Tag Archives: Brown’s
Browns Draft Pick Armonty Bryant Arrested For DUI
It’s more issues for Browns 7th round pick Armonty Bryant, as he was charged Monday with driving under the influence of alcohol.
Bryant was arrested on Friday in Ada, Oklahoma, according to a police report. He was charged in Pontotoc County District Court and a court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday.
According to an arrest affidavit, Bryant was stopped early Friday near the stadium at East Central University, where he was a standout player for the Division II school. His blood-alcohol level was 0.098 percent; the legal limit in Oklahoma is 0.08.
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Browns LB Groves Arrested On Charges Of Solicitation
New Browns linebacker Quentin Groves sure isn’t making a good impression with his new team.
The linebacker, inked this offseason, has been hit with a charge of solicitation, as he was busted in a prostitution sting run by area police.
The reports from a number of sources state that Groves responded to an ad offering sex for hire and requested “full service.”
The story states that Groves agreed to a price with an officer posing as a prostitute, and almost $ 200 cash and condoms were seized from Groves at the scene.
His court date is set for May 10th.
The 28-year-old linebacker signed with the Browns on March 13th of this past year. He came to terms on a deal for two years at $ 2.8 million.
Roger Goodell met with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam about FBI investigation
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam to discuss the FBI’s investigation into Flying Pilot J, a chain of truck stops owned by Haslam and his family, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports.
The FBI alleges that Flying Pilot J engaged in fraudulent business practices in a gas rebate scheme in order to boost the company’s bottom line and increase the commissions of the companies sales representatives. Haslam, who served as CEO of Flying Pilot J and returned to that post in February, was allegedly aware of the practice, which ran for five-to-seven years, according to court documents.
Haslam took over ownership of the Browns last October. Goodell was asked why the ongoing FBI investigation was not discovered while vetting Haslam before he took ownership of one of the league’s 32 franchises.
“It’s an investigation and it was held very tightly by the FBI and the authorities,” Goodell said. “They (the FBI) didn’t share this information with us and they shouldn’t. That’s something that is their prerogative.”
Haslam has denied the allegations and plans to be at the Browns’ headquarters in Berea, Ohio for the draft, which begins on Thursday night.
“Well, of course, when you have that type of thing, but I’ve spoken with Jimmy several times and met with him,” Goodell said of Haslam on Wednesday. “Jimmy is doing everything he’s asked. He’s cooperating. He wants to make sure that he is doing all of the right things in that regard and he has assured us that he is going to.”
According to Cabot, the NFL has not asked Haslam to remove himself from day-to-day operations during the legal process. If the legal process goes badly for Haslam, however, the league could certainly step in force him to cede control of the team as it did with former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. over his involvement in a corruption case involving former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards that was related to a river boat casino license in 2000.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam’s travel company facing fraud allegations from FBI
Jimmy Haslam officially took ownership of the Cleveland Browns last October. Six months later, the chain of truck stops, Pilot Flying J, owner by Haslam’s family has allegedly engaged in fraud practices to keep money owed to customers as part of a gas rebate program, John Caniglia of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports.
According to documents filed in federal court, Haslam was aware of fraud practices by the company’s top sales executives, who withheld fuel rebates and discounts in an effort to boost the company’s profitability, as well as their own sales commissions. The scheme went on for five-to-seven years and targeted customers who were “too unsophisticated” to catch on.
“(A confidential informant) further advised that the rebate fraud has occurred with the knowledge of Pilot’s current President Mark Hazelwood and Pilot’s Chief Executive Officer James A. “Jimmy” Haslam III due to the fact that the rebate fraud-related activities have been discussed during sales meetings in Knoxville, Tenn., in which Hazelwood and Haslam have been present.”
Pilot Flying J headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee were raided by agents from the FBI and IRS on Monday. On Tuesday, Haslam denied any wrongdoing and disagrees with the government’s allegations.
As noted by Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, Haslam returned to the CEO position at Pilot Flying J in February after an abrupt exit by his successor. If Haslam was aware of fraudulent business practices, which the government alleges, and is convicted of a crime, the NFL could step in and suspend Haslam or could force him to sell the Browns.
Browns trade QB Colt McCoy to the 49ers
The Cleveland Browns have traded quarterback Colt McCoy to the San Francisco 49ers, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, McCoy and a 2013 sixth-round pick will head west in exchange for fifth- and seventh-round picks in the 2013 NFL draft. From a compensation standpoint, the Browns have essentially obtained a seventh-round pick in return for McCoy as the pick they’re sending back to the 49ers (No. 173 overall, which originally belonged to the Philadelphia Eagles) is just nine slot lower than the fifth-round pick (No. 164) they’ll receive as part of the trade. The seventh-round pick is No. 227 overall, which originally belonged to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Originally selected in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft out of Texas, McCoy started 21 games over the his first two seasons in the league, completing 400-of-685 pass attempts for 4,309 yards with 20 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. McCoy lost his starting job last season to 2012 first-round pick Brandon Weeden and appeared in just three games last season, completing nine of 17 attempts for 79 yards and a touchdown.
McCoy is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to earn $ 1.5 million in base salary, which is more than the $ 1,395,844 that 49ers’ starter Colin Kaepernick and third-stringer Scott Tolzien will make combined this season.
The Browns’ hiring of head coach Rob Chudzinski did not bode well for McCoy’s long-term future with the franchise. Under Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner, the Browns are expected to have more of a vertical passing offense, which doesn’t mesh well with McCoy’s strengths. The Browns signed Jason Campbell last week, who will compete with Weeden for the starting job this offseason.
Cleveland Browns add Jason Campbell to the quarterback mix
Free agent quarterback Jason Campbell has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Campbell, a 2005 first-round pick out of Auburn by the Washington Redskins, has completed 60.9 percent of 2,182 pass attempts for 14,682 yards with 76 touchdowns and 52 interceptions for a passer rating of 82.5 in 77 games with the Redskins, Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears.
After spending the 2010 and 2011 seasons with the Raiders, Campbell signed a one-year, $ 3.5 million contract to backup Jay Cutler with the Chicago Bears. Campbell started one of six games for the Bears, completing 32-of-51 pass attempts for 265 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Campbell was also sacked six times during his brief stint with the Bears.
The Browns have 2012 first-round pick Brandon Weeden at the top of their depth chart, but the 29-year-old will need to earn the starting job after completing 57.4 percent of his pass attempts for 3,385 yards with 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 15 games. The Browns also have 2010 third-round pick Colt McCoy, whose playing time in his first two seasons in the NFL increased his 2013 base salary to $ 1.5 million dollars, and Thaddeus Lewis, who made his NFL debut when started the 2012 regular season finale for the Browns.
In addition to Weeden, McCoy and, now, Campbell, the Browns will also work out West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, who could be an option for the Browns, who have the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft.
Campbell’s free agency defection also creates a hole behind Cutler on the Bears’ roster. The only other quarterback the Bears have under contract is Matt Blanchard, an undrafted free agent who spent most of 2012 on Chicago’s practice squad.
Browns RB Trent Richardson named in lawsuit claiming assault of two women by his girlfriend
Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson, the third pick in the 2012 NFL draft, has been named in a civil lawsuit (a complaint with jury demand) filed in the Common Pleas court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The suit, brought by Krystal Jones and Kathleen Hunter, is against Richardson and his girlfriend, Severina Fatu. The suit also names Richardson’s brother, Terrell, a former Louisiana-Lafayette defensive end, and two women identified only as “Jane Doe 1″ and “Jane Doe 2.”
According the document filed Friday afternoon, Jones and Hunter claim that they were verbally and physically abused at Richardson’s Ohio home on Dec. 9, 2012. The Plaintiffs’ attorney, Leif B. Christman, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Jones and Hunter were in Richardson’s house, continuing a postgame celebration at the Rumors nightclub, when Jones asked about the whereabouts of Terrell Richardson. Trent Richardson told Jones that his brother did not want to speak to her, and asked her to leave. As Jones and Hunter were leaving, Richardson allegedly “became enraged” when the two women slammed a door and “disrespected his house.” Then, according to the complaint, Trent Richardson slammed his fist onto the hood of Jones’ car, causing $ 1,500 worth of damage.
Then, per the complaint, Trent Richardson stood in the way of Jones’ car and called for Fatu and the two Jane Does to come out and attack the two women in the car. The complaint alleges that Fatu opened the front passenger door of the car and began “pummeling” Hunter while Jones sat in the driver’s seat. It is alleged that Fatu did so “acting on Trent Richardson’s urging and obeying his commands.”
Fatu then allegedly pulled Hunter from the car, and Fatu and the two Jane Does continued to beat Hunter — again, allegedly at Richardson’s urging. At this point in the complaint, Terrell Richardson re-enters, as the complaint states that “by their physical presence, their actions and their verbal urgings,” Trent and Terrell Richardson led support and encouragement to the defendants, and allegedly gave the impression that “these two large, and formidable men would injure her as well.”
Jones and Hunter were eventually able to drive out of the driveway — they drove for a short distance, called the police, and sought emergency medical attention. Per the complaint, the Jones and Hunter suffered “lacerations and bruises of the face and body, injuries of the eye and soft tissue injuries that will be demonstrated at trial.”
The complaint also alleges that Jones and Hunter have suffered “serious emotional harm, including embarrassment, humiliation, anxiety and mental distress.”
Six total counts are brought in the complaint — battery, assault, emotional distress, civil conspiracy, false imprisonment, and other civil torts. The complaint then seeks separate individual judgments against the defendants, including Trent Richardson, as well as punitive damages and award of attorney fees.
Trent Richardson, who has two daughters, has no known criminal history. He rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns on 267 attempts in his rookie campaign.
Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis said in a statement that the team is “aware of the situation, but will not comment at this time.”
Browns RB Richardson Named In Lawsuit Over Party Incident
Cleveland Browns’ running back Trent Richardson has been in the news a lot lately. Earlier in the week because of the new “leading with the crown of the helmet rule” that has been changed in the NFL rulebook.
Richardson’s collision with Eagles’ defensive back Kurt Coleman, was the initial play that made the league take a look at this area in the running game.
The NFL says that the penalty would only average being called once every three games last season. Richardson spoke out about the new rule and said that he felt that it was his fault. He also said that he is not going to change the way he plays the game for this new rule. However, this is not why Richardson has been in the press today.
Trent Richardson was filed in a lawsuit by two women claiming assault by his girlfriend at his home. The Plain Dealer in Cleveland is reporting that two women claimed to be verbally and physically assaulted at Richardson’s home in Columbia Station in 2012.
The lawsuit claims that the two women were invited to Richardson’s home after being at a bar on the night of December 9th and the early morning of December 10th. Richardson was with his brother, Terrell, his girlfriend, and two other people who remain unnamed.
The Plain Dealer reports that the complaint says once they were in the house, the Browns running back asked them to leave. As they were leaving, Richardson became “enraged” and cursed at the two women for slamming a door and disrespecting his belongings.
The lawsuit also claims Richardson of: “orchestrating a physical assault on the two women, naming his girlfriend Sevina Fatu of Columbia Station and two other yet unnamed women as the assailants.”Richardson slammed his fist into the hood of Krystal Jones’ car (One of the two ladies). Resulting in $ 1,500 worth of damage to the hood.
Richardson combined for 12 total touchdowns in 2012. He became a huge asset in what the Browns do offensively. Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis said the team is: “aware of the situation, but will not comment at this time.”
Browns Meeting With LB Victor Butler On Sunday
The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that the Cleveland Browns will be meeting with former Cowboys outside linebacker, Victor Butler.
Butler, 25, has visited with the Steelers and Saints, but has not signed with a team yet. Butler started two games last season and recorded three total sacks with two forced fumbles.
The Browns signed tight end Kellen Davis and cornerback Chris Owens to one-year deals today. Davis, played five seasons with the Bears and was the starter when the team traded Greg Olsen to the Panthers. The team released Davis when they signed Martellus Bennett last week.
Coach Chudzinski said this about Davis: “His size and strength give him the ability to be a good blocker. He is a big guy who can run and provides a big target. We feel like he has a chance to help us at the tight end position.”
Chris Owens came into the league in 2009. He was drafted in the third round by the Atlanta Falcons. Owens has 99 career tackles and two career interceptions.
Coach Chudzinski had this to say about Owens: “Chris is an experienced cornerback who has played both inside and outside,” Chudzinski said. “He is very athletic with good movement skills. He is a tough, hard-nosed competitor – attributes which we are looking for in all of our players.”
The team has also signed: Former Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger, former Cardinals linebacker Quentin Groves, former Raiders defensive tackle Desmond Bryant, and former Panthers tight end Gary Barnidge.
As you see, the team is stacking up on linebackers and tight ends. Victor Butler could be the next one added to this list.
Browns defensive lineman Desmond Bryant faces lawsuit in criminal mischief case
It’s been a pretty volatile offseason for former Oakland Raiders and current Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Desmond Bryant. Free agency brought him a five-year, $ 34 million contract with $ 15 million guaranteed, but he may have to spend some of that new cash in a way he’d rather not. Shutdown Corner has seen a lawsuit filed on Monday in Dade County, Fla. Circuit Court by Isaac and Iris Bakar and their three children, the people Bryant was arrested for harassing on Feb. 24.
Bryant is being sued on one count of assault, one count of intentional infliction of emotional distress, and one count of trespassing.
According to the suit filed by attorney Robert J. Fiore, P.A., the Bakar family seeks damages in excess of $ 15,000, exclusive of interests, costs, and attorney’s fees. The suit claims that at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Feb. 24, Bryant “unlawfully trespassed onto the family property, and without provocation, legal justification, or a shirt, began hitting and pounding on the doors loudly and repeatedly. This wakened the plaintiffs, causing all to be terrified and in great fear for their safety.”
It’s then claimed that Mr. Bakar ran to the front doors and saw Bryant leaning on the family car just outside the home. Bryant than ran back to the front doors, pounded the doors again, and attempted to “forcibly pull the doors open in an out-of-control violent rage.”
At that point, the Bakars called 911. More from the suit:
Thereafter, using his best efforts to keep the doors closed and deny the Defendant entry into the family home, Plaintiff Isaac Bakar, who stands 5 feet, 10 1/2 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds, frantically grabbed the inside door handle and held on, yelling words through the door, among others, for the Defendant to “go away” and “leave my family alone.” Further, at one point, the Plaintiff yelled to the Defendant, ‘what do you want, and why are you doing this to us?” The Defendant neither responded nor made his intentions known, but instead continued his relentless, violent assault on the Plaintiffs, causing Issac, Iris, and their three small children to be paralyzed with fear.
There may be a bit of hyperbole in these passages, but if this is all true, we may be dealing with more than simple criminal mischief here. Bryant broke the front handle off the door, per the lawsuit (it’s Exhibit A), and police allegedly witnessed Bryant “screaming and yelling banging on the front door” “trying to make entry.” The suit claims that the police on scene ascertained that Bryant had been drinking at a South Beach club, and that Bryant was “extremely intoxicated” with “red bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and the strong smell of an alcoholic beverage emitting from” him. (The Arrest Affidavit is Exhibit B).
Exhibit C is Bryant’s mug shot, which pretty much speaks for itself.
The suit concluded that Bryant engaged in conduct that was “so reckless or wanting in care that it constituted a conscious disregard to the life, safety, or rights of Plaintiffs and otherwise forms a legal basis for claims for punitive damages pursuant to Florida Statutes 768.62.”
The suit also claimed the rights to further punitive damages pursuant to Florida Statute 768.62.
“I obviously made a mistake,” Bryant said at the Cleveland press conference announcing his signing. “I apologize for everything that happened, but I feel like I’ve learned from it and moved on. I think I’ve done enough over the years I’ve been in the league to exhibit that’s really not the kind of person I am. I think in time I’ll be able to show you guys and whoever else wants to know that’s really not indicative of me. It was an accident. I’ve moved beyond that and hopefully everybody else will be able to.”
It doesn’t seem that everyone else will. And if the charges are true, there’s no reason the Bakar family should.
