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2023 Off-Season Free Agent moves/signings

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  • Jed Wills..

    Does it seem fair to blame Jed Wills, who only had to hold a block, maybe all of 2.5 seconds protecting Tua at Bama?

    Watson's rusty release clock was not all that good last season either.. Both need to get their ? together..  

  • @orion said:

    My hunch is they're about done with major singings.  I think if a WR they wanted were available, they'd have signed him already.  But who knows.

    So now, with defensive improvements in place (in theory)...what if a LT that they kinda' liked were to happen to be there at #42?   Or is there no way we can do that with the current situation of Wills (1st rounder) and Conklin?  (crazy talk, I know...but I'm just not a huge fan of Wills)

    I quit stressing on OL issues when Callahan got hired 😉.. Your not replacing Wills at LT or RT, picking at #42 in this draft..

    The WR FA market got crazy money last season..not much changed this FA season  $$.. Draft & grow your own cost little..See Bengals now less Tee Higgins..

     looking at this depth chart ? it really needs youth building beginning at... MLB and Safety depth and Tackle  

    @gumby73 said:

    I quit stressing on OL issues when Callahan got hired 😉.. Your not replacing Wills at LT or RT, picking at #42 in this draft..

    Exactly regarding Wills, Callahan and the 42nd pick overall especially if Free agency addresses need and draft addresses BPA right? 

    FWIW, Right Tackle recently got a generous contract extension in spite of the wear and tear.  I do believe we have a great one there if/when he has better luck with injuries.  The FO must have felt that way too or they wouldn't have made the commitment to him.

  • @gumby73 said:

    I quit stressing on OL issues when Callahan got hired 😉.. Your not replacing Wills at LT or RT, picking at #42 in this draft..

    Exactly regarding Wills, Callahan and the 42nd pick overall especially if Free agency addresses need and draft addresses BPA right? 

    FWIW, Right Tackle recently got a generous contract extension in spite of the wear and tear.  I do believe we have a great one there if/when he has better luck with injuries.  The FO must have felt that way too or they wouldn't have made the commitment to him.

    @flugel said:

    Exactly regarding Wills, Callahan and the 42nd pick overall especially if Free agency addresses need and draft addresses BPA right? 

    FWIW, Right Tackle recently got a generous contract extension in spite of the wear and tear.  I do believe we have a great one there if/when he has better luck with injuries.  The FO must have felt that way too or they wouldn't have made the commitment to him.

    I've come to the conclusion..

    Conklin now makes Left Tackle money.. even If we swing Jed back to his college RT? A Good defense would still just send targets to the weakest side.. Lucky enough.. We're still not, Jet's fans trying to find a place for Mekhl Becton.. 

    Will's & Watson pocket scrambling protections are not a good match.. Watson was not the cleanest of accurate rolling to his weak-side either  

  • @flugel said:

    Exactly regarding Wills, Callahan and the 42nd pick overall especially if Free agency addresses need and draft addresses BPA right? 

    FWIW, Right Tackle recently got a generous contract extension in spite of the wear and tear.  I do believe we have a great one there if/when he has better luck with injuries.  The FO must have felt that way too or they wouldn't have made the commitment to him.

    I've come to the conclusion..

    Conklin now makes Left Tackle money.. even If we swing Jed back to his college RT? A Good defense would still just send targets to the weakest side.. Lucky enough.. We're still not, Jet's fans trying to find a place for Mekhl Becton.. 

    Will's & Watson pocket scrambling protections are not a good match.. Watson was not the cleanest of accurate rolling to his weak-side either  

    @gumby73 said:

    I've come to the conclusion..

    Conklin now makes Left Tackle money.. even If we swing Jed back to his college RT? A Good defense would still just send targets to the weakest side.. Lucky enough.. We're still not, Jet's fans trying to find a place for Mekhl Becton.. 

    Will's & Watson pocket scrambling protections are not a good match.. Watson was not the cleanest of accurate rolling to his weak-side either  

    If Wills would rather play RT and Jonah Williams wants to start at LT - would it hurt us to at least inquire about possibly swapping the 2 former Bama Tackles?  Maybe all Jonah needs is Callahan teaching him and a reliable partner/neighbor like Bitonio?  Last I heard, Cincy's RT (Collins) has an injury that will cost him time this year too...

  • @tiamat63

    Weren't you a big D.J. Chark fan when he was available in the Draft? He's still available as a free agent. 

  • @tiamat63

    Weren't you a big D.J. Chark fan when he was available in the Draft? He's still available as a free agent. 

    @dutch-oven said:

    @tiamat63

    Weren't you a big D.J. Chark fan when he was available in the Draft? He's still available as a free agent. 

     I'm honestly trying to remember.  I thought pretty highly of him when he was in Jacksonville.  Then again, he was the best receiver on a pretty terrible group of teams.     I know the last couple seasons he's dealt with some injury concerns and missed a decent amount of playing time.  So that right there would give me pause depending on how much $ he's looking for.  If he's expecting another $10 mil a year,  you can forget all that noise.  

  • @gumby73 said:

    I've come to the conclusion..

    Conklin now makes Left Tackle money.. even If we swing Jed back to his college RT? A Good defense would still just send targets to the weakest side.. Lucky enough.. We're still not, Jet's fans trying to find a place for Mekhl Becton.. 

    Will's & Watson pocket scrambling protections are not a good match.. Watson was not the cleanest of accurate rolling to his weak-side either  

    If Wills would rather play RT and Jonah Williams wants to start at LT - would it hurt us to at least inquire about possibly swapping the 2 former Bama Tackles?  Maybe all Jonah needs is Callahan teaching him and a reliable partner/neighbor like Bitonio?  Last I heard, Cincy's RT (Collins) has an injury that will cost him time this year too...

    @flugel said:

    If Wills would rather play RT and Jonah Williams wants to start at LT - would it hurt us to at least inquire about possibly swapping the 2 former Bama Tackles?  Maybe all Jonah needs is Callahan teaching him and a reliable partner/neighbor like Bitonio?  Last I heard, Cincy's RT (Collins) has an injury that will cost him time this year too...

    fair point.. It's now a option.. Jonah's age 25.. Jed's 23 on a rookie deal  ? 

  • @korsou-dawg said:

    Some of us were really gunning for another TE, but Akins wasn't exactly what I had in mind. Sure he can catch the ball, but he posted a career-low run blocking PFF grade of 45.7 last season. Yikes!

    What say you @flugel?

    I don't know, I don't really care if a TE can block.  If blocking is what you want, line up a back-up tackle or guard to grind out that yard.  

    I want TE's to be offensive weapons more than being a blocker.

    @ballpeen said:

    I don't know, I don't really care if a TE can block.  If blocking is what you want, line up a back-up tackle or guard to grind out that yard.  

    I'd prefer one that could do both, catch the ball with soft hands and yet be able to block to some degree.  It doesn't tip our hand run or pass.  Ben Coates, Ben Watson (why did we ever let that guy leave?).  Save the extra OLineman for 3rd or 4th & 1.  

  • More Deals being made before draft..

    Source: Former #Rams DT Greg Gaines has agreed to terms with the #Bucs.
     
    Now stfu Gal's on trading Coop.. and enjoy paying more & losing more picks
     
    Sources: The #Texans are trading WR Brandin Cooks to the #Cowboys for a 5th this year and
    6th next year.
    Cooks restructured his contract Saturday so that Houston will pay 6 million of his salary this season and the Cowgals are now to pay 12 million for this season 
     
    Nope!
    We had the picks.. but, Berry's not paying that for Cooks, plus picks
     
     
     
  • More Deals being made before draft..

    Source: Former #Rams DT Greg Gaines has agreed to terms with the #Bucs.
     
    Now stfu Gal's on trading Coop.. and enjoy paying more & losing more picks
     
    Sources: The #Texans are trading WR Brandin Cooks to the #Cowboys for a 5th this year and
    6th next year.
    Cooks restructured his contract Saturday so that Houston will pay 6 million of his salary this season and the Cowgals are now to pay 12 million for this season 
     
    Nope!
    We had the picks.. but, Berry's not paying that for Cooks, plus picks
     
     
     

    @gumby73 said:

    Nope!
    We had the picks.. but, Berry's not paying that for Cooks, plus picks

    It's gonna come down to the draft for WR, LB.er.  But we've done such a good job in FA that we're down to talking about 2 positions above all others.  (down from 6)  With the loss of Greedy Williams I wouldn't be surprised if a CB was taken somewhere down the line.  

  • @ballpeen said:

    I don't know, I don't really care if a TE can block.  If blocking is what you want, line up a back-up tackle or guard to grind out that yard.  

    I'd prefer one that could do both, catch the ball with soft hands and yet be able to block to some degree.  It doesn't tip our hand run or pass.  Ben Coates, Ben Watson (why did we ever let that guy leave?).  Save the extra OLineman for 3rd or 4th & 1.  

    @orion said:

    I'd prefer one that could do both, catch the ball with soft hands and yet be able to block to some degree.  It doesn't tip our hand run or pass.  Ben Coates, Ben Watson (why did we ever let that guy leave?).  Save the extra OLineman for 3rd or 4th & 1.  

    Sure.  Who wouldn't?

    I am just saying that if you have to have one or the other, I want a A+ pass catcher who is a F blocker over a TE who is a A+ blocker and F pass catcher.

  • @orion said:

    I'd prefer one that could do both, catch the ball with soft hands and yet be able to block to some degree.  It doesn't tip our hand run or pass.  Ben Coates, Ben Watson (why did we ever let that guy leave?).  Save the extra OLineman for 3rd or 4th & 1.  

    Sure.  Who wouldn't?

    I am just saying that if you have to have one or the other, I want a A+ pass catcher who is a F blocker over a TE who is a A+ blocker and F pass catcher.

    @ballpeen said:

    Sure.  Who wouldn't?

    I am just saying that if you have to have one or the other, I want a A+ pass catcher who is a F blocker over a TE who is a A+ blocker and F pass catcher.

    Wouldn't care for either of those TBH. 

    How about a B+ pass catcher who is a B+ blocker, compared to your A+ pass catcher who is a F blocker?

  • @gumby73 said:

    Nope!
    We had the picks.. but, Berry's not paying that for Cooks, plus picks

    It's gonna come down to the draft for WR, LB.er.  But we've done such a good job in FA that we're down to talking about 2 positions above all others.  (down from 6)  With the loss of Greedy Williams I wouldn't be surprised if a CB was taken somewhere down the line.  

    @orion said:

    It's gonna come down to the draft for WR, LB.er.  But we've done such a good job in FA that we're down to talking about 2 positions above all others.  (down from 6)  With the loss of Greedy Williams I wouldn't be surprised if a CB was taken somewhere down the line.  

    Who? Did he play for the Browns in any effective way for any length of time? Not much of a loss to fill.

  • @ballpeen said:

    Sure.  Who wouldn't?

    I am just saying that if you have to have one or the other, I want a A+ pass catcher who is a F blocker over a TE who is a A+ blocker and F pass catcher.

    Wouldn't care for either of those TBH. 

    How about a B+ pass catcher who is a B+ blocker, compared to your A+ pass catcher who is a F blocker?

    @korsou-dawg said:

    Wouldn't care for either of those TBH. 

    How about a B+ pass catcher who is a B+ blocker, compared to your A+ pass catcher who is a F blocker?

    Look, we can go round and round talking about "what about this, what about that?".

    Bottom line is I don't give a shit about a TE's ability to block.  Will I take if they can?  Sure, but they have to have the other.  Ozzie Newsome wasn't known for being a blocker.  I'll take that.  Simply getting in the way for a second or so works for me if they can catch and score TD's.  If the guy is known as a blocking tight end, I don't want the stiff.

    Fair enough?

  • @korsou-dawg said:

    Wouldn't care for either of those TBH. 

    How about a B+ pass catcher who is a B+ blocker, compared to your A+ pass catcher who is a F blocker?

    Look, we can go round and round talking about "what about this, what about that?".

    Bottom line is I don't give a shit about a TE's ability to block.  Will I take if they can?  Sure, but they have to have the other.  Ozzie Newsome wasn't known for being a blocker.  I'll take that.  Simply getting in the way for a second or so works for me if they can catch and score TD's.  If the guy is known as a blocking tight end, I don't want the stiff.

    Fair enough?

    @ballpeen said:

    Bottom line is I don't give a shit about a TE's ability to block.

    What did your signature used to say?  Something about like or unlike minds...

    To me, a TE needs to know how to block and how to catch.

    If the TE can't catch, then I don't need him.  I can put in a offensive lineman who'll do a better blocking job.

    And if the TE can't block, then I can put in a WR that'll be quicker.

  • @korsou-dawg said:

    Wouldn't care for either of those TBH. 

    How about a B+ pass catcher who is a B+ blocker, compared to your A+ pass catcher who is a F blocker?

    Look, we can go round and round talking about "what about this, what about that?".

    Bottom line is I don't give a shit about a TE's ability to block.  Will I take if they can?  Sure, but they have to have the other.  Ozzie Newsome wasn't known for being a blocker.  I'll take that.  Simply getting in the way for a second or so works for me if they can catch and score TD's.  If the guy is known as a blocking tight end, I don't want the stiff.

    Fair enough?

    @ballpeen said:

    Look, we can go round and round talking about "what about this, what about that?".

    Bottom line is I don't give a shit about a TE's ability to block.  Will I take if they can?  Sure, but they have to have the other.  Ozzie Newsome wasn't known for being a blocker.  I'll take that.  Simply getting in the way for a second or so works for me if they can catch and score TD's.  If the guy is known as a blocking tight end, I don't want the stiff.

    Fair enough?

    At this point in the discussion, isn't it important to understand David Njoku is the 1st TE on the depth chart?  When the Browns want to bring in a 2nd TE to a formation, it's not to go vertical with him.  It's usually not on a 3rd and long or when the Browns are behind the sticks (with more than 10 yards to go). It's usually a short yardage or a red zone matchup plan. It doesn't matter if you don't care if he can block or not.  It is important to understand why teams go to the Double Tight formation. Once upon a time we'd line up TE Steve Heiden on the other side of the formation of Winslow.  Not only was Heiden a very good blocker; but he also got open and caught the ball when we needed him to.

    Therefore,  it's nice if you can have a 2nd TE that can do both (dual purpose) instead of one that just catches or just blocks.  Why?  It makes the matchup more challenging for the defense.  Teams usually want a good blocker at least for the main purpose he's in the Double Tight formation.  If they have one that also has an ability to get open and catch the ball - even better.  It's not that teams don't want this.  It's more because there's a limited supply of 2nd TEs that are reliable at both blocking and receiving today.  

  • @ballpeen said:

    Look, we can go round and round talking about "what about this, what about that?".

    Bottom line is I don't give a shit about a TE's ability to block.  Will I take if they can?  Sure, but they have to have the other.  Ozzie Newsome wasn't known for being a blocker.  I'll take that.  Simply getting in the way for a second or so works for me if they can catch and score TD's.  If the guy is known as a blocking tight end, I don't want the stiff.

    Fair enough?

    At this point in the discussion, isn't it important to understand David Njoku is the 1st TE on the depth chart?  When the Browns want to bring in a 2nd TE to a formation, it's not to go vertical with him.  It's usually not on a 3rd and long or when the Browns are behind the sticks (with more than 10 yards to go). It's usually a short yardage or a red zone matchup plan. It doesn't matter if you don't care if he can block or not.  It is important to understand why teams go to the Double Tight formation. Once upon a time we'd line up TE Steve Heiden on the other side of the formation of Winslow.  Not only was Heiden a very good blocker; but he also got open and caught the ball when we needed him to.

    Therefore,  it's nice if you can have a 2nd TE that can do both (dual purpose) instead of one that just catches or just blocks.  Why?  It makes the matchup more challenging for the defense.  Teams usually want a good blocker at least for the main purpose he's in the Double Tight formation.  If they have one that also has an ability to get open and catch the ball - even better.  It's not that teams don't want this.  It's more because there's a limited supply of 2nd TEs that are reliable at both blocking and receiving today.  

    @flugel said:

    When the Browns want to bring in a 2nd TE to a formation, it's not to go vertical with him. 

    We would both like to see that, but Is it though?

    Jordan Akins had only one drop in 54 targets in '22, setting career-highs with 495 receiving yards and a team-leading five touchdowns. He also had a run blocking PFF grade of 45.7, as I mentioned before. Seems like he was brought in specifically as an extra target for his former teammate to throw to. 

    I reacted with some disappointment to his signing, because he is pretty much on one extreme of the false dichotomy Ballpeen then came up with (with which I have zero gripes FTR). He is an A pass catcher and an F blocker. 

    Barring an all-round TE drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round, it seems the FO isn't bothered about TEs who can block in addition to catching either.

  • @flugel said:

    When the Browns want to bring in a 2nd TE to a formation, it's not to go vertical with him. 

    We would both like to see that, but Is it though?

    Jordan Akins had only one drop in 54 targets in '22, setting career-highs with 495 receiving yards and a team-leading five touchdowns. He also had a run blocking PFF grade of 45.7, as I mentioned before. Seems like he was brought in specifically as an extra target for his former teammate to throw to. 

    I reacted with some disappointment to his signing, because he is pretty much on one extreme of the false dichotomy Ballpeen then came up with (with which I have zero gripes FTR). He is an A pass catcher and an F blocker. 

    Barring an all-round TE drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round, it seems the FO isn't bothered about TEs who can block in addition to catching either.

    @korsou-dawg said:

    Barring an all-round TE drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round, it seems the FO isn't bothered about TEs who can block in addition to catching either.

    Because they realize that if blocking is the goal, a back-up tackle or guard is going to be able to block better than a back-up TE.  We saw a regular dose of o-linemen reporting as eligible last season.

    Maybe I am confusing years, but one even caught a TD pass.

  • @ballpeen said:

    Bottom line is I don't give a shit about a TE's ability to block.

    What did your signature used to say?  Something about like or unlike minds...

    To me, a TE needs to know how to block and how to catch.

    If the TE can't catch, then I don't need him.  I can put in a offensive lineman who'll do a better blocking job.

    And if the TE can't block, then I can put in a WR that'll be quicker.

    @orion said:

    What did your signature used to say?  Something about like or unlike minds...

    To me, a TE needs to know how to block and how to catch.

    If the TE can't catch, then I don't need him.  I can put in a offensive lineman who'll do a better blocking job.

    And if the TE can't block, then I can put in a WR that'll be quicker.

    It's still listed.  Here under interests.

  • @orion said:

    What did your signature used to say?  Something about like or unlike minds...

    To me, a TE needs to know how to block and how to catch.

    If the TE can't catch, then I don't need him.  I can put in a offensive lineman who'll do a better blocking job.

    And if the TE can't block, then I can put in a WR that'll be quicker.

    It's still listed.  Here under interests.

    @ballpeen said:

    It's still listed.  Here under interests.

    Of course.  I should actually look at those things once in a while.....in plain sight.