Tour2ma Posted July 19, 2017 Report Share Posted July 19, 2017 Top 6 are ranked in the full article: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2718381-ranking-the-nfls-current-rebuilding-jobs 1. Cleveland Browns: One Year Away?General manager Sashi Brown is trying to deliver for Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.Ron Schwane/Associated Press A lot of us—yours truly included—mocked the Cleveland Browns last offseason, and the offseason before that, and the offseason before that. We've all been consistently mocking the Browns since the Clinton administration, at least. But the truth is, the Browns are no longer a mockery. They're no longer a punchline. Despite the fact they won just one game last season, it's obvious they're in the process of completing one of the most thorough, brave and impressive rebuilds of this football generation. The cherry on top—and this will make Jets fans smile—came when the team threw in the towel on the 2016 season way back in the early days of the preceding offseason. Despite possessing more than $40 million in salary-cap space, the Browns let four strong starters—center Alex Mack, offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz, wide receiver Travis Benjamin and safety Tashaun Gipson—walk in March 2016. That shouldn't have come as much of a surprise considering they did the same thing one year prior when notable in-house free agents Brian Hoyer, Jabaal Sheard, Buster Skrine and Jordan Cameron "got away." The only difference is Ray Farmer was still running the front office back in 2015, while Executive VP of Football Operations Sashi Brown and Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta had taken over in early 2016. A good rebuild requires some luck, and the current Browns are lucky that the previous regime seemed to be on a similar page strategically. Now, of course, we're witnessing some form of Moneyball, with the Browns hoarding prime draft picks in an attempt to become good simply by rolling more dice than their counterparts. If the draft is indeed a crapshoot, the Browns could afford to bat .300 and would still hit more often than the rest of the teams in the league. That's huge. Even if they underachieve, they're bound to get a lot better relative to their opponents because they have far more draft assets than everyone else. That strategy devalues veterans in its early stages, which explains why we've yet to see results on the field. Cleveland knew it had to get worse before getting significantly better, and that has been the case. A team that won seven games in 2014 has since lost 28 of 32 and is coming off a 1-15 campaign. But look at the depth chart and you'll see results in a different respect. You'll see a team that isn't good in terms of its track record but looks great in terms of its talent. The Browns now possess... One of the best offensive lines in the NFL, led by future Hall of Fame left tackle Joe Thomas, stud free-agent signings Kevin Zeitler and JC Tretter, freshly re-signed left guard Joel Bitonio (back from injury) and 2015 first-round pick Cameron Erving. A talented group of pass-catchers with a high ceiling, highlighted by 2016 first-round pick Corey Coleman, top-notch free-agent pickup Kenny Britt and athletically marvelous 2017 first-round tight end David Njoku. A promising young running back in Isaiah Crowell, who averaged 4.8 yards per attempt as a 23-year-old in 2016 and got better as his third season wore on (two 110-yard performances in the final month). The best player in the 2017 NFL draft class, Myles Garrett. And the most athletic player in the 2017 NFL draft class, Jabrill Peppers. Emerging 2015 first-round defensive tackle Danny Shelton, veteran Pro Bowl linebacker Jamie Collins, underrated cover man Jamar Taylor and two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden. Real options at quarterback. Just a year ago, Brock Osweiler was the prince of the open market. He signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the Houston Texans and had a horrible first season there, but the Browns had more than enough cap space to take a talented, physically promising 26-year-old off Houston's hands. They also drafted enticing quarterback prospect DeShone Kizer in Round 2 this year, and 2016 third-round pick Cody Kessler had a surprisingly strong rookie campaign. That's what $90-plus million in salary-cap space and 15 first-, second- and third-round picks in a three-year span will do for you. The scariest part is they're still probably not going to be really competitive in 2017 but have two more first-round picks and two more second-round picks in 2018. The hard part is history now. The Browns have too many good players to remain bad. They may have to shake off some lingering growing pains this season, but they've put together a model rebuild. Now we wait for results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Post Posted July 19, 2017 Report Share Posted July 19, 2017 Things are looking up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted July 19, 2017 Report Share Posted July 19, 2017 But look at the depth chart and you'll see results in a different respect. You'll see a team that isn't good in terms of its track record but looks great in terms of its talent. The Browns now possess... One of the best offensive lines in the NFL, led by future Hall of Fame left tackle Joe Thomas, stud free-agent signings Kevin Zeitler and JC Tretter, freshly re-signed left guard Joel Bitonio (back from injury) and 2015 first-round pick Cameron Erving. 1) We appear to be weak at WR...one of the most important positions in today's nfl. And our QB position is a complete question mark. (goes to talent) 2) Cameron Erving is NOT part of the 'positives'. REMOVING him from a starting position makes us better. Still, it's encouraging that some people think we're on the right track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickers Posted July 19, 2017 Report Share Posted July 19, 2017 1) We appear to be weak at WR...one of the most important positions in today's nfl. And our QB position is a complete question mark. (goes to talent) 2) Cameron Erving is NOT part of the 'positives'. REMOVING him from a starting position makes us better. Still, it's encouraging that some people think we're on the right track. Were still week at QB and DB too!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tour2ma Posted July 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2017 2) Cameron Erving is NOT part of the 'positives'. REMOVING him from a starting position makes us better. One of several flaws in the article... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjp28 Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Nice to see the BROWNS or even Cleveland #1 in, well anything! Still better to be #1 than not mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumby73 Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Should have stopped at "But the truth is," Truth is we have 3 2nd round picks next season(own,wentz,Brock)..no wonder MKC keeps her job..Live it as a Browns Fan..Some true facts may matter..Sometimes even "a beer" not at end of season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 One of several flaws in the article... Yup. You can tell the writer is not a 'true' follower of the team.....but again, it's nice to hear that some people are thinking we're not laughing stocks anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasAg1969 Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Yup. You can tell the writer is not a 'true' follower of the team.....but again, it's nice to hear that some people are thinking we're not laughing stocks anymore. We will be if we don't live up to his billing. 4-12 or bust again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Were still week at QB and DB too!!! We have what? Six picks in round 3 of next year's draft? This team will build incrementally it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tour2ma Posted July 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Yup. You can tell the writer is not a 'true' follower of the team.....but again, it's nice to hear that some people are thinking we're not laughing stocks anymore. And that is the biggest takeaway... We will be if we don't live up to his billing. 4-12 or bust again. I'm sure for some... even if we win 4 or 5... but our 2017 record will not be the proper gauge for this team's progress... or lack thereof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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