Peyton (Hillis)!

Super Bowl!

CLEVELAND wins!

 

"I've got to give it up to the Cleveland fans. It shows how big Cleveland fans are to the players, and I'm going to try my best for them."  -- Peyton Hillis

 

 

CLEVELAND wins!

 

"I've got to give it up to the Cleveland fans. It shows how big Cleveland fans are to the players, and I'm going to try my best for them."  -- Peyton Hillis

 

 

 

I think we got quite a bit of help, but yeah, I'll take it!

Congrats to Peyton.

 

So were the Cleveland fans voting for Vick all along in the other Bracket? If so, I missed that memo but genius if they were. Next up Sky-enga! on the cover of NBA 2K13.

Hillis enjoying all the national media and rightfully so:

 

1)

 

 

2) He will on David Letterman tonight: http://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2011/4/27/2137571/peyton-hillis-to-appear-on-david-letterman-tomorrow-night

So... there was a draft, right when the forum was down.  Thoughts?  I'm happy wth it overall, but I would have preferred a couple more DL's.  We're so short there, it was worth spending half the draft on it IMO.  I'm not entirely sold on the TE and FB picks, due to pressing needs elsewhere, though they seem like cool players to have. 

I dont understand why we wouldn't keep Vickers. But anyways, I like the draft overall. I really didn't want Julio Jones, so basically getting all those picks for him was great in my opinion. Overall im happy with the draft. I hope Hillis and McCoy can both have big years. Sign Phil Dawson. And most importantly, let actually have a season!

Da*^.... I guess my previous analysis got wiped out.

 

Good, not great, trade with Atlanta.  I truly believe the Browns wanted either Miller, Darues, Green, or Peterson.  Those players went 2-5, so trading down was the right thing to do.

 

I honestly don't know much about Phil Taylor, but I do know that you need big bodies on your DL to succeed in the NFL.  Rogers is not coming back and Rubin can't play all the snaps.  Plus, think of the disaster that would ensue should Rubin be lost to injury.

 

I loved the Sheard pick.  We don't have a player like him.  He will provide a needed dynamic of a rush-end who is tough enough to stop the run.

 

I loved the Little pick even more.  That was a swing for the fences because I truly believe he has the potential to be as good as any WR in this draft.  He has excellent size and plays with a mean-streak you don't find too often in WRs.  Check out his highlights on youtube.  The guy is a YAC machine.

 

Still scratching my head over the Jordan Cameron pick in the early fourth.  He is the tight end out of Southern Cal.... not to be confused with Cameron Jordan, the defensive end out of Cal.  I mean.... the guy only had 16 catches his entire career.  He also seems duplitious with Evan Moore already on the roster.  I will give him that he is a freak of an athlete.  But he just ain't a football player.

 

My favorite pick was Owen Marecic.  I watched a lot of Stanford this past year and you can't help but notice this guy on the field.  The only thing that makes me sad is that this might signal the end of Lawrence Vickers in a Browns uniform and it is hard to justify just letting the guy walk when he is without a doubt one of the best in the biz at what he does.  Unfortunately, what Vickers does not do well is catch the ball and we need that out of our FB in the new West Coast offense.

 

I don't like the OL out of Pitt.  He seems like a finnesse player.  Not the type of road-grader we need on the right side.

 

Our 7th rounder, Eric Haag, could surprise.  But it is hard for me to have much confidence considering that he played in the shadow of Larry Asante prior to his breakout senior year.  Yes... the same Larry Asante who was relegated to our practice squad after we drafted him last year despite an obvious need for depth at the safety positions.

 

I'm gonna give them a B+ for now.  If some opposing rusher goes low on Matty Ice's knees in the preseason and we end up with a top 10 in 2012 to go along with wherever we end up picking, that grade will improve to a solid A.

When the lockout ends, I'd love to see the Browns make a run at signing Santonio Holmes.  Would be a great fit to complement Green/Little.

pulling around firetrucks??  check out Peyton Hillis's summer regiment in Arkansas:

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/07/09/cleveland.browns.peyton.hillis.ap/index.html?eref=twitter_feed

Can we really answer the poll?  Nothing has been done because of the lockout....basically rating the draft.

The second "draft" of the season -- free agency -- is coming up probably this Friday after the CBA is likely ratified at the owners' meeting the day before. And free agency this year will be more like a draft than at any time in NFL history -- a 7-10 day sprint with some amazing talent available.

 

The Bleacher Report has a pretty good roster (with some names missing) of this year's free agents. There seems to be a lot of talent in there to fill the Browns' biggest needs which, in my opinion, are: wide receiver, defensive line, defensive back, and right side of the OL. If we can get a pass-rushing linebacker or one that's a good run-stopper, that could fill a void too.

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/568492-top-50-2011-nfl-free-agents-and-where-they-could-end-up

 

I don't agree with a lot of what they suggest, especially as a Browns fan, because they don't seem to think any free agents would be good fits here except headcase Terrell Owens. And they don't even have Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph listed in the top 50 which is a big oversight in my opinion.

 

They do think the Browns will go after undrafted free agents however: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/763250-cleveland-browns-free-agency-predicting-6-udfas-the-browns-sign-post-lockout

 

The Orange & Brown Report has a pretty detailed list of free agents and lists which ones were resigned and which ones are franchise players vs. restricted vs. unrestricted (although all unsigned free agents become unrestricted after one week, if I understand the rules correctly).....

 

http://cle.scout.com/a.z?s=149&p=9&c=12&nid=83&lnid=83&yr=2011

 

So which guys should the Browns go after?

 

My top 10:

 

CB Johnathan Joseph, Bengals

DE Ray Edwards, Vikings

WR Santonio Holmes, Jets

WR Steve Smith, Giants

DE Cullen Jenkins, Packers

OT Tyson Clabo, Falcons

LB Paul Posluszny, Bills

S Brodney Pool, Jets

DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Giants

CB Ike Taylor, Steelers

 

I'd love to put CB Nnamdi Asomugha or WR Sidney Rice in there, but I don't think the Browns can afford them.

I think the browns have said... and I tend to agree with them... that they are not going to go after any big name free agents. Even in a best case scenario we won't truly be "contenders" for a couple years. Plug some gaps and get some young kids with potential.

I think the browns have said... and I tend to agree with them... that they are not going to go after any big name free agents. Even in a best case scenario we won't truly be "contenders" for a couple years. Plug some gaps and get some young kids with potential.

I think they've made it clear that they're not going after big name "WIDE RECEIVER'S", but they have made it known that they'll be in the market for a DL & S.  I'm expecting at least 4 FA's to be signed; DL, S, LB, & RT.

Grossi has consistently said (for whatever thats worth), that the browns aren't interested in going after any "big name" free agents... and that they really don't have any interest in any wide recievers at all, as they are happy with that group.

 

Even in a best case scenario we won't truly be "contenders" for a couple years. 

 

 

If that's the Browns' MO, then they will get exactly what they wish for.

Grossi has consistently said (for whatever thats worth), that the browns aren't interested in going after any "big name" free agents... and that they really don't have any interest in any wide recievers at all, as they are happy with that group.

Grossi also said for months that we were going to draft a WR at #6.  Sorry, but Grossi is the last person I rely on for Browns information.  Heckert said a couple of times that "if the lockout had ended earlier, that they would've already signed a DL", and that was AFTER the draft.  I've also heard H&H or PS say a few times that they're looking at a S.  And we better not enter the season thinking Pashos or Pork Chop is the answer at RT, Colt will get killed.

I really hope Browns resign FB Lawrence Vickers.  He was an x-factor with paving the way for Peyton Hillis and previously Jerome Harrison.

I agree. This is the NFL, where revenue parity between New York City and Green Bay, Wisconsin means either city has as good of a chance to win a title as the other. And with free agency, a developing team can turnaround its fortunes pretty quickly. It is the responsibility of every team's GM to put the best team possible on the field each season, which means you don't sit out free agency -- ever. If Holmgren sits out this talent-rich signing period, then he deserves to become a free agent.

Grossi has consistently said (for whatever thats worth), that the browns aren't interested in going after any "big name" free agents... and that they really don't have any interest in any wide recievers at all, as they are happy with that group.

Grossi also said for months that we were going to draft a WR at #6.  Sorry, but Grossi is the last person I rely on for Browns information.  Heckert said a couple of times that "if the lockout had ended earlier, that they would've already signed a DL", and that was AFTER the draft.  I've also heard H&H or PS say a few times that they're looking at a S.  And we better not enter the season thinking Pashos or Pork Chop is the answer at RT, Colt will get killed.

 

I'm not saying they are sitting out free agency. I think we're going to make a lot of signings. Just from what they've been saying I don't think they are going to make a splash with any big name / big money free agents... at any position.

We need a Free Safety.  Our depth at all the DL positins is also highly suspect.  I don't think you can judge the WR corp until we see them for a year in an NFL offensive system. 

Our two pick ups when FA starts will be a safety and Dlinemen. I could also see a guy for the right side of the line. I don't expect any of these guys to be household names or to be star caliber/potential guys. I really liked last years draft, I think we got at least 3 stars from that class, this year, not so much. I hated the "Phil pick". He'll be a big time bust, I almost guarantee it. That 2nd round DL pick should be solid. I don't see Little as a #1 receiver, so once again, we have a crop of 2nd, 3rd and 4th options, still no 1st option. I think we have a shot at winning some games this year due to the weak schedule. Much like '07 when we went 10-6 only beating one team with a winning record, and that was at home against the Seahawks who are notorious for playing poorly when they cross the Mississippi. I'd give us 8-8 this year but probably only going 1-5 in our division.

^ At this point i dont care if thay throw the Glenville Tarblooders out there in training camp... Im at that point of tha year i am gettin excited for football and this lockout is brangin' me down. 

 

Heat, I agree with 8-8, but i think more like 3-3 in division.  We made progress in the division last year believe it or not.  We shoulda had Cincy twice and Baltimore on the road. I think part of the growth process is improving the next year and with the group of strong character guys this upcoming year, i think we get Baltimore once.

I'll wait until I see some performance in the preseason games. But then again, based on last year's preseason games, I thought we'd do much better in the regular season than we actually did (save for the stunning victories against New Orleans and New England, and the respectable loss to the Jets).

 

I don't expect anything out of our draft picks this year, especially on offense. Who knows when they are going to get signed and get into camp -- although the new rookie pay scale should help simplify things a bit. I doubt they're going to get enough practice time on the field before the regular season to have a clue what they're doing out there. Perhaps they might start contributing toward mid-season, but that's it. The defensive draft picks should catch on first, especially on the D-line, since players there can react and rely on some natural talent, but pro offenses can easily shift and motion a rookie defensive player into irrelevance. But they still might make a play or two as the season wears on.

 

Also factoring into all of this is that we have a new coach, new playbook, new coordinators, new assistants, new philosophies, etc. Teams with new coaches are going to have a harder time catching up to those teams with longtime coaches, veteran players and established playbooks. I hope you Browns fans are patient this year. The first half of the season could be UGLY/MESSY!

An ugly mess????? As a Browns fan I'd be highly disgusted if a season was an ugly mess!!!!!

^KJP...the rookies knowing what is going on is why "Camp Colts" were so important.  Greg LIttle was there and had to be.  They are saying he could be our number 1 guy as the season starts. 

 

If you look at last year, take away the PIttsburgh game and every single game we played we were in it in the 4th quarter.  THat is progress in itself.  This year is about finding ways to win some of those games.  I think with Hillis/Hardesty and Colt learning more, we go up to 8-8

At least 1/3 of the teams in the NFL are going through as much, if not more change than the Browns this season.  We have a QB going into his 2nd season as starter (started half the games last year), who will be running an Offense that he is more familiar with than the one he ran last year.  The Browns play the Bengals twice (new QB), Dolphins (new OC and ?? at QB), Titans (new QB & HC), Raiders (new HC and ?? at QB), 49er's (new HC and ?? at QB), Rams (new OC), & Cardinals (new QB).

 

For the 1st time in a long time, I am optimistic about this season, and would be disappointed with anything less than a .500 season.  Taylor & Sheard are going to be HUGE upgrades along the defensive front, and if Hillis can pick up where he left off, and Hardesty comes in healthy; those two along with Little bring excitement to the Offense (in addition to Watson, a healthy Cribbs, and a FB who can catch in Marecic).  And I still think we haven't scratched the surface with most of our young WR's.

 

Then there's next year with TWO 1st round picks..

The Camp Colts were important for the players to get to know each other. But did they get the playbook to go through it during the camps? Was there even a playbook developed yet? There was no opportunity for the players to learn the new coach's philosophies, although they can learn some basics with the West Coast offense just by some players who have been in it.

 

And I don't mean to suggest the entire season is going to be ugly/messy. I think the first few weeks are going to be that way. I'm sure Pat Shurmur will introduce a basic offense to start out with and add new, more read/react elements to it as time goes on. At least I hope so!

 

To get you all (and me!) excited about the upcoming season, check out this awesome highlight film of Peyton Hillis -- and it was made by a Redskins fan. But it (and being named to the cover of Madden '12) shows the wide following that Peyton has! Enjoy.........

 

They did have the playbook, I do know that. The Browns were fined for getting it out before the strike. I think one big thing the camp colts helped with was the terminology, the guys with Westcoast experience could help the other guys get up to speed. That's a few days of confusion at training camp once it opens, if they went in there cold.

 

Honestly I have no idea what this team will do.

Yes.  Colt had an offensive playbook and Fujita had a defensive playbook.

 

Personally, I think Little is going to make an immediate impact.  He is big, strong, good hands, and can run after the catch.  Plus, he played in a system which relied on short crossing routes and he is fearless going over the middle.

 

If you don't hear Phil Tayolor's name called once all season, that will mean he is probably having an All-Rookie team year.  I understand that DT is not a 'sexy pick' especially when the guy is a lane-clogger, but don't underestimate the vital element of the position.

 

Marecic should contribute immediately as well (assuming Vickers won't be back :().  One can only hope he blocks like Vickers and strikes the fear of God into opposing LBs, but I can assure you he is already a better 'ball-in-hand' player than Vickers.  He should be a nice 'dump' option for Colt as the offense comes together.

 

We need a big impact from Sheard, but I'm not so sure we will see it right away.  Him, more than anyone, I will be watching in pre-season.

 

Oh yeah...... ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!?!?!?!

Best part of the new CBA? Phil Taylor is going to have to play like gangbusters for 3 years to get his big payday! From what I have seen he looks a physically huge fast freak like Shaun Rogers.

He is nowhere near the athlete that Shaun Rogers is.  Hopefully, he is nowhere near the knucklehead Shaun Rogers is either.

Hopefully, he is nowhere near the knucklehead Shaun Rogers is either.

 

True....

They did have the playbook, I do know that. The Browns were fined for getting it out before the strike.

 

 

Awesome. That was a fine worth taking.

 

I feel a little better now. :)

 

Jabaal Sheard is a beast. He is very strong, a huge wingspan and has a high motor drive. If the Browns can put him in situations where isn't double-teamed, I predict he will be in quite a few defensive highlights -- even in his rookie year. If Phil Taylor does his job or a quality FA pickup on the DL can be had, Sheard will stay out of double teams. I'll be watching him too.

 

BTW, if I'm mistaken, the Browns MUST play big in free agency to meet the pay floor of the new CBA. Teams must pay a minimum collective salary of 95 percent of the cap, I believe. And the Browns are $33 million UNDER the cap!

They did have the playbook, I do know that. The Browns were fined for getting it out before the strike.

 

 

Awesome. That was a fine worth taking.

 

I feel a little better now. :)

 

Jabaal Sheard is a beast. He is very strong, a huge wingspan and has a high motor drive. If the Browns can put him in situations where isn't double-teamed, I predict he will be in quite a few defensive highlights -- even in his rookie year. If Phil Taylor does his job or a quality FA pickup on the DL can be had, Sheard will stay out of double teams. I'll be watching him too.

 

BTW, if I'm mistaken, the Browns MUST play big in free agency to meet the pay floor of the new CBA. Teams must pay a minimum collective salary of 95 percent of the cap, I believe. And the Browns are $33 million UNDER the cap!

 

99% for years 1 & 2, 95% thereafter.  Yeah there is going to be a lot of money flying around.

 

woo hoo, bring on TO and the Ol' Gunslinger!

I don't want TO. And is the gunslinger you're referring to Favre?? If so:  NO!!!!!!!

I don't want TO. And is the gunslinger you're referring to Favre?? If so:  NO!!!!!!!

 

I was being facetious in suggesting we hire a bunch of aging retreads, kind of like what the Yankees do in baseball

Yep, I suspected. Except the Yankees tend to acquire players in their prime, or they get their second wind at the Yankees.

 

But don't joke about TO. I've seem some sports publications who think he's a candidate to come here.

Worth reading......

 

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/07/cleveland_browns_analysis_of_r.html

Holmgren: Browns in market for a WR

July, 26, 2011

By James Walker

 

The Cleveland Browns continue to send mixed messages when it comes to their wide receivers.

 

When the offseason began, president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert said they were confident in their much-maligned group. But later that spring, they used a high draft pick to select former North Carolina receiver Greg Little in the second round.

 

After the draft, the Browns' brass said, again, it likes this year's group and feels the West Coast offense will help struggling receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie. But on Monday, Holmgren identified wide receiver as a big need in free agency on the "Cleveland Browns Daily" radio show.

 

"Certain positions I think are fairly obvious that we're probably going to look at a little stronger than others," Holmgren explained. "The wide receiver position is a position we're going to look at, [and] we're going to look at some defensive linemen, even though we drafted a couple."

 

READ MORE AT:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/42007/holmgren-browns-in-market-for-a-wr

I'll try to keep track of these, but they are going to come fast and furious in the next week or so.........

 

Former Notre Dame LB Smith lands with Browns

6:25 a.m. CDT, July 26, 2011

 

Another Notre Dame player left adrift by the lockout found his mooring late Monday night.

 

Former Irish linebacker Brian Smith said on his Twitter page that he agreed to terms with the Browns on an undrafted free agent contract, a signing that should become official Tuesday.

 

"I've agreed with the CLEVELAND BROWNS," Smith tweeted. "Excited for the chance to be a Brown!"

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-former-notre-dame-lb-smith-lands-with-browns-20110726,0,567624.story

Told ya.....

 

Matthews says he's joining the Browns

By Eric Lindsey on July 26, 2011

 

Let the free-agent floodgates open.

 

One day since the NFL lockout came to an end, former Kentucky wide receiver Chris Matthews has reportedly joined the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. Matthews announced the decision on his Twitter account, although he did not specify the terms of his contract or confirm that a deal has actually been signed.

 

"God has blessed me with (an) opportunity to play on the next level and I'm taking it," Matthews tweeted. "#Cleveland here I come(.)"

 

Matthews caught 61 balls last season for 925 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. A 6-foot-5, 219-pound wide receiver from Los Angeles, Matthews will join a Cleveland team that 5-11 behind former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.ukathletics.com/blog/2011/07/matthews-says-hes-joining-the-browns.html

OK, here it is all in one place.....

 

Browns

Carl Gettis (CB, Missouri)

James Dockery (CB, Oregon State)

Brian Smith (LB, Notre Dame)

Sidney Tarver (LB, Tennessee State)

Troy Weatherhead (QB, Hillsdale)

Kyle Anderson (DL, Georgetown College)

Chris Matthews (WR, Kentucky)

Alex Wujciak (LB, Maryland)

Donald Buckram (RB, UTEP)

Andre Carroll (DL, Delaware State)

 

SOURCE:

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2011-nfl-undrafted-free-agents

I expect more signings like these. not so much "names" or "big money" guys. I think the browns are pretty intent on building through the draft and not FA.

The undrafted free agents are the only players the Browns can officially sign right now, that and their own drafted rookies and free agents. They won't be able to officially sign other team's free agents until Friday.

 

See: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d820f8785/article/nfl-timeline-pinpointing-how-next-few-days-will-play-out

 

BTW: if they don't sign some big-name free agents from other teams, then their only option is to dramatically overpay their existing free agents in order to meet the salary floor because they can't overpay their rookies under the new rookie pay scale.

 

More:

http://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2011/7/26/2294861/nfl-free-agency-cleveland-browns-bringing-in-undrafted-free-agents

Funny story about one of the Browns' new undrafted rookies.....

 

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110727/SPORTS04/107270323/James-Dockery-finally-chooses-Browns

 

 

EDIT: This is from......

http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2011/7/26/2296478/de-charles-johnson-s-quintin-mikell-set-the-bar-for-browns-interests?ref=yahoo

With Johnson off the table, you have to believe the Cleveland Browns will be making a push to get Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards locked up before Friday, when players can officially sign their deals. Multiple reports have confirmed that the Falcons will not pursue Edwards, perhaps because they know he will command a similar deal that Johnson received. .... Right now, if you believe the credibility of what has been happening on Twitter, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Browns are the two teams who are neck-and-neck in trying to lure in Edwards.

This is probably going to round out the signings of undrafted players. Now how will the Browns get to 99% of the cap?

 

Of these, I'm hearing good things about Nunez, Castile, Dockery, Matthews, Wujciak, and now Darian Hagan (see below). Some of these guys might actually make the team.

 

Browns agree to terms with 22 undrafted rookies

 

By Nate Ulrich

Beacon Journal sports writer

 

Published: July 26, 2011 - 11:44 PM

BEREA: Hundreds of young men had to put their dreams on hold after they were not selected in this year’s NFL Draft.

 

In a normal offseason, teams sign those players immediately after the draft in late April. The league’s lockout, however, kept the usual process from unfolding and left undrafted free agents in limbo.

 

NFL teams were finally allowed to sign undrafted rookies Tuesday. The Browns agreed to deals with 22, a team spokesman said. The Browns have yet to announce the names of the undrafted rookies with whom they have agreed to terms. The following is an unofficial list of 17 compiled from several reports:

 

Missouri cornerback Carl Gettis; Notre Dame linebacker Brian Smith; Maryland linebacker Alex Wujciak; Tennessee State linebacker Sidney Tarver; Georgetown College defensive lineman Kyle Anderson; Western Michigan wide receiver Juan Nunez; Kentucky wide receiver Chris Matthews; UTEP running back Donald Buckram; Hillsdale quarterback Troy Weatherhead; Appalachian State defensive lineman Jabari Fletcher; Oregon State cornerback James Dockery; Minnesota offensive lineman Dominic Alford; Delaware State defensive lineman Andre Carroll; Tennessee offensive lineman Jarrod Shaw, Delta State wide receiver L.J. Castile; TCU tight end Evan Frosch and Omaha Nighthawks kicker Jeff Wolfert, who played at Missouri from 2006-08 but has been in the UFL since.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/browns-agree-to-terms-with-22-undrafted-rookies-1.226851

 

 

EDIT New signing....

http://goldenbearlair.com/2011/07/26/darian-hagan-and-derrick-hill-sign-with-nfl-teams/

I wouldn't be surprised to see the browns resign several of their own fa's.