From: mocnik@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Browns News - July 20th
Date: 20 Jul 92 14:32:08 EST

Browns News - July 20, 1992

Here are a few notes about the camp.

1. Micheal Dean Perry will require surgery to repair damage to his right
   knee. The Browns are saying MDP is expected to be out 3-4 weeks. 
   MDP injured the knee 2 years ago, but has been able to continue. This year
   while working out at his home in South Carolina, MDP re-injured the knee.
   Three weeks ago he went to the doctor. Medication was tried, but it did not
   help, thus the surgery. Also a small cyst was found with the damaged 
   ligament. This cyst will be removed when the ligament is fixed. The Browns 
   are saying the surgery is minor in nature, and should be looked upon as a 
   delay instead of a postponement of Michael Dean's season.

   Let's hope the 3-4 weeks is accurate and not like the prognosis for
   Bruce Smith's surgery last year. Bruce was a shadow of himself after his
   surgery and the rehab took a MUCH longer time than the announced 8 weeks.
   Surgery is scheduled for this week.

2. Is it just coincidence or what, but Bill Johnson (3rd Rd Draft Choice),
   signed a contract yesterday. Bill had left town after negotiations had
   broken down. With Michael Dean out, Bill Johnson was signed real quick.
   Also Patrick Rowe, 2nd Round Pick, signed a contract on Thursday.

3. That leaves Tommy Vardell as the only draft choice unsigned. Both sides
   report they have "fair" offers on the table. Art Modell says
   "Tommy has received a blockbuster offer from the Browns and there
   should be no reason why Tommy hasn't signed." Talks should continue
   this week.

4. The veterans reported on Saturday. Veteran holdouts as of this morning are:
   - Harlon Barnett - Safety
   - Clay Matthews - Linebacker
   - Randy Hilliard - Cornerback
   - Tony Jones - Offensive Tackle
   - Lawyer Tillman - he wants a raise. For what?? Rehabilitating??? 
   - Eric Metcalf - nothing new. Another rumor of a trade denied by Modell.
   - Webster Slaughter - nothing new.
   - Scott Galbraith - he wants $500k, Browns offer $300k, made $193k last yr

   - The last 3 are expected to hold out for some time.

5. Injuries sustained so far:
   - Keenan McCardell - Wide receiver - out 3-4 weeks with injured shoulder.
   - Bob Mitchell - Tight End - I'm unsure of his injury.
   - Micheal Dean Perry - see notes above.
   - Paul Farren - Offensive lineman has a nerve injury in his back which has
                   prevented him from practicing.
   - Rob Woods - OT - rehabilitating from off-season knee surgery. Out til Oct.
   - Derrick Douglas - RB - also rehabing from off-season knee surgery.
   - There are the usual muscles pulls and injuries, which keep players
     out a couple of days. I will not list each injury.

6. Players who have gone home:
   - Leonard Bruton, OL, was waived.
   - Mark Harper, CB, asked and was granted his release.
   - Eric Harmon - OL, sent home with an infection.
   - Rick Trumball, OL, asked for permission to leave due to personnel reasons.
   - Marcus Lowe, DT, sent home after failing his weight limit. Can return when
                      he meets the weight limit.

7. Corrections to a previous post:
   - George Williams, DT, was NOT sent home as I previously reported. He cannot
                      work out with the team until he reaches the weight limit.
                      He was close to the limit, supposedly around 5 pounds.
   - Bob Dahl, OL, is not an ex-Raider. He played for the Bengals and Steelers
                     last year as a defensive lineman. See below for more.

8. Most interesting players so far in training camp. Quotes are from a local
   writer, who I respect:
   - Mark Bavaro - he still looks quick in the drills. He has a slight
                   hamstring injury which is keeping him out of some drills.
                   Mark has been fairly open to the media, unlike his days in
                   New York. He even talked to a NY Newsday writer.
   - Freddie Childress - the big lineman. He has shed almost 30 pounds since
                   he first put on the Browns uniform. According to a local
                   writer, "his paunch is down and his quickness is remarkable".
                   Freddie is being tried at Left Tackle. He has never played
                   this position before. Previously Freddie was a Guard.
   - Bob Dahl - free agent OL from Notre Dame. He was a tight end and defensive
                lineman there, but is shifting to center here. He grew up in
                Chagrin Falls, a suburb of Cleveland. He has worked hard in 
                the off-season workouts in becoming an offensive lineman. 
                He is 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds.
                "He has quick feet for a big man." says the local writer.
   - Gerald Dixon - 3rd Round linebacker. "He is going to be a contender for
                an outside spot if the first week is any indication".

9. New players:
   - Rod Harris, WR, last with the Eagles was signed on Sunday.

10. Funny happenings at camp:
   - One rookie asked if they got weekends off?
   - Another rookie, Tim Simpson, drove to camp with a huge TV. When he plugged
     the set in it blew up. So Tim went down to a store and purchased another
     set. Tim must really like his TV shows. 
   - On the opening day of practice, a golden-haired dog wandered into camp.
     No he wasn't looking for the Dawg Pound. His owner reclaimed the dog a 
     short time later. WOOF-WOOF.

11. Jon Bon Jovi was at practice Sunday. He and Bill Belicheck became friends
    in New York. Jon is a big football fan and was at practice last year also.

12. Bernie Kosar turned down a request for an interview, saying he wasn't
    ready to do an interview. This may indicate Bernie's continued displeasure
    in the way Belicheck has changed the team, (ie Langhorne & Brennen gone, 
    and no help for the offensive line in the draft). In the past Bernie would
    do any interview when asked. Stay tuned...

See you later with more news.

Don Mocnik

GO-O-O-O-O-O BROWNS !!!!!!
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro