| Newsbreakers |
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| Wide receiver/return man Josh Cribbs has been diagnosed with a high left ankle sprain, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Cribbs may be out until the Browns open the season on September 7. |
Our View: The outstanding return man doesn't have a huge role in the offense, so this shouldn't affect fantasy rankings. |
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| Josh Cribbs underwent an MRI on his left ankle on Tuesday, and the results are not yet known, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. |
Our View: Cribbs is the lone reason why fantasy teams might consider employing the Browns defense/special teams. He is arguably the most dynamic return man outside of Chicago. |
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| Derek Anderson is not expected to play when the Browns face the Lions on Saturday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The quarterback suffered a mild concussion and bruised right hand during Monday's preseason tilt. Brady Quinn would start if Anderson sits. |
Our View: No surprise here. The Browns have no reason to push Anderson for a meaningless game. He may need to play a little more than normal in the fourth and final preseason contest. |
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| Browns quarterback Derek Anderson suffered a concussion and bruised right hand when Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora sacked him in Monday's preseason game, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. |
Our View: The extent of the concussion or how long Anderson will be out are not yet known. He remains a solid option at QB for fantasy owners unless his injuries prove to be serious. |
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| Jerome Harrison rushed five times for 36 yards in the Browns' preseason loss to the Giants Monday. |
Our View: Harrison always seems to perform well in the preseason but is never given much of shot in games that count. He will be third on the depth chart behind Jamal Lewis and Jason Wright. |
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| Derek Anderson had to leave Monday's preseason tilt with the Giants after suffering a possible concussion. Brady Quinn came on to relieve him. |
Our View: We'll update you on Anderson's injury when more is known. |
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| Derek Anderson had a strong training camp as the Browns' starting quarterback, according to the Akron Beacon-Journal. Anderson displayed great chemistry with Braylon Edwards before the receiver cut his foot a week ago. Anderson also relied on tight end Winslow and seems to be developing good rhythm with Donte' Stallworth. Anderson's mechanics looked improved, with his biggest weakness his lack of touch on swing passes to the running backs. Coach Romeo Crennel said, "He's more comfortable with the system, with the players who surround him; that allows him to be better. He knows he's the guy in charge and he knows the system. He's been improving ever since camp started."
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Our View: This news further solidifies his ranking as a top-10 fantasy quarterback for 2008. |
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| Travis Wilson will start on Monday night in place of Braylon Edwards, the Akron Beacon Journal confirms. The Browns visit the Giants in the second round of preseason action. |
Our View: Wilson, a third-year wideout, is trying to secure the No. 3 job left vacant by Joe Jurevicius. Travis has almost no fantasy value, but he has had a solid offseason and camp. |
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| Browns wide out Kevin Kasper will miss the team's preseason game Monday against the Giants with continuing hamstring trouble, according to Scout.com. |
Our View: In less than a month, Kasper has gone from potential third receiver to fighting for a roster spot. His fantasy value has plummeted during that time, and it wasn't real high to begin with, making him a non-factor. |
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| Browns running back Jerome Harrison may not make the team's final roster because he is not a quality performer on special teams, according to Sporting News Today. It seems Browns head coach Romeo Crennel might prefer to keep fullback Charles Ali instead. |
Our View: If you're a back-up in the NFL, being a special teams performer is usually part of the job description. Harrison might be saved because his team's general manager, Phil Savage, apparently wants to keep him on the team due to his speed. |
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| Cleveland rookie tight end Martin Rucker will miss 4 to 6 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Rucker twisted his knee during practice Monday. He will have a piece of cartilage removed from the knee on Thursday, Browns coach Romeo Crennel said Wednesday. The Browns have struggled during training camp with injuries at tight end, though Kellen Winslow (hamstring) and Steve Heiden (knee) returned to team drills this week. Rucker was a consensus first team All-American in 2007 and set Missouri's reception record with 84 receptions for 834 yards and eight touchdowns. He also set the school career record with 203 receptions. Thus far he was impressive in training camp and the team's first preseason game, catching five passes for 70 yards, and as such there were rumblings that he could make a move to the #2 spot on the depth chart. Now, we will wait and see if he can return quickly and pick up where he left off. |
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| It wasn't too long ago we reported the Lions had withdrawn their name from negotiations for the services of free-agent center LeCharles Bentley . Today we learn Detroit was interested, had made an offer, and Bentley said, "No thanks," according to Pro Football Talk. |
Our View: A league source tells PFT the Lions actually offered Bentley a one-year deal worth in excess of $1 million, and that Bentley passed. We continue to hear several teams are interested in Bentley, but the prevailing attitude is that he should sign a one-year deal for relatively low money in order to prove that he’s healthy. Bentley is looking for more, and thus we wait to see how this ends. We'll track the situation and keep you posted. |
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| Braylon Edwards stayed away from his teammates on Monday because of his injured foot, but the team doesn't believe Edwards will be set back due to the injury, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I'm not worried that he won't be back," HC Romeo Crennel said. "They checked him out at the hospital so that they could investigate if there was anything more than a cut, but it's nothing more than a cut. |
Our View: Edwards will miss the teams next game against the Giants, but the Browns expect him to be at full strength in plenty of time to do some serious damage to the opposing team once the games count. |
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| Braylon Edwards had to go to the hospital to get his foot stitched up after teammate Donte Stallworth stepped on it, according to Cleveland.com. Edwards did not have shoes on and was wearing only socks participating in a "mock race" with Stallworth when the incident happened. |
Our View: Edwards will not practice while the stitches are in his foot, and it is possible he will miss the team's next preseason game. It doesn't seem to be a very big deal, but fantasy owners and Browns fans would appreciate it if from now on their No. 1 receiver wore shoes at all times on the field. |
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| Brandon Mitchell has been signed by the Browns, according to the Sporting News. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. |
Our View: He spent his rookie campaign in 2007 on the Texans' practice squad. He has a fair shot to make the Browns' final roster, as the team is very thin at the cornerback position. |
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| Steve Cargile has been waived by the Browns, according to the Sporting News. |
Our View: Cargile was claimed off waivers from Denver in May. He was not going to see much action at safety with Cleveland this season, and was trying to make the team as a special-teams contributor. |
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| The Cleveland Browns have terminated the contract of defensive back Gary Baxter, days after he underwent knee surgery, according to ClevelandBrowns.com. |
Our View: Baxter was trying to come back after tearing the patella tendon in both knees on one play in 2006. He has not played since, and is still having problems with his knees. |
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| Corey Williams missed much of training camp due to a left shoulder injury, but made an appearance in Thursday's preseason game against the Jets and made a solid impact, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He got in for two snaps at defensive end, and helped stuff quarterback Kellen Clemens for no gain on a 4th-and-1 on his second play. |
Our View: Williams only made 35 tackles (26 solo) over 16 games with Green Bay last season, but reached seven sacks with three forced fumbles and an interception, and should hold favorable fantasy value in larger IDP leagues in his first campaign with Cleveland in 2008. |
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| Travis Wilson performed well in the Browns' preseason opener against the Jets as he hauled in receptions of 17 and 18 yards, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The second catch, which ended on the Jets' six-yard-line, led to a one-yard touchdown by running back Jason Wright. Wilson caught the pass in zone traffic on the left side, and later made another nifty grab for 23 more yards. |
Our View: Wilson has improved his bid to serve as the Browns' number three receiver in the slot opposite starters Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth. He could emerge as a late-round fantasy sleeper, when you consider the potency of the Browns' aerial attack, which also features stud tight end Kellen Winslow. |
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| Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. missed the team's first preseason game because of a sore hamstring, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: It was the first preseason contest, so Winslow missing the game was not altogether surprising. He should be back soon, as the injury is not thought to be serious. |
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| Derek Anderson threw just five passes, though he completed four of them, including one for a touchdown to Braylon Edwards in the Browns loss to the Jets. |
Our View: Nice job by Anderson, who is the clear No. 1 guy in Cleveland, despite the presence of Brady Quinn. So don't be afraid of the Quinn factor in fantasy drafts. Anderson is the guy and should have another quality season. |
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| Tight end Martin Rucker, the Browns fourth-round draft pick out of Missouri, had a very good debut for the team, hauling in five passes for 70 yards. Both of the totals led the team. |
Our View: Rucker made a lot of catches in college, though he will back up Kellen Winslow, Jr. this season. If Winslow goes down to injury, though, keep Rucker in mind. |
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| Browns rookie linebacker Beau Bell had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to take care of loose cartilage, the AP reports. |
Our View: Bell was the team's first draft pick - albeit in the fourth round - and he was competing for playing time. It is unknown how long he will be out. |
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| Safety Gary Baxter underwent knee surgery on Tuesday morning, the the team's official web site reports. He had loose cartilage removed. Baxter tore the patella tendons in both knees on October 22, 2006 and hasn't been on the active roster since that time. |
Our View: The Browns don't have a timetable for Baxter's return, but it's a miracle of modern science that he has even been able to compete decently in camp. |
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| Special teams ace Josh Cribbs wants a new contract despite signing one before the beginning of last season, reports ESPN.com. He may want money comparable to that of Bears returner Devin Hester. |
Our View: Hester gets more pub, but Cribbs has held his own in the return game. Last season he returned one punt and two kicks for scores. He is supposed to be getting more reps at receiver this season after snaring just three passes last year. His fantasy status is iffy until he proves he can get it done on a regular basis. |
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| Brady Quinn hasn't been on his game early in camp as he continues to "overthrow wide open receivers", according to the Akron Beacon Journal. |
Our View: Derek Anderson will start the year for the Browns, but it is clear that the Browns aren't 100 percent convinced that he is the answer under center. Quinn could eventually see some playing time, but only if Anderson struggles and he shows more accuracy with his passes. |
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| Reports out of Cleveland indicate 7th-round draft pick linebaker Alex Hall has been the defensive standout in training camp thus far, according to the Dayton Daily News. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound prospect, possessing size and speed, he might develop into a pass-rushing specialist. In the Browns' practice in front of more than 26,000 fans at Family Night on Friday, he showcased those skills by getting a sack. |
Our View: Hall is likely to get a strong test while veteran Antwan Peek battles to regain health. If Hall plays this well moving forward, it would not be shocking to see him rotated into passing schemes as both Peek and Willie McGinest are likely to need rest along the way. Keep an eye on Hall looking ahead as he could prove worthy of a late-round gamble in IDP leagues. |
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| Kellen Winslow Jr did not practice yesterday because of a sore hamstring, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. |
Our View: It is not a serious injury, and Winslow will be back in no time, which is good news for fantasy players who wish to enjoy the benefits of his vast receiving potential. |
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