... it sets up the Browns to cash in on compensatory picks, should any of these newcomers leave after the season. In the new collective bargaining agreement, free agents who sign one-year deals that still make at least $1.75 million factor into the gains in the losses in the compensatory formula. Not so coincidentally, of all the free agents the Browns have secured via one-year deals, only returner JoJo Natson signed for less than the $1.75 million threshold.

https://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/27629/browns-banking-one-year-deals-will-pay-off-for-defense-now-and-later

@canton-mike said:

Yep! I "positively" told 'em to "go to hell" & I'm optimistic & hopeful that they will do so! 

Mike

Don't worry, they'll be burying me face down so that I don't get lost.

@tour2ma said:

Are they still making that flavor?

@darren15 said:

Anyone else having a Berry crush ?

Are they still making that flavor?

So far we've seen nothing, but strong indications that all the interactive, unity, collaboration stuff we heard when Berry was brought on board is coming to fruition.

Signs of input, especially from the Coaching staff, are all over the place.

Still early yet... still the off-season... still in the honeymoon phase... still a little early to tell the detractors (and they know who they are, Dutch... ) where to go...

... but maybe they ought to at least start packing.

@dutch-oven said:

Yeah, who needs anyone to be objective?

And nothing says "optimistic" like telling people to "go to hell".  

Yep! I "positively" told 'em to "go to hell" & I'm optimistic & hopeful that they will do so! 

Mike

@canton-mike said:

I readily admit to being a lifelong optimistic Browns Fan & it beats the hell outta being a negative, whiney, pessimist!

Mike

Yeah, who needs anyone to be objective?

And nothing says "optimistic" like telling people to "go to hell".  

@dutch-oven said:

Canton Mike, completely head-over-heels with whoever is currently in charge for the Browns?

Who would have seen this? ?

I readily admit to being a lifelong optimistic Browns Fan & it beats the hell outta being a negative, whiney, pessimist!

Mike

@dutch-oven said:

Canton Mike, completely head-over-heels with whoever is currently in charge for the Browns?

Who would have seen this? ?

Mike is an athletic supporter so there's that.?

Who would have seen this? ?

@ballpeen said:

Actually we did fix RG.  With Conklin at RT, we can move Hubbard to RG which he played well when with Pittsburgh.

Interesting take.... all I can find is reference to one start and "some experience" at RG, but it may well suit him better.

At least he can be kept around to compete for the spot.

@warriorsrpussies said:

Nerds came though today. Makes me a lot less worried about the draft. This will probably piss off the old fucks that flunked math that gather on this board.

Well you got 1 out of 3. No, I did quite well on math SAT and math GRE. No, I'm quite happy with day 1 FA. Yes, I am one of the oldest MFers on this board along with Canton Mike who also appears quite happy. How was your math Mike you elated old son of a bitch???

When I see what deals other TE's and OT got we did well for Conklin and Hooper

@tour2ma said:

RG?

Damn... you've gotten even onrier during your absence.

Actually we did fix RG.  With Conklin at RT, we can move Hubbard to RG which he played well when with Pittsburgh.

@tour2ma said:

We've Cleveland... we have to overpay...

Man, maybe this could go on the left side of the helmet while your other one goes on the right? 

@louisville-slugger said:

In all fairness the only good move was Conklin. We over paid for Hooper and Keenum is a 6 million dollar backup. I dont hate any of these pickups but I wouldn't say hes killing it. 

We have alot of holes to fill on defense and it seems that money would have been better spent on that side of the ball

It has only been since noon. Hold on to your butt. 

But yes, some gaping holes still to spackle. 

@sdbacker80 said:

Conklin and Hooper are coming off great years too and they aren’t long long term deals that cripple cap room either for years.  
 

Keenum is nice backup that is a luxury for a team with our cap space and again a non crippling long term cap move too.

great signings IMO.

defense needs a TON of work though 

Agreed on all counts & I trust the effort made will continue. There is still much to be done, but Berry & staff earned a LOT of credibility today.

Mike

We have alot of holes to fill on defense and it seems that money would have been better spent on that side of the ball