SB Nation Cleveland: All Posts by Sayre Bedingerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2012-10-18T21:26:59-05:00https://cleveland.sbnation.com/authors/sayre-bedinger/rss2012-10-18T21:26:59-05:002012-10-18T21:26:59-05:00Buckeyes Run Game Will Be Difference vs. Purdue
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<p>Ohio State is looking to avenge its overtime loss last year to Purdue, and the Boilermakers hope to not be just another stepping stone in Ohio State's pretty dominant overall season.</p>
<p>Ohio State's running game is overall probably the best in the Big Ten. With Braxton Miller at the quarterback position, the Buckeyes can run all over teams and Urban Meyer's offense only further amplifies that. His ability to run sets up big plays in the pass game for Devin Smith and the tight ends.</p>
<p>This is a really unfortunate season for the Buckeyes, when you consider. This is probably the best, most relaxed year they have had in quite some time, and there will be absolutely nothing to show for it at the end of the year, not even a mediocre bowl appearance. There is a great chance Ohio State will go into their late-season showdown with Michigan as an undefeated team, and in all honesty, that will be their bowl game.</p>
<p>Ohio State has a bit of a problem giving up big plays, but I think they will be able to hold Purdue in check and force some turnovers. The biggest issue here facing the Boilermakers is that they struggle with tackling, especially in the open field. That is going to be a huge advantage for Miller and the OSU running game.</p>
<p>I think the Buckeyes win this one big, and continue on their journey for a top five ranking. It's possible they could finish the season in the AP top two or three without even competing for a bowl. Their fate this season is reminiscent of USC last year, when the Trojans got extremely hot and were not able to compete in postseason play.</p>
<p>The future is bright for Ohio State, but unfortunately for them the cards are all falling into place in a year where they can't make it to a bowl game.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2012/10/18/3520740/ohio-state-vs-purdue-prediction-buckeyes-will-get-revenge-onSayre Bedinger2012-10-15T12:55:25-05:002012-10-15T12:55:25-05:00Browns WR Josh Gordon Shaking Off the Rust
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<p>Many were shocked when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> used such a high draft choice on wide receiver <span>Josh Gordon</span> in this year's supplemental draft, but he's proving the doubters were wrong, and the believers were right.</p>
<p>Browns GM Tom Heckert made a really bold move, giving up one of his team's premiere draft choices for a guy who was kicked off of his college team just two years ago, and then spending an entire year out of football all together.</p>
<p>So what does Gordon bring to the table? Well, if you saw the game yesterday, you know that the 6'3" 225 pound rookie is a big kid, but he's also extremely fast for his size and is a matchup nightmare if he's put in the right place offensively. Working the outside, he's still a little raw. When he is working the slot, he's almost uncoverable for linebackers and safeties.</p>
<p>In the last two games, Gordon has caught just five passes, but three of them have gone for huge touchdowns. His 71 yard touchdown reception in Sunday's win against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> was the follow up performance to a game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> where he had touchdown receptions of 62 and 20 yards in a loss.</p>
<p>Maybe even most impressively, Gordon was able to make this happen without <span>Travis Benjamin</span> or Mohammed Massaquoi on the field for the Browns, giving the opposing defense less options to focus in on. It's hard to tell if he can continue this type of success, but the good things for the Browns is that the major part of their offense that has been successful for them this year is the big play, and Gordon is a huge part of those plans.</p>
<p>Even after a year out of football, it looks like Josh Gordon is slowly starting to 'get it' and he could be a huge pickup for the Browns for the present as well as the future.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/10/15/3507190/browns-wr-josh-gordon-shaking-off-rust-after-year-out-of-footballSayre Bedinger2012-09-19T07:52:57-05:002012-09-19T07:52:57-05:00Ohio State's Braxton Miller Rising Up Heisman Trophy Watch Lists
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<p>With a 3-0 start to the season, not only are Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes looking like the class of the Big 10, it’s looking like they have a Heisman Trophy candidate on their hands.</p>
<p>Even after Miller’s quick start in the team’s first couple of games, I don’t know that anyone expected he would garner Heisman attention. Now, Miller ranks as high as third on some Heisman watch lists, and comes in at fourth on ESPN’s latest rankings behind only Geno Smith (<span class="caps">WVU</span>), DeAnthony Thomas (Oregon), and Johnathan Franklin (<span class="caps">UCLA</span>).</p>
<p>Miller has seven passing touchdowns to go along with five rushing touchdowns, and not only has he markedly improved as a passer this year compared to last, but he is also fifth in the nation in rushing yards with 377 through three games.</p>
<p>The sophomore signal caller has been a fantastic fit for Urban Meyer’s offense, and he’s making the players around him better. He’s clearly the focal point of the offense, but he’s getting some other guys national attention as well.</p>
<p>The Buckeyes are 16th in the AP top 25 poll, and with one more “warm up” game against <span class="caps">UAB</span>, they face a tough slate of games starting with Michigan State and Nebraska. If Miller can continue on this pace, he will definitely be in the thick of the Heisman race at the end of the season.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2012/9/19/3356888/ohio-states-braxton-miller-rising-up-heisman-trophy-watch-listsSayre Bedinger2012-09-12T08:04:39-05:002012-09-12T08:04:39-05:00Cleveland Browns Week One Fantasy Football Review
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<p>Well, unless you had the Cleveland Browns’ defense by some stroke of pure luck and nothing else in week one, your fantasy football team probably wasn’t a great benefactor of any Browns players.</p>
<p>Cleveland’s defense is currently one of the top available in most fantasy football leagues after forcing Michael Vick to throw four interceptions, one that was taken for a touchdown by D’Qwell Jackson. The numbers don’t figure to be on the rise for the Cleveland defense, which now is going to have to do without star cornerback Joe Haden for a few weeks as he serves a suspension for his failure to notify the <span class="caps">NFL</span> that he has an adderal prescreption.</p>
<p>Against the Eagles, you had to figure the Browns’ top individual offensive player was Trent Richardson, even though he’d have a lot of rust to shake off. Well, Richardson struggled to get into the flow of anything, and other than the sweet run where he absolutely mauled through an Eagles defender, Richardson managed only 39 yards on 19 total carries.</p>
<p>The Browns will continue to center the offense around Richardson, especially if Brandon Weeden continues to struggle the way he has, dating all the way back to the pre-season. Weeden had a quarterback rating of around five, and didn’t produce any touchdowns. I think until he proves otherwise, Weeden is a player you want to steer clear from in the fantasy realm.</p>
<p>Because of that fact, until a Browns receiver clearly emerges among this group of guys, I probably would stay away from them as well. Mohammed Massaquoi was targeted a lot against the Eagles, but had just three catches for 41 yards. Josh Gordon continues to show he is capable of making big plays with two catches for 32 yards, and Greg Little didn’t even get on the board with a catch.</p>
<p>Overall, you’d have to give Cleveland’s week one fantasy football output a D-, saved only by the performance of their defense which appears to have been an unlikely repeat performance.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/9/12/3320168/cleveland-browns-week-one-fantasy-football-reviewSayre Bedinger2012-08-25T10:00:43-05:002012-08-25T10:00:43-05:00Eagles' Nick Foles Outshines Browns' Brandon Weeden in Rookie QB Showdown
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<p>So you thought Andrew Luck vs. <span class="caps">RGIII</span> was the marquee rookie matchup to watch this weekend? Think again.</p>
<p>Okay, maybe that joke goes a little too far, but nevertheless, for a big pre-season and rookie fan like myself, the Eagles vs. Browns game on Friday night was a very important and intriguing one. Nick Foles started in place of the injured Mike Vick, and Brandon Weeden and the Browns continued to try to find ways to make progress.</p>
<p>Long story short, it was a long night for the Browns and their fans. Weeden completed just nine of his 20 passes, was sacked three times, and fumbled twice. He seems to really be struggling with the speed of the <span class="caps">NFL</span>, unlike many of his rookie quarterback peers. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin <span class="caps">III</span>, Foles, Ryan Tannehill, and Russell Wilson all appear to be capable of starting in the <span class="caps">NFL</span> right now while the 28 year old Weeden looks lost in the transition. He’s making some plays, but they are few and far in between.</p>
<p>The Eagles took a 24-3 lead into the fourth quarter before Colt McCoy got the Browns off the touchdown schnide with a pass to Evan Moore in the early portion of the fourth quarter, but it was a dismal outing for the Browns otherwise. The major bright spot was rookie Josh Gordon, who appears to be making some strides. He caught three passes for 50 yards on four targets.</p>
<p>Still, it’s pretty baffling how much further ahead some of these other rookie quarterbacks are than Weeden. I realize just like anyone else that Weeden is a rookie and he’s playing on a team that is, shall we say, in transition. Having a stud running back like Trent Richardson is sure to help out, but how much can he really control? The Browns are going to have to be a run first, pass second team in 2012, which I think they would prefer anyways.</p>
<p>You have to look at Nick Foles’ performance last night and be impressed. The rookie completed 12 of 19 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns, though he did force a throw into double coverage that was picked by Joe Haden.</p>
<p>Obviously these two young passers have a lot to learn about the game, but it seems they are on different paths as of right now. Weeden seems to have a long way to go, especially when his teammates are so far behind as well. The Browns really struggled in all three phases of the game last night, having a punt blocked and registering no sacks, getting shredded by the Eagles’ backup QB duo of Foles and Trent Edwards.</p>
<p>We keep waiting for the Browns to pick up the pace and start to show signs of improvements, but those improvements might be subtle all season long, through what could be a tough year for Cleveland fans.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/8/25/3267590/eagles-nick-foles-outshines-browns-brandon-weeden-in-rookie-qbSayre Bedinger2012-08-17T13:42:23-05:002012-08-17T13:42:23-05:00Browns vs. Packers: Cleveland Shows Improvements In Blowout Victory
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<p>There’s always a lot to like about a big victory, specifically when your starting, rookie quarterback makes progress. Brandon Weeden and the Browns were all over the Green Bay Packers in Thursday’s second pre-season game, winning 35-10.</p>
<p>The efficiency of the Browns’ quarterbacks was a welcome sight, as Weeden improved, the Browns saw solid performances again from Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace.</p>
<p>Arguably the biggest storyline from the Browns’ win is that backup quarterback Colt McCoy once again played well in what could be an audition game for other teams, specifically for the Packers who have some serious backup quarterback troubles. McCoy was 4-of-6 passing with 58 yards, and showed that he is still indeed capable of being a strong player when called upon.</p>
<p>Obviously, we don’t put a lot of stock into the pre-season, but the Browns have a very young team so it holds a bit more weight. Under particular scrutiny are the two top young receivers Greg Little and Josh Gordon, who combined for six receptions and a couple of drops.</p>
<p>In doing some post-game work, it looks like Gordon is still having some trouble with his footwork. He’s been out of game situations for over a year, so we expect him to be a bit rusty, but that is something he’s going to have to rectify sooner rather than later, as much as is expected of him.</p>
<p>Little had four catches on five targets with one drop when Weeden was in at quarterback, and had 45 yards on the night.</p>
<p>The Browns’ defense was up to the task, forcing three interceptions of Packers’ quarterbacks and taking one back for a touchdown. They actually took another back for a score, but it was called back due to a neutral zone infraction prior to the play.</p>
<p>A couple of years back, the Detroit Lions went 4-0 in the pre-season and wound up 0-16 in the regular season, and while Cleveland is 2-0 and certainly making some strides, I don’t expect them to be a force in the regular season at this point. They have some interesting pieces, and they could be a tough out for any team they face, but the road ahead could be a bit overwhelming.</p>
<p>Still, positive signs each week are coming out of Browns camp, and it seems like they are on the upswing.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/8/17/3250034/browns-vs-packers-cleveland-shows-improvements-in-blowout-victorySayre Bedinger2012-08-11T09:37:27-05:002012-08-11T09:37:27-05:00Browns vs. Lions Analysis: Weeden, Young Browns Struggle to Victory
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<p>When the Cleveland Browns took the field against the Detroit Lions, all eyes figured to be on the offensive side of the ball as first round pick Brandon Weeden was set to make his pre-season debut.</p>
<p>The reviews for Weeden were mixed, but the positive way to put it after his performance on Saturday night is that there are definitely things to work on. Weeden completed just three of his nine passes and had an interception as well as a sack and fumble. Obviously, not a lot of positive coming from that, but he did average over 20 yards per completion with 62 yards passing.</p>
<p>It should come as no surprise that Colt McCoy was the most efficient of the Browns’ quarterbacks in terms of completion percentage, but Seneca Wallace threw the only touchdown of the night to Brad Smelley, the fullback.</p>
<p>Obviously, the Browns were without top draft choice Trent Richardson on the night, and not surprisingly, the running game struggled mightily. Every back who got playing time on Saturday finished with a rushing average of under four yards.</p>
<p>One of the biggest positives Browns fans have to take from this game is the play of the receivers and tight ends, specifically from guys whom they are going to need big contributions this year. Tight end Jordan Cameron flashed some big play ability with two receptions for 58 yards to lead the team, including a 42 yard play. His ability has always been there, but last year he wasn’t able to put it together on the field. The Browns are counting on him to play a bigger role this season and give them a dynamic receiver/tight end on the outside who can make plays in the red zone.</p>
<p>One player who looked pretty solid on the night was rookie Travis Benjamin, who caught two of the three passes thrown his way and made some big plays just like he used to at Miami. Benjamin has the speed to get downfield, and he showed it off by catching two passes for 46 yards. He is a bright spot also for this Browns’ receiving group, and I think he may be one of the most versatile pass catchers they have. Obviously the team is counting on big things from second round picks Greg Little and Josh Gordon, but Benjamin was a high draft pick in his own right, and though he is smaller, they are going to need him to step up and be a big play type of guy. He also showed he can be a pretty good kick returner, averaging over 27 yards on two returns.</p>
<p>Speaking of Josh Gordon and Greg Little, they combined for zero catches on four targets. A lot of that had to do with the quarterback play and lack of chemistry between them all, but I think those are really disappointing numbers. You’ve got to get at least one ball and get some reps and make these pre-season games count, especially if you are Josh Gordon.</p>
<p>Nenvertheless, being down 10-17 for much of the fouth quarter, the Browns were able to mount a late rally and beat the Lions with an Adonis Thomas touchdown and a game-winning 45-yard field goal by Jeff Wolfert, who is auditioning essentially for other teams with Phil Dawson back on the Browns’ roster.</p>
<p>What you should take from the game is this—the Browns are young, they are going to struggle their way through a lot of games this year, but they have some promise. There are young playmakers on this team that make up the foundation for the future, and I think the second game will be much better overall statistically than this one for some of the more prominent young guys like Weeden, Gordon, and Little.</p>
<p><b>Injury Update</b></p>
<p>Mohammed Massaquoi suffered a concussion after his first catch from Weeden early in the game. Hopefully he rests up this next game and gets himself right for the regular season, because he can be a valuable playmaker when he is healthy.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/8/11/3235675/browns-vs-lions-analysis-weeden-young-browns-struggle-to-victorySayre Bedinger2012-07-12T19:45:53-05:002012-07-12T19:45:53-05:00Can Josh Gordon be a Game Changer for the Young Browns Offense?
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<p>The Browns selected Josh Gordon in the second round of the 2012 Supplemental Draft on Thursday afternoon, a huge vote of confidence in a guy who has not played football in almost two years.</p>
<p>Gordon started out his college career at Baylor where he looked like he was emerging as a young star in that offense prior to leaving after the 2010 season and transferring to Utah.</p>
<p>Though on paper, Gordon’s departure from Baylor was a curious one, the end result didn’t wind up hurting his draft stock all that much. In fact, the mystery of what he could have been probably propelled him to an even higher draft status than he otherwise would have been.</p>
<p>Gordon has fantastic overall measurables, big hands, and really good athletic ability. All he really lacks is experience, and the thought of what he cold become tantalized the Browns enough that they used a second round pick in next year’s draft to get him.</p>
<p>That’s surprising to me for a variety of reasons, the main one being that the Browns’ pick in next year’s draft could be pretty high. They have an up-and-coming defense and a couple of young offensive stars with which to build around, and with Brandon Weeden’s age, the time to win is clearly now or in the not-so-distant future. However, the choice to drop a second rounder from next year’s slew of picks is a curious one.</p>
<p>Still, it’s well understood what the Browns are trying to do. In 2011, they selected Greg Little with a second round pick, and in 2012, they brought in Miami’s Travis Benjamin in the third round. Add Josh Gordon to the mix, and the Browns obviously feel like they have a great young trio of receivers. With those three guys, it will be extremely intriguing to see what they do in the pre-season and in training camp.</p>
<p>What the Browns are getting in Gordon may be unknown, but at least on paper, they believe he can start and he really enjoyed meeting the team.</p>
<p>“I enjoyed my visit there last week, and was very impressed with all of the people I met, including Mr. Heckert,” Gordon said. “I have also had the chance to speak with Coach Shurmur on several occasions and I am looking forward to the opportunity to play for him.”</p>
<p>Gordon hasn’t played in an actual football game since the 2010 season when Baylor concluded a pretty average season with a bowl game against Illinois, and he missed out on being on the receiving end of a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback last season. That being said, Gordon hasn’t been inactive. He practiced all of last season with the Utah Utes football team, and he was planning on using his redshirt last season and playing with the Utes in 2012. I am not sure Gordon could have done much better than being a second round pick in the 2013 draft had he actually played, but the Browns expect him to be an immediate contributor despite the time off.</p>
<p>“Anytime you pick somebody that early, you’re hoping he’s a good football player, and that’s what we think Josh is,” Heckert said. “… Most years, there’s not a player of Josh’s caliber in the supplemental draft, so you don’t hear about it very much. But we look at it as a positive. We’re getting a really good football player and we’re getting him a year early.”</p>
<p>Gordon is going to need to learn fast, and he’s got a bunch of young new teammates to do it with. Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Greg Little, Joe Thomas, and now Gordon provide the foundation for the future of this team, and the Browns need him to be a game changer.</p>
<p>Athletically, Gordon appears to be up to the task, and from what I have heard and read about his pre-draft interviews, he is a sharp kid. This is an exciting move for Browns fans, though they might be disappointed to not have the pick next offseason. Hopefully Gordon produces well enough to keep the fan base at ease.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/7/12/3156013/can-josh-gordon-be-a-game-changer-for-the-young-browns-offenseSayre Bedinger2012-06-11T20:03:52-05:002012-06-11T20:03:52-05:00Interesting Argument for the Browns Making the 2012 Playoffs
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<p>Are the Cleveland Browns good enough to go to the playoffs?</p>
<p>With a revamped defense, a new look offense, and a rejuvenated fan base, it may not be out of the question. <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1216681-cleveland-browns-how-the-cleveland-browns-can-gauge-success-in-2012" target="_blank">Mike Hoag of Bleacher Report</a> makes the remark that the Browns have a potentially similar situation to that of last year’s <span class="caps">AFC</span> Breakout team, the Cincinnati Bengals:</p>
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<p>Can Brandon Weeden drastically improve the potency of the aerial attack? Will he make those around him better with his leadership and strong downfield delivery?</p>
<p>Weeden is the key. Everything is riding on the 28-year old rookie.</p>
<p>Is it playoffs or bust for the Cleveland Browns in 2012?</p>
<p>A season ago, the Cincinnati Bengals rode a stout defense, a rookie quarterback and a rookie No. 1 wide receiver to the playoffs.</p>
<p>Why is it so crazy to think the Browns can’t do the same this year?</p>
<p>It’s not crazy.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I guess I had never really thought of it that way. The Bengals had a huge year from rookies A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, where Green was expected to be really good but Dalton wasn’t even assured to be the starter going into the year. It looked like the Bengals would potentially be one of the worst teams in the entire <span class="caps">NFL</span> before they pulled it together and started winning some ball games.</p>
<p>The Browns have a rookie quarterback in Brandon Weeden, who was arguably much better in his last two years of college football than Dalton with equally as big of wins. I do not think Greg Little is as good or talented as A.J. Green, obviously, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a similar impact.</p>
<p>One thing the Browns have that the Bengals don’t or didn’t is a running back like Trent Richardson. Richardson could come in and realistically be one of the top 10 backs in the <span class="caps">NFL</span> in 2012 as a rookie. He is that good.</p>
<p>Where the Browns need to improve is their overall defensive play. They play in a division with two pretty old teams in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, both of whom have some injury concerns going into training camp.</p>
<p>If the Browns can take advantage and win some games early, they may surprise some people in 2012. It’s certainly an interesting argument, and the chips would have to fall into place, but it’s certainly not out of the question for the Browns to surprise some people and be a playoff contender this season if their young players exceed expectations.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/6/11/3079462/interesting-argument-for-the-browns-making-the-2012-playoffsSayre Bedinger2012-06-10T20:52:29-05:002012-06-10T20:52:29-05:00Browns Offseason: Cleveland Needs a Breakout Year from Greg Little
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<p>In the 2012 <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft, it was rumored that the Cleveland Browns were interested in selecting a number of different receivers, namely Justin Blackmon or Kendall Wright with one of their two first round picks. Neither player is wearing brown this season and, to the surprise of many, the Browns’ receiver group looks largely the same as it did last season.</p>
<p>It is considered one of the team’s major positions of weakness, and that is why Cleveland is going to need a jolt of energy from second year player Greg Little, who had a very solid rookie year considering the circumstances surrounding the entire league.</p>
<p>The Browns obviously have high hopes for the former second round pick out of North Carolina. Little is a bigger receiver who is every bit as capable of being as good or better than a guy like Brandon Marshall, whom he might compare favorably to.</p>
<p>But not only do the Browns have high hopes for Little, they need him to have a big year. Their receivers are very questionable at this point in time, and they aren’t going to break the bank for any veteran free agents. Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden will get a taste of what it was like to be Colt McCoy last season, constantly under pressure with not a lot of help on the outside.</p>
<p>That being said, I feel like Little is a very likely candidate to break out. The Browns’ offense isn’t going to be a monster passing offense I don’t think, but I feel like Little is due for a thousand yard season and potentially a very under-the-radar type of season. Toward the end of the 2011 campaign, we got to see what Little is capable of when the Browns played against Arizona and the rookie receiver had 131 yards on five receptions.</p>
<p>That is the type of performance the Browns selected him for, and that’s why so many scouts spoke so highly of him coming out of North Carolina.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/6/10/3077266/browns-offseason-cleveland-needs-a-breakout-year-from-greg-littleSayre Bedinger