if you suspend a GM uumm what does that mean *SCRATCH* .. he cant set on the sidelines during game days ? someone else in the FO has to sign a free agent that week ? he cant attend the combine ? ..he didn't last year and he wasn't suspended . he was NOWHERE to be found at any event last year *WALL* it might not be a bad thing if Farmer isn't allowed to attend the combine .I cant believe I just said that
The Morning Kickoff ? Deep breaths: Have the Browns hit rock bottom yet? Probably not. That should ? should -- come when the NFL hands down discipline for violating electronic communication rules ? a.k.a. Text-gate. The rules are set forth in the NFL Constitution and Bylaws and in the NFL Game Operations Manual. They exist ?to ensure competitive equity between the clubs.? The Browns didn?t gain a competitive advantage by having front office types badger coaches via text messages to subordinates on the sidelines. Rather, they put their team at a competitive disadvantage. It wasa case of meddlesome execs submarining the team by distracting coaches with inappropriatemessages. Still, I expect the NFL to come down hard on the Browns. Why? Out of frustration for not being able to nail the Patriots on Deflate-gate. And because it would be so Cleveland to blow a draft pick out of stupidity. Not like that hasn?t happened before. The penalties could be a combination of fines, suspensions or draft choices taken away. How severe may depend on the frequency of the violations (over multiple games) and who was involved. The most severe penalty, in my opinion, would result if the owner were implicated. Sanctions would complete an Offseason From Hell that included: offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan begging for his release, Johnny Manziel entering alcohol rehab, Josh Gordon being suspended for a minimum of one year and disclosing his positive test was the result of drinking with teammates and one former assistant coach. So how do the Browns climb themselves out of this Grand Canyon-esque crater? I have a five-step plan: 1. Re-sign Brian Hoyer. Do it quickly. The press conference alone would be worth the nominal investment for a three-year contract. Hoyer could make fans feel a little bit better about their team by genuinely expressing his love for the city and team. At this point, who else would choose to sign here? Beyond the PR value, however, re-signing Hoyer would restore faith in the locker room and credibility in coach Mike Pettine, who hasn?t won many arguments with his bosses since the Justin Gilbert whiff. Granted, Hoyer is not the final answer at the quarterback position, but he is the best option to hold the fort ? and win ? until the Next Great Hope is found. Plus, he is the ideal quarterback to transition to role of mentor and backup when the NGH is drafted. Further, Hoyer should be better in 2015 because his right knee will be naturally stronger the second year after ACL surgery, and the suffocating shadow of Johnny Manziel will be removed (see below). What needs to happen, however, is for Hoyer to be shown the unwavering support of ownership and the front office ? something palpably missing last season. 2. Sign the best available wide receiver in free agency. If Dez Bryant is re-signed by the Cowboys, I?m not sure there is a true No. 1 receiver with size and speed available. Unless others become available, the best are Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, Michael Crabtree and Torrey Smith. Since none of the four best receivers in free agency ? minus Bryant -- is truly a No. 1, this would be only the first step in the essential upgrading of the position. The quarterback and running game would benefit by this two-step approach. 3. Draft the best available wide receiver at No. 12. This is the second step in correcting GM Ray Farmer?s cataract-affected view of offense. Whether the selection is Alabama?s Amari Cooper, Louisville?s DeVante Parker or West Virginia?s Kevin White, the point is adding a top-flight receiver now so that he is developed by the time the Next Great Hope is on the field. 4. Draft the best available defensive lineman at No. 19. Joe Haden told me at the Super Bowl the defense needs a feared defensive end to rush the passer and alter offensive game-plans. If the higher-ranked player on the board is run-stuffing defensive tackle, that would work, too. 5. Trade Johnny Manziel to the Dallas Cowboys. This is a pure bail-out from a huge mistake. The Browns need to cut their losses and move on from Manziel. Because Manziel currently is in alcohol rehab, this may be construed as tossing aside a young player with dependency issues. Actually, sending Manziel to his home state of Texas, where he would be closer to family who could watch over him and where he is still revered as a college hero, might be doing him a favor. Beyond Manziel?s non-existent work ethic and his loss of respect in the locker room, the fact remains that Manziel?s schoolyard style of quarterbacking and his beyond-slight build simply don?t fit this geography and smash-mouth division. Neither does he fit Pettine?s philosophy of offense, and Pettine intends to ?immerse? himself in the offense in his second season as coach. The Browns would be lucky to receive a late-round pick from Jerry Jones for Manziel. Since they gave up first- and third-round picks to select him, virtually giving away Manziel would be a sobering admission that they were mistaken in thinking he could be The Man. It happens. Manziel?s apparent sole purpose in 2014 was to stir ticket and jersey sales and make the Browns relevant again. In that regard, it was mission accomplished. Until he stepped on the field and actually played. Trading him also would be affirmation that player acquisitions were restored to the office of football operations, where they belong.
*STOP* While I can agree with Tony's thoughts here. I vehemently disagree with this approach *ROSE* The Browns need to draft the BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE when their turn comes. Regardless of the position that player plays. I get that the Browns roster lacks talent at those positions, but if there is a more talented player at a different position it makes more sense to improve the overall talent level on the roster whenever you get the chance. The Browns need to stop drafting for position and reaching for players. It's like being stuck in the mud up to the axles, and thinking that if you floor it you'll eventually get un stuck *WALL* *WALL*
Couldn't agree more Crex...The only positions I would take off the table in the first round are CB and RB..Every other position would be in play, then those two go back on the table in round two and beyond. (edit I might adjust that list depending on free agency...IF they spend big on a RT, then O-line would also be excluded from the first round.
Agree to disagree on excluding any position. While we know that the Browns are potentially set at RB, if the BPA is a game changing RB I'd take him, especially with the issues West displayed this past year. (note: At this point I'm not sure that either Gurly or Gordon are worthy of a top 20 pick anyway.) As to the O-line. Even if they spend big on a RT I'm all for building depth in the trenches. We've seen all to often in the last umpteen years what happens when a starter goes down on the O-line. The Browns need to build depth in the trenches. Games are won and lost in the trenches. When the Browns O-line won the battles upfront the Browns won games. When the O-line got their arses handed to them, well we saw what happened there as well.
Two old pensioners are taking a trip down memory lane by going back to the place where they first met. Sitting at a caf?, the little old man says, "Remember the first time I met you over 50 years ago? We left this cafe, went round the corner behind the gas works, and I gave you one from behind." "Why, yes, I remember it well, dear," replies the little old lady with a grin. "Well, for old time's sake, let's go there again. and I'll give you one from behind." The two pensioners pay their bill and leave the cafe. A young man sitting next to them has overheard the conversation and smiles to himself, thinking it would be quite amusing to see two old pensioners at it. He gets up and follows them. Sure enough, he sees the two pensioners near the gas works. The little old lady pulls off her knickers and lifts up her dress. The old man pulls down his pants and grabs the lady's hips, and the little old lady reaches for the fence. Well, what follows is 40 minutes of the most athletic sex the man has ever seen. The little old man is banging away at the little old woman at a pace that can only be described as phenomenal. Limbs are flying everywhere, the movement is a blur, and they do not stop for a single second. Finally, they collapse and don't move for an hour. Well, the man is stunned. Never in his life has he ever seen anything that equates to this -- not in the movies, not from his friends, not from his own experiences. Reflecting on what he has just seen, he says to himself, "I have to know his secret. If only I could shag like that now, let alone in 50 years' time!" The two old pensioners have by this time recovered and dressed themselves. Plucking up courage, the man approaches the pensioner. He says, "Sir, in all my life I have never seen anybody shag like that, particularly at your age. What's your secret? Could you shag like that 50 years ago?" The pensioner replies, "Son, 50 years ago, that f*cking fence wasn't electrified."
Yeah, we'll disagree here...I don't believe in a first round RB any longer. I think it has much more to do with the line than a "game changing" RB. They are few and far between, almost as elusive as a franchise QB. I certainly don't see one in the 2015 draft. I may be a homer here, but imho, the next big RB will be Exekial Elliot. That said, Elliot had his coming out party as the O-Line came together. As for the O-Line, if we were to say get Brian Bulaga, we would already have depth on the O-Line, except at C. Either Greco or Schwartz would become the immediate backup at multiple positions on the line. I do think a center could be drafted later, but again, not one even close to one being available with a first round grade. Taking another tackle in the first round, would be useless, except in the case of an injury over the next four-five years. Why would you NOT take a player that has potential to be a starter over that period rather than a OT that will NOT win out in a battle against Thomas and/or Bulaga? Most likely, imho, a rookie would have a difficult mountain to climb to even beat out Mitchell Schwartz in his rookie season.
[video]http://youtu.be/OhdNPCDmoCg[/video] Sell the bitches car . I know Jimmy and spend time whenever he gets back around the area [:}
I would love to find a change of pace back in the draft .one that can return punts & kicks . good hands with shifty moves . we need a Eric Metcalf or Greg Pruitt type to go along with West & the Crow which are basicly the same kind of back . we can find one in the latter rounds or maybe sign one after the draft . IMHO we need a OLB that can stuff the run set the edge . Mingo will be nothing more than a situational pass rusher at best . to bony to hold up against the run . we werer DEAD LAST against the run *HELP* *WALL* . that has to be a priority along with a stout DE .
Agreed on no 1st round RB this year. Though in the future if that do it all RB ( think LT/AP) is there I'd be hard pressed to not take him. Plus if Farmer upgrades the O-line and develops good depth the guys already on the roster can do some damage. Agreed that IF Farmer signs Bulaga any incoming rookie would have a big climb ahead off him. At this point we don't know who Farmer will be able to sign and what gaps will be filled in FA. As to the injury front. Can happen to any lineman at any time. I for one would love to be in that position where the O-line doesn't skip a beat should another Alex Mack injury occur to any of them. Plus most of what I am finding about several of the top OT's in the draft is that they may be better suited to slide to guard. I guess in the end I'm tired of watching the Browns drafting based on need and passing up more talented guys that would make the roster stronger.
we with all the bad press about us we may have a real hard time attracting any quality free agents ..even over paying may not help .
Le'Veon Bell was sentenced to 15 months probation as a result of his August DUI arrest. Bell was also arrested for possession of marijuana back on that day in August. The DUI is the real concern here because, as stated in the league's new substance-abuse policy, Bell is subject to a two-game ban as a first-time offender. While the league softened its stance against marijuana, it heightened penalties against DUI. With the matter settled in court, commissioner Roger Goodell can hand out his punishment. Bell could be suspended this upcoming season. is this strike 1 for Bell ? Gordon not defending him but Bell & Blount both got caught with there hands in the cookie jar so to speak .this is the first I have heard anything about disciplinary actions ? still haven't heard anything about Blount ?? Pile on the Browns yet every other team screws up and you hear little to nothing about it *SCRATCH*
As this fine Friday winds down Lounge Houndz. I do believe it is BEER THIRTY. First round is on me *DRINK*
My guess there Bluez is that other teams have that process in place where that kind of stuff is usually NOT leaked to the media by some "insider". And that is why you hear very little about it until the league makes an official ruling. *WALL* *BYE* *ROSE* *WALL*
Per the NEW substance abuse policy the NFL implemented around week 4 or 5 last season, a 1st time offence on a DUI is an automatic 2 game suspension. Kinda hope we get the Steelers in week 1 or 2 again this year. *THUMBSUP*
Well, that was my statement Crex..IF the Browns spent big money on a RT, then I would take OL off the docket for the draft... I too would LOVE to have a starting caliber OT sitting on the sideline itching to get in, but not to the detriment of not having a starter at another position because you drafted that guy standing on the sideline... Scenario 1: Browns sign Bulaga... Then draft Clemmings at 12 and have to fill NT and WR, with only #19 left to draft...Take Strong at #19 and they once again finish 32nd against the run on defense. Scenario 2: Browns sign Bulaga Then draft Shelton at 12 and Brandon Scherff at 19, they take care of NT to help the run defense, but now we have Ty Montgomery and Stephon Diggs to choose from to be our #1 receiver...Which one do you want? Doesn't matter, because you got a good "backup" OT to watch from the sidelines... That's all I meant...now, IF/WHEN they do not get an upgrade on the right side of the line, then by all means include them in the search.
