Cleveland Browns Offseason Talk

Pro Sports 3,478 replies 103,918 views
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miller45452003
Posts: 673
Apr 12, 2010 12:14am
To bad S Holmes is in our division. Would of loved to rape the Steelers like the Jets did. What a gift!
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 12, 2010 9:02am
Browns have sights set on Georgia Tech RB Dwyer
By Carlos “Big C” Holmes, Staff Writer
Updated 8:07 AM Monday, April 12, 2010

The Cleveland Browns will be looking to bolster their rushing attack in the upcoming NFL draft. The team is hoping to land a big, physical runner to replace veteran Jamal Lewis.

Georgia Tech junior running back Jonathan Dwyer fits the mold and is said to be high on the team’s list of prospects. There are those who believe Dwyer could pound-for-pound be the best running back prospect in this year’s draft.

The 6-foot, 225-pound Dwyer’s draft stock took a nosedive after running a subpar 40 time at the Scouting Combine in February. Dwyer redeemed himself at his Pro Day a few weeks later, running the 40-yard dash in the high 4.4’s and low 4.5’s to elevate his draft status.

Browns running backs coach Gary Brown worked the player out at the school’s pro day and they have kept in close contact.

“I think I would do well in Cleveland,” Dwyer said in a recent interview. “They know what I can do and what I bring to the table. It’s just a matter of what type of running back they need in their organization. If they draft me, I’m going to learn the playbook as fast as I can and get ready to compete.”

Cleveland is not alone in its interest. Dwyer has visited San Diego, Houston and Philadelphia. He’s scheduled to work out privately with Atlanta today, April 12, and New England on April 18.

The poor 40 time is obviously the reason behind Dwyer being downgraded among his peers. The running back broke a toe on his right foot in Georgia Tech’s Orange Bowl loss to Iowa. He was limited in his training for six weeks prior to the combine. Less than 100 percent healthy, Dwyer was advised by his trainer not to partake in drills at Indianapolis, but his competitive nature got the best of him.

“I wanted to go out there and compete and show that I am a competitor,” he said. “I wanted to do my best despite the circumstances. I didn’t perform the way I hope to but had something to prove.”

If teams are making their draft decision based on Dwyer’s combine performance and not studying his college film they’ll likely get burnt. Production-wise he ranks near the top in his class rushing for 1,395 yards in back-to-back seasons and 26 touchdowns.

When you look at the back on film there is no denying he has the ability to become a premiere runner in the league.

“I have the attitude of coming in and being productive no matter what team drafts me,” Dwyer said. “I’m mentally ready to play at the next level and ready to pursue my dream of playing pro ball. I think I am well suited for any offense and can adjust to any scheme and could do a lot of good things.”

Cleveland adding Dwyer to the backfield mix with current runner Jerome Harrison would provide the team with a nice one-two punch.

Dwyer is projected as a second-round pick, while backs such as Ryan Mathews (Fresno State) and Jahvid Best (Cal) — both with injury-riddled careers — carry first-round grades. The running back could use the oversight as fuel for the fire.

“All I need is an opportunity,” Dwyer said. “It doesn’t matter if I go in the first or second round. It would be great to be a first-round pick, but if it’s the second round so be it. I will just use it as motivation to prove everybody wrong and the skepticism about me.”

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/springfield-oh-sports/cleveland-browns/browns-have-sights-set-on-georgia-tech-rb-dwyer-647583.html
bases_loaded's avatar
bases_loaded
Posts: 6,912
Apr 12, 2010 9:09am
Dwyer is a beast on NCAA 10
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 12, 2010 9:10am
Heckert ready to wheel and deal for Browns
By Steve Doerschuk
CantonRep.com staff writer
Posted Apr 11, 2010 @ 11:22 PM

Call the Browns’ last long-term general manager “Trader Phil” if you wish. What does that make Tom Heckert?

On a crazy-train ride through the 2009 offseason, Heckert was GM of an Eagles team that pulled off eight draft-related trades.

In his first year after being promoted to GM in Philadelphia, 2006, the Eagles swung six draft-related deals.

In taking the GM reins of the Browns, Heckert said, “Obviously, my main job is to find players, and that’s what I intend to do.”

It’s beyond obvious he’ll try to trade for some during the draft April 22-24.

Team President Mike Holmgren has veto power over Heckert’s recommendations, and Head Coach Eric Mangini has a say, but that only increases the certainty the Browns will deal — Holmgren and Mangini have swap-meet reputations of their own.

Heckert said he, Holmgren and Mangini would “set the draft board” as a team, in concert with scouts.

“It’s never going to be one person saying, ‘I want this guy,’ when five other people don’t want that guy,” said Heckert, who was Head Coach Andy Reid’s right-hand man in Philadelphia. “We’ll come up with a player who fits our organization, and that’s the guy we’ll take.”

ROLLING THE DICE

Heckert is one to take his chances in a trade.

Last April, almost as soon as Mangini’s Browns traded down from the No. 19 position, Heckert’s Eagles traded up to get it so they could nab wideout Jeremy Maclin. In a playoff game against Dallas, Maclin racked up 146 yards, including a 76-yard TD pass. Think Heckert might remember that as he runs through a draft with the wideout-needy Browns?

Heckert’s education in the ways of draft-day trades began in earnest in 2003, his third year as the Eagles’ player personnel director.

Philadelphia had fallen in love with defensive end Jerome McDougle but was buried at No. 30. San Diego, perched at No. 15, agreed to trade first-round places with the Eagles in exchange for a Round 2 pick.

McDougle never started a game in the NFL. One spot after he was drafted, Pittsburgh picked a Hall of Fame prospect in safety Troy Polamalu.

Heckert’s boss, Mike Holmgren, is known for rolling the dice on elite receiving talent. Heckert knows the name of that tune. The Maclin deal is one example. Here’s another: Heckert helped engineer a March 2004 trade that brought Terrell Owens from the 49ers to Philly in exchange for a Round 5 pick and Brandon Whiting, who was soon out of the NFL.

Owens caught 14 TD passes in 14 games, sat out with an injury until the Super Bowl, and there made nine catches for 122 yards to give New England a scare.

In 2009, the Eagles sent veteran cornerback Lito Sheppard to the Jets for a Round 5 pick, used on tight end Cornelius Ingram.

Ingram blew out a knee in training camp. Sheppard started all three of the Jets’ playoff games.

In one of Heckert’s first moves with the Browns, he acquired a veteran cornerback from the Eagles, getting Sheldon Brown and veteran linebacker Chris Gocong for fourth- and fifth-round draft picks and linebacker Alex Hall.

One never knows how a trade involving Heckert will work out. One assumes he will deal.


HECTIC ON DRAFT DAY

Draft-related trades made by Philadelphia while Tom Heckert was general manager:

2009

Feb. 28 Eagles get a Round 5 pick (No. 153, TE Cornelius Ingram) from the Jets for CB Lito Sheppard.

March 5 Eagles get a Round 5 pick (No. 213, OT Fenuki Tupou) from New England for WR Greg Lewis and a 2010 Round 7 pick.

April 20 Eagles get OT Jason Peters from Buffalo for Round 1 (No. 28, C Eric Wood) and Round 4 picks (No. 121, TE Shawn Nelson).

April 25 Eagles trade up with Cleveland from No. 21 overall to No. 19 and pick WR Jeremy Maclin. Browns get a Round 6 pick (RB James Davis) and use No. 21 on C Alex Mack.

April 26 Eagles trade down with Giants in Round 3, from No. 85 to No. 91, in exchange for a Round 5 pick (No. 164).

April 26 Eagles trade the No. 91 pick to Seattle for 2009 Round 5 and Round 7 picks and a 2010 Round 3 pick.

April 26 Eagles get two Round 5 picks from New England (No. 137 and No. 141) in exchange for CB Ellis Hobbs.

April 26 Eagles get a 2009 Round 7 pick and a 2010 Round 5 pick from New Orleans in exchange for the No. 164 pick obtained from the Giants.

2008

April 26 Eagles give Carolina No. 19 overall (OT Jeff Otah). They get a Round 2 pick (No. 43, later traded), a Round 4 pick (No. 109, G Mike McGlynn) and a Round 1 pick in 2009 (later traded to Buffalo).

April 26 Eagles get RB Lorenzo Booker for a Round 4 pick.

April 26 Eagles get a Round 2 pick (No. 47, DT Trevor Laws) and a Round 4 pick (No. 131, DB Quinton Demps). Minnesota gets a Round 2 pick (No. 43, DB Tyrell Johnson) and a Round 5 pick (No. 152, DT Letroy Guion).

April 27 Eagles get a 2009 Round 5 pick from Cleveland for a 2008 Round 6 pick.

2007

March 28 Eagles get LB Takeo Spikes and QB Kelly Holcomb from Buffalo for a Round 7 pick.

April 28 Eagles get No. 36 (Kevin Kolb), No. 87 and No. 159 picks and give Dallas a Round 1 pick (No. 26, DE Anthony Spencer).

2006

April 29 Eagles trade up in Round 2 from No. 45 to No. 39 and pick OT Winston Justice. Titans get the No. 45 pick and a Round 4 pick.

April 29 Eagles trade up in Round 3 from No. 76 to No. 71 to get LB Chris Gocong. The Jets use No. 76 on LB Anthony Schlegel and also get a Round 7 pick.

April 30 Eagles trade up in Round 4 from No. 108 to No. 99 to get G Max Jean-Giles. New Orleans spends the No. 108 pick on G Jahri Evans and also gets DT Hollis Thomas.

April 30 Eagles trade up in Round 4 from No. 115 to No. 109 to get WR Jason Avant. Green Bay gets the No. 115 pick and a Round 6 pick.

Aug. 25 Eagles get WR Donté Stallworth. New Orleans gets LB Mark Simoneau and a Round 4 pick in 2007.

Sept. 2 Eagles get a Round 7 draft pick in 2008. Cleveland gets C Hank Fraley.

http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x863094142/Heckert-ready-to-wheel-and-deal-for-Browns
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 12, 2010 9:17am
*Cleveland was scheduled to host Bryant Wednesday morning, before he flew to Denver to meet with Broncos officials. But a source close to the Browns told me last night, "He's no longer on our list. He's not visiting us.''

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/04/11/bryant/1.html
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pkebker
Posts: 760
Apr 12, 2010 1:39pm
I would love the Dwyer pick up. I would much rather have him than McCoy
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 12, 2010 1:46pm
Sobo's (OBR) latest mock. The first pick does NOT please me...

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=1797
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Nate
Posts: 3,949
Apr 12, 2010 2:25pm
I just puked in my mouth a little.
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Big Red Monster
Posts: 436
Apr 12, 2010 2:32pm
That would be the worst possible move.

What concerns me about it actually happening is that nobody from Cleveland is talking much about him.

You hear about Tebow, McCoy and Bradford.

The fact that there is pretty much zero talk about Claussen is making me think it is a very real chance.
BCBulldog's avatar
BCBulldog
Posts: 824
Apr 12, 2010 2:57pm
If they do take Claussen, they better be damn sure they are right about him because it will set the franchise even further back (is that possible?!).
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 12, 2010 3:10pm
This is from the Bleacher Report so take it fwiw. It's a name I've mentioned before as a possible QB for us...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/376838-2010-nfl-draft-sources-reveal-clevelands-franchise-quarterback
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Nate
Posts: 3,949
Apr 12, 2010 3:31pm
BR1986FB wrote: This is from the Bleacher Report so take it fwiw. It's a name I've mentioned before as a possible QB for us...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/376838-2010-nfl-draft-sources-reveal-clevelands-franchise-quarterback
For some reason I don't believe this. The end of the article say Colt McCoy will end up a Ram. Where does that leave Sam Bradford? Washington? Seattle?

Detroit has Stafford. Tampa Bay has Freeman. Kansas City has Cassel.
SportsAndLady's avatar
SportsAndLady
Posts: 35,632
Apr 12, 2010 3:49pm
BR1986FB wrote: This is from the Bleacher Report so take it fwiw. It's a name I've mentioned before as a possible QB for us...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/376838-2010-nfl-draft-sources-reveal-clevelands-franchise-quarterback
I like.

He had a solid senior season, has flown under the radar (so he'd come at a cheap price), has good size, and is very mobile.

Great qualities of an NFL QB.
Sage's avatar
Sage
Posts: 2,070
Apr 12, 2010 4:03pm
I will shoot myself in the testicles to ease the pain of the Browns drafting Jimmy Clausen.
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Nate
Posts: 3,949
Apr 12, 2010 4:14pm
Sage wrote: I will shoot myself in the testicles to ease the pain of the Browns drafting Jimmy Clausen.
This.
royal_k's avatar
royal_k
Posts: 4,423
Apr 12, 2010 4:19pm
BR1986FB wrote: This is from the Bleacher Report so take it fwiw. It's a name I've mentioned before as a possible QB for us...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/376838-2010-nfl-draft-sources-reveal-clevelands-franchise-quarterback
I wouldn't be upset at all if they drafted this guy.
wes_mantooth's avatar
wes_mantooth
Posts: 17,977
Apr 12, 2010 4:23pm
I would be ok with a later round project pick like that. As long as we don't waste the #7 on Clausen or trade away picks to get to Bradford...I will be happy.
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pkebker
Posts: 760
Apr 12, 2010 5:23pm
Keebler wrote:
Sage wrote: I will shoot myself in the testicles to ease the pain of the Browns drafting Jimmy Clausen.
This.
not sure if this would really ease the pain. pretty sure you would still feel the pain of drafting Clausen. Then your left with Clausen at QB and no balls...you might want to reconsider lol
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 12, 2010 7:13pm
This guy is one of the more respected analysts and his mocks are usually very accurate....

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/nfl/stories/041110dnspogosselinmock.441bfe6.html
Benny The Jet's avatar
Benny The Jet
Posts: 2,987
Apr 12, 2010 7:19pm
BR1986FB wrote: This guy is one of the more respected analysts and his mocks are usually very accurate....

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/nfl/stories/041110dnspogosselinmock.441bfe6.html
Booooooo! On a side note...I like our team symbol on there...an orange dot haha
Benny The Jet's avatar
Benny The Jet
Posts: 2,987
Apr 12, 2010 7:21pm
I just took another look at that draft and jesus I hope he's wrong...the ravens would be really scary if that came true
KR1245's avatar
KR1245
Posts: 4,317
Apr 12, 2010 7:36pm
BR1986FB wrote: This guy is one of the more respected analysts and his mocks are usually very accurate....

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/nfl/stories/041110dnspogosselinmock.441bfe6.html
ugh......words cant describe how upset this would make me
wes_mantooth's avatar
wes_mantooth
Posts: 17,977
Apr 12, 2010 7:40pm
I may cry for the first time in years if that happens.....seriously
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 12, 2010 7:46pm
wes_mantooth wrote: I may cry for the first time in years if that happens.....seriously
How about THIS?

By the way, Tebow was in Cleveland and Washington last week, and he visits Denver this week. I hear the Cleveland coaches were very taken with him, and if he's there when they pick in round two (number 38 overall), or they trade down from number 7 in the first round, well, who knows?


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/04/11/bryant/index.html#ixzz0kvVM3mgS
wes_mantooth's avatar
wes_mantooth
Posts: 17,977
Apr 12, 2010 7:48pm
Tebow at 38 is better than where they took Robiske....