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• Report: Joe Haden and TJ Ward Missed Browns "Bed Check"

  November 25, 2012

  

  As if it weren't bad enough that Joe Haden reportedly missed the Browns meetings and most of the Special Teams portion of practice on Thanksgiving morning, a new report comes out this morning. 

  I'm told by someone with knowledge of the situation that both Joe Haden and TJ Ward were not in their rooms when the Browns performed their routine "bed check" last night. 

  The Browns stay at a Cleveland hotel the night before home games to help keep players focused and to ensure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. As a part of this routine, they also enforce a curfew (they do the same for away games as well). 

  When the 10 PM deadline came last night and Browns personnel performed the "bed check" for Haden and Ward, they were not in their rooms. At this point I do not know where they were or when they returned, but I know they were not there at the deadline. 

  The players are not required to be in bed by 10 PM, but they are required to be on the floor by 10 PM and accounted for. Many players will get together to play cards or watch TV together after the 10 PM deadline. 

  It continues to astound me how little some of these players care about and respect their profession. It confounds me even more how this type of behavior continues to persist over and over again without recourse. 

  Perhaps their absence was completely harmless and there is nothing to be concerned about. However, given their pattern of behavior over the past several years (and especially this year), it's awfully hard for fans to continue to give these players and this team the benefit of the doubt. 

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• Report: Cleveland Browns to Star in "Hard Knocks Type" Reality Series

  October 25, 2012

  

  While I have not seen official reports from the Browns or any television networks, I have received word from someone close to the situation that the Browns will soon be starring in what is described as a "Hard Knocks Type" reality series. 

  The special is rumored to be airing on the Travel Channel and filming is scheduled to start next week. From what I understand, it will give viewers a "behind the scenes" look at the Browns on and off the field, very similar to the successful HBO series, Hard Knocks.

  While this seemed a bit odd to me at first, especially mid-season, after a bit of investigation it made a little more sense. Haslam's wife, Dee, is CEO of RIVR Media which has produced very successful reality shows such as "Trading Spaces" and "Whale Wars" and continually pitches new shows to networks like HGTV, Animal Planet, and others. Whether this new special will be on the Travel Channel or some other cable network, the connection is clear. 

  Given the current state of the Browns on and off the field, this could be very interesting. Just today the sale of the team to Jimmy Haslam III officially closed and I was told today was Haslam and Joe Banner's first official day at the facility. One day after former team President Mike Holmgren walked away from his duties. 

  With Pat Shurmur's record (5-18), an 11 game losing streak that was snapped with a win over Cincinnati, and a 1-6 record, there is also rampant speculation that Shurmur will be the next to be on his way out of Berea. 

  Even ignoring his poor record and questionable coaching, one could make a strong case that Jimmy Haslam III may be looking to bring in his own coach at the end of the season. If the Browns continue to underperform, however, that could come sooner than later. 

  While much is uncertain as it relates to the Browns, one thing is abundantly clear. Jimmy Haslam III is the anti-Randy Lerner. This is just the next of an already long list of examples to that end. 

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• Report: Browns Safety, TJ Ward Nearly Missed Team Flight to Indianapolis

  October 20, 2012

  

  Last week Browns Safety TJ Ward missed most of Saturday's walkthrough practice and morning activities due to an unexcused absence. A report from someone close to the Browns seems to indicate that Ward hasn't learned much from last week's events. 

  Ward reportedly was "almost left behind" for the team's trip to Indianapolis as they are getting set to play the Colts tomorrow. The flight was said to have been delayed due to Ward's absence and it even elevated to the point that discussions took place about allowing the plane to take off without Ward. 

  If this report is true, this is certainly a troubling pattern of behavior for one of the Browns key defensive players. 

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• Report: Browns Safety, T.J. Ward Missing from Practice

  October 13, 2012

  

  A source close to the Cleveland Browns has confirmed that safety T.J. Ward missed this morning's meetings and team walk-through practice. It was later discovered that Crocker Park (A Cleveland suburb mall) Security "found" Ward as he was waiting to be picked up by someone from the facility.

  At this point I cannot say why he was with Crocker Park Security or why he had to be picked up by someone else rather than driving home, but I'm sure folks can speculate.

  It should be noted that Ward is close friends with Browns cornerback, Joe Haden who is returning to action for the first time in 4 games due to a suspension for a failed drug test.

  If I learn more, I'll pass it along.

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