Browns Fantasy News

Monday, June 17, 2013, 9:42am

With the free-agent losses of Benjamin Watson and Alex Smith this offseason, third-year tight end Jordan Cameron recognized the opportunity he would have to contribute to the Cleveland Browns’ offense.

And he spent every day throughout the 10 weeks of offseason meetings, as well as the eight of on-field work, learning the system of offensive coordinator Norv Turner and trying to develop into a starter.

“It’s just having the mindset that I’m going to be the guy, try and take over this role,” Cameron told “Cleveland Browns Daily, Driven By Liberty Ford.” “The confidence is huge with that, and I think I get more confidence every day, learning new things. With (tight ends) coach (Jon) Embree, he really knows the details and how to make you a better player, whether it be blocking or positioning or route-running."

Monday, June 10, 2013, 11:13pm

Travis Benjamin’s role could expand with Josh Gordon suspended. As minicamp closed, the 5-10, 175-pound Benjamin, 23, received praise from quarterback Brandon Weeden.

“Travis had at least as many catches if not more than anybody in camp,” Weeden said. “His route running is phenomenal, probably because he’s so fast. Guys have to honor him running by them. He’s been getting in and out of breaks so well. Whether it’s in-breaking routes or out-breaking routes, he’s really found a knack of getting separation and giving me a chance to complete some balls. He’s had a lot of catches this camp. He’s stuck out.”

Sunday, June 9, 2013, 6:42pm

Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot on the health of RB Trent Richardson:

From all the conversations that I've had on the record and off, the club does expect Richardson to be ready for training camp July 25 and feel it's nothing more than a muscle strain. Richardson is still on track to begin a running program in two weeks, and there's no way he'd be doing that if they were worried about a stress fracture.

Richardson said the injury wasn't serious enough to warrant an MRI, but I'm sure his surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, will examine the leg when Richardson is back in Pensacola, where Andrews has a clinic. Andrews has repaired both of Richardson's ankles and has performed both scopes on his knee. He knows T-Rich better than any doctor, and will provide input on the training regimen and timetable. If the Browns decide to hold him out another week after camp opens just to be on the safe side, I don't think that's earth-shattering.

Josh Gordon one failed test away from season ban
Sunday, June 9, 2013, 6:35pm

Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon already has two strikes against him after testing positive for codeine in February, and could get kicked out of the NFL for at least a year if he fails a third drug test, league sources said Saturday.

Gordon's two-game suspension and four-game fine for the codeine -- which he said was contained in cough syrup prescribed for strep throat -- means he was already in Stage Two of the NFL's substance abuse program.

For a player to be suspended, he must have violated the policy at least one other time. That means that Gordon -- who failed three marijuana tests in college and was dismissed from Baylor and Utah -- has tested positive at least five times since October, 2010.

Gordon's positive test in February likely pushes him into Stage 3 of the program, according to league sources, where he faces banishment from the NFL for at least one calendar year if he fails another test.

Josh Gordon suspended for two games
Friday, June 7, 2013, 7:27pm

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended two games and fined four game checks for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

In a statement, Gordon said the drug was codeine, and he took it because it was part of the medicine prescribed by a doctor for strep throat.

"The policy terms are strict about unintentional ingestion, but the NFL has not imposed the maximum punishment in light of the facts of my case. Therefore, I have chosen to be immediately accountable for the situation," Gordon said in the statement. "I sincerely apologize for the impact on my team, coaches, and Browns fans. I look forward to working hard in training camp and preseason, and contributing immediately when I return in Week 3."

This isn't Gordon's first time running afoul of a drug test. A failed marijuana test at Baylor resulted in an indefinite suspension and ultimately led Gordon to declare for the 2012 Supplemental Draft after sitting out a year at Utah.

Friday, June 7, 2013, 12:05pm

Josh Gordon has the most physical ability of any player on the roster. The only thing that can stop him from being an elite player this year is himself.

Friday, June 7, 2013, 12:00pm

Browns TE Jordan Cameron had two muscle pulls in 16 practices without being hit. Not a good sign.

Trent Richardson (shin) out until August
Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 10:14am

Browns RB Trent Richardson out until August. Team worried leg injury could develop into stress fracture.

Thursday, May 30, 2013, 9:52am

Judging from the comments coming out of Cleveland -- from the owner down to the wide receivers -- the first impression of OC Norv Turner's offense is the aggressiveness of it.

“Everything is downfield, and you get taught pretty quickly that you have to be well conditioned to play fast and play at a high level,” wide receiver Greg Little said. “I just like the way Norv thinks. He calls more post and go routes than I’ve ever run before."

Said wide receiver Josh Gordon: "Defenses will be shocked to say the least with how much we're running downfield."

Turner: Josh Gordon "can be a really fine player"
Monday, May 27, 2013, 2:04pm

“He’s an impressive guy,” Browns OC Norv Turner said of WR Josh Gordon. “He’s young. He has a lot of work to do, but he’s got a lot of ability. If you put those two things together and you just grind, as a player and a coach, I think he can be a really fine player.”

Trent Richardson (shin) held out of OTAs
Friday, May 24, 2013, 9:58am

Browns RB Trent Richardson sat out organized team activities today with a pulled muscle in his shin and might also miss the Browns' mandatory minicamp June 4-6, coach Rob Chudzinski said.

"It's precautionary,'' Chudzinski said. "We're holding him out. We've got minicamp in a week and a half. He may miss that. I'm not sure. We'll take it day-by-day.''

The Browns are being extra cautious with their second-year running back because of the injuries he battled through last season. He initially underwent a arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in February of 2012, a few months before the draft. He then had a second scope on the same knee a few weeks into training camp, on Aug. 9, to remove a loose piece of cartilage and sat out all four preseason games.

Richardson worked to be ready for the opener Sept. 9 against the Eagles, but wasn't 100 percent at the start of the season. Then, he broke two or three ribs in Week 6 against the Bengals, and was limited the following week to eight yards on eight carries in Indianapolis.

After the season, he revealed that he played much of the year in excruciating pain and had difficulty breathing and sleeping.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 10:14am

Cleveland Browns columnist Terry Pluto on WR Josh Gordon:

The game comes outrageously easy for Josh Gordon, as he glides down the field. If Gordon keeps his concentration and work ethic at NFL caliber, he could have a breakout season in the new "throw it downfield" offense.

Monday, May 20, 2013, 10:15am

The Browns really like tight end Jordan Cameron as their starting tight end and plan to throw to him a lot. Cameron was targeted on plenty of deep balls in OTAs.

Monday, May 20, 2013, 9:59am

Browns OC Norv Turner on QB Brandon Weeden:

"He does throw the ball up the field awfully well. There are some things we still need to work hard on to get him speeded up. We did it with Brad Johnson when he came to Washington. First of all, the physical act of your drop(back), putting your foot in the ground, turning the ball loose. What helps speed that up is recognizing where we want to throw the ball and then making quick decisions."

Chudzinski: Jordan Cameron "has the skill set that fits"
Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 12:03pm

Browns HC Rob Chudzinski, a former college tight end and Browns tight ends coach, and OC Norv Turner, intend to develop Jordan Cameron into the next tight end to make plays, not just catches.

Chudzinski’s tight end prodigies in nine NFL seasons as a position coach and coordinator include Kellen Winslow Jr. (Cleveland), Antonio Gates (San Diego) and Greg Olsen (Carolina).

Turner’s in 28 NFL years include Jay Novacek (Dallas), Vernon Davis in his rookie year (San Francisco) and Gates (San Diego).

“This is an offense that has featured tight ends and tight ends have always been a big part of it,” Chudzinski said of Cameron. “He has the skill set that fits.”