AFC North: L.J. Fort
Scott Fujita stabilizes Browns linebackers
September, 7, 2012
9/07/12
5:20
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Defending against Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick on Sunday might have just become slightly easier for the Cleveland Browns.
An appeals panel has overturned the three-game suspension of Cleveland outside linebacker Scott Fujita as well as the suspensions of New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma, defensive end Will Smith and former New Orleans defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove. There could be more legal wrangling, but the NFL has said that, as of now, all the players are eligible to play immediately.
That’s a huge boost for the Browns. When it looked like Fujita wasn’t going to be able to play, their linebacker corps was in disarray, aside from D'Qwell Jackson. Rookie James-Michael Johnson has an oblique injury that could force him to miss several games. It appeared as if the Browns would have to use inexperienced linebackers Kaluka Maiava, L.J. Fort and Craig Robertson against the Eagles. Some or all of those guys still could play, but Fujita suddenly has brought some stability back to the linebacker situation.
Fujita never has been the world’s most gifted linebacker. He gets by on intellect and effort. Now that he’s 33, Fujita’s not a real threat to run Vick down. But you can count on him to do the things he’s supposed to do and not make huge mistakes.
You also can count on him to help make sure the younger linebackers are lined up correctly and know what they’re doing.
With Fujita back in the mix, Cleveland’s defense suddenly looks a lot better than it did a few hours ago.
An appeals panel has overturned the three-game suspension of Cleveland outside linebacker Scott Fujita as well as the suspensions of New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma, defensive end Will Smith and former New Orleans defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove. There could be more legal wrangling, but the NFL has said that, as of now, all the players are eligible to play immediately.
That’s a huge boost for the Browns. When it looked like Fujita wasn’t going to be able to play, their linebacker corps was in disarray, aside from D'Qwell Jackson. Rookie James-Michael Johnson has an oblique injury that could force him to miss several games. It appeared as if the Browns would have to use inexperienced linebackers Kaluka Maiava, L.J. Fort and Craig Robertson against the Eagles. Some or all of those guys still could play, but Fujita suddenly has brought some stability back to the linebacker situation.
Fujita never has been the world’s most gifted linebacker. He gets by on intellect and effort. Now that he’s 33, Fujita’s not a real threat to run Vick down. But you can count on him to do the things he’s supposed to do and not make huge mistakes.
You also can count on him to help make sure the younger linebackers are lined up correctly and know what they’re doing.
With Fujita back in the mix, Cleveland’s defense suddenly looks a lot better than it did a few hours ago.
AFC North lunch links: Art Modell's legacy
September, 6, 2012
9/06/12
11:55
AM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens franchise presents a special collection of statements from around the league on the life and death of Art Modell.
Check out ESPN's retrospective photo gallery of Art Modell.
Ravens offensive tackle Ramon Harewood was fined $8,000 by the NFL for an illegal block against the St. Louis Rams, according to the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson.
“Around here, people are kind of obsessed,” said Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith, who told the Baltimore Sun that he doesn't plan to get rid of his signature dreadlocks (for now).
Cincinnati Bengals
Marvin Lewis isn't shy about the Bengals' game plan against the Ravens in Week 1: Stop Ray Rice.
The Bengals have played one Monday game since 2007, which means almost half of the players on Cincinnati's roster have never played in a "Monday Night Football" game.
"The offense, that in just 17 short games has exactly one starting skill player that played with Carson Palmer (tight end Jermaine Gresham), believes it has grown up fast enough to start using the term reliability," writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
Cleveland Browns
Undrafted rookie free agent L.J. Fort is expected to start at strong-side linebacker against the Eagles, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Tom Reed reports.
"[Art] Modell, who owned the Browns from 1961-1995, never seemed to completely overcome the sadness he felt about moving the team. At the time of his death, he was still public enemy No. 1 in Cleveland, the city he loved. After moving to Baltimore, Modell was never able to return here because of death threats. For a time, he was forced to travel with two armed bodyguards," writes Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Todd Haley's offense may look a lot different than the one run by Bruce Arians, but it won't matter if it is not productive. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has five story lines for Steelers fans to watch in 2012.
Broncos coach John Fox and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tried to quiet external talk of revenge being a motivating factor in their teams' season opener Sunday night in Denver, according to the Denver Post.
Can the Steelers stop the Ravens this season? Baltimore QB Joe Flacco is 4-2 against Pittsburgh the past three regular seasons and twice brought his team from behind late in the fourth quarter to beat the Steelers at Heinz Field.
The Ravens franchise presents a special collection of statements from around the league on the life and death of Art Modell.
Check out ESPN's retrospective photo gallery of Art Modell.
Ravens offensive tackle Ramon Harewood was fined $8,000 by the NFL for an illegal block against the St. Louis Rams, according to the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson.
“Around here, people are kind of obsessed,” said Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith, who told the Baltimore Sun that he doesn't plan to get rid of his signature dreadlocks (for now).
Cincinnati Bengals
Marvin Lewis isn't shy about the Bengals' game plan against the Ravens in Week 1: Stop Ray Rice.
The Bengals have played one Monday game since 2007, which means almost half of the players on Cincinnati's roster have never played in a "Monday Night Football" game.
"The offense, that in just 17 short games has exactly one starting skill player that played with Carson Palmer (tight end Jermaine Gresham), believes it has grown up fast enough to start using the term reliability," writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
Cleveland Browns
Undrafted rookie free agent L.J. Fort is expected to start at strong-side linebacker against the Eagles, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Tom Reed reports.
"[Art] Modell, who owned the Browns from 1961-1995, never seemed to completely overcome the sadness he felt about moving the team. At the time of his death, he was still public enemy No. 1 in Cleveland, the city he loved. After moving to Baltimore, Modell was never able to return here because of death threats. For a time, he was forced to travel with two armed bodyguards," writes Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Todd Haley's offense may look a lot different than the one run by Bruce Arians, but it won't matter if it is not productive. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has five story lines for Steelers fans to watch in 2012.
Broncos coach John Fox and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tried to quiet external talk of revenge being a motivating factor in their teams' season opener Sunday night in Denver, according to the Denver Post.
Can the Steelers stop the Ravens this season? Baltimore QB Joe Flacco is 4-2 against Pittsburgh the past three regular seasons and twice brought his team from behind late in the fourth quarter to beat the Steelers at Heinz Field.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife and son.
