I hope Kyle stays here . we need stability for once it would be nice to run the same system more than one year . also he needs to break away from daddys shadow IMHO .
Man! I think you guy's can see from my rants that I am at whits end with JM and Gordon! I saw on Yahoo sports that the Browns have like $48 million dollars to spend. I know you have to save at least 10-12 million of that for draft picks. The draft is definitely the cheaper route to go! But the way we are sitting right now our QB position sucks!I know I said I was going to sit back and watch but I just can't. I've never done crack so I guess the Browns are my crack! Anyway the Browns need to find a real veteran QB this off season. We already looked at the FA QB's and they suck! There is Mallett and Locker is a FA, Irish I think you mentioned something about Bradford if he is released and I agree with that. I also keep hearing that Cutler may be available. If he is I would rather have him than Bradford. What about you guy's? I look at it like he's played in Chicago, the weather there is worse than here and he has already dealt with a diva WR in B. Marshall. I know he has a strong arm, you have too. To have played in Chicago. But with all that money we should look at finally finding a real QB. As of right now we don't have one at all! I honestly think if we can't get a Bradford or Cutler then the Browns have to bring back Hoyer. It looks obvious to me that Manziel wants out of here. He is already (DADDY) rich. He doesn't care about the money. So I like the idea that the Browns bring Hoyer back then....... Offense 1. Improve the right side of the line. 2. Bring in a Full Back 3. Figure out what to do at TE. Keep Cameron, sign a FA or draft one. 4. Sign a WR and draft 1. Then trade Pothead! 5. Sign a Kicker Defense 1. Sign and draft a DE & DT. 2. Sign or draft ILB 3. Sign or draft OLB that can rush the QB. 4. Sign Skrine and Gipson. But going after and getting a veteran QB is 1st on my list. With that money we have I make a run at a couple of those big time free agents. One more time GO BROWNS!
I woke up this very cold Cleveland morning with what my dad use to call the "HAWK" out! AH, Northern Ohio in the winter! Gotta Love It! Its in my blood. I do love it. My youngest daughter came into the bedroom with her hair all over the place and half asleep with her dead man walking expression on her face to ask if there was still school today? Then cuddled between the wifey and I. It's times like this that make life worth living! As I was watching the news for school closing they had a segment on Shanny. It said that there are 3 teams wanting him and his father for that matter. It went on to say that he hasn't gotten along with some of the coaches here in Cleveland. I wonder who that is? Is it Pettine? But where there is smoke, there is fire. I think he is going to leave us. With us having to get a QB (I think) then I would want an OC who's offense plays to the strength of our QB. Maybe this could turn out to be a blessing. It also talked about the Browns having almost $50 million to spend and that the Browns could address the WR position AFTER they trade Josh Gordon. Yes it came out and said it. Trade GORDON! This year he has only a $1.75m cap if traded. Fellas, I think both Shanny and Gordon are gone this off season. So we may as well start looking at possible OC for this team and start searching hard for FA wide receivers. I think we are the only team in the 1st rd with 2 picks and WR will be 1 position we will draft. Ut oh! The older daughter is now arguing with the younger about wearing her sweater again,lol! Annoying as it is now one day I will miss this! Strange I know but in 5 more years we will be empty nesters at the ages of 44/45. Yes I will miss morning like this!
I just heard on 92.3 the fan that Shanny would get text messages about what play to run on the sidelines and that there was pressure from above (HASLAM) to play Manziel over Hoyer and Shanny didn't want to. Well as I said before it's time to start looking at OC that are available.
Morning fellas. Hope all is well with you. Sorry I've been a bit quiet here as of late. Just had the kids' birthday this weekend and started jury duty on Monday for two weeks. So you all may not see much of me for another week and a half or two.
I personally would love Cutler, however, in order to get him you would be talking trade and taking over his current contract...Which is why he is available... 2015 $16.5M 2016 $17M (However, only $3M guaranteed from signing bonus, so you could cut ties at this point) 2017 $16M (However, only $2M guaranteed) 2018 $17M (However, only $1M guaranteed) 2019 $20M NO guarantees 2020 $21.7M NO guarantees Depends on the asking price from the Bears. I would give up a 3rd round draft pick in 2015 or a conditional pick in 2016, if they prefer, that could rise as high as a first rounder if certain things are met in 2015, like Cutler playing 80% of the regular season plays and making the AFC Conference Championship game with Cutler playing 90% of the plays in the playoffs. NOW, that is your offense budget for free agency over the next however many seasons you keep Cutler...Keep that in mind...No more offensive linemen, or receivers who have nice contract years. Bitonio won't get re-signed when his contract comes up unless Joe Thomas is cut and replaced be a tackle on his rookie contract. That sort of thing...
I would love to have Cutler also. I knew he made a lot but not that much. He would have to agree to restructure his contract. A lot of holes to fill on this team!
Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan may be on the way out in Cleveland over issues with some of his fellow coaches and the team?s front office. Shanahan is hoping to get a head-coaching job, and he has been mentioned as a candidate for the vacancies in Buffalo and San Francisco. But Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that Shanahan may leave Cleveland even if he doesn?t get a head-coaching gig, because the situation in Cleveland has become dysfunctional. According to the report, the personnel side and the coaching side aren?t seeing eye to eye, and the coaches may have felt pressured to bench Brian Hoyer and start Johnny Manziel, a decision that resulted in an already struggling Cleveland offense getting worse. The report even says that the personnel side is intruding on the coaching side to such an extent that a personnel executive texted from the press box to the sidelines about play calling during a game. Shanahan is under contract to the Browns for the 2015 season, and if he wants to leave to become an assistant on another coaching staff, the Browns don?t have to let him go. But if there?s already a toxic atmosphere inside the team, forcing a coach to stay even though he wants to leave probably wouldn?t improve the situation. It may be better for both sides if Shanahan leaves Cleveland. this is disturbing . quit shoving players down the coaches throat . they know better than the white collar suits as to who is ready to play ! *WALL*
The Morning Kickoff ? Get to work: Last year at this time, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam peered into the TV cameras and proclaimed, ?This is the crucial offseason for the Cleveland Browns.? So here we are again. The good news is the Browns aren?t searching for a head coach and general manager for the first time in three years. But the tasks at hand are no less onerous. The Browns have 13 unrestricted free agents, including six starters or prominent players. They have to straighten out problem players Josh Gordon, Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert. And they have a quarterback situation that is ?muddy, at best,? according to coach Mike Pettine. By keeping GM Ray Farmer and Pettine, at least the Browns can go about their off-season business like a normal team and not fall further behind. (They?re already 14 years behind the average playoff team.) Pettine was named coach last Jan. 23. Farmer was elevated to GM on Feb. 11 in the implosion that claimed Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi. This year, Farmer and Pettine can address the team?s issues jointly from the start. They will follow this calendar of important dates: This week: Football operations ? coaches and personnel executives ? are evaluating every player on the roster. Out of these meetings will come answers to the questions: Will the Browns try to re-sign Brian Hoyer? If not, which veteran quarterback will they pursue? How do they proceed with Josh Gordon ? status quo, trade or release? Whom do they prioritize in free agency? January 19-24: Interviews and practices at the Senior Bowl, Mobile, AL. A year ago with the Browns in the midst of a coaching search, the highest-ranking employees on hand at the Senior Bowl were Farmer, then the assistant GM, and Vic Carucci, senior editor of the team Website. The year before that, neither Banner nor Lombardi attended the Senior Bowl. The year before that, GM Tom Heckert missed while recovering from a heart procedure. January 25: Pro Bowl in Glendale, AZ. This is where the league?s best players gather and trade stories about their teams. Some free agent recruiting goes on. January 27-February 1: Super Bowl week in Glendale, AZ. Which Browns will promenade Radio Row, which has become THE place to be seen at the Super Bowl? Last year it was Hoyer and Gordon. February 10: NFL teams can begin signing Canadian Football League players whose 2014 contracts have expired. I think the last player signed by the Browns directly from the CFL was receiver Terry Greer in the mid-1980s. February 16: First day to designate franchise and transition players. The Browns last used the franchise tag on kicker Phil Dawson in 2012. They used the seldom-used transition tag last year on center Alex Mack. At one time the Browns seriously considered using one of the tags on tight end Jordan Cameron. Those estimated values for a tight end in 2015 are expected to be about $8 million (franchise) and $7 million (transition). Cameron?s third career concussion, which kept him out five weeks, most certainly will influence the Browns? decision on Cameron. February 17-23: NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Aside from the player testing and interviews, this probably is the next time we?ll hear from Farmer and Pettine. March 1: Pro days begin. Last year, Farmer and Pettine felt it was more important to camouflage their intentions than to participate in the pro days, some of which have become ponderous events unto themselves. March 2: Deadline to designate franchise or transition tags. March 7-10: Teams permitted to commence negotiations with unrestricted free agents. March 10: Deadline to submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents (three NFL seasons). Browns RFAs are Johnson Bademosi, Tashaun Gipson and Ishmaa?ily Kitchen. Deadline to submit minimum tenders to exclusive rights free agents (fewer than three NFL seasons). Browns ERFAs are Craig Robertson, Spencer Lanning and Ryan Seymour. Also, unrestricted free agency signing period begins. March 22-25: Annual NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, AZ. The annual league convention where seeds are planted for trades and rumors waft through the corridors of the NFL?s $500-a-night resort hotel. April 20: Browns offseason conditioning program begins. First time for players and coaches to meet as a team. April 24: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets. April 30-May 2: NFL draft in Chicago, IL. May 8-11: Rookie minicamp.
I am pretty sure that Sanchez might also be available as well . would you rather have Cutler or Sanchez ? I think the Rams will keep Bradford after they redo his contract . I would rather have Bradford bad wheels and all . he played well before getting hurt . regardless they had better sign a veteran QB . Maybe Hoyer stays ? all three are a upgrade over Hoyer . draft and sign a WR that is over 5-8 ..harder to hit he munchikins than a tall physical wide out .
No Duff around to tend here soooo I guess I will pour myself a stiff one ..very stiff as it is colder than a well diggers ass in the Klondike
Be careful what you quote from 92.3 the fan...I listen to them nearly every morning and almost everything they state is hearsay, fan perspective or speculation. I did not hear this stated this morning, but I only got to listen from 6:15-6:30 this morning... So I'm not trying to disprove your message in the least Els, just putting the warning out there about the source. It is what it is Els...Don't expect any type of restructuring of Cutler's contract. A) Cutler has been well know to be stubborn. B) Correct me if I'm wrong, but a new team couldn't even try that until he was traded if I'm not mistaken. The Browns could offer a trade with a contingency, but there is no way to know if Cutler's side would agree to it. ALL leverage is in Cutler's court right now because the 2015 contract has $19.5M in dead money, which means the Bears WILL NOT cut him, and if another team trades for him, it will be for this number...which is $16.5M 2015 cap hit and $3M in future earnings guaranteed. He has NO incentive to re-structure for any reason, the least of which would be to become the 23rd starting QB of the Cleveland Browns since their return in 1999. What we would get is a QB who could very well be playing for a 2016 contract, which works in our favor. Every year after 2015 is a virtual contract year for Cutler. He either plays to the $ level of his current contract which is basically a top ten QB, or he takes a rather sizable pay cut in subsequent years as long as he remains an NFL QB. NOW, what the Browns do have to offer is one of the finest offensive lines in the NFL and currently a top WR who is one move away from suspension. Cutler would make every one on the offense automatically better, imho. With Cutler on board, there would need to be a strategy in place for 2015...Is THIS defense as is good enough to compete, if the offense can stay on the field? I believe it is... Cap situation: Currently $48M to spend Rookies (8 rookies, 2 1st and 2 4th, NO 3rd) $7M, adjusted $41M Cutler $16.5M, adjusted $24.5M In house free agents: Skrine $3.5M, adjusted $21M Gipson $4M, adjusted $17M Roberts $4M, adjusted $13M Then Cut/Trade: Paul McQuisten (save $1.395M), adjusted $14.395M Mitchell Schwartz (save $1.095M) adjusted $15.49M Trade Josh Gordon for 5th round pick (save $1.118M), adjusted $16.608M If so, you can then take the remaining money and put it into the offense in the form of: 2nd tier WR help like; Randall Cobb ? GB 24 5?10? 192 5YR/45M, $9M PER Jeremy Maclin ? PHI 26 6?0? 198 4YR/32M, $8M PER Torrey Smith ? BAL 25 6?0? 205 4YR/32M, $8M PER Michael Crabtree ? SF 27 6?1? 214 4YR/25M, $6.25M PER Wes Welker ? DEN 33 5?9? 185 2YR/10M, $5M PER Hakeem Nicks ? IND 26 6?1? 208 2YR/8M, $4M PER Reggie Wayne ? IND 36 6?0? 203 2YR/9M, $4.5M PER Cecil Shorts ? JAX 27 6?0? 202 4YR/19M, $4.75M PER Andre Holmes ? OAK 26 6?4? 210 4YR/20M, $5M PER Kenny Britt ? STL 26 6?3? 223 3YR/13M, $4.33M PER SIGN Kenny Britt $4.33M, adjusted $12.278 Draft 1st round WR, Kevin White, instant starter Offensive Line help: Doug Free (OT) DAL 30 ROT 6?6? 325 3YR/15M, $5M PER Jermey Parnell (OT) DAL 28 ROT 6?6? 315 3YR/9M, $3M PER Bryan Bulaga (OT) GB 25 ZBS ROT 6?5? 314 6YR/48M, $8M PER Michael Roos (OT) TEN 32 LOT 6?7? 313 5YR/42M, $7M PER Fernando Velasco (G) CAR 29 ROG 6?4? 310 5YR/31M, $6.25M PER Orlando Franklin (G) DEN 27 LOG 6?7? 320 6YR/47M, $7.8M PER James Carpenter (G) SEA 25 LOG 6?5? 321 6YR/45M, $7.5M PER Mike Iupati (G) SF 27 LOG 6?5? 331 5YR/43M, $8.6M PER SIGN Brian Bulaga $8M, adjusted $4.278M leaving $4.278M for backup talent and/or Kicker if not drafted Draft: 1st round WR, DT WR Kevin White, instant starter 1st round [del]WR,[/del] DT Danny Shelton, instant starter 2nd round [del]WR,[/del] ILB, [del]DT[/del], OLB Markus Golden [del]3rd round[/del] Used on Cutler 4th round [del]WR,[/del] ILB, [del]DT[/del], [del]OLB[/del], DE, S, TE, QB, K , G/C G/C Mike Matthews 4th round (From the Bills) [del]WR,[/del] ILB , [del]DT[/del], [del]OLB[/del], DE, S, TE, QB, K Roberto Aguayo, instant starter, [del]G/C[/del] 5th round [del]WR,[/del] ILB Stephone Anthony, [del]DT[/del], [del]OLB[/del], DE, S, TE, QB, [del]K[/del], [del]G/C[/del] 5th round [del]WR,[/del] [del]ILB[/del] (For Josh Gordon), [del]DT[/del], [del]OLB[/del], DE, S, TE Pharaoh Brown, QB, K, [del]G/C[/del] 6th round [del]WR,[/del] [del]ILB[/del], [del]DT[/del], [del]OLB[/del], DE, S Tim Scott, [del]TE[/del], QB, [del]K[/del], [del]G/C[/del] 7th round [del]WR,[/del] [del]ILB[/del], [del]DT[/del], [del]OLB[/del], DE, [del]S[/del], [del]TE[/del], QB,[del]K[/del],[del]G/C[/del] Take your pick of best available...My money would go to Taiwan Jones 4-3 OLB/3-4 ILB Leaving a need for some project/cheap free agents at DE and QB 2 positions, with $4.278M to spend... that could net us the likes of: DE Dan Williams from Arizona $1.87M QB UDFA $700K, maybe Bo Wallace from Ole Miss
I can not believe what I'm reading. You guys are actually discussing bringing in Jay Freaking Cutler? Irish is 100% spot on about Cutler NOT restructuring his contract. In order to support his salary - the Browns (even with their cap space) - would have to initiate some form of salary dump just to pay him. For what . . . he whined his ass out of Denver and pouted his way to the bench in Chicago. All that with a running game (Matt Forte) and not one but two top shelf receivers (Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery). Just because the Bears were stupid doesn't mean we have to be.
Lym man for this team to get better they have to find a QB. We don't have one on the roster that is of playoff caliber. Not Hoyer, Not Manziel and definitely not Shaw. I think Manziel is a bust! I was happy as hell we drafted him but after seeing his play and actions off the field I would let his ass sit on the pine. He doesn't want to be great and doesn't need the money. The Browns should bring back Hoyer at this point or try to find a QB that is better. To me that is Cutler. Cutler is 10x the QB Hoyer is but may cost to much. So if they can't find a QB then bring back Hoyer, Manziel and Shaw. Build the rest of the team. To me besides QB are the biggest positions of need on........ Offense 1. Find a starting QB or resign Hoyer. 2. Right Side of line needs help. RT or RG 3. Trade Gordon. Then Sign a WR and with 1 of those 1st rd picks draft 1. 4. Figure out what to do with Cameron. Keep him, sign TE or draft one. 5. Sign a kicker. That's 5 things that this offense needs to do before next year in my eyes. I'm done with Gordon and almost Manziel. This teams attitude is very fragile. With these 2 jackasses on the team it can't be positive. Manziel is young so maybe he can be humbled but Gordon is what he is. I say TRADE HIM and get what I can but trade him to the NFC! Defense 1. Let Rubin go. Draft or bring in another DT 2. Sheard may resign. If not you will need a DE. We may need one anyway. 3. OLB! Mingo was another H&H bust pick, good backup/ not starter. We need a J. Houston, V. Miller, T. Suggs type. Rush the QB. 4. ILB! We need an arse kicking ILB, run stuffer, P. Willis, Kouchley from the Panthers, someone who can thump. 5. I actually like our DB's. We need to resign Skrine, can't buy speed and he is an over achiever. Same with Gipson. I love players like that. Come onto any team with a chipon your shoulder and something to prove. You can win with them. They are winners. Same goes with that Williams kid. Throw in veterans like Haden, Whitner and Desir and Gilbert will be alright. I like the good depth of this group. I'm going to go ahead and put my wish list of free agents on that thread. Are we also going to put the draft picks we like on there too or should we just keep the draftee's on this one? GO BROWNS!!! Hopefully this is the off season we have been waiting for!!!!!!!
Cutler? Jay Cutler? Really............. Well alrighty then, call Ben Tate, hug Josh Gordon, pat Gilbert on the back, and have Johnny park Jay's car and hang a new sign up over the door: Haslam's Asylum. God give me strength. Not even close to liking this idea. Big money, attitude, and no cred IMFO. Let the Jets take him, that ships going down either way, and Cutler's just he right captain for the job.
Dissention in the coaching / front office. Very disturbing. Asking for plays called...... WTF? Doctor Haslam and Mr Hyde? Do we have Dan Snyder II? I know these are rumors, but sadly make a certain amount of sense, with all that we do know. Like Hoyer or not, it isn't a good sign that he wants out, and I tend to believe the drumbeats from on high, began undermining his starter status at/around mid season. I have alwys believed you have to support your QB 100% throughout the organization until you decide not to. I get the feeling that front office types, began pushing for a change earlier than most of us, and it impacted his play. Sounds like a Hoyer apologist, I know, and it is, at least to some degree. This isn't about Hoyer, but about he organization's continuity, and if Shanny is ready to jump, and Hoyer is ready to leave, and any of the rumors about "top down" intervention are true, then it is a very bad sign. Continuity is vital, and that isn't just about keeping the HC, it is also about demonstrating it from "all levels" of the organization during the season too. Talking about continuity and then whispering discontent undermines everyone. This is toxic, and for a franchise that has a hard time attracting personnel in both the coaching and player ranks, it simply underscores why Clevelnad is the place careers go to die. Stop it. Stop it now! I sincerley hope these rumors are not true, because if this is the manner Haslam plans to run things I will go to my grave without a championship. It was only year 2 for Jim Bob, and I guess you could say his keeping his GM and Coach is a lesson learned, but I hope this season's lessons weren't lost on those who thought they knew better than the guys n the sidelines. Coaches coach, Executives execute. Unfortunately ours execute their own. Crap!
GD I hear you man but right now Manziel is our best option at QB! I'm just trying to throw names out there that I heard are on the outs with their teams. So far Bradford and Cutler are those 2 QB's. You also have Mallett and Locker as every draft guru has decided that J. Winston is going to get drafted by the Titans. I also believe they have Mettenberger from last years draft. So Locker being a FA is the odd man out and Mallett is a free agent. Brian Hoyer is what he is. He is a .500 QB. Basically what we saw this year. Manziel has a lot growing up to do and has to get a lot better. I like what I saw from Shaw. He could be your 3rd string QB. But if Hoyer leaves in free agency, then what? It will be Johnny Football and he is not ready mentally or physically to lead this football team. Are you guy's happy with Hoyer, Manziel and Shaw again being your QB's is the question? I'm NOT! None of these gentlemen screams WINNER to me! So I feel we have to find a WINNER at the QB position this off season. Plus I think Shanahan is going to San Fran to coach Kaepernick. He fits his system there. Whoever the new OC is will have to bring his QB to run his system. Manziel was for Shanny's system He is not a pocket passer. If that's the case then Mallett with that rifle arm would be the man we go after. Locker is better than Hoyer and younger, Bradford is injury prone and would get killed in this division. Cutler is everything you said. But he is better thab Hoyer. Right now resigning Hoyer is our best option and I'm not happy with that. We need more in a QB than him missing a wide open WR by 5-10 yards, I know that. If this was a perfect world I would say trade for Luck, Rodgers or Brees. But it is not. Our options are.... 1. Resign Hoyer and let him roll and draft another QB in the later Rds. 2. Let Hoyer walk, hand the reigns to Manziel and wait and see if he can play and draft another QB. 3. Let Hoyer walk and make a play for Mallett, Locker or Bradford and Cutler if they are available. To me those are our options. What would you guy's say we do! But the QB position needs addressed this off season for this team to move forward with success. On another note I just read on Yahoo that the Bears want to trade Cutler and are willing to give up a pick and pay some of that salary. He is owed something like $117 million. Whiner or not he is better than what we have by a long shot! Not my first option but he would be an upgrade. Upgrading talent at whatever position is how you get better as a team. Whether you are drafting or signing free agents. UPGRADING! I guess we all will have to wait and see what Shanahan does. My gut tells me he is rolling. I also heard Charlie Weis's name mentioned as OC.
Els, I agree we need a QB, I just don't see where any of the options represents much of an upgrade. Better than Hoyer, probably, but by enough to warrant the cost? I dont' know. Having the solid line we had in the early part of the season, I believe will do more to improve our fortunes than anything else, with QB play being a close second. The difference is I have seen the line play make us look good. I saw that with Hoyer at the helm. He isn't ever going to be "the answer", but he is IMO the best babysitter we can have right now: he knows the system, knows the players, and is "adequate". Feint praise, but bring in one of your re-treads, and they have to do both of those things before their superior talent counts, so my question is: is that worth it? Aren't any of the solutions, short of the near impossible (Manziel turns out to be great), all temporary fixes? It just isn't a year where QB hunting in the draft is veery fruitfu
I should of put my other option on my list KenD. That is to resign Hoyer and start building the other positions on the team . Then when the right QB presents itself, go get him. I just don't see that type of guy in this draft. If Brian Hoyer is our best option then that's what I think we have to do. I have a question here. Do we have 2 picks in any of the rounds besides the 1st. I think we do but I'm not sure. If we do then we may have to take a flyer on that guy. I know the NFL is trying to change the QB position. It's heading in to that spread QB direction so the QB can use his legs as a weapon. I like mobile QB's but I don't want them running Ohio St. or Oregon's offenses. This is Cleveland! You need a strong armed QB here. That's why in FA I mentioned Mallett. He isn't Peyton Manning but he has a strong arm. I haven't watched enough of him to talk about his accuracy but I know he has a strong arm and is big, not very mobile I think.
You guys are all correct...I don't know what I was thinking. Cutler is a head case and extremely erratic in play over the past several seasons. So...Unfortunately my only answer is to hire a full time baby sitter and use Johnny Manziel to the best of his abilities, drunk sober or high as a kite. Manziel currently stands as the best available option for this team moving into 2015, embrace the roller coaster...
