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Browns sign a 2 year deal for veteran OT Cornelius Lucas

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  • @ballpeen said:

    we have a severe shortage of guys who get the ball and score points. I think we need to get a few more guys like that on the roster

    Truth right there.  QB, RB, TE, WR.

    Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation.  But maybe not as much as we need.  People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year.  Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft.  Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.

    ballpeenB ballpeen wrote on last edited by
    #41

    @orion said:

    Truth right there.  QB, RB, TE, WR.

    Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation.  But maybe not as much as we need.  People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year.  Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft.  Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.

    No doubt.  I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work.  Maybe it's time to use a different template.

    I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett.  I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort.  Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.

    We had Joe Thomas.  One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here?  Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games.  They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.

  • @flugel said:

    I don't mind Lucas, believe it or not.  I think he's a decent short term idea because in spite of his age the volume of play doesn't look like it caused a lot of wear and tear while it's  given him enough experience to benefit him and the team he plays for.  What I don't want the Browns to do is fall into a habit they can just settle for anyone at offensive tackle.  That limits where you can run and how long you give your passer to throw. If we're going to invest in a QB - getting him a good LT is an ideal way to protect him.  Like NE showed us - they got a rock solid LT from Purdue in 2001 (Matt Light) in the 2nd round who started 11 years protecting Brady's blind side.  This year will have some good LTs in round 2 as well.  

    I get it, though I have to admit I won't be very happy drafting a LT that high this year. I am normally good with trenches guys, but we have a severe shortage of guys who get the ball and score points. I think we need to get a few more guys like that on the roster

    FlugelF Flugel wrote on last edited by
    #42

    @ballpeen said:

    I get it, though I have to admit I won't be very happy drafting a LT that high this year. I am normally good with trenches guys, but we have a severe shortage of guys who get the ball and score points. I think we need to get a few more guys like that on the roster

    ? There is THAT!   Travis Hunter could give us big plays & TD juice at #2 overall, which means we could be using our 1st pick of the 2nd round on a QB like Tyler Shough (not my idea but I like it) or another QB the Browns like better.  One of the draft magazines grades the offensive tackle class in this draft as a B- so there should still be some good prospects for us to choose from after we take care of the 1st thing and the 2nd thing.

  • @orion said:

    Truth right there.  QB, RB, TE, WR.

    Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation.  But maybe not as much as we need.  People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year.  Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft.  Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.

    No doubt.  I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work.  Maybe it's time to use a different template.

    I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett.  I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort.  Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.

    We had Joe Thomas.  One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here?  Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games.  They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.

    FlugelF Flugel wrote on last edited by Flugel
    #43

    @ballpeen said:

    No doubt.  I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work.  Maybe it's time to use a different template.

    I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett.  I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort.  Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.

    We had Joe Thomas.  One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here?  Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games.  They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.

    Let's try to stay in context with this. The Browns won 10 games in Joe Thomas' rookie year. The following teams have either won or participated in SBs after winning only 9 or 10 games in the regular season.

    image.png.3ef464d51db4ee714b77beeba1932fa5.png

    image.png.260e6efb9c69c8c5413ad33570e3a895.png

    He got to play next to a great vet like Eric Steinbach as a rookie. It's not his fault the Browns have remained the worst team at drafting QBs in their own division and the NFL as a whole (the 85 supplemental Draft was 40 years ago).  Even Joe's rookie year, there were 2 QBs the Browns drafted and 1 journey man (DA).  The journeyman took over in week 2 and led the Browns to 10-5 after Frye got the Browns off to 0-1. Quinn never won a starting job here or anywhere else - not even over Tim Tebow.

    Anyway, when the Browns finally draft the right franchise QB - you're honestly not gonna care how good the LT is at pass protection?  Teams usually line-up their best edge rusher across from the LT (this is usually our QB's blind side unless we have another QB with 2 blind sides).  LT is usually the 1st OL position to be drafted; and they get the biggest OL contracts. Does this happen if it's not important?  Before you remind me the Chargers recently selected a RT in the 1st round (Joe Alt); that's because they already drafted their reliable LT Rashawn Slater in the 1st round of 2021.  Now that they have 2 reliable OTs on the edges - they made the playoffs while they kept their franchise QB healthy...  

    I'm gonna differ with you about offensive line - there's Saquon Barkely that only made it to the playoffs twice in his 6 years with the Giants (losing the wild card game 1 year and in the divisional round the next). And then there's Saquon Barkley that was unstoppable behind arguably the best OL in football.  They also had a damn good OL the year they beat the Patriots in the SB.  With the OLs in Philly I speak of Foles was the winning QB vrs Brady and Hurts was the winning QB vrs Mahomes.  Neither of their SB winning QBs were 1st round draft picks either for whatever it's worth.

    Just for shits and giggles - even Braylon Edwards peak-a-booed in 1 season of playing like a 3rd overall pick the year Joe Thomas was a rookie.

    image.png

    image.png

  • @orion said:

    Truth right there.  QB, RB, TE, WR.

    Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation.  But maybe not as much as we need.  People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year.  Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft.  Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.

    No doubt.  I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work.  Maybe it's time to use a different template.

    I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett.  I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort.  Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.

    We had Joe Thomas.  One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here?  Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games.  They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.

    OrionO Orion wrote on last edited by
    #44

    @ballpeen said:

    We had Joe Thomas.  One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here?

    Yeah, that was such a waste of one of the greatest OLinemen of all time.  It certainly wasn't his fault that we sucked.  But the reason that we didn't win much is because of the elephant in the room.  Quarterback   -  We can gather as many really, really good WR's, TE's and RB's that we want...but they won't be really good on OUR team until we get a good QB (and an OLine to give him time to throw and to open a crack for the RB).   It's a catch 22.  

    Having said that, hitching your wagon to the wrong QB for an extended period of time does no good, so...we can't force the draft to have our franchise QB.  And we apparently know that because the last time we were in the situation we DIDN'T draft Kenney Pickett...we went the big trade route.  Of course, in classic Cleveland Browns fashion, that failed miserably too.  But we've gotta continue to swing the bat....just not at balls in the dirt.

  • @orion said:

    Truth right there.  QB, RB, TE, WR.

    Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation.  But maybe not as much as we need.  People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year.  Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft.  Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.

    No doubt.  I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work.  Maybe it's time to use a different template.

    I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett.  I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort.  Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.

    We had Joe Thomas.  One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here?  Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games.  They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.

    tiamat63T tiamat63 wrote on last edited by
    #45

    @ballpeen said:

    No doubt.  I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work.  Maybe it's time to use a different template.

     We've also had solid teams with good offensive lines and invested in QBs and skill players - which that method also has not worked. 

    See: Quinn, Manziel & Weeden. 

  • @syd said:

    offer him the league minimum or a incentive laden contract, it's not like he would be taken up a roster spot

    No, he can't come here and be demoted.  That wouldn't work on multiple levels.  He's done in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.

    sydS syd wrote on last edited by syd
    #46

    @orion said:

    No, he can't come here and be demoted.  That wouldn't work on multiple levels.  He's done in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.

    well as flugs said,it's not like anyone is knocking down his door

  • sydS syd

    @orion said:

    No, he can't come here and be demoted.  That wouldn't work on multiple levels.  He's done in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.

    well as flugs said,it's not like anyone is knocking down his door

    FlugelF Flugel wrote on last edited by
    #47

    @syd said:

    well as flugs said,it's not like anyone is knocking down his door

    I'm sorry for putting down your idea Syd; but I like that you're tossing ideas around about ways we can get better at OT.  The draft might have some goodies beyond the big names everyone keeps seeing.  I say that because we may not get to OT until rounds 3 or 4 or later.  

  • @ballpeen said:

    No doubt.  I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work.  Maybe it's time to use a different template.

    I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett.  I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort.  Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.

    We had Joe Thomas.  One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here?  Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games.  They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.

    Let's try to stay in context with this. The Browns won 10 games in Joe Thomas' rookie year. The following teams have either won or participated in SBs after winning only 9 or 10 games in the regular season.

    image.png.3ef464d51db4ee714b77beeba1932fa5.png

    image.png.260e6efb9c69c8c5413ad33570e3a895.png

    He got to play next to a great vet like Eric Steinbach as a rookie. It's not his fault the Browns have remained the worst team at drafting QBs in their own division and the NFL as a whole (the 85 supplemental Draft was 40 years ago).  Even Joe's rookie year, there were 2 QBs the Browns drafted and 1 journey man (DA).  The journeyman took over in week 2 and led the Browns to 10-5 after Frye got the Browns off to 0-1. Quinn never won a starting job here or anywhere else - not even over Tim Tebow.

    Anyway, when the Browns finally draft the right franchise QB - you're honestly not gonna care how good the LT is at pass protection?  Teams usually line-up their best edge rusher across from the LT (this is usually our QB's blind side unless we have another QB with 2 blind sides).  LT is usually the 1st OL position to be drafted; and they get the biggest OL contracts. Does this happen if it's not important?  Before you remind me the Chargers recently selected a RT in the 1st round (Joe Alt); that's because they already drafted their reliable LT Rashawn Slater in the 1st round of 2021.  Now that they have 2 reliable OTs on the edges - they made the playoffs while they kept their franchise QB healthy...  

    I'm gonna differ with you about offensive line - there's Saquon Barkely that only made it to the playoffs twice in his 6 years with the Giants (losing the wild card game 1 year and in the divisional round the next). And then there's Saquon Barkley that was unstoppable behind arguably the best OL in football.  They also had a damn good OL the year they beat the Patriots in the SB.  With the OLs in Philly I speak of Foles was the winning QB vrs Brady and Hurts was the winning QB vrs Mahomes.  Neither of their SB winning QBs were 1st round draft picks either for whatever it's worth.

    Just for shits and giggles - even Braylon Edwards peak-a-booed in 1 season of playing like a 3rd overall pick the year Joe Thomas was a rookie.

    image.png

    image.png

    ballpeenB ballpeen wrote on last edited by
    #48

    @flugel said:

    Let's try to stay in context with this. The Browns won 10 games in Joe Thomas' rookie year. The following teams have either won or participated in SBs after winning only 9 or 10 games in the regular season.

    image.png.3ef464d51db4ee714b77beeba1932fa5.png

    image.png.260e6efb9c69c8c5413ad33570e3a895.png

    He got to play next to a great vet like Eric Steinbach as a rookie. It's not his fault the Browns have remained the worst team at drafting QBs in their own division and the NFL as a whole (the 85 supplemental Draft was 40 years ago).  Even Joe's rookie year, there were 2 QBs the Browns drafted and 1 journey man (DA).  The journeyman took over in week 2 and led the Browns to 10-5 after Frye got the Browns off to 0-1. Quinn never won a starting job here or anywhere else - not even over Tim Tebow.

    Anyway, when the Browns finally draft the right franchise QB - you're honestly not gonna care how good the LT is at pass protection?  Teams usually line-up their best edge rusher across from the LT (this is usually our QB's blind side unless we have another QB with 2 blind sides).  LT is usually the 1st OL position to be drafted; and they get the biggest OL contracts. Does this happen if it's not important?  Before you remind me the Chargers recently selected a RT in the 1st round (Joe Alt); that's because they already drafted their reliable LT Rashawn Slater in the 1st round of 2021.  Now that they have 2 reliable OTs on the edges - they made the playoffs while they kept their franchise QB healthy...  

    I'm gonna differ with you about offensive line - there's Saquon Barkely that only made it to the playoffs twice in his 6 years with the Giants (losing the wild card game 1 year and in the divisional round the next). And then there's Saquon Barkley that was unstoppable behind arguably the best OL in football.  They also had a damn good OL the year they beat the Patriots in the SB.  With the OLs in Philly I speak of Foles was the winning QB vrs Brady and Hurts was the winning QB vrs Mahomes.  Neither of their SB winning QBs were 1st round draft picks either for whatever it's worth.

    Just for shits and giggles - even Braylon Edwards peak-a-booed in 1 season of playing like a 3rd overall pick the year Joe Thomas was a rookie.

    image.png

    image.png

    Again, I am not saying Oline isn't important.  It's very important.  I just think that at this juncture our O-line is still pretty good but other areas suck. I also want to mention something I didn't say in my previous post but have hammered on for years, when we get to the 33rd pick and some O-lineman is clearly the best player available, take him.

    Like you, I am not convinced that D Jones has the desire and fortitude to keep his weight in some semblance of playing shape. He looks like he eats a few dozen too many meals a month at the Waffle House.

  • @flugel said:

    Let's try to stay in context with this. The Browns won 10 games in Joe Thomas' rookie year. The following teams have either won or participated in SBs after winning only 9 or 10 games in the regular season.

    image.png.3ef464d51db4ee714b77beeba1932fa5.png

    image.png.260e6efb9c69c8c5413ad33570e3a895.png

    He got to play next to a great vet like Eric Steinbach as a rookie. It's not his fault the Browns have remained the worst team at drafting QBs in their own division and the NFL as a whole (the 85 supplemental Draft was 40 years ago).  Even Joe's rookie year, there were 2 QBs the Browns drafted and 1 journey man (DA).  The journeyman took over in week 2 and led the Browns to 10-5 after Frye got the Browns off to 0-1. Quinn never won a starting job here or anywhere else - not even over Tim Tebow.

    Anyway, when the Browns finally draft the right franchise QB - you're honestly not gonna care how good the LT is at pass protection?  Teams usually line-up their best edge rusher across from the LT (this is usually our QB's blind side unless we have another QB with 2 blind sides).  LT is usually the 1st OL position to be drafted; and they get the biggest OL contracts. Does this happen if it's not important?  Before you remind me the Chargers recently selected a RT in the 1st round (Joe Alt); that's because they already drafted their reliable LT Rashawn Slater in the 1st round of 2021.  Now that they have 2 reliable OTs on the edges - they made the playoffs while they kept their franchise QB healthy...  

    I'm gonna differ with you about offensive line - there's Saquon Barkely that only made it to the playoffs twice in his 6 years with the Giants (losing the wild card game 1 year and in the divisional round the next). And then there's Saquon Barkley that was unstoppable behind arguably the best OL in football.  They also had a damn good OL the year they beat the Patriots in the SB.  With the OLs in Philly I speak of Foles was the winning QB vrs Brady and Hurts was the winning QB vrs Mahomes.  Neither of their SB winning QBs were 1st round draft picks either for whatever it's worth.

    Just for shits and giggles - even Braylon Edwards peak-a-booed in 1 season of playing like a 3rd overall pick the year Joe Thomas was a rookie.

    image.png

    image.png

    Again, I am not saying Oline isn't important.  It's very important.  I just think that at this juncture our O-line is still pretty good but other areas suck. I also want to mention something I didn't say in my previous post but have hammered on for years, when we get to the 33rd pick and some O-lineman is clearly the best player available, take him.

    Like you, I am not convinced that D Jones has the desire and fortitude to keep his weight in some semblance of playing shape. He looks like he eats a few dozen too many meals a month at the Waffle House.

    Dutch OvenD Dutch Oven wrote on last edited by
    #49

    @ballpeen said:

    Again, I am not saying Oline isn't important.  It's very important.  I just think that at this juncture our O-line is still pretty good but other areas suck. I also want to mention something I didn't say in my previous post but have hammered on for years, when we get to the 33rd pick and some O-lineman is clearly the best player available, take him.

    Ethan Pocic turns 30 during training camp. Joel Bitonio is most likely playing in his last season, and Wyatt Teller turns 31 during the season and is perpetually nursing an injury. Jack Conklin also turns 31 and is made of glass. Dawand Jones is 0 for 2 in finishing seasons on the field. That's the state of our starting OLine. 

    And who on the bench is a guarantee to be able to step in and take over a starting job? 

    IMO both lines need an infusion of young talent. 

  • @flugel said:

    Let's try to stay in context with this. The Browns won 10 games in Joe Thomas' rookie year. The following teams have either won or participated in SBs after winning only 9 or 10 games in the regular season.

    image.png.3ef464d51db4ee714b77beeba1932fa5.png

    image.png.260e6efb9c69c8c5413ad33570e3a895.png

    He got to play next to a great vet like Eric Steinbach as a rookie. It's not his fault the Browns have remained the worst team at drafting QBs in their own division and the NFL as a whole (the 85 supplemental Draft was 40 years ago).  Even Joe's rookie year, there were 2 QBs the Browns drafted and 1 journey man (DA).  The journeyman took over in week 2 and led the Browns to 10-5 after Frye got the Browns off to 0-1. Quinn never won a starting job here or anywhere else - not even over Tim Tebow.

    Anyway, when the Browns finally draft the right franchise QB - you're honestly not gonna care how good the LT is at pass protection?  Teams usually line-up their best edge rusher across from the LT (this is usually our QB's blind side unless we have another QB with 2 blind sides).  LT is usually the 1st OL position to be drafted; and they get the biggest OL contracts. Does this happen if it's not important?  Before you remind me the Chargers recently selected a RT in the 1st round (Joe Alt); that's because they already drafted their reliable LT Rashawn Slater in the 1st round of 2021.  Now that they have 2 reliable OTs on the edges - they made the playoffs while they kept their franchise QB healthy...  

    I'm gonna differ with you about offensive line - there's Saquon Barkely that only made it to the playoffs twice in his 6 years with the Giants (losing the wild card game 1 year and in the divisional round the next). And then there's Saquon Barkley that was unstoppable behind arguably the best OL in football.  They also had a damn good OL the year they beat the Patriots in the SB.  With the OLs in Philly I speak of Foles was the winning QB vrs Brady and Hurts was the winning QB vrs Mahomes.  Neither of their SB winning QBs were 1st round draft picks either for whatever it's worth.

    Just for shits and giggles - even Braylon Edwards peak-a-booed in 1 season of playing like a 3rd overall pick the year Joe Thomas was a rookie.

    image.png

    image.png

    Again, I am not saying Oline isn't important.  It's very important.  I just think that at this juncture our O-line is still pretty good but other areas suck. I also want to mention something I didn't say in my previous post but have hammered on for years, when we get to the 33rd pick and some O-lineman is clearly the best player available, take him.

    Like you, I am not convinced that D Jones has the desire and fortitude to keep his weight in some semblance of playing shape. He looks like he eats a few dozen too many meals a month at the Waffle House.

    FlugelF Flugel wrote on last edited by Flugel
    #50

    @ballpeen said:

    Again, I am not saying Oline isn't important.  It's very important.  I just think that at this juncture our O-line is still pretty good but other areas suck. I also want to mention something I didn't say in my previous post but have hammered on for years, when we get to the 33rd pick and some O-lineman is clearly the best player available, take him.

    Like you, I am not convinced that D Jones has the desire and fortitude to keep his weight in some semblance of playing shape. He looks like he eats a few dozen too many meals a month at the Waffle House.

    Yeah, we're not too far apart in our thinking on this IMO.  It was just a convenient time to talk about leaving a 10 time Pro Bowl/HOF LT at the altar without a QB.  If/when this team ever drafts a franchise QB - we have to make sure we have reliability protecting him on both edges.  Do we HAVE to draft our reliable Tackle in round 2 or at #2 overall?  Not really especially considering top prospects like Josh Simmons and Kelvin Banks Jr are coming off knee injuries last year.  There's good prospects in rounds 3 and 4.

    Here's the thing, when a guy like Dawand Jones shows up to this rookie season and his 2nd season weighing over 400 lbs - is this a guy taking a dream career seriously?  The 2 consecutive seasons ending on IR were almost inevitable; while a similar lack of passion for the profession also persisted with Wills. Our scouts gotta dig deeper on the work ethic research to prevent history from repeating itself.  When Buffalo went to 4 Super Bowls I'd read in the local sport pages how they'd interview coaches as far back and high school & JV and sometimes even teachers regarding character, personality and work ethic.  Remember that Corner/KR from Oklahoma State (Justin Blackmon) - the Browns didn't even interview his college coaches where 1 un-named assistant said he would have been happy to tell the Browns how often he was late/absent from meetings.  If a prospect doesn't offer passion - it doesn't matter how talented he is in a game where players are often defined by how they respond to adversity.  We can get a very good tackle somewhere in this draft; and we should be diligent with this position with undrafted FAs.  There's a lot of needs to be filled so it's going to be interesting in 2 weeks...

  • @ballpeen said:

    Again, I am not saying Oline isn't important.  It's very important.  I just think that at this juncture our O-line is still pretty good but other areas suck. I also want to mention something I didn't say in my previous post but have hammered on for years, when we get to the 33rd pick and some O-lineman is clearly the best player available, take him.

    Ethan Pocic turns 30 during training camp. Joel Bitonio is most likely playing in his last season, and Wyatt Teller turns 31 during the season and is perpetually nursing an injury. Jack Conklin also turns 31 and is made of glass. Dawand Jones is 0 for 2 in finishing seasons on the field. That's the state of our starting OLine. 

    And who on the bench is a guarantee to be able to step in and take over a starting job? 

    IMO both lines need an infusion of young talent. 

    FlugelF Flugel wrote on last edited by Flugel
    #51

    @dutch-oven said:

    Ethan Pocic turns 30 during training camp. Joel Bitonio is most likely playing in his last season, and Wyatt Teller turns 31 during the season and is perpetually nursing an injury. Jack Conklin also turns 31 and is made of glass. Dawand Jones is 0 for 2 in finishing seasons on the field. That's the state of our starting OLine. 

    And who on the bench is a guarantee to be able to step in and take over a starting job? 

    IMO both lines need an infusion of young talent. 

    Agreed.  We do have a couple young interior OL guys that should be ready to compete like C Luke Wypler (returning from injury) and G Zak Zinter. Both guys offer a flexibility to play Guard or Center. Silver linings are always welcome.  

  • @ballpeen said:

    Again, I am not saying Oline isn't important.  It's very important.  I just think that at this juncture our O-line is still pretty good but other areas suck. I also want to mention something I didn't say in my previous post but have hammered on for years, when we get to the 33rd pick and some O-lineman is clearly the best player available, take him.

    Ethan Pocic turns 30 during training camp. Joel Bitonio is most likely playing in his last season, and Wyatt Teller turns 31 during the season and is perpetually nursing an injury. Jack Conklin also turns 31 and is made of glass. Dawand Jones is 0 for 2 in finishing seasons on the field. That's the state of our starting OLine. 

    And who on the bench is a guarantee to be able to step in and take over a starting job? 

    IMO both lines need an infusion of young talent. 

    ballpeenB ballpeen wrote on last edited by
    #52

    @dutch-oven said:

    Ethan Pocic turns 30 during training camp. Joel Bitonio is most likely playing in his last season, and Wyatt Teller turns 31 during the season and is perpetually nursing an injury. Jack Conklin also turns 31 and is made of glass. Dawand Jones is 0 for 2 in finishing seasons on the field. That's the state of our starting OLine. 

    And who on the bench is a guarantee to be able to step in and take over a starting job? 

    IMO both lines need an infusion of young talent. 

    I am not saying we don't need to draft some O-linemen. I just don't want it happening at #33.  I am also not all the worried about Olinemen in their early 30's.  You still have some useful and productive years.

  • @dutch-oven said:

    Ethan Pocic turns 30 during training camp. Joel Bitonio is most likely playing in his last season, and Wyatt Teller turns 31 during the season and is perpetually nursing an injury. Jack Conklin also turns 31 and is made of glass. Dawand Jones is 0 for 2 in finishing seasons on the field. That's the state of our starting OLine. 

    And who on the bench is a guarantee to be able to step in and take over a starting job? 

    IMO both lines need an infusion of young talent. 

    Agreed.  We do have a couple young interior OL guys that should be ready to compete like C Luke Wypler (returning from injury) and G Zak Zinter. Both guys offer a flexibility to play Guard or Center. Silver linings are always welcome.  

    ballpeenB ballpeen wrote on last edited by
    #53

    @flugel said:

    Agreed.  We do have a couple young interior OL guys that should be ready to compete like C Luke Wypler (returning from injury) and G Zak Zinter. Both guys offer a flexibility to play Guard or Center. Silver linings are always welcome.  

    We also have Jones.  Two years ago he was being hailed on the board.  He showed up out of shape last year and now he is a bum.  Lets see if last year was a wake up call and he shows up ready to play.

  • @flugel said:

    Agreed.  We do have a couple young interior OL guys that should be ready to compete like C Luke Wypler (returning from injury) and G Zak Zinter. Both guys offer a flexibility to play Guard or Center. Silver linings are always welcome.  

    We also have Jones.  Two years ago he was being hailed on the board.  He showed up out of shape last year and now he is a bum.  Lets see if last year was a wake up call and he shows up ready to play.

    Dutch OvenD Dutch Oven wrote on last edited by
    #54

    @ballpeen said:

    We also have Jones.  Two years ago he was being hailed on the board.  He showed up out of shape last year and now he is a bum.  Lets see if last year was a wake up call and he shows up ready to play.

    He’s not a bum, he’s actually been a good tackle on both sides… when he’s actually available to play.

  • @ballpeen said:

    We also have Jones.  Two years ago he was being hailed on the board.  He showed up out of shape last year and now he is a bum.  Lets see if last year was a wake up call and he shows up ready to play.

    He’s not a bum, he’s actually been a good tackle on both sides… when he’s actually available to play.

    ballpeenB ballpeen wrote on last edited by
    #55

    @dutch-oven said:

    He’s not a bum, he’s actually been a good tackle on both sides… when he’s actually available to play.

    I am not saying the guy is a bum...yet.  The comment was more a general comment based on much of what i hear.

  • @ballpeen said:

    We also have Jones.  Two years ago he was being hailed on the board.  He showed up out of shape last year and now he is a bum.  Lets see if last year was a wake up call and he shows up ready to play.

    He’s not a bum, he’s actually been a good tackle on both sides… when he’s actually available to play.

    tiamat63T tiamat63 wrote on last edited by
    #56

    @dutch-oven said:

    He’s not a bum, he’s actually been a good tackle on both sides… when he’s actually available to play.

    The bum part is correct in that he doesn't take the best care of his physical shape to be game ready.  Arguably the biggest contributing factor to his health issues. 

     So the talent may be there, but the discipline has not been. 

  • @dutch-oven said:

    He’s not a bum, he’s actually been a good tackle on both sides… when he’s actually available to play.

    The bum part is correct in that he doesn't take the best care of his physical shape to be game ready.  Arguably the biggest contributing factor to his health issues. 

     So the talent may be there, but the discipline has not been. 

    Dutch OvenD Dutch Oven wrote on last edited by Dutch Oven
    #57

    @tiamat63 said:

    The bum part is correct in that he doesn't take the best care of his physical shape to be game ready.  Arguably the biggest contributing factor to his health issues. 

     So the talent may be there, but the discipline has not been. 

    It has been rumored that people who have seen him recently say that he looks “great”, apparently slimmed down some.

    To be fair, he was coming off a leg injury that may have caused him to struggle to work out leading up to last season.

    But there’s a reason he fell coming out of Ohio State 

  • @ballpeen said:

    We also have Jones.  Two years ago he was being hailed on the board.  He showed up out of shape last year and now he is a bum.  Lets see if last year was a wake up call and he shows up ready to play.

    He’s not a bum, he’s actually been a good tackle on both sides… when he’s actually available to play.

    FlugelF Flugel wrote on last edited by
    #58

    @dutch-oven said:

    He’s not a bum, he’s actually been a good tackle on both sides… when he’s actually available to play.

    Yeah, when he weighs less than a tractor trailer. He's not protecting his bad knees or his QBs when he's that out of shape. 

    Offensive Tackle Job Description in Cleveland:  Be available to start anywhere from 1 to 6 games a year. You must break a sweat at least once; which Jed Wills day way more than once as a rookie. Keep all your opening day weigh-ins at training camp under 400 lbs.  Contract incentives are available to all dumbbells using dumbbells or Hammer Strength Equipment.  We don't ask for much while you make a fortune - just ask our Rosenhaus clients past and present...