http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/3923 Recent articles about Corey Williams en-us Like it or not, the televised broadcasts within the National Football League are about ratings. The schedule that comes out every summer is one that seeks to maximize viewership, whether it be through pitting legacy-based teams against one another or showcasing a team that has gained respect over the course of the previous season. The ladder obviously refers to the Cleveland Browns, who had been graced with several primetime games this season. Also in the "like it or not" category is the fact that every fourth year is graced with political advertisements. Approving messages. Putting down the views of the opposing party. Debates. But while this typically involves only the top of the ticket, the national spotlight has had room for many people this year. Being an election year, we have seen plenty of Senators John McCain, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. But the landscape changed considerably when Sarah Palin was introduced to America. And while the ultimate fate of the Browns and Ms. Palin remains to be seen, it is tough to argue against the fact that we have seen eerily similar paths to where we are today. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:44:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/346855 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/346855 The Browns start a 10 day stretch that includes three preseason games tonight when they visit New York to take on the defending champion Giants... Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:05:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/308139 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/308139 When a team averages over 350 yards and 25 points a game on offense and doesn't make the playoffs, usually there's a glaring weakness somewhere on the roster. Besides having the unfortunate draw of playing in a stacked AFC, the Cleveland Browns can point to their defense as one of the main reasons why they missed the postseason in 2007, despite finishing with 10 wins. One of the main issues the Browns had last year was their defensive line and more specifically, not being able to get to the quarterback. So the team gambled in the offseason by trading away multiple draft picks to acquire former Packers' defensive tackle Corey Williams and former Lions' DT Shaun Rogers. Had it not been for the amount of depth along their defensive line, there's no way the Packers would have dealt the underrated Williams in the offseason. Despite playing in a rotation and coming off the bench last year, Williams still matched a career high with seven sacks and was also solid against the run. Even though he'll play an unfamiliar position in the Browns' 3-4 front, he's got the size and athleticism to play end in Romeo Crennel's defense. (Read rest of article after jump) Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:38:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/307201 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/307201 Who's the better player -- Shaun Rogers or Leigh Bodden? More to the point, which player would you pay more? The Detroit Lions traded Rogers, a former Pro Bowl player at the premium position of defensive line, partly because they didn't want to pay him $17 million over the next three years of his existing contract. So they shipped Rogers to the Browns for a third-round draft pick and Bodden. This week the Lions gave Bodden a four-year contract extension that bumps his 2008 compensation higher than Rogers was scheduled to earn. Bodden's new deal reportedly will tack on $2 million to his scheduled '08 salary and bonus package of $2.7 million -- for a total of $4.7 million. Rogers was scheduled to earn $4.25 million in '08 under terms of his Detroit contract. Not many teams would be willing to pay a good but not great cornerback more than a Pro Bowl defensive lineman, but the Lions made that choice. Rogers is 29. Bodden will be 27 in September. Rogers, of course, signed his own contract extension after joining the Browns. The Browns tacked on about $25 million and three years to Rogers' existing deal and rewrote the '08-'10 seasons to guarantee him $23 million. But that's another story. The Lions' new deal with Bodden -- reportedly totaling $27 million over four years -- sheds more light on the Browns' haste to trade him. Besides having a sub-par year in 2007, Bodden was becoming disenchanted with his contract situation. He still had two years to go on a $12 million contract the Browns gave him following the 2005 season, his breakout year. When Bodden's agent couldn't extract a new deal from the Browns, Bodden switched agents and basically talked his way off the team. "It's something I wanted in Cleveland," Bodden told the Detroit News after receiving his new contract this week. "I wanted to end my career with a long-term deal." Bodden's new contract, which reportedly includes an $8.6 million option bonus in March, lifts his compensation into the top 15 among NFL cornerbacks. He's come a long way from being undrafted out of Duquesne and running down punts for the Browns. It was the Browns' misfortune that the effect of Bodden's departure was exacerbated by the season-ending knee injury to Daven Holly in May. They remain short-handed in experience at cornerback. Yes, Bodden would look good in the Browns' secondary today. But the acquisition of Rogers, along with fellow lineman Corey Williams, has given the defense a new energy that is fueling the optimism of the entire team. The Browns would make the trade again, any day. So would most other teams. Ask Hank: Hank Fraley has ascended from emergency center in 2006 to team captain and O-line anchor in '07 to co-player representative in 2008. Fraley is technically the alternate player rep to tight end Darnell Dinkins, but it was Fraley who attended the all-important annual player rep meeting in Hawaii in March -- when the union outlined its strategy for upcoming labor negotiations with NFL management. Labor strife could occur as early as 2010 -- with the salary cap being eliminated -- if the sides don't arrive at some resolution by March. One of the key issues is the owners' desire for a rookie cap similar to the NBA's that would preclude untested high draft choices from getting $30 million or more in guaranteed money. The owners insist a hard rookie cap would allow more money to flow to veteran players. Fraley, who was undrafted out of Robert Morris in 2000, sees the logic in the owners' view. "Not every first-round pick stays around. Sometimes they give a guy $20 million and he never does anything," Fraley said. "But the issues are how do you guarantee the owners give the money to the vets and would they spread it across the board or just give it to your big-name guys?" Fraley said. "Are you going to give some of it to Hank Fraley or is it all going to go to a Braylon Edwards, a star?" Fraley is optimistic the players and owners will settle their differences and agree to a new labor deal rather then screw up their amazing largesse. You decide: Players union chief Gene Upshaw has come under fire from some quarters in the player ranks. Fraley had some interesting non-comments about Upshaw. Asked if he were pro-Upshaw, Fraley said, "No comment." Asked if his opinion about Upshaw was changed as a result of the March player rep meeting, Fraley said, "No comment." Bentley watch: Rumors are that LeCharles Bentley is pondering contract offers from St. Louis, San Francisco and New England, but the would-be Browns center may opt to retire. Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:40:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296378 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296378 1 Patriots 16-0-0 A healthy Tom Brady and a happy Randy Moss make the Patriots championship contenders this season and for years to come. 2 Colts 13-3-0 They haven't had a lot of offseason turnover and they already were very good. Continuity means a lot. 3 Chargers 11-5-0 If the Chargers can get over their injury issues, they could be in the Super Bowl mix all the way to Tampa. 4 Cowboys 13-3-0 Felix Jones should help the running game immediately. But who will emerge as the No. 2 receiver? Patrick Crayton wasn't up to the task in late '07. 5 Jaguars 11-5-0 They sometimes get overshadowed by division rival Indianapolis, but the Jaguars have an elite roster and an coach in Jack Del Rio. 6 Giants 10-6-0 Teams other than the Patriots aren't supposed to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Will Michael Strahan retire? Can they compensate for free-agent losses at LB? 7 Steelers 10-6-0 A very strong draft catapults the Steelers into Super Bowl contenders. RBs Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall should be one of the best 1-2 punches. 8 Seahawks 10-6-0 New O-line coach Mike Solari stands out as the Seahawks' top offseason acquisition, perhaps allowing them to keep their edge in the NFC West. 9 Browns 10-6-0 The 2007 darlings face high expectations. The offense will score. Can the D, anchored by additions Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, hold up its end? 10 Packers 13-3-0 This is an unpredictable team in the wake of the retirement of Brett Favre. Who will step up and make the big plays this year? 11 Saints 7-9-0 The offense already was very good. Defensive improvements will make the Saints one of this year's biggest turnarounds. 12 Vikings 8-8-0 If they settle on a QB, the Vikes could become a playoff team. RB Adrian Peterson is at the top of the list for MVP candidates. 13 Eagles 8-8-0 Last season, they hit their stride when it was too late. With a fully healed Donovan McNabb and an improved secondary, the Eagles could be dangerous. 14 Redskins 9-7-0 Too many questions: a new coach, young QB and a pair of rookie WRs. Hard to get a good read. 15 Buccaneers 9-7-0 They didn't make any splash offseason moves. But RB Warrick Dunn's return is going to help more than many recognize. 16 Titans 10-6-0 They didn't get as much help from QB Vince Young as they should have. But he's going to become good enough to carry the offense. 17 Cardinals 8-8-0 Ken Whisenhunt and staff changed the culture in Arizona. Kurt Warner provides top-notch insurance at QB. Depth along the O-line and on defense in general remain the question. 18 Panthers 7-9-0 The return of QB Jake Delhomme might be enough to get them to the playoffs. But there are no guarantees with Tommy John surgery. 19 Bills 7-9-0 Marcus Stroud turns 30 this summer and his starts have declined over three seasons. Will he be healthy enough to help the Bills in December? 20 Texans 8-8-0 They reached respectability in 2007. Improving will be difficult because their division is so tough. 21 Jets 4-12-0 An offseason spending spree upgraded the roster without answering the Jets' most pressing question: Do they have the right QB? 22 Ravens 5-11-0 Are the 2008 Ravens more like the 13-3 team in 2006, or the 5-11 unit last season? This is certain: QB play is key. 23 Broncos 7-9-0 This is the second-best team in the AFC West. That is an indictment of the division, not a pat on the back for this team, which has many holes. 24 Bears 7-9-0 Seems like ages ago the Bears were NFC champs. For better or worse, fans will have to endure another season of good Rex Grossman and bad Rex Grossman. 25 Bengals 7-9-0 If WR Chad Johnson sits out, the Bengals will suffer. If Johnson shows, he's a distraction. Neither situation is good. 26 Raiders 4-12-0 The Raiders' offense won't make people sick anymore, but their defense might. 27 49ers 5-11-0 New offensive coordinator Mike Martz provides credibility on offense, but head coach Mike Nolan still must prove he can manage the team more smoothly. 28 Rams 3-13-0 Quietly, Jim Haslett has turned the defense into a respectable unit. The Rams could contend for a playoff spot if their offensive line can keep Marc Bulger healthy. 29 Lions 7-9-0 QB Jon Kitna says it will be a disappointment if the Lions don't win 10 games this season. Perhaps he doesn't realize Detroit hasn't won 10 games since 1995. 30 Chiefs 4-12-0 The Chiefs' rebuilding project has begun, but it's unrealistic to believe they will become contenders anytime soon. 31 Dolphins 1-15-0 A rookie head coach and an unsettled QB situation add up to growing pains, even though the Dolphins have upgraded their talent base. 32 Falcons 4-12-0 New coach Mike Smith is the right guy to turn this team around, but it's going to take a few years. Mon, 12 May 2008 06:52:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265930 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265930 Wow, have the Cleveland Browns turned their team around. Derek Anderson bloomed into a fantastic quarterback after the team shipped out Charlie Frye to Seattle last season. In return, Anderson received a three year deal with the team to become the starting quarterback for at least this season. Sophomore player Brady Quinn will look to give some healthy competition to attempt to win that job during training camps. On top of already having Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, Willie McGinest, Joshua Cribbs, and a few other decent names, the Browns have gone out to try and fix a few more pieces to the puzzle to attempt to win a seemingly pitiful AFC North. Big spenders during the first few days of free agency, the Browns picked up WR Donte Stallworth who played last season with the New England Patriots, traded cornerback Leigh Bodden to the Detroit Lions in exchange for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, and traded the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Corey Williams. They also chose to resign running back Jamal Lewis to a three year deal. Lewis came over from the Baltimore Ravens, an AFC North rival, and seemed to revitalize his career. The Browns are taking the next step to try and win the AFC North, which it seems as though the Browns will battle it out with the Pittsburgh Steelers with their revised roster going into the 2008 season. Also, Join ATS this Sunday (March 9) at 8PM Eastern Time as T- Money welcomes FIO contributor Lou Poulas to help you get prepared for your fantasy baseball draft! If you have any questions for Tim and Lou, e- mail tmiller@fantasyinsideronline.com Also to be discussed: NFL Free Agency, Brett Favre retires, Rockets continue to soar, Nuggets pick up their game after T- Money rips them a new one, and all the usual, weekly segments brought to you by ATS! Listen Live, Sunday March 9 at 8PM Eastern Time here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tmoneysports and join other listeners in the chat room! You can also call into the show, 718- 664- 6559! If you can not join the show live, be sure to listen to the show on the archive featured at http://www.fantasyinsideronline.com/ats.asp If you would like to sign up to receive the ATS newsletter in your e-mail, send a message to tmiller@fantasyinsideronline.com Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:42:27 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/186055 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/186055 We're actually making moves? Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:33:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/180499 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/180499 An inside source with the league says the Browns gave up too much in terms of draft position and money in order to obtain Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers. But considering what the Browns got in return - two franchise defensive linemen - wasn't it worth it? Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:32:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/180362 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/180362 Hanging out with the dregs of the NFL for a couple of years teaches you many things as a fan. The beloved Brownies have sucked since their rebirth in 1999. Does 4-12 or 3-13 or 5-11 sound familiar anybody? It does if you're a Lions, Cardinals or Raiders fan. And sadly, it sounds very familiar to Browns fans. Watching a team year after year that could exceed expectations by going .500 is no fun. One of the only comforting things when you're stuck in this sports fan's hell (this could probably be Chapter 8 in Dante's Inferno), is knowing that there are other teams out there as helpless, hopeless, and lost as your own. Now that the Browns have opened free agency with big trades and signings and re-signings, I think we can officially turn the page from perennial laughing stock losers to perennial playoff contenders. It feels good Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:50:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/179306 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/179306 Dolphins sign 8 players; Jets trade for Jenkins, ship Vilma; Browns get Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams; and much more local hometown AFC free agent news for Saturday March 1, 2008. Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:26:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/175380 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/175380 The Cincinnati Bengals are not very happy with the Detroit Lions right now. The two sides had a trade in place for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers but at the last moment the Lions pulled the deal off the table and shipped him to the Cleveland Browns, the Bengals division rival. The deal calls for the Browns to get Rogers while sending corner back Leigh Bodden and a 3rd round draft pick to the Lions. This is a very good deal for both sides in my opinion. Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:12:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/175297 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/175297 The Cleveland Browns have had a busy day with former Green Bay Packers defensive end Corey Williams. Shortly after the midnight start time for free agency, the Browns and Packers reached a deal that sent Williams to Cleveland, and the Pack received a 2nd round draft pick. The deal was contingent on the Browns reaching a contract extension with Williams. This afternoon that extension has happened. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:25:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/174414 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/174414 According the the Plain Dealer, Corey Williams is the newest member of the Cleveland Browns. Williams will be joining the Browns in exchange for a second round draft choice, contingent on the Browns' signing of Williams to a multi-year deal. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:01:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/173812 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/173812 Teams were active right at the start of free agency early Friday. Among those who made moves include the Jets, Cowboys, Browns, Raiders, Patriots, and Packers. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:06:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/173683 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/173683 During the offseason, I will be welcoming submissions from readers who would want to have a guest slot here on Thoughts from the Dark Side. The first "Thought from a Reader's Side" was submitted by L Dizzle. He gives his Free Agent wish list, and it is a list I can agree with. He suggests that the Raiders go after Corey Williams, Antwan Odom, Bernard Berrian, Flozell Adams, Max Starks and more. Sun, 17 Feb 2008 03:06:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/147998 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/147998