Babernakle Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 The browns this off season have looked like a team that finally gets it. Filling holes with seasoned vets and not hoping for miricals in the draft. As they set right now I see them as top one or two in the division. A very good division by the way. I might be bias. But I feel with the right picks we have a mid run playoff team, starting with the first pick of Watkins. The front office and the coach look really good right now, Pettine was a good move it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLEinCHI Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 Time will tell, but I think the overall feeling is that we have guys who are moving the team in the right direction and just not guys who are talking about moving the team in the right direction. What an off-season indeed - recap Browns Fire Chud "The Search" Browns retain Ray Farmer Browns fire Lombardi/Banner Browns promote Ray Farmer to GM Browns begin construction on stadium improvements Browns don't interview QB's at combine Browns transition tag Mack Browns cut DQ52, Weeden, Campbell Browns Sign Dansby, Whitner, and a few others Bengals don't match for Hawkins - is a Brown Browns Sign Ben Tate and others Josh Gordon/Joe Haden all over NFL network/ ESPN Browns don't attend pro days Alex Mack extravaganza Draft Day Premiers Browns match Jacksonville offer for Mack and oh yes...now there is this little thing called the NFL draft that takes place in less than a month... in which the Browns have 10 picks damn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickers Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 It all looks smart for the first time in 15 years since the return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowburn Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 gonna keep CLEinChi's synopsis for future reference re what has occurred before draft day. 10 picks in the draft is outstanding. I slowly find myself coming out of my board (Browns) semi-retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Couch Pulls Out Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 It's nice to have something to talk about between the start of a new league year and the draft. But, movement for movement's sake does nobody any good. These moves seem smart now and I believe they'll turn out to be solid FO moves, but let's not count on anything. Whitner could suck. Mack could pack it in after getting a pay day. Dansby could be washed up. Hawkins could be what he is, a UDFA from the CFL. Burleson might not recover from his injury. Tate could have fooled everyone. This FB could get hurt. Those are technically all possibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickers Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 It's nice to have something to talk about between the start of a new league year and the draft. But, movement for movement's sake does nobody any good. These moves seem smart now and I believe they'll turn out to be solid FO moves, but let's not count on anything. Whitner could suck. Mack could pack it in after getting a pay day. Dansby could be washed up. Hawkins could be what he is, a UDFA from the CFL. Burleson might not recover from his injury. Tate could have fooled everyone. This FB could get hurt. Those are technically all possibilities. Im not crazy about signing vets on theyre way out . But,I gotta believe Dansby and Whitner have something left. Mack is the best at his position and you had to transition and sign him. The team at least made it possible for themselves to deal with him when his 2 years expire. if he goes,he goes.And the browns still have Edwin Baker on the roster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miktoxic Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 the probability exists that mack might lay down BUT i think JT will have a lot to say about that. you'd prob find mack bloodied up and hanging by his tits if he fucked with thomas's legacy. i think whitner played solid in SF and dansby is replacing someone we over-valued because of sentiment. did i love me some DQ? hell yeah. but he was out for his money as well and the FO decided where they were going to draw the line. i will agree that these are all lateral moves to fill in ones of guys who have left or upgrades to guys who might possibly get cut after training camp. i like this front office and i can't point to anything negative they've done so far to change my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Time will tell, but I think the overall feeling is that we have guys who are moving the team in the right direction and just not guys who are talking about moving the team in the right direction. What an off-season indeed - recap Browns Fire Chud "The Search" Browns retain Ray Farmer Browns fire Lombardi/Banner Browns promote Ray Farmer to GM Browns begin construction on stadium improvements Browns don't interview QB's at combine Browns transition tag Mack Browns cut DQ52, Weeden, Campbell Browns Sign Dansby, Whitner, and a few others Bengals don't match for Hawkins - is a Brown Browns Sign Ben Tate and others Josh Gordon/Joe Haden all over NFL network/ ESPN Browns don't attend pro days Alex Mack extravaganza Draft Day Premiers Browns match Jacksonville offer for Mack and oh yes...now there is this little thing called the NFL draft that takes place in less than a month... in which the Browns have 10 picks damn. Well, here you go: give a grade to all the Browns off season moves that you outline here: 1. Firing Chud 2. Firing Banner and Lombardi 3. Hiring Pettine 4. Naming Farmer GM 5. Cutting Campbell 6. Cutting Weeden 7. Cutting DQJ 8. Signing Dansby 9. Signing Whitner 10. Signing Hawkins 11. Cutting Bess 12. Re-signing Billy Cundiff 13. Signing Isaia Trufant 14. Signing Jim Dray 15. Signing Ben Tate 16. Signing Paul McQuistan 17. Signing Nate Burleson 18. Matching the deal for Alex Mack 19. Signing Chris Pressley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 the probability exists that mack might lay down BUT i think JT will have a lot to say about that. you'd prob find mack bloodied up and hanging by his tits if he fucked with thomas's legacy. i think whitner played solid in SF and dansby is replacing someone we over-valued because of sentiment. did i love me some DQ? hell yeah. but he was out for his money as well and the FO decided where they were going to draw the line. i will agree that these are all lateral moves to fill in ones of guys who have left or upgrades to guys who might possibly get cut after training camp. i like this front office and i can't point to anything negative they've done so far to change my mind. I agree that a lot of these are lateral moves....but lateral moves in hopes of having an upgrade over what was here. Also some are just bottom of the roster moves. So be it. Again, in an attempt to make an upgrade. But....there is one major, major move not yet made: Quarterback. Still no signing of say, a Rex Grossman, or other veteran backup. Draft Day will be telling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBC mike Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Could this be the start of the end of the Tavern drinking game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Bone Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Could this be the start of the end of the Tavern drinking game? Man I hope so. I know it's the best I've felt in the off season since the Langham and Alexander draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballpeen Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Still no signing of say, a Rex Grossman, or other veteran backup. True, but that can be one of the last moves. You can always find that aging vet who wants one more payday. They are really paying the guy to play as they hope he never does. He is being paid to mentor a younger player. Teaching him the ropes so to speak. There are limits as far as how much time coaches can spend with the players in the off season. There are no such limits between players. Grossman makes a lot of sense. He knows the system and has always been a fairly heady QB. He just lacked some of the physical skillset. Over the summer the coaches have limited time to teach. Grossman could answer a lot of questions by Hoyer and whoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLEVELANDwantsPLAYOFFS Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 The browns this off season have looked like a team that finally gets it. Filling holes with seasoned vets and not hoping for miricals in the draft. As they set right now I see them as top one or two in the division. A very good division by the way. I might be bias. But I feel with the right picks we have a mid run playoff team, starting with the first pick of Watkins. The front office and the coach look really good right now, Pettine was a good move it seems. I agree to an extent. But Farmer and Pettine have inherited a hell of a team. I dont recall anybody wanting to come to Cleveland thinking "something special is forming" ....before this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 True, but that can be one of the last moves. You can always find that aging vet who wants one more payday. They are really paying the guy to play as they hope he never does. He is being paid to mentor a younger player. Teaching him the ropes so to speak. There are limits as far as how much time coaches can spend with the players in the off season. There are no such limits between players. Grossman makes a lot of sense. He knows the system and has always been a fairly heady QB. He just lacked some of the physical skillset. Over the summer the coaches have limited time to teach. Grossman could answer a lot of questions by Hoyer and whoever. Perhaps a post draft pickup then. No hurry? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenew23 Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Just looking at the roster now, this is a team that could get on the field TODAY and play well. We have younger guys coming up, and we have some vets in key positions now. Even without the draft, this team should be much improved. There are really only a couple spots we really need to upgrade: RG, CB2, ILB, WR2. Add in a vet QB and draft a rookie QB and this roster is set. Hopefully, "on paper" finally turns into "W"'s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenew23 Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Well, here you go: give a grade to all the Browns off season moves that you outline here: 1. Firing Chud B Felt rushed, but was probably the right thing to do. 2. Firing Banner and Lombardi A+ Don't care what the media says, these guys were dead weight 3. Hiring Pettine C Average grade b/c I haven't seen him coach yet. I like his attitude 4. Naming Farmer GM A+ Finally, Cleveland keeps its talent here instead of letting him walk. This should turn out well for us. 5. Cutting Campbell B+ Saves money, but he was a decent backup or 3rd string guy 6. Cutting Weeden A+ Weeden was a cancer. It's better not having him than having to watch him get on the field. He took away the whole team's confidence when he played. Goodbye! 7. Cutting DQJ B- Saves us money, plus he doesn't fit the scheme. DQJ has not been good at all in a 3-4 set and he could never live up to the $$ we'd be paying him. 8. Signing Dansby B Older and more expensive than DQJ, but plays well in the system. Hopefully, he got his money and continues to play hard. 9. Signing Whitner C+ Didn't like the contract, but hey it's not my money. He is a better SS than Ward, but older and more expensive. 10. Signing Hawkins B Expensive for a Slot WR. Let's hope he adds some playmaking ability 11. Cutting Bess A++ Worthless, on and off the field. 12. Re-signing Billy Cundiff C He's an alright kicker. We'll need a replacement soon. 13. Signing Isaia Trufant C- Hopefully, this isn't Pettine overhyping a guy he had on the Jets. Trufant has shown nothing, so I just hope he's a depth signing, not our CB2. And, hopefully this singning doesn't affect our need to add a CB2 in the draft. 14. Signing Jim Dray B- Do we really need another TE. Hopefully he's an upgrade over Barnidge. 15. Signing Ben Tate A+ We got the top offensive FA for once... actually, we got the top 2 (more to come) 16. Signing Paul McQuistan A- Versatile offensive lineman. Can battle for a starting spot at any position, or provided much-needed depth. Hopefully, he doesn't affect our need to draft a OG. 17. Signing Nate Burleson A Honestly, one of our biggest needs was a vet WR. We needed a 3rd down guy, and I think we finally got him here. He won't be flashy, but he'll move the chains and provide a great role model for Gordon/Benjamin/Hawkins etc... 18. Matching the deal for Alex Mack A++ The second best offensive FA, and we got him. I don't care about paying a Center, we needed him. Keep the Pro Bowlers... and keep them coming... 19. Signing Chris Pressley B+ Glad to see we're going to field a FB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miktoxic Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 need to upgrade: RG, CB2, ILB, WR2. Add in a vet QB and draft a rookie QB and this roster is set. Hopefully, "on paper" finally turns into "W"'s maybe another RB in the last 2 rounds. who do we have behind tate besides another guy that is coming off injury? but yeah if we hit all those marks i expect 4 more wins than last year which will put at .500 1st time since 2007. (man i can't believe we've only made .500 twice since '99). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Well, here you go: give a grade to all the Browns off season moves that you outline here: 1. Firing Chud B Felt rushed, but was probably the right thing to do. 2. Firing Banner and Lombardi A+ Don't care what the media says, these guys were dead weight 3. Hiring Pettine C Average grade b/c I haven't seen him coach yet. I like his attitude 4. Naming Farmer GM A+ Finally, Cleveland keeps its talent here instead of letting him walk. This should turn out well for us. 5. Cutting Campbell B+ Saves money, but he was a decent backup or 3rd string guy 6. Cutting Weeden A+ Weeden was a cancer. It's better not having him than having to watch him get on the field. He took away the whole team's confidence when he played. Goodbye! 7. Cutting DQJ B- Saves us money, plus he doesn't fit the scheme. DQJ has not been good at all in a 3-4 set and he could never live up to the $$ we'd be paying him. 8. Signing Dansby B Older and more expensive than DQJ, but plays well in the system. Hopefully, he got his money and continues to play hard. 9. Signing Whitner C+ Didn't like the contract, but hey it's not my money. He is a better SS than Ward, but older and more expensive. 10. Signing Hawkins B Expensive for a Slot WR. Let's hope he adds some playmaking ability 11. Cutting Bess A++ Worthless, on and off the field. 12. Re-signing Billy Cundiff C He's an alright kicker. We'll need a replacement soon. 13. Signing Isaia Trufant C- Hopefully, this isn't Pettine overhyping a guy he had on the Jets. Trufant has shown nothing, so I just hope he's a depth signing, not our CB2. And, hopefully this singning doesn't affect our need to add a CB2 in the draft. 14. Signing Jim Dray B- Do we really need another TE. Hopefully he's an upgrade over Barnidge. 15. Signing Ben Tate A+ We got the top offensive FA for once... actually, we got the top 2 (more to come) 16. Signing Paul McQuistan A- Versatile offensive lineman. Can battle for a starting spot at any position, or provided much-needed depth. Hopefully, he doesn't affect our need to draft a OG. 17. Signing Nate Burleson A Honestly, one of our biggest needs was a vet WR. We needed a 3rd down guy, and I think we finally got him here. He won't be flashy, but he'll move the chains and provide a great role model for Gordon/Benjamin/Hawkins etc... 18. Matching the deal for Alex Mack A++ The second best offensive FA, and we got him. I don't care about paying a Center, we needed him. Keep the Pro Bowlers... and keep them coming... 19. Signing Chris Pressley B+ Glad to see we're going to field a FB. Good job Chief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Bone Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 9. Signing Whitner C+ Didn't like the contract, but hey it's not my money. He is a better SS than Ward, but older and more expensive. Don't agree with the assessment at all. I give it a solid A. Whit wants to be in Cleveland, hits like a donkey kicks and has several years left in the tank. He will be a leader on D and his attitude will be infectious. This, along with Tate are my two favorite signings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbedward Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Well, here you go: give a grade to all the Browns off season moves that you outline here: 1. Firing Chud 2. Firing Banner and Lombardi 3. Hiring Pettine 4. Naming Farmer GM 5. Cutting Campbell 6. Cutting Weeden 7. Cutting DQJ 8. Signing Dansby 9. Signing Whitner 10. Signing Hawkins 11. Cutting Bess 12. Re-signing Billy Cundiff 13. Signing Isaia Trufant 14. Signing Jim Dray 15. Signing Ben Tate 16. Signing Paul McQuistan 17. Signing Nate Burleson 18. Matching the deal for Alex Mack 19. Signing Chris Pressley We should do pre and post season grades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canton Mike Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 I'll put my opinions in brown (IF I differ) as I mostly agree with Gippers' opinions. Well, here you go: give a grade to all the Browns off season moves that you outline here: 1. Firing Chud B Felt rushed, but was probably the right thing to do. 2. Firing Banner and Lombardi A+ Don't care what the media says, these guys were dead weight ( A++) 3. Hiring Pettine C Average grade b/c I haven't seen him coach yet. I like his attitude ( 4. Naming Farmer GM A+ Finally, Cleveland keeps its talent here instead of letting him walk. This should turn out well for us. 5. Cutting Campbell B+ Saves money, but he was a decent backup or 3rd string guy 6. Cutting Weeden A+ Weeden was a cancer. It's better not having him than having to watch him get on the field. He took away the whole team's confidence when he played. Goodbye! 7. Cutting DQJ B- Saves us money, plus he doesn't fit the scheme. DQJ has not been good at all in a 3-4 set and he could never live up to the $$ we'd be paying him. 8. Signing Dansby B Older and more expensive than DQJ, but plays well in the system. Hopefully, he got his money and continues to play hard. 9. Signing Whitner C+ Didn't like the contract, but hey it's not my money. He is a better SS than Ward, but older and more expensive. (A) LOVE this signing! 10. Signing Hawkins B Expensive for a Slot WR. Let's hope he adds some playmaking ability 11. Cutting Bess A++ Worthless, on and off the field. 12. Re-signing Billy Cundiff C He's an alright kicker. We'll need a replacement soon. (C+) 13. Signing Isaia Trufant C- Hopefully, this isn't Pettine overhyping a guy he had on the Jets. Trufant has shown nothing, so I just hope he's a depth signing, not our CB2. And, hopefully this singning doesn't affect our need to add a CB2 in the draft. 14. Signing Jim Dray B- Do we really need another TE. Hopefully he's an upgrade over Barnidge. 15. Signing Ben Tate A+ We got the top offensive FA for once... actually, we got the top 2 (more to come) (B++) A+ other than injury & ball security questions 16. Signing Paul McQuistan A- Versatile offensive lineman. Can battle for a starting spot at any position, or provided much-needed depth. Hopefully, he doesn't affect our need to draft a OG. (B-) NOT a proven productive starter 17. Signing Nate Burleson A Honestly, one of our biggest needs was a vet WR. We needed a 3rd down guy, and I think we finally got him here. He won't be flashy, but he'll move the chains and provide a great role model for Gordon/Benjamin/Hawkins etc... 18. Matching the deal for Alex Mack A++ The second best offensive FA, and we got him. I don't care about paying a Center, we needed him. Keep the Pro Bowlers... and keep them coming... 19. Signing Chris Pressley B+ Glad to see we're going to field a FB. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miktoxic Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 if we have another 4 win season i might not be around for post season grades. i think my head might explode. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLEinCHI Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Well, here you go: give a grade to all the Browns off season moves that you outline here: 1. Firing Chud- A - if you are not convinced he can lead the team - cut bait vs wasting another year (shurmer) 2. Firing Banner and Lombardi- A -- 3. Hiring Pettine - B - I like what I see so far - but its April 4. Naming Farmer GM- B - I like what I see so far but its April 5. Cutting Campbell- A - get rid of the dead weight 6. Cutting Weeden- A- dude got tackled by a flag 7. Cutting DQJ- A- beloved but over rated ILB who was owed a big signing bonus 8. Signing Dansby- A - playmaker, dawg 9. Signing Whitner- A- playmaker, dawg 10. Signing Hawkins- B - overpaid for him but a solid slot WR 11. Cutting Bess- A - no brainer - void the money owed 12. Re-signing Billy Cundiff- A - he was consistent and is just a kicker (sorry phil, you are just a kicker too) 13. Signing Isaia Trufant- A- special teams standout on the cheap 14. Signing Jim Dray- A- Special teams standout on the cheap 15. Signing Ben Tate- B - if he stays healthy, awesome 16. Signing Paul McQuistan- A- Solid depth or starting G 17. Signing Nate Burleson- A_ Solid vet 18. Matching the deal for Alex Mack- A- in two years C will be the new LT 19. Signing Chris Pressley- B- lets see how he comes back from injury first, but I love the idea of bringing in a FB who likes to hit people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenew23 Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 I'll put my opinions in brown (IF I differ) as I mostly agree with Gippers' opinions. Well, here you go: give a grade to all the Browns off season moves that you outline here: 1. Firing Chud B Felt rushed, but was probably the right thing to do. 2. Firing Banner and Lombardi A+ Don't care what the media says, these guys were dead weight ( A++) 3. Hiring Pettine C Average grade b/c I haven't seen him coach yet. I like his attitude ( 4. Naming Farmer GM A+ Finally, Cleveland keeps its talent here instead of letting him walk. This should turn out well for us. 5. Cutting Campbell B+ Saves money, but he was a decent backup or 3rd string guy 6. Cutting Weeden A+ Weeden was a cancer. It's better not having him than having to watch him get on the field. He took away the whole team's confidence when he played. Goodbye! 7. Cutting DQJ B- Saves us money, plus he doesn't fit the scheme. DQJ has not been good at all in a 3-4 set and he could never live up to the $$ we'd be paying him. 8. Signing Dansby B Older and more expensive than DQJ, but plays well in the system. Hopefully, he got his money and continues to play hard. 9. Signing Whitner C+ Didn't like the contract, but hey it's not my money. He is a better SS than Ward, but older and more expensive. (A) LOVE this signing! 10. Signing Hawkins B Expensive for a Slot WR. Let's hope he adds some playmaking ability 11. Cutting Bess A++ Worthless, on and off the field. 12. Re-signing Billy Cundiff C He's an alright kicker. We'll need a replacement soon. (C+) 13. Signing Isaia Trufant C- Hopefully, this isn't Pettine overhyping a guy he had on the Jets. Trufant has shown nothing, so I just hope he's a depth signing, not our CB2. And, hopefully this singning doesn't affect our need to add a CB2 in the draft. 14. Signing Jim Dray B- Do we really need another TE. Hopefully he's an upgrade over Barnidge. 15. Signing Ben Tate A+ We got the top offensive FA for once... actually, we got the top 2 (more to come) (B++) A+ other than injury & ball security questions 16. Signing Paul McQuistan A- Versatile offensive lineman. Can battle for a starting spot at any position, or provided much-needed depth. Hopefully, he doesn't affect our need to draft a OG. (B-) NOT a proven productive starter 17. Signing Nate Burleson A Honestly, one of our biggest needs was a vet WR. We needed a 3rd down guy, and I think we finally got him here. He won't be flashy, but he'll move the chains and provide a great role model for Gordon/Benjamin/Hawkins etc... 18. Matching the deal for Alex Mack A++ The second best offensive FA, and we got him. I don't care about paying a Center, we needed him. Keep the Pro Bowlers... and keep them coming... 19. Signing Chris Pressley B+ Glad to see we're going to field a FB. Mike Those weren't Gipper's grades... they were mine. I wonder what the Gip would say... grade-wise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miktoxic Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 hell, i didn't even know we signed an OL. wtf? i heard about all the deals except this one. the news sure as hell didn't make it this board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Those weren't Gipper's grades... they were mine. I wonder what the Gip would say... grade-wise I am pretty much in line with how you have it. The major differences would be that the Grades for both Farmer and Pettine would obviously have to be: Incomplete I would give Whitner a solid B. Tate a B...as still there is a lot of wait and see there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLEVELANDwantsPLAYOFFS Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Tate is a grade A signing. He came here for a bargain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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