Browns sign a 2 year deal for veteran OT Cornelius Lucas
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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.
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.
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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.
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.????
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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.
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.
Love Conklins passion and zeal for the game.. But as you also mention Chubb... is declining... It happens to the best...I would love to see Chubb grind it out one more year...But I'm sadly facing like everyone else the reality it may be over for the Chubb era in CLE... He will for me always symbolize what Football in Cleveland is... Tradition... LeRoy Kelly.. Bobby Mitchell.. Ernie Davis.. Mack and Byner.. Greg and Mike Pruitt..... Hoard and Metcalf.... That is some damn fine talent to witness in a lifetime thus far... And I didnt mention Jim Brown although him Mitchell and Davis were just before my time.... Cleveland has a great tradition of running Backs who have become legendary and a huge part of the Cleveland Lore....
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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.
Love Conklins passion and zeal for the game.. But as you also mention Chubb... is declining... It happens to the best...I would love to see Chubb grind it out one more year...But I'm sadly facing like everyone else the reality it may be over for the Chubb era in CLE... He will for me always symbolize what Football in Cleveland is... Tradition... LeRoy Kelly.. Bobby Mitchell.. Ernie Davis.. Mack and Byner.. Greg and Mike Pruitt..... Hoard and Metcalf.... That is some damn fine talent to witness in a lifetime thus far... And I didnt mention Jim Brown although him Mitchell and Davis were just before my time.... Cleveland has a great tradition of running Backs who have become legendary and a huge part of the Cleveland Lore....
Love Conklins passion and zeal for the game.. But as you also mention Chubb... is declining... It happens to the best...I would love to see Chubb grind it out one more year...But I'm sadly facing like everyone else the reality it may be over for the Chubb era in CLE... He will for me always symbolize what Football in Cleveland is... Tradition... LeRoy Kelly.. Bobby Mitchell.. Ernie Davis.. Mack and Byner.. Greg and Mike Pruitt..... Hoard and Metcalf.... That is some damn fine talent to witness in a lifetime thus far... And I didnt mention Jim Brown although him Mitchell and Davis were just before my time.... Cleveland has a great tradition of running Backs who have become legendary and a huge part of the Cleveland Lore....
All teams have their own legendary players. That said I am glad that Nick is back in the fold. I always felt he needed at least 1 more season to see if he still has it. I still suspect the chances are good that age and injury have caught up, but I didn't want to find out he still had it while playing for some other team.
Work him in tandem with some new young blood back we draft and see what happens. I suspect if not, his contract is such that it won't be hard to see him go in 26.
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Another O lineman added. . .
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Another O lineman added. . .
Another O lineman added. . .
I really liked this guy coming out of Oklahoma State. Like Bitonio, he was a very good Tackle in college. He offers this team some good flexibility upfront. Very good signing in my opinion...
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The Browns on Thursday signed G Teven Jenkins (unrestricted free agent).
Jenkins (6-6, 321) is entering his fifth NFL season out of Oklahoma State. Originally selected by Chicago in the second round of the 2021 draft, Jenkins has appeared in 45 career games with 38 starts at left tackle, left guard and right guard. Last season, he started 14 games at left guard for the Bears.
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...just adding to the previous two posts. - Keep those OLinemen commin'. We need to sort out some good ones.
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I like it any time you can bring in a player who can, or at least push other players for starting time at multiple positions.
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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.
which is why I would like to see them bring back Wills on a one year deal and play him at RT
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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.
which is why I would like to see them bring back Wills on a one year deal and play him at RT
which is why I would like to see them bring back Wills on a one year deal and play him at RT
Syd you have some good ideas but this ain't one of them. What's he going to give us at RT with the same unwillingness to break a sweat that he didn't already give us at LT? Bringing him back would be rewarding all that. If this guy offered anything - don't you think 1 of 32 teams would have already signed him? If we're going to do that we should just put a classified ad in the paper "Gypsy needed - for a team that wants to pretend to solve their issues at offensive tackle. We offer an attractive signing bonus inclusive of a camel and flip-flops." And we wonder why we're bad. Dawand Jones shows up to camp 2 years in a row weighing 400 lbs as our best hope at LT? This is another guy that showed up with all the talent in the world not quite interested enough to prioritize it all for a career that requires commitment, discipline and effort. I don't care if he went to Ohio State - so did Orlando Pace who prioritized his NFL career to the extent he's in the Hall of Fame.
There's some good RTs in this draft we can get at a salary restricted rookie contract in rounds 3-6. There's also some good LTs in this draft in rounds 1-3. I wouldn't wait until round 3 per say, but we draft at the top of it. All I ask is can our scouts research some freakin work ethics this time around?
While Lucas is a current band-aid, he's 33 years old. That said, he does have 54 starts and participated in 129 games blended from the following teams: Lions, Rams, Saints, Bears and Washington.
I welcome the only Defensive Coordinator to earn a Superbowl Ring in New Orleans while understanding Revenge of the Nerds is a sequel. "Come get some!" -
I don't know if Lucas is any good, but the age doesn't bother me. At some positions age matters, some not so much. OL is one of those positions where age is less of a factor. I see linemen playing at a good level up near 40 years old.
Again, i don't know if he works out or not, but if he does i see no reason why he can't play for another 3-4 years. In todays toss and turn NFL, 3-4 years is about as much as you can expect out of any player.
To illustrate the age factor, age takes away speed before it takes away strength. O line isn't a position where speed is a key component to playing the position. Those guys usually start slow, and stay slow.
Speed for receivers is over rated. If a receiver runs at 4.6, the guy covering him is also running at 4.6. He can still get open if he has a bit of juke to him and can still make sharp, flat cuts.
On the other hand, if a corner runs a 4.6 but the receiver he is covering runs a 4.4, then you have a problem, so speed for a DB is far more important for a corner than it is for a receiver.
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I don't know if Lucas is any good, but the age doesn't bother me. At some positions age matters, some not so much. OL is one of those positions where age is less of a factor. I see linemen playing at a good level up near 40 years old.
Again, i don't know if he works out or not, but if he does i see no reason why he can't play for another 3-4 years. In todays toss and turn NFL, 3-4 years is about as much as you can expect out of any player.
To illustrate the age factor, age takes away speed before it takes away strength. O line isn't a position where speed is a key component to playing the position. Those guys usually start slow, and stay slow.
Speed for receivers is over rated. If a receiver runs at 4.6, the guy covering him is also running at 4.6. He can still get open if he has a bit of juke to him and can still make sharp, flat cuts.
On the other hand, if a corner runs a 4.6 but the receiver he is covering runs a 4.4, then you have a problem, so speed for a DB is far more important for a corner than it is for a receiver.
I don't know if Lucas is any good, but the age doesn't bother me. At some positions age matters, some not so much. OL is one of those positions where age is less of a factor. I see linemen playing at a good level up near 40 years old.
Again, i don't know if he works out or not, but if he does i see no reason why he can't play for another 3-4 years. In todays toss and turn NFL, 3-4 years is about as much as you can expect out of any player.
To illustrate the age factor, age takes away speed before it takes away strength. O line isn't a position where speed is a key component to playing the position. Those guys usually start slow, and stay slow.
Speed for receivers is over rated. If a receiver runs at 4.6, the guy covering him is also running at 4.6. He can still get open if he has a bit of juke to him and can still make sharp, flat cuts.
On the other hand, if a corner runs a 4.6 but the receiver he is covering runs a 4.4, then you have a problem, so speed for a DB is far more important for a corner than it is for a receiver.
I don't mind Lucas, believe it or not. I think he's a decent short term idea because in spite of his age the volume of play doesn't look like it caused a lot of wear and tear while it's given him enough experience to benefit him and the team he plays for. What I don't want the Browns to do is fall into a habit they can just settle for anyone at offensive tackle. That limits where you can run and how long you give your passer to throw. If we're going to invest in a QB - getting him a good LT is an ideal way to protect him. Like NE showed us - they got a rock solid LT from Purdue in 2001 (Matt Light) in the 2nd round who started 11 years protecting Brady's blind side. This year will have some good LTs in round 2 as well.
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I don't know if Lucas is any good, but the age doesn't bother me. At some positions age matters, some not so much. OL is one of those positions where age is less of a factor. I see linemen playing at a good level up near 40 years old.
Again, i don't know if he works out or not, but if he does i see no reason why he can't play for another 3-4 years. In todays toss and turn NFL, 3-4 years is about as much as you can expect out of any player.
To illustrate the age factor, age takes away speed before it takes away strength. O line isn't a position where speed is a key component to playing the position. Those guys usually start slow, and stay slow.
Speed for receivers is over rated. If a receiver runs at 4.6, the guy covering him is also running at 4.6. He can still get open if he has a bit of juke to him and can still make sharp, flat cuts.
On the other hand, if a corner runs a 4.6 but the receiver he is covering runs a 4.4, then you have a problem, so speed for a DB is far more important for a corner than it is for a receiver.
I don't mind Lucas, believe it or not. I think he's a decent short term idea because in spite of his age the volume of play doesn't look like it caused a lot of wear and tear while it's given him enough experience to benefit him and the team he plays for. What I don't want the Browns to do is fall into a habit they can just settle for anyone at offensive tackle. That limits where you can run and how long you give your passer to throw. If we're going to invest in a QB - getting him a good LT is an ideal way to protect him. Like NE showed us - they got a rock solid LT from Purdue in 2001 (Matt Light) in the 2nd round who started 11 years protecting Brady's blind side. This year will have some good LTs in round 2 as well.
I don't mind Lucas, believe it or not. I think he's a decent short term idea because in spite of his age the volume of play doesn't look like it caused a lot of wear and tear while it's given him enough experience to benefit him and the team he plays for. What I don't want the Browns to do is fall into a habit they can just settle for anyone at offensive tackle. That limits where you can run and how long you give your passer to throw. If we're going to invest in a QB - getting him a good LT is an ideal way to protect him. Like NE showed us - they got a rock solid LT from Purdue in 2001 (Matt Light) in the 2nd round who started 11 years protecting Brady's blind side. This year will have some good LTs in round 2 as well.
I get it, though I have to admit I won't be very happy drafting a LT that high this year. I am normally good with trenches guys, but we have a severe shortage of guys who get the ball and score points. I think we need to get a few more guys like that on the roster
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. -
I don't mind Lucas, believe it or not. I think he's a decent short term idea because in spite of his age the volume of play doesn't look like it caused a lot of wear and tear while it's given him enough experience to benefit him and the team he plays for. What I don't want the Browns to do is fall into a habit they can just settle for anyone at offensive tackle. That limits where you can run and how long you give your passer to throw. If we're going to invest in a QB - getting him a good LT is an ideal way to protect him. Like NE showed us - they got a rock solid LT from Purdue in 2001 (Matt Light) in the 2nd round who started 11 years protecting Brady's blind side. This year will have some good LTs in round 2 as well.
I get it, though I have to admit I won't be very happy drafting a LT that high this year. I am normally good with trenches guys, but we have a severe shortage of guys who get the ball and score points. I think we need to get a few more guys like that on the roster
we have a severe shortage of guys who get the ball and score points. I think we need to get a few more guys like that on the roster
Truth right there. QB, RB, TE, WR.
Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation. But maybe not as much as we need. People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year. Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft. Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.
BEING A BROWNS FAN IS A TEST TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN TAKE -
which is why I would like to see them bring back Wills on a one year deal and play him at RT
Syd you have some good ideas but this ain't one of them. What's he going to give us at RT with the same unwillingness to break a sweat that he didn't already give us at LT? Bringing him back would be rewarding all that. If this guy offered anything - don't you think 1 of 32 teams would have already signed him? If we're going to do that we should just put a classified ad in the paper "Gypsy needed - for a team that wants to pretend to solve their issues at offensive tackle. We offer an attractive signing bonus inclusive of a camel and flip-flops." And we wonder why we're bad. Dawand Jones shows up to camp 2 years in a row weighing 400 lbs as our best hope at LT? This is another guy that showed up with all the talent in the world not quite interested enough to prioritize it all for a career that requires commitment, discipline and effort. I don't care if he went to Ohio State - so did Orlando Pace who prioritized his NFL career to the extent he's in the Hall of Fame.
There's some good RTs in this draft we can get at a salary restricted rookie contract in rounds 3-6. There's also some good LTs in this draft in rounds 1-3. I wouldn't wait until round 3 per say, but we draft at the top of it. All I ask is can our scouts research some freakin work ethics this time around?
While Lucas is a current band-aid, he's 33 years old. That said, he does have 54 starts and participated in 129 games blended from the following teams: Lions, Rams, Saints, Bears and Washington.
Syd you have some good ideas but this ain't one of them. What's he going to give us at RT with the same unwillingness to break a sweat that he didn't already give us at LT? Bringing him back would be rewarding all that. If this guy offered anything - don't you think 1 of 32 teams would have already signed him? If we're going to do that we should just put a classified ad in the paper "Gypsy needed - for a team that wants to pretend to solve their issues at offensive tackle. We offer an attractive signing bonus inclusive of a camel and flip-flops." And we wonder why we're bad. Dawand Jones shows up to camp 2 years in a row weighing 400 lbs as our best hope at LT? This is another guy that showed up with all the talent in the world not quite interested enough to prioritize it all for a career that requires commitment, discipline and effort. I don't care if he went to Ohio State - so did Orlando Pace who prioritized his NFL career to the extent he's in the Hall of Fame.
There's some good RTs in this draft we can get at a salary restricted rookie contract in rounds 3-6. There's also some good LTs in this draft in rounds 1-3. I wouldn't wait until round 3 per say, but we draft at the top of it. All I ask is can our scouts research some freakin work ethics this time around?
While Lucas is a current band-aid, he's 33 years old. That said, he does have 54 starts and participated in 129 games blended from the following teams: Lions, Rams, Saints, Bears and Washington.
offer him the league minimum or a incentive laden contract, it's not like he would be taken up a roster spot
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Syd you have some good ideas but this ain't one of them. What's he going to give us at RT with the same unwillingness to break a sweat that he didn't already give us at LT? Bringing him back would be rewarding all that. If this guy offered anything - don't you think 1 of 32 teams would have already signed him? If we're going to do that we should just put a classified ad in the paper "Gypsy needed - for a team that wants to pretend to solve their issues at offensive tackle. We offer an attractive signing bonus inclusive of a camel and flip-flops." And we wonder why we're bad. Dawand Jones shows up to camp 2 years in a row weighing 400 lbs as our best hope at LT? This is another guy that showed up with all the talent in the world not quite interested enough to prioritize it all for a career that requires commitment, discipline and effort. I don't care if he went to Ohio State - so did Orlando Pace who prioritized his NFL career to the extent he's in the Hall of Fame.
There's some good RTs in this draft we can get at a salary restricted rookie contract in rounds 3-6. There's also some good LTs in this draft in rounds 1-3. I wouldn't wait until round 3 per say, but we draft at the top of it. All I ask is can our scouts research some freakin work ethics this time around?
While Lucas is a current band-aid, he's 33 years old. That said, he does have 54 starts and participated in 129 games blended from the following teams: Lions, Rams, Saints, Bears and Washington.
offer him the league minimum or a incentive laden contract, it's not like he would be taken up a roster spot
offer him the league minimum or a incentive laden contract, it's not like he would be taken up a roster spot
No, he can't come here and be demoted. That wouldn't work on multiple levels. He's done in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.
BEING A BROWNS FAN IS A TEST TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN TAKE -
we have a severe shortage of guys who get the ball and score points. I think we need to get a few more guys like that on the roster
Truth right there. QB, RB, TE, WR.
Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation. But maybe not as much as we need. People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year. Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft. Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.
Truth right there. QB, RB, TE, WR.
Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation. But maybe not as much as we need. People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year. Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft. Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.
No doubt. I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work. Maybe it's time to use a different template.
I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett. I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort. Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.
We had Joe Thomas. One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here? Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games. They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. -
I don't mind Lucas, believe it or not. I think he's a decent short term idea because in spite of his age the volume of play doesn't look like it caused a lot of wear and tear while it's given him enough experience to benefit him and the team he plays for. What I don't want the Browns to do is fall into a habit they can just settle for anyone at offensive tackle. That limits where you can run and how long you give your passer to throw. If we're going to invest in a QB - getting him a good LT is an ideal way to protect him. Like NE showed us - they got a rock solid LT from Purdue in 2001 (Matt Light) in the 2nd round who started 11 years protecting Brady's blind side. This year will have some good LTs in round 2 as well.
I get it, though I have to admit I won't be very happy drafting a LT that high this year. I am normally good with trenches guys, but we have a severe shortage of guys who get the ball and score points. I think we need to get a few more guys like that on the roster
I get it, though I have to admit I won't be very happy drafting a LT that high this year. I am normally good with trenches guys, but we have a severe shortage of guys who get the ball and score points. I think we need to get a few more guys like that on the roster
? There is THAT! Travis Hunter could give us big plays & TD juice at #2 overall, which means we could be using our 1st pick of the 2nd round on a QB like Tyler Shough (not my idea but I like it) or another QB the Browns like better. One of the draft magazines grades the offensive tackle class in this draft as a B- so there should still be some good prospects for us to choose from after we take care of the 1st thing and the 2nd thing.
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Truth right there. QB, RB, TE, WR.
Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation. But maybe not as much as we need. People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year. Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft. Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.
No doubt. I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work. Maybe it's time to use a different template.
I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett. I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort. Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.
We had Joe Thomas. One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here? Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games. They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.
No doubt. I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work. Maybe it's time to use a different template.
I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett. I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort. Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.
We had Joe Thomas. One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here? Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games. They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.
Let's try to stay in context with this. The Browns won 10 games in Joe Thomas' rookie year. The following teams have either won or participated in SBs after winning only 9 or 10 games in the regular season.
He got to play next to a great vet like Eric Steinbach as a rookie. It's not his fault the Browns have remained the worst team at drafting QBs in their own division and the NFL as a whole (the 85 supplemental Draft was 40 years ago). Even Joe's rookie year, there were 2 QBs the Browns drafted and 1 journey man (DA). The journeyman took over in week 2 and led the Browns to 10-5 after Frye got the Browns off to 0-1. Quinn never won a starting job here or anywhere else - not even over Tim Tebow.
Anyway, when the Browns finally draft the right franchise QB - you're honestly not gonna care how good the LT is at pass protection? Teams usually line-up their best edge rusher across from the LT (this is usually our QB's blind side unless we have another QB with 2 blind sides). LT is usually the 1st OL position to be drafted; and they get the biggest OL contracts. Does this happen if it's not important? Before you remind me the Chargers recently selected a RT in the 1st round (Joe Alt); that's because they already drafted their reliable LT Rashawn Slater in the 1st round of 2021. Now that they have 2 reliable OTs on the edges - they made the playoffs while they kept their franchise QB healthy...
I'm gonna differ with you about offensive line - there's Saquon Barkely that only made it to the playoffs twice in his 6 years with the Giants (losing the wild card game 1 year and in the divisional round the next). And then there's Saquon Barkley that was unstoppable behind arguably the best OL in football. They also had a damn good OL the year they beat the Patriots in the SB. With the OLs in Philly I speak of Foles was the winning QB vrs Brady and Hurts was the winning QB vrs Mahomes. Neither of their SB winning QBs were 1st round draft picks either for whatever it's worth.
Just for shits and giggles - even Braylon Edwards peak-a-booed in 1 season of playing like a 3rd overall pick the year Joe Thomas was a rookie.
I welcome the only Defensive Coordinator to earn a Superbowl Ring in New Orleans while understanding Revenge of the Nerds is a sequel. "Come get some!" -
Truth right there. QB, RB, TE, WR.
Perhaps hunter helps the WR situation. But maybe not as much as we need. People talk of Cedric Tillman being someone we can count on but he missed a lot of games last year. Of course the elephant in the room is who's gonna get the ball to these possible WR and/or TE upgrades that we draft. Obviously, not having a franchise QB shouldn't stop us from drafting talented skill position players....but it IS a bit of a paradox.
No doubt. I just think back to Haslam saying it might take a year or two to get the QB. We have followed the template of getting the QB first for decades and it hasn't seemed to work. Maybe it's time to use a different template.
I guess at this point I am not all that eager to write off Pickett. I think he is better than anybody we played last year. With that 2nd round pick, I want a QB, RB or another WR/TE of some sort. Surround whoever get get to play QB with quality players at other skill positions on offense.
We had Joe Thomas. One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here? Maybe an average of 4-5 wins a year while he was here? Don't get me wrong, I loved Joe Thomas, but great OLine players don't win games. They support the players who do. We need a couple of backs, 2 more receivers, and another TE other than the usual clods we have backing up Joke.
We had Joe Thomas. One of the greats, but what did we win while he was here?
Yeah, that was such a waste of one of the greatest OLinemen of all time. It certainly wasn't his fault that we sucked. But the reason that we didn't win much is because of the elephant in the room. Quarterback - We can gather as many really, really good WR's, TE's and RB's that we want...but they won't be really good on OUR team until we get a good QB (and an OLine to give him time to throw and to open a crack for the RB). It's a catch 22.
Having said that, hitching your wagon to the wrong QB for an extended period of time does no good, so...we can't force the draft to have our franchise QB. And we apparently know that because the last time we were in the situation we DIDN'T draft Kenney Pickett...we went the big trade route. Of course, in classic Cleveland Browns fashion, that failed miserably too. But we've gotta continue to swing the bat....just not at balls in the dirt.
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