March 13th, 2010
Ben Watson was on Sirius Radio earlier today and talked a bit about his decision to come to Cleveland, and bypass an offer from Seattle.
While having some familiarity with Brian Daboll’s offense and head coach Eric Mangini helped, Watson offered that Cleveland simply pushed harder and put out a better ofer.
In free agency, Watson said, players look at “teams that really take initiative to get you to sign. Cleveland took the lead to get me there.”
The OBR’s Lane Adkins told subscribers over a week ago that the Browns were prepared to “hard sales mode” to Watson to sign. Based on Watson’s comments, the Browns did exactly that.
It’s hard to say if it’s his own conclusion or if hints were provided while in Berea, but Watson said that the Browns “could be a totally different looking team by the time the season gets here”. The big tight end also praised Josh Cribbs’ versatility and twice mentioned the acquisition of Seneca Wallace.
“I have no idea who is going to be the quarterback”, Wallace told Moving the Chains. “They have Brady Quinn there and brought in Wallace. If it’s a new quarterback, the fact that I know a little bit of the offense… will make it easier.”
Watson plans on being in Cleveland shortly after off-season workouts begin next Monday.
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March 13th, 2010
That’s what Tom Curren, who spends a lot of time covering the Patriots for Comcast things might be the case, per a tweet he sent out earlier today.
Watson is a fairly consistent receiver, but at this point I’m not totally sold on the Watson-Heiden swap, assuming that Heiden is healthy again. On balance, it appears to be a slight upgrade, but not one that has me thinking the team has taken a big leap forward.
I look forward to Watson proving me wrong.
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March 13th, 2010
Based on our web stats, folks love the heck out of this “Daily Blog” thing, which is surprising given how most of my web hackery collapses upon itself within an hour or two. This seems to be still be working, for whatever reason.
Previously, we added the flow from our Twitter feed to here, so that folks who aren’t Tweeters don’t miss out on any breaking info we fire out via that platform. Reporting is real-time now, so we have to participate in that, but a lot of our visitors don’t want to have to pick up new tech to play along. So we mirror any new Tweets here, instantly.
We also got some emails from subscribers, one of whom felt cheated because he has an older browser that can’t use our new technology, and another who had a mobile phone that couldn’t display it. A few other subscribers were concerned that previously premium info was coming out via the Daily Blog. While the vast majority of our subscriber content lies behind the pay wall, there’s some stuff here that might have previously been reserved for the Insider Blog.
So, we’ve decided on a compromise. Each day, we’ll archive the previous day’s Daily Blog, but the format will be “normal HTML” for anyone with old browser technology who missed out. The archive will also be for subscribers only, so that they have permanent access to all the tidbits that come out via this blog.
We listen closely to OBR subscribers. Without you (them), the site doesn’t exist – we want your feedback and will do our level best to give you the site you deserve, and pay for with your support.
Subscribers: I’ve created a thread in The TAP Room specifically to get your ideas and thoughts. Feel free to offer any feedback you have.
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March 12th, 2010
The Browns seem to be spending a lot of time taking a look at defensive tackles for a club with Shaun Rogers and Ahtyba Rubin on the roster.
Unless, of course, one of those players might leave the roster at some point. Nah… that can’t be it.
Earlier today, we relayed the latest from the Purdue Pro Day that had the Browns working out a defensive tackle after the organized activities.
Now we’re told that Sirius Radio’s NFL channel just had an interview with Torrell Troup, DT, Central Florida. One of the teams most interested in him at the Combine? The Cleveland Browns.
Maybe, for some reason, it’s all an elaborate smokescreen, with the Browns looking interested in mid-round defensive tackles in order to throw off the opposition. Come to think of it, we’re sure that’s all it is. Yeah.
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March 12th, 2010
These are links from the OBR Newswire for March 12th from 09:53 to 22:41:
- Chronicle-Telegram – Browns Release Heiden, Sign Trusnik – Veteran tight end Steve Heiden was released by the Browns on Friday night, hours after they signed free-agent tight end Ben Watson.

- News-Herald – Browns sign TE Watson – The Browns on Friday morning filled another hole on offense by signing tight end Ben Watson.

- Official Site – Trusnik signs tender, Heiden released – Browns linebacker Jason Trusnik has signed his contract tender, the team announced Friday night. The team also released veteran tight end Steve Heiden.

- Canton Rep – Browns sign tight end Ben Watson – It appears the Browns are building toward being a contender within three years. Why else would they give three-year contracts to important free agency signees Scott Fujita on defense and tight end Ben Watson on offense?

- WKYC – Cleveland Browns release TE Heiden – The Cleveland Browns have released veteran tight end Steve Heiden. Heiden, who has battled injuries in recent years, was let go by the club hours after Cleveland signed free agent tight end Benjamin Watson to a three-year contract.

- ABJ – Tight end Benjamin Watson joining Browns – A lynchpin in the new West Coast offense might have arrived Friday, when the Browns landed six-year veteran tight end Benjamin Watson, an unrestricted free agent from the New England Patriots.

- Holmgren: Quinn’s future with the Cleveland Browns depends on other QB moves – Browns President Mike Holmgren said that trade talk for Brady Quinn is "a little premature," but he indicated that Quinn's future with the club depends on acquiring another quarterback.

- Official Site – Browns sign Benjamin Watson – The Cleveland Browns today signed tight end Benjamin Watson to a multi-year contract as an unrestricted free agent from the New England Patriots, where he had spent each of his first six NFL seasons (2004-09).

- ABJ – Watson signs 3-year deal – Lacking a receiving threat at tight end after last year's trade of Kellen Winslow, the Browns signed six-year veteran Benjamin Watson from the New England Patriots Friday morning.

Tags: newswire
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