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2023 Off-Season Free Agent moves/signings

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  • Basically, our problem is one of these people:

    Management
    Dee Haslam Managing and Principal Partner
    Jimmy Haslam Managing and Principal Partner
    Whitney Haslam Johnson Partner
    JW Johnson Executive Vice President, Partner
    Andrew Berry Executive Vice President, Football Operations & General Manager
    Paul DePodesta Chief Strategy Officer
    David A. Jenkins Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
    Gregory Rush Chief Financial Officer
    Eric Clouse Chief Commercial Officer
    Mike Nikolaus Chief Human Resources Officer
    Peter John-Baptiste Senior Vice President, Communications
    Phil Dangerfield Vice President, Operations
    Ted Tywang Vice President, General Counsel
    Josh Glessing Vice President, Strategy
    Katie Murphy Director, Managing Partner Operations
    Will Black Manager, Managing Partner Operations
    Allison Likar Executive Assistant
    Monica Lince Manager, Business Operations
    Jim Brown Special Advisor

    Football Operations
    Catherine Raiche Assistant GM & Vice President of Football Operations
    Bob Quinn Senior Personnel/ Coaching Executive
    Jimmy Raye III Senior Executive Advisor to the GM
    Tyler Hamblin Director of Football Operations
    Joy Tapajcik Player Personnel & Football Operations Process Manager
    Shane Normandeau Coordinator, Football Ops
    Football Administration
    Chris Cooper Vice President, Football Administration
    Taylor Young Director, Football Administration
    Callum Mahoney Salary Cap & Contract Analyst   (this guy's gotta be ok...my grandson's name is Callum)  🙂  

    Check out the full list:   https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/front-office-roster/

    @orion said:

    Basically, our problem

    Phil Dangerfield Vice President, Operations

    Poor guy.  Just like his Dad, he gets no respect.  Must be a family curse.

  • @orion said:

    Basically, our problem

    Phil Dangerfield Vice President, Operations

    Poor guy.  Just like his Dad, he gets no respect.  Must be a family curse.

    @ballpeen said:

    Phil Dangerfield Vice President, Operations

    Ever see so many vice presidents before?  They have to have a separate Christmas party just for vice presidents.  

  • @ballpeen said:

    Phil Dangerfield Vice President, Operations

    Ever see so many vice presidents before?  They have to have a separate Christmas party just for vice presidents.  

    @orion said:

    Ever see so many vice presidents before?  They have to have a separate Christmas party just for vice presidents.  

    Seems like a lot, but in any business any lead in some segment of the business usually gets a VP title.  I guess you could call them manager of operations, but what's the difference what you call them?

  • @ballpeen said:

    Phil Dangerfield Vice President, Operations

    Ever see so many vice presidents before?  They have to have a separate Christmas party just for vice presidents.  

    @orion said:

    Ever see so many vice presidents before?  They have to have a separate Christmas party just for vice presidents.  

    Well when you bring in a lot of players with a lot of vices, you have to have the appropriate personnel to keep up with them all.??

  • @orion said:

    Ever see so many vice presidents before?  They have to have a separate Christmas party just for vice presidents.  

    Seems like a lot, but in any business any lead in some segment of the business usually gets a VP title.  I guess you could call them manager of operations, but what's the difference what you call them?

    @ballpeen said:

    but what's the difference what you call them?

    True enough.  Coincidently, my email sig is a family favorite....it's...My Name, Vice President of Mr. & Mrs.  🙂  

  • Tendered this guy late last week.  Exactly what you look for in your end-of-the roster ST guys.  Signed early last year from Bears PS, somehow played in 7 games and I never heard of him.

    Now do that again with DI..

  • Browns re-sign G Michael Dunn, CB Thomas Graham and DT Ben Stille as offseason program gets underway

    https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2023/04/browns-re-sign-guard-michael-dunn-for-depth-as-offseason-program-gets-underway.html

  • Browns agree to 5th year option on T Jedrick Wills...

    Report: Browns make decision on Jed Wills 5th-year option

    https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/5/1/23706360/browns-jedrick-wills-jed-wills-fifth-year-option

  • Browns agree to 5th year option on T Jedrick Wills...

    Report: Browns make decision on Jed Wills 5th-year option

    https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/5/1/23706360/browns-jedrick-wills-jed-wills-fifth-year-option

    @gumby73 said:

    Browns agree to 5th year option on T Jedrick Wills...

    Report: Browns make decision on Jed Wills 5th-year option

    https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/5/1/23706360/browns-jedrick-wills-jed-wills-fifth-year-option

    Strange... According to Socials.. Jed doesn't like it here...

  • @gumby73 said:

    Browns agree to 5th year option on T Jedrick Wills...

    Report: Browns make decision on Jed Wills 5th-year option

    https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/5/1/23706360/browns-jedrick-wills-jed-wills-fifth-year-option

    Strange... According to Socials.. Jed doesn't like it here...

    @nickers said:

    Strange... According to Socials.. Jed doesn't like it here...

    Not strange. As much as I am ready to give up on Jed too, given his utterly disappointing play, there is no value in letting him go. 

    Maybe he gets some reps at RT, or is included in a trade. At worst, you have a player on a rookie deal a little longer. 

  • @gumby73 said:

    Browns agree to 5th year option on T Jedrick Wills...

    Report: Browns make decision on Jed Wills 5th-year option

    https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/5/1/23706360/browns-jedrick-wills-jed-wills-fifth-year-option

    Strange... According to Socials.. Jed doesn't like it here...

    @nickers said:

    According to Socials.. Jed doesn't like it here...

    Why?  Are they asking him to block more than three and a half seconds?

  • Browns sign Colby Gossett

    Posted by Josh Alper on May 3, 2023, 2:07 PM EDT
     

    The Browns added a player to their offensive line on Wednesday.

    The team announced the signing of guard Colby Gossett. No terms of the deal were disclosed.

    It is Gossett’s second stint with the team, but he did not appear in any regular season games during the first one. He signed to the Cleveland practice squad in 2019 and opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID before being released at the end of training camp in 2021.

    Gossett moved on to Atlanta and he appeared in 31 games over the last two seasons. The 2018 Vikings sixth-round pick also played five games and made four starts for the Cardinals during his rookie season.

     
     

    Browns give Kansas UDFA pass rusher a massive contract

    https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/03/browns-2023-nfl-draft-lonnie-phelps-contract/

    Under general manager Andrew Berry, the Cleveland Browns have shown they aren’t afraid to hand out large contracts for undrafted free agents they covet. This trend has continued this year as Aaron Wilson has reported that pass rusher Lonnie Phelps has secured a payday from the team. Wilson says the contract is for $250,000 guaranteed, including a $50,000 signing bonus.

    Aaron Wilson@AaronWilson_NFL
    #Browns undrafted rookie Lonnie Phelps: $250,000 guaranteed, $25,000 signing bonus, $200,000 of Paragraph 5 base salary guaranteed @KPRC2

    Phelps is an intriguing player that should have a fair chance to battle for a roster spot as a pass rusher. This past season for the Jayhawks Phelps had an 18.9 pass rush win rate according to PFF. He is pretty strong in run support as well, with seven sacks this season and 8.5 sacks in 2021.

  • Browns sign Colby Gossett

    Posted by Josh Alper on May 3, 2023, 2:07 PM EDT
     

    The Browns added a player to their offensive line on Wednesday.

    The team announced the signing of guard Colby Gossett. No terms of the deal were disclosed.

    It is Gossett’s second stint with the team, but he did not appear in any regular season games during the first one. He signed to the Cleveland practice squad in 2019 and opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID before being released at the end of training camp in 2021.

    Gossett moved on to Atlanta and he appeared in 31 games over the last two seasons. The 2018 Vikings sixth-round pick also played five games and made four starts for the Cardinals during his rookie season.

     
     

    Browns give Kansas UDFA pass rusher a massive contract

    https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/03/browns-2023-nfl-draft-lonnie-phelps-contract/

    Under general manager Andrew Berry, the Cleveland Browns have shown they aren’t afraid to hand out large contracts for undrafted free agents they covet. This trend has continued this year as Aaron Wilson has reported that pass rusher Lonnie Phelps has secured a payday from the team. Wilson says the contract is for $250,000 guaranteed, including a $50,000 signing bonus.

    Aaron Wilson@AaronWilson_NFL
    #Browns undrafted rookie Lonnie Phelps: $250,000 guaranteed, $25,000 signing bonus, $200,000 of Paragraph 5 base salary guaranteed @KPRC2

    Phelps is an intriguing player that should have a fair chance to battle for a roster spot as a pass rusher. This past season for the Jayhawks Phelps had an 18.9 pass rush win rate according to PFF. He is pretty strong in run support as well, with seven sacks this season and 8.5 sacks in 2021.

    @vambo said:

    Browns sign Colby Gossett

    Posted by Josh Alper on May 3, 2023, 2:07 PM EDT
     

    The Browns added a player to their offensive line on Wednesday.

    The team announced the signing of guard Colby Gossett. No terms of the deal were disclosed.

    It is Gossett’s second stint with the team, but he did not appear in any regular season games during the first one. He signed to the Cleveland practice squad in 2019 and opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID before being released at the end of training camp in 2021.

    Gossett moved on to Atlanta and he appeared in 31 games over the last two seasons. The 2018 Vikings sixth-round pick also played five games and made four starts for the Cardinals during his rookie season.

     
     

    Browns give Kansas UDFA pass rusher a massive contract

    https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/03/browns-2023-nfl-draft-lonnie-phelps-contract/

    Under general manager Andrew Berry, the Cleveland Browns have shown they aren’t afraid to hand out large contracts for undrafted free agents they covet. This trend has continued this year as Aaron Wilson has reported that pass rusher Lonnie Phelps has secured a payday from the team. Wilson says the contract is for $250,000 guaranteed, including a $50,000 signing bonus.

    Phelps is an intriguing player that should have a fair chance to battle for a roster spot as a pass rusher. This past season for the Jayhawks Phelps had an 18.9 pass rush win rate according to PFF. He is pretty strong in run support as well, with seven sacks this season and 8.5 sacks in 2021.

    depth baby depth,we gonna rock this year

  • Browns add safety Rodney McLeod to secondary

    • trotter_jake.png&h=80&w=80&scale=crop
      Jake Trotter, ESPN Staff WriterMay 4, 2023, 10:59 AM ET

    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37406960/source-browns-add-safety-rodney-mcleod-secondary

    BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with veteran safety Rodney McLeod, a source told ESPN on Thursday.

    McLeod will likely step into a key backup role in the Cleveland secondary behind starting safeties Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill, whom the Browns signed earlier in free agency.

    McLeod enjoyed a rejuvenation in his 11th NFL season in 2022, emerging in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts as a key member of one of the league's underrated defenses. He registered career highs in pass deflections (8) and tackles for losses (8) and was the team's third-leading tackler with 96 stops.Having played both strong and free safety in his career, McLeod, 32, is equally comfortable playing either role. He embraced more of a strong safety role last season in the Colts' single-high-safety scheme, providing significant impact at or near the line of scrimmage.

    Undrafted out of Virginia in 2012, McLeod is lauded by coaches for his leadership and has played 156 games for the Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Colts over his career. That's more than all but 11 players selected in his draft class -- an impressive run for the veteran.

    In those 11 seasons, McLeod has 688 tackles, 18 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and 9 recoveries, 60 pass deflections, 2 sacks and 3 touchdowns.

  • Browns add safety Rodney McLeod to secondary

    • trotter_jake.png&h=80&w=80&scale=crop
      Jake Trotter, ESPN Staff WriterMay 4, 2023, 10:59 AM ET

    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37406960/source-browns-add-safety-rodney-mcleod-secondary

    BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with veteran safety Rodney McLeod, a source told ESPN on Thursday.

    McLeod will likely step into a key backup role in the Cleveland secondary behind starting safeties Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill, whom the Browns signed earlier in free agency.

    McLeod enjoyed a rejuvenation in his 11th NFL season in 2022, emerging in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts as a key member of one of the league's underrated defenses. He registered career highs in pass deflections (8) and tackles for losses (8) and was the team's third-leading tackler with 96 stops.Having played both strong and free safety in his career, McLeod, 32, is equally comfortable playing either role. He embraced more of a strong safety role last season in the Colts' single-high-safety scheme, providing significant impact at or near the line of scrimmage.

    Undrafted out of Virginia in 2012, McLeod is lauded by coaches for his leadership and has played 156 games for the Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Colts over his career. That's more than all but 11 players selected in his draft class -- an impressive run for the veteran.

    In those 11 seasons, McLeod has 688 tackles, 18 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and 9 recoveries, 60 pass deflections, 2 sacks and 3 touchdowns.

    @vambo said:

    McLeod is lauded by coaches for his leadership

    I like having at least one savvy veteran back there somewhere.  Go Schwartz!

  •  Mcloud is not only a vet, but one with a great deal of experience under Schwartz.  I've spoken about Delpit's struggles in 2022 under his expanded role.  Also talked about how it was clear he was having some language/communication issues with the other DBs.  

     This signing feels a lot like a targeted mentorship role with a large dose of insurance policy. 

     Off Browns topic - Bills signed Poona Ford.  That hurts, would have loved to seen him here over either of Hurst or Hill signings. 

  • Browns add safety Rodney McLeod to secondary

    • trotter_jake.png&h=80&w=80&scale=crop
      Jake Trotter, ESPN Staff WriterMay 4, 2023, 10:59 AM ET

    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37406960/source-browns-add-safety-rodney-mcleod-secondary

    BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with veteran safety Rodney McLeod, a source told ESPN on Thursday.

    McLeod will likely step into a key backup role in the Cleveland secondary behind starting safeties Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill, whom the Browns signed earlier in free agency.

    McLeod enjoyed a rejuvenation in his 11th NFL season in 2022, emerging in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts as a key member of one of the league's underrated defenses. He registered career highs in pass deflections (8) and tackles for losses (8) and was the team's third-leading tackler with 96 stops.Having played both strong and free safety in his career, McLeod, 32, is equally comfortable playing either role. He embraced more of a strong safety role last season in the Colts' single-high-safety scheme, providing significant impact at or near the line of scrimmage.

    Undrafted out of Virginia in 2012, McLeod is lauded by coaches for his leadership and has played 156 games for the Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Colts over his career. That's more than all but 11 players selected in his draft class -- an impressive run for the veteran.

    In those 11 seasons, McLeod has 688 tackles, 18 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and 9 recoveries, 60 pass deflections, 2 sacks and 3 touchdowns.

    @vambo said:

    Browns add safety Rodney McLeod to secondary

    STATS
    Regular Season
     
     
    TOT SOLO AST SACK FF FR YDS INT YDS AVG TD LNG PD STF STFYDS KB
    96 59 37 0 0 1 0 2 27 13.5 1 1 8 6 18 0

    How does a safety score a 1 yard TD?

    26 S Rodney McLeod Jr.

  • RE: Zadarius Smith

    Interesting things I saw just week 1 alone.

    ZS at the 4tech being used as an interior pass rusher.

    ZS1.thumb.jpg.fed6944ea574c9c3c8958d071c28c981.jpg

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Back to a more "traditional" 5 tech.   Also in this pic, is 315lb Dalvin Tomlinson also parked on the edge as a 5tech.  

    ZS2.thumb.jpg.b622db6e5686b32cada0f4c7bd341d8c.jpg

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ZS is able to use his quickness and strength to fire into and control the RG's outside shoulder.

    Dalvin is actually out there doing his best Reggie White impression.  That's a big man to be playing outside.

    ZS3.thumb.jpg.e76057e45dd33ceb4f1216f2ab035cde.jpg

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     This is really what I love to see and clearly what the Browns front office has (FINALLY) come around on.    You need a complete pass rush.  There's zero interior pocket integrity, and Dalvin Tomlinson has actually gotten around on the edge here.  No room for Rodgers to step up, and no where to go laterally to buy time to throw.   

      This rep ended up with Aaron having to eat this potential throw and Smith getting the sack.    You'll notice the red line, where previously its been bent out towards the Brownies defense the past year...  That wasn't the case in Minny.  They re-establish and control the LoS - something Schwartz will have nothing less than in 2023.  

    ZS4.thumb.jpg.0ee914f4e8b115940b59a2b827b533eb.jpg

    It really is impressive with the presence of Tomlinson, Smith, Ogbo, Mcguire, Isiah Thomas, Wright, and Myles just what combinations can be thrown at an Oline in passing downs/distances.

     You want Myles to rush more on the interior? Not a problem, we have Ogbo and Smith on the edge.  You want 6'7 Alex Wright getting his hands in the air up the middle? Easy, that's his best attribute.   Do you want to bluff that double A-gap with Obgo and JOK and play a game called "who's it gonna be?"...      All these tools and all of those looks are now available to our defensive coaches. 

  • RE: Zadarius Smith

    Interesting things I saw just week 1 alone.

    ZS at the 4tech being used as an interior pass rusher.

    ZS1.thumb.jpg.fed6944ea574c9c3c8958d071c28c981.jpg

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Back to a more "traditional" 5 tech.   Also in this pic, is 315lb Dalvin Tomlinson also parked on the edge as a 5tech.  

    ZS2.thumb.jpg.b622db6e5686b32cada0f4c7bd341d8c.jpg

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ZS is able to use his quickness and strength to fire into and control the RG's outside shoulder.

    Dalvin is actually out there doing his best Reggie White impression.  That's a big man to be playing outside.

    ZS3.thumb.jpg.e76057e45dd33ceb4f1216f2ab035cde.jpg

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     This is really what I love to see and clearly what the Browns front office has (FINALLY) come around on.    You need a complete pass rush.  There's zero interior pocket integrity, and Dalvin Tomlinson has actually gotten around on the edge here.  No room for Rodgers to step up, and no where to go laterally to buy time to throw.   

      This rep ended up with Aaron having to eat this potential throw and Smith getting the sack.    You'll notice the red line, where previously its been bent out towards the Brownies defense the past year...  That wasn't the case in Minny.  They re-establish and control the LoS - something Schwartz will have nothing less than in 2023.  

    ZS4.thumb.jpg.0ee914f4e8b115940b59a2b827b533eb.jpg

    It really is impressive with the presence of Tomlinson, Smith, Ogbo, Mcguire, Isiah Thomas, Wright, and Myles just what combinations can be thrown at an Oline in passing downs/distances.

     You want Myles to rush more on the interior? Not a problem, we have Ogbo and Smith on the edge.  You want 6'7 Alex Wright getting his hands in the air up the middle? Easy, that's his best attribute.   Do you want to bluff that double A-gap with Obgo and JOK and play a game called "who's it gonna be?"...      All these tools and all of those looks are now available to our defensive coaches. 

    @tiamat63 said:

    6'7 Alex Wright getting his hands in the air up the middle? Easy, that's his best attribute

    Aren't you happy we spent a second-round pick on a DE whose top pass-disruption skill is something normally mentioned as a skill of 300# plugger DT's? This is fine.

    Follow-up question: Should Alex Wright be a professional football player in 2023?  Looking like there's one roster spot for both him and Thomas.

  • Smith signing adds another rotational piece he’s 31 with not a lot of good tread left.   I’m hoping we don’t expect 50-60 plus snaps a game.  Wright and Ogbo need to play significant snaps as well.