Cleveland Browns

The Steelers have been dominating their rivalry with the Browns for YEARS ... but LaMarr Woodley says that's all about to change ... telling TMZ Sports Cleveland is finally a legitimately dangerous team.

FYI -- the Stillers has had their way with Cleveland ... going 33-6 since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999.

The Super Bowl champ says the Browns have made all the right moves to get back to relevance ... and warns his old club they don't wanna meet Cleveland in the playoffs.

The Browns got a lot of hype this year -- with the additions of Baker Mayfield, Tyrod Taylor and Jarvis Landry ... and the squad looked pretty good against the Giants on Thursday (we know, preseason ... but still).

The lucky NY Giants fan who got Baker Mayfield's 1st-ever touchdown pass Thursday night -- THREW IT BACK ON THE FIELD ... and the whole thing is on video.

Baker hit Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku for a 10-yard strike in the 2nd quarter -- and Njoku tried to gift the ball to a fan in the end zone.

But, the fan wasn't a Browns supporter -- or a fan of money -- because he took the valuable pigskin and fired it right back onto the field in disgust ... screaming and yelling the entire time.

The fan then started pointing to his Giants hat while the crowd at MetLife Stadium in NJ cheered him on.

Ultimately, Big Blue lost the game -- and the fan lost an opportunity to turn that collector's item into a serious profit.

Baker Mayfield's first game as a Cleveland Brown wasn't just impressive ... it was ONE OF THE GREATEST STARTS EVER -- so says NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger.

Baker took over for starter Tyrod Taylor at the end of the 1st quarter of Cleveland's game against the NY Giants Thursday night ... and lit it up -- chucking two TD passes.

Baldinger -- who had a long NFL career as a lineman in the '80s and '90s -- was floored ... calling it afterward, "one of the greatest rookie quarterback debuts I've ever seen."

"This ability right now just to be able to make this throw to the sideline -- like, the throw is ridiculous," Baldinger says of one of Mayfield's highlights.

Baker's coaches had been steadfast earlier in camp that he's the backup to Tyrod ... but it might be tough to keep that same spiel up now.

Antonio Callaway had gun parts and ammunition in his car (in addition to weed) when he was pulled over in Ohio ... and the police video obtained by TMZ Sports shows it made the lead officer get "real nervous."

The Cleveland Browns rookie WR -- selected in the 4th round of the 2018 NFL Draft -- was pulled over on August 5 at 2:59 AM in Strongsville, Ohio for a routine traffic violation.

The cop smelled weed and searched the car -- finding a small amount of marijuana under the driver's seat ... along with the backstrap of a Glock firearm and several rounds of ammo.

You can see the officer gets very serious when he finds the bullets and gun parts -- ordering Callaway to put his hands in the air and stay put.

Antonio told the officer there was NO gun in the car -- just the parts. The officer eventually verified Callaway's claim, but admits to his partner he got anxious when he found the bullets.

In the end, the officer realizes Antonio is a Cleveland Browns player and admitted he felt bad busting him ... since he didn't appear drunk or high and was super polite during the arrest.

At one point, the officer admits he's excited to watch Callaway play -- saying he's "fast as sh*t."

Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury heard all the unkind things Baker Mayfield said about him on his new docuseries -- and now, he's got some quotes of his own for his former QB.

As we previously reported, Mayfield said Kingsbury treated him GREAT at TT during his freshman year ... only to kick him to the curb when he suffered a knee injury during a game against Kansas.

Both Baker and his father went in on Kingsbury during the FOX Sports series 'All The Way Up' -- and said the final straw was when TT refused to offer him a scholarship, despite racking up 5 wins as a walk-on.

We reached out to Kingsbury for comment and he told us:

"I’ve always been a huge fan of Baker and loved working with him. He had an incredible career at Oklahoma, and I wish him nothing but continued success as he begins his NFL career."

Baker Mayfield opened up about why he hates his former Texas Tech coach, Kliff Kingsbury, so much -- essentially saying the guy kicked him to the curb when he got injured during a game.

The QB pulled no punches in his new FOX Sports docu-series, 'All The Way Up' -- saying Kliff treated him like a god when he stepped in and won 5 games as a freshman walk-on back in 2013.

But, when Baker sprained his MCL against Kansas -- Mayfield says everything changed.

"It went from being 'the guy' for Coach Kingsbury ... and then when I got hurt, it just changed a little bit ... not a little bit, a lot."

"All the sudden it was as if I hadn't played for him, hadn't done anything for him. It was just different after I got hurt."

Baker's father says the coach "completely withdrew his contact" with the QB after the injury -- "He didn't talk to Baker. He didn't include Baker in the meetings."

But, Mayfield says what REALLY pissed him off was when Texas Tech officials told him they didn't have a scholarship for him after that season ... despite the fact he was 5-0 as a starter.

"I've invested a lot into this and now you're telling me you don't have a scholarship for a guy who won 5 games after choosing to come here? That was the final straw for me."

Josh Gordon will miss the start of Browns camp as he continues to receive treatment for issues that kept him out of the NFL entirely in 2015 and 2016 ... the wideout said in a statement Monday.

"Rest assured this too is a part of my overall health and treatment plan," Gordon says.

J.G. has been hit with several suspensions since he entered the league in 2012 ... almost all stemming from substance abuse policy violations -- and he's been in and out of rehab to try to make things right.

Gordon says there have been no steps backward ... but rather this is all part of the process toward getting better.

"With the help of the NFL, NFLPA, and the Browns' organization, I have been able to utilize the resources available to me that will ensure my well-being on and off the field," Gordon said.

"By continuing to follow the plan set up by our medical director and his team and taking this time before this season starts, we believe it will help me maintain the progress I've made for not only today but for many years to come."

Browns GM John Dorsey added, "We will continue to support Josh as he receives the care needed to maintain his progress."

"We are going to respect his privacy while he is away from the team. Josh will be placed on the non-football illness reserve list until he is ready to return."

Baker Mayfield's ex-Oklahoma teammate is going to bat for the Browns QB ... with Sterling Shepard telling TMZ Sports his boy is really NOT fat -- despite a very unflattering photo on social media.

The Cleveland Browns rookie has been getting criticized over a pic he took Tuesday night with gaming legend Ninja -- in which he appears to be a little thick around the midsection.

So, when we got Shep out in NYC on Thursday -- the Giants receiver told us the camera angle must've been distorted ... not Mayfield's waistline.

"He lookin' good, man, I've been training with him," Sterling says.

"He's been grinding. I already know my man's going to be ready. Ain't worried about that."

Mark Wahlberg says he believes in Baker Mayfield -- so he placed a REAL bet on the Cleveland Browns to win 6 games in 2018.

Yeah, he's being serious.

Don't worry, he also made some less risky wagers -- betting on the Patriots and the Eagles to get back to the Super Bowl this season.

Wahlberg also bet on Ronda Rousey -- casting her in his new movie, "Mile 22" ... and he's super fired up about her role in the flick.

Mark raves about Ronda's performance and says she's more than just an action star -- she's a legit actress who nailed her dramatic scenes like a boss!!!

The movie -- which opens next month -- will be Ronda's most important Hollywood role yet. Of course, she starred in the "Entourage" movie ... but played herself.

Now, she's got a real shot to follow stars like The Rock ... and parlay action sports stardom into a real Hollywood career.

Smash Mouth -- yes, that band from "Shrek" -- has got some balls on 'em ... throwing F bombs at NFL star Myles Garrett!!!

Why, you ask?

The band apparently took MAJOR offense to an interview Garrett gave ripping Kevin Durant ... where the Browns star said, "KD broke the league" by jumping to the Warriors to win a title.

"You hopped onto a 73-9 team and he took the easy way out in my mind," Garrett said on 92.3 The Fan.

He added one more shot -- "Me, I'm too competitive to try and ride on somebody's coattails to get a W."

Enter Smash Mouth -- big Golden State Warriors fans -- with expletive-laden Durant defense.

"Hey Myles Garrett,.....nobody knows who the F you are so nobody gives a F what you would do."

"And Genius the @warriors didn't win the Championship the season before KD signed. So not sure what 'coattails' you're referring to. This your Twitter page Aaaaahole? @MylesLGarrett."

So, what now? There's only one solution -- Smash Mouth must fight Myles Garrett.

Check this out ... #1, #2 and #3 all hanging together at LAX and TMZ Sports has the video!!

NY Giants rookie Saquon Barkley -- along with Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold -- all touched down at LAX for the NFLPA Rookie Premiere event ... and they all seemed pretty stoked to reunite!

Barkley and Mayfield hugged it out ... and Saquon actually carpooled with Darnold (Jets and Giants mingling?!).

Of course, Saquon couldn't have been nicer -- complimenting his new NY rival ... even saying he's rooting for him!

We also asked Barkley about Eric Dickerson's recent comments -- that he's hoping Barkley will NOT break his rookie rushing record, and Saquon even handled that with 100% class.

Jim Brown was REALLY pushing for his Cleveland Browns to select Saquon Barkley with the #1 overall pick ... so how did he feel when CLE took Baker Mayfield instead?

Let's just say he's not thrilled about it.

We spotted the NFL Hall of Famer in Dallas, TX after Baker officially became the next in line for an offense that's had 28 starting quarterbacks since 1999. Obviously, we had to ask his thoughts.

Don't get it twisted ... there are a lot of Browns fans who believe Mayfield can be the guy to turn things around in Cleveland with his rocket arm and in-your-face personality.

... just doesn't seem like the 82-year-old legend is a believer -- at least not yet.

Jim Brown wants Cleveland to take a RUNNING BACK with the 1st overall pick in the NFL Draft ... and he's crossing his fingers for Saquon Barkley.

The Hall of Famer was out in D.C. on Tuesday -- just days before he flies out to Texas to announce the 2nd round pick for his former team.

So, with the 1st round kicking off on Thursday night ... we had to ask for Brown's wish list.

"I think Mr. Barkley would be a wonderful addition to the Cleveland Browns," Brown tells TMZ Sports ... "I would hope that they pick him number one."

Brown says he doesn't have any inside information on Cleveland's draft plans -- but adds, "I really like him."

As for the unsolvable puzzle in Cleveland ... quarterback ... Jim says there are 4 solid guys, but he doesn't have a clear-cut favorite.

Johnny Manziel's Comeback SZN is just days from hitting the football field ... so naturally, the ex-Cleveland Browns QB stocked his clothing website with some fresh, new Spring League merch!!

FYI -- Johnny Football's been selling clothes on his website while working to get back into football. With the Spring League kicking off on March 28, Manziel added a few items -- including a #2 jersey -- for his fans following every step of his journey.

The jersey goes for $70 if you don't want it signed ... and an autographed version will set you back another $30.

Troy Aikman says Josh Rosen ain't just any ol' QB prospect ... the UCLA star tosses the ball as good as anyone he's ever seen fire the pigskin on the football field.

We got Aikman in Beverly Hills after he dropped sweat at a SoulCycle class (get it, Troy!) ... and he broke down the consensus of the top 3 arms in this year's class -- Rosen, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen.

Troy had nice things to say about the whole trio ... but gave Rosen the highest compliment imaginable.

"Josh is a real talent. I watched him throw a few years ago at UCLA one summer. He can throw as well as anybody I’ve ever seen," Aikman told TMZ Sports.

Naturally, Troy says that makes Rosen worthy of the #1 pick next month -- but he ain't guaranteeing that's gonna happen.

LeBron James brought tears to a 6-foot-6, 315 lb. man's eyes Monday night ... 'cause ex-Browns superstar Joe Thomas says LBJ's retirement tribute before the Cavs game hit him right in the feels!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the future Hall of Famer about the King showing love with a HUGE hug on the court before the game against the Bucks ... and J.T. says he got so emotional, he had to sneak out of eyesight to gather his emotions!!

"It was a really special moment to get love and respect from an icon like LeBron James, somebody that I've been a fan of since I was 12 years old ... it was really special." Thomas says.

J.T. also points out it was a great way to cap off his career ... 'cause he was was first introduced to Cleveland fans as a rookie when the Cavs were in the Finals in 2007.