Well that article makes me feel better about Hughes in the 3rd /sarcasm.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/50985/browns-steelers-looking-to-avoid-holdouts

As training camps are about to begin, three of the NFL's nine unsigned first-round picks are from the AFC North: Browns running back [URL="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14884/trent-richardson"]Trent Richardson (third overall), Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (No. 22) and Steelers guard David DeCastro (No. 24).

Richardson should be the first to sign out of this group. The top two picks in the draft,Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, received no offset language in their deals (which can save teams money if the player is released and signs elsewhere), so the deal with Richardson should be straight-forward. He should sign a four-year, $20.4 million deal (which includes a $13.4 million signing bonus) over the next couple of days.

The situations with Weeden and DeCastro are trickier. Weeden presumably wants all four years of his rookie contract guaranteed. Most players drafted at the lower end of the first round have three years guaranteed and a partial guarantee for the fourth season. Defensive end Chandler Jones, the 21st overall pick in this year's draft, didn't get four years guaranteed from the Patriots, and defensive tackle Phil Taylor, the 21st pick in 2011, wasn't able to get that type of a contract from the Browns last year.

I don't see the Browns buckling on this demand because this would set a new precedent. This could mean talks will remain at a standstill for most of the week. The Browns' first full-team practice of training camp is Saturday.

DeCastro, who was selected two picks after Weeden, is likely waiting to see if Weeden receives all four years guaranteed before signing his deal. I don't foresee DeCastro waiting too long, though. It would be surprising to see DeCastro miss the Steelers' first training camp practice on Friday especially after Lions offensive tackle Riley Reiff (who was 23rd overall, one spot ahead of DeCastro) signed Monday.

The only other unsigned draft pick in the division is Bengals defensive tackle Brandon Thompson, a third-round pick. He is expected to sign before the Bengals open camp on Friday.

[/URL]

all i know is if weeden isn't in camp on time and misses a week or so because of some bullshit off set language he can say good bye to starting week 1. trich im not worried about, hes going to be an absolute freak. but weeden pull your head out of your ass, if you light it up the first two years or three you will get a nice extenstion and a nice raise.

With the upgrades to the offense side is the reason I think the Browns have a 8-8 season. Their defense held them in check throughout the season and if memory serves me correctly, 7 of their losses where a 1 possession game.

Gameover;1231690 wrote:and if memory serves me correctly, 7 of their losses where a 1 possession game.

So were all 4 wins.

@JasonPinkstonOL: I love the ******* city of Cleveland they gave me my opportunity

YES!!!

The best part of the season.... When we are all putting our happy pants on and talking shop about the Browns. And usually the season starts and it's just another epic battle for sanity watching these games. BUT I do feel as if the Brownies did a solid job this offeseason and I haven't said that since 07 when they drafted Thomas and the 07 draft would still take second to this one, at least for me personally. A few recievers that could "suprise" a few secondaries and potentially stretch the D to put Richardson in a better position to run the ball. I would hate to see the Browns just pound the kid all day long, I just don't see guys lasting that long running like that and that would be a good way to ruin a young player? One thing is for sure if we are not going to average more then 13.6 points a game it's gonna be another pride swallowing season!!! Stopping the run is gonna be a question but this team has the ingredients to over-achieve? We will see, but man its fun early aint it guys! Until we get 9 or 10 games in and refuse to watch, I get to the point where I can't stand the pain and I just check back on the score every few minutes because watching it as it happens gets me wanting to throw the flatscreen out in the yard!!!:mad:

With all thats happened in the league this year it should be good...who else is watching to see how Payton does???? I am!!! Could be one amazing story!!!!

seen Trich is real close to signing a deal i seen.

shook_17;1231881 wrote:seen Trich is real close to signing a deal i seen.

Lol

shook_17;1231881 wrote:seen Trich is real close to signing a deal i seen.

Mary Kay Cabot ‏ @
MaryKayCabot
Breaking: Source tells PD # Browns meeting today
with No. 3 Trent Richardson's agent Jimmy Sexton about contract. Richardson in
Cleve.

Just seen on chucks last call trich signed 4 year deal I think 20.4 mill. Chris mortenson said weeden is next

Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot
Trent Richardson signs 4-year contract with Cleveland Browns, 4 years, $20.5 million, $13.3 million signing bonus http://dlvr.it/1vCjm2

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I seen it too. I seen it that trich plays the running back position.

DeyDurkie5;1232074 wrote:I seen it too. I seen it that trich plays the running back position.

That there running back position is tough

TRich learned today what hard work means. He learned it well.

Regarding Mary Kay Cabot I'd PIIHB

Mary Kay Cabot ‏ @
MaryKayCabot
Former # Browns guard Eric Steinbach will work out
for Ravens Tuesday, reports @ JasonLaCanfora. Recovered
from back injury.


Lane Adkins ‏ @
LaneAdkins
Thus why the Weeden deal has taken on a different feel from the onset. Both
sides committed, and I could see this done on Tuesday

Ulrich’s take: Jauron raves about Maiava and insists he’s satisfied with how the latter played last season. So barring an injury or an incredible push by Johnson or Acho, Maiava will get the nod. Jauron believes Maiava will do an adequate job if summoned, and the rookies will have chances to earn their stripes on special teams.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/battles-of-berea-browns-lb-kaluka-maiava-has-edge-but-must-hold-off-rookies-to-replace-suspended-scott-fujita-as-starter-1.322098

[h=3]Hardesty on the block?[/h]9:10AM ET
[h=5]Montario Hardesty | Browns[/h]

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The subject of Montario Hardesty's future with the Cleveland Browns has been a hot topic all offseason following the selection of Trent Richardson with the No. 3 overall pick. Some have argued for his outright release, while others believe that he could still be a valuable member of the backfield committee. If he's healthy -- a big "if," considering he's had serial knee problems going back to his collegiate days -- he'll compete with Brandon Jackson and Chris Ogbonnaya for a spot.
An intriguing idea was floated by Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland on Tuesday morning: namely, that a "healthy and productive" version of Hardesty -- as proven by early work in camp and preseason games -- could be trade bait. The Philadelphia Eagles, who have ties to the Browns' front office, would seem like a potential fit, given their questionable depth behind LeSean McCoy.
We're not sure how much Hardesty would draw in such a swap, however. [URL="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12585/louis-murphy"]Louis Murphy[/URL] and [URL="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11253/jeff-otah"]Jeff Otah[/URL] were both reportedly shipped for conditional seventh-round picks on Monday, and while both of those gents have had their injury issues as well, they've both shown something at some point in their NFL careers. Hardesty has just 266 yards on 88 carries (a 3.0 YPC average) to show for the two seasons since the Browns invested a second-round pick on him.




[h=3]Weeden nearing a deal[/h]7:45AM ET
[h=5]Brandon Weeden | Browns[/h]

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The Cleveland Browns huddled with the representation for No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson on Monday, and hammered out the final details on his rookie contract. According to ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen, the deal has all four years fully guaranteed with no offset language.
With that taken care of, the Browns can turn their attention to their other first-rounder, QB Brandon Weeden. Our NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports Tuesday morning that the two sides are on the verge of a deal, and could wrap it up by later on Tuesday.
It's believed that the sticking point between the QB and the Browns is a fully guaranteed fourth year on the deal. Other players selected around Weeden have not gotten the full four-year guarantee, but the argument on the Weeden side is that he's stepping right in to the starting QB position. ESPN AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley doesn't believe he'll get the full four years:
[RIGHT]- Tim Kavanagh[/RIGHT]
[h=5]Jamison Hensley[/h]They'll dig in their heels on this
[INDENT]"Weeden might think his demand is 'fair' but it's not realistic. Chandler Jones, who was selected one spot ahead of Weeden, had about half of his $1.5 million fourth-year salary guaranteed. David DeCastro, who was taken two spots after Weeden, only had the first three years of his contract fully guaranteed. I would be surprised to see the Browns guaranteeing all four years for Weeden even if it means getting him to training camp on time."[/INDENT]

[h=3]Gordon a starter?[/h]8:17AM ET
[h=5]Cleveland Browns[/h]

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"The Browns did not select WR Josh Gordon in the second round of the Supplemental Draft to sit back and be a spectator throughout the 2012 season," Lane Adkins of Orange and Brown Report wrote last week. "The Browns believe Gordon will come in and be a productive player early in the season."
As training camps begin to get rolling around the league this week, one of the primary questions for the Browns will be how the new pieces on offense -- QB Brandon Weeden, RB Trent Richardson, OT Mitchell Schwartz and Gordon -- fit. As part of his series previewing those big discussions, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland had himself a look at the team's WR situation for a post on Monday. Interestingly enough, the scribe has penciled Gordon into a starting role opposite Greg Little, though he does admit that it will not be surprising if Gordon takes time to claim that spot. Adjusting to a new offense and the speed of the NFL game can be a challenge for some WRs.
While the Browns are quite green at the offensive skill positions, they've also got some talented youngsters on defense. We've seen quite a bit of former first-round pick Joe Haden at CB, but there's another corner that was identified by the folks at Football Outsiders as one of the Top 25 "under-the-radar" prospects:
[RIGHT]- Tim Kavanagh[/RIGHT]
[h=5]Football Outsiders[/h]No. 17: Buster Skrine
[INDENT]"The fifth-round rookie out of Tennessee-Chattanooga earned more playing time as season went along, eventually snagging his first NFL interception in Week 15. Our charting numbers have him with 5.7 adjusted yards per pass on 14 targets. He's a smaller guy (5-10), but quickly got a reputation around the Browns for his aggressive nature. Skrine can be physical in press and strong in run support. He's got a good backpedal but lacks top-end straight speed. If he develops a bit more, he may replace Sheldon Brown in the starting lineup as early as next season." - Aaron Schatz[/INDENT]

Skrine, the fastest guy in the combine his yr, lacks top end straight speed? lol, nice failporting.

Also LMFAO at Hardesty having ANY trade value. He's a bum and will be cut. Why would anyone trade for him? What a joke.

Daryl Ruiter ‏@RuiterWrongFAN #Browns rookies due to report later today for training camp - QB Brandon Weeden could be there @AdamSchefter reports deal almost done

[LEFT]Lane Adkins@LaneAdkins[/LEFT]

Browns offering roster bonus to circumvent guaranteeing fourth year to Weeden

Yes or no?

Thats f'n terrible