We're in the midst of a period in the NFL where the free agent class starts to expand as teams begin releasing a couple of players to clear some cap space. Sure, every team isn't going to release a Stanford Routt just one year into a massive contract, but usually there are a few notable names to go around.
To this point in 2012, the Cleveland Browns have not released any players. One year ago, they did release several veteran players all in one felt swoop: DL Shaun Rogers, DL Kenyon Coleman, TE Robert Royal, LB David Bowens, LB Eric Barton, and OL John St. Clair. Just how important was that group of players? Well, let's just say that the last four players on that list weren't even in football this past season, as far as I can tell.
In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at another member of the Bengals getting into trouble, the Steelers releasing a veteran cornerback, and why the Ravens need help at the receiver position.
It wouldn't be busy-as-usual for the Bengals if their players weren't getting into trouble every couple of weeks. In an attempt to keep up with the team's trend, Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga reportedly punched a guy in the face, leading to a misdemeanor assault charge.
Police cited the 25-year-old Maualuga with the misdemeanor count on Friday after investigating allegations by a bar employee that Maualuga punched him in the face early Sunday morning. Maualuga's arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 17. No attorney was listed for him.
Prior to Maualuga, wide receiver Jerome Simpson was another prominent player who got into trouble. Maualuga could be facing a suspension next season since this is not the first time he's been in trouble.
Do you follow someone on Twitter or Facebook who you think is really good at using social media Have you ever watched one of those TV shows where from thousands of hopefuls, one star is born? Well, Dawgs By Nature readers, here's your chance to play "starmaker" and help pick the new voice of sports in social media!
XFINITY is looking for the next renowned sports social media star through its Ultimate Sports Social Media Job contest. The winning candidate will serve as the new voice of XFINITY in the sports social media space and go behind-the-scenes at some of the biggest sporting events in 2012, sharing exclusive insights and updates with fans.
Cleveland Browns:
Welcome back to DBN Shoops. For those of you who are still not familiar, here's a quick introduction to what it is and how it works: DBN Shoops is a weekly photoshop / photo editing parody contest. Each week we pick an NFL related photo and edit it for comedic purposes. Anyone in the community can enter by creating their own, uploading it, and posting it as a comment here. The one with the most recs will be the winner for that week (note: your only prize is bragging rights and amusement). You can use whatever program you'd like, even MSpaint. Entries can be humorous or just awesome, but be sure to keep it all work safe. You can view last week's issue here. (Congrats to SpecialBrownie, winner of Issue #3.)
In this week's issue we have something a little more simple, but it might have a lot more potential...
Right strategy, wrong teams.
When I started the NFL Playoff Challenge, my original strategy was this: there were so many pass-heavy offenses in the league that it would be more beneficial to capitalize on a week or two of the "top tier" running backs, negating the "x4 multiplier" for a guy like BenJarvus Green-Ellis down the road.
Cleveland Browns team president Mike Holmgren joined Vic Carucci on Cleveland Browns Daily Wednesday night for about 15 minutes to talk about some of the recent staff changes for the team. Here is my recap on the topics he touched upon:
On Brad Childress - When it came to offensive coordinator Brad Childress, he said what you would pretty much expect. Childress had strong ties to the current regime, and Holmgren felt that he had to deal with an unusual set of circumstances toward the end of his reign as the Vikings' head coach.
On Calling Plays - Holmgren did not elaborate on whether Pat Shurmur would continue to call plays this season, but the way he was speaking seemed to lean that way. Holmgren commented on how it is important to have several assistants (on offense) to act as a sounding board throughout the week, collaborating on ideas or particular plays for a certain week. Holmgren said he always made sure he had the final say on what would go into the gameplan, but that he later learned that his assistants secretly bragged whenever one of their plays got accepted over the rest of the assistants.
Cleveland Browns:
