Cleveland Browns (2012 season)

[LitlBuck]

What?! SUPER BOWLZ, FUCKUZ!!!!11!!!!!!!!eleventy-Lombardi!11!!11!!

In all seriousness, I agree with you to a point, but I think you underestimate some of the young talent we have on defense. We have a couple of kids on the line and a couple at LB that have shown some promise, so I don't think we're as bad there as you think. We are awful (sans Haden) in the backfield, so we need corners. And a safety. Badly.

On offense, Richardson is a manbeast, and we have like 500 TEs, so if we had a WR1, a real one, then guys like Cribbs and Mass and even Norwood could do some things. What they need to do is stop taking fucking projects. I mean, I am not giving up on Gordon, but he looks like he could easily be Carlton Mitchell V2.0. Great body, not much else. We need a legit guy. Someone who can torch a defense right away, on any play. All the other guys would have more comfortable roles if we had that.

The OL line also needs help. I don't see it with Schwartz...he looks like he has move to guard like Leonard Davis written all over him. Of course if they did that, Lavao could go away and then we would only really still need a RT.

Oh, and we have no depth basically anywhere, so no one can get hurt But that's the biggest glaring weakness with teams that are shitty trying to upgrade...you can only do it so fast.

Bottom line I think we are 3-4 good players away from being a 7-9 to 9-7 type of team...but they are 4 very important players (RG/RT, CB2, WR1, FS) that are damn important and very hard to find.

While I agree with your post, I have hopes that this team will get a lot better a little quicker when Haslam becomes the owner. I think we will sign a couple good, emphasizing good, free agents in the off-season and we should be able to pick up a couple good players in the draft so hopefully next season we can be at least a .500 team.

 

[tsteele316]

What?! SUPER BOWLZ, FUCKUZ!!!!11!!!!!!!!eleventy-Lombardi!11!!11!!

In all seriousness, I agree with you to a point, but I think you underestimate some of the young talent we have on defense. We have a couple of kids on the line and a couple at LB that have shown some promise, so I don't think we're as bad there as you think. We are awful (sans Haden) in the backfield, so we need corners. And a safety. Badly.

On offense, Richardson is a manbeast, and we have like 500 TEs, so if we had a WR1, a real one, then guys like Cribbs and Mass and even Norwood could do some things. What they need to do is stop taking fucking projects. I mean, I am not giving up on Gordon, but he looks like he could easily be Carlton Mitchell V2.0. Great body, not much else. We need a legit guy. Someone who can torch a defense right away, on any play. All the other guys would have more comfortable roles if we had that.

The OL line also needs help. I don't see it with Schwartz...he looks like he has move to guard like Leonard Davis written all over him. Of course if they did that, Lavao could go away and then we would only really still need a RT.

Oh, and we have no depth basically anywhere, so no one can get hurt But that's the biggest glaring weakness with teams that are shitty trying to upgrade...you can only do it so fast.

Bottom line I think we are 3-4 good players away from being a 7-9 to 9-7 type of team...but they are 4 very important players (RG/RT, CB2, WR1, FS) that are damn important and very hard to find.

mitchell schwartz has had 2 good games, one bad game and one in the middle. i don't know exactly what you're watching with him. by the by, when a LDE gets a hit or sack on a qb because he can't step up in the pocket because the RG's in his lap, that's not on the RT.

 

[Buckeneye]

Schwartz has had his moments of consistency. He isn't being beaten
like a rented mule every play unlike a particular RT (or six) that we tried last season.

I'm in agreement with Lion - this team is about 4-5 players away from being quite good.

Robertson has shown some real promise. D'qwell has a few more solid years. I'd like to see JMJ healthy. I do agree, LB will be a concern in a couple years. But not quite like we have elsewhere immediately.

Its my honest hope that Barkley and Geno catching fucking fire in the 2nd half of the season. Especially Geno. RG3 has made that kid some serious money and you know they're are people (of course one twat on this board) comparing him to Griffin. Which means at least half dozen GM's somewhere (NYJ, Jax, Tampa) that have convinced themselves he's next in line.

Give me the #1 overall. Trade down even. Give me Eric Reid & Chance Warmack. Only because I don't think I see that 'stud' WR in this years class. That gives you a ballhawk FS and a road grader at OG that we lack. Thomas needs to get healthy. If his knee is in-fact that bad, then he shouldn't be playing. Of course that means Weeden is more likely to have his ass kicked on an everydown basis.

The health of the defense is crucial. But we have dline depth it would appear. So give me a pair of great safety's. Ward as the enforcer, Reid
to be the rangy coverman. Right now we have no FS that can play a deep half properly.

Again this all depends on what type of splash we want to make in free agency. Which, for the love of god I hope we do.

 

[tsteele316]

Schwartz has had his moments of consistency. He isn't being beaten
like a rented mule every play unlike a particular RT (or six) that we tried last season.

I'm in agreement with Lion - this team is about 4-5 players away from being quite good.

Robertson has shown some real promise. D'qwell has a few more solid years. I'd like to see JMJ healthy. I do agree, LB will be a concern in a couple years. But not quite like we have elsewhere immediately.

Its my honest hope that Barkley and Geno catching fucking fire in the 2nd half of the season. Especially Geno. RG3 has made that kid some serious money and you know they're are people (of course one twat on this board) comparing him to Griffin. Which means at least half dozen GM's somewhere (NYJ, Jax, Tampa) that have convinced themselves he's next in line.

Give me the #1 overall. Trade down even. Give me Eric Reid & Chance Warmack. Only because I don't think I see that 'stud' WR in this years class. That gives you a ballhawk FS and a road grader at OG that we lack. Thomas needs to get healthy. If his knee is in-fact that bad, then he shouldn't be playing. Of course that means Weeden is more likely to have his ass kicked on an everydown basis.

The health of the defense is crucial. But we have dline depth it would appear. So give me a pair of great safety's. Ward as the enforcer, Reid
to be the rangy coverman. Right now we have no FS that can play a deep half properly.

Again this all depends on what type of splash we want to make in free agency. Which, for the love of god I hope we do.

the browns need to sign a dependable wr in FA and probably a starting caliber CB. you can also get OG's in FA relatively cheaply as well. the browns are shedding a lot of cap this offseason, most of it going to unproductive guys, namely fujita, sheldon brown, and usama young.

 

[exhawg]

While I agree with your post, I have hopes that this team will get a lot better a little quicker when Haslam becomes the owner. I think we will sign a couple good, emphasizing good, free agents in the off-season and we should be able to pick up a couple good players in the draft so hopefully next season we can be at least a .500 team.

I agree. For the first time in a while you can actually look at the Browns and pick the holes that need to be filled. Guard and Safety should be easiest to fill with quality FA's so those are the main places to address before the draft. If they can find a 1b CB or 1 wr as a FA I would jump on it, but I don't know if that is likely.

From what I've heard this isn't a good year for WR's in the draft so they might need to try to get another year out of the guys they have and hope the projects pan out. IMO if you add another CB that is on par with Haden and a good FS the Browns D would be one of the best in the league so they can start there and build the offense off of a great D.

 

[Buckeneye]

The main reason why I'd draft Oline is age. How many quality OG's are
there in FA that only have a solid year or two left in their NFL careers?
Mack is a very fine Center. Shwartz, by all accounts could develop into a steady RT. Pinkston is servicable. Thomas needs to be healthy, but he still has a solid 3-4 years left. It's a young line. I'd keep it that way while infusing talent.

FA WR would be nice only because again, no stud WR in this draft class.
You have one good name, the rest are just reliable pass catchers.

- Donald Jones
- Dwyane Bowe. Although it's hard to picture the Chief's not giving him a long term deal after the season. I know he was upset about the Frachise tag.
- Devry Henderson
- Austin Collie


That's really about it.

Scanning down the list I don't see much in the way of FA gaurds that peak the interest.

edit: FA CB's.

- Foxworth
- Mckelvin
- Mike Jenkins
- Sam Shields

I can't see any of those guys not re-signing. Maybe Sam Shields...?

FA Safety's

- Bryd
- Chung
- Phillips

All should be re-signed.


DB FA offerings aren't great either.

 

[Bucklion]

I would love to see Dwayne Bowe here. I think he could gobble up catches, and that would free up some other guys with speed (Benjamin) or size (Gordon) to make some plays. Little should only be spelling guys for a series, that's it.

 

[Buckeneye]

Again, given the fact he wasn't at all happy about the franchise tag - and I'm sure he's tired of playing with Cassell. I think the Browns should take a serious run at him.

He had a few big drops early in his career - but he's steadily improved since. He's big, physical and quick. I think he'd excel in this offense.

And as steele pointed out, we'll have plenty of cap space to make a tempting offer. Correct me if I'm wrong, I do believe he signed a non-exclusive franchise tender.

 

[LitlBuck]

All should be re-signed.


DB FA offerings aren't great either.

None of these guys care about their teams and I mean none. You offer them more money than their current team and they will come Cleveland. There is no more loyalty in professional sports. All these guys care about is who will pay them the most money.

 

[Buckeneye]

Well I mean, in the case of Shields - stepping from GB to CLE might be something to consider. Only because he has 1 Super Bowl ring they're.
If they could play consistent defense, he could be playing for another.
I'm sure that is something to be weighed.

If not - hell, go for Shields & Bowe while were at it. Then take Reid & Warmack.


... I nearly just cried thinking about what this team could look like with that combination.

 

[billmac91]

The main reason why I'd draft Oline is age. How many quality OG's are
there in FA that only have a solid year or two left in their NFL careers?
Mack is a very fine Center. Shwartz, by all accounts could develop into a steady RT. Pinkston is servicable. Thomas needs to be healthy, but he still has a solid 3-4 years left. It's a young line. I'd keep it that way while infusing talent.

FA WR would be nice only because again, no stud WR in this draft class.
You have one good name, the rest are just reliable pass catchers.

- Donald Jones
- Dwyane Bowe. Although it's hard to picture the Chief's not giving him a long term deal after the season. I know he was upset about the Frachise tag.
- Devry Henderson
- Austin Collie


That's really about it.

Scanning down the list I don't see much in the way of FA gaurds that peak the interest.

edit: FA CB's.

- Foxworth
- Mckelvin
- Mike Jenkins
- Sam Shields

I can't see any of those guys not re-signing. Maybe Sam Shields...?

FA Safety's

- Bryd
- Chung
- Phillips

All should be re-signed.


DB FA offerings aren't great either.

With Haden having a few tears under his belt, I'd rather draft a rookie CB who isn't a project. I just think they need to have better drafts in the middle rounds personally. Instead of a massive projects kids like J.R. Hosley and Brandon Boykin are there for the taking.

I really wish we had that second rounder this year, but the CB class is deep this year, IMO. Someone like Brandon McGee from Miami, Kyle Fuller from Va Tech, Jonathon Banks from Miss St, even a guy like Johnny Adams from Michigan State, would be instant upgrades over what we have IMO. It will be interesting to see if Tyrann Mathieu declares as well. He could be a great value pick in the second round if you work your way back into it. Another headcase with a lot of talent that will be entering is Greg Reid from FSU. Not a great cover guy but pretty electric on returns. Sounds like he banged himself up after his transfer to Valdosta and will sit out rest of year and rehab for the combine.

I think rookie safeties have also proven they can handle the early workload..even moreso than Cornerbacks. Guys like Mark Barron, T.J. Ward, Kurt Coleman come to mind as instantly starting and playing well. You can get great value at safety as well. Dudes like Robert Lester from Bama, Kenny Vaccaro from Texas who is playing out of his mind right now, and then a headcase but great talent in Baccarri Rambo at Georgia. All of those guys will be second - 4th rounders.

I think the Browns can improve a lot through the draft. Personally, I have just hated their mid-round picks. There is a ton of value available, but they seem to lean towards projects/non difference makers.

 

[LitlBuck]

Trick-or-treat. I cannot imagine Haslam letting everyone go before Halloween but stranger things have happened with the Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Michael Sudds of International Business Times must have some keen sources, because he makes a few bold predictions when it comes to the Cleveland Browns.

Sudds says he believes that once Jimmy Haslam becomes the owner, he will bring in his own management team and fire coach Pat Shurmur - all by Halloween.

more http://www.cleveland.com/browns/ind...and_browns_and_nfl_am_li_19.html#incart_river

 

[Bucklion]

firing clueless Shurmer= Captain Obvious move, the question is will he wait until the end of the season or not. Unless they start stringing together wins () then maybe not.

 

[LitlBuck]

firing clueless Shurmer= Captain Obvious move, the question is will he wait until the end of the season or not. Unless they start stringing together wins () then maybe not.

I have read some rumors where they are talking about if Haslam gets rid of Shurmur he makes big Mike coach the team for the remainder of the season. I guess that could be an ultimatum.

 

[NFBuck]

Fire Shurmur, Jauron interim, go pay Chuckie whatever the [censored] he wants in January. If anybody was born to coach the Browns, it's Jon Gruden.