Pat McManamon ESPN Staff Writer Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email print comment The Professional Football Writers of America announced their All-Rookie team Monday, and no Cleveland Browns made the list. What does this mean? It means none of the Browns' 14 draft picks had rookie seasons of distinction at their position. It doesn't mean the draft is a failure, but it does mean Cleveland's 2016 draft class did not get off to a fast start. Defensive lineman Emmanuel Ogbah probably had the best season of all the Browns' draft picks, and he got better as the season progressed. However, he was beaten out on the defensive line by Joey Bosa (San Diego), DeForest Buckner (San Francisco), Chris Jones, (Kansas City) and Yannick Ngakoue (Jacksonville). First-round pick Corey Coleman was set back by a broken hand that kept him from playing in six games, then had 26 catches in 60 targets in the final eight games he did play. Near the end of the season, Coleman said he felt like he let a lot of people down. The Browns' other 12 draft picks had a combined 33 starts, including eight each by quarterback Cody Kessler and guard Spencer Drango. Kessler finished with a 92.3 passer rating, and tight end Seth DeValve had two touchdowns late in the season. Browns vice president of football operations Sashi Brown assessed the team's draft class this way the day after the 2016 season ended: ?I think all those guys showed why we drafted them. "Corey showed his explosiveness, had the three touchdown catches and fought through some injuries and actually showed that he can be successful in an NFL offense. I know there were a lot of questions about that coming out of Baylor, but you saw his strength, you saw his speed, his play and his toughness and competitiveness. "Emmanuel, you saw him quite consistently get QB hurries. We were pleased with him -- played a little bit of outside, played some inside, and certainly in the sub-rush position we?ve been pleased with him. "Throughout, (offensive lineman) Shon Coleman came in. And again, a tribute to the coaching staff with all the injuries we have had -- the guys have been ready, whether it?s Spencer or Shon at different times to step up in the face of injuries in guys ahead of them when they are forced in to play and have been ready and prepared and played actually well and surprisingly well. "Up and down as you look at the roster, these guys, it is too early to tell. Some of the guys that have started fast may end slowing down. Some of the guys that started slow will speed up. "We are pleased with what we have seen from them and their work ethic and what they?re doing coming in. They, as a group, understand the significance of how large the draft class was, and they want to be part of what is going to be a turnaround here. We think a lot of them are on their way, and there is a lot more improvement for each of them.?
They have started, but they don't have that much coverage of the Shrine game...The Senior Bowl, which is the following week, will have televised practices..also on NFL Network and South team coached by the Browns.
I read an article yesterday talking about teams ability to carry over their cap number from the previous year. It said that the Browns have 10 million more than the next team, and about double what the 4th team is carrying over. With this number, it said they have 108 MILLION to spend this year. My favorite line was "that should be enough for them to sign a star player or 10."
They carried over $50.1M Dogside, the next closest to them was the 49ers..(edit: Sorry the Jags actually carried over $600K more than the 49ers.) Thanks to beach for providing this pic! I stole it from another thread that he used. I agree to a certain extent, but they must remain smart about it. If they can use that cap space to front load contracts I am all for it. If they use the cap space and sign conventional contracts, then we will be in cap hell next year and beyond without a franchise QB signed. They could do a lot of good for this franchise in using this cap space wisely in their contract structure..problem is, they pay a LOT more money up front to these players and you never know how a player will react after receiving that huge paycheck...plus, they have short memories, getting paid $4M in year 3 of your contract when another player is getting $9M hurts their ego, even if they do get a record amount of money up front that no one at their position has ever received... We could poach Kevin Zeitler from the Bengals, which would help us and weaken a team we face twice a year in one fail swoop.. We could also go after a defensive leader familiar with Greg Williams in Trumaine Johnson... These two, added with the re-signing of Pryor and Collins would go a long way in helping this team take a step in the right direction... (edit Just realized, Greg Williams starting SS, TJ McDonald is also available this off season...A Combo of Johnson and McDonald could help this defense understand Williams defense pretty quick...save a little of that money for 2018 offseason when Alec Ogletree becomes available..
I like the idea of going after Kevin Zietler. I was thinking along the same lines, but going after Ricky Wagner from Baltimore. If we are going to spend in free agency, then spend on offensive lineman. Good O-lineman are hard to develope in this league, especially with the limited contact permitted these days... Another free agent within the division, that I can see Cleveland going after is CB Dre Kirkpatrick.....
Williams taking control of defense quickly Fred Greetham 11:38 AM New Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said he's hit the ground running and hopes to turn the Browns defense around sooner than later BEREA, Ohio--If new Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams takes control of the Browns defense like he did in his introductory press conference, the Browns ?will be on to something.? Williams took full control of the press conference that lasted 47 minutes with him doing most of the talking. ?His opening statement was over three minutes. Williams has coached in the NFL for 26 years, including three as a head coach and 15 as a defensive coordinator.?His defenses have finished in the top five in total defense five times, including the top defense in the NFL in 2000. Williams also oversaw a Saints defensive unit that won Super Bowl XLVI and a Titans defense that advanced to Super Bowl XXXIV. The Rams finished 4-12 last season and fired Jeff Fisher and his staff. However, the defense under Williams finished in the top 10 in the NFL as the Rams were the 9th best defense in the NFL last season. They were16th against the run and 10th against the pass. Meanwhile, the Browns finished last season ranked 31st in the NFL on defense, including 31st against the run. ? One of the reasons Hue Jackson made the switch was to give the Browns a chance to turn things around. ?They are very aggressive and attacking," Jackson described Williams defense when he hired him. "They make you go the long, hard route to score touchdowns. That is what playing football in the National Football League is all about. His defenses have demonstrated that they tackle well and that the ball is not thrown over their head big time. In order to be a really good defense, the characteristics I just mentioned, you have to have.? Williams was asked how?quickly?he thinks the Browns defense can turn it around.? ?"I don't want to predict something that I can't come up with until ?I get a chance on the field," Williams said. "I would hope we can improve. I've gone places where we've went from 32nd on defense and went to number two in a year, but that might happen here. "Hopefully, some of the teams we play cooperate too and lay down a little bit," he said. "But we are going to play some offenses that are way out there, in terms of advancement of the ball."? Williams described his style of defense as "find ball, see ball, get ball, but wouldn't say the Browns would run a base 4-3 defense, as opposed to a 3-4. Williams said he has about 42 different defensive schemes.? "What we're going to do defensively is what the Cleveland Browns have athletically, strength-wise," Williams said. "We are going to play defense as much as we can, in an attacking way as much as we can to have the offense react off of us. "I'm not going to box (the players) in to a certain system but what I am going to do is to box them into their effort and toughness. That is what I am going to box them into."? Williams spent the last three seasons (2014-16) as the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams. He helped oversee the development of 2014 first-round pick DT Aaron Donald. Donald was voted the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was selected to the Pro Bowl all three seasons under Williams.? ? He served as senior assistant defensive coach in Tennessee in 2013 and helped the team make significant improvements in nearly every defensive category. The Titans improved in points per game (16th from 32nd), total defense (14th from 27th), pass defense (11th from 26th) and third down defense (7th from 21st).? ? Williams served as defensive coordinator in New Orleans from 2009-11. He helped the Saints advance to the postseason all three years, capture division titles (2009 and 2011) and win Super Bowl XLVI. During his three seasons in New Orleans, the Saints posted a 37-11 regular season record, tied for the best in the NFL during that span. In 2010, the Saints allowed the fewest touchdown passes (13) in the league. In his first season with the Saints, he was in charge of a unit that recorded 35 defensive takeaways and returned seven for touchdowns.? ? He spent one season (2008) with Jacksonville as defensive coordinator/assistant head coach following four seasons (2004-07) as assistant head coach/defense with Washington. The Redskins had one of the NFL?s top defenses over that span, allowing just 19.4 points per game and ranking sixth overall in defense during the four-season stretch. In 2005, the Redskins? defense was a key factor in the club making its first postseason appearance since 1999. ? Prior to joining the Redskins, Williams spent three seasons (2001-03) as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, where the defense improved each season. The defense improved from 21st in 2001 to 15th in 2002 to second in 2003.? ? Williams joined the NFL ranks in 1990 and spent 11 seasons with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans working his way up from defensive quality control coach (1990-92) to defensive coordinator (1997-00). He also served as special teams coach (1993) and linebackers coach (1994-96). In 1999, he helped the Titans advance to Super Bowl XXXIV. In 2000, Tennessee led the NFL in total defense for the first time in franchise history and allowed 191 points, the third-fewest in league history since the adoption of a 16-game schedule in 1978. The Titans also set club records with 55 sacks, fewest passing yards allowed (2,424) and fewest touchdowns allowed (17). Williams said there is some pieces to work with on the Browns, but wouldn't mention any of the players by name, but did say that there were several players he wanted to coach when they came out in the draft. "There are several guys on this defensive roster that I wanted to draft," he said. "Several."
I just hope Gregg Williams' defense isn't so complex that our players are still confused in mid October. That was the problem with Horton. Nobody seemed to grasp the concept. We were always out of position and chasing....Browns fans would definately embrace a defense that sets the tone. You have to go all the way back to Bud Carson since we really had a defense that scared anybody, and that's too damn long ago....Just get it right. I know we have some talent on that side of the ball. The 2016 defense was an absolute embarrassment. I know Williams is kind of a "hard ass", but I think this team could use some of that toughness...Good hire IMO.
That has been the case with Horton his entire career...he's only had a couple of median defenses in Arizona, otherwise, he has failed regularly... Greg Williams defenses are also called complex, however he is almost always in the top to mid tier in defenses...it was a rare occasion that one of his defenses finished in the lower half of the league. So, complex may not be the determining factor in failure or success. I agree, great hire...I'm excited to see what he can do on that side of the ball.
Having fun with E/W and NFLPA games? Senior Bowl next week. Should be really helpful to get a first hand look at Senior Bowl. I know it did with my Lions in 2013, best draft we've had in a long while. Hope its the same case for the Browns this year. Have fun. Do you know if the Browns were fined for not meeting the cap floor? That is a lot of rollover money. On Gregg Williams, I wonder how far mentally he is removed from this space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhnn9kbqQUA
Cap floor is actually cash spent, and over any 4 year period, so I don't think they have fallen below the floor in any given period to date. Considering that was 6 years ago, pretty sure he is pretty far removed...
Jamie Collins Contract: Latest News, Rumors on Negotiations with Browns By Joe Pantorno , Featured Columnist Jan 19, 2017 Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jamie Collins is a pending free agent after a season that saw the New England Patriots deal him just before Week 9. Continue for updates. Browns, Collins Are Working Toward an Extension Thursday, Jan. 19 On Thursday, though, sources told CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora that the Browns have made significant progress on an extension to keep Collins in Cleveland. The two sides could finalize a deal by this weekend. Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot later confirmed La Canfora's report. Collins completed his fourth season in surprising fashion after the Pats traded him to Cleveland, but he was still able to produce. In eight games with the Browns, the 27-year-old recorded 69 total tackles, which ranked second on the team (although he played just half a season in Cleveland), and two sacks. Collins was coming one of his finest seasons as a professional in 2015 with the Patriots, as he recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks in just 12 games, which earned him his first selection to the Pro Bowl. But with his rookie contract expiring at the end of the 2016 season, it was rumored that Collins was going to ask for "Von Miller money," a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Prior to the 2016 season, Miller had signed a six-year, $114.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos, via Spotrac. It could have been a large reason why the Patriots traded him halfway through 2016. Even though the Browns are coming off a 1-15 season, it looks as though they have come up with an offer that will keep Collins in Cleveland. Considering the state of the team, it must be an impressive sum in order to keep such a talent on such a struggling franchise.
Not sure if this was a coincidence or not, but this is pretty scary... Patriots vs rush first 8 games with Collins: 813 yards or 101.63 game Patriots vs rush last 8 games without Collins: 604 or 75.5 yards a game.
I understand and I really dont care cause Im not giving him $10-15M yr, but thats an interesting stat regardless
There are hundreds of reasons, every team in the NFL fluctuates...including schedule, injuries, *change in personnel, game plans, etc... I don't think that one single alteration is going to change something drastically, it is usually multiple factors. For instance: Patriots first 8 games; Cardinals 19 rushes 92 yards(4.84 ypc above ave.) #12 ranking 4.3 ypc Dolphins 16 rushes 70 yards(4.37 ypc held below ave.) #7 ranking 4.5 ypc Texans 26 rushes 109 yards(4.19 ypc on ave.) #18 ranking 4.1 ypc Bills 32 rushes 134 yards(4.18 ypc held below ave.) #1 ranking 5.3 ypc Browns 22 rushes 27 yards(1.22 ypc held WAY below ave.) #2 ranking 4.9 ypc Bengals 32 rushes 120 yards(3.75 ypc held below ave.) #20 ranking 4.0 ypc Steelers 22 rushes 94 yards(4.27 on ave.) #12 ranking 4.3 ypc Bills 24 rushes 167 yards(6.95 well above ave.) #1 ranking 5.3 ypc Totals 193 rushes 813 yards 2nd 8 games: Seahawks 26 rushes 96 yards(3.69 ypc below ave.) #24 ranking 3.9 ypc 49ers 27 rushes 122 yards(4.51 ypc slightly above ave.) #10 ranking 4.4 ypc Jets 23 rushes 64 yards(2.78 ypc well below ave.) #12 ranking 4.3 ypc Rams 13 rushes 36 yards(2.77 ypc below ave.) #31 ranking 3.3 ypc Ravens 14 rushes 42 yards(3.0 ypc well below ave.) #20 ranking 4.0 ypc Broncos 17 rushes 58 yards(3.41 ypc slightly below ave.) #28 ranking 3.6 ypc Jets 29 rushes 111 yards(3.92 ypc below ave.) #12 ranking 4.3 ypc Dolphins 23 rushes 74 yards(3.22 ypc well below ave.) #7 ranking 4.5 ypc totals 172 rushes 603 yards So, the difference is against lower rushing competition, first 8 games ave. rush ranking #9.13, second 8 games ave. rush ranking #18.00 See, there is always more to the numbers than a simple answer like, once they traded Jamie Collins, their rush defense was instantly better...Nearly always a more concise reason. With Collins, they held competition below their yearly ave. without him, they held competition below their yearly ave., they simply weren't as good of rushing teams faced in the second half of the season.
I agree that's why I asked if it was a coincidence or not? I will say this...Collins didn't make this defense better or stand out once he came...I wuldnt pay him $13-15M yr
I would say this..Collins didn't hurt the established Patriots defense a whole lot when he left, but I disagree that he doesn't make this defense better. He is going to be a top linebacker in the NFL regardless of what team he is on. The man has skills. He is versatile enough to stay on the field whether they go with a 3, 4 or even a 5 man front. He brings high value to this defense, probably more value than any other linebacker on the free agent market. With the cap space this team has, the money value is a relative #. He had the value and they have the means, pretty simple economics really.
At some point the cheap bean counters are going to have to show that they are willing to spend more than just the bare minimum of $$ to build this team.
