NFL Network's Ian Rapoport mentions free agents Santonio Holmes and Miles Austin as names for Browns fans to monitor in the wake of Josh Gordon's suspension. It's unclear if the Browns have actually reached out to either, but they're two of the better free agent receivers available. Holmes knows coach Mike Pettine from their days together in New York. He flashed signs of the old Santonio at times last season but may not be worth the distraction. Austin has next to nothing left and can't stay on the field. Gordon's expected ban is 8-16 games.
As I stated at the time, I thought the Browns had a good draft. Now if they knew of the Gordon suspension then I probably would have taken Watkins and then Manziel. Hindsite of course and I don't know who knew what and when. There will be guys available at WR but at this time and knowing that you have a 1st and 4th next year also, just think run the rock. If Hoyer is the guy to start and I think he will be, a game manager position is the best of both worlds. Put in the Manziel packages within the offense and see where that goes. Bummer about Gordon but cut the vine, piece of crap won't get off the vine! The Browns defense is pretty good, look to shorten the game and slow the number of positions for your opponent and win the 13-10 game by running the ball. I would be looking RB versus WR at this point. I know another teams that is going to do the same thing in their division, the Goat's team the Rams.
If they sign on the cheap and can stay healthy enough to play for more than 2-3 games during the year, then perhaps. Though as we've already found out that Burleson can't get through OTA's without breaking. I would rather they took thier chances with stone hands Little and a few other UDFA's than either of those two.
Gotta agree with you Crex. Santonio is getting a little long in the tooth (albeit Burleson is hurt and is no spring chicken either) and Austin can't stay healthy. Give the young UDFA guys a shot and maybe find someone later when cut downs occur. We aren't going to find another top-notch WR in FA. And not that the Browns are anywhere close to being in the same discussion, but Seattle pretty much had a no-name WR corp with Harvin out most of the year and Rice only played 8 games (6 as a starter).
Stevie Johnson for a mid round pick is looking awfully damn good..although I wouldnt give up the draft for anything.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns general manager Ray Farmer acknowledged the fans' frustration over the news that Josh Gordon is facing a possible year-long ban from the league for failing a drug test, and assured them the team will fight to win without him if it happens. ESPN reported Friday that Gordon tested positive for marijuana and has been informed he'll miss at least 16 games. He has the right to appeal and is expected to do so. "I would say that frustration is a natural part of it,'' Farmer said. "I think that's what was felt and heard when that announcement was made, so I don't fault the fans for their reaction. I don't fault anyone for being disappointed. To that end, it's our job to make those decisions less painful. And in time, it's no different than if a player was going out during the offseason and broke an ankle or tore an ACL playing pickup hoops or doing something different. Cleveland Browns GM Ray Farmer looks back at the 2014 NFL Draft Cleveland Browns General Manager Ray Farmer talks about their selections in the 2014 NFL Draft including how they ended up getting Johnny Manziel. He also addresses what the team will do if Josh Gordon is suspended for a year for another failed drug test. "We have to build a football team that can win regardless of who is missing. I think that's the charge that we have. That's my job, that's coach Pettine's job is to prepare this football team to win games regardless of who's missing." Farmer is prohibited by league rules from directly confirming the report is true, but indicated the team is making contingency plans. He's also declined to comment on the report by agent Ken Sarnoff that receiver Nate Burleson underwent arm surgery two weeks ago to repair a plate in left arm he broke in two places last September. "I know it's frustrating for a lot of people not to have information and it seems like we're somehow avoiding the topic,'' he said. "But the reality is that, to some degree, my hands are tied for what I can say (about Gordon). So there is really nothing I can contribute to this conversation other than I have no comment or I will add clarity when there is clarity." A league source told cleveland.com on Friday that the several members of the Browns organization have known about Gordon's possible suspension for at least a week, well in advance of Thursday night's first round of the draft. Regardless, the Browns opted to pass on former Clemson star wide receiver Sammy Watkins at No. 4 and trade out of the pick. They moved down five spots to No. 9 with the Bills, who jumped up and grabbed Watkins. The Browns -- who picked up a first- and fourth-rounder in 2015 from the Bills -- then moved back up a notch to No. 8 and landed cornerback Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert. Immediately thereafter, the Browns went to work on moving back up from No. 26 to draft one of "a bundle of players'' that included quarterback Johnny Manziel. Ultimately, they climbed up to No. 22 to land Johnny Football. The city lit up and phones rang off the hook in Berea for season tickets -- until the Gordon story broke and killed the Johnny euphoria. As the draft wore on, fans grew increasingly frustrated as Farmer passed on receiver after receiver from a class widely regarded as the deepest at that position in years. When he came out Friday night and drafted offensive tackle Joel Bitonio with the No. 35 pick instead of a receiver such as Marqise Lee, social media and talk radio were crackling with criticism. Farmer watched a total of 12 receivers fly off the board in the first two rounds, including Vanderbilt's Jordan Matthews, Colorado's Paul Richardson and Indiana's Cody Lattimer. All told, 33 receivers were drafted, but none by the Browns. "I would tell the fans that are in panic mode because we didn't draft a wide receiver is that patience really tells the tale,'' he said. "There are plenty of opportunities for us to address what everyone would believe is a need but in our opinion, there is plenty of opportunity to add players, to change the roster and to really make a difference.'' Farmer then turned the tables and asked reporters a question. "How many receivers that were with the Seattle Seahawks during the regular season last year and through the beginning of the playoffs, were drafted players?'' he said. "The vast majority of those guys were not drafted, so there's definitely an opportunity to play with and identify talented players that can help your football team.'' By the end of the evening, the Browns had reportedly signed several undrafted rookie receivers, including Florida State's Kenny Shaw, Ball State's Willie Snead and San Jose State's Chandler Jones. "When you look at the number of receivers that were drafted and when they were drafted, we made the decisions that we made because we really valued the players that we got at a certain point,'' he said. "We weren't in position to take the top-rated (receivers) on our board. Those guys had already been drafted.'' Farmer assured fans -- who watched Gordon tear up the league to the tune of an NFL-high 1,646 yards last season -- that the receiving corps will be in good shape by opening day. ?I?m not concerned with the depth at wide receiver because we play games in September,'' he said. "There?s still plenty of opportunity for us to acquire players, whether it?s (through) trades, draft someone, whether it?s players who are cut. There?s always opportunities to acquire players.?
What does that say about the Browns' grade on Sammy Watkins that -- knowing they'd be without the best WR in the NFL for 16 games -- they still opted out? Probably wasn't even close to the #1 WR rated by them. Gee... where have I heard that before? O
Congrats on signing Joe Haden. While I wouldn't want the Ravens to commit that much money to a single CB, Haden clearly deserves every penny of it. Incredible player at market value. *THUMBSUP*
*DANCE* *DANCE* *BRAVO* Great News Irish... Spoiler [video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUZwoG5zPeY[/video] The DAWG pound is reborn Spoiler Now if they can get Cameron signed to a long term deal. *OK*
Browns signed CB Joe Haden to a five-year, $68 million contract extension through the 2019 season. Somewhat coming out of nowhere to close the deal, the Browns have Haden locked up through his age-30 season. Per PFT's Michael David Smith, the deal includes a $14 million signing bonus and $22 million fully guaranteed. Another $23 million is guaranteed for injury. All of the figures surpass Richard Sherman's deal, which is actually a year shorter in length. Haden was a top-18 corner at PFF last season. Quarterbacks had a meager 75.2 passer rating throwing at the former No. 7 overall pick. The Browns got Haden some help this past weekend in the draft, taking CBs Justin Gilbert eighth overall and Pierre Desir in the fourth round.
Don't be surprised if Desir is on the field at the same time also...Desir might even give Gipson a run for his money, even though I like Gip more than most of you do... This defensive backfield has the makings of being the best in the NFL...Should help the pass rush
And in other news, ?I actually told my agent that that?s not the place where I wanted to be,? Bridgewater said of Cleveland. Let the Manziel/Bridgewater rivalry and comparisons begin!
The Johnny Manziel media circus is now in Full swing.... Eye On Football Bill Belichick discusses leaked Johnny Manziel scouting report... http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...scusses-leaked-johnny-manziel-scouting-report http://www.brobible.com/sports/article/johnny-manziel-scouting-report-new-england-patriots/
Happy Tuesday Lounge Houndz... Am off to watch my Daughter compete in the summer games for special olympics... Have a great week...
In another and old discussion I heard on Bull & The Fox radio show that ANDRE JOHNSON wants out of Texas and has said publicly for the 1st time he wont show up for camp. Now Johnson is signed for 3 more years at $14-$16 million each year. I know thats a lot of jack for an older WR. But if the Browns could offer a 2nd or 3rd rd. pick and the higher the pick, the more they take on of the salary then I say GO GET HIM!!!!!!!!!!! We have 2 1st rd. picks next year plus additional picks. Steve Smith got traded for a 4th rd. pick, Bolden got traded for a 6th I think. That or a 5th. This could be the player the Browns need. Is he Gordon? No! He is a leader, someone to help these young guy's out. Show them how to be great. Plus NO OFF FIELD PROBLEMS! Let Tate do some recruiting like Urban Meyer! If they will eat half that salary then it should be done for a 3rd or even a 2nd. I heard Gordon will miss 8-16 games. I dont want him here, 1st of all but if I could trade a 2 or 3, they eat that salary then bring him on. If Gordon does come back here that would stack our WR corp. GET IT DONE!!!!!!!!! On to Haden! Man, I love, love, love, love this signing. Build and continue to reload! Now someone please go get me JOHNSON!!!!!!!
