Middle Tennessee Browns Backers News

Cleveland Browns - They Love Them! They Really, Really Love Them!
April 15, 2008
Ohio.com "The Sports Blitz"

The NFL schedule is out and the Cleveland Browns saw themselves from starving from lack of respect from TV networks and the schedule making gods last year to gorging on it next season.
The Browns will appear on national television a whopping FIVE times in the 2008 campaign. That's going to make for a lot of late nights in Cleveland.
Here's the rundown:

Pittsburgh Steelers: Sunday, Sept. 14, 8:15 p.m., NBC (WKYC Channel 3)
New York Giants: Monday, Oct. 13, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Denver Broncos: Thursday, Nov. 6, 8:15 p.m., NFL Network
At Buffalo Bills, Monday, Nov., 17, 8:30p.m., ESPN
At Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 15, 8:30 p.m., ESPN

Additionally, one other game, the home opener against the Dallas Cowboys has a 4:15 starting time which means that more than likely it will be the national game for the FOX Network that week. Three other Sunday games also start after 4 p.m.
What should Browns fans make of this? First of all, the league rewarded the Browns entertaining play on the field and their perceived status as an up-and-coming team. It will however, mean nothing should they not win.
And at first glance, this schedule is fair to middlin' with respect to difficulty. The combined winning percentage of every team on it is .535. If the Browns have improved the way everyone believes them to have they should have a successful season.
The toughies: Pittsburgh, the Giants, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts (how many of you want payback for them not playing with any desire in their season closer?) and the Titans. That's not to say the rest of the teams on the schedule will be pushovers. Far from it. But the Browns find themselves in an unenviable position - they either perform on the limelight or they likely won't be invited back as often in the future. Additionally, it's going to be interesting to see how this funky schedule affects this team the following week. Three of those national matchup will cause the team to play on short weeks.

Latest Transactions
Date Transaction
7/22/08 Beau Bell LB signed/draft choice to a Four-year contract
7/22/08 Martin Rucker TE signed/draft choice to a Four-year contract
7/22/08 Ahtyba Rubin DT signed/draft choice to a Four-year contract
7/22/08 Paul Hubbard WR signed/draft choice to a Four-year contract
7/22/08 Alex Hall LB signed/draft choice to a Four-year contract
7/21/08 Zach West DT cut
7/21/08 Justin Sandy S cut
6/11/08 LeCharles Bentley C cut
5/24/08 Aaron Shea TE retired
5/23/08 Terry Cousin CB signed/unrestricted free agent to a Two-year contract
5/22/08 Daven Holly CB re-signed
5/22/08 Daven Holly CB Placed on IR to a knee
5/15/08 Jereme Perry CB signed to a One-year contract
5/14/08 Kenny Wright CB cut
5/6/08 Kory Chapman RB cut
5/1/08 Steve CargileS acquired from waivers

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Browns terminate Baxter's contract
08-09-08
Staff Report, Cleveland Browns.com
The Cleveland Browns have terminated the contract of safety Gary Baxter, the club announced today. Baxter, 6-2 and 220 lbs., participated in training camp with the Browns prior to having surgery to remove cartilage in his knee on Aug. 5.

"Last year we were able to hold a roster spot open for Gary as he attempted to make a monumental comeback," said Phil Savage, Cleveland Browns Senior Vice President and General Manager. "After he underwent a knee scope last week, we are unfortunately not in a position to hold a roster spot this year. We are releasing Gary today in hopes he will be able to continue his rehab and get back into the NFL, either with another team, or possibly with the Browns. Gary has made tremendous strides thus far and we believe he can play professional football again in the future."

Baxter did not play during the 2007 season however continued his rehabilitation efforts to return from patellar tendon injuries in both knees suffered during the 2006 season. Baxter originally suffered the injury on Oct. 22, 2006, on a routine play attempting to break up a pass in the second quarter against Denver.