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Losses Vs. Gains Comparison

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  • Skeptical2013 said:

    Browns have substantially upgraded the front seven on defense, give them a B, but the secondary is only slightly improved and I'd give the work of Lombardi in this area an F.

    Tight end is the other area I'd give the Browns an F. We're moving to a new offense where the TE is important. So let's go out and get a bum, Davis, who they call "stone hands" in Chicago and booed him out of town. Why in the world couldn't this team, with all its cap money, go out early in free agency and add a decent TE like the guy who was at Oakland? It's beyond belief. Why has nearly every GM the Browns have hired been so incompetent? It's truly is remarkable. I guess it's prerequisite that to become a Browns GM you have to be a stupid moron!

    To be fair, we were in the hunt for Brent Grimes from Atl, one of the top free agents on the market, and just like LeQueen, he chose South Beach over Cleveland... can you blame him? Also, we were in talks with Keenan Lewis from Pit who quickly signed with New Orleans...

    Also, we were in discussions with Brandon Myers from Oak who chose to go play in New York City and Fred Davis from Was who got overpaid to stay in D.C.

    Miami, New Orleans, New York City, and Washington D.C. over Cleveland... c'mon man.

    Don't forget these guys are FREE AGENTS meaning they are able to not only pick which team they play for, but which city they will be living in for the next few years. It's not like Cleveland is like going to Green Bay where they have a Super Bowl contender every year, which makes it worth living in such a cold, boring town... Can't put all the blame on Lombardi... he doesn't have much to sell to Free Agents right now. If we start winning, then maybe we have a chance...

    @thenew23 said:

    To be fair, we were in the hunt for Brent Grimes from Atl, one of the top free agents on the market, and just like LeQueen, he chose South Beach over Cleveland... can you blame him? Also, we were in talks with Keenan Lewis from Pit who quickly signed with New Orleans...

    Also, we were in discussions with Brandon Myers from Oak who chose to go play in New York City and Fred Davis from Was who got overpaid to stay in D.C.

    Miami, New Orleans, New York City, and Washington D.C. over Cleveland... c'mon man.

    Don't forget these guys are FREE AGENTS meaning they are able to not only pick which team they play for, but which city they will be living in for the next few years. It's not like Cleveland is like going to Green Bay where they have a Super Bowl contender every year, which makes it worth living in such a cold, boring town... Can't put all the blame on Lombardi... he doesn't have much to sell to Free Agents right now. If we start winning, then maybe we have a chance...

    My issue is that the Browns should have had a strategy on day one to aggresively pursue a CB and TE. For cyring out loud, they had the money to attract people! It seems to me they made a strong effort in this area only after most of the quality guys were signed. This new ownership group is a bunch of losers, just like all the other ones. Lombardi is supposed to be a hot shot who can evaluate and persuade. He's just another in the long list of losers here. Either you are all in to win or just get out and do something else. The fact the Browns now have a horrific lack of quality and quality depth in the secondary and at tight end is inexcusable given all the FA money they had and their excellent drafting positions in rounds 1,3, 4 and 5. Those weaknesses will cost the Browns at least 3-4 games this coming season, weaknesses that could have been filled. Poor Weeden, too, he has nothing to throw to at tight end.

    This wait till next year stuff is nonsense and giving away those two draft picks was a disaster when you consider there were good quality athletes there for the taking. I'm sure the people in the war rooms at Cincy, Pittsburgh and Baltimore just laugh at the Browns ineptitude year after year. It truly is pathetic.

  • @mark-o said:

    How do you know we "let" him get away? He wasn't going to sign here unless we franchise tagged him for the third time. If the guy doesn't want to play here, there isn't much the front office can do about that.

    From my vantage point, it's clear the Browns were not interested in signing Dawson.

    Skeptical2013 said:

    From my vantage point, it's clear the Browns were not interested in signing Dawson.

    You realize the only reason he was here the last 2 years was the franchise tag right?

  • @mark-o said:

    How do you know we "let" him get away? He wasn't going to sign here unless we franchise tagged him for the third time. If the guy doesn't want to play here, there isn't much the front office can do about that.

    From my vantage point, it's clear the Browns were not interested in signing Dawson.

    Skeptical2013 said:

    From my vantage point, it's clear the Browns were not interested in signing Dawson.

    Objectively wrong.

    You have zero proof Dawson had any intent to sign a contract put in front of him by Cleveland.

    It's clear exactly what happened -- Dawson told Banner he wasn't resigning, and Banner had zero leverage because Dawson had been franchised for the last 2 years.

    Skeptical2013 said:

    My issue is that the Browns should have had a strategy on day one to aggresively pursue a CB and TE.

    They did. The only CB target worth pursuing was Grimes, and they got a TE.

    You make the assumption that every FA wanted to come to Cleveland -- and you're wrong. Grimes chose Miami, and a couple of the TE targets chose elsewhere. That in no way makes Banner a loser -- but making the assumption that everyone wanted to come to Cleveland makes you a gratuitously dramatic ex-girlfriend.

    Skeptical2013 said:

    The fact the Browns now have a horrific lack of quality and quality depth in the secondary and at tight end

    when you consider there were good quality athletes there

    The signing of Frostee Rucker shows the stupidity of getting people just because they're available.. he sucked, period. And if the draft is quality every year, those picks will generate better athletes next year than they would have this year.

    They got a pick out of trading McCoy -- that's serious competance that Heckert couldn't pull off. They got starter-quality athletes with every pick this year -- something Heckert couldn't pull off, and few FO's ever do.

  • @the-gipper said:

    We can't grade upon guys we didn't get. So there is no real use in even mentioning them. Stick to what we did get.

    And yes, we can blame those guys for going elsewhere.

    Playing football is these guys jobs. They are not going on fucking vacation. I go on vacation to Miami/NY/NO/DC, I don't live or work there.

    For these guys to come to work in the best environment for football, Cleveland IS THE place. The hell with those other towns.

    You go to New Orleans to get drunk. You go to Miami to get laid. You go to NY to see a show. You go to DC to see museums and monuments or to protest.

    You go to Cleveland to go to work playing football.

    I love your passion, and hell ya if I was a free agent I'd go play for the Browns... for free (or close to it)...

    but let's be honest, these guys are young and rich... they want to get drunk, laid, and see a show on their days off. PLUS, these guys want to win championships. What would make them want to come here? Do you really think most of these guys care about the fan base as much as Kosar and Sipe did? This is a new era of egotism and self-centeredness where the lifestyle is more important than game or the fans...

    @thenew23 said:

    I love your passion, and hell ya if I was a free agent I'd go play for the Browns... for free (or close to it)...

    but let's be honest, these guys are young and rich... they want to get drunk, laid, and see a show on their days off. PLUS, these guys want to win championships. What would make them want to come here? Do you really think most of these guys care about the fan base as much as Kosar and Sipe did? This is a new era of egotism and self-centeredness where the lifestyle is more important than game or the fans...

    Are you saying that playing the game and working at their craft is secondary to them? If so, they should not be playing.

  • @the-gipper said:

    We can't grade upon guys we didn't get. So there is no real use in even mentioning them. Stick to what we did get.

    And yes, we can blame those guys for going elsewhere.

    Playing football is these guys jobs. They are not going on fucking vacation. I go on vacation to Miami/NY/NO/DC, I don't live or work there.

    For these guys to come to work in the best environment for football, Cleveland IS THE place. The hell with those other towns.

    You go to New Orleans to get drunk. You go to Miami to get laid. You go to NY to see a show. You go to DC to see museums and monuments or to protest.

    You go to Cleveland to go to work playing football.

    That's a Cleveland bias, plain and simple.

    Cleveland is not a favorable destination for free agents, no matter what anybody says. Until we start winning, nothing will change in that regard.

    @tim-couch-pulls-out said:

    That's a Cleveland bias, plain and simple.

    Cleveland is not a favorable destination for free agents, no matter what anybody says. Until we start winning, nothing will change in that regard.

    Really? Then why did THE top rated FA linebacker come to Cleveland?

    Why did THE top rated FA defensive lineman come to Cleveland.

    The Best free agents out there came here.....so that disproves your "not a favorable destination" claim.

    I also think a large part of it is that these BEST free agents see that it is highly probable that the Browns will start winning soon.

  • @thenew23 said:

    To be fair, we were in the hunt for Brent Grimes from Atl, one of the top free agents on the market, and just like LeQueen, he chose South Beach over Cleveland... can you blame him? Also, we were in talks with Keenan Lewis from Pit who quickly signed with New Orleans...

    Also, we were in discussions with Brandon Myers from Oak who chose to go play in New York City and Fred Davis from Was who got overpaid to stay in D.C.

    Miami, New Orleans, New York City, and Washington D.C. over Cleveland... c'mon man.

    Don't forget these guys are FREE AGENTS meaning they are able to not only pick which team they play for, but which city they will be living in for the next few years. It's not like Cleveland is like going to Green Bay where they have a Super Bowl contender every year, which makes it worth living in such a cold, boring town... Can't put all the blame on Lombardi... he doesn't have much to sell to Free Agents right now. If we start winning, then maybe we have a chance...

    My issue is that the Browns should have had a strategy on day one to aggresively pursue a CB and TE. For cyring out loud, they had the money to attract people! It seems to me they made a strong effort in this area only after most of the quality guys were signed. This new ownership group is a bunch of losers, just like all the other ones. Lombardi is supposed to be a hot shot who can evaluate and persuade. He's just another in the long list of losers here. Either you are all in to win or just get out and do something else. The fact the Browns now have a horrific lack of quality and quality depth in the secondary and at tight end is inexcusable given all the FA money they had and their excellent drafting positions in rounds 1,3, 4 and 5. Those weaknesses will cost the Browns at least 3-4 games this coming season, weaknesses that could have been filled. Poor Weeden, too, he has nothing to throw to at tight end.

    This wait till next year stuff is nonsense and giving away those two draft picks was a disaster when you consider there were good quality athletes there for the taking. I'm sure the people in the war rooms at Cincy, Pittsburgh and Baltimore just laugh at the Browns ineptitude year after year. It truly is pathetic.

    Skeptical2013 said:

    My issue is that the Browns should have had a strategy on day one to aggresively pursue a CB and TE. For cyring out loud, they had the money to attract people! It seems to me they made a strong effort in this area only after most of the quality guys were signed. This new ownership group is a bunch of losers, just like all the other ones. Lombardi is supposed to be a hot shot who can evaluate and persuade. He's just another in the long list of losers here. Either you are all in to win or just get out and do something else. The fact the Browns now have a horrific lack of quality and quality depth in the secondary and at tight end is inexcusable given all the FA money they had and their excellent drafting positions in rounds 1,3, 4 and 5. Those weaknesses will cost the Browns at least 3-4 games this coming season, weaknesses that could have been filled. Poor Weeden, too, he has nothing to throw to at tight end.

    This wait till next year stuff is nonsense and giving away those two draft picks was a disaster when you consider there were good quality athletes there for the taking. I'm sure the people in the war rooms at Cincy, Pittsburgh and Baltimore just laugh at the Browns ineptitude year after year. It truly is pathetic.

    Let's be clear that one thing is involved here: Lombardi has a failed track record at selecting talent.

    So, yes, the choices he has made and the moves he has made do NOT inspire confidence....in anyone perhaps except he and Banner.

    But, maybe they will work out.

    And, FYI the Browns DID go out and get a couple of tight ends in FA. Would you rather have Kellen Davis and Gary Barnidge than Alex Smith and Ben Watson? I personally don't know.

    There are names still out there: Dallas Clark, K2, Chris Cooley, Randy McMichael, Ed Dickson, Will Heller, Kevin Boss.

    You want one of them?

    Or are you willing to go into the season with Cameron, Davis, Barnidge, Dan Gronkowski, Brad Smelley, and Garrett Hoskins...and Travis Tannahill .

    ....apparently the Browns are.

    And, at cornerback, the Browns did pick up 2 players in FA, and one in the draft. So, you have Haden, McFadden, Skrine, Wade, Bademosi, Barnes, Owens, Prince Miller, and Josh Aubrey.

    You want another FA?

    Know who the best names out there are?:

    Chris Gamble, but he is retiring

    Quentin Jammer

    ....and Sheldon Brown

    ...and Nate Clements.

    all older than what the Browns want to go for.

    The Browns GOT people. Maybe they just ain't the ones you wanted...but they were the ones they wanted.

  • @thenew23 said:

    I love your passion, and hell ya if I was a free agent I'd go play for the Browns... for free (or close to it)...

    but let's be honest, these guys are young and rich... they want to get drunk, laid, and see a show on their days off. PLUS, these guys want to win championships. What would make them want to come here? Do you really think most of these guys care about the fan base as much as Kosar and Sipe did? This is a new era of egotism and self-centeredness where the lifestyle is more important than game or the fans...

    Are you saying that playing the game and working at their craft is secondary to them? If so, they should not be playing.

    @the-gipper said:

    Are you saying that playing the game and working at their craft is secondary to them? If so, they should not be playing.

    For many of these guys, yes.

  • Skeptical2013 said:

    My issue is that the Browns should have had a strategy on day one to aggresively pursue a CB and TE. For cyring out loud, they had the money to attract people! It seems to me they made a strong effort in this area only after most of the quality guys were signed. This new ownership group is a bunch of losers, just like all the other ones. Lombardi is supposed to be a hot shot who can evaluate and persuade. He's just another in the long list of losers here. Either you are all in to win or just get out and do something else. The fact the Browns now have a horrific lack of quality and quality depth in the secondary and at tight end is inexcusable given all the FA money they had and their excellent drafting positions in rounds 1,3, 4 and 5. Those weaknesses will cost the Browns at least 3-4 games this coming season, weaknesses that could have been filled. Poor Weeden, too, he has nothing to throw to at tight end.

    This wait till next year stuff is nonsense and giving away those two draft picks was a disaster when you consider there were good quality athletes there for the taking. I'm sure the people in the war rooms at Cincy, Pittsburgh and Baltimore just laugh at the Browns ineptitude year after year. It truly is pathetic.

    Let's be clear that one thing is involved here: Lombardi has a failed track record at selecting talent.

    So, yes, the choices he has made and the moves he has made do NOT inspire confidence....in anyone perhaps except he and Banner.

    But, maybe they will work out.

    And, FYI the Browns DID go out and get a couple of tight ends in FA. Would you rather have Kellen Davis and Gary Barnidge than Alex Smith and Ben Watson? I personally don't know.

    There are names still out there: Dallas Clark, K2, Chris Cooley, Randy McMichael, Ed Dickson, Will Heller, Kevin Boss.

    You want one of them?

    Or are you willing to go into the season with Cameron, Davis, Barnidge, Dan Gronkowski, Brad Smelley, and Garrett Hoskins...and Travis Tannahill .

    ....apparently the Browns are.

    And, at cornerback, the Browns did pick up 2 players in FA, and one in the draft. So, you have Haden, McFadden, Skrine, Wade, Bademosi, Barnes, Owens, Prince Miller, and Josh Aubrey.

    You want another FA?

    Know who the best names out there are?:

    Chris Gamble, but he is retiring

    Quentin Jammer

    ....and Sheldon Brown

    ...and Nate Clements.

    all older than what the Browns want to go for.

    The Browns GOT people. Maybe they just ain't the ones you wanted...but they were the ones they wanted.

    @the-gipper said:

    Let's be clear that one thing is involved here: Lombardi has a failed track record at selecting talent.

    So, yes, the choices he has made and the moves he has made do NOT inspire confidence....in anyone perhaps except he and Banner.

    But, maybe they will work out.

    And, FYI the Browns DID go out and get a couple of tight ends in FA. Would you rather have Kellen Davis and Gary Barnidge than Alex Smith and Ben Watson? I personally don't know.

    There are names still out there: Dallas Clark, K2, Chris Cooley, Randy McMichael, Ed Dickson, Will Heller, Kevin Boss.

    You want one of them?

    Or are you willing to go into the season with Cameron, Davis, Barnidge, Dan Gronkowski, Brad Smelley, and Garrett Hoskins...and Travis Tannahill .

    ....apparently the Browns are.

    And, at cornerback, the Browns did pick up 2 players in FA, and one in the draft. So, you have Haden, McFadden, Skrine, Wade, Bademosi, Barnes, Owens, Prince Miller, and Josh Aubrey.

    You want another FA?

    Know who the best names out there are?:

    Chris Gamble, but he is retiring

    Quentin Jammer

    ....and Sheldon Brown

    ...and Nate Clements.

    all older than what the Browns want to go for.

    The Browns GOT people. Maybe they just ain't the ones you wanted...but they were the ones they wanted.

    There were several decent DBs and TEs the Browns could have signed with some effort and some money at the begining of the FA period, like DB Sean Smith. And, now, I don't think Woodson is signed -- why not bring him in to help mentor the kids and provide some depth at S/CB?

    You think the three TEs the Browns have area any good? They are horrific!!! Cameron was a very bad pick and the two FAs are zeroes when it comes to catching the ball. Davis was kicked out of Chicago he is so bad as a receiver. The fact that Weeden does not have a receiving option at TE in this new offense is a complete and total disaster!

  • @the-gipper said:

    Let's be clear that one thing is involved here: Lombardi has a failed track record at selecting talent.

    So, yes, the choices he has made and the moves he has made do NOT inspire confidence....in anyone perhaps except he and Banner.

    But, maybe they will work out.

    And, FYI the Browns DID go out and get a couple of tight ends in FA. Would you rather have Kellen Davis and Gary Barnidge than Alex Smith and Ben Watson? I personally don't know.

    There are names still out there: Dallas Clark, K2, Chris Cooley, Randy McMichael, Ed Dickson, Will Heller, Kevin Boss.

    You want one of them?

    Or are you willing to go into the season with Cameron, Davis, Barnidge, Dan Gronkowski, Brad Smelley, and Garrett Hoskins...and Travis Tannahill .

    ....apparently the Browns are.

    And, at cornerback, the Browns did pick up 2 players in FA, and one in the draft. So, you have Haden, McFadden, Skrine, Wade, Bademosi, Barnes, Owens, Prince Miller, and Josh Aubrey.

    You want another FA?

    Know who the best names out there are?:

    Chris Gamble, but he is retiring

    Quentin Jammer

    ....and Sheldon Brown

    ...and Nate Clements.

    all older than what the Browns want to go for.

    The Browns GOT people. Maybe they just ain't the ones you wanted...but they were the ones they wanted.

    There were several decent DBs and TEs the Browns could have signed with some effort and some money at the begining of the FA period, like DB Sean Smith. And, now, I don't think Woodson is signed -- why not bring him in to help mentor the kids and provide some depth at S/CB?

    You think the three TEs the Browns have area any good? They are horrific!!! Cameron was a very bad pick and the two FAs are zeroes when it comes to catching the ball. Davis was kicked out of Chicago he is so bad as a receiver. The fact that Weeden does not have a receiving option at TE in this new offense is a complete and total disaster!

    Skeptical2013 said:

    There were several decent DBs and TEs the Browns could have signed with some effort and some money at the begining of the FA period, like DB Sean Smith. And, now, I don't think Woodson is signed -- why not bring him in to help mentor the kids and provide some depth at S/CB?

    You think the three TEs the Browns have area any good? They are horrific!!! Cameron was a very bad pick and the two FAs are zeroes when it comes to catching the ball. Davis was kicked out of Chicago he is so bad as a receiver. The fact that Weeden does not have a receiving option at TE in this new offense is a complete and total disaster!

    I am sure any amount of second guessing can be done about who the Browns did pick up in FA and who they didn't. You could ask "why didn't they get Wallace or Welker at TE?" Or "Why didn't they get Fred Davis or Jared Cook"...well, because they didn't.

    They have no interest in Woodson because he is OLD. Notice that the Browns did not go after any FAs over 30.

    And, also, I think the Browns have a completely different view about Cameron than you do. They believe he can be a very viable receiving TE.

    So, their opinion differs from yours.

    Guess what....as much as we question Lombanner.....I am still going to go with their opinion over yours.

  • I am doing this here because it fits better than where we were having this discussion about the Steelers Gains and Losses Comparison. Remember, this involves losses in FA vs. gains in FA plus the draft (ignoring UDFAs) Give these a grade. Generally, to me....if things are exactly equal I would say a grade of C is in order. No gain/no loss.

    For major upgrade give an A+ or A- or B+, B,B-, or C+ for very minor upgrades. For downgrades give C-, D, F.

    Steelers comparison:

    Quarterbacks:

    Gained: Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones

    Lost: Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch

    Grade:

    Running Backs:

    Gained: Leveon Bell, LaRod Stephens-Howling

    Lost: Rashad Mendenhall, Isaac Redman

    Grade:

    Tight Ends:

    Gained: Matt Spaeth

    Lost: Leonard Pope, David Johnson

    Grade:

    Wide Receivers:

    Gained: Markus Wheaton, Justin Brown

    Lost: Mike Wallace

    Grade:

    Offensive Line:

    Gained: Guy Whimper

    Lost: Willie Colon, Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky, Max Starks

    Grade:

    Defensive Line:

    Gained: Nick Williams

    Lost: Casey Hampton

    Grade:

    Linebackers:

    Gained: Jarvis Jones, Vince Williams

    Lost: James Harrison, Brandon Johnson

    Grade:

    Defensive Backs:

    Gained: William Gay, Terry Hawthorne, Shamarko Thomas

    Lost: Will Allen, Keenan Lewis, Ryan Mundy

    Special Teams: Punter

    Lost: Jeremy Kapinos

    Gained: ??? nothing so far

    Give your grades

  • Let's do the Same for the Baltimore Ravens:

    Quarterback:

    Gained: Caleb Hanie

    Lost: none

    Grade:

    RB/FB:

    Gained: Kyle Juszczyk FB

    Lost: none

    Grade

    TE:

    Gained: none

    Lost: Billy Bajema

    Status pending: Dennis Pitta RFA

    Grade:

    Wide Receiver:

    Gained: Aaron Mellette

    Lost: Anquan Boldin (traded)

    Grade:

    Offensive Line:

    Gained: Rick Wagner, Ryan Jensen

    Lost: none

    Grade

    Defensive Line:

    Gained: Brandon Williams, John Simon, Kapron Lewis-Moore, Marcus Spears, Elvis Dumerville, Chris Canty

    Lost: Ryan McBean, Ma'ake Keomatu

    Grade:

    Linebackers:

    Gained: Arthur Brown, Rolando McClain

    Lost: Ray Lewis, Daniel Ellerbe, Paul Kruger, Brendan Ayenbadejo

    Grade:

    Defensive Backs:

    Gained: Matt Elam, Marc Anthony, Michael

    Lost: Sean Considine, Bernard Pollard, Ed Reed

    Grade:

  • Finally, lets do the Bengals:

    Quarterback:

    Gained: Josh Johnson, John Skelton

    Lost: Bruce Gradkowski

    Grade:

    RB/FB:

    Gained: Giovani Bernard, Rex Burkhead

    Lost: Brian Leonard

    Grade:

    Tight End:

    Gained: Tyler Eifert, Alex Smith

    Lost: none

    Grade:

    Wide Receiver:

    Gained: none

    Lost: none

    ???: Marvin Jones RFA , status pending

    Offensive Line:

    Gained: Tanner Hawkins, Reid Fragel, TJ Johnson

    Lost: none

    Defensive Line:

    Gained: Margus Hunt

    Lost: Pat Sims

    Grade:

    Linebacker:

    Gained: Sean Porter, James Harrison

    Lost: Thomas Howard, Manny Lawson, Dan Skuta

    Defensive Backs:

    Gained: Shawn Williams

    Lost: Jason Allen, Nate Clements, Chris Crocker

    Grade:

  • @tim-couch-pulls-out said:

    That's a Cleveland bias, plain and simple.

    Cleveland is not a favorable destination for free agents, no matter what anybody says. Until we start winning, nothing will change in that regard.

    Really? Then why did THE top rated FA linebacker come to Cleveland?

    Why did THE top rated FA defensive lineman come to Cleveland.

    The Best free agents out there came here.....so that disproves your "not a favorable destination" claim.

    I also think a large part of it is that these BEST free agents see that it is highly probable that the Browns will start winning soon.

    @the-gipper said:

    Really? Then why did THE top rated FA linebacker come to Cleveland?

    Why did THE top rated FA defensive lineman come to Cleveland.

    The Best free agents out there came here.....so that disproves your "not a favorable destination" claim.

    I also think a large part of it is that these BEST free agents see that it is highly probable that the Browns will start winning soon.

    He was overpaid, that's why he came to Cleveland. The defense is no doubt turning a corner but I'd bet he wasn't getting offers in the same ball park from other teams. They paid him a lot of money. They came because the Browns paid more than everyone else. It's not like any of the guys the Browns signed were part of league wide bidding wars. Kruger isn't even a 3 down linebacker.

  • I am doing this here because it fits better than where we were having this discussion about the Steelers Gains and Losses Comparison. Remember, this involves losses in FA vs. gains in FA plus the draft (ignoring UDFAs) Give these a grade. Generally, to me....if things are exactly equal I would say a grade of C is in order. No gain/no loss.

    For major upgrade give an A+ or A- or B+, B,B-, or C+ for very minor upgrades. For downgrades give C-, D, F.

    Steelers comparison:

    Quarterbacks:

    Gained: Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones

    Lost: Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch

    Grade:

    Running Backs:

    Gained: Leveon Bell, LaRod Stephens-Howling

    Lost: Rashad Mendenhall, Isaac Redman

    Grade:

    Tight Ends:

    Gained: Matt Spaeth

    Lost: Leonard Pope, David Johnson

    Grade:

    Wide Receivers:

    Gained: Markus Wheaton, Justin Brown

    Lost: Mike Wallace

    Grade:

    Offensive Line:

    Gained: Guy Whimper

    Lost: Willie Colon, Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky, Max Starks

    Grade:

    Defensive Line:

    Gained: Nick Williams

    Lost: Casey Hampton

    Grade:

    Linebackers:

    Gained: Jarvis Jones, Vince Williams

    Lost: James Harrison, Brandon Johnson

    Grade:

    Defensive Backs:

    Gained: William Gay, Terry Hawthorne, Shamarko Thomas

    Lost: Will Allen, Keenan Lewis, Ryan Mundy

    Special Teams: Punter

    Lost: Jeremy Kapinos

    Gained: ??? nothing so far

    Give your grades

    @the-gipper said:

    I am doing this here because it fits better than where we were having this discussion about the Steelers Gains and Losses Comparison. Remember, this involves losses in FA vs. gains in FA plus the draft (ignoring UDFAs) Give these a grade. Generally, to me....if things are exactly equal I would say a grade of C is in order. No gain/no loss.

    For major upgrade give an A+ or A- or B+, B,B-, or C+ for very minor upgrades. For downgrades give C-, D, F.

    Steelers comparison:

    Quarterbacks:

    Gained: Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones

    Lost: Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch

    Grade:

    Running Backs:

    Gained: Leveon Bell, LaRod Stephens-Howling

    Lost: Rashad Mendenhall, Isaac Redman

    Grade:

    Tight Ends:

    Gained: Matt Spaeth

    Lost: Leonard Pope, David Johnson

    Grade:

    Wide Receivers:

    Gained: Markus Wheaton, Justin Brown

    Lost: Mike Wallace

    Grade:

    Offensive Line:

    Gained: Guy Whimper

    Lost: Willie Colon, Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky, Max Starks

    Grade:

    Defensive Line:

    Gained: Nick Williams

    Lost: Casey Hampton

    Grade:

    Linebackers:

    Gained: Jarvis Jones, Vince Williams

    Lost: James Harrison, Brandon Johnson

    Grade:

    Defensive Backs:

    Gained: William Gay, Terry Hawthorne, Shamarko Thomas

    Lost: Will Allen, Keenan Lewis, Ryan Mundy

    Special Teams: Punter

    Lost: Jeremy Kapinos

    Gained: ??? nothing so far

    Give your grades

    They didn't lose Ramon Foster, he was signed to an extension. What also needs to be kept in mind is that the Steelers have players already on the roster set to take over for a lot of the vacancies. Worilds, Cortez Allen, McClendon/Ta'amu etc, etc, etc. The Steelers don't play in FA much, they build through the draft. All the top tier teams do.

  • Skeptical2013 said:

    There were several decent DBs and TEs the Browns could have signed with some effort and some money at the begining of the FA period, like DB Sean Smith. And, now, I don't think Woodson is signed -- why not bring him in to help mentor the kids and provide some depth at S/CB?

    You think the three TEs the Browns have area any good? They are horrific!!! Cameron was a very bad pick and the two FAs are zeroes when it comes to catching the ball. Davis was kicked out of Chicago he is so bad as a receiver. The fact that Weeden does not have a receiving option at TE in this new offense is a complete and total disaster!

    I am sure any amount of second guessing can be done about who the Browns did pick up in FA and who they didn't. You could ask "why didn't they get Wallace or Welker at TE?" Or "Why didn't they get Fred Davis or Jared Cook"...well, because they didn't.

    They have no interest in Woodson because he is OLD. Notice that the Browns did not go after any FAs over 30.

    And, also, I think the Browns have a completely different view about Cameron than you do. They believe he can be a very viable receiving TE.

    So, their opinion differs from yours.

    Guess what....as much as we question Lombanner.....I am still going to go with their opinion over yours.

    @the-gipper said:

    I am sure any amount of second guessing can be done about who the Browns did pick up in FA and who they didn't. You could ask "why didn't they get Wallace or Welker at TE?" Or "Why didn't they get Fred Davis or Jared Cook"...well, because they didn't.

    They have no interest in Woodson because he is OLD. Notice that the Browns did not go after any FAs over 30.

    And, also, I think the Browns have a completely different view about Cameron than you do. They believe he can be a very viable receiving TE.

    So, their opinion differs from yours.

    Guess what....as much as we question Lombanner.....I am still going to go with their opinion over yours.

    So, when Gipson get s hurt, tell me again about the "quality" free safety the Browns will have in the secondary?! Adding at least something Woodson, old or not, would be a help. It's a tragedy that the Browns front office shows no respect to all the fans who shell out big bucks for season tickets et al by going out and getting a TE and FS and make this team competitive in 2013, giving the fans at least something watchable. LIke in 2012, QBs are going to have a field day against the Browns' weak, no quality depth secondary and this team will once again be 5-11. How in the world can one run a TE-oriented offense without a quality tight end?!

  • Head Coach

    Lost: Pat Shurmur

    Gained: Chud

    Grade: There isn't one high enough

    OC

    Lost: Pat Shurmur

    Gained: Norv Turner

    Grade: There isn't one high enough

    DC

    Lost: Dicky J.

    Gained: Horton

    Grade: ? But I love it!

  • @the-gipper said:

    Really? Then why did THE top rated FA linebacker come to Cleveland?

    Why did THE top rated FA defensive lineman come to Cleveland.

    The Best free agents out there came here.....so that disproves your "not a favorable destination" claim.

    I also think a large part of it is that these BEST free agents see that it is highly probable that the Browns will start winning soon.

    He was overpaid, that's why he came to Cleveland. The defense is no doubt turning a corner but I'd bet he wasn't getting offers in the same ball park from other teams. They paid him a lot of money. They came because the Browns paid more than everyone else. It's not like any of the guys the Browns signed were part of league wide bidding wars. Kruger isn't even a 3 down linebacker.

    @vagitron said:

    He was overpaid, that's why he came to Cleveland. The defense is no doubt turning a corner but I'd bet he wasn't getting offers in the same ball park from other teams. They paid him a lot of money. They came because the Browns paid more than everyone else. It's not like any of the guys the Browns signed were part of league wide bidding wars. Kruger isn't even a 3 down linebacker.

    He? You mean "they". They got the top rated FA at two different positions.

    Every freeking NFL player out there is overpaid. If you are supposedly going to get the best then you have to pay the most.

    Maybe they did pay him $1.00 more than the next guy. Good. That is how NFL free agency works.

    And who really gives a crap what these guys are paid. They don't share any of it with me.

    And besides....after paying Kruger and Bryant et al, the Browns are still like 30 million over the cap.

    And the Steelers weren't. That is why they dumped so many FAs on their team, and are now relying on replacing them with draft picks.

  • @vagitron said:

    He was overpaid, that's why he came to Cleveland. The defense is no doubt turning a corner but I'd bet he wasn't getting offers in the same ball park from other teams. They paid him a lot of money. They came because the Browns paid more than everyone else. It's not like any of the guys the Browns signed were part of league wide bidding wars. Kruger isn't even a 3 down linebacker.

    He? You mean "they". They got the top rated FA at two different positions.

    Every freeking NFL player out there is overpaid. If you are supposedly going to get the best then you have to pay the most.

    Maybe they did pay him $1.00 more than the next guy. Good. That is how NFL free agency works.

    And who really gives a crap what these guys are paid. They don't share any of it with me.

    And besides....after paying Kruger and Bryant et al, the Browns are still like 30 million over the cap.

    And the Steelers weren't. That is why they dumped so many FAs on their team, and are now relying on replacing them with draft picks.

    @the-gipper said:

    He? You mean "they". They got the top rated FA at two different positions.

    Every freeking NFL player out there is overpaid. If you are supposedly going to get the best then you have to pay the most.

    Maybe they did pay him $1.00 more than the next guy. Good. That is how NFL free agency works.

    And who really gives a crap what these guys are paid. They don't share any of it with me.

    And besides....after paying Kruger and Bryant et al, the Browns are still like 30 million over the cap.

    And the Steelers weren't. That is why they dumped so many FAs on their team, and are now relying on replacing them with draft picks.

    Yep they were both overpaid by a desperate football franchise. They have drafted horribly and needed answers now. Kruger is a two down linebacker and i dont know a ton about Bryant. No matter the.cap.room how many years is it now that the Browns have drafted inside the top 10 in the last decade? How about the steelers? Good teams dont over pay in free agency, they pay their own and draft well enough to not be desperate. The Browns should take notes, so should you. Mr. Apathetic. I mean Mr. Football clueless when it involves anything outside the Browns.

  • We got rid of Josh Johnson? Awe...

  • @the-gipper said:

    He? You mean "they". They got the top rated FA at two different positions.

    Every freeking NFL player out there is overpaid. If you are supposedly going to get the best then you have to pay the most.

    Maybe they did pay him $1.00 more than the next guy. Good. That is how NFL free agency works.

    And who really gives a crap what these guys are paid. They don't share any of it with me.

    And besides....after paying Kruger and Bryant et al, the Browns are still like 30 million over the cap.

    And the Steelers weren't. That is why they dumped so many FAs on their team, and are now relying on replacing them with draft picks.

    Yep they were both overpaid by a desperate football franchise. They have drafted horribly and needed answers now. Kruger is a two down linebacker and i dont know a ton about Bryant. No matter the.cap.room how many years is it now that the Browns have drafted inside the top 10 in the last decade? How about the steelers? Good teams dont over pay in free agency, they pay their own and draft well enough to not be desperate. The Browns should take notes, so should you. Mr. Apathetic. I mean Mr. Football clueless when it involves anything outside the Browns.

    @vagitron said:

    Yep they were both overpaid by a desperate football franchise. They have drafted horribly and needed answers now. Kruger is a two down linebacker and i dont know a ton about Bryant. No matter the.cap.room how many years is it now that the Browns have drafted inside the top 10 in the last decade? How about the steelers? Good teams dont over pay in free agency, they pay their own and draft well enough to not be desperate. The Browns should take notes, so should you. Mr. Apathetic. I mean Mr. Football clueless when it involves anything outside the Browns.

    All of that about free agency is just your (fucking stupid) opinion.

    And I know more about football in my pinky than you will ever know in your short, miserable life.

    The Browns have lost a lot of games......that is THE full extent of what you know about football outside of some picayune facts about your team....that yes, no one else cares about.

    You have no clue as to why they have lost those games. You are actually clueless as to why the Steelers have won many.

    But, here is a fact that I know that you delude yourself is not true: The Steelers as currently constituted are not a very good team.

    Their talent in most areas is mediocre. The talented players they have are long in the tooth and on the downside of their careers. (Polamalu; old. BR...not quite the same after so many injuries) You have what you think are some good young players....but you think they are good merely because they say Pittsburgh Steelers on their jersey. The likes of DeCastro and Jarvis Jones and others might be good prospects.....but there is no assurance of that. They might be Ariel Castro and Jerry Jones. They may be no better than the prospects on 31 other teams.