5 WR's. Interesting.

Whew.  That was exhausting.  So many picks.

Not sure I agree with the 1st pick being a WR, but they did spend the next couple of picks on guys that can get to the QB.  The Princeton TE had a freakish pro day performance, 40" vertical, 1.54 10 yard split, etc., can only hope that translates on to the field.  The TCU S played the entire season with a broken collar bone?!  Kessler was a head-scratcher but he was extremely accurate.  Overall, liked the theme of the draft, a lot of backyard ballers.

I'm pretty happy with the draft. Yeah, there were a few head-scratchers (including Kessler who could be a strong backup or be a starter during an extended injury). But between Coleman, Higgins and Payton, I suspect all three could be starters by mid-season, with Payton in the slot. I don't think the Browns want to start the season with an all-rookie WR corps, but talent-wise they're probably be better than anyone else on the Browns' active roster. The Browns certainly upgraded their WR corps with one draft, something that Ray Ray inexplicably neglected big time.

 

I'm OK with Ogbah, but paired with Nassib on the other side of the DL, I think those two could be very dominant after a year or two. I want to see Ogbah play with a high motor as often as Nassib does. The Browns also got some OL help but they're pretty raw. And LB Joe "Show" Schobert was a pleasant surprise at the top of the 4th. He's a very productive LB who lacks the speed or strength of a higher pick, but his motor and hands are outstanding. He played the strongside edge in Wisconsin but might do better on the inside or the weakside in the pros.

 

But to me the greatest, pleasant surprise of the Browns draft was how far WR Rashard "Hollywood" Higgins fell. Again, here's another guy who didn't have the measurables of others higher picks but he had the production (which would show up in the analytics). But his game speed is outstanding (only ran a 4.64 on the practice field). Watch some tape of him relative to DBs trying to keep up with him in vain. He's got great hands and runs great routes. While Coleman will be stretching the field, Hollywood and Payton will be curling underneath. The Browns got better in this draft and that will start showing up in the next couple of years. It will be even better when they find their QBOTF.

Scooby Wright in the 7th round was the type of gamble I wanted this team to take.  Big time college player who starter the day he walked onto the field at Arizona.  Tough as nails.  Lack of elite athleticism and injury probably scared away teams, but he is the epitome of a run-stuffer, something we don't have at ILB (where I think he will play).  At the end of last year, he was projected as a 1st round pick by many.

Love me Scooby. Effort-wise, he's the antithesis of Justin Gilbert. With all of the high-motor guys the Browns drafted, I hope that will change the culture of this team right off the bat. Justin better get himself a better alarm clock.

I feel really good about this draft.  They had a solid plan and executed well.  Considering the hit rate on draft picks league-wide, there's value in quantity.  This is two drafts worth of people.  Couple of questionable picks, but they also took two of the best "hands" receivers available.  I like it a lot.

I don't care how he plays, with the name "Scooby" I'll always want him on the roster.  Next draft I want them to find a guy names "Shaggy".

I don't care how he plays, with the name "Scooby" I'll always want him on the roster.  Next draft I want them to find a guy names "Shaggy".

 

especially if he can get lots of Scooby Sack's  :-D

Coleman will wear #19

Connect back to heritage:

 

Jim Brown to play a larger role in Browns organization under Hue Jackson

 

By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com

Follow on Twitter

on June 02, 2016 at 1:01 PM, updated June 02, 2016 at 2:13 PM

 

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — Browns Hall of Famer Jim Brown has always been larger than life, and now his role with the Browns will be bigger too.

 

Owner Jimmy Haslam revealed Thursday at the Browns Foundation golf outing at Westwood Country Club Brown, a special advisor to the club since Haslam took over the team, will play an even bigger role in the organization under coach Hue Jackson.

 

"Jim has been re-involved in the franchise over the last three years, but with Hue coming in, Jim will be even more significantly involved,'' Haslam said. "Jim's knowledge not just of football, but Dee and I have seen it over the last two or three years, his knowledge of people is something that will help the franchise significantly.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2016/06/jim_brown_to_play_a_larger_rol.html#incart_m-rpt-1

Redirected from the Cavs thread....

 

BTW, the Browns were in two national title games in the 60s -- 1964 vs Baltimore (win) and 1965 vs Green Bay (loss). That 1965 game was the last one before the Super Bowl started deciding the national title. After that, the Browns played for the right to represent the NFL in the Super Bowl in 1968 and 1969. They lost both times. While the Browns suffered a playoffs drought in the 1970s, they were beating the undefeated Dolphins 14-13 in the fourth quarter of the 1972 playoffs until Miami made a late comeback. The was the last playoff appearance until the Kardiac Kids of 1980, but the Browns still had winning records in 1976 and 1979. Browns were also defeating the 1985 Dolphins soundly into the second half before Marino led Miami back with three touchdowns to win. I drank myself to sleep after that loss... Then came three more NFL conference game loses in 1986, 87 and 89 -- all to the Broncos. The Browns are 0-5 in conference championship games since that format started in 1966. And as we all know, the Browns haven't been to a conference title game since 1989, and only two playoff seasons since. Very sad, considering that in the early 1970s, the Browns were considered one of the most successful, bedrock teams of the NFL that most other teams modeled themselves after. From 1946-1972, the Browns played in 19 postseasons, in 13 championship games and won eight championships (four AAFC and four NFL). Oh, and the year before the Browns arrived, the Cleveland Rams had just won the NFL title in 1945 before moving to Los Angeles. In the Browns first season in the NFL in 1950, they played the Rams for the NFL championship. And beat them. If you can't imagine what that was like, my uncle said it was like the 2000 Browns had just beaten the Ravens in the Super Bowl.

 

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/playoffs.htm

Sounds like Desmond Bryant tore his pectoral and will be out for the season.  Ugh.  He was supposed to assume a leadership role on this younger D-Line.

Sounds like Desmond Bryant tore his pectoral and will be out for the season.  Ugh.  He was supposed to assume a leadership role on this younger D-Line.

 

Glad he isn't. Not a good leader. Sucks at run defense and inconsistent at pass rushing. At times, he's unstoppable. Other times, he's invisible. I consider this injury a blessing in disguise. It will give the kids like Nassib more reps.

 

Oh, and ironically, the stoolers fans pub-sheet had an article a couple days before Dez Bryant's injury say how much they disrespected him as a D-line leader....

 

Desmond Bryant A Questionable Leader For Browns’ Young D-Line

BY MATTHEW MARCZI JULY 9, 2016 AT 05:40 AM

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/07/desmond-bryant-questionable-leader-browns-young-d-line/

He has survived two regime changes.  He's talented and productive.  It's hard to judge 3-4 D-lineman on their stats, since their main purposes is to hold the point of attack and free up the LBs to make plays.  The brass thought he was a leader.  That is why they kept him around.

Pro Football Focus rated Bryant as one of the top DL in the NFL. So there's that...

Yet the idiot was hanging out with Manziel at 3 a.m. today, according to Snapchat pics. Sorry, but I don't see Josh staying out of trouble by Oct. 9....

 

Ian Rapoport ✔ @RapSheet

#Browns WR Josh Gordon is being reinstated, source said. He’s suspended for the first 4 games.

 

Ian Rapoport ✔ @RapSheet

#Browns WR Josh Gordon’s reinstatement is conditional, source said. But he can participate in training camp

 

Ian Rapoport ✔ @RapSheet

Josh Gordon will be playing in preseason games, tho he’ll still have to participate in treatment. When he’s suspended, he CAN be in meetings

 

Ian Rapoport ✔ @RapSheet

The #Browns play the #Patriots on Oct. 9. Tom Brady AND Josh Gordon are slated to return. … That could be a fun game to watch.

 

Word

Why is there a four game suspension that comes with his reinstatement? Is that automatic?

Why is there a four game suspension that comes with his reinstatement? Is that automatic?

 

As best I can tell, it's for his "violation" earlier this year which was either a missed test or a diluted sample.

As best I can tell, it's for his "violation" earlier this year which was either a missed test or a diluted sample.

 

It's odd to me that that wouldn't be enough to prevent Goodell from reinstating him.

Cardale Jones had a strong debut in the NFL 11-for-21, 161 yards and a touchdown plus 34 rushing yards / 95 QB rating.

Our rookie QB looked lost and far from NFL ready. 

 

http://youtu.be/ybKuO8fqaOU

Mingo traded to Pats. Former 6th overall pick. We got a future 5th rounder in return.

Mingo traded to Pats. Former 6th overall pick. We got a future 5th rounder in return.

 

I don't think he was going to make the team.

Mingo traded to Pats. Former 6th overall pick. We got a future 5th rounder in return.

 

I don't think he was going to make the team.

 

Sad--all the times I was down on the field Mingo was THE "freak of nature" on the team.  He had the build of a Madden video game player come-to-life!  Too bad it didn't translate on the field.  Belichick will probably make him a superstar....

^I can't agree with that. He was a bean pole, relative to other front 7 NFL defenders.

^I can't agree with that. He was a bean pole, relative to other front 7 NFL defenders.

 

Agreed--which is why I said it didn't translate on the field.  He "looked" bad ass when you were down there standing next to him at warm ups.    Doesn't mean he stacked up that way against the competition!

Watch Bill Belichick turn him into Kam Chancellor

Kruger released.  I thought he was decent but extremely overpaid.

Kruger released.  I thought he was decent but extremely overpaid.

 

He WAS decent. Now he's clearly not the player he was. Ogbah is more talented but lacks the experience. Only way to give him experience is to let him play.

 

K'Waun is gone too. Seeing too many players who act like it's the Browns' pleasure to have them play for them, not the other way. Glad Hue is dumping some of these guys and forcing vets to play in the fourth preseason game. They didn't earn that game off by their lazy play on Friday.

The message music continues.... The Browns just traded Andy Lee (who didn't try to make a tackle on Tampa's punt return for a TD) and a 7th round pick to Carolina for their punter and fourth-round pick in 2018. Wow.

 

Hue ain't messing around.

That's a good net for a punter.  Lee was good/great, but his effort on that play was about as bad as I've ever seen on an NFL field. 

That's a good net for a punter.  Lee was good/great, but his effort on that play was about as bad as I've ever seen on an NFL field. 

 

I'd just as soon a Pro Bowl quality punter didn't go all out making a tackle in an exhibition game.

^sure, so long as that directive came from the coaching staff. Obviously it did not

That's a good net for a punter.  Lee was good/great, but his effort on that play was about as bad as I've ever seen on an NFL field. 

 

I'd just as soon a Pro Bowl quality punter didn't go all out making a tackle in an exhibition game.

 

This is actually a larger problem with the league. They are constantly changing rules to tame the physicality of the game and to curb injuries, and I don't disagree with much of the changes.

 

Arguably, Lee was smart not to put a hit on that guy because the game was meaningless. If Hue Jackson wants the nastiest, hardest tackling punter in the league then fine.

 

Start recruiting the rugby leagues or Australian rules football for some tough s.o.b. who wants to help an NFL team tank the season. 

Hue is trying to change the culture in the Browns locker room.  Until that happens, abnormal methods to prevent injury are probably a low priority.  When I saw the play, I assumed the coaches had told Lee to not tackle the returner if he broke loose.  But Hue's reaction on the sideline dispelled that notion very quickly.  He was pissed.

Hue is trying to change the culture in the Browns locker room.  Until that happens, abnormal methods to prevent injury are probably a low priority.  When I saw the play, I assumed the coaches had told Lee to not tackle the returner if he broke loose.  But Hue's reaction on the sideline dispelled that notion very quickly.  He was pissed.

 

I was pissed too. But not "throw-him-off-the-team" level pissed. I could see if Lee had a reputation for being soft, like Antonio Cromartie, but this was just one play. If Hue's a great coach then get in his face and get the results you desire. Then again, I firmly believe this was mostly a "tank the season" maneuver.

And they also got great value for a punter, I don't care how good he is

And they also got great value for a punter, I don't care how good he is

 

He was better than Justin Gilbert.

Justin Gilbert may not survive the next cut, although considering how shallow the DB talent pool is on the Browns, they might keep him.

They probably couldn't get a 7th Rounder for Gilbert at this point.  In fact, they would probably have to pay another team to take him.  If he is released, I'm sure he would be picked up given that a team could sign him to a new contract more in line with his actual value.  But his current deal would be a non-starter in trade talks.

Is this Gilbert's final year on his contract?

Is this Gilbert's final year on his contract?

 

No....

 

Gilbert, per Spotrac, is signed through at least the 2017 season. All $12.833 million of Gilbert’s contract is guaranteed to the cornerback as of this time. Gilbert’s cap hit for 2016 is roughly $3.5 million, while the dead money hit connected to his deal for this year is about $7.58 million.

 

In short: It would cost the Browns to cut him this summer.

 

SOURCE: http://nflspinzone.com/2016/07/02/cleveland-browns-give-justin-gilbert/

Where is the 2016 Browns record poll?  Always good for some fun here on UO!    I wonder if the new enthusiasm for Cleveland teams after a Cavs Championship and and Indians World Series will carry over?  :)

Where is the 2016 Browns record poll?  Always good for some fun here on UO!    I wonder if the new enthusiasm for Cleveland teams after a Cavs Championship and and Indians World Series will carry over?  :)

 

You hear that? All the silence.

This franchise is an embarrassment to the City of Champions.

Where is the 2016 Browns record poll?  Always good for some fun here on UO!    I wonder if the new enthusiasm for Cleveland teams after a Cavs Championship and and Indians World Series will carry over?  :)

 

You hear that? All the silence.

 

I do I do!  Apparently my sarcasm was silent as well!    Go Browns!  :-P

 

RG3 is injured #browns

Yep - Broken/fractured collar bone.

Said to be out for an "extended period of time."

Hurrray... another quarterback controversy in the works.

We cannot catch a break - no pun intended

I knew I recognized RGIII from somewhere....