Lym, I don't disagree it is extremely premature to talk about the needs in the draft prior to free agency...but who the heck wants to sit around quietly until the middle of March? Fact is, as the roster sits now, we can discuss ad nausea needs, wants and remedies until March when we can ramp up are true wants in free agency. We also don't know who will be re-signed by their respective teams and/or given tags, so free agency is really up in the air. As of tomorrow evening though, we will know who is available in the draft, so that talk is not quite as cheap as the free agency talk.
lol! Well I guess we'll save the Ohio State QB debate for another thread...I'm sure we'll have a much clearer picture very soon anyway...I do want to see Cardale in the scarlet and gray for another season, but I have a feeling he's going pro. It probably depends on which way people like Ted Ginn Sr steer him. I know he's also consulting with LeBron James....
Staying with the Brownies. Lym I think it was you that said we have to wait and see what FA brings. I like a lot of you heard the same thing Irish said about drafting WR's with Farmer. He doesn't like to draft them early. Which would mean no White,Strong or Parker in the 1st rd. If that is the case then WR should be a top priority in FA. Cobb, Maclin and T. Smith if they are available. I would also like to bring in a DT or DE in FA! I think free agents are more prepared than draftee's at that position and we need a lot of help up there. I like the experience at certain positions and that's one of them. So to sum it up we need RT, WR, DE, DT, OLB and ILB on this team. I would like the Browns to bring in a WR, DE and DT in FA right now and thinking Farmer doesn't like to draft WR's early. Then we could draft....... RT OLB ILB In the 3rd rd. We could look at QB, TE or what ever we need to add to. But I think if we can sign a DE, DT & WR that would open up our draft so much. Then like I said draft RT, OLB and ILB with the 1st 2 rds.
Personally I am selfish in that I want him to return to tOSU as well. I don't think Farmer would draft him, so in order for me to get satisfaction, it would have to be with the Buckeyes. I just think financially, it would be a smart move for him to declare for the draft. I've seen enough meteoric rises to believe he has the prototypical build and quite frankly, he has a nice skill set that can be exploited in shorts. Scouts will fall in love with this guy and he will end up a 2nd round draft pick.
I don't mind that strategy Els, but I like the DTs in the draft more so than what is available in free agency, so I am partial to exchanging your idea and signing a RT in free agency then drafting the DT. I think it would be more cost effective. I also think offensive tackles have a longer shelf life of usefulness, so looking to free agency there, I believe, would be more fruitful. But I think we are all on the same page as far as needs are concerned...
I'm curious why people think that Ray Farmer "doesn't like to draft Wide Receivers early". We have seen exactly ONE draft from Ray Farmer and he passed on a WR to draft Gilbert. Lets use the way-back machine and re-set what was in place when he did this; o He had an unknown commodity at QB in Brian Hoyer. (Can't recall if Weeden and Campbell were cut before or after the draft). o He did not know if a QB would be available with the second 1st round pick. o Although he knew about Gordon's suspension, he also knew that it could and would be appealed. o Given the situation at QB, the TEAM opted to go Pass Defense. (Not a bad idea if you question you're ability to score, then you have limit the opponent's ability to score.) Hindsight is always 20/20 but to state that a GM doesn't like to draft WR's early given the situation in place at that time, I can see why he went the direction he did.
Because he publicly stated he feels he can find system skill players in the later rounds of drafts that will complement the players that are involved on every play. He said frankly, Wide Receivers are only directly involved in about 10 plays per game, he feels spending the higher draft picks on players that are involved in 90% of the plays or better is a more productive way to use those higher draft picks. It is his philosophy. (edit I do find it extremely curious though, that if given his philosophy and the non-importance of wide receivers, why he would place such a high value on the defensive equivalent at CB...
Okay. I hadn't seen or heard that. [edit] Wait a minute. WR's are only directly involved in 10 plays a game? Even if you meant 10% that means that the run / pass ratio is 90/10 !
Those were his words, but I think he meant "touched" the ball 10 plays a game... For what it's worth though, he also publicly stated on a different occasion that had they stayed at #4, they would have drafted Sammy Watkins...so...I don't know if Farmer has a philosophy or not...Just what he has said at different times.
He must not count drops as a "touch" Given your second quote about he would have drafted Watkins had they stayed at 4 also discounts the idea that doesn't like drafting WR's early. Maybe he's just into draft smoke and mirrors 24/7/365.
Irish I agree with the cost of RT free agents. I think they will cost more. That is one reason why I want a RT with that 1st pick. Also if we do get Peat/Collins they could switch over to LT once gosh forbid Thomas retires. If we sign a RT then in 3/4 more years we will need to get another big money LT to replace JT. I just like veterans more at some positions than others. Joe Thomas is an exception in my book. I think every team wants to draft a LT they can pencil in for 10/12 years that plays at his caliber. With the new rookie scale the draft would be cheaper I think.
The Browns will interview Bills senior offensive assistant Jim Hostler for their offensive-coordinator vacancy. Hostler has ties to Mike Pettine during their time in Baltimore. He also served as the 49ers' offensive coordinator in 2007. Hostler joins a list of candidates that includes former Bears coach Marc Trestman, Raiders senior offensive assistant Al Saunders, Jets RB coach Anthony Lynn, Raiders QB coach John DeFilippo, and Browns TE coach Brian Angelichio.
Pretty damn sad that these are the only guys we can attract for the job. Would be even sadder if these are the only guys they want to hire.
Losing and being dysfunction Duff will have an impact man. This OC coaching search will tell you a lot about this organization and things to come in free agency I think. The team is 7-9, has $32m plus to spend and 3 picks in the top 43. Free agents should be clawing to come here. Are we perceived as dysfunctional around the league? This off season will tell. If so.............. Houston we have a problem!
During his time as the Browns left tackle, Joe Thomas has gotten used to upheaval. The team has had multiple owners, General Managers and head coaches since he was a 2007 first-round pick and the changes on offense have come even when things remain stable in those areas. Like this offseason, for example. Kyle Shanahan is out as offensive coordinator, which means that Thomas will be playing for his sixth different offensive coordinator in the last six years and the seventh since he came to Cleveland. Thomas didn?t greet news of the change with a smile. ?I was disappointed that Kyle left because I thought he did a good job, and obviously I?d like to have continuity on the offensive side of the ball,? Thomas said, via the Akron Beacon Journal. ?It?s not something we?ve had for a while.? Thomas said Shanahan?s departure lessened his good feelings about the return of coach Mike Pettine ?a small amount? while expressing confidence that Pettine would pick the right person to lead the offense in 2015. Thomas knows that whoever takes the job is only going to go as far as the team?s quarterback will take them, which is why he said he certainly wants ?some clarity at that position? come next season. I am hearing that Joe has had enough ! he is tired of losing . he is tired of all the dysfunction . he is tired of the constant change ..just like the rest of us . we don't have a QB on the roster that can take us there . Hoyer had his shot and blew it ..Manzilel doesn't have the skill set and he is a immature entitled little punk .send the little weasel packing ASAP .Shaw is sadly the best but has limited arm strength . the search for a OC is .. well if I don't laugh at it I will go insane *CRAZY* we have a meddlesome owner who I hope keeps his hillbilly ass in his office and writes the checks .I don't have the faith in Farmer that some of you do . I really wanted Farmer from the get go . turn it around Ray .please ! I think that Jones will come out . I hope we draft him if he does . he will have to set coming from Meyers spread system .another reason I hate the college offenses as only parts of it are used on Sunday . I am still having site issues ..it sets and spins before IE recovers it *WALL* . anybody else having site issues ? lets see how this plays out on the coaching front . if Joe wants out and from what I am hearing add LT as another high priority
Did the Browns make any progress at the game's most important position? Fred Greetham examines the year's results. 2014 in Review: The quarterbacks (We will do a position-by-position review of each of the Browns positions as the team heads toward the 2015 season. We?ll start with the quarterback position.) The Browns have searched for over 16 seasons to try and find the franchise quarterback. 2014 was supposed to be the season to find the quarterback moving forward. It was to see if Brian Hoyer would be able to handle the role of the team?s starting quarterback or to start in the development process of rookie Johnny Manziel. Neither happened. Hoyer started fairly strong and led the Browns to a 6?3 start through the first nine games. However, his play spiraled downward thereafter and Mike Pettine decided to start Manziel in the biggest game of the Browns season. Manziel failed miserably in his first start and then was injured in his second start and finished the season on injured reserve. Undrafted rookie free agent Connor Shaw finished the season and showed more poise than Manziel did in his first NFL action. A brief breakdown of the quarterbacks who ended the season on the roster: Brian Hoyer?Hoyer finished the season at the bottom of NFL quarterbacks in most statistical categories, including completion percentage at just 55.3 percent. Overall, Hoyer was 242-of?438 for 3,326 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His rating was 76.5. Hoyer?s record as a starter for the Browns is 10?6 over the past two seasons, which is his most redeeming accomplishment. Hoyer is a free agent and is expected to be offered a better opportunity elsewhere. Johnny Manziel?. Manziel?s best showing was in a mop up role against the Bills when he moved the team 80 yards for a touchdown in his first series, including a 10-yard touchdown run. However, Manziel failed miserably in his first NFL start against the Bengals as the Browns were shut out. He finished the season 18-of?35 for 175 yards (51.4 pct.) with no touchdowns and two interceptions. His rating was just 41.9. With the likely departure of Hoyer, the Browns have to decide if Manziel can be trusted to turn the reins over to in 2015. Connor Shaw?Shaw showed grit and poise in his only game action for a player who spent 16 weeks on the practice squad. He was 14-of?28 for 177 yards (50 pct.) with no touchdowns and one interception in his only game. His rating was 55.2. Whatever the Browns decide to do, Shaw will likely return to battle for either the second or third quarterback spot. Tyler Thigpen?Picked up a nice check for standing on the sideline for the final game after Manziel was placed on injured reserve and Hoyer was unable to play. He might be brought to training camp, but it hardly an option moving forward. Summary: The Browns quarterback situation is arguably in worse shape than it was at this time heading into the 2014 off-season. At this time a year ago, the Browns decided to part ways with Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell, but felt Hoyer was the inherent starter heading into the season. They planned on drafting a quarterback to develop and sit while Hoyer played. Manziel was drafted and the plan was working until Hoyer faltered and the plan was scrapped. Manziel?s body of work, although small, doesn?t give the Browns any confidence going into 2015 that he can be the answer. Pettine said the quarterback position is ?muddy at best? going into the off-season. With Hoyer a free agent, the Browns have to make a decision on if they are going to re-sign Hoyer, sign another quarterback in free agency, make the commitment to Manziel as the starter in 2015 or draft another quarterback to compete with him. (Next: We?ll review the running backs) theOBR.com Recommended Stories
Bluez a few years ago we lost 1 of the better kickers in the game in Phil Dawson. He went to the 49ers to play in warm weather and for a winner. being a long time NFL vet he has all the money in the world but while he was here we were bad, very bad. Same could be said for D. Jackson and Ward. They lost here now they are in the playoffs. These players are making what most of us call lottery money! I said there is 2 kinds of players. Those that want to make money and those that want to win. If Thomas wants out I don't blame him. He is having a HOF career on a losing team. If I was him I would think "What a waste of a great career!"
I don't know if Thomas is thinking about asking for a trade out sometime here in the near future. He did resign here and makes a chit load of money. But the losing, dysfunction and changing of coaches has to be getting old for him. He is in the back part of his career now. If he stays here he will be known as the great, HOF LT that PLAYED ON BAD TEAMS IN A DYSFUNCTIONAL organization...... The Cleveland Browns. When players like I mentioned leave here in FA I call it the Dawson effect. Every NFL player is going to make a lot of money when they get drafted. As Dion Sanders said " It changed my library card into credit cards!" After they get that money they want to WIN!
I know this isn't what you were looking for because it actually ADDS to the dysfunction, but we didn't "lose" any of the mentioned free agents..Cleveland didn't make an offer to any of them, so they were never given a choice to stay. I think when it is all said and done, Joe Thomas is loyal to a fault and he will be happy he stayed in Cleveland for his career. That said, I want more than anything for this success to come quickly so it wasn't fruitless. He deserves more than anyone a winner in Cleveland..if this continues down this path, I don't know that my forever optimism won't wilt into complacency, which will then go down the road of resentment, to finally letting my fandom fade into a distant memory... I have been a Browns fan for 40 years...I am at my wits end quite honestly I hope I have a ray of hope in 2015..2014 was a roller coaster ride that put me on a euphoric high during the first half of the season and dropped me into an abyss the second half. I quite simply don't know how much more I can follow this team, if I don't feel they are doing everything in their power to win. This off season will show me more about MY PERSONAL future as a fan of the NFL than any other season...
