February 26, 201411 yr I highly doubt they get James Jones for a bargain. They will likely have to overpay any WR to come here until we have an established QB. Jones will stay in GB if he is looking for a bargain, or go to another Super Bowl contender. I like the group of free agent RBs and FBs. I think we need to sign one of each and draft a RB. The zone-blocking scheme is going to require 3 effective tailbacks. We maybe have one in Dion Lewis. The pressure from the DL was not bad at all last year for a 3-4. Towards the end of the year, it tailed off a bit with Desmond Bryant (our best pass rushing DL) being put on IR. The pressure from the OLB's (where it is supposed to come from in a 3-4) was indeed disappointing for the final 8 or so games. That was, again, caused somewhat by injury which hurt our depth. Sam is not going to play DL for us if we drafted him. He is an OLB in any 3-4 scheme. None of the FA QBs intrigue me. Moreno would be an excellent pick-up at RB given his familiarity with and success in the zone blocking scheme. McFadden might also do well with a change of scenery. Greg Jones would be a home-run at FB IMO.
February 26, 201411 yr Jones is making noise about leaving GB. Most winning teams don't have the cap space to sign free agents AND sign all their rookies from this coming draft. So I suspect Jones may roll the dice on which losing team with cap space has the best shot at turning it around in 2014. And the Browns, with six pro-bowlers, are probably in the best position among the losers to turn it around. It was a 3-4, but one in which Sheard/Mingo/Kruger also were supposed to rush the QB with limited results. But thanks for reminding me about Bryant going on IR. Forgot about him. Sam said he is more of a DL than OLB, but that's moreso because of his lack of experience at OLB. His size will ultimately put him at OLB, but he'll probably see his initial action in the NFL as a pass-rush specialist. That's why I think its worth it for the Browns to consider him in the middle-rounds. But I would not spend a higher pick on a project like him, despite his speed from the outside. I agree that if we're going to add a LB, we need to focus moreso on an ILB. I'm also not interested in any of the FA QBs -- except Josh McCown. I suspect he'll stay with the Bears (http://www.givemesport.com/434871-chicago-bears-to-keep-backup-qb-josh-mccown) but I still hope the Browns take a shot at him. BTW..... Poll results: Watkins wins overwhelmingly http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/4249/poll-results-watkins-wins-overwhelmingly "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 27, 201411 yr Big-time bummer. I think D'Qwell is still very angry about Chud's firing and Pettine wants a faster defense..... D'Qwell Jackson released by Cleveland Browns By Dan Hanzus Around the League Writer Published: Feb. 26, 2014 at 04:05 p.m. Updated: Feb. 26, 2014 at 05:31 p.m. The Cleveland Browns are moving on without D'Qwell Jackson. The team released the linebacker Wednesday, soon after the two sides met and mutually agreed to part ways. Jackson had been due a $4.1 million roster bonus on March 15. Jackson told The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot that the team tried to restructure his contract, but the number wasn't right for him. He added: "I want to go somewhere with stability." READ MORE AT: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000329412/article/dqwell-jackson-released-by-cleveland-browns EDIT: Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora 3m Seven teams -1/4 of the NFL -reached out to D'Qwell Jackson following his release by Browns. Deciding which free-agent visits to take first "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 27, 201411 yr I've always said that DQ is an excellent tackler.... five yards past the line of scrimmage. He also clearly fit better in the 4-3 scheme where he is protected from the OGs barreling down on him right from the snap. I strongly suspect that he is going to end up with a team that runs a 4-3 and at about half his salary.
February 28, 201411 yr I've heard that said a lot on the radio this morning while I drove through the sideways snow to Sandusky and back. I also think D'Qwell lacks the speed that Pettine's defense demands. Robertson has the speed but couldn't tackle a ham & cheese sandwich. So now I'm wondering if the Browns will take Mack at #4, a QB at #26 and a WR at #35, then they stock up on OLs and DBs in the third and fourth rounds. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 28, 201411 yr I absolutely LOVE Khalil Mack, but I have problems seeing him make the switch to ILB. He was a DE in college and I think he is either that in a 4-3 or an OLB in a 3-4. It would be like moving Mingo to ILB...... an idea I have actually heard tossed around. I think you can find quality ILBs in the later rounds. I like the guy from Wisconsin, Chris Borland, who is an Ohio kid the Browns apparently have some interest in. Imagine how much better the Buckeyes would have been if they signed him instead of Curtis Grant.
February 28, 201411 yr I have been thinking lately if it would be possible to make clowney a mlb? Is this just crazy
February 28, 201411 yr I said a couple days ago Ahtyba Rubin may be traded. Here ya go..... http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/28/rubin-could-be-the-next-to-go-in-cleveland/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 28, 201411 yr That would be a mistake IMHO. Rubin is a model of consistency who really helps make our D-line one of the better, if not the best, unit on the team. He's supposedly a good locker room guy too.
March 4, 201411 yr Cleveland Browns DL Ahtyba Rubin won't be cut or restructured agent says http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/03/cleveland_browns_dl_ahtyba_rub.html Cleveland Browns could have a shot at Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd in free agency http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/03/cleveland_browns_could_have_a.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 4, 201411 yr So Alex Mack gets the transition tag, which means no one on the Browns gets the franchise tag. You can't tag more than one player.... http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000330413/article/alex-mack-gets-transition-tag-from-cleveland-browns That means the Browns will probably keep Mack but it puts into question what happens with TJ Ward. I think he's gone, especially since Byrd didn't get tagged by the Bills.... http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/4347/if-one-pro-bowl-safety-leaves-would-another-arrive "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 5, 201411 yr I said a couple days ago Ahtyba Rubin may be traded. Here ya go..... http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/28/rubin-could-be-the-next-to-go-in-cleveland/ "Pro Football Talk" has been notorious for throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks, then claiming "scoop" credit when one out of fifty rumors is right, for longer than they have been affiliated with NBC. We used to call their main guy "Flim Flam Florio".
March 5, 201411 yr "Pro Football Talk" has been notorious for throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks, then claiming "scoop" credit when one out of fifty rumors is right, for longer than they have been affiliated with NBC. We used to call their main guy "Flim Flam Florio". Yeah, but they feed my thirst for football talk at a time of the year when there is little of it. The only the time of the year that's worse in terms of absence of pro sports activity and especially football in Cleveland is June and early July. These are the two times of the year when only one sport is playing. At least we've finally entered a two-sport time of the year! Of course, with the Browns, their two best times of the year is the draft and training camp. EDIT: speaking of the draft, doesn't look like the Browns are all that interested in Manziel. Though I'm a bigger fan of Garrapolo than Carr... Cleveland Browns didn't interview Johnny Manziel at combine http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000330545/article/cleveland-browns-didnt-interview-johnny-manziel-at-combine And.... Davone Bess released by Cleveland Browns http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000330860/article/davone-bess-released-by-cleveland-browns Oh, and I'm wondering what the Browns are thinking in attending Mack's workout? If they draft Mack, will they move LBs inside, or trade one or bring another in via FA?? Cleveland Browns: Coaches watch University of Buffalo's Khalil Mack at Pro Day http://www.news-herald.com/sports/20140304/cleveland-browns-coaches-watch-university-of-buffalos-khalil-mack-at-pro-day "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 5, 201411 yr So now Bess is gone and Campbell may be not be kept either, so that could free up another $6.3 million.... The most expensive Browns in 2014 February, 28, 2014 By Pat McManamon | ESPN.com Here they are, in terms of their cash cost, which equals base salary plus any bonuses. LT Joe Thomas, $11.1 million (includes $200,000 workout bonus) LB Paul Kruger, $7 million CB Joe Haden, $6.878 million ($200,000 workout bonus) DL Ahtyba Rubin, $6.8 million ($200,000 workout bonus) QB Jason Campbell, $3.25 million ($325,000 roster bonus) WR Davone Bess, $3.067 million DL Desmond Bryant, $3.0 million OG John Greco, $2.43 million ($1.7 million roster bonus) DL Phil Taylor, $1.478 million ($728,625 roster bonus) CB Buster Skrine, $1.389 million TE Jordan Cameron, $1.389 million OG Jason Pinkston, $1.389 million Here are the 10 most expensive Browns as they fall under the salary cap, with prorated signing bonuses included in the calculations: Thomas, $12.3 million Haden, $8.9 million Kruger, $8.2 million Rubin, $8.175 million Bryant, $4 million LB Barkevious Mingo, $3.715 million Taylor, $2.575 million Grego, $2.43 million QB Brandon Weeden, $2.204 million Campbell, $3.25 million READ MORE AT: http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/4307/the-most-expensive-browns-in-2014 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 6, 201411 yr Important offseason dates for the Browns... http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-browns/cleveland-browns-1.270107/important-offseason-dates-for-browns-1.471070 And... Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell says #Browns, #Raiders and #Ravens are showing most interest in him: http://t.co/C82GYHFdTs "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 8, 201411 yr Wow, the Saints are dumping salaries to fit under the salary cap. RB Darren Sproles and WR Lance Moore are likely gone. And other teams are dumping players, some of whom the Browns may have a shot at. EDIT: including MLB Brandon Spikes, 26, who is likely to leave the Patriots. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 8, 201411 yr Not sure if this has come up but the Cleveland Clinic and Browns relationship may not fully be over. I have it from good source that the NFL may not allow the Browns to shift the medical care part of the contract to UH because they don't offer the same level of care for sports injury and treatment for sports injury. Keep an eye on how this develops as I don't believe it's over.
March 8, 201411 yr ^interesting. I wonder what implications this has on the marketing side if things. From what I understand the two are closely wrapped together into the overall agreement/sponsorship.
March 10, 201411 yr Who the Browns may be calling on this weekend.... http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2014/03/08/plenty-of-big-names-available-in-free-agency-to-fill-browns-offseason-needs/#.UxyTD-NGMAk.twitter "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 10, 201411 yr Probably too expensive, but I'd love to see the Browns get Sproles. Every team could use a guy like that.
March 10, 201411 yr They are actually separate contracts and have to be. NFL won't allow advertising to influence the decision on the best care for a team. UH does not have a developed Sports Medicine Program and I was told the NFL is reviewing things.
March 10, 201411 yr Wow how could this fact not have come up over te course of the months long negotiations....
March 11, 201411 yr Rumors are that the Browns are pushing hard to find a S, CB, ILB, and slot receiver (ie: Sanders, Edelman). Regarding Safety, word is that the Browns are going after 2-time Pro bowler Donte Whitner in SF and reports that the Browns haven't reached out to Byrd are incorrect. They have contacted Byrd. Some consider Whitner better than TJ Ward but less costly. If they sign Whitner, I doubt they sign Byrd. And Ward is probably gone. Karlos Dansby (AZ Cardinals) is a likely target for the Browns at ILB. He's faster than DQJ. The downside is he's two years older. As for RB, I just don't see the Browns making a play for a #1 RB and have to pay #1 money. I think they are going to either sign a bargain RB in FA or draft one in the second or third rounds. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 11, 201411 yr Rumors are that the Browns are pushing hard to find a S, CB, ILB, and slot receiver (ie: Sanders, Edelman). Regarding Safety, word is that the Browns are going after 2-time Pro bowler Donte Whitner in SF and reports that the Browns haven't reached out to Byrd are incorrect. They have contacted Byrd. Some consider Whitner better than TJ Ward but less costly. If they sign Whitner, I doubt they sign Byrd. And Ward is probably gone. Karlos Dansby (AZ Cardinals) is a likely target for the Browns at ILB. He's faster than DQJ. The downside is he's two years older. As for RB, I just don't see the Browns making a play for a #1 RB and have to pay #1 money. I think they are going to either sign a bargain RB in FA or draft one in the second or third rounds. I think they take Hyde if he is there in the second round. They are trying to increase their appeal in Central Ohio and this would help a ton. More importantly, he's a fit. I'd love to see a Biletnikoff type receiver to complement Gordon (Branch) and Cameron (Casper). Decker or Edelman qualify, by no means for melanin-related reasons. That may actually work better than a Watkins type, with a smart and quick-releasing QB.
March 11, 201411 yr I think they take Hyde if he is there in the second round. They are trying to increase their appeal in Central Ohio and this would help a ton. More importantly, he's a fit. The Browns increase their appeal everywhere by winning by selecting the best players to fit their needs. If the Browns address RB in FA, then may not address in the draft. Or at least they address it in a later round. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 11, 201411 yr PD has a report that we're looking hard at Schaub. I don't know how I feel about that. It might make sense, particularly since I'm more and more enamored with the idea of picking Watkins with the 4. Give me a competent QB with Gordon and Watkins in the WR position and a RB that doesn't drop the ball and gets you 3-4 yards per carry, and I think we've got a solid offense. A friend of mine that was a college QB went to the OSU Clemson game and said he's never seen anyone move like Watkins. So....there's my scouting report.
March 12, 201411 yr Browns linked to Emanuel Sanders and even Revis cominv to Cleveland isn't out of the question. I don't mind Sanders but Revis has me skeptical.
March 12, 201411 yr Eleven Warriors @11W 11m Report: Donte Whitner is returning to Cleveland, expects to sign with Browns shortly after 4 p.m. today. http://11w.rs/1gibdVf
March 12, 201411 yr NFL free agency rumors may have crashed Twitter at about 2 p.m. today. It seems to be back up again at 2:30 however. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 12, 201411 yr Eleven Warriors @11W 11m Report: Donte Whitner is returning to Cleveland, expects to sign with Browns shortly after 4 p.m. today. http://11w.rs/1gibdVf Good move... scary picture
March 12, 201411 yr Browns signing Karlos Dansby to a 4yr $24m deal. $14m of it is guaranteed. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24478269/report-browns-lb-karlos-dansby-agree-to-terms-on-4-year-deal
March 12, 201411 yr Shocking that Demarcus Ware got waived by the Dallas Over-The-Cap Cowboys. I'd love to have him. EDIT: SI's Peter King just tweeted that Browns are in the running for Ware. And..... Aditi Kinkhabwala @AKinkhabwala ·4 mins Here in CLE, told Brian Hoyer ahead of schedule. Will compete for starting job. Prob not w/ rookie. Brass not in LOVE w/ any prospect. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 12, 201411 yr Shocking that Demarcus Ware got waived by the Dallas Over-The-Cap Cowboys. I'd love to have him. EDIT: SI's Peter King just tweeted that Browns are in the running for Ware. And..... Aditi Kinkhabwala @AKinkhabwala ·4 mins Here in CLE, told Brian Hoyer ahead of schedule. Will compete for starting job. Prob not w/ rookie. Brass not in LOVE w/ any prospect. Do you think that he would be a good fit? I feel like he is too risky to take a chance on.
March 12, 201411 yr The Bengals are expected to match the offer sheet for Hawkins. Therefore we are still looking for a slot & #2 WR amongst other positions.
March 12, 201411 yr The Bengals are expected to match the offer sheet for Hawkins. Therefore we are still looking for a slot & #2 WR amongst other positions. Which is good. I'm hearing the Browns are interested in Sanders in PIT and Edelman in NE. Both are much better than Hawkins. At least the Browns got the Bengals to up their spending and eat up more cap space! :wink2: EDIT: I don't even think Hawkins would have been guaranteed a starting spot. Consider that Little has more catches than Hawkins. Either Edelman or Sanders would certainly win a starting spot on this Browns roster. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 12, 201411 yr The Bengals are expected to match the offer sheet for Hawkins. Therefore we are still looking for a slot & #2 WR amongst other positions. Which is good. I'm hearing the Browns are interested in Sanders in PIT and Edelman in NE. Both are much better than Hawkins. At least the Browns got the Bengals to up their spending and eat up more cap space! :wink2: EDIT: I don't even think Hawkins would have been guaranteed a starting spot. Consider that Little has more catches than Hawkins. Either Edelman or Sanders would certainly win a starting spot on this Browns roster. I prefer Sanders over Edelman, every offensive player from New England seems to be a system player and flourishes due to Tom Brady.
March 13, 201411 yr I prefer Sanders over Edelman, every offensive player from New England seems to be a system player and flourishes due to Tom Brady. Interesting. Good point. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 13, 201411 yr The moves so far has led to a slight upgrade of the defense as a whole, but they don't really address points of weakness from last year. We are essentially replacing our pro bowl safety with another pro bowl safety...... and our solid, veteran ILB with another solid, veteran ILB. That said, I think KSD will actually end up replacing Robertson at the weakside ILB spot, not DQ at the strongside spot. Moats (if he signs) will be DQ's replacement. Regardless, I'd say both of the replacements are better against the pass than their predecessors. Dansby is also a little better against the run, but Ward was probably better than Whitner against the run (although not by much). Both players are older, which could be a good thing. EDIT: I don't even think Hawkins would have been guaranteed a starting spot. Consider that Little has more catches than Hawkins. If you are talking about last year, Hawkins was hurt for most of it. Little probably had more catches the year before, but he was essentially our #1 WR at that time and Hawkins was the Bengals' #3 or #4. Plus, most importantly, Little probably has had more drops in a single week than Hawkins has had for his entire career. What I don't like about Hawkins is his size, being only 5'7
March 13, 201411 yr What I also like is that Whitner and Dansby know what it takes to be a winner. Both have played on and contributed significantly to Super Bowl teams. Hawkins is probably faster and, most importantly, quicker off the line. But no matter. It's a non-issue now. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 13, 201411 yr Ben Tate is supposedly in town visiting with the team Except that Browns won't confirm it. MKC says Farmer's policy is to confirm when FAs are in town, and he hasn't confirmed Tate is here. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 13, 201411 yr The Browns are rumored to be making a run at Tom Brady. No, it's not going to happen, but how often do I get to share a rumor like that? From: http://dawgpoundnation.com/
March 13, 201411 yr MKC put this out within the past 30 minutes. 'Multiple sources' now confirming that Tate is in town and we are the frontrunner http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/03/running_back_ben_tate_is_in_cl.html
March 13, 201411 yr So how much cap space does this clear? And we may also hear soon regarding Jason Campbell, as his roster bonus is due tomorrow...... http://www.cleveland.com/browns/inde...learn_his.html EDIT: Campbell is gone! That's a lot of cap space freed up for more FA and draft signings. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 13, 201411 yr ^ Any idea how Campbell will react if he loses the starting role to Hoyer? What? Campbell is gone. BTW..... Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 4m #Browns have released 2 QBs today — Brandon Weeden & Jason Campbell. Who will join Brian Hoyer? Don’t be surprised if it’s Matt Schaub "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 13, 201411 yr ^ Any idea how Campbell will react if he loses the starting role to Hoyer? What? Campbell is gone. BTW..... Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 4m #Browns have released 2 QBs today — Brandon Weeden & Jason Campbell. Who will join Brian Hoyer? Don’t be surprised if it’s Matt Schaub Wow I'm surprised but I like the move. We've seen Campbell's ceiling, I think. And from what I remember (when I was surrounded by Browns talk 24-7) he didn't exactly strike me as a great mentor.
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