incredible play was a bright spot for Cleveland in the loss and is sure to go down as one of the most exciting moments of Week 6.

Myles Garrett keeps Browns alive with superhuman effort on blocked FG

Myles Garrett keeps the Browns in the game.

Cleveland Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett made an incredible game-changing play at the end of the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Philadelphia Eagles were attempting to extend their 10-3 lead before the half with a last-second field goal attempt by kicker Jake Elliott. The 57-yard field goal was blocked immediately by the Browns star and scooped up by safety Rodney McLeod Jr for a special teams touchdown.

 

Bubba Ventrone’s special teams have performed very well in the first half, especially after this game-turning touchdown. Garrett had been absent for most of the matchup in Philadelphia until his blocked field goal and has made his return noticeable.

The Browns now have their momentum as they kick off the second half in a tie game. The defense has stood strong for the most part and will have to continue to limit the big plays by the Eagles offense and quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Oldest player on the roster leads the Browns in touchdowns in 2024

Yes, Rodney McLeod is tied for the team lead in touchdowns this season.

After returning a blocked field goal for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, 34-year-old safety Rodney McLeod is now tied for the lead in touchdowns for the Cleveland Browns in 2024.

You read that correctly. The defensive player who has already announced that he will retire after the season has two touchdowns on the season. His first came on a forced fumble and scoop-and-score against the Las Vegas Raiders. His second came as the half dwindled against the Philadelphia Eagles, removing a Myles Garrett blocked field goal and returning it for a touchdown.

Only wide receiver Amari Cooper has as many touchdowns as McLeod does this season, which is a dire indictment of the offense that has been fielded in 2024. Perhaps the Browns should consider putting the veteran safety on the offensive side of the ball as well!

McLeod is going out after this season, and it seems like he intends to go out with a bang.

Browns S Rodney McLeod exits, returns Commanders game with a cut face

Cleveland Browns starting safety Rodney McLeod Jr. left the game against the Washington Commanders with a face laceration

Cleveland Browns starting safety Rodney McLeod Jr. left the game against the Washington Commanders with a face laceration. He is questionable to return. Ronnie Hickman has stepped in as the deep safety to face the Commander’s prolific passing attack.

The Browns are vulnerable at deep safety. Starting free safety Juan Thornhill suffered a calf injury after the first game, and was placed on injured reserve during Week 2 of the season. He is able to return after next week.

McLeod and Hickman have stepped in for Thornhill, but they’re having a limited impact. McLeod is a 13-year veteran and his experience helps the Browns pre-snap, but he no longer has the athleticism to patrol the deep middle of the field. Hickman is inexperienced and is constantly caught between assignments.

The Browns need McLeod’s experience to help limit the Commanders’ explosive passing attack.

He came back into the game afterward being treated on the sideline.