Mary Kay Cabot has posted a story stating that the season ending injury to Browns wide receiver Syndric Steptoe was because of the practice conditions set forth by head coach Eric Mangini.  Steptoe's agent, Jerome Stanley, says that the practice was meant to be a walk-through only because of the rain.

Analysis: Another cause of an injury popping up due to the practice conditions of Mangini, but let's face it.  This is football and the Browns were used to much easier camps under former head coach Romeo Crennel.  Losing Steptoe is not a big loss, as he was likely on the bubble anyways.  At least this way he'll get paid this season on IR, rather than being cut late in August and struggling to find another job across the league.

As another football season approaches, we've decided to combine the two Cleveland Browns blogs on Ohio.com.

That blog can be found here. All of my old content has already been sent to its new home.

Last Friday news of former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar filing for bankruptcy came out.

It was a sad tale. Kosar's Chapter 11 filing Friday lists assets between $1 million and $10 million and liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million.

That includes owing almost $1.5 million to the Browns, the team he legendarily quarterbacked from 1985 to 1993.

But Kosar's saga is much worse beneath the surface, as described by Dan Le Batard of the Miami Herald.

Le Batard was with Kosar as he signed his bankruptcy papers, chronicling the 45-year-old's downfall.

Kosar has a mangled body – a perpetually bent throwing arm, crooked fingers, creaky knees and a bad back. Even his hip needs replaced following the rough life of professional football.

That, however, is only part of Kosar's life. He's in the midst of a divorce from his estranged wife Babette. There are rumors of addiction.

Even worse for Kosar has been every day life following football. He's so used to being just a football player he has seemingly never known how to be a man.

With a guitar as a weapon, he chased after a boy interested in one of his daughters. He uses a saw to cut French bread. He doesn't know how to run a dishwasher or a clothes washer.

"I was 25 and everyone was telling me that I was the smartest; now I'm 45 and realize I'm an idiot," Kosar said. "I'm 45 and immature. I don't like being 45."

Many of Kosar's problems were brought upon by himself, some by others. Regardless, it's a tragic tale of a man will always be a legend in Cleveland sports.

He clearly still has a passion for football. Just listen to the way he calls Browns preseason games or when he calls into local radio stations.

Now, hopefully, he can begin to channel that passion into the rest of his life.

The 2009 NFL Draft has brought on eight new rookies who will be competing from various roster spots.  Let's see how they matchup with the current roster.

Round 1 – Alex Mack, C, California

Incumbent:  Hank Fraley

Mack is ready to play right now, and Fraley has had a down year.  It would be surprising to see this be much of a battle, unless a holdout on Mack's part.  What could end up being fortuitous for the Browns is that pick 21 last year was Falcons offensive tackle Sam Baker, so it shouldn't be too difficult to negotiate.

Fraley was the savior of the LeCharles Bentley disaster and a great locker-room asset, but his days as a starter are finished in the NFL.  In fact, it wouldn't even be a surprise to see Fraley let go from the roster at some point.

2009 role: Starter

Round 2 – Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

Incumbent: Donte' Stallworth

With the pending legal issues in front of Stallworth, expecting anything from him would be silly.  Even without the legal issues, Stallworth was a massive disappointment in 2008 due to injuries and lack of production.  He was only kept on roster because his bonus was guaranteed.

Robiskie is a smart and polished receiver.  He understands the game well and has good technical skills.  He may not be ready yet to be the number two receiver, but a trial by fire is likely ahead of him.

2009 role: Starter

Round 2 – Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia

Incumbent: Syndric Steptoe/David Patten

The Browns issues at receiver depth were addressed with the selection of Massaquoi.   Because of injuries last season, Steptoe was forced to start five games.  He averaged only 9.6 yards per catch and struggled.

Adding Patten in free agency was done to help stabilize a young group of receivers with shaky hands.  He is a solid possession receiver with good hands.  He will likely hold on to a roster spot before Steptoe does.

Massaquoi probably will max out as a rookie as a fourth receiver.  He will be given the playbook slowly, but like Robiskie has a ceiling of being a number two receiver in a few seasons.

2009 role: Backup, second string

Round 2 – David Veikune, DE/OLB, Hawaii

Incumbent: David Bowens/Alex Hall

The Brows had a hole at strong-side linebacker heading into the draft.  Right now the Browns look to have mostly subs and adding Veikune didn't change that image.

Bowens will probably get the nod as the starter, but he's not as effective in a full-time role.  He is mostly a pass-rush specialist.  Hall is intriguing because of his upside, but he is not a product of this regime.  The Browns may want to spend more time developing their own product.

Veikune posted a great workout at the Combine (see video below) but he is highly inexperienced.  Veikune has good hustle and a feel for the game, but can he be more than just a high motor player?  He should carve out a role on special teams this year, but the Browns need him to become a full time player.

2009 role: Backup, second string

Round 4 – Kaluka Maiava, LB, Southern California

Incumbent: Leon Williams/Beau Bell

The loss of Andra Davis was offset by the addition of former Jet Eric Barton, but he's not a long-term solution.  Also, the Browns have to develop depth in their linebacking corps.  Adding someone with the upside to compete for a starting job in 2010 looked to be key.

Adding Maiava may not provide that spark.  He's a productive, smart run defender who shows good awareness in short-zone coverage.  Maiava has the makeup of a good special teams linebacker and backup, but he may not be able to carve out more of a niche than that.

Realistically, in front of him there is a battle for a roster spot.  Both Bell and Williams are products of the Savage regime, and have huge question marks with this staff.  Williams may not have the smarts to be a Mangini linebacker, and Bell may not stay healthy long enough to make his mark.

2009 role: Special teams contributor, third string

Round 6 – Don Carey, CB, Norfolk State

Incumbent: Corey Ivy/Hank Poteat

This pick may end up becoming one of the more interesting battles in camp.  Ivy and Poteat are fighting for the nickel and dime jobs, and both have carved out good NFL careers in those roles.  Ivy is a favorite of general manager George Kokinis, and Poteat the same for Mangini.

Carey's best bet is to make the roster as the nickel back.  He has good awareness in zone coverage (notice that all of these picks are "smart" players).  Carey has to have a huge camp, though, to win a job.

2009 role: Practice squad

Round 6 – Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State

Incumbent: Gerard Lawson

With only so many spots in the secondary, both Carey and Francies are fighting for a spot.  It's unlikely both make the final 53-man roster also.  Francies may have a better shot to make the squad though because of his size and ability to play special teams.  The Browns lack a corner over six-feet tall on the roster before the selection of Francies.

To make the roster though, he'll have to beat out Lawson, who played on special teams as a rookie.  Lawson can return kicks and play on coverage units.  Luckily, Francies can do all of the same things.

2009 role: Special teams contributor

Round 6 – James Davis, RB, Clemson

Incumbent: Noah Herron/Jerome Harrison

With the Browns likely to only carry three running backs on their final roster, Davis gives good competition for the two veterans Herron and Harrison.  Davis is a productive power running back with nice elusiveness.  He was not as productive as a senior due to a poor offensive line at Clemson, but he still averaged 4.4 yards per carry.

Herron is another former Jet who was brought over due to his familiarity with the coaching staff.  He is a limited athlete though, and is mostly a journeymen in the NFL.  Harrison has big play potential, and provides the best competition for Davis.

2009 role: Third running back

With the fourth pick in the sixth round, the Browns have drafted Norfolk State cornerback Don Carey.  There is unfortunately a lack of Norfolk State footage on YouTube, so his profile on NFL.com will have to suffice.  The Browns have two more selections left in the draft, in the sixth round.

The Browns first day is in the books.  They bagged a new center, rush linebacker, and two more wide receivers.  As Day 2 begins, the Browns have a total of four new selections:

Round 4, Pick 4, 104 overall

Round 6, Pick 4, 177 overall

Round 6, Pick 18, 191 overall

Round 6, Pick 22, 195 overall

Heading into Day 2, the Browns have needs still at inside linebacker, running back, guard, and safety.  After the way Day 1 went down, it would be hard to say who the Browns are looking at it, but these are some of the players they've scouted at those positions who are still available:

ILB

Brock Christopher (Missouri)

Marcus Freeman (Ohio State)

Jason Williams (Western Illinois)

RB

Cedric Peerman (Virginia)

Rashad Jennings (Liberty)

Kory Sheets (Purdue)

Arian Foster (Tennessee)

OG

Herman Johnson (LSU)

Kraig Urbik (Wisconsin)

Tyronne Green (Auburn)

FS/SS

Rashad Johnson (Alabama)

Patrick Chung (Oregon)

Mark Rubin (Penn State)

Chip Vaughn (Wake Forest)

Derek Pegues (Mississippi State)

Michael Hamlin (Clemson)

Who do you want the Browns to draft on Day 2?  Let us know in the comments!

You were right. I was wrong. No more, no less. Everyone can rip me in the comments, that's fine.

Tyson Jackson to Kansas City? Until two days ago, who would have ever fathomed such a thing.

Each month for the past three months, the traffic for this blog has doubled. That is something Luke and I can hang our hats on and something we're forever grateful.

However, the increased exposure has apparently led to some misconception. Twice in the past couple of weeks, we have been referred to as Akron Beacon Journal Browns reporters. While that would be pretty neat, please know that's not the case.

What Luke and I are is fans. We're one of you.

Do we have some connections? Yes. But a majority of the time, we're commenting on rumor and opining on the news. That is the case here. We're provoking thought, not passing fact. We're being bloggers.

While we may be a little more connected than most guys sitting behind a computer, the official Browns writer for the Beacon Journal is Marla Ridenour. She does good stuff here.

As always, find more about Luke here and me here.

The Browns reached an agreement on Friday with free agent defensive end C.J. Mosley, formerly a backup with the Jets under head coach Eric Mangini.  Mosley will back up both starting ends, Robaire Smith and Corey Williams.

With Mosley in, it seems that Shaun Smith will probably run his course in Cleveland.  He's most known for questionable committment, and slugging Brady Quinn.  If Smith is released, it won't be an issue of money.  He has a cap figure of $1.1 million for the 2009 season.

Per the Philadelphia Eagles website, they have signed former Browns starting strong safety Sean Jones to a one year contract.  Terms of the deal were undisclosed.  With only a one year agreement, it certainly appears Jones value was not high in free agency.  Playing a year in Philadelphia's aggressive zone blitz scheme should help bring Jones value back up if he is productive in 2009.  

It's rough to lose a starter like Jones who had been a leader on defense, but safeties are easily replaceable.  As I mentioned earlier, the Browns have been heavily scouting safeties in preparation for the loss of Jones, so look for this hole to be filled in the draft.  

So what are your thoughts on the loss?  Let us know in the comments and by voting in the poll…

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