Post by Guvmintcheeze on Oct 30, 2015 3:43:20 GMT
Browns' Joe Haden is back, and he doesn't want to ease into playing time
BEREA, Ohio — Joe Haden pronounced himself full go and ready to go for Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Browns will welcome him back.
Haden has missed the last two games with a concussion. Tashaun Gipson has missed the last three with a sprained ankle. Both plan to return Sunday.
“I just think you feel a little more comfortable when you have Pro Bowlers back in the lineup – you have guys that are going to make plays within your scheme,” coordinator Jim O’Neil said. “They’re proven in this league as playmakers, so that helps.”
Arizona is loaded with weapons. Larry Fitzgerald is tied for the league lead with six touchdown catches and ranks fifth in receptions (46) and receiving yards (622). Michael Floyd is having his best season and John Brown is on pace for 1,000 yards. Carson Palmer is 21-8 as a starter, 18-4 in his last 22 games and is tied for the league lead with 16 touchdown passes.
Haden admitted the regular-season injuries as well as a training camp hamstring injury affected his overall play.
“I am not usually hurt,” he said. “With the training camp reps and the minicamp, I haven’t been able to get my groove on. I think now I just have to get back in it and focus back in and lock back up and get it back right.”
Haden said the two games off helped his previous finger and rib injuries heal.
“It has done a lot for my finger, honestly,” Haden said. “My whole body – I have been hurt the whole season so it was time to heal up my whole body and give my body some rest.”
Haden would not disagree that he hasn't been playing to the Pro Bowl form he’s showed in the past. While defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said the team might ease Haden back in, he has two different plans, depending on how Haden looks early in the game.
Haden was having none of it.
“I don’t want to ease back,” he said. “If I am out there, I am playing. I got clearance, so I am working on doing what I do for the team and helping us be better and helping us win. Whatever the coaches want me to do, I am going to be ready for whatever.”
BEREA, Ohio — Joe Haden pronounced himself full go and ready to go for Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Browns will welcome him back.
Haden has missed the last two games with a concussion. Tashaun Gipson has missed the last three with a sprained ankle. Both plan to return Sunday.
“I just think you feel a little more comfortable when you have Pro Bowlers back in the lineup – you have guys that are going to make plays within your scheme,” coordinator Jim O’Neil said. “They’re proven in this league as playmakers, so that helps.”
Arizona is loaded with weapons. Larry Fitzgerald is tied for the league lead with six touchdown catches and ranks fifth in receptions (46) and receiving yards (622). Michael Floyd is having his best season and John Brown is on pace for 1,000 yards. Carson Palmer is 21-8 as a starter, 18-4 in his last 22 games and is tied for the league lead with 16 touchdown passes.
Haden admitted the regular-season injuries as well as a training camp hamstring injury affected his overall play.
“I am not usually hurt,” he said. “With the training camp reps and the minicamp, I haven’t been able to get my groove on. I think now I just have to get back in it and focus back in and lock back up and get it back right.”
Haden said the two games off helped his previous finger and rib injuries heal.
“It has done a lot for my finger, honestly,” Haden said. “My whole body – I have been hurt the whole season so it was time to heal up my whole body and give my body some rest.”
Haden would not disagree that he hasn't been playing to the Pro Bowl form he’s showed in the past. While defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said the team might ease Haden back in, he has two different plans, depending on how Haden looks early in the game.
Haden was having none of it.
“I don’t want to ease back,” he said. “If I am out there, I am playing. I got clearance, so I am working on doing what I do for the team and helping us be better and helping us win. Whatever the coaches want me to do, I am going to be ready for whatever.”