I still don't see Cousins signing here. With the Giants, Redskins, Broncos and Jags all likely in the mix, why would he sign up for this? Even if we offered him 15% more than any other team, I can't imagine him wanting to come into the "pit of misery" for QB's....I'm afraid our reputation will eliminate us from consideration. I hope I'm wrong, but Cousins is likely a complete pipe dream for Browns fans....I can picture him chuckling at the very notion. We are sitting there with the #1 pick. That's how we will attain our QB. I'm Hopeful that he won't refuse to come. The ringing endorsement that Haslam gave Hue Jackson yesterday, made no sense to me. Maybe eventually they get shit ironed out, but it feels like announcing Hue will return next year, was a big mistake. Other than show enthusiasm for his job, I'm confused as what Hue has done to earn so much love from the Haslam's.
Ian Rappaport said there were a "number of factors" that led to his dismissal from Kansas City, one of which - ironically enough - was a power struggle between front office and head coach. Although (maybe not out here in our bubble), his release from KC was met with general surprise. Here's a pretty solid read from SI: https://www.si.com/mmqb/2017/06/29/kansas-city-chiefs-john-dorsey-fired-nfl-notebook There's a few parallels in the story that leave me feeling very uneasy, tbh. The exact. same. structure. Haslam insists on using in Cleveland. The catalyst for his departure was Chris Ballard leaving for Indianpolis.
John Dorsey is a good hire, no complaints there. I still wonder what it means for the building of this team. 2016: appears to be the "working class" draft where the Browns grabbed their middle-class of NFL talent and players. Outside of Emmanuel Ogbah who's been a stud, the Browns did not grab any other major impact players. But several: C. Coleman, Schobert, Nassib, Kindred, and DeValve can all play and participate. Drango, Higgins, Louis, are nothing special - could use an upgrade - but aren't worst-in-the-league at their positions. 2017: appeared to be the "defensive fix" draft. Garret, Peppers, Ogunjobi, and Brantley should all be big-time contributors for a while now. Wilson, if he returns to health, adds another quality player. Njoku is a stud. Kizer, Dayes, Gonazalez all need upgrades. 2018: what's the plan? Looking at the progression, this should be the "offensive fix" draft. However, we've traded the analytics face (Sashi) but kept the analytics mind (DePodesta). We've brought in a "traditionalist" GM who is on record saying he preferences things like Combine numbers and the way players look to results or other measures - perhaps even game film. And that's fine... but the question at No. 1 overall (which will be a QB, regardless of offseason activity) will determine the success/failure basically Week 1 of this new regime.
After reading up on John Dorsey, I'm happy with the hire. He probably shouldn't have been available, and I appreciate that the Browns acted quickly. I wanted a football guy to have roster control and that's what we got. So that's a positive, it's just kind of surprising that they are pinning him to Hue Jackson though. Do these two even know each other? The last thing we need is more discord between front office and coach. Do they share the same philosophies in team building? These are my biggest concerns.... Usually when an owner comes out and endorses his struggling head coach, it's the kiss of death...I'm still holding out hope. Seems likely to be a major uphill battle getting young players to buy in on a coach that has a record of 1-31....
Come on SAS...Cousins is about to complete his 3rd year as full time starter, which will include (3) 4,000+ seasons and 25+TDs in each of those...You are REALLY willing to sit here and tell me that you place Mayfield and Rosen above him long term? That is utter non-sense... As for the rest of this: Kirk Cousins 29 Alex Smith 33 The last 3 seasons 2015 Cousins 16 games 69.8% comp, 4,166 yards, 29 TDs, 11 INTs Smith 16 games 65.3% comp, 3,486 yards, 20 TDs, 7 INTs 2016 Cousins 16 games 67.0% comp, 4,917 yards, 25 TDs, 12 INTs Smith 15 games 67.1% comp, 3,502 yards, 15 TDs, 8 INTs 2017 Cousins 12 games 66.6% comp, 3,289 yards, 21 TDs, 8 INTs Smith 12 games 67.9% comp, 3,239 yards, 23 TDs, 4 INTs 2+ Season accumulation Cousins 44 games 67.8% comp, 12,372 yards, 75 TDs, 31 INTs Smith 43 games 66.8% comp, 10,227 yards, 58 TDs, 19 INTs In what universe is Smith>Cousins? Now, for the record...I would STILL rather have Alex Smith come in here than Josh Rosen at #1 overall... If Cousins gets signed by the Skins...Give me Alex Smith and then see if Mayfield drops to a spot that you can trade up from #33.
Not to sound too much like slappy (@showstopper), but... Smith: 28-15 (0.651) Cousins: 22-21-1 What is the aversion to drafting a QB at No. 1 overall? I feel like everyone understands the importance of the position and we just sh*t-canned a fairly successful "GM" who passed on franchise QB's at No. 2 and No. 1 overall to grab some guys in the second/third round. We saw two teams make tremendous strides by seeking out franchise QB's in 2016 picking at No. 1 and No. 2 overall.
Eli Manning to Denver Alex Smith stays w KC Minny stays w Keenum and resigns Bridgewater for 1-2 yrs as the backup Bradford to NYG Browns draft Rosen #1
*Puts on tinfoil hat*: Hue Jackson actually calls a respectable game like the revered OC he's considered to be. Browns win the game and go 3-1 over the remainder of the year as Jackson stops actively tanking the season now that Sashi Brown is fired.
Not to sound too much like Sammy (SAS) but you have to look at the entire team when making entire team comparisons. You are telling me that Cousins body of work is to be overlooked because Smith has 6 more wins over a 2+ year period...That is some shaky ground you are standing on. My aversion is that there will be a proven vet available that all you have to do is open the purse strings, problem solved..No player, QB or otherwise, is proven no matter what pick he chosen. If you are talking strictly about Baker, it is being stated profoundly (at this time) that he is in the 20 something range of prospects. Why would you spend #1 overall if these evaluations are accurate? Even you have ceded, take Josh Rosen because #1 is too high for Mayfield (because of perceived value). If I don't get Mayfield, I don't want one of these QBs... Regardless of all of the prospect talk, I want Kirk Cousins to come in play right now... Now, once that avenue is exhausted (Cousins re-signs with the Skins) we can re-visit the #1 overall pick conversation. The reason I am talking Mayfield in a trade up, even though I just signed/traded for Alex Smith, is because Smith is 33 and may only have one contract left in his body. I want a guy ready to go when that day comes. He didny have to become a PRO BOWLER, he just had to show improvement....He didn't...No one wants a repeat of 2016/17
This is all possible...because ANYTHING is possible.. But, Minnesota will need to make a decision. There are teams out there willing to pay all 3 of those guys in excess of $13M+ per year for 4 years...They aren't signing two guys to similar contracts, it just isn't happening due to cost and demand. Too many teams have a need, the Vikings are going to need to make a choice and I believe they already have...Teddy will be on the free agent market come spring and the Vikings won't be able to afford him as a backup... One small change above... Browns draft Rosen #1 sign Kirk Cousins
All right. Alex Smith came to Kansas City, via trade, in 2013. They were starting completely over with a new coaching staff and new front office. Smith's top two wide receivers that season were Dwayne Bowe (673 yards) and Donnie Avery (596 yards). The team that went 2-14 the year before went 11-5. +9 Kirk Cousins took over for Robert Griffin III. There were no coaching changes and the only front office change was replacing Bruce Allen with Scot McCloughan (huge improvement). Kirk Cousins had Pierre Garcon (777), Jamison Crowder (604), and DeSean Jackson (528). The team that went 4-12 the year before went 9-7. +5 Not to be over-looked. But over the past 2+ years, here's the two averages: Yards per Game: Cousins (281.2), Smith (237.8) TD Percent: Cousins (4.8), Smith (4.3) INT Percent: Cousins (2.0) Smith (1.4) QB Rating: Cousins (99.4), Smith (97.4) I'm not over-looking the body of work. In fact, Cousins has produced better numbers. But here's the major difference: Cousins' potential contract: $28+ million per year Smith's potential contract: $22 million per year Smith not only stabilizes the position in the short-term, but he can be the bridge guy to allow your franchise QB (No. 1 overall pick) to take over. The most successful way to build a long-term contender is to get the most out of your new QB on his rookie deal. Cousins stabilizes the position in the short-term, but his contract and age would lead most to believe he's the #1 guy for the franchise and to this point, he hasn't shown the ability to elevate the team around him to post-season success. An a five-year, $150 million dollar deal is going to hamstring future free agents for the team - especially devastating if Cousins turns out to be a very good statistical QB but not an elite franchise-caliber one.
A) What makes you think Cousins would demand $28M+ and Smith will only be $22M? B) If you take Cousins, you don't need to have the Bridge, he's your QB for the next 8 years, Smith has 5 years and will also be your QB, not only a bridge. In the mean time, Cousins gives you more overall output as proven in the last 3 years. You keep asking what's my aversion to a QB at #1, what's your aversion to simply fixing the position with a proven player? C) I'm calling BS on the last point. A bad Redskins team is the reason for the record. I don't know what in the hell more you want Cousins to do over 4,000 yards and 25 TDs...he doesn't play defense. ANY QB worth his weight will be strapping the team with a contract. I don't think Smith's will be much less than Cousins...other than Smith will rather go to a contender than get the extra cash that Cousins would take. I think Smith would be harder to sign honestly. The new GM simply needs to be creative in the contract. There is no written rule that the larger money cannot come up front on a deal. They just spent $16M on a 2nd round draft pick, not a player, but a pick...They can afford to front load a contract NOW while we still have the money to spend. I would give him $45M in 2018, then have an acceptable contract in years 2-5. No one else would touch the structure of the deal, but the Browns are much more desperate than any other franchise in the league right now. Desperate times. desperate measures.
Age? The Cousins numbers look about right. He's just entering his prime..... $22m for Alex Smith seems way too high IMO...He's not going to get that much.
