bases_loaded;842758 wrote:Day two. Still awaiting the "frenzy".

Gotta say that Heckert's comment about "we want to win NOW" is looking a little stupid from the supposed "activity" level. Still early but I'm not hearing of any major "splashes." They ARE going to have to spend that money SOMEWHERE.

The Browns seem on par with the rest of the league. It hasn't lived up to expectations

BR1986FB;842764 wrote:They ARE going to have to spend that money SOMEWHERE.

I heard something that they don't have to, they'd just have to pay a penalty for not reaching the salary floor...is that correct?

bases_loaded;842769 wrote:The Browns seem on par with the rest of the league. It hasn't lived up to expectations

It's Wednesday lol

BR1986FB;842764 wrote:Gotta say that Heckert's comment about "we want to win NOW" is looking a little stupid from the supposed "activity" level. Still early but I'm not hearing of any major "splashes." They ARE going to have to spend that money SOMEWHERE.

They just have to reach that floor by the end of the year, correct? So if they were to extend Joe Thomas that could go a long way to reaching that floor.

SportsAndLady;842770 wrote:I heard something that they don't have to, they'd just have to pay a penalty for not reaching the salary floor...is that correct?

Good point. Again, it's early but there are some younger guys (not flashy names) that they could be going after, like the above mentioned Usama Young. Still think there's a good chance that Donte Whitner will be inked (due to need & familiarity with Jauron) even though I don't think he's the best fit.

BR1986FB;842781 wrote:Good point. Again, it's early but there are some younger guys (not flashy names) that they could be going after, like the above mentioned Usama Young. Still think there's a good chance that Donte Whitner will be inked (due to need & familiarity with Jauron) even though I don't think he's the best fit.

Whitner would be a great fit for this defense IMO and not just because of his ties to the area. His experience with Jauron would be huge in helping the rest of the defense transition and his supposed lack of coverage skills is vastly overrated. He's still a far better coverage safety than Elam.

Y-Town Steelhound;842794 wrote:Whitner would be a great fit for this defense IMO and not just because of his ties to the area. His experience with Jauron would be huge in helping the rest of the defense transition and his supposed lack of coverage skills is vastly overrated. He's still a far better coverage safety than Elam.

I agree and disagree. Elam wasn't as horrible as many think last year. Whitner's "lack of coverage skills" wouldn't be a big deal, if it weren't for Ward's lack of the same talent. I do think that Whitner will ultimately land in Cleveland and his familiarity with Jauron's system will help him be successful in Cleveland, but I don't know that he's that much of an upgrade over Elam. Eric Weddle is probably best case scenario, with Whitner second and Elam third. Just my opinion however.


Personally, I think the Browns can alleviate a lot of their problems in the secondary by resigning Eric Wright. If - and maybe it's a big if - Wright can play up to his potential, it gives Cleveland a legitimate starter opposite Haden and that will allow Sheldon Brown to move to FS (where he may be better suited anyway). If the Browns don't bring in another veteran DB (Usama Young is not the answer), Wright and Brown (assuming no other FS is signed) could be key to the defense if Haden and Ward hit that dreaded sophomore slump.

It sounds like the Browns are/were the frontrunners for Ray Edwards after last night but he wants to see "what the Eagles & Falcons have to offer." Translation: if the Dirty Birds or Iggles offer anything close to Cleveland's offer, "bye bye Brownies."

caplannfl Adam Caplan
For Browns fans, they have been sniffing around for OTs to compete against Pashos for RT job.

BR1986FB;842896 wrote:caplannfl Adam Caplan
For Browns fans, they have been sniffing around for OTs to compete against Pashos for RT job.

Care to give your Twitter info so I may follow? OhioStatePride5 is mine.

OhioStatePride2003;842934 wrote:Care to give your Twitter info so I may follow? OhioStatePride5 is mine.

Have a Twitter account but don't really use it or follow anyone. Got that info, cut & paste, from another area.

BR1986FB;842943 wrote:Have a Twitter account but don't really use it or follow anyone. Got that info, cut & paste, from another area.

Twitter is a great news outlet. I use it to promote my writing for brownsgab.com but I use it mainly for news.

What has happened to all this BS that the Browns will most likely spend and try to make some splashes in FA? 23 undrafted rookie signings is their idea of making a splash?

Sounds like the Browns will lose Jason Trusnik to the Dolphins...

like_that;842954 wrote:What has happened to all this BS that the Browns will most likely spend and try to make some splashes in FA? 23 undrafted rookie signings is their idea of making a splash?

This...

Tom Withers
Browns GM Tom Heckert on free agency: "It's not the way to go. The more you can stay away from it, the better off you'll be."

OhioStatePride2003;842991 wrote:This...

Tom Withers
Browns GM Tom Heckert on free agency: "It's not the way to go. The more you can stay away from it, the better off you'll be."

Which pretty much sucks. I know that FA isn't the "end all, be all" but this is a golden opportunity for the Browns to close the "talent gap" with the two bullies (Rats, Stools) in this division and it sounds like they are basically gonna be "jacking off while wearing a rubber."

BR1986FB;843002 wrote:Which pretty much sucks. I know that FA isn't the "end all, be all" but this is a golden opportunity for the Browns to close the "talent gap" with the two bullies (Rats, Stools) in this division and it sounds like they are basically gonna be "jacking off while wearing a rubber."

I think they'll be active, but they'll be selective. I don't think they're gonna go all "Washington Redskins" on us and over spend for a bunch of players just because they can. I know they've said they want to "win now" and it's frustrating as fans to see all these players go elsewhere. If they add a few key players this year (i.e. FS, OL, LB?) and you couple that with all of our draft picks next year, that talent gap will close a lot quicker than if they unload their wallets on FAs this year.

OhioStatePride2003;842991 wrote:This...

Tom Withers
Browns GM Tom Heckert on free agency: "It's not the way to go. The more you can stay away from it, the better off you'll be."

I dont understand this comment at all

KR1245;843020 wrote:I dont understand this comment at all

I think that Heckert further elaborated that "free agents usually don't work out." From recent memory, the only FA that I can remember being worth a squirt of piss, long-term, has been Steinbach. Fujita hasn't been here long enough to give him a grade but he was solid last year.

BR1986FB;843025 wrote:I think that Heckert further elaborated that "free agents usually don't work out." From recent memory, the only FA that I can remember being worth a squirt of piss, long-term, has been Steinbach. Fujita hasn't been here long enough to give him a grade but he was solid last year.

Gotcha. So whats the plan? Do we wait for all the covetted FA'S to get gobbled up and take whats left? we looking at improving the roster via trades?

Well we gotta spend the damn money anyways, why not get a few free agents? Even if they are overspending, who cares??? you gotta spend the money, so spend it!

KR1245;843033 wrote:Gotcha. So whats the plan? Do we wait for all the covetted FA'S to get gobbled up and take whats left? we looking at improving the roster via trades?

I think they will add but they will probably be 2nd tier types. They have attempted to go after a top tier FA (Ray Edwards) and now they are playing the waiting game. ESPN interviewed Edwards and asked him what he's looking for in a team and his answer was "best offer."

KR1245;843033 wrote:Gotcha. So whats the plan? Do we wait for all the covetted FA'S to get gobbled up and take whats left? we looking at improving the roster via trades?

I think they're content with what they have for the most part, with the exception of a few glaring needs. They need help in the secondary, so I think they're actively trying to find a DB (Whitner, Weddle, Young) and help along the offensive line. Outside of that, I'm not sure which way they'll go. I wouldn't expect a lot of trades, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that they trade for a player like Nick Barnett. I think that if they can land Ray Edwards (which is a great possibility) either Whitner or Weddle and a fill-in OL, they'll be in decent shape.

So what does the projected depth chart look like for next year before and after FA? Off the top of my head what I think the 1 deep woudl be is below, what would the 2 deep look like?


DE - Sheaard
DT - Rubin
DT - Taylor
DE - Edwards (FA) or Bernard?

OLB - Fujita
MLB - Jackson
OLB - ? I'm drawing a blank.

CB -Haden
CB -Brown
FS -Elam or Whitner (FA)?
SS -Ward

QB-McCoy
RB-Hillis
FB-Owen Macerniek (sp?) Did we release Vickers? are we going to?
LT-Thomas
LG-Steinbach
C-Mack
RG-Lauveno ? (sp)
RT-Pahsos (sp)

TE - Watson
WR-Massoqui
WR-?? Robo, Little, Mitchell??