Is there anything better for a media nerd such as myself to wake up to on a Sunday morning in early March, during an non-traditionally moribund free agency season than articles such as the ones that follow?  Although, admittedly I’m more of a chaser of news than reporter, it makes me wonder just who exactly the reporters are in this city. 

While I certainly can’t describe myself as such, at least I don’t throw out terms like “insider.”

Jeff Schudel’s Insider

Reading through Schudel’s Sunday “report”, you may come to the conclusion that the blogosphere is beginning to influence traditional print journalism, or at least giving newspaper columnists an easy out.  There is nothing that Schudel presents that hasn’t already been rehashed across multiple Internet sources.  Simply put, Schudel’s report suggests the following:

1. The Browns need a QB.

2. The Browns need WR’s.

3. Seneca Wallace and Matt Flynn’s names have been mentioned (probably on someone’s blog, mind you).

4. Kevin Kolb.

5. Jake Delhomme was recently cut.

6. Then there’s Marc Bulger.

Exactly.

So….can you give us any specific information regarding any of these players, or potential moves by the Browns? 

(Silence)

I’m just waiting for the day when the Morning Journal Sports section is replaced by pictures of cats and babies doing cute things.  I can’t imagine anything but a smooth transistion when this inevitably occurs.

As for the “Insider” claim, what exactly is Schudel “inside” of?  Besides, of course his Internet Explorer browser.  I wonder if ProFootballTalk.com is at the top of his “Favorites” list?

Let’s just label this as Exhibit 8 million of why people my age turn to real information gathering sites for their news. 

OBR Blog

Congratulations to Tony Grossi, whose sort-of self-evident “league source says Browns could have an interest in Seneca Wallace” blurb has already grown up into “Browns are interested in trading for Seneca Wallace” as it’s re-phrased in another newspaper. 

The problem with a limited pool of information and competition to push as much info as possible every single day is that tiny info-ripples are magically turned into Rumor Tsunamis in matter of hours. The internet is full of story repeaters, and they all inadvertently add amplitude to the wave. Fans with a little free time can generally follow a story to its source and see how it has mutated along the way.

Within this context, running a service for a limited number of subscribers behind a paywall has some advantages, because our splashing in the pool is blocked by a breakwall and doesn’t wind up drowning Tokyo.  

And so on.

Here’s what great about Internet reporting.  First, it doesn’t kill trees to produce instantly dated news.  Second, the inherent task of determining the validity of a source is left to the reader.  Finally, there are genuine people involved in the process, as opposed to bitter dinosaurs clinging to their typewriters, cursing the world around them and slowly dying in a most natural evolutionary process.

For those of you still not aware of sites like TheOBR.com, consider it as a checks and balances sort of system for traditional media outlets.  Because OBR is more concerned with being accurate, rather than “being first”, you get reflections like the preceding. 

Because of the natural connection between Holmgren and Wallace, this ”suggestion” has turned into legitimacy. 

Here you go… 

Grossi – March 5

A league source said that one quarterback of interest to the Browns and President Mike Holmgren could be Seneca Wallace of Seattle.

I wonder who the “league source” is.  Schudel?  No.  He’s more of an “insider.”

While the crusty old man in me has an undying love for Grossi – no, seriously – in the end, he’s one of our own; I’ve always enjoyed the alternative of Terry Pluto’s Sunday columns.  Although he may never realize it, he’s one of the few venerable writers who has successfully translated to the contemporary media. 

Combining wisdom, rational thinking and an appreciation for his craft into a most soothing voice in a sea of negativity, Pluto manages to avoid the pettiness that is rampant among most newspapers. 

You would almost think he’s an “outsider.”  I knew there was something I liked about him.

Terry Pluto

The Browns’ concern with Rogers is his tendency to freelance, rather than cover the area he is assigned. Often, he left big holes in the middle of the line in his attempt to make a big play. The defense is based on linemen occupying a lot of space and a lot of blockers, setting up linebackers for tackles.

In terms of trade value, who else do the Browns currently have?  I can’t imagine that Brady Quinn has much of a profile around the league and suggestions that the Browns can get anything for Derek Anderson are just unrealistic.  After all, why would a team interested in DA give up a draft pick when the Browns will likely cut him in a couple weeks?

As for Rogers, perhaps the last month of the 2009 season showed that while he’s still highly effective, the Browns’ system just may not be the best fit for the otherwise dynamic lineman.  On a related note, this hasn’t been the greatest of offseasons for the legacy of Phil Savage. 

However, you can’t really fault Savage for this move.  After all, how could you not bring in a player of Rogers’ caliber? 

Anyway, perhaps the blame shifts to the 3-4, two gap scheme, which has repeatedly proven to be most difficult to staff.  If the Browns are able to get a decent return for Rogers, he could easily florish somewhere else in a more traditional four-man front.  As for the Browns, Ahtyba Rubin has shown that he can a serviceable fill-in – especially given the flexibility shown late in the year within Rob Ryan’s schemes.

And more defense…

Scott Fujita to Visit

Some have already suggested that Fujita’s interest in the Browns, or vice versa, is a reaction to D’Qwell Jackson’s current unhappiness with his contract situation.  Granted, Jackson – like Josh Cribbs before him – claims to have been promised a new deal – by the former front office regime.  I’m not sure how Fujita would exactly replace Jackson, but in terms of linebacker depth, the Browns need as many bodies as they can find.

Fujita could be a nice fit inside, depending on who is he partnered with.  A Fujita/Trusnik combination is downright terrifying, but if the Browns can land a solid rookie talent next month, the inside dynamic could totally change.  At the worst, Fujita/Bowens could be interesting.  However, in the end, considering how he finished 2009, playing Bowens and Jackson inside could be intriguing.

Unless there were some other promises made to Jackson which we’re not aware of.

Again – more evidence of why Mike Holmgren was paid a small fortune to claim sole ownership of this franchise.

Speaking of which…

Tony Pashos to Visit

I was a little concerned regarding the news of Hank Fraley’s release.  Fraley has been nothing but a safety net for the Browns since his arrival in 2006.  The depth that Fraley provided is hard to find, and the situation was compounded by the release of Rex Hadnot.  While Hadnot was never anything special, he at least offered another body up front – albeit an expensive one.

However, a Pashos signing could go a long way to bolstering the right side of the team’s line, at least for a season or two.  Certainly, Pashos would be an upgrade over John St. Clair, who clearly struggled last season.  In fact, a Pashos signing would probably lead to St. Clair ultimately being released. 

While the Browns still desperately need to add a rookie lineman, preferably in the first few rounds of April’s draft, beginning 2010 with Pashos and Floyd Womack along the right side would be an improvement over last year’s lineup.

And from the department of the forgotten, here’s this…

Browns Re-Sign Ray Ventrone

Although he’ll never get credit for it, Ventrone represents another of Eric Mangini’s free agent scrap heap signings of 2009.  Ventrone was nothing short of excellent covering kickoffs last season, and helped contribute to the Browns’ lone win of the first three-quarters of the season last year. 

Don’t look now, but it’s possible that the Browns have the best special teams units in the league.  Of course, having Josh Cribbs helps – but players like Ventrone form the Inglorious Basterd underbelly of successful teams.

And finally, from the long ago forgotten department…

Tucker Retires

I’m never a fan of people who throw out descriptions of players such as “warrior”, mainly because I’m fairly certain that most Viking marauders in the 10th century didn’t have a staff of trainers and easy access to pharmaceuticals.  However, in Tucker’s case, the term comes pretty close.

If anything, Tucker was perhaps one of the Browns’ toughest and nastiest players in franchise history.  He is easily the team’s best lineman of the past decade – pre-Joe Thomas.  Unfortunately for Tucker, he played on some of the worst offensive lines in league history throughout his tenure.  Lining up next to the likes of Enoch DeMar makes for a most challenging existence. 

However, when Tucker was healthy – which was not always the case – the Browns’ rushing attack was effective.  Consider both the 2005 and 2007 ground games.  With Tucker leading the way, Reuben Droughns and Jamal Lewis had tremendous seasons.  When Tucker missed time during the alternating years, the results were evident.

It’s unfortunate, and quite sad, to see Tucker’s career quietly end.  Because his Browns teams were so inept, Tucker’s legacy will be kind of an afterthought going forward.  However, it’s worth mentioning that Tucker was the kind of player who battled through a series of lingering injuries, emotional issues and suspensions – all somewhat related to his desire to continue playing.  Considering that he was rarely playing for a winner, his motivation to keep going is nothing short of impressive.

Yet, now his body has basically broken to the point that he can no longer continue.

While it’s easy to forget about players no longer on our Sunday radar, I admit that I’m concerned about Tucker’s future.  What will the quality of his post-football life be like?  The last several years of his career had to take an immense toll on his personal health – in many ways, he was completely chewed up by the savagery of the game. 

Easily forgettable moments like these make you appreciate the effort and sacrifice players make for the game.  While they may not be doing it for us – the fans – the incredible carnage of a long-time player’s career is always worth remembering.

In Tucker’s case, let’s hope that in “real life”, he continues to be a warrior.