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Cleveland Browns 2011 Super Awesome In-Season Thread

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Pro Sports ▸ Cleveland Browns 2011 Super Awesome In-Season Thread
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BR1986FB

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Nov 23, 2011 9:02 AM
IDK...if they can get an impact LB/CB/DE with those first three picks to make this a legit top 5 defense I think I might be all in.
Nov 23, 2011 9:02am
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DeyDurkie5

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11,324 posts
Nov 23, 2011 9:08 AM
Like i've stated before, the only position i want them to go after with the first 2 picks is LB. We need some offensive life.
Nov 23, 2011 9:08am
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BR1986FB

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Nov 23, 2011 9:16 AM
Can get an O-Lineman and a WR in FA. Can also use the 3rd rounder on another WR. Hearing the Broyles kid may dropp to 3rd to 5th rounds due to injury.
Nov 23, 2011 9:16am
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like_that

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Nov 23, 2011 9:18 AM
BR1986FB;984787 wrote:IDK...if they can get an impact LB/CB/DE with those first three picks to make this a legit top 5 defense I think I might be all in.
The team has many options, and so many needs. I would be down for going all in on Defense with the first 2 rounds if they are the right picks. If we get Vontaze in the 2nd rd I would be pretty damn happy. I want no part of going DE in the first round though. That would mean we would draft Coples.
Nov 23, 2011 9:18am
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BR1986FB

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Nov 23, 2011 9:25 AM
like_that;984805 wrote:The team has many options, and so many needs. I would be down for going all in on Defense with the first 2 rounds if they are the right picks. If we get Vontaze in the 2nd rd I would be pretty damn happy. I want no part of going DE in the first round though. That would mean we would draft Coples.
I'm just looking at this from a 1985 Bears/2000 Rats perspective....play stifling defense and win with a ball control offense.

I really don't think the offense needs that much to improve (OL/WR) where they could finish off that defense with 3 picks. If they fix the O-Line the offense should look A LOT better.

The biggest liabilities on defense right now are Fujita, Jayme Mitchell & Sheldon Brown. Unless they are going to break the bank and go after Mario Williams (who likely doesn't hit FA) they can fix it all on that side of the ball with this draft. Cliff Avril is also a DE option in FA.
Nov 23, 2011 9:25am
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DeyDurkie5

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Nov 23, 2011 9:27 AM
I like hwere your heads at BR. I just cant stand to watch this offense anymore unless we get someone who is a difference maker. We literally haven't had any difference makers on our team, ever. Braylon? Winslow? Who's been our best RB since the return? We've had nothing to scare defenses besides DA and Hillis and both were for only one year
Nov 23, 2011 9:27am
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BR1986FB

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Nov 23, 2011 9:52 AM
DeyDurkie5;984821 wrote:I like hwere your heads at BR. I just cant stand to watch this offense anymore unless we get someone who is a difference maker. We literally haven't had any difference makers on our team, ever. Braylon? Winslow? Who's been our best RB since the return? We've had nothing to scare defenses besides DA and Hillis and both were for only one year
Believe me, nothing is more frustrating than watching this sputtering offense. I think the key will be fixing that O-Line.

I have a feeling they are going to let Hillis walk which means their 3 RB's will be Hardesty/Oby/Brandon Jackson. WR is a must and there will likely be a few good available (Colston/Meachem/perhaps Desean Jackson?). As mentioned, I'd also like to see them go after a WR with that 3rd or one of the 4ths.

My key FA target would probably be Carl Nicks (G-Saints). If Steinbach comes back healthy you have Lauvao & Pinkston for depth. Grab the RT in either the 3rd or 4th (whichever you don't use the other WR pick on). Your line looks like Thomas/Steiny/Mack/Nicks/draft pick.

Sadly, Jamal Lewis has probably been their best RB (two 1000 yard seasons) since the return.

EDIT: Michael Bush could be an option as a FA RB.
Nov 23, 2011 9:52am
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SMITTEMS

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309 posts
Nov 23, 2011 10:58 AM
A lot of mocks have the browns taking Trent Richardson with their first pick since Hillis is gonna be gone and after that I wouldn't mind improving our defense with a LB or CB pick
Nov 23, 2011 10:58am
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Commander of Awesome

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Nov 23, 2011 11:30 AM
I'm sure I want to use two first round picks on CB. I would think we could find a decent CB in the 2/3rd to take Brown's spot.
Nov 23, 2011 11:30am
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Writerbuckeye

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Nov 23, 2011 11:54 AM
I'm in. The defense is closest to being more of a finished product -- so let's finish it. Take another lockdown CB and the best DE or LB with the first two picks.

Then use free agency or one of the remaining picks to solidify the safety position and add one more DL for depth and rotation.

In free agency, find a decent guard and/or RT to provide either starters or depth to what we've got, and hope Steinbach comes back, and Pinkston and Lauovo develop. Perhaps picks a development lineman (G-T hybrid) in a later round of the draft.

Use free agency to find yourself a receiver who can stretch the field and play opposite Little.

Now, having said that, I also wouldn't be terribly unhappy if the Browns used their first two picks to select another stud CB first and Trent Richardson second, if he's available. Having someone with his abilities would help take the pressure off both the line and McCoy. And if you do improve the line as planned, he can be even more of a weapon in a control offense.

Then you could use your second pick on the needed LB.

The defense would still be close enough to have an impact, but you'd have at least one playmaker on offense via the draft -- and hopefully would get at least one receiver through free agency.

First and foremost, though, I want a plan to fix the OL. Even if it ends up being some of the same guys we now have (Pinkston, Lauovo) who have improved enough by the end of the year that the interior of the pocket isn't being pushed back into McCoy when he needs to step up.
Nov 23, 2011 11:54am
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mucalum49

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Nov 23, 2011 1:59 PM
BR1986FB;984861 wrote:EDIT: Michael Bush could be an option as a FA RB.
This would be awesome.

As far as a WR to play along with Greg Little, what about Pierre Garcon? (Homer move)

He can stretch the field, solid blocker and has been the only offensive player to still look decent without Peyton.
Nov 23, 2011 1:59pm
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grodt

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Nov 23, 2011 2:53 PM
I would have no problem if they wanted to use this draft to make the defense even more stout. I feel like our offense is right on the cusp of a "just control the ball and don't lose games for us. You only need 10-14 points to win."-type that would go along with a dominant defense. Use FA to pick up a solid OL and grab a WR. Frankly if we want a WR to come in and be a #1 right away we'd be much better off going the FA route. Even the best WR's in the draft aren't great when they first join the league. A FA WR will be able to step in and be #1 right away giving Colt another weapon and taking some defensive pressure off of Greg Little.

Oh and our best RB since coming back, in terms of yardage, is Jamal Lewis with 2806.
Nov 23, 2011 2:53pm
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BR1986FB

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Nov 23, 2011 2:58 PM
grodt;985221 wrote:Frankly if we want a WR to come in and be a #1 right away we'd be much better off going the FA route. Even the best WR's in the draft aren't great when they first join the league. A FA WR will be able to step in and be #1 right away giving Colt another weapon and taking some defensive pressure off of Greg Little.
Exactly. It usually takes a few years for a WR to become "dominant" in the league. AJ Green is having a great season but he's kind of the exception. Bringing in a rookie #1 and expecting him to be a "#1" right out of the gate is a lot of pressure.
Nov 23, 2011 2:58pm
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DeyDurkie5

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Nov 23, 2011 3:58 PM
John Clayton is spot on...

Q: Am I the only one who sees good things happening in Cleveland?
Milan
A: I do see progress on defense. That's encouraging. It's the offense that's a mess. The debate this offseason will be whether to use the first-round pick on a quarterback. I'd do it if Matt Barkley and Landry Jones are options. It hurt losing guard Eric Steinbach for the season. That loss was understated. The Browns have two Pro Bowl talents on the line with Joe Thomas and Alex Mack. I like their tight ends. Somehow, they've got to upgrade the right side of their offensive line, get better receivers and figure out what to do in the backfield.



with the first pick, get OL...with the second pick, get trent richardson or best available WR/LB(burflict) with 3rd pick, get an offensive playmaker
Nov 23, 2011 3:58pm
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Commander of Awesome

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Nov 23, 2011 5:52 PM
I think we'd have to go Richardson with the first pick then get Oline with the second first round pick.
Nov 23, 2011 5:52pm
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like_that

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Nov 23, 2011 6:38 PM
DeyDurkie5;985275 wrote:John Clayton is spot on...

Q: Am I the only one who sees good things happening in Cleveland?
Milan
A: Yes
Yeah, he is spot on.
Nov 23, 2011 6:38pm
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BR1986FB

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Nov 23, 2011 7:44 PM
Hardesty and Hillis (limited) both practiced today.
Nov 23, 2011 7:44pm
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Commander of Awesome

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Nov 23, 2011 8:38 PM
I hope Hardesty can play, Hillis was already ruled out if I'm not mistaken.
Nov 23, 2011 8:38pm
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BR1986FB

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Nov 23, 2011 8:42 PM
Yeah, Hillis is out. Just good to see he's practicing.

I think Hardesty will go. They interviewed him today and he said he wanted to go against the Jags. On a side note, can anyone understand what Hardesty says? Dude sounds like Mushmouth from Fat Albert.
Nov 23, 2011 8:42pm
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IggyPride00

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Nov 23, 2011 9:44 PM
It hurt losing guard Eric Steinbach for the season.
Before the season there was talk that they wanted to release him because they thought he was a bum, and one of their draft picks would adequately fit in because of the superior system Shurmur runs.

Sad it took a season ending injury to wake up the brass that Steinbach really wasn't half bad, and there were other places to worry about filling holes than creating artificial ones that didn't exist prior to.

Sounds alot like Hillis. By exiling him out of town we have now created a hole where one didn't exist. Maybe he wasn't Adrian Peterson, but he was alot better than what has replaced him even though they are cheaper options.

When you are in rebuilding mode and need as much help as the Browns do, I would like to see more focus put on filling gaping holes, rather than leaving them unfilled while at the same time creating new ones that at least had competent players.
Nov 23, 2011 9:44pm
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Commander of Awesome

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Nov 23, 2011 11:36 PM
You're thinking of Erica Womangini who wanted bigger guards. Steiny played at a probowl level last season though, no way in hell he was going to be released.
Nov 23, 2011 11:36pm
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BR1986FB

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Nov 24, 2011 7:37 AM
Now THIS is what a "pro" does (part about Steinbach)....

I had the binoculars on Pashos quite a bit Sunday. He seemed to be more than holding his own.
One thing we failed to mention from today’s locker room rounds that is fairly important.
In talking to Jason Pinkston, he said that the left guard he replaced, Eric Steinbach, not only is in the building regularly, but has been quite a help to him.
What we picked up from Pinkston changes our perception of whether Steinbach will be back. Dustin Fox reported on 92.3 not long ago that he was told by LeCharles Bentley that Steinbach is unlikely to return.

http://blogs.cantonrep.com/freshbrownies/mccoy-or-tebow-meyer-or-gruden/comment-page-1/#comment-28131

Not sure if I like this. Just because he WAS the starter doesn't mean Hardesty should jump right back into that role. Frankly, I'd ease him back in and ride the "hot hand" between him and Oby...

http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2011/11/23/2584016/signs-point-toward-montario-hardesty-starting-against-bengals
Nov 24, 2011 7:37am
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Commander of Awesome

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Nov 24, 2011 9:34 AM
LCB isn't a trusted source Fox, get your shit together.
Nov 24, 2011 9:34am
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BR1986FB

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Nov 24, 2011 10:49 AM
Commander of Awesome;985850 wrote:LCB isn't a trusted source Fox, get your shit together.
True story. That was posted because it was part of the article. LCB is a money grubbing racist hack.
Nov 24, 2011 10:49am