Tag: Cleveland Browns (Page 24 of 57)

Larry Johnson rushes for 107 yards in Bengals’ win

It didn’t take long for Larry Johnson to make an impact for the Bengals.

Just two weeks after Cincinnati signed the troubled running back, Johnson rushed for 107 yards on 22 carries to help the Bengals beat the Browns 16-7 in Week 12.

Johnson started by splitting carries with Bernard Scott, but after rushing for 42 yards on his first four carries, Marvin Lewis gave him more opportunities throughout the game. Then after Scott was injured in the third quarter, Johnson took over as the team’s primary back and helped the Bengals earn an unimpressive win.

Johnson won’t unseat Cedric Benson as Cincinnati’s top back, but it never hurts when a contender has two capable runners come playoff time. KC fans will want to throw up when they read this, but LJ gave his best effort of the year, which is huge given Benson’s injury.

With this win, the Bengals completed a season sweep of the entire AFC North and at 8-3, Cincy is right in contention for a first round bye.

NFL Week 11 ROY Power Rankings

Suddenly lots of players are making a case here. Moreno was outstanding against that sieve of a Giants’ defense last night, looking like the guy the Broncos knew they drafted.

1. Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills—Though he didn’t pick one off against Jacksonville last week, Byrd is still on pace for 12. That would be one heck of a season for anyone, let alone a rookie playing on a crappy team.

2. Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings—Another TD catch last weekend from his new best friend Brett Favre, Harvin is making coach Brad Childress look like a genius for taking a chance on him when many others turned their heads.

3. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos—This guy had over 100 all-purpose yards last night against the G-men, and he could steal this award if he keeps that up.

4. James Laurinaitis, St. Louis Rams—You aren’t seeing a misprint here. Laurinaitis had 16 tackles against the Cardinals last Sunday, and has 66 solo tackles on the season. That number has him fifth in the NFL, an amazing feat for a rookie on (like Byrd) a crappy team.

5. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions—He gets a spot here solely on his guts, and for single-handedly bringing his team back last weekend against the Browns to steal a victory from the jaws of defeat. Sure, he regressed yesterday, but we’ll let that slide.

Honorable mention: Hakeem Nicks, Giants; Johnny Knox, Bears; Ryan Succop, Chiefs; Michael Oher, Ravens; LeSean McCoy, Eagles; Beanie Wells, Cardinals; Jeremy Maclin, Eagles

NFL Week 11 COY Power Rankings

Once again we can’t ignore the two guys who have their teams at 10-0. Beyond that, there are a few others who are still overachieving, including Josh McDaniels, who brought his team back from the dead last night with a feisty effort against the Giants. Meanwhile, is anyone starting to sense that Jeff Fisher may be on our radar here? If you start 0-6 then win four straight and start to sniff any chance at the playoffs, that is just mind-blowing. It’s safe to say that if he does bring his Titans all the way back, it may be even more impressive than 16-0 would be.

1. Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts—They just beat the Patriots and Ravens back to back, and are absolutely going to coast to a first round bye. However, they need to finish the job this time as they did three seasons ago.

2. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints—Finally the Saints dominated in a game they had to dominate. Now they face their biggest test of the season at home Monday night against the Patriots. Both offenses are so explosive that I’m fully expecting 80 points between the teams. And if Payton’s Saints win, he will have earned his spot here again.

3. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals—A heartbreaking loss in Oakland was a devastating blow, but the Steelers and Ravens also lost. Now, Lewis has a chance for his team to be 6-0 in the division by beating the Browns at home Sunday. Can he do it? Does Howdy Doody have a wooden butt?

4. Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings—His team is 9-1 heading into Sunday’s game against Chicago, and if he wins that one, as he should, Childress will continue to remain on this short list.

5. Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos—After being 6-0 and losing four straight in horrible fashion, McDaniels and his potty mouth brought his team back from the dead last night. That was impressive (the comeback, as well as the mouth). They will be a tough out for someone in the playoffs, assuming they can still get there.

Honorable mention: Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals; Jack Del Rio, Jaguars, Jeff Fisher, Titans; Bill Belichick, Patriots

Alicia Sacramone hearts Brady Quinn

Remember Alicia Sacramone? She was the hottie gymnast from the 2008 Olympics who, as it turns out, sports a mean left hook.

Anyway, in a recent interview, she confirmed that she’s dating Browns’ QB Brady Quinn.

USA Gymnastics: I hear you’ve been attending a lot of Cleveland Browns football games lately. Can you talk about that?
Alicia: Yes, I have become a football fan. I was always a football fan but never into it too much until now. I’m dating Brady Quinn (the quarterback for Cleveland) so I travel to Cleveland on Sunday afternoons for home games.

USA Gymnastics: Has Brady visited you at the gym?
Alicia: No, but he said he’s excited to come to a gymnastics meet.

USA Gymnastics: How did you two meet?
Alicia: We met at a charity event through a mutual friend.

Whatever you do, Brady — don’t make her angry.

Is Parcells interested in joining Browns?

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Bill Parcells may be interested in leaving the Dolphins taking a position with the Browns next season.

What sounds unthinkable is actually gaining a little credence. There is chatter initiated in NFL personnel ranks that Parcells would be agreeable to leaving the Dolphins midway through his four-year contract to take on his next rebuilding project in Cleveland.

“The one thing about Bill is he’s unpredictable,” said a league source, who would not discount the possibility.

Parcells has an escape clause in his contract to leave the Dolphins at any point and still receive the remaining money owed him. Further, the new team would not be required to compensate the Dolphins with money or draft picks.

Parcells is always looking for a new challenge, they say, and he feels the organization he has set up in Miami will carry on fine without him.

Wooing Parcells would have to wait until Miami’s season is over. There’s the very real possibility of him playing one suitor against another. He has left the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the altar on separate occasions twice each during his illustrious career.

There is also the realization that Parcells, 68, is not going to preside long over what he builds.

“You just have to find the steady hand [to oversee] after he gets bored,” a source said.

Even if Parcells came to Cleveland for two years it would still be worth it for the Browns, because he would build a coaching staff that could succeed once he bolts. The key would be to get him for those couple of years to point the ship in the right direction and get it moving forward. Then when he decides to move on to greener pastures, the organization will hopefully be filled with competent people.

As the article notes, Parcells is always intrigued by a challenge. He has a massive ego and wants to see his name mentioned in the headlines. He has to be getting a little complacent in Miami and Cleveland would be the ultimate reclamation project.

We’ll see if the Big Tuna bites if Cleveland offers.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

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