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Browns sign a 2 year deal for veteran OT Cornelius Lucas

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  • I guess it helps to be a big dude if your folks are going to saddle you with the name “Cornelius.” Welcome aboard Cornelius. 

    sydS syd wrote on last edited by
    #7

    @ibleedbrown said:

    I guess it helps to be a big dude if your folks are going to saddle you with the name “Cornelius.” Welcome aboard Cornelius. 

  • @flugel said:

    The Browns don't seem to be finding the 7th Round Cody Risien from College Station

    ...and this guy went undrafted.  But like you say, he's played a lot and has been able to stay in the league for 10 yrs.  And as Ballpeen said, He's probably better than Hudson.  -  It's a step in the right direction.  

    FlugelF Flugel wrote on last edited by
    #8

    @orion said:

    ...and this guy went undrafted.  But like you say, he's played a lot and has been able to stay in the league for 10 yrs.  And as Ballpeen said, He's probably better than Hudson.  -  It's a step in the right direction.  

    That's true!  I think the Redskins already signed his replacement - Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil.

  • @orion said:

    ...and this guy went undrafted.  But like you say, he's played a lot and has been able to stay in the league for 10 yrs.  And as Ballpeen said, He's probably better than Hudson.  -  It's a step in the right direction.  

    That's true!  I think the Redskins already signed his replacement - Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil.

    A AP1 wrote on last edited by
    #9

    @flugel said:

    That's true!  I think the Redskins already signed his replacement - Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil.

    Houston got a 3rd and a 7th in 2025 and a 2nd and a 4th in 2026.

    Washington got a 4th in 2025 along with Tunsil.

    Tunsil has made 5 Pro Bowls and is in the final year of a 3 year/$75M contract. No doubt, the Commanders will extend him.

  • sydS syd

    @ibleedbrown said:

    I guess it helps to be a big dude if your folks are going to saddle you with the name “Cornelius.” Welcome aboard Cornelius. 

    Bob806B Bob806 wrote on last edited by
    #10

    @syd said:

    Ah, back in the day where Woody would "air it out," Green normally wouldn't throw 15 passes in a game.

  • BernieSuperBowl2B BernieSuperBowl2 wrote on last edited by
    #11

    Jack Conklin is a potential post-June 1 cut candidate like they did with Dalvin Tomlinson. It would free up almost $15M in cap space. 

  • Jack Conklin is a potential post-June 1 cut candidate like they did with Dalvin Tomlinson. It would free up almost $15M in cap space. 

    IbleedbrownI Ibleedbrown wrote on last edited by
    #12

    @berniesuperbowl2 said:

    Jack Conklin is a potential post-June 1 cut candidate like they did with Dalvin Tomlinson. It would free up almost $15M in cap space. 

    I think it’s a safe bet something will transpire with Jack, either a restructure or a cut. Somewhere the conversation will be had that starts off, “Jack, we like you, but…”

  • Jack Conklin is a potential post-June 1 cut candidate like they did with Dalvin Tomlinson. It would free up almost $15M in cap space. 

    OrionO Orion wrote on last edited by
    #13

    @berniesuperbowl2 said:

    Jack Conklin is a potential post-June 1 cut candidate

    Well, at the moment, we need offensive tackles.  We just signed a guy that the Commanders purposely moved on from.  I view him as a backup...who can man the position while a starter is dinged.  We've gotta protect our star QB Picket.  🙂  

  • Jack Conklin is a potential post-June 1 cut candidate like they did with Dalvin Tomlinson. It would free up almost $15M in cap space. 

    ballpeenB ballpeen wrote on last edited by
    #14

    @berniesuperbowl2 said:

    Jack Conklin is a potential post-June 1 cut candidate like they did with Dalvin Tomlinson. It would free up almost $15M in cap space. 

    It's always a possibility but with a lot of questions at the T position, I don't see it as likely.

  • A AP1

    @flugel said:

    That's true!  I think the Redskins already signed his replacement - Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil.

    Houston got a 3rd and a 7th in 2025 and a 2nd and a 4th in 2026.

    Washington got a 4th in 2025 along with Tunsil.

    Tunsil has made 5 Pro Bowls and is in the final year of a 3 year/$75M contract. No doubt, the Commanders will extend him.

    FlugelF Flugel wrote on last edited by Flugel
    #15

    @ap1 said:

    Houston got a 3rd and a 7th in 2025 and a 2nd and a 4th in 2026.

    Washington got a 4th in 2025 along with Tunsil.

    Tunsil has made 5 Pro Bowls and is in the final year of a 3 year/$75M contract. No doubt, the Commanders will extend him.

    When you have a FO that knows what they're doing by getting the QB as well as the right offensive coaches in place to have an offensive design and implementation plan compatible with their QB's skillset beginning in in practice #1 of season #1 - making it to a Conference Championship Game was possible.  Above all, they are planning to protect their investment at QB with an elite LT.  

    Meanwhile, in Cleveland - the trial and error continues... I can just see our FO's train of thought - "Tunsil?  Do LTs score TDs?  What do the Commanders know that we don't?"  Yeah...  Don't mess with the practice squad prototypes we're signing though.  So much for the rose colored glasses I was trying to put on for our new offensive tackle.  We just learned his position was the biggest upgrade the Commanders felt they needed...

  • @ap1 said:

    Houston got a 3rd and a 7th in 2025 and a 2nd and a 4th in 2026.

    Washington got a 4th in 2025 along with Tunsil.

    Tunsil has made 5 Pro Bowls and is in the final year of a 3 year/$75M contract. No doubt, the Commanders will extend him.

    When you have a FO that knows what they're doing by getting the QB as well as the right offensive coaches in place to have an offensive design and implementation plan compatible with their QB's skillset beginning in in practice #1 of season #1 - making it to a Conference Championship Game was possible.  Above all, they are planning to protect their investment at QB with an elite LT.  

    Meanwhile, in Cleveland - the trial and error continues... I can just see our FO's train of thought - "Tunsil?  Do LTs score TDs?  What do the Commanders know that we don't?"  Yeah...  Don't mess with the practice squad prototypes we're signing though.  So much for the rose colored glasses I was trying to put on for our new offensive tackle.  We just learned his position was the biggest upgrade the Commanders felt they needed...

    A AP1 wrote on last edited by
    #16

    @flugel said:

    When you have a FO that knows what they're doing by getting the QB as well as the right offensive coaches in place to have an offensive design and implementation plan compatible with their QB's skillset beginning in in practice #1 of season #1 - making it to a Conference Championship Game was possible.  Above all, they are planning to protect their investment at QB with an elite LT.  

    Meanwhile, in Cleveland - the trial and error continues... I can just see our FO's train of thought - "Tunsil?  Do LTs score TDs?  What do the Commanders know that we don't?"  Yeah...  Don't mess with the practice squad prototypes we're signing though.  So much for the rose colored glasses I was trying to put on for our new offensive tackle.  We just learned his position was the biggest upgrade the Commanders felt they needed...

    I believe the Texans got a franchise LT for a really good deal, but what do I know?

    To further your point, it seems there are plenty of picks in the next couple of drafts for the Browns to have done something similar to get a franchise LT. But again, what do I know?

  • BernieSuperBowl2B BernieSuperBowl2 wrote on last edited by
    #17

    At least on paper, Lucas is an upgrade over both of our tackles from last year. 

    PFF grades him pretty high:

    image.thumb.png.8fd2405cf75b5ba7a7c943283413cf0e.png

    Look at Jedrick Wills grade, basically a third stringer:

    image.thumb.png.db53a89fbb98bdc48b158db017e9f37f.png

    Even Conklin was mediocre for his fat salary:

    image.thumb.png.4997b05cbd1ac8c8499a0f7b5108f7ea.png

  • @ap1 said:

    Houston got a 3rd and a 7th in 2025 and a 2nd and a 4th in 2026.

    Washington got a 4th in 2025 along with Tunsil.

    Tunsil has made 5 Pro Bowls and is in the final year of a 3 year/$75M contract. No doubt, the Commanders will extend him.

    When you have a FO that knows what they're doing by getting the QB as well as the right offensive coaches in place to have an offensive design and implementation plan compatible with their QB's skillset beginning in in practice #1 of season #1 - making it to a Conference Championship Game was possible.  Above all, they are planning to protect their investment at QB with an elite LT.  

    Meanwhile, in Cleveland - the trial and error continues... I can just see our FO's train of thought - "Tunsil?  Do LTs score TDs?  What do the Commanders know that we don't?"  Yeah...  Don't mess with the practice squad prototypes we're signing though.  So much for the rose colored glasses I was trying to put on for our new offensive tackle.  We just learned his position was the biggest upgrade the Commanders felt they needed...

    T TexasAg1969 wrote on last edited by
    #18

    @flugel said:

    Meanwhile, in Cleveland - the trial and error continues... I can just see our FO's train of thought - "Tunsil?  Do LTs score TDs?  What do the Commanders know that we don't?"  Yeah...  Don't mess with the practice squad prototypes we're signing though.  So much for the rose colored glasses I was trying to put on for our new offensive tackle.  We just learned his position was the biggest upgrade the Commanders felt they needed...

    We don't need any of these fatties-Ghoulie?

  • @flugel said:

    Meanwhile, in Cleveland - the trial and error continues... I can just see our FO's train of thought - "Tunsil?  Do LTs score TDs?  What do the Commanders know that we don't?"  Yeah...  Don't mess with the practice squad prototypes we're signing though.  So much for the rose colored glasses I was trying to put on for our new offensive tackle.  We just learned his position was the biggest upgrade the Commanders felt they needed...

    We don't need any of these fatties-Ghoulie?

    FlugelF Flugel wrote on last edited by
    #19

    @texasag1969 said:

    We don't need any of these fatties-Ghoulie?

    We got a well paid Zumba Instructor that will get them in REAL GOOD shape... ?

  • At least on paper, Lucas is an upgrade over both of our tackles from last year. 

    PFF grades him pretty high:

    image.thumb.png.8fd2405cf75b5ba7a7c943283413cf0e.png

    Look at Jedrick Wills grade, basically a third stringer:

    image.thumb.png.db53a89fbb98bdc48b158db017e9f37f.png

    Even Conklin was mediocre for his fat salary:

    image.thumb.png.4997b05cbd1ac8c8499a0f7b5108f7ea.png

    OrionO Orion wrote on last edited by
    #20

    @berniesuperbowl2 said:

    At least on paper, Lucas is an upgrade over both of our tackles from last year. 

    PFF grades him pretty high:

    image.thumb.png.8fd2405cf75b5ba7a7c943283413cf0e.png

    Look at Jedrick Wills grade, basically a third stringer:

    image.thumb.png.db53a89fbb98bdc48b158db017e9f37f.png

    Even Conklin was mediocre for his fat salary:

    image.thumb.png.4997b05cbd1ac8c8499a0f7b5108f7ea.png

    Conklin & Wills couldn't even start the season because they were still rehabbing from season ending injuries the season before.  While I wouldn't hold out much hope for Wills playing any better perhaps Conklin might be better this year.  Hopefully the new guy is as good as PFF thinks.

  • @berniesuperbowl2 said:

    At least on paper, Lucas is an upgrade over both of our tackles from last year. 

    PFF grades him pretty high:

    image.thumb.png.8fd2405cf75b5ba7a7c943283413cf0e.png

    Look at Jedrick Wills grade, basically a third stringer:

    image.thumb.png.db53a89fbb98bdc48b158db017e9f37f.png

    Even Conklin was mediocre for his fat salary:

    image.thumb.png.4997b05cbd1ac8c8499a0f7b5108f7ea.png

    Conklin & Wills couldn't even start the season because they were still rehabbing from season ending injuries the season before.  While I wouldn't hold out much hope for Wills playing any better perhaps Conklin might be better this year.  Hopefully the new guy is as good as PFF thinks.

    ballpeenB ballpeen wrote on last edited by
    #21

    @orion said:

    Conklin & Wills couldn't even start the season because they were still rehabbing from season ending injuries the season before.  While I wouldn't hold out much hope for Wills playing any better perhaps Conklin might be better this year.  Hopefully the new guy is as good as PFF thinks.

    I don't think it's a matter of what PFF thinks.  It's what the stats tell them.  That said, past grades don't mean future grades will show the same thing.

  • @orion said:

    Conklin & Wills couldn't even start the season because they were still rehabbing from season ending injuries the season before.  While I wouldn't hold out much hope for Wills playing any better perhaps Conklin might be better this year.  Hopefully the new guy is as good as PFF thinks.

    I don't think it's a matter of what PFF thinks.  It's what the stats tell them.  That said, past grades don't mean future grades will show the same thing.

    BernieSuperBowl2B BernieSuperBowl2 wrote on last edited by
    #22

    @ballpeen said:

    I don't think it's a matter of what PFF thinks.  It's what the stats tell them.  That said, past grades don't mean future grades will show the same thing.

    Wills is trash. Conklin is washed up. The stats DO matter. 

    Conklin was an All-Pro in 2020. He blew out his patellar tendon in 2021, tore his ACL in 2023. He's not the same guy. People think just because he was an All-Pro 5 years ago that he's still a stud. He's not. He's now an average tackle at best. Cut him, save $15M in cap space if there is something comparable. But don't tell me Conklin is going to be an All-Pro ever again, just like Chubb sadly, his best days are in the past and the injuries & age caught up to him.  

  • tiamat63T tiamat63 wrote on last edited by
    #23

    Having a 33 year old OT can be rough. 

    The bright spot that helps pass pro, and (IMHO) can artificially inflate grades would be something like the Washington offense.  They use a lot of high percentage and quick hitting throws, especially as an extension of the running game. 

    How 33 year knees hold up in an outside zone may be a different story entirely. But it helps to alleviate the major concern, this season anyway, that we have at OT. 

  • BernieSuperBowl2B BernieSuperBowl2 wrote on last edited by
    #24

    They restructured Conklin's contract. Run him into the ground for whatever football is left in him and then he's a free agent next year.

    Revised Contract Framework
    The new deal secures a $10 million salary for the coming season, with $9 million guaranteed and the opportunity to earn an additional $2 million in incentives. This restructuring eliminates a contractual year, transitioning Conklin’s free-agent status from 2027 to 2026. The adjustment effectively reduces the overall contract value from an earlier projection of approximately $17.7 million, contributing to the team’s broader financial rebalancing efforts.

    Jeremy Fowler@JFowlerESPN
    Veteran RT Jack Conklin and #Browns agreed to a revised contract that keeps him in Cleveland.

    Deal removes a year — he’s now a 2026 free agent instead of 2027 — and pays $10M ($9M guaranteed) with the chance to earn extra $2M in incentives. Deal negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus.
  • @ballpeen said:

    I don't think it's a matter of what PFF thinks.  It's what the stats tell them.  That said, past grades don't mean future grades will show the same thing.

    Wills is trash. Conklin is washed up. The stats DO matter. 

    Conklin was an All-Pro in 2020. He blew out his patellar tendon in 2021, tore his ACL in 2023. He's not the same guy. People think just because he was an All-Pro 5 years ago that he's still a stud. He's not. He's now an average tackle at best. Cut him, save $15M in cap space if there is something comparable. But don't tell me Conklin is going to be an All-Pro ever again, just like Chubb sadly, his best days are in the past and the injuries & age caught up to him.  

    ballpeenB ballpeen wrote on last edited by
    #25

    @berniesuperbowl2 said:

    Wills is trash. Conklin is washed up. The stats DO matter. 

    Conklin was an All-Pro in 2020. He blew out his patellar tendon in 2021, tore his ACL in 2023. He's not the same guy. People think just because he was an All-Pro 5 years ago that he's still a stud. He's not. He's now an average tackle at best. Cut him, save $15M in cap space if there is something comparable. But don't tell me Conklin is going to be an All-Pro ever again, just like Chubb sadly, his best days are in the past and the injuries & age caught up to him.  

    Like i said, past grades don't mean future grades will be similar.  

    You are talking about different things than Orion was talking about.  My comment was about the new guy.

    Wills is a lazy player who could be good, but he doesn't have the desire to work at being good.  Conklin is a good player who has worked, but injuries have continued to plague him for several seasons.  At some point as a player gets older you do have to factor that into the equation. Things can shift from being a fluke, random injury that can happen to anybody, any time, to something more of a chronic nature.

    I know.   In the past if I got injured it was along the lines of stepping off a curb wrong and rolling an ankle.  That is a fluke thing. Can happen to anybody.  Now, after more than 70 years on this earth, I can go to bed feeling fine and wake up injured. That is a chronic thing.

  • @berniesuperbowl2 said:

    Wills is trash. Conklin is washed up. The stats DO matter. 

    Conklin was an All-Pro in 2020. He blew out his patellar tendon in 2021, tore his ACL in 2023. He's not the same guy. People think just because he was an All-Pro 5 years ago that he's still a stud. He's not. He's now an average tackle at best. Cut him, save $15M in cap space if there is something comparable. But don't tell me Conklin is going to be an All-Pro ever again, just like Chubb sadly, his best days are in the past and the injuries & age caught up to him.  

    Like i said, past grades don't mean future grades will be similar.  

    You are talking about different things than Orion was talking about.  My comment was about the new guy.

    Wills is a lazy player who could be good, but he doesn't have the desire to work at being good.  Conklin is a good player who has worked, but injuries have continued to plague him for several seasons.  At some point as a player gets older you do have to factor that into the equation. Things can shift from being a fluke, random injury that can happen to anybody, any time, to something more of a chronic nature.

    I know.   In the past if I got injured it was along the lines of stepping off a curb wrong and rolling an ankle.  That is a fluke thing. Can happen to anybody.  Now, after more than 70 years on this earth, I can go to bed feeling fine and wake up injured. That is a chronic thing.

    T TexasAg1969 wrote on last edited by
    #26

    @ballpeen said:

    I know.   In the past if I got injured it was along the lines of stepping off a curb wrong and rolling an ankle.  That is a fluke thing. Can happen to anybody.  Now, after more than 70 years on this earth, I can go to bed feeling fine and wake up injured. That is a chronic thing.

    Amen to that. Just last week (I'll be 78 on the 21st) I turned wrong in my sleep and woke up immediately with a "twinge" in my left knee. I walked it out with the dog before attempting racquetball later in the day. And yet I still don't understand why my wife won't give me a high paying no trade in extension contract.?‍???