@tour2ma said:

Huge? Here's their production over the past two seasons...

McC: 28 games; 3 INT; 26 Passes Defended; 2 Forced Fumbles; 113 tackles; 19 assists

EJG: 22 games; 1 INT; 16 Passes Defended; 4 Forced Fumbles; 95 tackles; 20 assists

I get younger option, but what am I missing?

FWIW, before McC hurt his ankle - PFF had him ranked #1 for a while.  That said, when you're 31 or 32 how well do you bounce back from injury.  Now factor in - that was an ankle injury that impacts stop and go as well as change of direction.  Anyone remember our CB Leigh Bodden (out of Duquesne) who played well enough for a contract extension here only to have an ankle injury he could never shake immediately after the extension?  Even BB in NE couldn't cpr the magic back into him. 

@nero said:

I'm with you. This unit doesn't make me excited to watch it next play season. It was awful last year, so almost any change could have made it better. 

But there have been so many moves that now I'm wondering if we'll aim for secondary in 1st or 2nd round. The more I think of it, the more I'm convinced we'll go QB-Chubb and then RB with #33 (or earlier). 

Good discussion guys!

Here's another way to look at it.   Antonio Brown is the best WR in the NFL.  If we fail to prepare for that barometer - we should prepare to fail.

One of the biggest things SF did back in the day to help jumper cable/perpetuate their dynasty was draft 3 starters in their secondary in 81 when they drafted Ronnie Lott rd 1, Eric Wright rd 2, and Carlton Williamson rd 3.

A lot of times the pass rush gets credit for the success at the back end; but there's been teams where better coverage at the back end has created more sacks.  I wouldn't mind getting us to somewhere in between.

@tour2ma said:

I still thinking Ward... Yes, we've made moves, but where is the shutdown corner?

As Runyon pointed out we still have to see what Howard Wilson can bring, but someone has to push Carrie back to slot duty.

And Safety is a real unknown... times two.

I'm with you. This unit doesn't make me excited to watch it next play season. It was awful last year, so almost any change could have made it better. 

But there have been so many moves that now I'm wondering if we'll aim for secondary in 1st or 2nd round. The more I think of it, the more I'm convinced we'll go QB-Chubb and then RB with #33 (or earlier). 

@jcam222 said:

so do we think enough attention has been paid to our secondary that its an unlikely position to be drafted  in rounds 1 or 2? I am starting to think so. 

I still thinking Ward... Yes, we've made moves, but where is the shutdown corner?

As Runyon pointed out we still have to see what Howard Wilson can bring, but someone has to push Carrie back to slot duty.

And Safety is a real unknown... times two.

@poeticg said:

We've added pieces all over the team, we really don't have any holes right now. We could go and play tomorrow if we had to. We've set ourselves up to take what the draft is going to give us, BPA all the way- it's what successful teams do. I see it as it should be, you fill your holes in FA and take the best players and make yourself better through the draft/development process. 

Going into FA, our biggest needs were QB, CB/S, RB, WR, OL. We've solidly addressed all of these. 

Well since RB isn't a need anymore, no reason to draft your boy ? JK

@tour2ma said:

Dissenting opinion...

Ian Wharton‏Verified account @NFLFilmStudy

Considering the Browns had like for corners dressed for games last year I can see how this is a down grade, we dont even know how good....or bad Howard Wilson is yet. I think the Browns are better in the secondary. We have a free safety who can cover for sure, thats an upgrade. We definitely have more depth and quality depth. We will see how it works out but I suspect our nickel and dime packages are a lot better already.

@jcam222 said:

so do we think enough attention has been paid to our secondary that its an unlikely position to be drafted  in rounds 1 or 2? I am starting to think so. 

We've added pieces all over the team, we really don't have any holes right now. We could go and play tomorrow if we had to. We've set ourselves up to take what the draft is going to give us, BPA all the way- it's what successful teams do. I see it as it should be, you fill your holes in FA and take the best players and make yourself better through the draft/development process. 

Going into FA, our biggest needs were QB, CB/S, RB, WR, OL. We've solidly addressed all of these. 

@jcam222 said:

so do we think enough attention has been paid to our secondary that its an unlikely position to be drafted  in rounds 1 or 2? I am starting to think so. 

NoNo

Soft tissue injuries frequently

@tour2ma said:

Dissenting opinion...

Ian Wharton‏Verified account @NFLFilmStudy

so this dude has never coached at any level let alone being a scout for a NFL team and u put this crap out there like i am going to take his word over what Dorsey has planned ? 

@tour2ma said:

Dissenting opinion...

Ian Wharton‏Verified account @NFLFilmStudy

Well then, maybe, hopefully they DO still have some DBs in mind for early in the draft.   If they don't take one at 4, I think they have to get one or two in rounds 2-3.

Ian Wharton‏Verified account @NFLFilmStudy

May be another indication that they may not be going DB with that 4th pick.

@logicisforsquares said:

Tour, you just don't see that the guy is a real leader. I would say a "real football player". Fiery. A real winner. And other stuff that can't be measured and/or related to football in anyway.

All joking aside, I hope Gaines plays well and can stay on the field.

If he stays on the field the gains will be ours

@tour2ma said:

Huge? Here's their production over the past two seasons...

McC: 28 games; 3 INT; 26 Passes Defended; 2 Forced Fumbles; 113 tackles; 19 assists

EJG: 22 games; 1 INT; 16 Passes Defended; 4 Forced Fumbles; 95 tackles; 20 assists

I get younger option, but what am I missing?

Tour, you just don't see that the guy is a real leader. I would say a "real football player". Fiery. A real winner. And other stuff that can't be measured and/or related to football in anyway.

All joking aside, I hope Gaines plays well and can stay on the field.

@syd said:

even with missed games still a huge upgrade over McCourtney

Huge? Here's their production over the past two seasons...

McC: 28 games; 3 INT; 26 Passes Defended; 2 Forced Fumbles; 113 tackles; 19 assists

EJG: 22 games; 1 INT; 16 Passes Defended; 4 Forced Fumbles; 95 tackles; 20 assists

I get younger option, but what am I missing?

John Kosko‏ @PFF_JohnKosko 24m24 minutes ago

John Kosko@JohnKosko3

Gaines 13th best CB in NFL last year. Good signing by the Browns x.com/adross77/statu…

Mar 23, 2018 54 2View on X

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John Kosko Retweeted Andy Ross

@tour2ma said:

So if he's available he's good... got it.

even with missed games still a huge upgrade over McCourtney

@hoorta said:

nfl.com has him listed an inch taller 5' 10", and depending on who you want to believe  185 or 195. 

Mine were DraftScout numbers from his ProDay... but I cheated him out of 1/2"... measured at 5'09.5... and 190#.

@syd said:

PFF ranked him as the 13th best corner in the league either you have a nose for the ball or you don't and seems to have it  maybe this will shut up all the winners about trading McCourtney

So if he's available he's good... got it.

@tour2ma said:

Healthy thru college (Mizzou), but missed 5 games each of past two years.

Short 5'09... slightly long wingspan... only a 31.5" vert...OK speed 4.51.

I like how you say "only" 31" vertical yours is what?  Yeah, 40+" is good, but that doesn't necessarily translate to NFL success.   https://www.cheatsheet.com/sports/what-are-the-highest-vertical-jumps-in-nfl-scouting-combine-history.html/?a=viewall

nfl.com has him listed an inch taller 5' 10", and depending on who you want to believe  185 or 195.   Played for Williams on the Rams, so Greg knows what he's getting...  

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/03/browns_sign_cb_ej_gaines_reuni.html