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2015 - FA / Draft / Notes

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  • @tim-couch-pulls-out said:

    Doubt it.

    Well, anything can happen. But he has the build NFL teams want at a position in high demand. Combined that with coaching that has a ton of NFL experience, and I think it has a very good chance of happening.

    I'll admit though, I'm just riding his hype train right now. He has a very good chance though

    Also... Ya... Top half of the first is kind of an outrageous prediction for a sophomore that hasn't really played, no matter how hyped or highly rated he is, haha. I'll give you that.

    @mld-woody said:

    Well, anything can happen. But he has the build NFL teams want at a position in high demand. Combined that with coaching that has a ton of NFL experience, and I think it has a very good chance of happening.

    I'll admit though, I'm just riding his hype train right now. He has a very good chance though

    Also... Ya... Top half of the first is kind of an outrageous prediction for a sophomore that hasn't really played, no matter how hyped or highly rated he is, haha. I'll give you that.

    I was basing it more off of the fact that those SS/LB tweeters seemingly always get hyped early and then plummet. Carolina had a few guys like that over the last years, called them "spur" backs. Always got a lot of hype, never ended up doing too much. Darian Stewart was one and he ended up going undrafted.

    Not to say that will happen here, it's just those positions have a bad juujuu.

  • and safeties aren't really hot commodities in the first round(ever)......lots and lots of super talented undersized linebackers and slow CB's to fill that void.....

  • @mld-woody said:

    Well, anything can happen. But he has the build NFL teams want at a position in high demand. Combined that with coaching that has a ton of NFL experience, and I think it has a very good chance of happening.

    I'll admit though, I'm just riding his hype train right now. He has a very good chance though

    Also... Ya... Top half of the first is kind of an outrageous prediction for a sophomore that hasn't really played, no matter how hyped or highly rated he is, haha. I'll give you that.

    I was basing it more off of the fact that those SS/LB tweeters seemingly always get hyped early and then plummet. Carolina had a few guys like that over the last years, called them "spur" backs. Always got a lot of hype, never ended up doing too much. Darian Stewart was one and he ended up going undrafted.

    Not to say that will happen here, it's just those positions have a bad juujuu.

    @tim-couch-pulls-out said:

    I was basing it more off of the fact that those SS/LB tweeters seemingly always get hyped early and then plummet. Carolina had a few guys like that over the last years, called them "spur" backs. Always got a lot of hype, never ended up doing too much. Darian Stewart was one and he ended up going undrafted.

    Not to say that will happen here, it's just those positions have a bad juujuu.

    No no no. If anything he's a "CB/S tweener". Really though he's just a DB. He was rated the #1 CB/ #1 ATH. We are good at CB though, and he can play this Safety/Nickel/46 position very well. He's not a LB/SS tweener. He has the build to be a prototypical NFL CB, and may even get drafted as a CB still, but we're running him in this hybrid position because it allows him to make the most plays and best utilize his skilset

    We had one of those awhile ago in Stevie Brown. He was the starting FS on the Giants and was leading the LG in INTs one season until he messed his knee up. I'm not sure where he is now.

  • and safeties aren't really hot commodities in the first round(ever)......lots and lots of super talented undersized linebackers and slow CB's to fill that void.....

    @mudfly said:

    and safeties aren't really hot commodities in the first round(ever)......lots and lots of super talented undersized linebackers and slow CB's to fill that void.....

    I'm not sure what you mean by "hot commodity". Will there be 8 of them drafted? No. But I think 4 were drafted in the first last year. If you look back through the last 10 years or so of draft picks, 1st rd safeties are normally pretty good.

  • Joe Thomas: Johnny Manziel lost trust of locker room last year

    Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel might be nearing the end of his rehab, but he still has a way to go before he can legitimately walk back onto the field for his team.

    Last year’s first-round pick still has a long climb back to football relevance, after making such a mess of his hand-delivered starting assignment last year. And it’s the way he handled that assignment that makes his teammates wonder.

    “I think he’s going to have to prove to the team that football is important and being the man, being the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, is important, it is his goal, his single goal in his life,” left tackle Thomas told Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. “You know, I think he lost probably a lot of trust among the guys on the team last year by the way he handled himself once he became the starter. And I think he had a lot of time to reflect, I’m guessing, after the season was over by the comments he made in the media and by his actions, checking himself into rehab, . . . I think those were really positive steps.

    “I’m hoping when we comes back in April we see a new Johnny and everybody’s blown away with his commitment. And I think he’s got the talent, so it’s just a matter of if he commits himself to it, we can have a really good quarterback on our hands.”

    Of course, the Browns have covered themselves for the possibility that he won’t by signing Josh McCown, and the fact they’ve been linked with Sam Bradford and Marcus Mariota makes it clear they’re not finished at the position.

    “Obviously there’s some uncertainty with Johnny right now and that’s why we brought in Josh,” Thomas said. “He’s a guy that if he’s asked to carry the flag this year, he’s going to do a great job. There’s a chance we draft somebody or there’s a chance Johnny comes back and he’s a new person and he’s rededicated to football, and he turns into the great quarterback that we expected when we drafted him in the first round.”

    And doing that might prove to be a bigger hurdle than anything he’s doing off the field.

    http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/06/joe-thomas-johnny-manziel-lost-trust-of-locker-room-last-year/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

    He has a bit more hope than I do, but then he's been in practice with the guy . . .

  • Joe Thomas: Johnny Manziel lost trust of locker room last year

    Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel might be nearing the end of his rehab, but he still has a way to go before he can legitimately walk back onto the field for his team.

    Last year’s first-round pick still has a long climb back to football relevance, after making such a mess of his hand-delivered starting assignment last year. And it’s the way he handled that assignment that makes his teammates wonder.

    “I think he’s going to have to prove to the team that football is important and being the man, being the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, is important, it is his goal, his single goal in his life,” left tackle Thomas told Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. “You know, I think he lost probably a lot of trust among the guys on the team last year by the way he handled himself once he became the starter. And I think he had a lot of time to reflect, I’m guessing, after the season was over by the comments he made in the media and by his actions, checking himself into rehab, . . . I think those were really positive steps.

    “I’m hoping when we comes back in April we see a new Johnny and everybody’s blown away with his commitment. And I think he’s got the talent, so it’s just a matter of if he commits himself to it, we can have a really good quarterback on our hands.”

    Of course, the Browns have covered themselves for the possibility that he won’t by signing Josh McCown, and the fact they’ve been linked with Sam Bradford and Marcus Mariota makes it clear they’re not finished at the position.

    “Obviously there’s some uncertainty with Johnny right now and that’s why we brought in Josh,” Thomas said. “He’s a guy that if he’s asked to carry the flag this year, he’s going to do a great job. There’s a chance we draft somebody or there’s a chance Johnny comes back and he’s a new person and he’s rededicated to football, and he turns into the great quarterback that we expected when we drafted him in the first round.”

    And doing that might prove to be a bigger hurdle than anything he’s doing off the field.

    http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/06/joe-thomas-johnny-manziel-lost-trust-of-locker-room-last-year/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

    He has a bit more hope than I do, but then he's been in practice with the guy . . .

    @jafbf said:

    http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/06/joe-thomas-johnny-manziel-lost-trust-of-locker-room-last-year/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

    He has a bit more hope than I do, but then he's been in practice with the guy . . .

    Yes, Joe does... if you're looking for a flag bearer.

    “He’s a guy that if he’s asked to carry the flag this year, he’s going to do a great job... or there’s a chance Johnny comes back and he’s a new person and he’s rededicated to football, and he turns into the great quarterback that we expected when we drafted him in the first round.”

  • Hypothetical here with the news that the Titans are shopping #2

    Would you like the Browns to trade up to #2 to draft......... Leonard Williams? Keep in mind this would probably cost two 1st Rounders and two 3rd Rounders.

    I for one would love this move. I know Farmer gets a lot of shit from a decent percentage of the fan base, but I think he did a great job with the 2nd, 3rd, and UDFA period of last years draft. The eye for "diamond-in-the-rough" talent seems to be there. I just don't want anymore wasted top draft picks, and I think if a trade is there for the best player in the draft, you take it.

  • Hypothetical here with the news that the Titans are shopping #2

    Would you like the Browns to trade up to #2 to draft......... Leonard Williams? Keep in mind this would probably cost two 1st Rounders and two 3rd Rounders.

    I for one would love this move. I know Farmer gets a lot of shit from a decent percentage of the fan base, but I think he did a great job with the 2nd, 3rd, and UDFA period of last years draft. The eye for "diamond-in-the-rough" talent seems to be there. I just don't want anymore wasted top draft picks, and I think if a trade is there for the best player in the draft, you take it.

    @mdmusch said:

    Hypothetical here with the news that the Titans are shopping #2

    Would you like the Browns to trade up to #2 to draft......... Leonard Williams? Keep in mind this would probably cost two 1st Rounders and two 3rd Rounders.

    I for one would love this move. I know Farmer gets a lot of shit from a decent percentage of the fan base, but I think he did a great job with the 2nd, 3rd, and UDFA period of last years draft. The eye for "diamond-in-the-rough" talent seems to be there. I just don't want anymore wasted top draft picks, and I think if a trade is there for the best player in the draft, you take it.

    If they traded up to #2 it would be for a QB.

  • Hypothetical here with the news that the Titans are shopping #2

    Would you like the Browns to trade up to #2 to draft......... Leonard Williams? Keep in mind this would probably cost two 1st Rounders and two 3rd Rounders.

    I for one would love this move. I know Farmer gets a lot of shit from a decent percentage of the fan base, but I think he did a great job with the 2nd, 3rd, and UDFA period of last years draft. The eye for "diamond-in-the-rough" talent seems to be there. I just don't want anymore wasted top draft picks, and I think if a trade is there for the best player in the draft, you take it.

    @mdmusch said:

    Hypothetical here with the news that the Titans are shopping #2

    Would you like the Browns to trade up to #2 to draft......... Leonard Williams? Keep in mind this would probably cost two 1st Rounders and two 3rd Rounders.

    I for one would love this move. I know Farmer gets a lot of shit from a decent percentage of the fan base, but I think he did a great job with the 2nd, 3rd, and UDFA period of last years draft. The eye for "diamond-in-the-rough" talent seems to be there. I just don't want anymore wasted top draft picks, and I think if a trade is there for the best player in the draft, you take it.

    Short answer, no.

  • NO. That would be a ridiculously dumb move.

  • Hmmm.. Surprised by this

    I guess I'm about as far away from the terrible NT/RT or NT/WR or OLB/WR 1st Round ideas floated around here.

    I'd rather have an elite talent or Mariota then some of these other scenarios

  • Hmmm.. Surprised by this

    I guess I'm about as far away from the terrible NT/RT or NT/WR or OLB/WR 1st Round ideas floated around here.

    I'd rather have an elite talent or Mariota then some of these other scenarios

    @mdmusch said:

    Hmmm.. Surprised by this

    I guess I'm about as far away from the terrible NT/RT or NT/WR or OLB/WR 1st Round ideas floated around here.

    I'd rather have an elite talent or Mariota then some of these other scenarios

    L. Williams is the best prospect in this draft period not Mariota. And they do need a QB. Hearing No on draft trades so what. Offer 12 OR 19, Manziel, Gordon or T. Benjamin(FA 16) or Schwartz (FA 2016). Yea I know, maybe my dumbest post ever. Or is it??

  • I agree he is on the 2015 elite short list (and it is a short list), but is Williams the best prospect in this draft for Pet's system?

    As for terrible 12/19 combos... there have been a few, but packaging them up with both 3rds trumps is right up (down?) there with them.

  • Stand pat and take the 2 of the best 20 players available to be drafted. Would be nice to replace some of the playmakers we lost. Rubin, Sheard, Skrine and Cameron.

    We really don't need another CB, which is why I'm not to upset with letting Skrine go, loved that guy but we are stacked at CB right now and I think Buster deserved a payday.

    Sheard was a DE/OLB and we have a few of those on the roster. I would love to see Denzel Perryman though in Orange and Brown. The FO missed the boat when they could have taken Burfict but maybe Farmer is smarter than the last crew.

    Replacing Rubin will be tough, through and through Cleveland Brown... for years and years, grinding away. I love Rubin, he's a warrior. But, if we can replace Rubin with Danny Shelton I'll consider it a good move, because as good as Rubin has played for us he's not the same caliber of player that Dan Shelton is. There is a reason Shelton is a Top 10 talent and Rubin went in the 6th round.

    Losing Cameron was a HUGE BLOW to Cleveland. Not only losing him but the way in which it went about. I've been rooting for him since we first heard about him before the draft when he was taken in the fourth round. I don't think he has injury issues, just the luck of the draw. And any man that lays out for ball like Cam did for those broke ass passes that got him hurt deserves props... that said though, Cam can go fuck himself. Dude burned us for Miami, that's fine Cam, that's fine. Peace out, you made your bed bro. I say replace him with Maxx Williams. First round TE? Yeah, we don't see many of those, so why is this guy a first round talent? Well, he's big as hell, strong and smart. He'll be able to block in the run game(something Cam couldn't do), block in the pass when needed to(something Cam couldn't do) and he'll make the tough catches much like a Todd Heap for the Ravens. Heap was is the Career Receptions for TD leader and played 10 seasons and in two probowls. Williams' dad and his grandpa both played in the NFL, so the pedigree and the knowledge of what it takes is known to him. He could replace Cameron and we wouldn't miss a beat or even know that he was gone.

    I'm asking that we take Shelton and Williams at 12 and 19 and that will be a monster first round. Studs on both side of the ball.

  • ...Although, I see Randy Moss in DGB all over again. That kid with Josh Gordon, will be something special. If Gordon can stay on the right path, that would make for an Amazing Wideout group. DGB, Gordon, Hawkins, Hartline and Benjamin/Bowe. Sweet Jesus, I almost forgot about Gabriel. They are the perfect compliment receivers to players like Gordon and Dorial Green-Beckham.

  • Maybe if we were in Colorado

  • ...Although, I see Randy Moss in DGB all over again. That kid with Josh Gordon, will be something special. If Gordon can stay on the right path, that would make for an Amazing Wideout group. DGB, Gordon, Hawkins, Hartline and Benjamin/Bowe. Sweet Jesus, I almost forgot about Gabriel. They are the perfect compliment receivers to players like Gordon and Dorial Green-Beckham.

    @poeticg said:

    ...Although, I see Randy Moss in DGB all over again. That kid with Josh Gordon, will be something special. If Gordon can stay on the right path, that would make for an Amazing Wideout group. DGB, Gordon, Hawkins, Hartline and Benjamin/Bowe. Sweet Jesus, I almost forgot about Gabriel. They are the perfect compliment receivers to players like Gordon and Dorial Green-Beckham.

    DGB doesn't have the hands, speed or body control like Moss. Though, I don't think anyone ever has..

    If anything he's a homeless man's Calvin Johnson.

  • Sorry Mud there goes C Stefen Wisniewski to the Jags for a mere 2.5 Million for 1 year. But the door may be open in 2016. Resigning Mack best option IMO before LA finds a Team..

  • Sorry Mud there goes C Stefen Wisniewski to the Jags for a mere 2.5 Million for 1 year. But the door may be open in 2016. Resigning Mack best option IMO before LA finds a Team..

    @gumby73 said:

    Sorry Mud there goes C Stefen Wisniewski to the Jags for a mere 2.5 Million for 1 year. But the door may be open in 2016. Resigning Mack best option IMO before LA finds a Team..

    Dagnabbit!

    That, right there, was a completely blown opportunity.......

  • Got a few minutes and ran across this :

    Tramon Williams: This is a playoff-caliber team Free agent cornerback knows how to win in the postseason In eight active seasons with the Green Bay Packers,
    Tramon Williamsicon-article-link.gif missed the playoffs only once.

    And even though the Cleveland Browns’ postseason drought has reached its 12th season, the cornerback isn’t booking any tropical vacations for the month of January.

    After merely two days of conditioning, lengthy meetings with the defensive coaching staff and chit-chatting with members of his secondary, Williams doesn’t just think the seeds have been planted for Cleveland; he sees key components of winning already starting to bloom.

    “This is a playoff-caliber team,” Williams said with conviction Tuesday. “The feeling that I get in the building is that everyone believes.”

    If there’s anybody who knows what a playoff team looks like, it’s Williams.

    A defensive back with a penchant for taking the right risks, Williams picked off three passes during Green Bay’s improbable 2010 playoff run, capping a Wild Card berth with a Super Bowl win over the Steelers. In total, Williams has played in 13 playoff contests.

    A self-described “film junkie,” Williams is obsessed with football -- a characteristic coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer said is a priority when they sign a free agent -- and not just from September to January. Every year before OTAs begin, Williams pops in tape of the best cornerbacks in the league in hopes of borrowing some new techniques for the upcoming season.

    For the last several years, a regular character in Williams’ film rotation has been Mr. Cleveland himself: Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Hadenicon-article-link.gif.

    “I like Joe’s game,” Williams said, strongly emphasizing the syllables in like. “It’s kind of similar to mine. That was another opportunity (that made me want) to come in and to play with a guy like that. He plays very, very hard.”

    Haden, now entering his sixth season with the Browns, was not shy in admitting it stung to watch his former partner in crime Buster Skrine sign a lucrative offer from the New York Jets. He was happy for his buddy Skrine, but Cleveland was losing a hard-working, well-respected, productive player.

    The pain quickly subsided when the Browns announced days later they’d struck a deal with Williams.

    042215_haden_jump.jpg

    “I can just tell from the beginning that he’s a true professional. He does everything the right way,” Haden said of Williams. “He’s got a wife and two kids. We were just hollering at each other earlier about his family that’s still in Houston.

    “He knows the game. We are in there going over the playbook and this isn’t his scheme at all – but he just gets it. He’s got everything down pat. I can tell he’s a quick learner. He’s a pro’s pro. He’s going to fit into the room really well.”

    It was a tad strange for Williams to see his locker full of orange and brown gear instead of the green and gold. He knows the NFL is a business and changing uniforms is something nearly every player experiences.

    It was enthralling for Farmer and Pettine to see Williams and his long dreadlocks in the building during the voluntary portion of offseason workouts. The power pair knows the NFL is a business and getting the right veteran players to change uniforms like Karlos Dansbyicon-article-link.gif and Donte Whitnericon-article-link.gif can lead to more wins.

    So far, Williams’ uplifting attitude and confidence about winning make him seem like he is that right guy.

    “I came in and made myself known to the guys. They took me in with open arms,” Williams said. “That’s just how the chips fall. Guys have been good to me so far, the coaches have been great. I’m liking what I’m hearing from those guys. Hopefully we can get the ball rolling.”

    http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Tramon-Williams-This-is-a-playoff-caliber-team/a5f8dd72-569b-4a88-9370-5455b66bae5c

    They also changed their Home page with a few of the new Uniforms.