James Sanders

? Aloysius

Here's a brief scouting report I put together on one of our possible FA targets:

James Sanders, S, New England
Strengths:

Sure, aggressive tackler...Plays faster than his timed speed (4.65 40)...Takes good angles to the ball, rarely missing tackles due to overpursuit...Good at keeping plays in front of him...Versatile enough to play both safety spots

Weaknesses:

Good in the run game, but doesn't make a lot of plays near the line of scrimmage...Will deliver the occasional big hit, but isn't a real headhunter in the seconday..Not an effective blitzer...Gets targeted when matched up against slot receivers

Conclusions:

Sanders is the kind of player you won't notice: he doesn't make a lot of plays, but he also won't get burned for many big ones. With his experience playing in Belichick's 3-4, he'd be a good option for us if Sean Jones ends up signing elsewhere.

YtownBrownsBacker

Aloysius said:
Here's a brief scouting report I put together on one of our possible FA targets:

I like James Butler a little better.

? Aloysius

It's somewhat close, but I like Sanders better.

Butler has better hands and impressive straight-line speed, but he's also a little tight-hipped and more of a drag-down tackler.

? Aloysius

Me too, but this year's safety class is pretty weak. And if you get one of these guys for cheap, you can still consider drafting someone this year without being forced to reach because safety is a must.

Gips

mikeyP72 said:
I'd rather draft young talent than settle for mediocre in FA, honestly.

Same here i prefer 99% of our players come from the draft but we will still need FAs for temporary stopgap plug ins to round the team out for a couple years but i trust mankok to make the right decisions on who and when..

I like both butler and sanders as stopgaps.. butler may be overall more ball savvy than sanders and both are a minor upgrade over jones i think butler helps give the cbs the safety valve jones often fails to be..

? Aloysius

By the way, word is that Sanders got a better offer from another team and isn't likely to sign with the Browns.

Gips

Aloysius said:
By the way, word is that Sanders got a better offer from another team and isn't likely to sign with the Browns.

With the new browns concept of work ethic and discipline instead of "theres a nice warm bench waiting for you"we arent really packin em into berea like savage did...hehehehehe

Off the point i know but i couldnt resist!

heckofajobbrownie

Sanders is competent, but a step down from Jones. You should always be upgrading, and he's not an upgrade.

That said, it's a lean safety year in the draft and free agency and you've got to put the best player on the field that you can given your cap restraints. Maybe it's Sanders.

EERSandBROWNS

Aloysius said:
By the way, word is that Sanders got a better offer from another team and isn't likely to sign with the Browns.

I was a little confused about that update. They said he might go back to the Giants or sign with the Rams. It sounds like they confused him with James Butler.

? Aloysius

Agreed about him being a step down from a healthy Sean Jones. But I think he'd be better in run support than James Butler, the guy it looks like we'll end up signing.

? Aloysius

@eersandbrowns said:
I was a little confused about that update. They said he might go back to the Giants or sign with the Rams. It sounds like they confused him with James Butler.

I think the original report was about Sanders; the problem was when the local Cleveland guy tried to add commentary and got confused.

Solon16

haven't heard sean jones lighting up the visits....? We gonna resign him or Adams??? anyone?

YtownBrownsBacker

Aloysius said:
Agreed about him being a step down from a healthy Sean Jones. But I think he'd be better in run support than James Butler, the guy it looks like we'll end up signing.

I don't profess to know a lot about either but I remember the Giants in the Super Bowl and Butler had a great game. I love his size. When I have seen him play he seemed to do a good job in run support. I think both are better cover men then Jones.

? Aloysius

What's nice about Butler is that he has the speed to come down from playing deep safety and make plays. In the game against the Browns, he had a nice play where he raced down and tackled Jamal Lewis for a 2-3 yard gain.

The problem is that, for his size, Butler isn't particularly physical. On Jerome Harrison's long run in that game, Hank Fraley kept on pushing Butler backwards out of the play. And while he isn't a poor tackler, he's not going to knock guys back like Sanders is capable of doing.

Speaking of Sanders, the Browns reportedly have made a counter-offer. Though he's not a perfect option, I'm really hoping we get him.

? Aloysius

Sanders re-signs with the Pats.

YtownBrownsBacker

Maybe it is going to take Jones and Adams to go out and find what their true value is before the Browns talk to them. Personally I'd rather move on. I think I'd look SS in round 2 before I'd resign Jones.

As you know, I like Patrick Chung. But, getting Butler would free us up to take a RB or center with that extra 2nd round pick.

Solon16

Adams is a Good Backup tho...I'd like to keep him.

heckofajobbrownie

Sanders is about to re-sign with the Pats. Should be announced today or tomorrow.

Solon16

@heckofajobbrownie said:
Sanders is about to re-sign with the Pats. Should be announced today or tomorrow.

hmmmm...don't you read the previous posted messages??? just a tad late!

YtownBrownsBacker

@solon16 said:
Adams is a Good Backup tho...I'd like to keep him.

Actually he is very valuable. He is super on special teams and can backup either position and play in the dime defense. I'd try to keep him, unless he is asking for starter money.