OQB;750092 wrote:What about free agents.......are they still off limits?

This is what upsets me the most about the enitre situation........no free agency. I'm not saying we were going to get a HOF player but it would be nice to upgrade some of our needs through free agency.

BR1986FB;750076 wrote:GBN mock has the Browns trading down to #10 with the Skins who grab Gabbert. We get #10 (draft Tyron Smith-OT), #144 and a conditional 2nd that can turn into a 1st in 2012. Not a fan of the pick.

Sonofanump;750397 wrote:I'd think they would make that trade if they like JJ Watt and think he will be there at #10.

BR1986FB;750403 wrote:If they were to take Tyron Smith at #10 I would see that as a "CYA" move in that he can play left tackle and there have been several rumors that as soon as Joe Thomas' rookie contract is up he's going home to Green Bay.

like_that;750483 wrote:The Browns would be idiots not to place the franchise tag on JT.

BEREA, Ohio -- With the NFL lockout temporarily lifted, Cleveland Browns players began showing up at the team's training facility here.

Tight end Ben Watson was the first to arrive, just before 10 a.m. Punter Reggie Hodges was riding with Watson.

Within about five minutes, Josh Cribbs also arrived.

"We're back, " Watson said to reporters. "We're ready to go to work."

While Watson was talking, Browns President Mike Holmgren drove past on his way in.

Watson said he had talked with several teammates by telephone and thought as many as 10 players might make it to the facility today.

"Everybody's not here in Cleveland," Watson said. "Guys have kind if dispersed. I've been in and out (of town). I'm expecting anywhere from 10-12 guys. It kind of depends. Guys are all over the place."

Watson also said the players expect to receive their off-season workout bonuses. "This is how we support our families.''

Linebacker Scott Fujita, speaking by phone from California, said he expected no confrontations in Berea.

"I expect things to be handled very civilly," Fujita said. "I don't see why we can't come in, meet the coaches, shake their hands and go to work."

Fujita said that he expects NFL business, such as trades and free agency, to resume soon. And he hoped the Browns would move quickly on those fronts.

"I would hope that we'd be one of those teams to make a quick splash right off the bat," he said. "I mean, we were 5-11 last year."

When asked if there was a state of chaos surrounding the end of the lockout, Fujita said no.

"It may appear that way, but I'm sure the NFL has a Plan B and a Plan C and will do it in an orderly fashion. They're very smart people."

Watson was relieved to be able to return to work.

"Thank God its the injunction and like we've said all along, we just want to come to work and we're happy to be able to come back and we don't know what's going to happen" Watson said. "There's a lot more legal stuff to go on. We've got a lot of work to do. We missed a lot of time. With the offense, we've got a lot to catch up on and everything like that.

There was some thought that although players would not be kept out of the facility, teams might not allow them to work out.

"We've missed a lot of time," Watson said. "We'd like to work out. We know that legally we're in right standing to be able to come back, so today we just want to get back with the guys who are here, kind of reconvene and try to get working toward next season."

Watson was asked what kind of reception he expected from the Browns coaches and whether or not he thought they would receive their playbooks.

"We hope they will (meet with players)," he said. "we know the league has told them different things. And whatever the organization wants to do that's up to them, but from a players' standpoint, we started back and we're looking at it that way.

"If they give me (a playbook), I would gladly take one. It's been a long, whatever, 40 days and we're just happy to be working again. If they would like to give us a playbook, we'll all take one."

OneBuckeye;750499 wrote:http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/04/josh_cribbs_ben_watson_are_fir.html

BR1986FB;750533 wrote:BEREA -- One day after a judge lifted the NFL lockout, three Browns players reported to work in Berea. Less than an hour later they left.

Ben Watson, Josh Cribbs and Reggie Hodges reported to the Browns' Berea practice facility around 10 a.m. Tuesday. In all about 10 Browns players were expected to show up.

Although the players were allowed to enter the facility, they were not allowed to work out, according to a WKYC crew on the scene.

Players were also not given any playbooks and were told that the league considers the situation an ongoing legal matter.

The three players left the facility at 10:51 a.m. It's not clear if other players will continue to show up at the facility.


WKYC-TV

http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/187228/4/Berea-Browns-players-not-allowed-to-work-out-leave

BR1986FB;751304 wrote:Hammer?

http://www.nationalfootballauthority.com/2011/04/2011-nfl-draft-cleveland-browns-and_26.html

se-alum;751326 wrote:I would love for that to happen!! As long as we got Peterson and Jones out of it. They could then work on the front seven through free agency/late round picks.

BR1986FB;751335 wrote:See...I'm on the fence. I'd love to have those two players but what happens if McCoy fizzles this year? I think that Colt will thrive in the WCO but if he bombs I don't know if I'd want to be on the outside looking in on the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes in 2012.