@slimdawg said:

Trades are often done in such a way that a team can owe a pick within a range based on production for the new team.

But this has nothing to do with signing a free agent.

@gftchris said:

Not to be nit-picky here, but compensatory is the wrong terminology here. They would have been compensated with a pick equal to where he was drafted. So if he were drafted as a 3rd rounder, and they failed to match the Brown's offer, they would have owed Cincinnati a 3rd round pick.

Compensated with a pick is different than compensatory picks. Maybe not in plain English, but in NFL football business jargon it is.

@tour2ma said:

@tour2ma said:

lol.. Who's next? Melanie?

Austin is essentially seems to have settled into the "possession" role. Which for his size and relative lack of speed seems appropriate.

As for try... no. Take what the D gives. Mix it up. Trying to target a WR often ends badly.

Nah I wasnt talking about trying to force any throws to him, more like making him 1st read on more plays. Similar to the play they ran in back to back games which both resulted in TD's. I absolutely see him as a possession type reciever, he reminds me of Joe J. alot but I swear I remember Joe being more involved than what Austin is though

@thaak said:

We won't have to give Cincinnati anything. The NFL hands out compensatory picks.

And while the algorithm for how compensatory picks are handed out is convoluted at best, I don't believe an undrafted free agent will get you anything. Compensatory picks are handed out based on the drafted position of the free agents you lose.

Gotcha, I had it in my head that it was all about the players production the next year.

@tour2ma said:

I agree with this. Hoyer doesn't seem to play favorites and is spreading it around pretty good. I'd guess Austin gets targeted when he's open, eh? Seems to have good hands, but maybe a little slow. So not open as often as the younger guys. And not likely to provide the same YAC either. A very good role receiver, but not a 1 or 2 anymore.

@the-gipper said:

Pave paradise and put up a parking lot. Thanks Joni.

lol.. Who's next? Melanie?

@slimdawg said:

About Austin, am I the only one who thinks he's being underutilized??? He's averaging 3 receptions and 5 targets per game and 12 ypc. I know he' not going to produce like its 2009 again, but with his size and hands, I'm just a bit suprised they dont try and get him the ball a little more. Especially considering all our other WR's are smaller shiftier guys. He's the only WR that can use his body to establish position and shield off the DB's.

Austin is essentially seems to have settled into the "possession" role. Which for his size and relative lack of speed seems appropriate.

As for try... no. Take what the D gives. Mix it up. Trying to target a WR often ends badly.

@slimdawg said:

@thaak said:

We won't have to give Cincinnati anything. The NFL hands out compensatory picks.

And while the algorithm for how compensatory picks are handed out is convoluted at best, I don't believe an undrafted free agent will get you anything. Compensatory picks are handed out based on the drafted position of the free agents you lose.

@manzier said:

Nope, no compensatory pick. Just a FA signing.

for clarification, Cinci tendered an 'Exclusive Rights FA' contract, meaning they had first refusal on any contract; if they refuse, they are entitled to a compensatory pick equivalent to where the player was drafted. However, since Hawkins was a UDFA, no pick is 'traded'.

We'd be in the same position with Gipson, FWIW.

@slimdawg said:

Nope, no compensatory pick. Just a FA signing.

And while the algorithm for how compensatory picks are handed out is convoluted at best, I don't believe an undrafted free agent will get you anything. Compensatory picks are handed out based on the drafted position of the free agents you lose.

I love what he's doing for the Browns right now.

I think he's a long term answer in the slot once Gordon comes back.

But I'm also really, really impressed with #18! Taylor Gabriel! He's making plays man! That's all this kid is doing right now is making plays!

About Austin, am I the only one who thinks he's being underutilized??? He's averaging 3 receptions and 5 targets per game and 12 ypc. I know he' not going to produce like its 2009 again, but with his size and hands, I'm just a bit suprised they dont try and get him the ball a little more. Especially considering all our other WR's are smaller shiftier guys. He's the only WR that can use his body to establish position and shield off the DB's.

@manzier said:

Pave paradise and put up a parking lot. Thanks Joni.

@the-gipper said:

5 targets, 3 catches for 42 yards. Damn, we've missed that kind of production.

@bbedward said:

Greg Little had a good game vs. scavengers yesterday.

Even worse is cincy is signing Greg little.