An Online Petition Not Involving Ron Zook

CLEVELAND - Known for their considerable rate of success, online petitions have become almost as commonplace on the world wide web as sports blogs dwelling on the misfortune of Cleveland sports teams (examples 1, 2, 3). It seems that some Browns fans have created DraftTroy.com, with one unequivocal goal in mind - but you'll have to do your own research to figure that out. Although, no such site was needed to convince Butch Davis to take long-snapper Ryan Pontbriand in the fifth round. Continue Entry»

Someone actually WANTS to play for the Browns?

Photo Courtesy of cantonrep.com

CLEVELAND, OHIO - How good would this guy look wearing orange and brown? Well, according to Sports Illustrated, Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith has been taped as saying he'd like to be drafted by the Browns and give back to the community that he grew up in (Think about this Browns fans, there is actually someone who wants to be a part of this team!). Smith has his critics, and a lot of experts have him being drafted in the second or third rounds. His height is an obvious issue (So is the fact that he played poorly in the National Championship game against Florida, a team that made JaMarcus Russell look equally silly if not worse by picking off three of his passes and sacking him repeatedly), and the fact that he played in a spread offense has scouts wondering if he can be consistent under center. Granted, with the Browns picking at either 3 or 4 overall, taking a guy like Smith who's being billed as a "Project" would be tough to rationalize. However, if he's still there in the second round, who could really argue with drafting a quarterback who is a hometown fan favorite, actually is lobbying to be drafted by the Browns, and has proven to be a winner throughout his college career? (Although, I seem to recall trying this same idea out on a little white-trash treasure from Akron two years ago, and we still don't have conclusive positive results on that one)

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Bengals Continue to Impress...

Photo courtesy of Robert Beck/SI

CINCINNATI, OHIO - According to the Philadelphia Daily News, a Cincinnati Bengals scout by the name of Greg Seamon (pronounced Se-men) was recently quoted as saying that OSU star Troy Smith is "An over hyped Heisman quarterback who will flop in the NFL." These guys in the Bengals' organization really know how to keep a low profile (The word classy comes to mind every time I see those miserable uniforms). There seems to be no reason for this scout to be discussing Smith's future, as the Bengals are set at the QB position for years to come with Carson Palmer. Clearly, if they were in the market for a quarterback, they'd gear themselves towards Hawaii standout Colt Brennan. Colt was a walk-on at Colorado after high-school, but was cut from the team after a woman accused him of breaking into her room, fondling her, and exposing himself to her (It's one thing to break in, and another thing to fondle an unwilling girl, but I draw the line when you expose yourself). Anyhow, the future for Smith is something nobody can accurately predict...the future for the Bengals certainly includes crime, controversy, and maybe some football on the side. Continue Entry»

Smith Grows One Inch Since Title Game

COLUMBUS - In a stunning development that will likely affect his draft status, his initial contract and the measurements of his wardrobe, Troy Smith has officially gained one full inch. Standing tall at his off-campus apartment, the now six-foot Heisman winner talked about his new-found height.

"We knew my height was going to be the focus from now until the Draft," Smith said. "My team and coaches deserve all the credit. I couldn't have done this without them."

Smith's draft status plummeted after his dreadful National Championship performance, with some scouts positioning him in the mid-third round. ESPN's Mel Kiper dropped Smith from the late first down to the fourth or fifth. All these rankings, however, were predicated on his listed height of 5'11.

"Being around Troy the last few weeks, I think one could pretty easily say that he picked up a quarter inch here and a quarter inch there," said OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel. "Unfortunately it came a little too late. My entire Florida gameplan hinged on utilizing a 5'11 QB."

Smith had been sighted working on improving his height with Eric Lichter, the team's Director of Football Performance.

"I'm sick of the tired mantra 'You can't teach height,'" Lichter said. "Troy's gains are a true measure of what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication."

Chris Leak, Smith's title game counterpart, sounded like the early 90's rapper Skee-Lo as he openly expressed his concern about his height leading up to April's draft.

"It's true, I wish I was a little bit taller," Leak said. "Unfortunately, the measurement at the combine will be the one time Tim Tebow won't be able to come to my rescue." Continue Entry»