@tour2ma said:

See what I can do.

http://espn.go.com/blog/seattle-seahawks/post/_/id/5118/paul-mcquistan-to-join-cleveland-browns

Seattle Seahawks free-agent offensive lineman Paul McQuistan has reached a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, a source revealed to ESPN’s John Clayton on Monday.

If he helps us run the ball as well as they did, then great.

@the-gipper said:

Others have been doing a fine job. I didn't feel the need to be redundant.

How 'bout the need to update your OP?

XxDaBuckeyexX said:

Again. I think you are wrong. I think Gipson has Pro Bowl potential. At worst he has proven very solid. Well above average.

That position is NOT a priority for this team.

A QB, an OG, an ILB, a WR are by far higher needs.

XxDaBuckeyexX said:

I think Browns' fans are over-valuing Gipson. Getting a difference maker there would be bigger for the D than any other position.

I don't think so.

He's no pro bowler, but he's solid starter. It could use an upgrade but nowhere near as big a need as CB#2, OL, CB#2, ILB.

When I look at a difference maker like jarius byrd I see a guy who got overpaid.

And a guy like Pryor will be drafted at the same point where we could get an equal talent at a different position. Although I do like Pryor.

XxDaBuckeyexX said:

I disagree. Getting another ILB is bigger...as that was one of the Browns weakest positions, and Dansby alone isn't enough.

And most graded Gipson performance as well ahead of Skrine's, so that #2 CB is also more critical. Gipson handled that job pretty darn well last year. Are you still stuck on the fact that he was a UFA? That he doesn't have a big enough name? That should be irrelevent. This report by Will Burge notes that the safeties last year did about as well as any Browns unit:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1905276-grading-every-cleveland-browns-starters-2013-regular-season

Right now, our options are Pinkston, Robertson, Skrine, and Little... not going to find much better left in FA, so it's important we fill those needs with our many picks. The problem is there is no OG or ILB worthy of a pick at #4, and it's hard to justify spending that early of a pick on a WR2... Still a long way to go until the picture starts to become clear, but it is nice to have so few holes to fill...

Almost forgot, the only way QB isn't a need is if Hoyer is our guy. With 5 picks in the top 3 rounds, it's possible to get a QB and fill those needs.

#2WR: Santonio Holmes, Mile Austin, Donario Alexander, Darius Heyward-Bey, Sidney Rice

#2CB: Dmitri Patterson, Carlos Rogers, Mike Jenkins, Antonio Cromartie

OG: Ebon Britton, John Jerry, Zach Allen, Richie Incognito

FB: John Kuhn, Vonta Leach, LaRon McClain, Lex Hilliard

QB: Shaun Hill, Michael Vick, Matt Flynn, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh Freeman, Kevin Kolb, Rex Grossman

Any interest in anyone on these lists?...or anyone else that you may know to be out there as a FA at these slots?

My views:

QB: Grossman possible for veteran backup.....but QB likely a draft pickup

FB: Kuhn would be good....or one of the other proven veteran FBs would be OK

But it looks like CB, WR, OG are spots slated to be filled by draftees (unless the staff is OK with Skrine/McFadden at CB)

@the-gipper said:

Other:

Dray, Truffant, Hawkins (perhaps)

I think we can safely say that we can plan to get that #2 WR at the draft. Any other FA potentials out there in the meantime?

Zombo said:

He kicked well enough last year. Not a position to worry about, really. If you're picking up a new Phil the Foot in the later rounds then great, otherwise no problems going with Cundiff.

@hoorta said:

Ya, that's not a lot for a kicker. It was smart to keep a veteran kicker on the roster, I think he'll get challanged in camp by Bogatay or another young leg, may or may not keep the job.

Zombo

@slowburn said:

@babernakle said:

agree

Sorry, but you're both misinformed- or nuts. Cundiff is making a tad over one million this year $1,020,000 to be exact. Vet minimum for a guy with his experience is $855k. That little extra is chump change to the Browns.He's not Phil Dawson- but he doesn't totally suck either.

@mr.-make-believe said:

What with that cap number?? Brutal. I'd SAY they lik Hawkins. What a strange signing.

That could explain the signing. As opposed to someone like Little or Bess, who run 5 yard routes on 3rd and 7, etc.

@thenew23 said:

What with that cap number?? Brutal. I'd SAY they lik Hawkins. What a strange signing.

@thenew23 said:

Perhaps. Nothing official though right?

And does he fill the need at the #2 WR? I am thinking of him more as a slot guy.

Not only that but ESPN lists Hawkins as only the 60th best WR available in FA.

They have Brian Tyms and Davone Bess, guys we cut, as rated better than him.

So? Is he an upgrade or not?

@momszer said:

Others have been doing a fine job. I didn't feel the need to be redundant. Also, the only updates from what Z put on are the additions you listed. ....and I do not think they filled the needs that I had earlier identified. Truffant not the answer to the #2 CB, and Dray is depth at a position I thought was OK.

QB:

RB:

FB?: (if they even choose to fill)

WR#2:

OG:

MLB1 Karlos Dansby 4 yr $24 Mil, 14 Gtd.

MLB2:

S: Donte Whitner agrees to 4-year, $28 million

CB:

P:

K: Billy Cundiff

Any other

TE: Billy Dray

ST: Truffant

@bbedward said:

Again, premature. None of these guys are spackle until they have been troweled out of the can, applied to the hole and hardened.

(does anyone find that statement oddly sexual?)

Edelman and Tate would fill 2 more needs here.

And it looks like Hoyer will be our starter with a rookie and possibly grossman.

Then that leaves us with WR#2, CB#2, OG, MLB#2, P.

Not that crazy IMO.

Well this has slowed... We're not looking at the draft to fill all of these holes, surely...