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Gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure. I’m also sorry to see that the website is getting unplugged at the end of the month. Special thanks to Jason Ice for asking me to write for his then fledgling website. I was honored to write for you guys; even if the posts have been markedly decreased over the past few years. And one final salute to Mr. Jim Giles, founder of dawgbones.com, who graciously put up with me during the early years. I will be forever indebted to you both for allowing me to exercise one of my passions in life. And to my colleagues . . . Shooter, Dawson, Hanford, DawgSoldier, CSU Dawg, GA Browns Fan, DPD, BF4L, MDP and even Soup: sometimes we agreed, sometimes we didn’t. But we all had one thing in common, we wanted what was best for our beloved Cleveland Browns. Merry Christmas to you all, and may God bless and keep you.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
From what I’ve heard, it’s still possible and plausible that both Jarvis Landry and Jadeveon Clowney re-sign with Cleveland. If I were to guess which one would sign first, I’d have to say Jarvis at about 6-8 mil. Clowney is going to take his good sweet time to check out the market and then likely sign for whatever team shows him the most money. Reports are that the Browns have a 2-year 24 mil offer on the table. We’ll just have to see where it goes from here. My guess is that Clowney won’t sign any contract in time for OTA’s. That’s been the way he operates most of the time.
whoever the Browns are able to sign in free agency will be a direct result of having Watson in the fold. I find it ironic that these allegations didn’t surface until sometime after Watson told Houston’s front office that he wanted out. Conspiracy theorist? Perhaps, but the cynic in me can’t help but think that it’s not a mere coincidence.
And then there’s Baker. Who trades for him and what the Browns are able to get for him is anyone’s guess at this point.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I’ve seen reports that the Panthers will hold off on picking up Sam Darnold’s 5th year option until sometime after the draft. That could be a signal to some teams behind them that are in need of a QB to come up with a trade offer or we just might take one of these quarterbacks. /Carolina could be looking for a Sonny Weaver kind of deal.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
The Ravens are a prime candidate to spend two of their top three picks on O-linemen. The third could be spent on a wide receiver. Where they end up using the picks remain to be seen. With two first round picks, they could possibly even trade up.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
This sounds like a bean counter move. As much as I hate how this looks, I do think that there are other alternatives out there. Had Richardson been scheduled to make 7 mil instead of 13 mil, I hardly think we’d be having this conversation.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
That deep in the draft, I’m looking at BPA picks.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
It figures that Carolina would trade for Sam Darnold on the very same day that I release this mock draft. I guess they’ll not be taking a QB in the draft after all.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
We’re thinking very much alike. I’m assuming that you want him at #26?
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Yeah, this whole COVID thing has been a nightmare.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Is this a “must win” game? Not necessarily, but a win against a playoff contending team would add some legitimacy to the Browns overall record.
Here’s what concerns me about this game:
*Derrick Henry is a BEAST. You cannot arm tackle this guy. You have to get to him before he has the opportunity to get any forward momentum going.
*AJ Brown is a physical freak. He’s so big, fast and physical that he’s a matchup nightmare defensively.
*Ryan Tannehill is not just running the offense, he’s making plays. The Browns have to find a way to get to him. Getting Myles Garrett is a huge positive.
*Although the Browns get Myles Garrett back from the COVID list, the back seven still needs help with none coming in the near future. If the Browns can’t at least slow down Henry or get to Tannehill, then it’s going to be a long day.
*Khadarel Hodge wrote a BIG check that his team mates need to cash when he gave the Titans bulletin board material. Doesn’t he remember that this is the team that handed out an ass whipping on opening day last year? And to top it off, Hodge is out for this game. Quite frankly, I hope that Hodge gets fined for comments detrimental to the team. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel will use this to motivate his team and he’ll do it well. You don’t wake a sleeping Giant, you let him sleep.Here’s what I like about this game:
* Browns O-line against the Titans D-line. Our line is healthy and has protected Mayfield fairly well.
*The one-two punch of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chub doesn’t need to outrush Derrick Henry, but it would be nice if he did. The combination of Chubb and Hunt needs to be more effective than Henry and the Titans #2 back, which I think can be done.
*Myles Garrett will be going up against the Titans #3 left tackle. That should make Garrett start foaming at the mouth for excitement. Granted, he’ll be double teamed a lot, but that means Olivier Vernon should be one on one all day.
*Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant should have big days against the Titans secondary.Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
There are compelling arguments for all the names mentioned. However, if it were up to me, this would be my list . . .
1 – Jim Brown: Enough said there.
2 – Otto Graham: The only Browns QB to win multiple league championships. As beloved as Brian Sipe and Bernie Kosar are in Cleveland, neither of them can make that claim. He was also the inspiration for Paul Brown inventing the face mask.
3 – Joe Thomas: When the only time you don’t go to the Pro Bowl is when you suffer a career ending injury after you’ve already been there ten times previously, that’s saying something. He was also an All Pro selection six times. That level of achievement is unprecedented. He’s the only one on my list not currently in the HOF, but will be a first time ballot selection. He is the only post-expansion Brown to make this list. Does Myles Garrett have to potential to make the top four? Yes, but only if he stays healthy, maintains a dominating level of performance over a long period of time, keeps from getting suspended and plays his entire career in Cleveland. I say it’s possible, but not probable.
4 – Lou Groza: 21 total seasons with the Browns as an O-lineman and/or placekicker, and that’s with him missing the entire 1960 NFL season with a back injury. He then rejoined the team in 1961 at the age of 37 for seven more years as a placekicker only. Say what you will, but playing 21 seasons at the AAFC and NFL levels is not an easy accomplishment. Name another player in history that’s done it.
Almost there . . . Ozzie Newsome, Marion Motley, Bill Willis, Gene Hickerson, William Clay Matthews Jr., Leroy Kelly.
WHY NOT OZZIE?
While Newsome has an incredible streak of 150 games with at least one reception; many of those games towards the end of his career had him catching a TE screen. He is without a doubt the greatest TE to play as a Cleveland Brown, though; and he was the first African American to be an NFL General Manager with the Baltimore Ravens – who at one time were the Cleveland Browns. These are all to his credit as a player and NFL executive. He’s at the top of the almost there list.As a side note, the city of Baltimore is the only city to have two major sports franchises formerly nicknamed the Browns. The other franchise is the Baltimore Orioles, who were previously the St. Louis Browns.
Good night.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
If Berry offered Clowney a one-year “prove it” deal, that’s fine. His stats have not matched up to the talent of a top five draft pick. Let him earn his money and deal with any consequences next year.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I actually think that having Conklin at right tackle is going to make whoever wins the right guard spot automatically better.
While it’s true that the RT spot is vastly improved, whoever wins the RG spot will still have to do his job. All five starting O-linemen have to know the scheme and learn how they can work best together. The fact remains that we’re still dealing with two question marks along the O-line. Now, by all appearances, it seems that the LT spot was resolved on the first night of the draft because Wills is the most technically sound OT in that draft; but he’s still a rookie and will need to get up to speed on the NFL game. Do I think he’ll do it? Yes, but nothing is a given.
Which leaves us with the RG position where Teller, Forbes and (yes) Hubbard to compete for that starting spot. If Berry wants to bring in more competition, I’m pretty sure that he’ll do it. I’m just not sure where that competition will come from at this point. Sure, I could propose a trade; but I don’t have a crystal ball and I don’t read tea leaves. You want stuff like that, then send a message to Joe (Stradamus) Thomas; who still thinks that the Browns probably should sign Jadeveon Clowney with some of their cap space. BTW . . . I wouldn’t necessarily be against such a move myself – if the price is right.
One last thing . . . the name of the player of subject is Larry Warford. Just thought you might like to know.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I think Chris Hubbard makes the team because he can play both guards and right tackle. He was a swing player in Pittsburgh and that’s the role that suits him best. As I understand it, the Browns will have Drew Forbes and Wyatt Teller battling it out for the starting RG spot; but don’t be surprised if Hubbard gets some reps there as well. After all, the idea is to have the best five that can work as a unit be your starters. Maybe Hubbard does better working in a more confined space, as opposed to being on an island.
It’s not inconceivable that Kendall Lamm makes the team as the reserve LT, because the Browns are otherwise screwed if Hubbard has to play any appreciable time at LT – even in two TE passing plays. Yes, that would mean that the Browns carry nine O-linemen, but stranger things have been known to happen.
Also . . . while not very likely, depending on how much of a special teams contributor Johnny Stanton is, it’s not necessarily a given that the Browns carry only one FB. Granted, with the acquisition of Andy Janovich via trade, his role will likely be as a practice squad player; but this is a new head coach with a new offensive system. We know how our head coach loves the TE position, but this system also requires a fullback much of the time. Stanton already knows the system, so don’t count your chickens just yet. A TE that cannot block in-line and is inconsistent catching the football is of little value in the league in general, let alone one that regularly incorporates two of them on running plays. Possibly one or both FBs can flex to TE. We don’t know for certain.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Hollywoooooooooooooooood . . . Hollywood Higgins.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
If Kevin Davidson is a Cleveland Brown on opening day, it’s because he made the practice squad. I do like the kid, but solely as a developmental project.
Solomon Ajayi is a thumper. Not sure if he’s a three down linebacker.
AJ Green has some ball skills. Might make the team, might not.
As far as the rest go, I’m not even going to venture a guess. We’ll just have to see how it all unfolds. Some of these guys were brought in to be another warm body so that the ones that make the team won’t be overworked in camp.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
My thoughts . . .
010 – Jedrick Wills: He was my top OT in this draft because he’s the most technically sound, particularly at pass blocking. His footwork and hand usage are impeccable, plus he’s very athletic and well suited for the Browns wide zone run blocking scheme. Not only did Joe Thomas share this view, but also youtube draft guru Voch Lombardi and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.044 – Grant Delpit: Once day one was over, is was clear that Delpit was not only the best safety on the board, but the BPA regardless of position by the time the Browns were on the clock.
088 – Jordan Elliott: I like his first step. He reminds me a lot of Larry Ogunjobi. He’s definitely a bit of a project, but he has some tools to work with.
097 – Jacob Phillips: I was pi$$ed because Malik Harrison was still on the board. Later on, I settled down and thought, “I’ll cut AB some slack because he’s done a very good job so far.” Maybe they think that Harrison isn’t a 3- down linebacker. I don’t know for sure, but the fact remains that Jordan Phillips is a Cleveland Brown. Let’s hope that this wasn’t a swing and a miss.
115 – Harrison Bryant: Nice pick. It’ll be even nicer if he can show that he can block consistently well. David Njoku has been officially put on notice with this pick.
160 – Nick Harris: I like the pick because he can play either guard or center efficiently. Before the draft, the team really didn’t have a true backup at center, but now they do.
187 – Donovan Peoples-Jones: I like the pick. He’s got ability and was underused at TSUN. For the record, I don’t give a rat’s donkey where the kid played his college ball. If he can play, he can play. Now to say the he reminds people of Josh Cribbs is a bit of an overstatement. Cribbs was not only a return specialist; but he was a gunner on punt coverage, and often times the one who made the tackle. I’m not ready to put him in the same category as Cribbs yet. And the Braylon Edwards thing is also a bit lofty at this point. Time will tell concerning all this, but I’m willing to give him an opportunity to prove himself at the NFL level.
Overall, I’d have to say that this appears to be a very good draft. Check back with me after two or three seasons and we can all talk about this draft over a few pops.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Allow me to disagree. I think our base set will be a 2 WR set with either a TE and FB or two TE’s on the field. Hooper and Njoku are both bigger receiver-type TE’s and grabbing a big, slow WR wouldn’t help us. I think we need a small burner type WR for those few times we do go 3WR sets (3rd and long) that can take the top off the defense and allow OBJ and Landry to do their thing. That 3rd receiver will have to learn 1 route and 1 route only; the 9 route.
Which is EXACTLY why we need a Quez Watkins if we’re going to draft a receiver.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Delpit’s production in 2019 was seriously hampered by a high ankle sprain. His 2018 tape is rock solid. This kid can play center field, as well as drop down into the box or play nickel or dime. I like the pick. I like it a lot!
At the time I’m making this post, the Browns have also added a DT and a LB. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them add a WR in one of the remaining rounds, especially when you consider how incredibly deep this class is. One of my favorite WRs in this class that’s still on the board is Southern Mississippi’s Quez Watkins, who ran a sub 4.40 at the combine. I don’t know if the kid can block, but he can flat out make big plays! Liberty’s Antonio Gandy-Golden and Ohio State’s KJ Hill are still on the board; and with the Browns having the 9th pick today, one of them could be a real possibility. Neither of these two are burners, but they have a track record of production.
For those of you who might want the Browns to add yet another linebacker in round four, Oregon’s Troy Dye and Appalachian State’s Akeem David-Gaither are also available. What’s up with all these hyphenated names?
Speaking of names, my favorite name in the whole 2020 draft is Missouri TE Albert Okwuegbunam for no other reason than hearing the members of the media struggle with pronouncing Okwuegbunam (o-KWEG-boo-nahm) much like so many struggle with David Njoku (nuh-JO-koo, not en-JO-koo). One final thing about Okwuegbunam . . . The kid can catch the football and score. And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I like Elliott’s quick first step. At first glance, don’t expect much more from Phillips beyond special teams this year.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
With the top three picks going chalk, I was convinced in my own mind that Wills was going off the board at #4 to the Giants. What surprised me even more was the fact that three of the top four O-linemen were still on the board. With that said, I am THRILLED that we got the most technically sound offensive tackle in the draft. The thing that made Joe Thomas so great was the fact that he was such a technician. Athletic ability will only take you so far in this league because you have to be able to use proper technique.
I think that, if he can remain healthy, Jedrick Wills Jr. will be the starting left tackle for the Cleveland Browns for the next 10-15 years. Now the Browns need to solidify the O-line depth – particularly up the middle. They may already have a piece or two in place, but we just don’t know it yet. Teller still needs to prove that he can beat out Drew Forbes for the starting RG position, but I have to say that the Browns starting O-line looks a lot better now than what it did a year ago.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
If indeed a deal is struck, here’s how I think it’ll go down. The Browns and Redskins will agree that compensation for Williams will be a conditional 2021 4th round pick that, based on Williams’ 2020 performance, can be upgraded to a 3rd or 2nd. The move will allow the Browns to take the BPA regardless of position at #10, which could be one of the top pass rushers. It also allows them to do the analytical thing, which is trade down and acquire more picks without the added pressure of having to find their LT of the future.
I’m currently listening to Cleveland Browns Propaganda Daily. Bishop and Zegura are doing the front office’s bidding by prepping the local fans for what appears to be the inevitable trade down. As it looks right now, I’m guessing that the only way the Browns use the 10th pick on a player is if Isaiah Simmons miraculously falls to them; at which point, Brownstown will be in complete pandemonium.
I heard on Rizzy & Hammer this little nugget . . . The Browns will give up a third this year and a second next year. My guess is that the source is some 40 year old virgin who’s never held down a real job for any meaningful length of time and is still living at home and watches porn from his Mom’s basement.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
What’ll really be interesting is if the Browns draft Tristan Wirfs and make the trade for Trent Williams. That will give us Wirfs to be our RG for the next decade.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I think that’s the more likely scenario with the Browns taking an OT there. Get your OT and get on with the show. I’m thinking that, if they take a defensive player at 10, they’ve got to have a deal for a veteran OT in place.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Thanks, guys. Please keep them coming.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
SD, I love your effort, but there’s no way that Baun lasts until the third wound. Peace out, bro.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Good to see that Ice didn’t fall into the trap of “all intensive purposes”. Kudos for proper use of the Queen’s English.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I never was a fan of the brown pants because their only benefit is that you can sh** in them and no one can see the difference. They were first brought out when Eric Mangini was the GM/Head Coach. I’m holding out for the Cardiac Kids era orange pants. Browns and white is cool, as are the white on white. Keep it simple, folks.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
This speculated trade is absolute bull***t!!! This was started by New York media who have been saying since the day of the trade of Odell from New York to Cleveland that the Browns would trade him. The Vikings are currently 12 mil under the salary cap and Odell’s contract calls for 14 mil this season. How are the Vikings going to make this trade and cut enough salary to pay him and their 2020 draft picks? In short, it ain’t happening. Don’t take the bait, people.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I’ll offer them this year’s second. Now, whether or not they’ll take it is another story altogether.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
If Isaiah Simmons is available, then you draft him, sign Jason Peters to a one-year deal and look for a developmental player this year or a starter next year.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Wirfs certainly put on a show in Indy, and there’s a lot of tape on him to verify his athleticism. Becton just pulls out a big old bottle of whoop-em and mauls defenders. He won’t be able to do that on Sundays without learning some technique. The more I think about it, the Browns need a plug-and-play left tackle; whether they get a veteran or a rookie.With that said, I think that Andrew Thomas might be the best fit for what the Browns need.
Here’s Andrew Berry’s quotes concerning the OT position:
On evaluating draft prospects at T and considering their ability to potentially transfer from one side to the other:
Honestly, I think the distinction between left and right tackle is really outdated. We are no longer in the days of football where teams will have their best rusher and line him up on the defensive right side and offensive left side of the formation. Really, the game is not played that way. From my perspective, tackles are tackles. In terms of guys making the switch, certainly, there is an element of muscle memory that needs to be reprogrammed, so to speak, for people who have played one side or the other for a long period of time. If you look, (T) Jack Conklin was a college left tackle that has been a pretty well accomplished right tackle in our league. Perhaps the best example of a career college right tackle who has been a pretty good left tackle in our league is (Cowboys T) Tyron Smith. Sometimes those distinctions can be a bit overemphasized. In today’s game, the two tackle positions may not be identical, but they are pretty close.
On teams in the past typically placing the most athletic OL at LT:
I think the requirements of both the left and the right tackle in today’s sport are just as challenging. You are going to face top rushers every week at both spots. You are going to have to pass protect at both spots. You are going to have to create movement in the run game at both spots. It is certainly a challenge that both guys will face.
On if the Browns by design have not addressed LT in free agency to focus on the position in the draft:
I would not make any assumptions regarding that. Like I mentioned, Jack (Conklin) has played left tackle before. (T) Chris Hubbard has played left tackle before. (T) Kendall Lamm has played left tackle. I would not make any assumptions about what we may or may not do moving forward. My goal is to make sure that we are adding talent across the roster and adding competition across the roster. That is something that we are looking forward to continuing to do over the next several months.
Now some of this I agree with and some of this – particularly the first quote two quotes. However, I think he’s posturing on the third. There’s a reason why Chris Hubbard’s contract was re-negotiated. It’s because Jack Conklin was brought in here to start at RT and Hubbard would be relegated to a back-up role. There’s also a reason or two why Kendall Lamm was a reserve last year . . . (1) he was injured and (2) he’s not that good to begin with. Trust me, the Browns are looking for a starting LT in this year’s draft.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Wirfs is a very good run blocker, but he often doesn’t finish the block. This is a coachable defect, though.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I have a lot of respect for Dane Brugler. However, We need an offensive left tackle, not a guard. So, give me Jedrick Wills, Andrew Thomas or Mekhi Becton at #10. As far as Jeremy Chinn at #41 goes . . . I could certainly live with that, depending upon who’s still on the board at the time of the pick. If somehow Zach Baun is still available, I’d rather have him; but I’ve seen mocks where he goes off in the first round, so I don’t know how realistic that would be.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I’ve seen or heard of some mocks – with trade scenarios – where the Browns are shut out of the top four OT’s. Needless to say, I’m not a fan of those scenarios because left tackle is the greatest need in terms of the starting lineup. if that ends up being the real life scenario, the Browns will have two options . . . (1) BPA regardless of position and (2) trade down to acquire more draft assets. I’ve also seen mocks where none of the OT’s are off the board when the Browns are on the clock. I’m guessing that’s not very realistic. As far as my preference at the LT position, here’s how I see it:
(1) Mekhi Becton – he’s RAW; but a physically dominating specimen, always pulling out the bottle of whoop’em . . .
(2) Jedrick Wills Jr. – he’s the most polished of the group, and he’s always looking for someone to hit . . .
(3) Tristan Wirfs – the most athletic of the group . . .
(4) Andrew Thomas – nice upside and a good fit for the wide zone run scheme, but he needs to use his hands better when in pass pro. If the Browns do trade down, then I think that USC OT Austin Jackson or Boise State OT Ezra Cleveland come into play; unless they sign a stop gap tackle.Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Ice . . . please tell us something we don’t already know.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Okay . . . So which OT do y’all want to see the Browns take at #10?
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
If the Browns were to land Isaiah Simmons in round one, it would be because they traded up from 10th overall in order to get him. He’s that good. I don’t see that happening, in spite of his talent level, because the Browns analytically driven front office treasures draft picks. If they weren’t so desperate at OT, I think that they’d be tempted to trade down this year.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Offensive Tackle: It’s been speculated that the Browns will go after a free agent left tackle and draft a right tackle high. I took the liberty of looking at the free agent list, and the list is pretty short. The Colts Anthony Castonzo is the highest rated free agent left tackle, and he’s 32 years old. Signing a free agent player that old doesn’t fit into the analytics driven front office mind set. Tennessee’s Jack Conklin is 26 years old and has been the team’s starting right tackle. I would be SHOCKED if the Titans let him walk. In fact, I think that they may even franchise him.Halapoulivaati Vaitai is 27 years old and has been the Eagles swing tackle. With GM Andrew Berry having spent last year in Philadelphia, he’ll have some insight on him. Greg Robinson has been with the team for two seasons, and has been average. The trouble with that is you don’t want your starting left tackle to be average. Will there be any interest from other teams – especially moving him to the right side? That remains to be seen. As strange as this may sound to some, the Browns may re-sign him with that mindset; or as a last ditch effort to fill the position. Any way you look at it, O-line coach Bill Callahan and his assistant, Scott Peters, will have their hands full.
Defensive End: Olivier Vernon has been the team’s invisible man due to lack of quality play and injuries. He’s on the fringe at age 29. Jadeveon Clowney and Dante Fowler Jr. are listed as the top two free agents. They’re 27 and 26 years old respectively and they’ll want to get paid big time. Pittsburgh’s Bud Dupree had a breakout season in 2019 with 11.5 sacks. Is that indicative of what he’ll do for the next three years or just a blip on the radar screen? Stay tuned, folks.
Safety: If Damarious Randall bolts for huge buck, then the Browns need to find a replacement. It could also be argued that they should add some competition at the position regardless.
Tight End: The Browns have some great athleticism at the position, but not one of them can block to save their soul. Considering the offensive scheme that Kevin Stefanski wants to run, that needs to change if they’re going to be successful in 2020.
Linebacker: Joe Schobert is a free agent and Christian Kirksey is coming off a major injury. Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki both need to make that jump in play from year one to year two.
Backup Center: If JC Tretter gets injured, the Browns are screwed. I’m not sold on the possibility of Eric Kush playing significant minutes.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Only one full day on the job and it’s starting to look more and more like something that happened in 1937.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Wade Philips? Great DC, but his base defense is the 3-4. The personnel on the current roster are much better suited for a 4-3 set. Enough said.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
With the two starting corners the Browns have in Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams, I think that Steve Wilks did them a great disservice by having them play mostly zone coverage. Losing Myles Garrett to a season ending suspension didn’t help matters, neither did the absence of Olivier Vernon to injury for a good portion of the season. And when Vernon was able to suit up, he was pretty much the invisible man on defense when you needed him to show up the most. That said, losing to the Bungles in Cincinnati the way they did is unpardonable. I’m confident that George Edwards would be an adequate DC, but are we looking for someone that’s merely adequate?
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Because of his checkered past as a youth, there has been some speculation about possible off the field misconduct; but so far it’s merely speculation. Nothing has been confirmed, so speculation is all it is. This comes as a shock to me because Lawrence was one of Freddie’s favorite non-starters, and he has been rather productive. That and the fact that we’re a bit thin on the D-line in terms of numbers (without Miles Garrett for the remainder of the season) makes this move even more perplexing. This could be an example of John Dorsey tinkering with the bottom half of the 53 man roster. I don’t know if he’s eligible to be re-signed to the practice squad or not, but my guess is that he is not. I wish him well in his endeavors to pursue his career in the NFL.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
You want a prediction? I’ll give you a prediction. It’s going to be cold . . . it’s going to be dark . . . and it’s going to last the rest of your life (Groundhog Day).
Okay, now for real . . . Browns win the ACF North . . . Myles Garrett wins AFC defensive player of the year . . . Freddie Kitchens wins AFC coach of the year . . . Browns lose to New England in the AFC Championship game, but win the Super Bowl next season.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Agreed. The Browns don’t need to add that contract or the possible headaches associated with it.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Evidently, he missed his flight to Cleveland and either missed the first day of mandatory mini-camp or was late getting there. There may have been some other underlying issues with Harrison as well. Regardless, he’s gone.
The Arizona Cardinals, who have plenty of issues along the O-line, have picked him up. Hopefully, for his sake, he’ll get his head right with a fresh start.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Also keep in mind that the Browns drafted two linebackers this year . . . just saying.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Here’s where I think the rubber meets the road . . . Myles Garrett is in the third year of a five year contract, and will get Pro Bowl DE money his second contract. If the Browns sign McCoy for more than one year, it can only be for 2 years with a club option for a third at the MOST.
Are the Browns looking to sign him to a one year “prove it” deal or are they willing to go two or three years? Just because Cleveland is still well under the salary cap does not necessarily mean that they’re willing to shell out huge NFL pay scale dollars for a DT who’s already 31 years old. I think that John Dorsey is willing to test the waters, and is even willing to sign McCoy; but only if the contract dollars and years make sense for the overall well-being of the Cleveland Browns organization.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
If we’re going to do this, let’s do it right. We need to have our own webcast/podcast for this one.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
And when it’s all said and done, it could be that either Daniel Jones or Will Grier could end up having better NFL careers because they’ll be given an opportunity to develop before being thrown to the wolves.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
It concerns me to a point, but I’ve seen more live game action of Haskins than any other QB in this draft. He’s got all the traits you want in a QB, except for escapability from a pass rush.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Quite frankly, Ice, Kyler Murray scares the living $h!# out of me. Not just because of his lack of physical size, but also the fact that he’s only a one year starter. He may prove me wrong with Cliff Kingsbury’s offense, but I’m still not totally convinced that he’s got the frame to take the pounding of NFL size linemen and linebackers. He’s going to have to prove that he can beat NFL defenses with his arm and not with just his legs. That was a “who I think they’ll take” pick, not a “who they should take” pick. There can be a huge difference between the two.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Dorsey brought this guy in for a reason. Stay tuned.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
But Bill, you forgot to answer has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do more like??!!
Ice, I’m still waiting for that question to be translated into proper English for the Crusty Old Curmudgeon.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Bill, Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do more like??!!
Ice, I’m not sure that I even understand the question. Could you please rephrase it for the crusty old curmudgeon?
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Thanks for all your entries, folks. I think this should be quite enough for one article. Your participation is always very much appreciated.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Here’s the thing, we have to be careful how we’re using this “in the workplace” narrative because it’s not so cut and dry. The NFL isn’t just “a job” Playing in the NFL is not at all the same as working construction. At Fred’s contracting service, all of Fred’s employees are not subject to a public code of conduct and strict stipulations on what they can and can’t do when they’re not “working”. If JoeBob the drywall guy wants to spend his weekend blowing coke and slapping hookers on the ass on the Las Vegas strip, Fred doesn’t give a shit because what JoeBob does on his time is his own business. As long as he’s not doing it on Monday when the new job is being built, Fred doesn’t give a shit.
You’re right to a certain extent, Shooter. What an employee (in the world that most of us are familiar with)does on his/her free time is his/her own business . . . unless the residual affects make their way back to the workplace. And if those residual affects do indeed make their way back to the workplace; then an employer or supervisor has every right to be disappointed, upset and even angry at said employee. You cannot show up to work drunk or high on some recreational drug and have any reasonable expectations that you won’t be fired from your job. There are still matters of personal conduct that businesses will adhere to.
The NFL is indeed an entirely different world than what most of us know. You have to take a drug test anytime an NFL Labs representative shows up at your door. You have to notify the League/Team if you’re going on a vacation during the offseason so that the League can have a representative show up at your hotel room or on your cruise ship if your number comes up for testing. Some player contracts prevent players from doing such things like skydiving, water skiing, parasailing and other activities which the team considers to be too hazardous. And there is that personal conduct code of which you spoke.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
The Giants’ loss of safety Landon Collins to Washington made Jabril Peppers a must have in their eyes. He’s not just a throw-in, he was a major part of getting the deal done.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!