Commander of Awesome;847097 wrote:WilliamsonNFL Matt Williamson
Greco to Browns-Love it. Vastly underrated OG. Local guy too. Will start-no question in my mind

He has the size to play RT, which is where he originally played I believe.

Now need to sign a LB or 2 and some secondary help...and maybe 1 or 2 WRs barring MoMass's injury.

John Greco - G - Browns

Browns acquired OG John Greco from the Rams in exchange for an undisclosed future draft pick.
The 65th overall pick in 2008, Greco had support among the Rams' scouting staff but his inability to consistently pass protect was his undoing. St. Louis valued keeping Sam Bradford upright over all else. Greco is familiar with new head coach Pat Shurmur, and the Browns may be gearing up to release overrated LG Eric Steinbach. Either way, Greco should make the 53-man roster.

Nice to see a former Rocket brought into the fold

Overall, I'm glad the FO didn't give us the knee jerk reaction that us fans all wanted. Meaning that, even though they had the money to spend they weren't going to just rush out and unload a ton of money on the big name vets. They clearly have a plan for the future of this team, and they showed that by sticking to their guns. .500 is certainly possible this year (easier than usual schedule). I think the FO is going to still add a few guys here and there, not necessarily to start but to add depth. It's obvious that they're going to stick to their young guys and allow them to develop. Haden and Ward were impact players for this team last year, this year Taylor, Sheard, and Little could all make the same impact. Next year, who knows? Maybe they go after their "stud" WR in Blackman or Broyles (I prefer Broyles). Really, as a Browns fan, you have to be happy with the direction this team is going. Now, more than ever, is a great time to be a Browns fan. Every year it seems that we have reason for optimism, and end the year seemingly further behind than we started. The record may not always show it, but the last couple years you've seen this team take steps in the right direction. It's going to keep building - all the way to the Super Bowl. Go Browns!

I'm pretty sure I read that the draft pick we gave up for Greco was a 7th rounder. I'd say that's an awesome price for a guy that is projected to maybe be a starter for us this year.

grodt;847229 wrote:I'm pretty sure I read that the draft pick we gave up for Greco was a 7th rounder. I'd say that's an awesome price for a guy that is projected to maybe be a starter for us this year.

Supposedly we only lose the pick if he starts a game. I think Mary Kay mentioned it on twitter.

She said based on starts. Don't know how many starts

OhioStatePride2003;847161 wrote:Next year, who knows? Maybe they go after their "stud" WR in Blackman or Broyles (I prefer Broyles).

If things stay "static" for next year I have two words....."Vontaze Burfict."

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about realistic expectations for the Browns, a new running back's needed skills, the troubles of Butch Davis and the Tribe's vexing young arm
Published: Sunday, July 31, 2011, 5:10 AM Updated: Sunday, July 31, 2011, 5:21 AM
Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Blue skies and an open camp in Berea. So there's plenty to be talkin' ...

About the Browns ...

1. This is going to be hard for fans to accept, but the Browns are in a serious building mode. They are not taking any major free-agent short cuts. Most of the players being signed are in their middle 20s -- Usama Young, Brandon Jackson and Brodrick Bunkley, a 27-year-old defensive lineman obtained from Philadelphia. They plan to force-feed draft picks Greg Little, Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard into action, along with 2010 third-rounder Shawn Lauvao. Remember that 2010 draft picks Colt McCoy, T.J. Ward and Joe Haden are already established as starters.

2. So the Browns may be starting at least seven players from their last two drafts, engineered by Tom Heckert. It's possible even more draft picks from the last two years may play key roles-- but when you are talking seven possible starters from two drafts, you have to hope Heckert picked 'em right. They certainly will get a chance to prove it.

3. Some fans care less that Eric Wright signed with Detroit. I wish the Browns could have kept him as the third cornerback -- which was the plan. He wouldn't be covering the top guys. Wright turned 26 on July 24. It's very possible that he can bounce back to the form of 2008-09 when he was a respectable cornerback.

4. Glad to see the Browns signed Young. Hard to know if he's ready to start, but that safety spot next to Ward is wide open. While he played 33 percent of the defensive snaps for New Orleans, the numbers from 2010 don't reveal much. He was targeted with nine passes, six were caught. But the gains were small -- the six catches went for 44 total yards. The Kent State product is 26, so he fits into the plan of acquiring younger guys who seem ready to take a step up in their careers.

5. Wright's departure leaves Sheldon Brown and Haden as the starting cornerbacks, with only Michael Adams as a veteran backup. Adams also plays safety. Young was a cornerback at New Orleans, so he may be able to help. But the Browns are thin at safety -- Ward, Adams and Young. No one is saying Wright is another Hanford Dixon, but he did supply depth. Keep in mind that Brown is 32 and coming off shoulder surgery.

6. It's hard to believe D'Qwell Jackson is only 27, because it seems as if he's been around forever. He was a second-round pick in 2006. If he is indeed healthy, that's a major bonus. But he has to prove it after playing only six games (none in 2010) because of repeated pectoral injuries. I do wish the Browns would sign a 20-something linebacker with starting potential to join Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong and Jackson in the new 4-3 defense.

About Brandon Jackson ...

1. There are several reasons to like this signing, and let's start with the fact that Jackson is only 25. Bill Barnwell of Pro Football Outsiders wrote an essay called "Free Agents You Meet in Hell." First on his list is the veteran running back, the guys in their late 20s or older who have good stats but lifeless and sometimes aching legs after years of pounding.

2. Jackson has played only four years, 347 career carries. He had 13 starts last season for Green Bay, only 16 in his career. He could be like Peyton Hillis coming to the Browns in that he's been around long enough to figure out the NFL -- but is not physically worn down by the league. He should be more than a stopgap for a season or two.

3. Profootballfocus rated Jackson as the No. 6 receiver among NFL backs. At the top was Arian Foster, next came Hillis. Jackson caught 48 of 57 passes in his direction and had only two drops. In the West Coast offense where backs have to catch the ball, this is important. The Browns should be in great shape with Jackson and Hillis.

4. Among blockers, Jackson and Hillis tied for sixth among running backs, according to Profootballfocus. Remember, the Web site's evaluations are subjective. But to the average fan who watched Hillis, it was clear the guy could catch the ball ... and really block. So his high ranking made sense, and that's why we can feel reasonably confident the same is true of Jackson.

5. Hillis led running backs with six fumbles in 2010. Jackson had only one in 190 carries. He has only three in his career, so that's impressive. Jackson played 48 percent of the snaps for the Packers.

6. Jackson ranked 46th among running backs when it came to effectiveness as a rusher. He had 703 yards, a 3.7 average. His best games were 115 yards in 10 carries vs. Washington and 99 yards in 22 carries vs. New England. He was shut down by Minnesota (28 yards, 14 carries), Atlanta (26 yards, 10 carries), New York Giants (18 carries, 39 yards) and Chicago (19 carries, 76 yards). So his value is as a receiver.

7. Jackson has played in a form of the West Coast in Green Bay. He is solid: two drops, one fumble, one penalty. He is a wise choice to blend in with Montario Hardesty and Hillis, provide depth in case they are injured and is effective on third downs.

8. Pat Shurmur has said many of his offensive sets begin with two backs. Because of their blocking skills, you can expect to see Jackson and Hillis on the field together during some plays.

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/07/terry_plutos_talkin_about_real.html


This article says it ALL. They are going to force feed their youth, hope they pan out and roll that way. Don't look for anything significant in FA.

I don't mind using the draft to get your starters and then filling in the spaces with younger players acquired via trades or free agency.

What I would like to see is: a few select players who might be around age 30 signed who can provide decent backup stability and depth. You know, the kind of guys who can play half a season, if needed, and the level of play won't diminish much if at all.

We have some very specific needs along the OL, at LB and in the defensive backfield that could use some younger 30-something veterans to shore up the depth. That way, if this team manages to start winning games, an injury or two (if not season ending) won't derail the entire season.

Writerbuckeye;847304 wrote:I don't mind using the draft to get your starters and then filling in the spaces with younger players acquired via trades or free agency.

What I would like to see is: a few select players who might be around age 30 signed who can provide decent backup stability and depth. You know, the kind of guys who can play half a season, if needed, and the level of play won't diminish much if at all.

We have some very specific needs along the OL, at LB and in the defensive backfield that could use some younger 30-something veterans to shore up the depth. That way, if this team manages to start winning games, an injury or two (if not season ending) won't derail the entire season.

yeah, depth is what killed us last year. We seemed pretty competitive until a few starters went down.

So is Phil Taylor officially a hold out?

I saw Lofa Tatupu asked to e released from Seattle. Would he be a good fit?

hangonsloopy;847352 wrote:I saw Lofa Tatupu asked to e released from Seattle. Would he be a good fit?

He would be, but I think there is 0 chance he comes to Cleveland. And to the OP, yes Taylor is officially a hold out.

OQB;846758 wrote:This is what I think the "plan" is for the next few years:

2011: Develop our young guys and get them more starts under their belts, shoot for a .500 record.
2012: Draft at least 4-5 starters and hope the young guys pick up the system fast and shoot for 10 wins.
2013: Draft at least 2 starters and sign a few big time veteran free agents and win the afc north.

So that article in a round about way confirmed year one of the plan I proposed the browns are on.....

The Week That Wasn't In Free Agency

By Dave Kolonich
OBR Reporter
Posted Jul 31, 2011

The Browns haven’t spent a lot of money – for all the right reasons.

It was bound to happen.

After the NFL lockout squeezed free agency into a taut ball of Twitter delirium, the compressed anxiety of Browns fans is beginning to radiate familiar Cleveland tales of woe. At issue is Browns’ GM Tom Heckert’s apparent disengagement with the league’s warp speed free agent process. Despite the Browns finding themselves some 20 million dollars under the 2011 salary cap, only safety Usama Young, running back Brandon Jackson and defensive lineman Jayme Mitchell have been signed to new contracts.

Adding to the growing howls of discontent is the litany of high-profile players who have signed elsewhere in the past few days. Nnamdi Asomugha, Sidney Rice, Jason Babin and Ray Edwards all could have filled specific and very immediate needs in Cleveland. And on a lower tier, the same could be said for players such as Nate Clements, Eric Wright, Paul Posluszny and Roman Harper.

Of course, for those needing a Buckeye fix, a backlash of another kind focused on Vernon Gholston’s signing with the Bears.

Yet despite any growing fan frustration with what appears to be a lack of action on Heckert’s part in filling out the Browns’ 2011 roster, some simple truths need to be realized.

The Anti-Dan Snyder

In most respects, NFL free agency exists for teams to either find star-caliber players or simply complement them. Yet with all the financial entanglements written into the league’s CBA – both past and future – it’s incredibly rare for a truly transcendent player to actually hit the proverbial open market. Such safeguards as restricted and franchise designations usually prevent such a thing from happening.

This could explain why Bruce Gradkowski’s availability differs from Peyton Manning’s.

Or why it’s impossible to build a team through free agency.

The Browns still fall somewhere between the above free agent guidelines. Certainly there is a small core of young talent emerging, but nothing to the level that would warrant a huge free agent investment. However, in 2011 this probably isn’t the biggest of issues, considering the weakness of the overall free agent class.

While a few terrific players were initially available, this year’s free agent class could be embodied by Minnesota’s Ray Edwards. Edwards has been a productive pass-rushing defensive end for the Vikings over the past few seasons and drew free agent attention from multiple teams. On the surface, Edwards would make sense for the Browns, whose sparse defensive end depth has made Brian Sanford a training camp starter.

However, Edwards largely built his free agent profile by playing left end, across from All-Pro Jared Allen and beside Pat and Kevin Williams. In this sense, Edwards alone would not generate the kind of pass rush missing in Cleveland since the Reggie Camp era. Yet, had the Browns’ 4-3 defense been further evolved, Edwards could have complemented an already established line.

Considering these limitations – both the Browns’ lack of depth and Edwards’ own talents – Heckert’s inactivity delivers a perfectly understandable meaning. Also, the Falcons – who eventually signed Edwards – feature the kind of player in John Abraham that makes their move a perfect, complementary free agent signing.

Otherwise Known As A Youth Movement

While the current lack of free agent deals may not directly understate his intent, it’s fairly obvious that Heckert is building these Browns both through the draft and by tapping into the trade market. So far during Heckert’s tenure, pure free agency has been used sparingly – which is a trend that will likely continue over the next few weeks.

Both in terms of cost and productivity, Heckert’s strategy should prove to be a wise one. The Browns – who in case you haven’t noticed are clearly rebuilding – should let their salary cap grow parallel to the overall improvement of the team.

Or, in other words – Ray Edwards would have been a nice signing in 2013. Just not in 2011.

And in case you missed it, the Browns have signed some 20 undrafted free agents.

In utilizing such strategies, Heckert has also begun crafting one of the league’s younger rosters. Clearly, building through the draft produces such a result – along with reducing overall team costs. With the new CBA reigning in rookie contracts, the Browns should eventually find themselves in prime financial shape to add talent while already fielding a roster of players entering their primes.

Speaking of which, in filling needs at free safety, running back and along the defensive line, Heckert paid a slightly above market sum, but landed three players under the age of 30 in Usuma Young, Brandon Jackson and Jayme Mitchell. Brodrick Bunkley was added via trade, making the 27-year old the most senior of the group.

While these names aren’t the kind of high-profile stars that draw ESPN mentions, Heckert is doing what he can to complement what he has – which is still very much undecided.

As such, it’s best to stick with younger and cheaper.

For A Team That Is Not Quite There Yet

It’s truly hard for many fans to realize this – especially during the most optimistic time of the NFL calendar – but the Browns simply aren’t in the position to throwing money at free agents. While many signs of life were birthed last season, the utter reality is that the Browns are nowhere close to being a playoff contender.

Financially, it makes no sense for the Browns to commit extra money to a project that is not even halfway complete. Questions at quarterback, wide receiver, along both lines remain and a tricky conversion to new offensive and defensive schemes signals that a much larger transformation has just begun.

In most respects, the 2011 season will be one long evaluation for the principles of the Browns’ hopeful resurgence. As evidenced by daily local stories, Colt McCoy has to prove himself as a starting quarterback. Pat Shurmur is an ever greater unknown at head coach – and now faces an immediate uphill challenge in rapidly preparing his team for the regular season.

The talent surrounding McCoy and coached by Shurmur is still questionable, along with the possible benefits of switching to a more pure form of the West Coast offense. Defensively, the Browns are basically playing with half a roster. The exodus of Eric Mangini and the 3-4 scheme, combined with age, injury and miscast talent, has left the defense with a sizeable deficit.

Adding all of these elements together creates only uncertainty. It’s quite possible that because of the accelerated offseason, the Browns’ rapid transformation takes time to gel. In the event of another slow September and October start, adding the free agent volume of more players and money would prove counterproductive – both to the present and future.

After all, maintaining flexibility in virtually any possible scenario should remain paramount to the Browns’ plans. Either another 5-11 finish or perhaps a surprise run to the brink of the playoffs should bring the Browns to the same free agent mindset.

Of course for now, the day-to-day questions will begin to linger. Through just one day of practice, tight end Ben Watson suffered an apparent head injury. Add to Watson’s situation prior injuries to wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and guard Eric Steinbach and it looks like Heckert will be revisiting his usual roster-building haunts.

Already, restricted free agents including tight end Evan Moore, outside linebacker Marcus Benard and defensive lineman Brian Schaefering have been signed – along with 2010 veteran Billy Yates. Heckert made yet another trade to land St. Louis guard John Greco.

Naturally, many fans will remain anxious – at least until the Browns field a full roster.

Or until all the money is spent.

http://cle.scout.com/2/1090762.html

I would think Lofa Tatupu would certainly be an option. Holmgren is familiar with him havin' coached him in Seattle when they went to the Super Bowl.

OhioStatePride2003;847479 wrote:I would think Lofa Tatupu would certainly be an option. Holmgren is familiar with him havin' coached him in Seattle when they went to the Super Bowl.

One would think but I doubt it happens. Remember, that's a "recognizable" name. Not part of Heckert's plan....

Walking wounded...

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/07/cleveland_browns_receiver_josh_8.html

BR1986FB;847648 wrote:Walking wounded...

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/07/cleveland_browns_receiver_josh_8.html

Nice....wtf

"Fellow receiver Carlton Mitchell also left the field with what coach Pat Shurmur called "a shoulder episode'' leaving the team thin at receiver"

awesome

Derreck Robinson - DL - Browns

Browns re-signed DE Derreck Robinson.
Robinson was signed to fit Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense, but the Browns are keeping him around for Dick Jauron's 4-3 scheme. He's likely ticketed for a move inside as a backup to Ahtyba Rubin and rookie Phil Taylor.

McClain_on_NFL John McClain
Former Browns FB Lawrence Vickers says his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is talking to the Texans. They need to replace Vonta Leach.

Browns supposedly have 3-5 free agents (CB, DL, OL and WR) locked in on their radar but are waiting for the dust to settle so they can get them at a realistic price.

So I take it that all that talk about "secret signings" to be announced friday-saturday was complete bullshit.