Browns Offseason Moves/Free Agency

[justmebd]

With two defensive signings, it will be interesting to see if the FO can get anyone to help on offense, and I don't mean Ryan Mallett. Hoodie can keep him for what he's asking.

On a different note, I see James Harrison still is on the market. Isn't it amazing how many teams are lining up to pay a 35-year old Asshole who's lost at least one step, if not two or three. I'm flabbergasted at the complete lack of interest in a guy who probably will get injured at least once in the upcoming season in addition to getting suspended for head-hunting at least one other time.

Stunned, I tell you.

Can't believe the Steelers didn't want to pay a guy like that a hefty salary usually reserved for guys six-seven years younger and still in their prime.

[Hikohadon]

Not sure why anyone give a shit about Anquan Boldin. The guys been pretty marginal for a few years - clearly on the decline.

Then this years playoffs come, and Indy, sporting basically the leagues worst D covers him man the entire game and he brings down fade patterns. Than he makes a couple of nice catches in the bowl...I guess a loaded team like the Niners could use him to make some tough plays I suppose, but it's pretty clear Anquan Boldin from 2013 on is gonna be a pretty meh receiver. Hell, he's basically that right now.

A 6th round pick with that money ain't really a steal, it's about what he's worth.

By the way, the Ravens overestimating where he was at this year was one of the reasons their early season high octane offense failed - they didn't have the receivers to run it.

Perhaps during the season, but he was an absolute beast during the postseason. About as good a playoffs as I've ever seen from a WR. Without him, they not only don't win the SB, they don't get there. And that's from someone who thinks WR's are overvalued.

If you didn't see how key he was to that team during their run, I can't help you.

I saw the playoffs. Impressive. I've also seen the last three SEASONS.

What one you wanna make a business decision on? A business decision predicated on the future?

My only point was that it seems pretty clear he's not gonna produce for what he will be paid, and it seems like the fawning over a great playoffs is clouding reality. He's now a decent receiver getting star money. Which is why it wasn't some sort of coupe that a team got him for a sixth.

For a team like the Niners you could argue it makes sense, for a team that needs a guy (and that money) to be a difference maker for 16 it'd be pretty foolish, cause guys that can get you 800 yard seasons are hangin' around.

The Niners and the Ravens and a bunch of other teams, you can get TO the playoffs Boldin or no Boldin. You pay him for what he can provide down the title run. For ANY team with CHAMPIONSHIP hopes, you want a Boldin on your team whether he produces 200 or 1200 yards in the largely meaningless regular season.

The Ravens have essentially stated they shot their SB wad by geting rid of a guy so integral to their Ring. And ASFAIC, the Niners can keep him on wraps until the playoffs and still get a return on their investment if he plays the way he did in this year's playoffs. Boldin catches that 4th down pass.

[jb]

Desmond Bryant?

Harvard guy. Not great with the booze, though.

Interesting DL/LB combos now.

Epic mug shot counts for something.

Groves in the fold this morning, Munnerlyn will be next at nickle slot DB.

Say what you will about "overpaying", how much u personally like these guys & whatnot, but Bumbles be gettin it done.

Team improving & draft BPA flexibility increasing hourly.

I'm impressed.

[rebelwithoutaclue]

Epic mug shot counts for something.

Obligatory.

[JacksonDysonJackson]

Very impressive.

Love the look and options our front 7 gives us now.

Sign Capt today and then Fred Davis.

Nnamde?

[pup]

I think Banner is slow playing the DB market. It is the deepest position group in free agency and he thinks he can get a good player once the market plays itself out a bit.

[Hikohadon]

Captain Munnerlyn? We give a shit about this guy why?

If we had both of our starting CB's in order, then fine. But I'd prefer Keenan Lewis or someone that can start at CB to a million Captains. Cuz otherwise they'll have to draft starter #2, and Milliner probably won't be there at 6.

[JacksonDysonJackson]

I think they add two CBs. Capt is the nickel.

[Hikohadon]

I think they add two CBs. Capt is the nickel.

Hope they concentrate on the starter first. Captain Mudder and nickels like him are a dime a dozen.

[motherscratcher]

Sounds like Gary Barnidge from Carolina is going to be the tight end.

[rebelwithoutaclue]

I'd like them to go after CB Brent Grimes. Guy was a stud in 2009-10 before missing apart of 2011 and all of 2012.

[JacksonDysonJackson]

Captain Mudder and nickels like him are a dime a dozen.

So are Buster Skrines...

Hard to not be with the new pick-ups. If Capt is our nickel, it is an upgrade. Again, I think they add two CBs, which gives them a lot of options at 6 suddenly.

[peeker643]

I think they add two CBs. Capt is the nickel.

Hope they concentrate on the starter first. Captain Mudder and nickels like him are a dime a dozen.

Munnerlyn is regarded as one of the better slot CBs in the game.

Not sure why there's complaining about locking up one of the better anything in the game whenever you can.

Now is when you get a guy like that, after addressing the front 7. He's more of a specialist than the glut of other CBs.

[jb]

Captain Mudder and nickels like him are a dime a dozen.

So are Buster Skrines...

Hard to not be with the new pick-ups. If Capt is our nickel, it is an upgrade. Again, I think they add two CBs, which gives them a lot of options at 6 suddenly.

This. Look for 2 cbs.

Ndamdi not as crazy as it seems. Word is Lombardioves him & his market ain't great.

Remember, besides Busta we had Wade playing.

Draft flexibity.

[jb]

Very impressive.

Love the look and options our front 7 gives us now.

Sign Capt today and then Fred Davis.

Nnamde?

I think the TE will be Myers but they are trying for Davis.

Ndamdi could actually happen.

[Hikohadon]

I'm fine with Captain Andtenille so long as he's one of 2 CB's acquired, the other being a starter. I was only responding to 2 separate posts that seemed to tout "sign Captain and we're in good shape". Yes, Captain Steubing would be an upgrade from Busta, but the starter is vastly more important to lock down imho.

[peeker643]

I'm fine with Captain Andtenille so long as he's one of 2 CB's acquired, the other being a starter. I was only responding to 2 separate posts that seemed to tout "sign Captain and we're in good shape". Yes, Captain Steubing would be an upgrade from Busta, but the starter is vastly more important to lock down imho.

The one that's more difficult to find is the one more important to lock down.

Plenty of CBs who will be available after you get a rarer coin in your pocket first. And those other CBs will be better simply because of the guy starting on the opposite side.

[danwismar]

Any interest in a couple of aging Buckeyes...Clements or Winfield...for depth and vet presence...if they're a bargain?

[peeker643]

Any interest in a couple of aging Buckeyes...Clements or Winfield...for depth and vet presence...if they're a bargain?

Meh... I got tired of watching the absolute, only value that a legit vet like Sheldon Brown brought being only off the field.

If they can play then fine. If not, time for Haden to grow up and be the vet IMHO.

[Hikohadon]

I'm fine with Captain Andtenille so long as he's one of 2 CB's acquired, the other being a starter. I was only responding to 2 separate posts that seemed to tout "sign Captain and we're in good shape". Yes, Captain Steubing would be an upgrade from Busta, but the starter is vastly more important to lock down imho.

The one that's more difficult to find is the one more important to lock down.

Plenty of Captains who will be available after you get a rarer coin in your pocket first. And those Captains will be better simply because of the guy starting on the opposite side.

Sounds like we agree.

[JacksonDysonJackson]

They want youth.

Names that intrigue me:

Lewis, Talib, Grimes, Nnamde

[Hikohadon]

They want youth.

Names that intrigue me:

Lewis, Talib, Grimes, Nnamde

I think you cross off the last 2 because of their aforementioned desire for youth. I personally wouldn't mind them at all.

[JacksonDysonJackson]

Yeah, to clarify, I'm intrigued by all 4. They may eliminate someone due to their apparent age restrictions.

[Nicastro13]

Talib is the best of that bunch for sure, by far. Still need something at safety too

[Hikohadon]

What they should still address in FA if they can:

#2 CB
Free Safety
#1 TE
Guard
#3 CB (apparently)
More LB depth
Veteran WR?
Fullback?

Fill in the blanks for who you'd want there.

[peeker643]

I'm fine with Captain Andtenille so long as he's one of 2 CB's acquired, the other being a starter. I was only responding to 2 separate posts that seemed to tout "sign Captain and we're in good shape". Yes, Captain Steubing would be an upgrade from Busta, but the starter is vastly more important to lock down imho.

The one that's more difficult to find is the one more important to lock down.

Plenty of Captains who will be available after you get a rarer coin in your pocket first. And those Captains will be better simply because of the guy starting on the opposite side.

Sounds like we agree.

Different positions. You want to consider them the same then just grab a TE to play the 3rd WR spot and vice-versa. Or just get another TJ Ward to play the free safety position because safeties are safeties.

The slot guy in this day and age may very well be more critical than the guy on the corner opposite an elite corner.

[Hikohadon]

NM - we don't need a useless argument about the relative value of outside vs. nickel corners cluttering up this thread.

[peeker643]

NM - we don't need a useless argument about the relative value of outside vs. nickel corners cluttering up this thread.

So then who gives a shit if they get the one that there's fewer of before they get other more plentiful kind?

Christ. You need a stereo and a camera on Black Friday. You getting the one that the store has 500 of or ya going to the item that they only stock 12 of?

That was the whole point. other than you thinking they're both just electronic thingies.

Dickweed.

[Hikohadon]

NM - we don't need a useless argument about the relative value of outside vs. nickel corners cluttering up this thread.

So then who gives a shit if they get the one that there's fewer of before they get other more plentiful kind?

Christ. You need a stereo and a camera on Black Friday. You getting the one that the store has 500 of or ya going to the item that they only stock 12 of?

That was the whole point. other than you thinking they're both just electronic thingies.

Dickweed.

I go out of my way to avoid an argument and you just can't help yourself, can you ex-wife?

If you think there are more starting quality outside corners available than nickelbacks, then that is your prerogative. I disagree with you. End.

[Hikohadon]

So, what's the front 7 look like now?

DL - Bryant, Taylor, Rubin
BU - Winn, Hughes, Kitchen

LB - Sheard, DQ, JMJ?, Kruger
BU - Groves, Robertson, Fort, Carder?

[rbm0183]

So, what's the front 7 look like now?

DL - Bryant, Taylor, Rubin
BU - Winn, Hughes, Kitchen

LB - Sheard, DQ, JMJ?, Kruger
BU - Groves, Robertson, Fort, Carder?

Also getting Gocong back at LB, right?

[peeker643]

So, what's the front 7 look like now?

DL - Bryant, Taylor, Rubin
BU - Winn, Hughes, Kitchen

LB - Sheard, DQ, JMJ?, Kruger
BU - Groves, Robertson, Fort, Carder?

Also getting Gocong back at LB, right?

Yes. I believe he's signed for two more years.

[Hikohadon]

So, what's the front 7 look like now?

DL - Bryant, Taylor, Rubin
BU - Winn, Hughes, Kitchen

LB - Sheard, DQ, JMJ?, Kruger
BU - Groves, Robertson, Fort, Carder?

Also getting Gocong back at LB, right?

Yes. I believe he's signed for two more years.

Acho too, if we want to count him.

Gocong plays inside, no?

[jb]

They want youth.

Names that intrigue me:

Lewis, Talib, Grimes, Nnamde

Lewis is visiting NOLA today. Wants #1 cb money whatever that is.

They are talking to Talib but do are other real NFL teams.

Also talking to Cards FS.

Phase 2 has begun. They are likly thru overpaying.

[jb]

So, what's the front 7 look like now?

DL - Bryant, Taylor, Rubin
BU - Winn, Hughes, Kitchen

LB - Sheard, DQ, JMJ?, Kruger
BU - Groves, Robertson, Fort, Carder?

Also getting Gocong back at LB, right?

Yes. I believe he's signed for two more years.

Acho too, if we want to count him.

Gocong plays inside, no?

Banner gave away the Conger once. Not seeing him here.

"AUTOMOBIIIIIIIILE?"

[Hikohadon]

Just heard Fred Davis was down to the Browns or the Racial Slurs.

Davis would be a huge get.

[peeker643]

So, what's the front 7 look like now?

DL - Bryant, Taylor, Rubin
BU - Winn, Hughes, Kitchen

LB - Sheard, DQ, JMJ?, Kruger
BU - Groves, Robertson, Fort, Carder?

Also getting Gocong back at LB, right?

Yes. I believe he's signed for two more years.

Acho too, if we want to count him.

Gocong plays inside, no?

Gocong has bounced around with this organization under Mangini and Shurmur. Pretty much played everywhere. DE/OLB with Eagles and in college so he has that tool in the belt too.

Personally I think he's bounced around so much that he doesn't have a specialty but his strengths are his size, run defense and ability to get through a fullback. That sounds awful "ILB' to me. Which is why I'd be okay with him next to DQwell for a season and see if he can stay healthy and play that role.

Not likely to fill all these holes in one offseason so someone that we're not exactly thrilled with is likely to still be employed in September wheter it's a guy like Lauvao, Skrine or Gocong.

[danwismar]

So...hearing this morning that Kevin Kolb and Matt Cassel are going to be cut within days.....add those names to Ryan Fitzpatrick and take your pick. Any interest in any of these guys for the local team as competition for Weeds?

[pod2dawg]

Personally I think he's bounced around so much that he doesn't have a specialty but his strengths are his size, run defense and ability to get through a fullback. That sounds awful "ILB' to me. Which is why I'd be okay with him next to DQwell for a season and see if he can stay healthy and play that role.

100% correct.

[peeker643]

The Fred Davis dream isn't dead yet.

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet
Sounds like tight end Fred Davis is down to two teams: The #Redskins and the #Browns are very interested in signing him. He's healthy now

Boy, if you can get Davis and Brent Grimes added to Gocong, you could have an Achilles Trio out there on the field.

And I would like the org to consider Grimes.

[peeker643]

So...hearing this morning that Kevin Kolb and Matt Cassel are going to be cut within days.....add those names to Ryan Fitzpatrick and take your pick. Any interest in any of these guys for the local team as competition for Weeds?

I honestly don't.

Already having a 1983 Chevy Chevette in our garage, I'm not looking for another 1983 Chevy Chevette that's just a different color.

And if I have to take one of those guys (like on a dare or something) I guess I'd take Fitzpatrick because it'd just be tremendous to see Weeden next to a guy from Harvard.

[peeker643]

Personally I think he's bounced around so much that he doesn't have a specialty but his strengths are his size, run defense and ability to get through a fullback. That sounds awful "ILB' to me. Which is why I'd be okay with him next to DQwell for a season and see if he can stay healthy and play that role.

100% correct.

Question/Fear- Achilles injuries scare me. Not so much because of recovery from the actual injury but more so due to the Pectoral Muscle tears. It seems like with a guy like DQwell when one pec went the other did as well.

Is there correlation from one achilles to the other? Is it a legit concern that guys like Davis, Grimes and Gocong more disposed to the other achilles rupturing or is it just a chance/acute injury that shouldn't concern me fro them any more than it would to another player who hasn't had one rupture already.

[CAVSTRIBEBROWNSin07!]

You've clearly spent many a days in medical school. How do you see a correlation between 2 neighboring muscles and 2 that are on opposite legs?

[danwismar]

You've clearly spent many a days in medical school. How do you see a correlation between 2 neighboring muscles and 2 that are on opposite legs?

Not a doctor either (although I know the difference between a tendon and a muscle), but I can't think of any famous athlete to have had both Achilles tendons go on them. I do know from having personal friends and racquetball-playing acquaintances go through the injury and rehab that doctors say there's certainly a "wear and tear" aspect to it...that it's not just the event of the injury being random...that if the Achilles is going to go, it's a matter of when...

So you'd think that if one side has that wear and tear of years of abuse, that the other side would too...and would be more apt to snap or tear than that of your average joe. Still I have no examples of it actually happening.

[peeker643]

You've clearly spent many a days in medical school. How do you see a correlation between 2 neighboring muscles and 2 that are on opposite legs?

I didn't say it was rational. No more so than Hardesty's knee issues.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/abby-sims ... 07424.html

Incidence of rupture rises along with age in an active population. Predisposition to Achilles rupture is heightened with a history of cortisone injections to the area, weakness/atrophy of the soleus muscle...

A crucial point of note, and one about which even many physical therapists are unaware, is that even certain exercises can predispose to Achilles rupture.

Cause of a partially torn Achilles tendon
Achilles tendon tears most commonly occur when a patient attempts to accelerate from a stationary position or when lunging forwards

The job provides a mechanism of injury. It's unavoidable that these guys 'accelerate' from a stationary position... My fear (as I said it may be irrational) is that guys who have suffered one may be predisposed to suffering another.

It's also why I'm asking someone with some knowledge if that's the case or a legit concern. Especially as guys head toward or beyond 30.

[CAVSTRIBEBROWNSin07!]

So you'd think that if one side has that wear and tear of years of abuse, that the other side would too...and would be more apt to snap or tear than that of your average joe. Still I have no examples of it actually happening.

Brandon Roy and Dejuan Blair tore both their ACLs I believe.

[peeker643]

Even if you eliminate the other Achilles rupturing this doesn't paint a rosy picture of life after the injury in terms of NFL players. Though medical science moves forward daily.

http://lowerextremityreview.com/article ... on-rupture

[CAVSTRIBEBROWNSin07!]

AP murdered that thought process last year. I know he's a freak, but it shows how far we've come in terms of recovering from this particular injury.

[JacksonDysonJackson]

AP may have had some "help"

[CAVSTRIBEBROWNSin07!]

As does every NFL player.