Here's the quarterback decisions that Dorsey has been involved with - 2002: 5th round, QB Craig Nall 6'3 227 Completion Percentage - 56.1 Yards per Attempt - 8.0 Touchdowns - 12 Interceptions - 3 Rating - 134.4 2005: 1st round, Aaron Rodgers 6'2 225 Completion Percentage - 63.8 Yards per Attempt - 8.2 Touchdowns - 43 Interceptions - 13 Rating - 150.3 2006: 5th round, Ingle Martin 6'2 220 Completion Percentage - 61.2 Yards per Attempt - 8.6 Touchdowns - 42 Interceptions - 22 Rating - 148.0 2008: 2nd round, Brian Brohm 6'3 223 Completion Percentage - 65.8 Yards per Attempt - 9.1 Touchdowns - 71 Interceptions - 24 Rating - 157.9 2008: 7th round, Matt Flynn 6'2 230 Completion Percentage - 56.1 Yards per Attempt - 7.1 Touchdowns - 31 Interceptions - 13 Rating - 133.0 2014: 4th round, Aaron Murray 6'1 210 Completion Percentage - 62.3 Yards per Attempt - 8.9 Touchdowns - 121 Interceptions - 41 Rating - 158.6 2016: 5th round, Kevin Hogan 6'3 218 Completion Percentage - 65.9 Yards per Attempt - 8.5 Touchdowns - 75 Interceptions - 29 Rating - 154.6 2017: 1st round, Patrick Mahomes 6'2 225 Completion Percentage - 63.5 Yards per Attempt - 8.3 Touchdowns - 93 Interceptions - 29 Rating - 152.0
Now, from that list, I think some of you that are concerned about this guy - Josh Allen 6'5 233 Completion Percentage - 56.2 Yards per Attempt - 7.8 Touchdowns - 41 Interceptions - 21 Rating - 137.7 Can breathe a little easier... For one, there appears to be no affinity for height/weight. There's an overall table of 6'1" to 6'3" making average height the norm. It's the same with the weight ranging from 210 to 230. Once you remove the physical stature, then you're left with the numbers. Allen simply doesn't have them when it comes to what Dorsey has been involved with in the past. Allen is less than 60% completion percentage, less than 8 yards per attempt, he as a 2:1 TD/INT ration when a closer to 3:1 is preferred and his rating, while better than Nall and Flynn, is below what looks like a trend towards the 150 number. Now, you can take those same numbers and apply them to some players that you guys prefer and see if there is a better fit available.
The fly in the ointment: They have stated they wanted to get Todd Haley under contract as soon as possible so that he would be available to go to Mobile. Dorsey wants Haley's input on the players at the Senior Bowl... You can read that MANY different ways...what we do know is for the past 4 seasons, Haley has enjoyed his best years as a coordinator...in the AFC North...So, his thoughts are what worries me about gravitating towards the 6'5" 230+ QB to play in the North. The one saving caveat that Dorsey can point to is Ben's 65.5% completion in college...It SHOULD disqualify Allen from contention.
It should probably be noted to go along with this concern that the only quarterback (that I'm aware of) that Haley had an active hand in bringing onto a roster was 6'5", 230 lb. Matt Cassel.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The small-town guy with the big swing is headed to another small town. Jim Thome, who used to drive around the streets of Peoria, Ill., looking for a baseball game to play in, is headed to baseball's ultimate small town -- Cooperstown, N.Y. Thome was one of four players elected to the Hall of Fame on Wednesday by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman were also elected. The four new inductees join Alan Trammell and Jack Morris in July at Cooperstown. Trammell and Morris were elected by the the veterans committee in December. Thome was named on 89.8 percent of the 422 ballots cast. A player had to receive 75 percent of the vote (317 votes) to be elected. Thome is just the second first-ballot Hall of Famer in Indians history. Omar Vizquel, Thome's teammate in Cleveland, made a good showing with 37 percent of the vote. Vizquel, like Thome, was appearing on the ballot for the first time. Jones, Atlanta's switch-hitting third baseman, received 97.2 percent of the vote, while Guerrero came in at 92.9 percent and Hoffman 89.8 percent. Seattle DH Edgar Martinez just missed at 70.4 percent of the vote. Thome, on MLB Network, said it wasn't just power that put him in the Hall. "It comes down to sweat-equity," said Thome. "All the time you're working in the cage." He also credited former Tribe manager and hitting coach Charlie Manuel. "I wouldn't be here without Charlie or my dad," said Thome. The Indians drafted Thome in 1989 in the 13th round out of Illinois State College. It took him a while to get going, but when he did there was no stopping him. Thome enters Cooperstown with 612 homers, eighth in history. He hit over half of them (337) with the Indians. One of the keys to Thome's success was a suggestion by Manuel that he open his stance. Thome, a left-handed hitter, had a closed stance because he liked to hit the ball to left and left center rield. When Thome opened his stance, he started driving the ball to all parts of the field. "He started hitting the ball all over the park after that," said Manuel on MLB Network. "This is one of the best days of my life." Thome loved the big moment. He hit 17 homers in the postseason and 13 walk-off homers in his career. He hit 20 or more homers in 16 different seasons. Six times he hit 40 or more in a season. He owns the longest homer in Progressive Field history, a 511-foot drive that left the ballpark on July 3, 1999 against Kansas City. Thome came up as a third baseman, but moved to first in 1997 when the Indians acquired Matt Williams. The Indians went to the World Series, losing to the Marlins in seven games that year. Over 22 seasons, Thome hit .276 with 1,699 RBI. He drew the seventh most walks (1,747) and second most strikeouts (2,548) in history. Jones was the NL MVP in 1999 and hit .301 in his career. When he retired, he had 2,726 hits, including 498 homers, in 19 seasons with the Braves. He was appearing on the ballot for the first time. Guerrero gained entry in his second year on the ballot. He was the AL MVP with the Angels in 2004 in a career than spanned 16 seasons. Guerrero, who had a great throwing arm from right field, won eight Silver Slugger awards. Hoffman saved 601 games, second most in history. Marioano Rivera leads with 652. He pitched 18 seasons.
Congratulations to Thome. Guy had true class and was one hell of a player that provided so many big hits for the Tribe back in the 90's thru 2002.
I am probably going to get blasted for this, and don't get me wrong, I love Jim Thome, but I think without looking at the numbers (his are impressive) you have to think: "was this guy the best at his position when he played?" While he was very, very good, I don't recall ever thinking he was the top at his position. Chipper Jones? Yes. Trevor Hoffman? Yes. Vladdy? Yes. That being said, it is a hell of a day in Cleveland sports to have Thome getting into the HOF, and to see Omar on the ballot. Omar may not have been an offensive threat as some other SS, but he was simply magical with his glove and should be in the HOF in the coming years as well.
I won't blast you for it DS. I think what favored Thome in this vote was two things. First, he didn't use any steroids (or at least never got caught) and second, his longevity in the game since he lasted for 22 years and he played at such a high level throughout. Besides, the baseball writers are the ones who picked him, not you and I. And compared to the other "best" guys who were eligible on the ballot: Clemens, Bonds and Sosa all got caught using steroids. Here's a thought for you: Maybe you and I just remember the Indians being bad for so long that we're a tad jaded. It's still hard to consider that these newest members of the HOF can hold a candle to Ruth, Mantle, and Reggie Jackson. The guys I only heard stories of and can look at their stats just seem so much superior to the guys I've seen play. I guess they only become superheroes with the passage of time and memory.
Well put Duff. I was a pre-teen when Municipal Stadium closed and went to the last homestand against Chicago and sat in the bleachers (even dropped my throwback cap under them!) and remember the misery of being swept. Maybe outside the area Thome was viewed with such esteem and I just couldn't see it. Some of those lineups he was a part of sure made it easy for him to get good pitches to hit!
Contract-year LT Joe Thomas hinted he will not sign a new contract with the Browns. Thomas has yet to decide if he will return for his 12th season, but he seemed to suggest 2018 will be his final year in Cleveland even if he decides to return. "No matter what I decide to do, this is the last year of my contract in Cleveland. I’m also 33 right now," Thomas said. "They need to be planning for somebody else pretty soon down the line whether it’s this year or next year." Thomas missed the first snaps of his career because of a triceps injury last season, but lingering back and knee issues are bigger concerns as he decides whether or not to continue his career. Even if he comes back, it is time for the Browns to start looking toward the future.
You could argue that Joe Thomas has been the only bright spot for the Browns throughout his career. Always a class act, I don't believe he's hinting at testing free agency, but looking at retirement. I mean, what else has he to prove to the football world? He's a first ballot Hall of Famer, but also with his longevity, he's feeling the wear and tear on his body. It's a shame he never got to play on a contender. He's only looking out for the organization when he says they need to seek his successor now, not later. Rok
I'll be blunt, Thomas returning depends on the veteran QB that comes with 2018. He is done blocking for a project that isn't going to help him win games. It's sad really that this organization didn't do more around Thomas over his career. If they sign Kirk Cousins, he'll be here, probably the same with Alex Smith trade...otherwise, I would teeter on the side of retirement.
Redskins have given Alex Smith a four year exstension worth $94 million. Now, I think Smith isn't as bad as many believe, but he sure as hell isn't as good as that extension speaks to. I've never believed anyone should make those kind of dollars for playing a kids game, but the state of the NFL market for talent is what it is. Only three QBs in the league, in my opinion, would be worth those kind of dollars...Brady, Rogers, and Brees. Rok
That's because they have all won Super Bowls...If Smith helps the Redskins win a Super Bowl (which I don't think he will because Snyder is still in charge) would he be worth it then?
I don't think so, Irish, but I'm aware I'm in the minority on this subject. Just have never liked the overinflated salaries in any sport. Kirk Cousins was paid $45 million over the past three years. Really???? I do agree with you about Smith not putting the Skins in the Super Bowl. Snyder is almost as big an idiot owner as Jerry Jones. Rok
There is a price for a 1-31 record. The Browns are finding that out. It seems that talking about the Browns dubious record is appropriate on 1-31. Alex Smith might be the first recent casualty of the record. Reports have said the Browns offered the Chiefs one of their second round picks, but ultimately the Chiefs agreed to take a third round pick from the Redskins along with Kendall Fuller. Reports also said the Redskins were willing to sign Smith to a long-term contract, whereas the Browns were more interested in the short term. Smith wasn't too keen on joining the Browns either. Smith was a guest on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday before news of the trade to the Redskins came out and was asked about the possibility of being traded to the Browns. "I haven't even thought about that," Smith said laughing. "They've got nowhere to go but up. 1-31 over the last 2 years just sounds amazing." Needless to say, the Browns still could've made the trade if the Chiefs would've agreed and Smith would've had no choice in the matter as he was still under contract for another season In free agency, the chances go down since Cousins can pick his destination. Sure, the Browns have the most money, but unless they come in way over what other suitors are willing to pay him, Cousins will likely not choose the Browns. Last year, Tony Jefferson chose the Ravens over the Browns in free agency for less money because he wanted to have a better chance at the playoffs. Cousins told New York radio station WFAN on Tuesday he wants to go to a winner. “Winning is everything, especially at this stage of my career,” Cousins said. “I’m going into Year 7. Because I’ve been franchise-tagged twice, it’s not about the money so much. It’s about winning. I want to win. “This isn’t the NBA," he said. "You can’t just get one player and now you’re in the AFC championship game or NFC championship game. There are other pieces that come into play.” Cousins, 29, was a fourth-round pick in 2012. He has started the last three years, going 24-23-1. He’s a career 65.5 percent passer with 99 touchdowns, 55 interceptions and a 93.7 rating. The Redskins went 7-9 this year, and Cousins completed 64.3 percent with 4,093 yards, 27 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 93.9 rating. The Browns might be tipping their hand that they are more interested in going after Cousins or using their top draft pick on a quarterback instead of committing to Smith for the long term. There is no question that the Browns will likely have to over pay to bring a quarterback--or other position players, as well-- to come to the Browns. The available quarterbacks will likely be ones who don't currently start like AJ McCarron or Chase Daniel. The Browns might feel the best bet is to draft Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen or Josh Allen at the top of the draft as they will have the rookie under their control for five years at a much less cost than what Cousins would command. They need to determine if one of the quarterbacks in the draft has a higher upside, ultimately than Cousins does. The Browns have approximately $100 million in salary cap room to go after free agents in a big way, but they have to have willing participants. It is my experience that money is usually the deciding factor, but if a player is being courted by several teams, winning will come into play. The Browns best chance with Cousins will be if they are willing to go way over what the other teams are offering, but even that might not be enough. As we said before, there is a price for 1-31. For all of your Browns news from Berea follow @FredGreetham on Twitter
