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The Browns have signed 24-year old OT Corey Hilliard to a 1-year deal. Hilliard had just been released by the Colts. The 6′6″ 300 pound Hilliard played in 2 games (0 starts) for the Colts last season. In two seasons with the Colts, Hilliard played in only 5 games starting none of them. He will be nothing more than a backup player if the makes the roster.
The Browns have signed 26-year old defensive lineman Brian Schaefering. The 6′4″, 295 pound lineman has no game experience in the NFL but he was with the Jets for a bit last season and that’s likely why Coach Mangini is giving him a tryout. Don’t expect much out of him if he even makes the team.
The Cleveland Browns looked awful in this game. Brady Quinn looked the best of the Browns’ QBs in this game but that isn’t saying much as he completed 7 of 11 passes for 68 yards with 1 interception. Derek Anderson’s appearance in this game was very brief as he threw 2 incomplete passes (one of which was a pickoff). Brett Ratliff finished up this game completing 7 of 13 passes for 84 yards with 2 pickoffs. Josh Cribbs led the Browns in rushing in this game with 29 yards on 1 carry. He also caught 2 passes for 30 yards (15.0 avg). TE Aaron Walker led the Browns with 3 receptions for 48 yards (16.0 avg) in this game. The Browns only had possession of the football for 20:04 of this game and that’s simply pathetic! They only had 191 yards of total offense (59 rushing, 132 passing) against the Packers last Saturday Night.
Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson led the way for the Browns’ defense in this game with 7 tackles. DE Marcus Benard also had a solid game with 6 tackles and a sack. Rookies Coye Francies (CB) and OLB/DE David Veikune each picked off a pass apiece. The Browns allowed 392 yards (230 rushing, 162 passing) and that is totally unacceptable!
The NFL has suspended 28-year old WR Donte’ Stallworth for the 2009 season without pay because of his drinking and driving accident that left a man dead in Miami. The Browns won’t miss Stallworth as he was fragile last season and awful when he did play. Stallworth played in 11 games for the Browns last season and he caught 17 passes for 170 yards (10.0 avg) with 1 TD grab. At least the commissioner of the NFL came down hard on Stallworth who got off light from the judicial system. The hope here is that he never wears a Browns’ uniform again.
The Browns have released 27-year old NT/DT Shaun Smith. Smith played in 11 games for the Browns last season and he made 36 tackles and forced a fumble. In two years with the Browns, Smith played in 26 games in which he made 98 tackles, defensed 3 passes, had 2 sacks and forced 2 fumbles. Smith’s biggest problem in Cleveland was that he had a hard time getting along with other players and coaches. The Browns forgave him of his right with Brady Quinn last season but they couldn’t let him get away with disrespecting coach Bryan Cox. He was quickly signed by the Lions.